Chapter 270: Old Sir Xie’s Phone Call
Chapter 270: Chapter 270: Old Sir Xie’s Phone Call
He thought Su Zhaozhao was an excellent English teacher. Even he felt a sense of gratification when he occasionally passed her classroom and heard the students enthusiastically shouting out answers.
Besides, he didn’t know much about English, but he still found her lectures incredibly enlightening.
Su Zhaozhao didn’t have a degree, but she was more than qualified to be a teacher.
He thought the principal had made a wise choice in hiring her.
Even a graduate from West State University might not be able to teach the way Su Zhaozhao did.
Her classes were so lively and interesting; a full period would fly by without a single dull moment.
As for the current matter, the dean thought for a moment and decided he should ask Su Zhaozhao about it.
West State University?
Su Zhaozhao thought of Xu Jiaxin. ’Oh, right, Xu Jiaxin’s classes have started too. I wonder if I’ll see her here?’
"Okay, I don’t have a problem with it. If someone is willing to sit in on my class, I don’t think it will be boring. In fact, I might even be able to learn some things from them."
"Teacher Su, you’re too modest. Many teachers at our school are envious of your teaching style. They’ve been wanting to find a chance to observe your class."
Su Zhaozhao let out a small gasp. "That’s a bit of an exaggeration, isn’t it? I don’t think I’m anything special."
"Teacher Su, you’re too humble," the dean said.
After a bit more small talk, Su Zhaozhao left the office.
The matter didn’t affect her much. She was more curious about what on earth Xie Huaizheng wanted from her tonight.
’It feels like Xie Huaizheng is deliberately keeping me in suspense!’
That evening, after they ate, Xie Huaizheng went to wash the dishes while Su Zhaozhao turned on the television.
The televisions of that era were ancient, with black-and-white screens and only a handful of channels.
Su Zhaozhao found a random drama and started watching.
Even if she wasn’t really watching, it was nice to have some noise from it playing in the background.
Just then, the telephone rang.
Su Zhaozhao got up to answer it.
Huang Jiqin’s voice came from the other end. "Zhaozhao?"
Su Zhaozhao replied, "Auntie."
"How have you been lately?" Huang Jiqin made a habit of calling every so often.
Previously, the whole incident with Xie Huaizheng mistaking his fiancée had soured her impression of Su Zhaozhao.
Now that the matter was resolved and Shu Xue had given her blessing to Su Zhaozhao and Xie Huaizheng, Huang Jiqin felt a little embarrassed.
’She could clearly tell Su Zhaozhao was a good person when they were together. So why couldn’t she bring herself to trust her?’
’To think that the moment she learned the truth, her first instinct was to suspect Su Zhaozhao had ulterior motives.’
Although she had never confronted Su Zhaozhao about it, just having had those thoughts now left her feeling nothing but ashamed.
"I’m doing well, Auntie. Huai Zheng is doing well too. He’s washing the dishes right now. Should I get him?"
"No, no, it’s fine. I’ll chat with you for a bit first," Huang Jiqin said with a laugh that couldn’t hide a hint of awkwardness.
"Zhaozhao, you know about the whole mistaken identity business, right?"
’Shu Xue came over, so Su Zhaozhao must know.’
"I know," Su Zhaozhao said.
"It’s quite a fateful turn of events, don’t you think?" Huang Jiqin said with a dry laugh. "Such a bizarre mix-up, and yet you and Huai Zheng have such a strong relationship. If it had been that girl Shu Xue, I doubt they would be as close as you two."
"There’s no point in hypotheticals," Su Zhaozhao laughed as well. "In the end, I’m the one with Xie Huaizheng now. I have no idea what it would be like if Shu Xue were with him."
Su Zhaozhao admitted honestly.
"Yes, you two are great together. Sigh, I wish the New Year would come sooner. I really want you two to come back to Beijing. It must be so quiet with just the two of you in West State. When you get to Beijing, you’ll see just how lively it is here."
"Okay. It’s only a few more months until the New Year, anyway. Huai Zheng and I will come back then."
Huang Jiqin was about to say more when Old Sir Xie suddenly appeared. Hearing that she was on the phone with Su Zhaozhao, he immediately said, "Give me the phone. I want to have a word with our granddaughter-in-law too."
Old Sir Xie also knew about the mistaken identity. He had immediately written a letter home to explain everything to his old comrade-in-arms, and ever since, he had been wanting to meet Su Zhaozhao.
’He wondered what this girl was really like, to be able to bewitch the family’s little devil so completely.’
Huang Jiqin hesitated, worried that Old Sir Xie might say the wrong thing.
’She didn’t know if, in his heart, Old Sir Xie would have preferred Shu Xue.’
After all, they had looked into Su Zhaozhao’s family background. Her maternal grandparents came from a scholarly and respectable family, but her father’s side was riddled with all sorts of problems.
Her father was even in prison now.
This was by no means their standard for choosing a daughter-in-law.
’She worried Old Sir Xie might say something hurtful.’
But Old Sir Xie was too insistent, so Huang Jiqin had no choice but to hand him the phone.
Old Sir Xie took it and immediately boomed into the receiver, "Granddaughter-in-law! How are you, granddaughter-in-law? I’m that brat Huai Zheng’s grandpa."
"Hello, Grandpa." Listening to the hearty voice of the old man on the other end, Su Zhaozhao didn’t feel nervous.
On the contrary, she felt that this Old Sir Xie seemed quite easy to get along with.
"When are you coming back to Beijing? I really want to know how on earth you managed to get that boy Huai Zheng so completely tamed. I hear he’s as gentle as a lamb with you."
Su Zhaozhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’Was Xie Huaizheng really that wild and untamable at home?’
Just then, Xie Huaizheng finished the dishes and walked over. He stood beside her, listening quietly for a moment.
When he heard Su Zhaozhao tell Old Sir Xie that she would return with him for the New Year, he gestured for her to give him the phone.
"Grandpa, don’t go scaring her," Xie Huaizheng said, his brow furrowed.
"Oh ho, so protective, are we? That just makes me more curious! If my old bones could handle the ride, I’d take a train to West State right now."
He was so curious. He had seen photos, and the girl in them was indeed beautiful.
But he still wanted to meet her in person.
’Judging by her voice, the girl sounded soft and sweet, not like a particularly formidable person. So, was this a case of using gentleness to conquer strength?’
Old Sir Xie was very curious.
"Stop being curious," Xie Huaizheng cut off his grandfather’s train of thought. "My Zhaozhao is just a little bit prettier, a little bit smarter, a little more pleasant to listen to, and a little more gentle than most..."
Hearing Xie Huaizheng praise her like this in front of his grandfather, Su Zhaozhao’s face turned red.
She couldn’t help but pinch his arm. "Stop talking such nonsense."
"Don’t be shy," Xie Huaizheng said with a soft chuckle.
"Anyway, Old Sir, you just stay put in Beijing and don’t call us for no reason. Don’t disturb our private time together."
After saying that, Xie Huaizheng hung up. He said to Su Zhaozhao, "Don’t worry. My grandpa’s easy to handle. He’s just an old man who acts like a kid."
"I know."
"I’m going to take a shower first." Xie Huaizheng grabbed his clothes and headed into the bathroom.
Su Zhaozhao froze for a second. Usually, Xie Huaizheng always let her shower first.
’He’s been acting really strange these last couple of days.’