Chapter 57: Three Women Make a Play

Wang Jian walked along, smiling wryly, trying to talk as little as possible with Han Yuting and Zhao Yanyan to avoid them teasing him. However, the two women still chatted and laughed, teasing Wang Jian's tense nerves, almost mentioning Jie Lianbing's name!

The vehicle jolted along the country road, and after about half an hour, it arrived at the Xinhé Village Primary School.

Wang Jian had called and informed Lu Fang and Principal Lao Lu in advance. Although this matter had little to do with Lu Fang, as the village secretary, he would be unhappy if Wang Jian came to Xinhé Village without calling him. People in the countryside valued face, and the presence of the township chief made him feel honored!

At this moment, Jie Lianbing was teaching in the classroom. Since that night when they parted, she hadn't seen Wang Jian again. Although Wang Jian often called, she still longed to see him, but didn't know how to bring it up!

Lu Fang and Principal Lao Lu stood at the school gate to welcome them. After Wang Jian got out of the car, more than ten students lined up to welcome Zhao Yanyan. Although he was not entirely happy with Lao Lu's decision to have students welcome her, considering that she was a county leader, Wang Jian did not show his displeasure and led Zhao Yanyan into the school.

"Hello, everyone!" Zhao Yanyan was clearly delighted by the school's special arrangement to have students welcome her. She waved and smiled at the students, holding a small bag.

"Give each of them a schoolbag first!" The students who had lined up to welcome her did not go unrewarded; each received a large schoolbag, which they hugged happily.

"Welcome the leaders to our school for inspection!" Lao Lu raised his hand, and the students, as if just remembering, shouted in unison.

This was all Lao Lu's arrangement. He had originally planned to write slogans, but since Wang Jian's notification came late, there was no time. So he had the students shout slogans instead.

"Good, good, good, you students are really well-behaved!" Hearing the young voices, Zhao Yanyan smiled. Since becoming the vice-chairman of the county women's federation, she had never received such treatment.

Although Wang Jian did not like Lao Lu's formalism, he had to admit it was effective. It made Zhao Yanyan smile without spending a penny, and she would likely want to come back again.

"Alright, Lao Lu, let the students go back to class!" Seeing the right moment, Wang Jian calmly instructed Lao Lu.

Lao Lu nodded and waved his hand, and the students skipped back to their classrooms.

After introducing Lu Fang and Lao Lu to Zhao Yanyan, Wang Jian walked into the schoolyard.

Lao Lu led everyone to his office, brought chairs for Wang Jian and the others to sit, and had the teachers bring in a few cups of plain water. Zhao Yanyan stared at the cracks in the corner of the room, feeling that the school was indeed very poor, even the building was dilapidated.

"Principal Lao, how many students in the school are from poor families?" After sitting down and briefly explaining the purpose of their visit, Zhao Yanyan placed her ten white fingers on her knees and asked Lao Lu.

Although Lao Lu was over fifty, he still had a soft spot for beautiful women. He kept staring at Zhao Yanyan's glittering attire. Hearing her question, he quickly replied, "There are many poor students, about sixty or so."

Lao Lu was quite cunning. He remembered that Jie Lianbing had told him there were about thirty poor students, so he doubled the number. Crying poor to superiors was a strategy to get money and resources. Wang Jian couldn't help but smile at him.

Zhao Yanyan naturally believed him and said, "We only brought fifty schoolbags and related stationery. We've already distributed over ten, so it's not enough. We'll bring more next time. You choose the most needy students to receive them!"

"Chairwoman Zhao, you don't know, the students here are all very poor. The poorest can't even afford to go to school. Giving them schoolbags won't help!" Lao Lu said, looking very sad.

Zhao Yanyan was shocked and leaned forward, asking, "There are students who can't afford to go to school?"

"Of course. Now there's a trend of thinking that education is useless. Some students drop out after fourth or fifth grade because their families can't afford it and don't want them to continue!" Lao Lu said, sounding very distressed.

This deeply moved Zhao Yanyan. She had grown up in an official family and had no idea about the living conditions in the countryside. Looking at her glittering attire, she suddenly felt that Han Yuting was right. Wearing such things in this place was out of place and made her feel uncomfortable.

"Township Chief Wang, Secretary Han, I never expected the students in the countryside to be like this!" Zhao Yanyan turned to Wang Jian and Han Yuting and said.

Han Yuting smiled and said, "Chairwoman Zhao, coming down here has broadened your horizons. Your women's federation is dedicated to caring for women and children. In the future, pay more attention to the students and children in the countryside."

Zhao Yanyan smiled awkwardly and said, "It seems we came too hastily without understanding the situation. Since that's the case, I'll apply for 5,000 yuan from the women's federation to help the students who can't afford to go to school. Today, we'll distribute some items, more or less, as a gesture of our concern!"

Wang Jian knew Lao Lu had exaggerated the situation, but as long as Zhao Yanyan was moved to help the school, he was happy to see it through. He said, "Not only Xinhé Village Primary School, but the entire Xianhe Township is very poor. The people can endure hunger, but the students, who are growing, cannot. Lao Lu, you must do a good job with the poor students and ensure no student drops out. Chairwoman Zhao's concern is also an encouragement for us. We must do a good job with the parents and students, encouraging them to continue their education!"

Wang Jian's words were very appropriate, and both Han Yuting and Zhao Yanyan were impressed by his ability.

Coming out of the previous situation, Zhao Yanyan picked up where Wang Jian left off, "Right, Township Chief Wang, I heard that the work with poor students here is quite good, and there are teachers providing psychological counseling. Is that true? Can you introduce us to it?"

Before Wang Jian could speak, Lao Lu, eager to curry favor, said, "Chairwoman Zhao, that's true. It's done by our teacher, Jie Lianbing, and it's very popular with the students!"

Lao Lu smiled at Wang Jian, but saw a blank expression on his face. He didn't know that Zhao Yanyan had another reason for coming. When she asked about this, Wang Jian realized she was here for Jie Lianbing. He didn't expect his romantic news to interest Zhao Yanyan as well.

Han Yuting smiled at Lao Lu and said, "Then let Teacher Jie introduce it to Chairwoman Zhao."

Feeling that his flattery had no effect, Lao Lu was taken aback and said, "Alright, Secretary Han, I'll go call her!"

As Lao Lu left the office, the school bell rang. Jie Lianbing met him on her way back. Lao Lu told her that Wang Jian and the county leaders had come and wanted her to introduce the psychological counseling for poor students.

Hearing that Wang Jian had come again, Jie Lianbing was instantly excited, but when she heard about the county leaders, she became nervous. Introducing her experience to county leaders in front of Wang Jian made her feel uneasy, afraid of embarrassing herself and making Wang Jian uncomfortable.

"Principal Lao, I won't go. I'm afraid I won't do well!" Jie Lianbing declined.

Knowing about her relationship with Wang Jian, Lao Lu treated her more politely and couldn't order her around. He lied, "Teacher Jie, Township Chief Wang asked you to come. Just say a few words, it's nothing serious!"

Hearing this, Jie Lianbing thought for a moment and said, "Alright."

Lao Lu led Jie Lianbing into the office. The first person she saw was Wang Jian, and next to him were two beautiful young women. She turned to Lao Lu, thinking he was tricking her, as there were no county leaders!

"Chairwoman Zhao, Secretary Han, this is Teacher Jie!" Lao Lu didn't introduce her to Wang Jian, assuming they knew each other.

Jie Lianbing then realized that the two young women were also leaders!

When Jie Lianbing entered, Han Yuting and Zhao Yanyan looked at her. She was naturally beautiful, with a small ponytail and simple clothing. Although she stood out, she was far from the fashionable and sexy city girls. They wondered what Wang Jian saw in her and why he liked her.

"Hello, leaders!" Jie Lianbing greeted them.

Seeing Jie Lianbing again, especially in this setting, Wang Jian didn't know what to say, feeling guilty and pressured to keep their relationship secret.

Jie Lianbing glanced at Wang Jian, who smiled back at her. For a moment, their eyes met, and they communicated silently.

Noticing Jie Lianbing's expression, Zhao Yanyan felt a bit jealous and asked coldly, "Teacher Jie, how do you provide psychological counseling to the students?"

Hearing the tone in Zhao Yanyan's voice, Wang Jian quickly smiled and said, "Teacher Jie, please introduce it to Chairwoman Zhao."

Jie Lianbing was taken aback by Zhao Yanyan's words, not understanding why the leader was unfriendly. After Wang Jian spoke, she responded, "Alright."

Jie Lianbing began to speak.

Han Yuting clearly sensed the jealousy in Zhao Yanyan's words. Although she didn't like Wang Jian's interest in a rural teacher, she wasn't jealous. She was confident that the teacher, though pretty, was not as beautiful as she and Zhao Yanyan. Zhao Yanyan's behavior clearly showed how much she cared about Wang Jian.

Lu Fang and Lao Lu also found it strange. The county leaders seemed to have a grudge against Jie Lianbing. Why did they ask her to introduce her experience and then change their attitude? Was it because they were jealous of her beauty? Was it necessary? Rural girls couldn't compare to city girls, and in their eyes, the fashionable and sophisticated Zhao Yanyan was much more attractive than Jie Lianbing.

It must be that city girls have small minds!

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