Chapter 26: Reciprocating Kindness

"Knock, knock, knock!" The knocking sound came again.

A classmate shouted, "Here it comes again!"

"May I ask, which one of you is Li Yi?" A fashionable long-haired girl stood at the door, smiling. "I am Zuo Xiaoxia, the vice-chairman of the Student Union. I have something to discuss with him."

All the classmates' gazes fell on Li Yi.

Zuo Xiaoxia walked over with a smile, extending her hand to Li Yi, "Hello, I am Zuo Xiaoxia. Can we talk for a moment?"

Li Yi shook her hand, "Let's talk here if there's something to say."

"Li Yi, Lu Jun wants to ask if you're interested in joining our Student Union?" Zuo Xiaoxia fluttered her big eyes, sizing up this boy, who was unknown but had scored full marks in the party member exam.

"Sorry, I'm not interested." Li Yi thought that since Principal Qian had promised to arrange an internship for him, this commitment shouldn't be too far off, so there was no need to get involved in the Student Union.

Zuo Xiaoxia was somewhat surprised. This was a "big official" that many students dreamed of, and he had actually refused it!

"Li Yi, you will eventually enter the workforce, and the experience in the Student Union will bring you unexpected benefits," Zuo Xiaoxia earnestly persuaded him. "Given your outstanding performance, we have decided to offer you the position of deputy minister."

"Deputy minister? What kind of deputy minister?"

"Deputy minister of the Life Department."

"So, you mean I have to manage half of the tens of thousands of students' eating, drinking, and living?" Li Yi rolled his eyes, his smile growing wider. "Sorry, I really have no interest. Please go back."

Zuo Xiaoxia, despite being repeatedly rebuffed, didn't get angry. "Alright, I respect your decision. However, I still hope you will consider it carefully." Seeing that Li Yi didn't respond, she smiled and left.

That evening, Li Yi went to Wang Haibo's house and knocked on the door.

The one who opened the door was Wang Haibo's wife, He Nan. Seeing Li Yi, her face was full of questions and a bit of suspicion, "Who are you?"

"Aunt, hello. I am Wang Laoshi's student, my name is Li Yi." Li Yi was always polite to his teachers.

Upon hearing it was Li Yi, He Nan's face turned serious, "Wang Laoshi is taking a shower." She shouted inside, "Haibo, Li Yi is here." She left Li Yi standing there and went back inside.

"Ah, Li Yi, please sit down for a moment. I'll be right out," Wang Haibo's voice came from inside, and it was clear he was happy.

Wang Haibo's apartment was a one-bedroom, one-living room, and it was quite cramped for the couple and their daughter. The living room also served as their daughter's bedroom, with a single bed in the corner, a desk, and a simple electronic keyboard.

A little girl with two braids, wearing a floral dress, sat by the keyboard, curiously looking at Li Yi.

He Nan glared at her, "Xiaoyue, what are you looking at? Go practice your piano!"

"Mom, this keyboard is so bad, it can't compare to a piano at all. If I keep playing this, my skills will only get worse. I won't practice anymore," Wang Xiaoyue pouted.

"You brat, having an electronic keyboard to practice on is already pretty good. A piano? Do you think pianos grow on trees? Where am I supposed to get one from?" He Nan said sarcastically, glancing at Li Yi.

Li Yi smiled apologetically.

The living room was already small, and with Wang Xiaoyue's three items, there was only room for a few chairs, a dining table, and a 14-inch TV. It was clear that the Wang family was not well-off. The more so, the more Li Yi appreciated Wang Haibo's willingness to help a student, even to the point of using his own resources. Such a teacher was truly worthy of respect!

"Aunt, it's all my fault. I caused you trouble when I was hospitalized. I came today specifically to repay the money. Thank you for your generous help when I needed it the most." Li Yi finished speaking and bowed deeply.

Upon hearing that he had come to repay the money, He Nan felt a bit embarrassed and laughed awkwardly, "It's nothing. You don't need to be so formal."

Li Yi put down the things he had bought, took out an envelope from his bag, and handed it to He Nan, "This is the money I borrowed from you. Please count it to make sure it's correct." He then picked up a shopping receipt and handed it to Wang Xiaoyue, "This is a small gift I bought for Xiaoyue. Please accept it."

"Alright, I have some things to do, so I won't disturb you." Li Yi said, and before He Nan could react, he had already opened the door and left.

By the time He Nan realized it, Li Yi was already far away.

At that moment, Wang Haibo, drying his hair with a towel, came out, "Where's Li Yi?"

"He's gone," He Nan said.

"Gone? What did he say? Why didn't you ask him to stay for a cup of tea? We still had some fruit, and you didn't even bring it out for him. Li Yi is from a poor family and just got out of the hospital; he needs nutrition..." Wang Haibo scolded his wife while opening the door to see if Li Yi was still there.

"He just came to repay the money," He Nan opened the envelope, took out the money, and counted it under the light, "The money is correct."

"Oh, how can you say that! Li Yi's family is not well-off. His father died when he was young, and his mother raised him alone. She has no special skills, just does laundry and odd jobs. It's already a miracle that she could send Li Yi to college. How can you take 3,000 yuan from him?"

"Why can't I take it? It's my money!"

"You!"

"Dad!" Wang Xiaoyue shouted happily, "Come and see!"

Wang Haibo asked, "What is it?"

"Just now, Li Yi gave me a gift. Guess what it is?"

"What? A book? No, it seems to be a piece of paper. It can't be a love letter! Give it here!" He Nan, nervous, snatched the paper from Wang Xiaoyue.

It was a shopping receipt, the item being: Yamaha U1M.

"What is this?" He Nan muttered, suddenly stopping, her eyes wide as she stared at the price, "68,000 yuan! What is so expensive?"

Wang Haibo snatched it and looked, shocked beyond measure, "This is a Yamaha piano. A high-end series. Didn't we plan to buy a piano for Xiaoyue? I did some research."

Wang Xiaoyue was already jumping with joy, "Oh, oh, oh! I have a piano!"

He Nan's eyes flashed with surprise.

"We can't accept this piano. We must return it to Li Yi—it's too valuable," Wang Haibo said, pouring cold water on the situation.

Wang Xiaoyue pulled her mother's hand, pouting.

He Nan smiled helplessly, "Haibo, this is a gift Li Yi gave to Xiaoyue. We can't decide for her. It's up to Xiaoyue."

Wang Xiaoyue clapped her hands, "That's right, it's my own thing. Dad, why are you making decisions for me? At worst, I'll consider it a loan and pay him back when I grow up. I'll even pay him a bit more as a token of gratitude."

"You! It's almost 70,000 yuan. What will you use to pay him back?"

"When I grow up, I'll earn money. Besides, when I get married, I'll get a dowry, which will be enough to pay him back."

"Do you think you're a princess who will get a huge dowry... No, what are you thinking in that little head of yours!"

"Anyway, it's a gift from Li Yi, and you can't control it. Humph!" Wang Xiaoyue snatched the receipt from her father and kissed it, pouting.

---

End of Page

---

Start of Page

---

End of Page