Chapter 126 A New Sister
I guess my mother told my father at the dock about the teacher's home visit while she was buying groceries, and after buying the groceries, they came home together.
Wen Susu was chatting with Fang Wei in the living room at the moment. When she heard the noise outside, she got up and walked out.
"Teacher Wen, thank you for keeping you waiting for a long time. We didn't prepare anything at the moment, so we quickly bought some more dishes. I don't know if these dishes will suit Teacher Wen's taste..." Tian Xilan smiled and walked into the house carrying the dishes.
"Mother Fang Wei is too polite. I feel embarrassed for causing you so much trouble." Wen Susu was not just being polite; she was truly very embarrassed.
"Teacher Wen, please don't say that! We can't even welcome you, so how could we find it troublesome!"
Fang Xianfeng parked his motorcycle and walked into the house. He looked down at his slovenly appearance and said embarrassedly, "Teacher Wen, please sit down and have a cup of tea first! I just came back from the dock and I smell like fish. Wait for me to change my clothes. Ah Wei, pour tea for Teacher Wen."
"Teacher Wen, please sit down first. I will go and prepare lunch. Does Teacher Wen have any food taboos?" Tian Xilan asked with a smile.
"I can eat anything I want."
Wen Susu couldn't sit still any longer, so she said hurriedly, "Mother Fang Wei, let me help you."
"No, no! There's no point in asking guests for help! Teacher Wen, just sit down and drink your tea!"
"..."
Wen Susu had no choice but to sit back on the bench. For the time being, she and Fang Wei were the only ones left in the living room.
After Fang Xianfeng and Tian Xilan walked away, Wen Susu sighed softly:
"Your parents are really welcoming. Fang Wei, go in and tell your mom that she doesn't need to prepare so many dishes. I'll just eat whatever I want."
Fang Wei could see that she was embarrassed and said with a smile:
"Oh, Teacher Wen, just sit there and wait for dinner. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. My parents are like this all the time. We always treat guests well when they come to our house, not to mention that you are a teacher."
“Because I’m a teacher!”
"It's okay. If Teacher Wen leaves without eating, my parents will be embarrassed."
After hearing what Fang Wei said, Wen Susu had no choice but to be corrupt for once and enjoy a meal at his house.
Soon, Fang Xianfeng came out of the room, changed into clean clothes, walked up with a smile, and personally poured a cup of tea for Wen Susu.
The two had met at the last parent-teacher meeting and were impressed by each other.
Meeting at home now, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
Other teachers had come to visit my home before, but Wen Susu was undoubtedly the youngest among them.
In terms of seniority, Wen Susu should call him Uncle Fang, but in terms of status, she is her son's teacher. She calls him Dad Fang and he calls her Teacher Wen.
Country people all respect their teachers very much. Fang Xianfeng did not neglect them just because he was older than them, but remained polite and respectful.
Naturally, the communication between parents and teachers is not as much as that between students and teachers.
Fang Xianfeng didn't know much about Wen Susu, but from the few words his son gave him, he formed this impression of her - she was from a big city, had seen the world, was a young college graduate, was very responsible, was very nice to her students, and would even pay out of her own pocket to give red envelopes to students in her class who did well in the midterm exams, etc.
As an ordinary person, Fang Xianfeng, like many people, could not understand why Wen Susu gave up the better life in the big city and was willing to teach in a place like this where seabirds shit everywhere. Even this matter itself was at her own expense, so there was no question of how much income she could earn.
But that didn't stop him from thinking that Wen Susu was a good teacher. He even thought that she was better than ordinary teachers and had that kind of... spirit of dedication!
The reason why you cannot understand it is probably because your level of attainment is not high enough.
"Did Teacher Wen come here by bike today?"
Sitting down on the chair, Fang Xianfeng subconsciously took out the cigarette box from his pocket and took out a cigarette, but before lighting it, he put it back into the cigarette box.
Wen Susu still noticed such small details. She could see that the rough man in front of her was thoughtful and respectful to her.
"Yes, it's nearby and not far to ride a bike."
"Thank you, Mr. Wen, for making a special trip today!"
"It's my duty. It's part of my job. Father Fang Wei, did you just come back from the dock?"
"Yeah, I didn't notice Teacher Wen passing by that time in the morning, otherwise I would have come back a long time ago."
"I heard from Fang Wei that the family is currently farming mussels. Does Fang Wei's father still go to the dock to collect fish on weekdays?"
"Yes, yes. The mussels were all planted at the end of last month. I can't sit still. I always have to find something to do."
"When I first came here, Fang Wei was still tending to the vegetable garden at home. Fang Wei is very sensible, and this should make you less worried..."
"Haha, that's true. It's also thanks to Mr. Wen's good teaching. We, as parents, don't have much time to take care of him. It's all because of the teachers' concern."
……
Wen Susu and Fang Xianfeng started chatting about family matters.
Fang Wei sat quietly aside, glancing at Teacher Wen from time to time. Seeing her serious and casual look, he inexplicably felt that she was cute in contrast.
After all, he got along very well with Teacher Wen in private. When there were no one else around, she gave him more of an older sister feeling, often making people forget her identity as a teacher.
While chatting with the parents at this moment, Wen Susu immediately changed her demeanor, becoming gentle and generous, finally matching the identity of a teacher.
Fang Wei didn't know if Wen Susu was always so serious and solemn in the office. Perhaps when she didn't have those identities, responsibilities, and halos, the Wen Susu who played and had fun with the boys and girls was the real her?
……
Home visits are a very meaningful activity in education. They can help us better understand students’ living environment and family situations, and thus formulate more targeted educational strategies.
After chatting about some family matters, Wen Susu did not forget today's work, and she and Fang Xianfeng started a conversation about Fang Wei.
Actually, there is not much to say. It is mainly about Fang Wei's daily performance at school or at home, or some progress and suggestions on course learning, or understanding Fang Xianfeng's views and expectations on his son's education, or some school activities and policies.
Basically it is the exchange of information between each other, two-way exchange, and enhanced communication!
In other words, what is this called... alignment granularity?
The main reason is that Fang Wei's performance is impeccable both at home and at school. The atmosphere of such communication is always harmonious.
"Fang Wei is now the monitor of our class. Whether it is his ability to handle affairs, academic performance, or getting along with classmates on weekdays, he has performed very well. I think the experience that Fang Wei's father shared at the last parents' meeting is very good. Letting go appropriately and cultivating children's independence is very forward-looking!"
Listening to Wen Susu's words, Fang Xianfeng touched the back of his head embarrassedly and laughed.
That's called fostering independence! I never really took care of him!
Fortunately, he has eaten pork even though he has never seen a pig run. After returning from his last trip, he specially studied the way of education again. Whether it is useful or not is another matter, but at least he will have something to say when there is an opportunity to speak at a parent-teacher conference. "Yes, I think studying with children is also a very good way. It can set a good example."
Fang Xianfeng picked up the book on basic finance next to the coffee table and said, "I have also been reading and studying recently, but I am too old to learn quickly. But what Teacher Wen said is right. Learning is like planting trees. It is never too late to start!"
"what?"
Wen Susu was stunned. When did she say in class, 'Learning is like planting trees, it's never too late to start'?
She turned around and looked at Fang Wei. Fang Wei looked as if he knew nothing and was drinking his tea.
But this sentence is correct.
No wonder Fang Wei is so outstanding. I never thought that Fang Wei’s father, such a rough man, could be so proficient in education!
How many fathers in the world can set an example for their sons and encourage them to study by picking up books and studying even at an old age?
"Fang Wei's father is right. I feel I have gained a lot from talking to you at this parents' meeting. I think your educational strategies can be promoted so that more parents can learn from your experience."
"No, no, I just made it up. If others follow my example, they will mislead their students! But I think what Teacher Wen taught Awei every day makes sense. We can rest assured that Awei has such a teacher!"
Wen Susu pondered over it, it seemed that she had never taught Fang Wei what to say.
"If Fang Wei can keep up this performance, he will have no problem getting into No. 1 Middle School in the future. What does Fang Wei's father expect of him?"
"Haha, we country folks don't dare to have too many ideas. If he gets good grades and can continue to study and get into a good school, I will sell everything I have to support him to study hard! Of course, even if he doesn't study well, that's fine as long as he has good character! If I really have any ideas, I think he can be like Teacher Wen in the future, with a promising future and worldly experience, then I will be proud of him!"
"..."
Listening to Fang Xianfeng's words, Wen Susu didn't know what to say for a moment... In fact, even if it was her, would her parents be proud of what she had done?
Maybe people think she is rebellious and annoying...
……
After chatting for a while, it was time for dinner before we knew it. The rich aroma of food could already be smelled in the living room.
"Awei, invite Teacher Wen to the table for dinner!" Tian Xilan's voice came from the kitchen.
Fang Wei stood up, went to tidy up the dining table and pulled out the chairs.
"Teacher Wen, come over and prepare for dinner."
Fang Xianfeng, who was standing by, also stood up and greeted him, "Teacher Wen, please have dinner. We haven't prepared anything today. It's just a home-cooked meal. We're sorry for not entertaining you well."
"No, no! Don't say that, Father Fang Wei. I'm really sorry for disturbing you."
"Teacher Wen, please feel free to do as you please. You are not an outsider. Just treat Teacher Wen as your own family!"
"well."
Only then did Wen Susu sit down on the dining chair.
Although Fang Xianfeng and Tian Xilan said that it was "no preparation" and "home-cooked meal", Wen Susu could also see that Fang Xianfeng and Tian Xilan had put a lot of thought into this lunch and had even gone out specially to order more dishes.
As Fang Wei brought out the last dish, there were six sumptuous dishes and one soup on the table. The leftover dried radish and small salted fish were removed and replaced by the tempting braised pork, blanched prawns, steamed chicken with mushrooms, scrambled eggs with mussels, steamed sea bass, garlic-stirred bok choy, and a pot of mussel tofu soup.
How could such a lunch arrangement be a common occurrence on a small island these days?
Perhaps for Wen Susu, who grew up in a big city and has a wealthy family, these foods are not new, but these are probably the best things she can eat on the island on a daily basis.
Wen Susu smelled the aroma of the food, feeling touched and embarrassed, and she was also hungry...
She is really hungry!
Although she hadn't eaten it yet, just by smelling the aroma, she knew that the food must taste good. It was definitely not comparable to what she usually ate in the cafeteria or what she cooked herself.
She couldn't sit still for a while and wanted to get up and help.
Ke Fang Wei had already scooped a bowl of soup and placed it in front of her, and then filled a bowl of steamed rice and placed it in front of her.
"You're welcome, Mr. Wen. Eat first!"
"That won't work, your mother hasn't come out yet."
After Tian Xilan finished her work in the kitchen and came out to sit down, everyone started eating.
"You're welcome, Mr. Wen. My cooking skills aren't that great. I don't know if it suits your taste..."
"It's delicious! Fang Wei's mother's cooking skills are amazing!"
Wen Susu took a sip of the soup, the sweet taste spread in her mouth, and she was so happy that her eyes almost narrowed.
Far away from the city, coming to this remote island, I never thought that I could eat such delicious home-cooked meals!
"Teacher Wen, try the Chinese cabbage. I grew it."
"How can you ask someone to eat vegetables? Teacher Wen, eat more meat. You are so skinny. Are you not used to the food here? Does Teacher Wen usually cook for himself?"
"Occasionally, but the craftsmanship is far from good..."
Wen Susu accepted everything and ate it all.
What she ate the most was the Chinese cabbages grown by Fang Wei. Although they were all Chinese cabbages, she felt that the ones grown by Fang Wei were particularly delicious!
Of course, the braised pork is delicious, the chicken is tender, and the fish and shrimp are fresh and sweet. They are all delicious!
The four of them ate and chatted, and they had a very harmonious lunch. As the topic opened up, Wen Susu also talked about some of her own things, probably where she lived, where she studied, and how she came here to teach.
She has said these things many times, but most people don't understand them.
Fang Xianfeng and Tian Xilan didn't ask too many questions, they just felt that this girl had a hard life.
"Teacher Wen, you came all the way here by yourself, and you don't have any relatives to take care of you. I am older than you. If you don't mind, Teacher Wen, please call me Auntie. Come to our house often on weekends, and I will cook for you!"
After hearing what his mother said, Fang Wei also smiled and looked at Wen Susu: "Do I have to call Teacher Wen "sister" then?"
Wen Susu felt warm in her heart when she heard this.
As the atmosphere became more lively, she smiled and changed her tone to "Uncle Fang! Aunt Tian!"
"And me?"
"Good brother!"
Wen Susu giggled.
(End of this chapter)
