The Silent World And Him - Chapter 19
The next day, Monday, school officially started. The first class in the morning was mathematics. Except for Qin Yu, everyone else was nervously focused. Pu Chen sat up straight, listening attentively to the math teacher’s lecture. Occasionally, he could see Qin Yu flipping through a magazine. In the last ten minutes, Qin Yu unknowingly fell asleep on the desk.
When the bell rang for the end of class, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Some people pretended to massage their waists, saying that sitting stiffly for a class made their backs sore.
The math teacher clapped the chalk dust off his hands, put on his coat, and called out towards Qin Yu’s direction, “Qin Yu, come here for a moment.” He took the textbook and walked out into the corridor outside the classroom.
Everyone watched Qin Yu silently, feeling sympathetic towards him.
Qin Yu didn’t intentionally fall asleep in class to challenge the authority of the math teacher. Yesterday, he secretly took photos of all of Pu Chen’s winter break homework, corrected them at home one by one, and organized all the areas where she made mistakes or was weak, so she would know where to focus her efforts.
He ended up working until three thirty in the morning.
He only slept for a little over two hours.
He felt uncomfortably sleepy just now, closed his eyes for a few minutes, and ended up falling asleep.
He stood respectfully, waiting to be criticized by the teacher.
The math teacher didn’t give him a moral education session or scold him. Instead, he said, “In the final exam of last semester, on the third fill-in-the-blank question, you were the only one in the entire school who got it right. Even Peng Jingyang got it wrong. That question isn’t something you can guess the answer to randomly.”
Qin Yu looked puzzled. Was that question very difficult?
At that time, he only wanted to score at least eighty points. Once he calculated the score, he began answering the questions without paying attention to whether they were difficult or easy.
The math teacher asked him if he had completed high school mathematics.
Qin Yu nodded, “Yes, I finished the high school portion long ago.”
During the months he was in the hospital, bored and uninterested in participating in competitions, he self-studied advanced mathematics as well.
The math teacher was puzzled, “You didn’t participate in the competition?”
Qin Yu didn’t want to explain further, “I’m not interested.”
The math teacher never easily concluded on matters he didn’t understand, nor did he lecture with lofty principles. He simply thought it was a pity that Qin Yu, with such mathematical talent and skill, didn’t participate in competitions.
He spoke kindly, “Even if you know everything, you shouldn’t sleep in class; it sets a bad example. Next time you’re in my class, you can use that time to study English, instead of borrowing someone else’s paper to copy.”
Qin Yu: “…”
Up until now, the math teacher still remembered when Qin Yu first arrived and copied Pu Chen’s eight English papers.
“If you become interested in math competitions someday, you can find me; I should still be able to tutor you.” The math teacher dusted his chalk-covered pants with the textbook and left briskly.
Qin Yu stood in the corridor for a few minutes to cool off before returning to the classroom.
Seeing that his expression was normal, Pu Chen realized that the math teacher hadn’t said anything too serious. She relaxed and went to pour some water with her water bottle.
Before she reached the door, someone called her from behind, “Pu Chen.”
Pu Chen turned around, and Qin Yu pulled out a water cup from the desk hole, waved it at her from across the room, “Help me pour a cup of water.”
Qin Yu didn’t bring bottled water today, having finished the water he brought from abroad during the winter break. His mother was away on a business trip and hadn’t returned yet, so he could only temporarily drink other water.
Pu Chen returned to get his water cup, taking the opportunity to look at him a little more.
Qin Yu handed her the cup, “It’s neither hot nor cold.”
Pu Chen: “…”
Qin Yu didn’t pay attention to Pu Chen’s expression and buried himself in the latest issue of the English magazine.
Pu Chen left the classroom with two cups. As she walked down the corridor, several girls from the adjacent Class Eleven whispered to each other, walking very slowly next to the window of their classroom, repeatedly passing by to peek into their classroom.
Pu Chen knew they were looking at Qin Yu. Qin Yu didn’t go to the corridor to play games during breaks now, forcing the girls who wanted to see him to go back and forth by the window.
Today’s tea break discussion was no longer about Qin Yu; everyone sighed, saying they didn’t do well in the last final exam and were worried about the parent meeting in the afternoon.
After pouring the water, Pu Chen returned to the classroom just as Qin Yu was putting away the magazine. He reached out his long arm to take the water cup from her.
“Is the water warm?” he asked.
Pu Chen took out her phone and typed a message, “Take your time drinking; I don’t know if it’s warm.”
Qin Yu stood up and moved around, leaning against the windowsill in a somewhat lazy posture.
He took a few sips from the cup, feeling a bit unfamiliar with the taste.
At that moment, his phone, which was on the desk, lit up with a message. He picked it up and unlocked it; it was from his mother: “Mom just arrived in Shanghai. I can make it back in time for the parent meeting tonight.”
His mother had been on a business trip to Boston before the Lunar New Year for three weeks. He didn’t know when his mother would return and hadn’t told her about the parent meeting. It seemed that Lu Bosheng had contacted his mother directly.
Because of the parent meeting, there were no evening self-study sessions in the entire school today. After four classes in the afternoon, they would be dismissed.
Qin Yu packed up all the exercise books on the table and put them in his bag. He told Pu Chen, “Later, send me the homework for each subject.”
Pu Chen: “Didn’t you say you wanted to study hard?”
Qin Yu realized he hadn’t explained himself clearly and smiled, “I didn’t ask you to send me the answers; send me the assignments that the teachers gave.” He was too focused on reading the magazine during class and didn’t pay attention to what the teacher taught.
Pu Chen agreed, feeling worried about his homework. He couldn’t concentrate on any class all day. She asked, “Are you planning to search for answers online? If you search question by question, it will waste time, and you may not finish by midnight.”
“I can finish all the homework in less than an hour and a half,” Qin Yu teased her. “Should I send you the answers later?”
Pu Chen: “If you’re going to squint and write blindly, you might as well just copy my answers. At least copying once will leave an impression, and the teacher won’t get annoyed by your messy answers during grading.”
Qin Yu chuckled, “Our classmate Pu Chen is truly concerned about the country and the people.”
Pu Chen’s ears felt a bit warm. She thought to herself
that she didn’t have such lofty aspirations; she was just concerned about him.
Qin Yu zipped up his black backpack, lowered his tone, and assured her, “I’ll write carefully and won’t fool the teacher. Is that okay?”
Pu Chen nodded, choosing to trust him for now.
Most of the students had left the classroom, leaving only today’s duty student.
Qin Yu stood up and asked her, “Do you want to walk with me?”
Pu Chen: “You go ahead; I still have duty.”
Qin Yu didn’t understand, “Weren’t you in my group? How come you’re on duty today?”
Pu Chen: “I’m helping someone else; they’ve helped me before. I’ll wait for my aunt.”
Qin looked at her. “Your… aunt is coming for the parent-teacher meeting?”
Pu Chen nodded.
Qin Yu glanced sympathetically at Lu Baisheng for a few seconds. His phone lit up again, this time with a parcel notification—his grandparents had finally sent something from overseas to Sucheng.
He hurried to collect the package, grabbed his backpack, and left the classroom.
The parent-teacher meeting was scheduled to start at 6:30, and parents started arriving around 6:15.
The classroom was almost clean. Pu Chen helped with taking out the trash. As she went down the stairs on the west side of the teaching building, Pu Wenxin came up from the east side stairs, and they missed each other.
After Pu Chen returned from taking out the trash, she saw a woman walking towards the teaching building entrance, exuding a commanding aura, wearing sunglasses and a classic trench coat from Brand B, displaying the demeanor of a capable and decisive career woman in every gesture.
The woman averted her gaze and went up the stairs.
Qin Mingyi checked her watch. There were still ten minutes until the parent-teacher meeting started. Thankfully, she wasn’t late. She took off her sunglasses and put them in her bag. Before coming, she had forgotten to ask which floor Qin Yu’s classroom was on.
“Hello, classmate.”
She called out to a girl who was about to go up the stairs not far ahead of her.
Pu Chen, unsure if she was being addressed, habitually turned around.
Qin Mingyi approached and was surprised to see that the girl was Pu Chen. She smiled, “Do you remember me?”
Pu Chen stared at Qin Mingyi for a few seconds before recalling. She had met this woman in Lu’s office over two months ago. She nodded, indicating that she remembered.
Qin Mingyi said, “You’re Pu Chen, right? I’m Qin Yu’s mom.”
Pu Chen nearly lost her footing, but fortunately, she grabbed the stair railing with her left hand, hiding her momentary lapse of composure.
She took out her phone and typed: [Auntie, hello, sorry, I can’t speak.]
“I know,” Qin Mingyi replied. “Teacher Lu often praises you. If only our Qin Yu were as sensible as you.”
Qin Mingyi lightly placed her hand on Pu Chen’s shoulder as if consoling her. “Let’s go upstairs. I don’t know which floor your classroom is on, so I’ll go up with you.”
Pu Chen ascended the stairs, and Qin Mingyi withdrew her hand.
The quiet corridor echoed with the sound of elegant high heels and the faint noise of snow boots.
Pu Chen told Qin Mingyi, [Qin Yu sits in the fifth row, by the window on the south side. My aunt is coming for the parent-teacher meeting.]
She led Qin Mingyi to the classroom door and went to wash her hands.
Qin Mingyi entered the classroom through the front door and was startled when she reached her son’s seat.
Lu Baisheng’s ex-wife was actually Pu Chen’s aunt.
She had seen Lu Baisheng’s ex-wife before. Back when Lu Baisheng was still married, she had seen him in Beijing with his wife, though they hadn’t noticed her. Later in Shanghai, she had encountered them again.
Because Pu Chen’s aunt was beautiful, she left a deep impression. Even after all this time, she could still recognize her at a glance.
Now she had an answer as to why Lu Baisheng had come to this school to teach.
Qin Mingyi quickly composed herself, walked over, and smiled slightly at Pu Wenxin.
From the smile that Qin Mingyi initiated, Pu Wenxin guessed that she must be Pu Chen’s desk mate’s mom.
“Hello, I’m Pu Chen’s aunt.”
“Hello, I’m Qin Yu’s mom.”
After sitting down, the two formally introduced themselves.
As they continued chatting, no one noticed when Lu Baisheng had stood up at the podium.
Lu Baisheng pretended to be reviewing the materials prepared for this parent-teacher meeting, but his mind was blank. He hadn’t absorbed a single word.
When Lu Baisheng looked up again, his eyes met Pu Wenxin’s.
Various emotions surged in her eyes, just like his.
Lu Baisheng forced himself to look away, glanced at the time on his phone, and began the next part of the parent-teacher meeting.
Pu Wenxin leaned against her forehead, blocking Qin Mingyi’s line of sight, and stared blankly at the podium.
After their divorce, they had had no contact. She thought he had long since married and had children and no longer loved her.
Nevertheless, she had never imagined that he would come to her hometown, become her niece’s homeroom teacher, visit the repair shop several times a week, and even learn sign language.
The parent-teacher meeting lasted nearly an hour. After it ended, many parents gathered around the podium, wanting to learn more about their children’s situation from Lu Baisheng.
Qin Mingyi left early. Pu Chen sat at Qin Yu’s desk doing homework, while Pu Wenxin took her niece’s textbook and waited to chat privately with Lu Baisheng.
She didn’t absorb a single word from the English textbook, her mind filled with thoughts of Lu Baisheng and their past.
Nearly half an hour passed before the parents gradually dispersed.
The classroom finally quieted down, with only the sound of Pu Chen writing “rustling.”
Lu Baisheng bent down, a blue chalk mark on his black trousers. He brushed it off with his hand and put on his coat, heading towards Pu Chen’s seat.
No matter how lightly he stepped, it was still stepping on Pu Wenxin’s heart. She heard the footsteps and looked up. After more than an hour of tumultuous emotions, her heart gradually calmed down. However, as he approached step by step, her heart churned again.
“Shall we go to my office?” he asked.
“Okay.”
Pu Wenxin closed her textbook and placed it back on the bookshelf. She exchanged a few words with Pu Chen and then followed Lu Baisheng out of the classroom. As Lu Baisheng put on his coat, he turned back to her and asked, “Why weren’t you at work today?” His tone was so natural, as if they had never been apart. Pu Wenxin kept an appropriate distance from him and replied, “I’m on annual leave.” Lu Baisheng nodded.
The two fell into a suffocating silence. With the office empty, Lu Baisheng found a clean, unused glass, washed it, and poured some warm water for her. “It’s basic, but it’ll do.”
“Thank you,” Pu Wenxin said, sitting opposite him. She had thought they’d have a lot to say when they finally met. Even on her way to the office, she had planned out what to say to him. But now face-to-face, she didn’t know where to begin. She also felt that whatever she said would seem superfluous.
Pu Wenxin held the cup with both hands, feeling the warmth of the hot water through the glass. After taking a sip, she looked at him, and Lu Baisheng was silently staring back at her.
“How… did you end up in Sucheng? Does your family know?”
“They don’t know,” Lu Baisheng replied softly.
Pu Wenxin’s voice was quiet, “Your kindness to Chenchen and my brother… I can never repay such a favor.”
“There’s no debt between us,” Lu Baisheng said, taking off his coat and draping it over the chair back. “If we talk about owing, it’s me who owes you. I couldn’t give you the wedding you wanted, or keep the promises I made before, to make you happy every day, to never separate in this lifetime.”
In the past, any touch would have hurt. Pu Wenxin turned to look out the window. The office was quiet for a moment before Lu Baisheng said, “I didn’t plan to hide my being here as a teacher from you forever. I was waiting for Pu Chen’s psychological state to stabilize, for his grades to improve, before telling you.”
Who knew this situation would arise midway? Pu Wenxin turned to him, “You gave up everything about the Lu family, your career in Beijing—it’s not worth it.”
Lu Baisheng met her gaze, “I didn’t give up my career. The company is managed by partners and a team, operating as usual without much of my involvement.”
“As for the Lu family, letting go meant no one could control him. Seeing Pu Chen slowly improving, Pu Wanli’s leg recovering well, and her seeming happier than before, to him, giving up everything was worth it.”
Pu Wenxin’s eyes reddened as she looked away from him. “How long have you been in Sucheng? Since last summer?”
Lu Baisheng replied, “Earlier, since Pu Chen started the ninth grade.”
He had come a year early to adapt to teaching. Taking advantage of that year, he passed the teaching qualification exam. With his Ivy League education background and language skills, he applied to this school. Since deciding to be a teacher, he couldn’t mislead his students.
He changed the subject, asking her, “Are you still at the same company?”
Pu Wenxin replied listlessly, “Yeah.”
Lu Baisheng often kept track of the company’s developments. When Pu Wenxin graduated, she gave up the opportunity to go abroad to take care of her family, which had always been her regret.
“I heard your company got a new project abroad. Have you considered going? With your abilities, if you excel in this project, you might even make it to the executive level. Such opportunities don’t come often.”
Pu Wenxin said, “I haven’t thought about it.”
Lu Baisheng knew what she was worried about and reassured her, “I’ll stay in Sucheng until Pu Chen goes to college, maybe even longer. I can manage Pu Chen and your brother. By the time your project ends, Pu Chen will have finished his college entrance exams.”
He paused for a moment, “If you’re still single then, if you haven’t met someone suitable and still have those wounds from the Lu family in your heart… come find me. I’ll be here.”
Pu Wenxin finally let her tears fall.
Lu Baisheng handed her a few tissues and whispered, “Don’t cry.” He had regrets about divorcing her, but at the time, what else could he have done? Seeing her emotional breakdown and depression was more tormenting for him than for her.
Pu Wenxin sniffled. When they divorced, she had managed not to cry in front of him. Now seeing him, all those grievances flooded back.
Lu Baisheng got up to pour her another glass of water, “Go home and think about the project. To be practical, even if you don’t go, I’ll still be here teaching, taking care of Pu Chen every day, and visiting your brother’s auto repair shop twice a week. Why not seize this opportunity?”
Pu Wenxin took a deep breath and calmed down.
Lu Baisheng shut down his computer, tidied his desk, and turned off the air conditioner. “It’s getting late. Take Pu Chen home for dinner.”
Pu Wenxin finished the water in the paper cup.
“Wenxin, my contact information hasn’t changed.”
This was Lu Baisheng’s last sentence to her as she left the office.
Pu Wenxin went downstairs; lights were on in every classroom. Only a few students, probably boarders, remained after the parent meeting to continue their evening study.
She paused outside Class Nine’s corridor until her eyes were no longer red, then went to Class Ten to fetch her niece. Pu Chen was looking for her math workbook, but couldn’t find it even after rummaging through her bag. Pu Wenxin suspected it might have been mistakenly taken home by Qin Yu along with his own books.
She sent a message to Qin Yu: “Is my math homework with you?”
Ten minutes passed with no response. Her aunt called her back, so Pu Chen had to pack up her schoolbag.
“Aunt, do you think Mr. Lu is good?” Pu Chen asked cautiously, linking her arm with her aunt.
Pu Wenxin smiled, “Yes, he’s really good. I haven’t met such a responsible teacher in many years. He genuinely understands every student in your class.”
Pu Chen responded, “Yes, all the students in our class and even those from Class Nine like him. His classes are interesting, and he’s humorous.”
“I can tell. Your English has improved a lot; it must be because he teaches well and keeps you interested in learning.” Pu Wenxin didn’t want to dwell on Mr. Lu’s topic and changed the subject, asking her niece, “Do you have a lot of homework today?”
Pu Chen replied, “It’s okay, I just haven’t done the math and physics homework.”
Back at home, Qin Yu still hadn’t replied to her messages. Pu Chen had to call him with a voice message, but after a few rings, he hung up. His phone was on silent mode because he had forgotten to switch it back after returning home. Currently, he was having dinner in the restaurant, with his phone left on the living room coffee table.
It had been a long time since Qin Mingyi had dinner with her son. This was their first dinner together since Qin Yu transferred schools. She occasionally glanced at her son.
When Qin Yu had finished eating and put down his chopsticks, he said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Qin Mingyi cautiously asked, “Do you know who Mr. Lu’s ex-wife is?”
Qin Yu replied, “Yes, she’s Pu Chen’s aunt.”
Qin Mingyi continued, “Did you know before or after the seat arrangement change? At that time, Mr. Lu said he wanted Pu Chen to sit next to you, which confused me. Now I understand.”
Qin Yu understood what his mother meant; she thought Mr. Lu arranged for Pu Chen to sit with him out of consideration for her. “Mr. Lu arranged for Pu Chen to sit with me not out of selfishness or to have me tutor her. No, I misspoke; he did have a motive—he wanted Pu Chen to encourage me to study well.”
He became increasingly angry as he spoke, “Originally, Pu Chen sat near the podium, convenient for the teacher to call on her during class, but because of me, she was moved to the back. Mom, apart from not being talkative, Pu Chen is better than your son at everything. Don’t assume Mr. Lu has ulterior motives.”
Qin Mingyi was caught off guard by her son’s words, “How am I assuming? What parent doesn’t want their child to have a desk partner who can help them improve? I’m just being normal. When I found out Pu Chen’s aunt was his ex-wife, I thought like that. Isn’t that reasonable?”
Qin Yu, upset, responded sharply, “If you were an ordinary person, suspecting Mr. Lu would be acceptable, but you’re a lawyer. You’re supposed to see the big picture, not make unfounded assumptions.”
Qin Mingyi pressed her forehead, angry and upset. She said, “I may be a lawyer, but I’m still a mother. Besides, I didn’t say Pu Chen isn’t good.”
Qin Yu stayed at the table in silence for a while before apologizing, “You’re my elder; I shouldn’t have said that. I was wrong. But please don’t talk about Mr. Lu like that in the future.”
Qin Mingyi was taken aback by her son’s apology. In the past, this would have been impossible. Her attitude softened.
She understood why her son defended Mr. Lu so passionately; their relationship was different.
Qin Mingyi explained, “If Mr. Lu were as selfish as you think, he wouldn’t arrange for students to present papers at the podium. When everyone else got a chance, Pu Chen couldn’t, and Mr. Lu never catered just to her feelings.”
Qin Mingyi fell silent suddenly. She remembered the incident of the paper presentation; she was in Mr. Lu’s office at that time. He gave Pu Chen a list, saying those students would present papers next class.
“I was wrong to speculate about Mr. Lu,” Qin Mingyi said, picking up her chopsticks and finishing the last of her porridge.
It was the first time she had formally apologized like this, and Qin Yu was surprised.
Qin Mingyi turned her head and saw Qin Yu’s phone light up on the coffee table. She signaled him, “Someone’s calling you.”
Qin Yu got up and saw it was a voice call from Pu Chen.
Pu Chen was anxious about her math homework and called him again with a voice message.
Without thinking much, Qin Yu answered, “Pu Chen, what’s wrong?”
Qin Yu didn’t have much time to think and answered the call, “Pu Chen, what’s wrong?” There was only a faint sound of breathing on the other end of the phone.
“I’m sorry,” Qin Yu realized he had just asked a pointless question since she couldn’t speak. How would she respond to him? He told her, “Send me a message, I’ll check it right away.”
It wasn’t until after he hung up that he saw several messages and a missed voice call she had sent half an hour ago. Qin Yu replied to her:
[**I was having dinner just now, I’ll check if your workbook is here with me.**]
He strode towards his bedroom. Pu Chen’s math workbook was indeed in his backpack. He asked her:
[**Are you home? I’ll bring it to you in a bit.**]
Pu Chen replied:
[**Thank you, please send me a message before you come.**]
Qin Yu put on his coat, rolled up the workbook, and stuffed it into his pocket. Qin Mingyi saw him change his clothes and asked, “Are you going out?”
“Yeah, Pu Chen’s workbook was brought back by me, it’s due tomorrow, and she hasn’t done it yet.” Qin Yu put on his shoes and went out.
In the lobby on the first floor, Qin Yu went to the property management office to pick up the package his grandparents had sent him. He had discarded the package box and put everything in the original shopping bag.
When he arrived downstairs at Pu Chen’s home, Qin Yu told her:
[**I’m here, come downstairs.**]
In less than three minutes, Pu Chen hurriedly came down from upstairs, breathing heavily as she descended the steps.
“Here you go.” Qin Yu handed her the exquisite shopping bag. “The workbook is inside the bag.” Pu Chen didn’t accept it, looking puzzled.
Qin Yu started to lie without blushing or skipping a beat, “My mom brought this back from her business trip, it’s local chocolates and candies, not expensive, just a little something, my mom asked me to thank Uncle Pu for the braised beef and chicken feet.”
Pu Chen still refused:
[**Auntie is too polite, really no need.**]
“There’s give and take in relationships, my mom is still thinking about Uncle Pu making me more braised beef in the future. If you don’t accept, how can I feel comfortable eating at your house again?”
Saying that, Qin Yu stuffed the shopping bag into her arms, grabbing her arm and holding the bag tightly. Pu Chen didn’t refuse again, freeing up one hand to type:
[**Thank Auntie for me.**]
“You’re welcome,” Qin Yu told her. “I put my phone on silent today and missed your message, it won’t happen again.”
Pu Chen replied:
[**It’s okay, I also put my phone on silent mode during class. Sometimes I forget to switch it back when I get home and often miss messages from my dad.**]
“Go upstairs and do your homework quickly,” Qin Yu said as he watched her enter the building, turning around and heading back.
He opened his phone, specifically setting an alarm for 9 o’clock every night, reminding himself to switch his phone from silent to ringtone mode at 9:01, so that if Pu Chen called again, he could answer promptly and she could reach him first.