CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: THE BIG SUCKER COMES TO BUY A HAIR COMB AGAIN

The person who came was none other than her high school teacher, Zhou Xiujuan.

If this person hadn’t shown up, Su Xiaoxiao would almost have forgotten that she had just taken a leave of absence and hadn’t graduated yet.

Even though the Su Family didn’t have good conditions, Yang Mingzhu placed great importance on the children’s education.

So, in this village where more than half of the girls dropped out early, Su Xiaoxiao was one of the few who could go to high school.

Unfortunately, the original host was a legitimate academic underachiever. In this era, high school admission was straightforward from middle school, otherwise, with her terrible grades, she probably wouldn’t have graduated even from middle school.

Even though she didn’t go to school often, the original host’s knowledge was only at an elementary school level, which is why Zhang Dongmei constantly looked down on her.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the person standing in front of her and instantly straightened up: "Zhou... Zhou Teacher, what brings you here?"

Zhou Xiujuan glanced at her faintly: "You’ve been taking leave this whole semester. The school’s intention is for you to repeat a year. I’m here to see what your family thinks."

From the start of her senior year, Su Xiaoxiao had been on leave. Now, graduation was approaching, and the school leadership had been complaining about the matter.

Zhou Xiujuan was here at the Lin Family to confirm the situation.

As for her, she also thought it might be best for Su Xiaoxiao to repeat a year under these circumstances.

Upon hearing this, Su Xiaoxiao’s heart sank.

She needed to apply to the department store now, and having a high school diploma would certainly increase her chances of success.

Although the department store didn’t have educational requirements, those with higher education would definitely have an advantage.

But if she repeated a year now, she wouldn’t be able to obtain a diploma before the department store interview.

Thinking of this, she immediately stated her position: "Teacher Zhou, I don’t want to repeat a year. Is there any other way?"

Zhou Xiujuan didn’t expect her to say this and her brows immediately furrowed: "With your usual grades, getting a diploma is already difficult, and you’ve been taking leave..."

Su Xiaoxiao also knew it was difficult for others, but she had no choice; she had to get the diploma.

She shamelessly invited the person inside: "Teacher Zhou, why don’t you come in and sit for a while, and we can talk slowly."

Initially, Zhou Xiujuan did not want to go in, but unable to refuse Su Xiaoxiao’s enthusiasm, she reluctantly followed her inside.

After Zhou Xiujuan sat down, Su Xiaoxiao promptly offered her a cup of brown sugar water and grabbed a handful of White Rabbit candies for her, almost wearing "please" on her face.

Zhou Xiujuan sighed; if only this child were as enthusiastic about learning, she wouldn’t be in her current situation.

"Teacher Zhou, you know my family’s situation. It’s not that I don’t want to go to school, but after my dad passed away and my mom’s health worsened, with two young brothers at home, I really have no choice. But rest assured, even though I haven’t been at school this time, I haven’t forgotten about studying."

Seeing her expression soften, Su Xiaoxiao began to play the sympathy card.

Though exaggerated, everything she said was essentially true, minus the last sentence.

Hearing what she said, Zhou Xiujuan’s gaze toward her took on a more sympathetic look.

Su Xiaoxiao’s family situation was something she’d heard quite a lot about. After Father Su’s death, the two older brothers became the family’s pillars. Mother Su wasn’t well, and the two younger brothers needed care. This family was indeed in a tough spot.

"Teacher Zhou, considering my family’s situation, repeating a year might make it hard for us to afford tuition. Could you please speak to the school leaders for me, and let me graduate on time?"

Su Xiaoxiao observed Zhou Xiujuan’s expression and seized the opportunity to present her case.

However, Zhou Xiujuan was a person of principle. She immediately pushed the candies and the brown sugar water aside: "That’s not possible. Your grades simply won’t allow you to graduate, and the school leaders are considering this from various angles."

Even though her tone was firm, Su Xiaoxiao could see the apparent softness in her eyes.

She immediately pressed further: "Teacher Zhou, I know the school leaders mean well for me, but you’ve seen my family’s situation. How about you help me talk to the school leaders and let me take the senior year final exams? If I pass, then I can be given a diploma, okay?"

Zhou Xiujuan pondered briefly; the request didn’t seem excessive, so she nodded in agreement.

Su Xiaoxiao was overjoyed and immediately grabbed the candies on the table and stuffed them into Zhou Xiujuan’s pocket: "Teacher Zhou, take these candies home."

Zhou Xiujuan wanted to refuse, but Su Xiaoxiao tightly held onto her pocket, forcing her to reluctantly accept them.

After seeing her off, Su Xiaoxiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Great, as long as she could take the exams, she was confident she could get the diploma. After all, she was a graduate of a prestigious university in modern times.

With the diploma matter settled, Su Xiaoxiao returned to continue looking at the information Zhang Dongmei had given her.

The pamphlet wasn’t thick, only a few dozen pages, and Su Xiaoxiao finished reading it in no time.

She had a good memory, and after going through it, she remembered most of it.

Seeing that it wasn’t early, she put the pamphlet away and prepared to go to the kitchen to cook.

Just as she got up, the courtyard door was knocked again.

"Su Xiaoxiao, open the door."

Hearing the familiar loud voice, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but frown; why was Zhang Dongmei back again?

Wasn’t it agreed that she could return the information the day after tomorrow? Could she want to back out?

She frowned and went to open the door, seeing an unfamiliar young lady standing behind Zhang Dongmei.

"Zhang Dongmei, what do you want now?"

Su Xiaoxiao had no pleasant expression for her.

If it wasn’t for the exam materials, she wouldn’t even want to open the door for Zhang Dongmei.

Zhang Dongmei raised her chin and sneered: "What else? I’m bringing you business, hurry up and thank me."

Su Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes directly, thanking her? Keep dreaming.

Zhang Dongmei didn’t mind as she pulled the girl behind her: "Cousin, my hair comb was bought from her. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she gives you a discount."

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

Wasn’t Zhang Dongmei pushing it a bit too far?

"Su Xiaoxiao, my cousin is here to buy a comb. Give her a discount. Ten yuan is too expensive."

Su Xiaoxiao wanted to say that ten yuan was the "friendship" price for her, for others it was one yuan.

But she couldn’t say this in front of Zhang Dongmei, fearing she might go crazy regardless of the occasion.

She glanced at Zhang Dongmei and asked: "Alright, how much of a discount do you want me to give?"

Zhang Dongmei didn’t expect Su Xiaoxiao to agree so readily, was it because of the exam materials?

Thinking of this, she looked proudly at her cousin: "See, I told you I’d get you a discount."

Then she extended five fingers towards Su Xiaoxiao: "Five yuan, is that okay?"

She felt a bit nervous saying this since Su Xiaoxiao had insisted on no discounts at all when she bought it.

Would Su Xiaoxiao directly turn hostile for such a harsh bargain?

Unexpectedly, just as the thought crossed her mind, Su Xiaoxiao spoke up.