Chapter 5: The Lovely Female Student

"Xiaohong, why did you come to class two days late this semester? Is there something going on at home?" Chen Tianming recalled that Xiaohong had arrived two days late for class this semester and asked her close friend Xiaoli. Xiaoli replied that there was something happening in her family

"Don't go back on your word when the time comes," Xiao Hong said happily, clapping her hands

You little rascal, there's really nothing I can do about you. Chen Tianming felt helpless towards this mischievous student and could only express his thoughts about her. In fact, how could one bear to scold such a clever, bright, and lovely little sister? He could only cherish her even more!

"Your grades are good, and you are well-behaved. Isn't that a good thing?" Chen Tianming said

"It's just a minor issue, but it's nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, teacher." Xiao Hong felt as if she had eaten ice cream, her heart sweetened by Chen Tianming's care for her

Of course, to deceive you is like a little dog. Chen Tianming said with a smile

"Teacher, are you having dinner with that beautiful teacher next door?" Xiao Hong's smile suddenly vanished, and her expression turned somewhat unpleasant

"I mean, holding your hand feels just as comfortable as holding my brother's hand," said Xiao Hong

"Studying is really stressful, and I feel a bit overwhelmed," said Xiao Hong, sitting opposite Chen Tianming.

Then, whenever the teacher has time, he will take you out to have some fun, Chen Tianming said firmly

I cannot argue with you, I will go wash my hands. As for the book, Xiao Hong realized she could not win the argument against Chen Tianming and found it difficult to speak up.

Then you must pay attention to your health, get enough rest, and eat well. Haven't you eaten? Your complexion looks so poor?" Chen Tianming looked at Xiaohong, a slender young girl, but her complexion seemed a bit dull, and she appeared somewhat worried. Such a pallor should not be present at her age. "Is there something bothering you? Xiaohong, tell the teacher, and see if I can help you?" Chen Tianming expressed his concern.

Chen Tianming saw Xiaohong holding onto his hand tightly and hurriedly broke free.

Chen Tianming saw Xiaohong extend her small hand. Although they had a teacher-student relationship, he felt that holding hands like this was inappropriate and hesitated.

Xiaohong lowered her head and said sadly, "I have only been there once in my life, and that was to visit the People's Hospital for treatment. However, the county town is truly bustling and beautiful." Xiaohong's face was filled with longing

"What did you just call me?" Chen Tianming said slyly

Xiao Hong said: "Teacher, holding your hand feels so comfortable"

"What are you thinking, you little child?" Chen Tianming felt that something was amiss and hurriedly asked

"No way, our town is only ten kilometers away from the county seat, just a ten-minute bus ride. We'll be there soon. You've only been there once?" Chen Tianming said with a look of disbelief.

Chen Tianming scolded, "What are you saying, you little girl?"

"Alright, the teacher has made a promise with me, and there will be no turning back now," Xiao Hong said with a happy smile, but she still held onto Chen Tianming's hand without letting go

"Let's make a pinky promise." Xiao Hong extended her delicate, jade-white little hand

Indeed, teacher. Since my father is busy and I have no particular reason to go to the county town, I did not go. However, my younger brother has been there several times.

Chen Tianming saw Xiao Hong coming and said, "Xiao Hong, school is over." "Yes, it just ended. This is the homework that the classmates submitted today," Xiao Hong said as she placed the homework on the desk.

"No, it's nothing," Xiao Hong said, waving her hand. She shifted the topic away from Chen Tianming and asked, "Teacher, is your home in the county town?"

It is indeed a pleasant thing to have a little girl around to engage in some playful banter, Chen Tianming thought

Hello, Teacher Chen. Xiao Hong, representing the students in the political science class taught by Chen Tianming, walked in

"Go ahead, no problem. Just help me close the door once you're done," Chen Tianming replied

Chen Tianming felt a bit embarrassed by Xiaohong's words and could only reach out to grasp her delicate white hand. It was soft and seemed very comfortable. Chen Tianming scolded himself internally, thinking that this was a student, and he should not be harboring such inappropriate thoughts. Usually, he did not behave this way around books; could it be that today, having seen those passionate things related to He Tao, had stirred up excitement in his heart?

Oh, is that so? I thought it was something good instead? Little Red tugged at her clothing corner, feeling a bit disappointed

"Yes, have you been there?" Chen Tianming asked

"No, I won't." Chen Tianming said

"Yes, you all call me 'Old Master'..." Chen Tianming deliberately elongated the word 'Old', "Isn't it strange if I'm not old?" After saying this, Chen Tianming burst into hearty laughter

Chen Tianming laughed heartily: "Yes, Xiaohong has grown into a young lady, and even I, this old man, can hardly recognize her." Chen Tianming felt that chatting with Xiaohong was very relaxing, as if he had returned to his school days

At this moment, Xiaohong realized that she had fallen for Chen Tianming's trick. Clenching her small fist, she said: "Teacher Chen, you are so cunning, you have tricked me like this. From now on, I will call you Old Man Teacher"

"Teacher Chen, it's time to eat!" He Tao called from the next room. This is one of the advantages of living in a bungalow; teachers can communicate without a phone, as they can simply call out and be heard. The sound insulation is very poor.

"This is not good; one old person is enough. Adding another old person really makes one want to meet Marx," Chen Tianming said. "Moreover, this is not cunning; it is clever. One is a derogatory term, and the other is a positive term. You are misusing words. Didn't your language teacher from the *picture* book teach you this?"

So that's how it is. Xiao Hong's complexion improved somewhat

"Xiao Hong, is your study in the third year of junior high school stressful now?" Chen Tianming asked with concern as he looked at Xiao Hong, who had just walked out of the kitchen

"I am no longer a child; by the end of this year, I will be 17," Xiao Hong hurriedly defended herself upon hearing Chen Tianming say this

Is that true, teacher? Xiao Hong, upon hearing Chen Tianming's words, blushed, resembling a tempting red apple that one might want to bite into

"Teacher, you won't go back on your word, will you? You won't even agree to a pinky promise?" Xiao Hong said provocatively when she saw Chen Tianming refusing to make the promise.

"Please come in." Chen Tianming had learned his lesson this time; he stood up first, not allowing He Tao to see his poor sitting posture.

The sound of knocking echoed again, "Dong, dong, dong." Could it be that the meal was ready so soon? Chen Tianming couldn't help but admire He Tao's cooking speed

"Calling the teacher, is that not correct?" Xiao Hong asked with a puzzled expression.

"Alright, I will go over there," Chen Tianming replied

Chen Tianming returned to his room, having nothing to do, so he picked up a book and began to read

Yes, I just helped her with the fuse in her room, which delayed me from going grocery shopping, so Teacher He next door invited me to have a meal at her place. Chen Tianming thought it would be better to clarify the situation, even though it was unnecessary to explain anything to this little girl.

I will return after the meeting. Teacher, may I take a look at whether my classmates have submitted their assignments? You can go eat first, and I will help you lock the door in a little while, is that alright? Xiao Hong looked at the assignment books on the desk

Aren't you afraid that I will steal your things?" Xiao Hong imitated the great thief from the play

Of course I care about my good students, who else would I care about? Chen Tianming, seeing Xiaohong so happy, also teased her.

"There is nothing valuable in my room. If you like anything, just let me know." Chen Tianming was not going to be intimidated by this mischievous and adorable little brat. "That's it then, I will go eat first. It wouldn't be good for Teacher He to wait for me too long." After saying this, Chen Tianming walked away.

"You are getting old, Teacher." Xiao Hong disagreed upon hearing Chen Tianming say that she was old

"Xiao Hong, aren't you going home for lunch?" Chen Tianming asked, noticing that it was getting late.

It turned out to be Xiao Hong, which left Chen Tianming somewhat disappointed. However, Xiao Hong is Chen Tianming's proud student; her grades are the highest in the class. In fact, she is the class's academic committee member and could have opted not to take on the role of subject representative. Nevertheless, Xiao Hong insisted on being the representative for the subject he teaches. Despite this, he is quite satisfied with Xiao Hong's work, as her role as the subject representative has saved him a lot of trouble. Therefore, Chen Tianming still cares for this student very much.

"Teacher, am I really that good? What exactly is good about me?" This time, Xiaohong is determined to get to the bottom of it.