Chapter 39: A Heart Stirred

Wang Wenyu came to Dongguan because Teacher Yan wanted to make one last effort regarding Jiang Fan’s expulsion from school.

Teacher Yan could be called a model of the times. She never relied on her family background, was upright and modest to everyone, worked diligently and responsibly, and cared deeply about every student in her class. At least a third of her monthly salary went to help students from impoverished backgrounds. The students she taught affectionately called her “Mother Yan.”

Though she knew it was almost impossible to get the school to reverse the expulsion, she still did everything within her power to preserve Jiang Fan’s student status. She approached the person involved, Wang Wenyu, explained what she knew, and hoped Wang Wenyu would testify that the accident was purely an unfortunate incident.

Although not a student of Teacher Yan, Wang Wenyu deeply respected this highly admired teacher. Listening to Teacher Yan recount Jiang Fan’s past, how, though practically starving, he refused the school’s hardship subsidy, giving it to other needy students instead, and how, in the dead of winter, he worked to support himself and rescued two primary schoolers who had fallen into the ice at Shichahai, nearly drowning himself—Wang Wenyu was moved.

Seeing Teacher Yan hold Jiang Fan in such high regard, Wang Wenyu not only spoke up for him herself but also asked her father to help clear his name. However, the school was reluctant to reverse a decision already publicly announced, as it would affect too many people and bring negative consequences to the institution.

Wang Wenyu understood how difficult it was for a poor student to gain admission to such a university. When she realized that, because of her, someone’s future and a family's hope had been destroyed, she felt a sense of guilt, even though she herself was an innocent party in the bathhouse incident and her own reputation had suffered. Compared to Jiang Fan’s ordeal, she always wanted to make amends, and eventually, she found Li Jiuguan.

She saw an old man delivering coal briquettes, beloved by neighbors and many hutong residents. Wang Wenyu also learned of the many kind deeds performed by this master and apprentice.

People from two entirely different social strata, both respected by others, both held Jiang Fan in high esteem. Wang Wenyu found herself feeling a fondness for this stranger. Thus, she used her six-month internship as an opportunity to come to his wandering city, hoping to do something for him—this is why she came to Dongguan.

When she heard that Wang Wenyu was speaking up for his master, Jiang Fan complained, “I wanted to call him Master, but the old man never allowed it. Sometimes I’d slip and say it, and he’d give me a smack. What could I do?”

Jiang Fan explained to Wang Wenyu why Li Jiuguan never let him call him Master.

Recalling her two meetings with Li Jiuguan, Wang Wenyu said gravely, “He always puts others first, never himself, which is why he could nurture a disciple like you. He’s a man worthy of respect, just unfortunate in his fate.”

“The old man’s virtues aren’t easily seen by most people. My only regret is he never found me a Mistress—he’s so lonely.”

Speaking of Li Jiuguan, Jiang Fan’s eyes brimmed with longing.

Wang Wenyu gently patted Jiang Fan’s shoulder in comfort. “Don’t dwell on it. When you’re able, you can bring the old man to live with you and care for him. Isn’t that every parent’s wish—to have someone by their side in old age?”

“Ah,” Jiang Fan sighed, having lived so stiflingly at Dafu and with the road ahead so uncertain. “Right now I’m like a naked child sunning on a sandbank, not even clothed. I can only hope that day will come.”

“Must you keep saying things like ‘naked child’? Can’t you speak a little more politely?”

Still caught up in his emotions, Jiang Fan blurted out, “I want to be polite, but even the heavens seem to think I’m a rascal. What can I do?”

“You scoundrel.” Wang Wenyu, carefully avoiding his injured arm, pinched the muscle of his left shoulder sharply. “Are you deliberately bringing that up to embarrass me?”

“Ow, ow, ow!” Though her grip wasn’t strong, Jiang Fan exaggerated his cries, and then added, “With someone as stunning as you, beauty isn’t even the word. What embarrassment could there be?”

He reached out to move her hand from his shoulder. But when his fingers touched her smooth, delicate skin, he was reluctant to let go, and even stroked her hand a few times before releasing it.

As the belle of the department, Wang Wenyu was used to all kinds of praise at school. But hearing Jiang Fan’s compliment now, she felt something different. She knew he was taking advantage, but didn’t mind much—she only pretended to be angry, rolled her eyes at him, and asked, “Did it feel good sneaking those touches?”

Jiang Fan replied without thinking, “It felt great.”

Seeing his mischievous smile, and recalling that both Teacher Yan and Li Jiuguan had called him honest and simple, Wang Wenyu’s face flushed as she remembered what happened in the bathhouse. “You really like taking advantage when you can—seems it’s become a habit. What’s so special about my hand? Are you still not letting go?”

Noticing her bashful expression, Jiang Fan was elated. He protested, “What do you mean, a habit? I was just afraid if I used a little force, I’d hurt your delicate hand and couldn’t bear that responsibility. That’s why I didn’t let go in time.”

“Afraid of using force? Back in the bathhouse, you squeezed me there and left your lecherous handprints—how come you weren’t afraid then? Let go now!”

Hearing Wang Wenyu bring up the past, Jiang Fan asked in confusion, “Weren’t you unconscious then? How would you know?”

“Passing out doesn’t mean being dead—people have subconscious minds, you know? Both Grandpa Li and Teacher Yan say you’re honest and simple, but perhaps they don’t really know you.”

“To sit in someone’s arms and remain unmoved doesn’t necessarily make one a gentleman. A beautiful woman, a worthy match—that’s human nature, understand?”

Having left campus and the strictures of its rules, Jiang Fan’s wit flourished in his wandering life, his character changed greatly, and he grew much thicker-skinned.

Wang Wenyu glanced shyly at Jiang Fan, saw his playful grin, and pretended to be annoyed. “I can’t be bothered to argue with you, you scoundrel. You’re a star in the Chinese department—I can’t out-talk you. If I weren’t afraid of hurting your wound, I’d teach you a lesson today.”

Hearing her threaten to teach him a lesson, Jiang Fan immediately clutched his injured arm. “It still hurts where you hit me just now, and you still want to punish me?”

Wang Wenyu, hearing that he was still in pain, grew concerned. “Shall we go see the doctor again?”

Jiang Fan thought about how even the hospital couldn’t help him and sighed, “With my tough skin and thick flesh, what’s this little injury to me?”

Hearing his self-mockery, Wang Wenyu knew he still hadn’t fully let go of what happened at university. She changed the subject: “Have you been in touch with Hao Meng lately?”

Jiang Fan thought for a moment. “She hasn’t come by since I started at the factory—must be three days now.”

“How do you usually contact each other?”

“She gave me her phone number, but I haven’t called, afraid to disturb her at work.” Fearing Wang Wenyu would mind this, he gave her Hao Meng’s number as well, to show he had nothing to hide.