At eight o’clock in the morning , the largest vegetable market in Jef City was bustling with people.
” Teacher Wagner , are you here to buy fish again?”
“Yes. Any perch?”
“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll keep it for you … ” the middle-aged woman said as she weighed and scaled it skillfully. “It’s ready.”
Elton Wagner took out his phone: “How much?”
“Well, it’s free, just take it and eat it! My children have caused you a lot of worry … ”
“That won’t work. You’re running a business, how can you not charge money?” Elton simply scanned the code and transferred 30 dollars.
Just more, no less.
When the woman heard the payment information, she said, “How can I be so embarrassed … ”
Elton : “I’d be embarrassed if I didn’t accept it. So you go ahead and do your work. I’ll go buy some green onions.”
“Hey, Teacher Wagner, wait … ”
“Anything else?”
“Ah! It’s like this,” the woman nervously clutched her leather apron, “I heard that No. 2 Middle School has recommended places for the physics competition every year. If you win an international gold medal, you can be admitted to famous universities such as B University and Q University!”
Elton nodded: “There are recommendation quotas.”
“Then do you think our Andy is suitable?”
Elton was silent for a moment: ” Andy’s mom, first of all, you have to understand the meaning of competition. You can think of it as students needing to use a higher level of knowledge beyond their current stage to complete the competition in the subject. In other words, the test questions will definitely be much more difficult than usual.”
“The school does have recommended places for all subjects, but usually only students with outstanding performance in a single subject and strong learning ability and competitive thinking are selected to participate.”
The woman was a little anxious: “Our Andy has very good grades! He has never fallen out of the top 20 in his grade. Isn’t this considered outstanding and capable?”
” Andy’s mom, please listen to me first,” Elton explained patiently, “First of all, the grade ranking is based on the overall performance, and the ranking of a single subject is only meaningful for reference.”
“Secondly, the school has already decided on the candidates for this competition. So, there is nothing I can do.”
“Is that so … forget it … ” The woman forced a smile and waved her hands.
“Then you go ahead and I’ll continue shopping.”
“Hey, have a nice trip, come back next time.”
However, after watching Elton walk away, the woman’s smile disappeared and she said, “What are you talking about single subject rankings? My Andy is excellent in every subject. You must be blind to see that! And you’re also talking about someone being chosen and there’s nothing we can do about it. How hypocritical … ”
” Liz , what are you talking about in front of the fish bowl? Who has offended you? I just saw Teacher Wagner going over there, and I wanted to ask about my little Man’s academic performance.”
“Don’t ask, she doesn’t even look down on our Andy .” How could she look down on your daughter who always ranks at the bottom in academic performance?
“What’s wrong?”
The woman curled her lips and said, “What do you mean my Andy is not qualified to participate in the physics competition? Who doesn’t know that his daughter participated in so many competitions by herself, not only physics, but also chemistry and computer science. Why didn’t he say it was inappropriate?”
“To put it bluntly, since we have a daughter who goes to University B, it is not possible for other families to have a son who goes to University Q!”
” Liz , don’t say that. Teacher Wagner is not that kind of person!”
“I don’t care what kind of person he is. He didn’t let my son participate because he couldn’t stand others being better than him! I don’t think he can be that good. What’s wrong with having a daughter who goes to B University? He hasn’t been home for a few years, so I’ve forgotten about him and his wife a long time ago.”
“I also heard that his extremely outstanding daughter didn’t pursue graduate studies or look for a job after graduating from college.”
“Ah? No way?! If she doesn’t study or work, then what does she do?”
a lover for a rich man ! Just lie down, spread your legs, and the money will come. How easy is that? Why would you still need a job?”
“Hiss! Liz , don’t say such things! This concerns the girl’s reputation!”
“Humph, if his daughter is working seriously, why hasn’t she come home for several years? Isn’t it because he thinks she is embarrassing and doesn’t let her come back? In our small place, news spreads very fast. Teacher Wagner must keep it secret? Otherwise, how can he be a role model for others?”
“Oh my god … ”
Elton didn’t hear these discussions .
Maybe even if he heard it, he would just choose to remain silent.
Because in his eyes, what his daughter did was no different from a rich person raising canaries.
…
Myrna got off the high-speed train and couldn’t help but wrap her down jacket tightly around her.
Although Jef City is further south than H City , it is still very cold this month.
Sitting in the taxi, watching the scenery outside the window receding and slowly overlapping with the hometown in my memory.
Jef City has a small population. As heavy industries have been gradually moved out of the city, the government has begun to vigorously develop the tourism industry in recent years, and the greening on both sides of the roads has been done very well.
The old and low buildings have been renovated and the park has just been built.
Only the old city area retains its original appearance, with the river dividing the old and new areas into two.
In summer, some people go boating on the river. In winter, a thin layer of ice will form on the flowing water surface. With a slight touch, it will break up and ripple on the water, like a clear diamond, shining with bright light.
There is an old arch bridge over the river, and the Wagner Family is at one end of the bridge.
Walking through the alley, you can see the big words ” Jef City No. 2 Middle School Staff Community” from afar.
Elton was specially hired as a physics teacher at Jef City No. 2 Middle School. In just one year, he was promoted to the head of the physics group.
He also personally formed the Second Middle School Physics Competition Team and sent a group of outstanding competition talents to international competitions.
All of these students were admitted to prestigious universities and are now successful.
His excellent teaching ability made him one of the first teachers to enjoy the housing benefits.
Moreover, he is the youngest among that group of teachers.
Thinking of her father, Myrna’s eyes became moist.
” … I taught you to read, and this is how you read? You’re giving up your studies for a man?!”
Elton , am not worthy of being a teacher if I teach my daughter like this !”
“If you go with him, don’t come back in this life and don’t recognize us!”
” Myrna , have you really thought it through? Do you really want to give up your parents for him?”
“Okay, from now on, I’m not your father, and you’re not my daughter!”
…
” Ms. , we’re here.” The driver spoke again.
Myrna suddenly came to her senses and took out her phone to pay: “Thank you.”
The Wagner Family lived on the first floor and had a small courtyard. Because my mother liked the color purple, my father built a wisteria trellis for her.
During the flowering season, the hanging vines are full of flowers, and she likes to sit in the yard to enjoy the cool air.
Seeing that she liked it, her father took the time to make a swing for her. Later, as she grew older, the swing was left unused.
When she left home to study, I had no chance to see her again. It has been six years, and I don’t know what happened to the wisteria flowers and the swing in the yard …
Thinking of this, Myrna blinked her sore eyes, stood in front of the door, took a deep breath, raised her hand and knocked.