Chapter 27: Chen Mom's Request

  "Ah, Yueyue, Auntie knows that during the past period of time when you all took Zhigang out to exercise every day, actually you were bringing him along to review together." Chen Mom looked at Zhang Yue with gratitude.

  "To be honest, as parents, we are ashamed that we couldn't provide a good learning environment for our child. His father is an engineer at a machinery factory and is busy until midnight every day. I am a chef in a bakery and although I'm not very busy, I have to work multiple shifts and there are always several days a week when I have to work the late shift. Our elderly relatives all live far away and can't help us out, so his younger brother has been going home from kindergarten by himself since he was little, fortunately it's within the compound or else we would be worried sick." Chen mom paused here and pulled over a stool for Zhang Yue to sit down.

  "Zhi Gang's grades weren't good, I've always known that. But we really couldn't take care of it, what could we do? However, during this period, with several consecutive exams, Zhi Gang not only passed but also greatly improved his scores. His dad and I were both shocked, after asking him for half a day, he finally said it was you who helped him with tutoring. You say, how can Auntie thank you?"

  "Auntie, what's the big deal? It's nothing," Zhang Yue said with a smile. "Actually, it's not just us helping him with his studies. Chen Zhi Gang also takes me and Zheng Xiao Hui running. You have no idea, I can now run 400 meters without getting out of breath. We're all just helping each other out, that's all."

  "You're such a good kid! Will you do something for your aunt?"

  "What's up, Auntie, you tell me."

  "Aren't you supposed to be taking the middle school entrance exam? Your uncle and I discussed it, and we think he should at least put in some effort. So we sent Zhi Gang's brother back to their hometown, that way he can study quietly at night without anyone disturbing him. But after all these years, Zhi Gang still hasn't developed a habit of self-study, and your uncle and I have work to do every day, we can't just take time off to watch over him either! We're really worried about this... Ah, how timely that you've arrived! Auntie wants to discuss with you whether it's possible for Zhi Gang to study together with you again?"

  Zhang Yue thought for a moment and said to Chen's mother: "Auntie, how about this? My dad and mom are always on business trips, so at night it's usually grandma who takes care of me and my sister. Now that Zheng Xiaohui comes home with me every day after school to do homework, if Chen Zhigang is willing, let him come to my house to do his homework too. There's a small square table, just enough for four people to sit down, no one will disturb anyone else. Let him finish his homework before going back home, and if there are any problems, we can solve them directly while doing our homework."

  "That's great, but isn't it a lot of trouble for you? Will your family agree?"

  "No trouble, my grandma is kind-hearted, she definitely won't mind this kind of thing."

  ……

  From the second day on, Chen Zhigang began to go back to Zhang Yue's home with Zheng Xiaohui, and sometimes he also brought along Little Zhang Qing.

  I don't know when it started, but I think it was when Zhang Qing had her painting board on her back, paint in hand and a backpack that was really heavy. Chen Zhi Gang couldn't bear to watch and took it from her. Slowly but surely, no one knows how it happened, but the three girls always ended up with nothing on their backs, all the bags and whatnot were hung on Chen Zhi Gang's body.

  Zhang Yue and her friends felt embarrassed at first and strongly demanded that the backpacks be carried by themselves, but Zhang's classmate never said a word, just took it and left.

  Although carrying a large bundle, this person always walks alone at the front with big strides, and several girls can't catch up no matter how fast they walk. Every time, it's only when arriving at Zhang Yue's building that he stops to wait for them. This attitude makes one speechless; all one can say is that he has a good physique.

  Digression

  Although I was mentally prepared, this first push coincided with the Chinese New Year, and in such a dull time, my state turned out to be worse than I had imagined.

  Nothing much to say, maybe I'm just unlucky. Seeking comments, hoping for everyone's encouragement, thank you!