Teacher Tang seemed to think she was being a bit too naive and foolish, and his answers became perfunctory.
"What are they washing? Who's going to boil water? You? Where are you going to boil so much? The school has no boiler or water heater."
"Besides, where are there enough buckets for them to use? The students in first and second grade are so young. Who will help them mix the water, and who will help them wash? There's no space either. Let them wait until Sunday when they go home!"
On such a hot day, everyone ran and jumped, breaking a sweat every break. They had to endure a whole week before they could take a bath?
Although Tian Tian was surprised, she had just arrived and hadn't sorted out anything for herself yet, so she couldn't concern herself with others.
As they talked, everyone arrived at the dormitory entrance.
Chen Dongyang couldn't go in, so he handed the things back to Tian Tian and advised her.
"Stop worrying about others for now and manage yourself. You don't have any equipment yet, so you won't be able to shower tonight. I'll buy them for you, so rest for a while and wait."
Indeed, she had nothing. She only now realized she wouldn't be able to shower tonight.
However, Tian Tian felt awkward making him go alone.
"I'll go with you."
It was a good opportunity to spend more time together, so Chen Dongyang drove her to the small supermarket.
They bought not only buckets but also shampoo, body wash, combs, towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and a foot basin.
Having never lived in a dormitory before, Tian Tian realized for the first time how many things one needed to prepare when traveling.
Chen Dongyang spent over 200 yuan. When they got into the car, Tian Tian transferred another 500 yuan to him.
"Part of this is for the things we bought, and part is for gas. Take it, or I'll feel too embarrassed to ride in your car again."
It was enough to have the big things clearly separated. Why return such a small amount of money?
Chen Dongyang glanced at his phone and said the opposite of what he meant in anger.
"Since I get paid for running errands for you every day, I'll quit my job and become your full-time errand boy. You can support me."
Tian Tian knew he was speaking in jest and retorted, "Dream on."
After settling Tian Tian in, it was past eight o'clock when he returned home.
Without time to wash up, Chen Dongyang first replied to the messages his colleagues had sent him, then worked overtime.
Although it seemed very hard, his heart was sweet, and he was full of energy.
Since Tian Tian came here, her mental state had improved significantly. Seeing her energized every day made him feel that life was full of positive energy.
The next morning, around nine o'clock, the second long break ended.
Tian Tian sat at the podium grading homework. As she graded, she noticed a group of female students peeking at the window and whispering to each other as if they had seen something extraordinary.
They kept looking in her direction.
Thinking something had happened, Tian Tian followed their gaze and looked outside.
Then she saw Chen Dongyang again.
He was dressed very casually today. Seeing him in this outfit, Tian Tian instantly remembered when they first met.
Back then, he was still a migrant worker swinging a sledgehammer to break walls on a construction site.
A black t-shirt, loose black shorts, and sandals that cost ten yuan a pair.
If he weren't taller than the principal and younger than the principal, with that attire, others might have thought they were brothers.
The two brothers stood shoulder to shoulder, gesturing towards the classroom, discussing the renovation of the music and art rooms.
Chen Dongyang knew Tian Tian was quite concerned about this matter. Since she didn't have time to plan, he took care of it for her.
He had worked overtime until past five in the morning yesterday and finally got the work matters sorted out.
He could stay at the school all day today and see Tian Tian for eight hours.
Although he was a bit sleepy, he was mostly happy.
When the principal heard he wanted to renovate the music classroom, he found it ridiculously naive and took him to see it.
"Look for yourself. This area is already full. Where can we squeeze anything else in? Are you and Teacher Jiang joking?"
"Of course, your intentions are good. However, our school is really not suitable for these things."
"Xiao Chen, why don't you help me persuade Teacher Jiang? Instead of spending time on these things, it would be better to find a way to improve the college admission rate."
Chen Dongyang ignored his nonsense and looked at the row of teaching buildings. Indeed, there was no space to move.
Building a new room from the courtyard would occupy the already small playground and take time.
His gaze shifted to the cafeteria on the other side.
He suggested, "If there's no space, we won't renovate. In the future, music and art classes will be held collectively in the cafeteria."
Hold music classes in the cafeteria?
"There's only one music teacher anyway, and the whole school attends together. There's no place more suitable than the cafeteria. However, the cafeteria is too hot. Principal, you're too stingy. It's so hot, and you can't even afford to install a fan? I was sweating profusely when I ate there last night."
The principal complained again, "It's not that I don't want to install them, but there's no funding."
Then, he went on and on about the school's difficulties.
Chen Dongyang stopped him. "Alright, alright. I know it's difficult for you, and it's not easy for anyone. I'm not forcing you. I'll pay for it."
"Install two fans in each row. I've counted, and ten should be enough."
"No need to hire workers, I'll install the fans myself. Let's do it when we say so. Let's do it today. You go buy them, and get me a ladder."
That would be great. With someone paying and working, the principal was also eager for the school to improve.
Chen Dongyang gave him 500 yuan, and the principal immediately rode his electric bike to negotiate prices with the supermarket owner.
Chen Dongyang found a toolbox under the principal's desk and carried it towards the cafeteria.
A few bored boys from the sixth grade, seeing his manly demeanor, were both admiring and curious. They timidly followed behind him, nudging each other, wanting to talk to him but not daring to speak.
After walking a few steps, Chen Dongyang felt the little guys following him and looked back.
Seeing them staring at his toolbox, he spoke first.
"What is it? Are you interested in this?"
He spoke standard Mandarin, was handsome and young, truly like a male protagonist in a TV drama.
Boys of this age already had a sense of idolization. Seeing their idol speak to them, they were very excited.
After much pushing and shoving, one finally dared to speak.
"What were you talking to the principal about? What are you going to do?"
Chen Dongyang didn't look down on them. Instead, he found chatting with them quite interesting and said seriously.
"The new Teacher Jiang will be teaching you music and art classes. The principal and I have decided to hold the classes in the cafeteria, and the entire school will attend there together. I'm going to install some fans for you now. Are you happy?"
When everyone heard this, their faces showed surprise and joy, mixed with disbelief.
"Is Teacher Jiang really going to teach us music?"
Seeing them like this, Chen Dongyang felt a bit proud. "How could that be fake? The piano has already been bought. I'll connect it to the electricity later. Have you ever seen an electronic keyboard?"
"No."