Chapter 133: Learning Self-Defense
Zhou Chengguo had calmed down a bit by now.
Hearing Xie Huaizhen’s words, he immediately said, "Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I was just too worked up."
But Xie Huaizhen felt that someone who was genuinely worked up wouldn’t act like Zhou Chengguo, no matter what had happened.
’Perhaps I should re-evaluate Zhou Chengguo.’
Meanwhile, Su Zhaozhao went to find Xie Huaizheng for lunch and also mentioned she wanted to borrow some English books.
"I ran into Zhou Chengguo and made a bet with him that I could pass the interview to be an English teacher at the military district’s elementary school," Su Zhaozhao told Xie Huaizheng. "So, I want to give it a try."
"An English teacher?" Xie Huaizheng frowned. As far as he knew, a teaching position at the military district’s elementary school wasn’t so easy to get.
Let alone for an English teacher.
"Are you sure you can do it?"
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in Su Zhaozhao, but he knew she only had a middle school education.
The minimum requirement for teachers at the military district’s elementary school was a university degree.
Even graduates from specialized secondary schools wouldn’t qualify.
And for an English teacher, the requirements would likely be even higher.
He didn’t know how Zhou Chengguo had convinced Su Zhaozhao, but from an objective standpoint, she was likely to be at a disadvantage.
"Don’t worry. My education level might be low, but I’m very smart. Besides, my maternal grandmother’s side of the family is very accomplished, so I’ve been studying since I was a child."
Su Zhaozhao didn’t believe they could investigate what happened in her childhood.
’Information isn’t as developed in this era. It’s not like modern times where you leave a trace everywhere on the internet.’
’Even if I’m making it up, as long as I can make the story coherent, it’ll be fine.’
Xie Huaizheng fell silent. ’Should I believe Su Zhaozhao?’
She was indeed very smart and capable, and she was from Jiang City.
Jiang City was a coastal city, a prosperous place since ancient times. It had been an especially bustling city during the Republican era.
Many foreigners had lived there. Su Zhaozhao’s claim that she had studied a foreign language as a child probably wasn’t a lie.
"What did you bet him?"
"Oh, nothing much. If I lose, I have to help him pay back the money he owes Qiaoqi. If he loses, I’ll make him get out of the school, because someone like him is utterly unfit to be a teacher."
"You want English books? Our military district’s library has them. But besides that, is there anything else I can help you with?"
He knew some English himself, just... not fluently.
"No need. Just getting me a few books will be enough. I’ll just familiarize myself and work hard."
"Zhaozhao, won’t you be too tired doing this?"
Xie Huaizheng sighed. Su Zhaozhao was too strong-willed. While that wasn’t a bad thing, her body had just recovered, and now she was throwing herself into another demanding task.
He was quite worried about her.
He reached out and took Su Zhaozhao’s hand. Looking at the bandage wrapped around her palm, he couldn’t see the state of her injury.
"How’s the wound? Is it almost healed?"
Su Zhaozhao nodded. "The wound is healing pretty quickly. Don’t you worry about it."
Xie Huaizheng squeezed her fingers. "Don’t get hurt again, Zhaozhao. And that includes dealing with Zhou Chengguo. If necessary, call me."
He believed in Su Zhaozhao, and he believed she would succeed in her interview for the military district’s elementary school.
Even though, objectively speaking, it might be quite difficult.
But he was a soldier. He possessed a powerful sense of conviction. Once he believed in something, he believed in it without a doubt.
And when it came to Su Zhaozhao, he believed in her absolutely.
That was why he was worried that if Su Zhaozhao won the bet, Zhou Chengguo might fly into a rage out of shame.
"Don’t worry. You can teach me a few self-defense moves," Su Zhaozhao said, winking at Xie Huaizheng.
She knew a little, but she felt that Xie Huaizheng was much more professional.
Her moves were likely just for show, with little practical application.
Xie Huaizheng thought for a moment. "I’ll teach you tonight."
He also thought it was a good idea for Su Zhaozhao to learn a few self-defense moves. That way, she could protect herself when he wasn’t around.
"Alright! Thank you, Camp Commander Xie." Su Zhaozhao immediately gave him a brilliant smile.
Xie Huaizheng couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch her cheek. "Comrade Su Zhaozhao, once I start training you, my standards will be very strict."
He wouldn’t train her to be like one of the soldiers under his command, but the training would definitely not be easy.
"Don’t worry, I hope you’ll be strict."
After all, bad guys wouldn’t go easy on her.
Su Zhaozhao returned to the guesthouse and counted the money she had earned recently. Besides the twenty yuan Xie Huaizheng had given her, she had actually managed to save fifty-two yuan!
She was a bit surprised; she hadn’t expected to save so much money.
’But this is still too little. It’s not enough to buy a house.’
Su Zhaozhao thought for a moment. ’I really need to work harder to make more money.’
She took out several jars of face cream from her space—all of them were luxury brands.
She transferred the cream from each jar into smaller, unmarked containers so the packaging wouldn’t be visible.
This way, she could sell it to other people.
’Guaranteed quality at a low price. I’m sure it’ll be popular with the girls.’
And the hair ties and other things could be sold through Yu Huijun.
’Never underestimate the influence of young women.’
After coming out of her space, Su Zhaozhao took two hair ties and went to find Yu Huijun. "Little Yu, I’m planning to make a batch of hair ties to sell. The styles are like this. These two are for you. You can try them out. I plan to sell them for thirty cents each. If you can help me sell them, I’ll give you five cents for each one. What do you think?"
Yu Huijun’s eyes lit up.
One was a pink tulle hair tie, designed like a bow, looking very dreamy.
The other was a light blue hair tie inlaid with white pearls.
"These... are for me?"
"Mhm, consider it a sample. If you like them, recommend them to your friends. You can sell to others too. As long as you sell one, I’ll give you five cents."
"A style this nice, and you’re only selling it for thirty cents?" Yu Huijun clutched the two hair ties excitedly.
"Um... Sister Zhaozhao, don’t worry! I’ll definitely help you sell them!"
’This won’t be difficult at all,’ Yu Huijun thought. Many of her classmates, friends, and relatives were girls who loved to dress up.
They didn’t have money for new clothes, but they were willing to buy something like a hair tie—the cheapest and easiest way to make themselves feel pretty.
Plus, Su Zhaozhao was selling them cheap, and she was even giving her a five-cent commission.
Su Zhaozhao smiled and returned to her room.
That evening, after dinner, Su Zhaozhao went with Xie Huaizheng to a quiet, deserted corner to practice self-defense.
"This spot should be fine," Xie Huaizheng said to Su Zhaozhao.
It was pitch black here, with only the moonlight spilling down on them. Dark and secluded, it was indeed a good place to train.
"Okay."
Su Zhaozhao had just uttered the word when Xie Huaizheng moved. Before she could even react, he was already behind her, his arms wrapping around her and pulling her tight against him.