Tian Tian didn't answer him, but turned to say.
"I've already settled in at the school, and I don't need your help with anything. Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Chen Dongyang feigned ignorance. "Leave for where?"
"Go back to Nan Cheng."
"My work doesn't require me to be in the office; I can communicate online. The internet was installed this morning. It's the same here as in Nan Cheng. Why do you insist I go back?"
You ask why I insist you go back?
It's obvious you're playing dumb.
Tian Tian was speechless for a moment. "Fine, if you want to stay here, then stay. But I'm telling you now, don't morally obligate me."
"You're staying here because you want to, not for me. I won't be grateful because of this."
As long as she was willing to let him stay, there was room for maneuver. Chen Dongyang was already very happy.
"I'm staying because I want to, and I won't morally obligate you. I like it here."
"Stop writing for now and eat your meal."
Tian Tian said she wasn't eating, as she had eaten a lot at noon.
"Is the food in your cafeteria that good? What did you eat for lunch?"
"I didn't eat at the cafeteria; I ate out."
"Ate out? Don't you find eating out unhygienic?"
Seeing his eagerness to know, and since the other teachers seemed reluctant to get close to her, Tian Tian, having many thoughts to share, recounted her morning's events to him.
"Was I a bit too outspoken? Will others dislike me?"
Chen Dongyang didn't think so; he was very supportive of Tian Tian.
"This place is inherently lacking in material resources and is very conservative in its thinking. If teachers themselves cannot broaden their horizons and stimulate their minds, what is the point of their existence?"
"I think what you did was excellent. The college entrance examination pass rate won't improve significantly anytime soon anyway, so it's better to live happily."
Hearing someone support her, Tian Tian felt a small sense of accomplishment and couldn't help but smile.
"Then, according to you, I should quickly arrange these courses. But they can only start next week, and the things I need haven't been bought yet."
After speaking, realizing her words could be misinterpreted, she quickly added.
"I didn't mean for you to help me buy them. This is my own matter, and I want to do it myself. It's just that I don't have time for now."
Chen Dongyang swallowed the words "I'll help you go" that were on the tip of his tongue.
He thought for a moment. "What time do you finish classes in the afternoon?"
Tian Tian knew he was going to get involved. "What for?"
"I happen to be renovating my house recently and need to go to the county town to buy things. If you finish school early, I'm driving anyway. I can give you a ride. You won't be able to sleep that early anyway, so consider it a stroll to aid digestion."
If Tian Tian hadn't been to his house and seen how simple it was, she would have suspected he was doing this just to make these two trips for her.
"Are you really renovating your house? Chen Dongyang, don't you feel lonely staying here alone?"
Chen Dongyang didn't think so. "You're also in design. Do you think our profession requires liveliness? The more solitary, the more conducive to thinking. This is the real reason I like it here."
Alright, since he insisted on staying, Tian Tian didn't say anything else.
"School finishes at five in the afternoon. I'll find you after I eat."
How could Chen Dongyang bear to have her travel back and forth?
"I'll pick you up instead. I don't know if your cafeteria meals cost money, and it's troublesome to cook for one person."
For someone like Tian Tian, who disliked housework, cooking for oneself was indeed troublesome.
Thinking that Chen Dongyang wasn't having an easy time either, she said.
"Why don't I talk to the principal? You can pay a monthly meal fee and eat here too."
Chen Dongyang had been waiting for her to say this and immediately beamed.
"I think that's a good idea. Then I'll trouble you, Teacher Jiang."
Tian Tian felt they had discussed everything that needed to be discussed.
"Alright, you can go now. I need to prepare for the afternoon class and don't have time to talk to you."
Chen Dongyang didn't want to disturb her too much, but he still pushed the lunchbox towards her.
"I brought it all. Eat at least a few bites. The sesame oil here is made from sesame seeds fried by themselves, it's especially fragrant. I specifically went to the sesame oil workshop and bought fifty yuan worth. I put several drops in for you. Try it, it's really very fragrant."
Tian Tian had talked so much at noon that she hadn't really eaten much.
Hearing his exaggerated praise, she opened the box.
It was indeed quite fragrant, with an intoxicating aroma hitting her.
After tasting a few bites, it was typical of Chen Dongyang's cooking – delicious, with the potential to be a great chef.
In her haste, despite Chen Dongyang watching her, she finished the meal in five minutes without regard for her image, then pushed the lunchbox back to him.
"Don't bring me food anymore. Take your lunchbox back and wash it yourself. I won't see you out. I need to prepare my lesson quickly. Hurry up and go, goodbye."
Seeing that she was finally busy, extremely busy, and had no time to think about those extraneous matters, Chen Dongyang was genuinely happy for her.
Carrying the lunchbox out, he secretly took out his phone and recorded a video of the school, then sent it to Jiang Nan Fang.
Time flew by, and it was afternoon. As Tian Tian emerged from the classroom with her books, she saw Chen Dongyang standing at the office door, talking to the principal.
She went in, put her books away, and came out. Chen Dongyang took out a stainless steel bowl from behind him and shook it at her.
"I've discussed it with the principal. It's three yuan per meal, one hundred yuan per month for food expenses. I'll be eating here every day from now on."
Tian Tian's focus wasn't on him eating with her every day, but rather: "Three yuan a meal, one hundred a month? How did you two learn math?"
Chen Dongyang looked at her with a roguish smile. "Isn't it because I eat a lot, and the principal gives me a wholesale price? Haven't you bought a bowl yet? I bought one for you too. Let's go, let's go eat."
Chen Dongyang very thoughtfully bought her a pink insulated bowl.
As the two, a perfect match, walked towards the cafeteria, Teacher Tang and others followed behind, whispering to Teacher Li and Teacher Wang.
"Didn't they say this person has nothing to do with her and is leaving soon? Why is he still coming to our school?"
Teacher Li said, "Why do you care about them? This woman looks like she has a significant background, unlike ordinary people. The man is also unusual. Who knows what their relationship is? It's not something we should worry about. Stay away from them."
Teacher Tang, however, took their words to heart and didn't see it that way.
She also realized that Chen Dongyang was no ordinary person.
Not only was he handsome and well-built, but his demeanor was also exceptional.
Crucially, he was the type she liked.
After all, this was a poor and remote area with little competition. If something could happen between them during his stay...
Chen Dongyang had done his homework in the afternoon. There was a musical instrument store in the county town, and he had obtained the address.
However, not understanding musical equipment, he saved some pictures online for Tian Tian to look at.
As they were studying the phone, Teacher Tang walked over with her bowl.
"Teacher Jiang, are you eating? Can I sit with you?"
Tian Tian didn't look at her face and instinctively shifted inward.
"Of course, you can."