Chen Lishu thought about it and pulled Wang Dazhu and Li Hongyu along.
Both had served in the military and carried a robust aura.
Upon hearing they were to become models, they vigorously shook their heads.
"Sister-in-law, this won't work. Neither of us has experience. What if we mess it up? No, no."
Chen Lishu: "Modeling doesn't require experience, just the ability to walk."
Wang Dazhu: "But..."
Chen Lishu waved her hand: "No buts. The factory needs people now, so it's the two of you."
Wang Dazhu and Li Hongyu had no choice but to be pushed into it.
Chen Lishu had to attend an enterprise exchange meeting in the city, manage winter new product development, and train the modeling team, keeping her extremely busy.
On this weekend, with rare free time, Chen Lishu decided to take the three children to visit her teacher, Chen Yinchu.
She had heard that he had slipped on the stairs a while ago and injured his back.
He was nearly seventy years old. Although the school considered his health and tried not to assign him too many classes, he still taught one or two sessions per week.
Just as she was dressing the children, Zhang Xue arrived.
"Little Bai, come here and let Auntie hold you. You've gotten even prettier in the time we haven't seen you, my little beauty."
Chen Lishu quickly stopped her, "Your current condition isn't suitable for exerting yourself. Don't strain yourself. Besides, children are fidgety. What if you bump your belly?"
Zhang Xue casually said, "I'm not that delicate. Just holding a child won't make the one in my belly disappear? Don't worry, I stand on the podium every day, shouting at those mischievous kids. I've long since developed a tough physique."
Li Xiulan chimed in, "Xiao Xue, you haven't passed the first three months yet. You can't be careless. It's better to be cautious."
Chen Lishu jokingly added, "I'm the one who asked you out. If anything happens, won't your Li Weimin hold me accountable?"
Since Zhang Xue announced her pregnancy, Li Weimin had completely transformed into a devoted husband. When not on duty, he came home no matter how late it was, and even when he was on duty, he took care of everything at home beforehand.
He doted on her, as if wanting to hold her in his mouth for fear she would melt, and place her on his head for fear she would be startled.
Thinking of the excessively nervous Li Weimin, Zhang Xue felt a little helpless, "He's just making a fuss."
Although she said that, she still obediently didn't insist on holding小白. Instead, she took out a handful of snacks from her pocket and gave each of小白 and Xiao Chengzi a piece of sweetened pastry. She then stuffed the rest of the puffed rice and candies into Rui Rui's clothes pockets.
"Your mom usually restricts you from eating too many sweets for fear of cavities. She can't know that I gave you these."
Rui Rui looked at Chen Lishu. Seeing that she didn't refuse, he smiled and said, "Thank you, Auntie Xiao Xue."
Chen Lishu picked up Xiao Chengzi, "You used to love snacks when you were in school. Haven't you kicked the habit yet?"
Zhang Xue touched her nose unnaturally, "What are you talking about? Li Weimin insisted on buying these for me, saying he was afraid I'd have no taste in my mouth during pregnancy."
As it was getting close to the time, Gu Xingdong also bent down to pick up小白. Unexpectedly, the child turned and grabbed Rui Rui's trouser leg, saying, "Dede hold."
Gu Xingdong didn't pay it much mind. He stroked her little head and turned to start the car.
Rui Rui picked up小白 and got into the car. He saw her holding his finger and grinning at him. The sight made Rui Rui extremely happy.
His sister liked him so much.
As小白 kept smiling, she saw that her brother wasn't moving. Her little brows unconsciously furrowed.
Unable to wait any longer, she had to reach out herself and paw at his clothes pocket.
Rui Rui: "..." He had been self-indulgent.
The car soon stopped at the entrance of the Normal University. Gu Xingdong got out and spoke to the doorman before driving the car onto campus.
In the past two years, with the school's expansion, the number of students on campus had increased, and two more teaching and dormitory buildings had been constructed. However, overall, it hadn't changed much since Chen Lishu's time at school.
Following Chen Lishu's directions, Gu Xingdong parked the car downstairs in the staff dormitory building.
Chen Lishu had called yesterday to say they would visit today, and the elderly couple was very happy.
When they saw the couple had brought the two younger ones, they were even happier.
"I was just talking to your teacher this morning, wondering if the two little ones could come. Xiao Xue is here too. You don't need to change your shoes, come in and sit down quickly," Han Xiuyun said with a smile, ushering them inside.
"Teacher's wife, here are two bottles of honey and two cans of sesame paste. I also bought some fruit," Chen Lishu said, handing over the items in her hands.
Zhang Xue also handed over the canned goods and malted milk powder she had brought.
Han Xiuyun took the items but couldn't help but scold, "You two coming to see your teacher makes him very happy, why did you bring so many things? It's such a waste."
Chen Yinchu was sitting on the sofa. Because of his back injury, he had a cushion behind him and did not get up.
Rui Rui walked over to him and asked with concern, "Grandpa Chen, my mom said your back is injured. Are you feeling any better?"
"Good child, you coming to see Grandpa has made my injury half healed. Seeing these two little ones has healed it by more than half." Seeing the three children, Chen Yinchu's spirits were higher than usual.
However, due to his back injury, he didn't have much stamina and was soon helped back to his room to rest by Han Xiuyun.
However, what Chen Lishu hadn't expected was that this meeting became the last time she saw her teacher.
Not two days after returning from the Chen family's home, she received news of Chen Yinchu's death.
Hearing the news so suddenly, Chen Lishu held the phone, unable to react for a long time.
Chen Yinchu's body had been physically weakened by the persecution he suffered during his down-to-the-countryside period. He appeared outwardly strong, but once something happened, it would spiral out of control.
Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue went to see their teacher off on his final journey.
Looking at the black and white photo of the serious-looking elderly man on the tombstone, the way he first taught them English class seemed to be right before her eyes.
But in a blink of an eye, that kind and respectable teacher was gone.
His life was dedicated to education, with countless students. Many students came to send him off on his final journey.
After returning from Chen Yinchu's funeral, Chen Lishu didn't remain dejected for too long. Her attention shifted to the upcoming exhibition.
All the clothes to be exhibited were ready, but the modeling team seemed unable to get into the right state.
"You still have the leisure to fool around here when we're supposed to enter the venue the day after tomorrow?" Chen Lishu's expression turned grim as she looked at the jovial crowd.
Seeing her approach, everyone immediately shrank back like quails.
"General Manager Chen, this is really not our fault. Just walking back and forth like this makes us look like fools," one female employee said bravely.
The others chimed in, "Yes, General Manager Chen. We don't even have a reference target. We asked Manager Nan, and he said you've been busy these past two days and told us to explore on our own."