Lin Wanwan was speechless. Was he trying to offend both adults and children?
Dou Dou and Ding Ding, however, thought it was great. Children liked beautiful things too. Xie Sui shaved his beard, applied hair wax, and if it weren't for the lack of a hairstylist, he would have restyled his hair.
His clothes were also sharp, like the big black dog from the village chief's house, all glossy and shiny. Taking him out would bring great prestige.
Xie Sui didn't know that his son saw him as a big black dog. He enjoyed the admiring glances of his sons and went to school with them.
Schools at this time were still very simple. Children went to school and came home by themselves; parents didn't need to pick them up. They were very independent.
Xie Sui drove his Mercedes, stopped far away, and walked to school with his children. He didn't want to raise his children to be materialistic.
However, his flashy attire made him stand out like a peacock in a flock of chickens among the other simple parents, drawing much attention.
This man was also thick-skinned, waving and greeting everyone with a bright smile.
Seeing the astonished looks on people's faces, Dou Dou and Ding Ding suddenly felt that it was a mistake to have their father attend the parent-teacher meeting. He was embarrassing.
They lowered their heads and entered the classroom, pretending not to know him.
Their homeroom teacher was a middle-aged woman named Chen. She eyed Xie Sui unfavorably, assuming he must be the parent of some troublemaker. The teacher believed that if the foundation was crooked, the rest would follow.
They didn't understand brands or anything like that; anyone dressed extravagantly was considered improper.
"The parent-teacher meeting has begun. Everyone please take your seats. First, we'd like to commend the parents of the top student, Xie Jinsheng and Xie Jinyu. You've raised your children very well, securing the top two spots. We invite the parents to come forward and share their experience. Let's give them a warm welcome."
The parents exchanged glances, wondering who was so capable as to have two children ranked at the very top.
Xie Sui remained seated, as curious as everyone else. He was also puzzled; weren't Dou Dou and Ding Ding supposed to be the top two? Had there been a mistake in this exam?
He didn't pay much attention. He himself never ranked among the top students when he was in school, so why would he expect his children to do the same?
Teacher Chen was puzzled, "Is Xie Jinsheng's parent here?"
Dou Dou, watching anxiously from outside the window, couldn't help but come in and say, "Dad, they're calling you."
"Me?"
Xie Sui stood up. "Why me? Isn't it Dou Dou?"
Dou Dou, who had lived for seven years, felt utterly humiliated. He said with a cold expression, "That's my nickname. Xie Jinsheng is my formal name. Dad, don't you know?"
"When was it chosen? I really didn't know. I'm sorry, it's their father who manages the children; I haven't paid much attention."
Teacher Chen looked at him unfavorably, "It shows. Without a mother's guidance, children wouldn't be this excellent."
If they were like him, these two children would be ruined.
Xie Sui was speechless. What kind of look was the teacher giving him? Was she looking down on people?
Hmph, he'd let her know his capabilities. He cleared his throat and said, "Sorry to keep you all waiting. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Xie Sui. I founded the county's food factory and pickle factory. I was busy with my career and neglected my children. It's my fault."
The parents' expressions immediately changed. Who didn't know about these two factories? Many people wanted to work there as ordinary employees. They were even building new factory buildings and a primary school. The renowned Director Xie looked like this.
Teacher Chen was also surprised. Had she misjudged him?
Xie Sui wanted exactly this effect. He said humbly, "It's all thanks to the children's mother's good teaching. It's just that there are other children at home, and she couldn't come to the parent-teacher meeting, so I came.
As for the children's academic success, it's a result of setting a good example from a young age. By the age of three, their mother was already teaching them to recite ancient poems and learn arithmetic. This year one performance is really nothing. Not getting first place would be the real surprise."
The parents nodded. Their children were taught from a young age, while they let theirs run wild. How could it be the same?
Teacher Chen asked, "It's all the credit of the children's mother. Director Xie seems to have it quite easy."
Xie Sui replied, "I teach the children too. I teach them English. My English is very good. Do you want me to say a few words to the teacher?"
Primary schools at this time did not offer English classes yet, but there were rumors that it would be a重点 subject in the future. Teacher Chen's eyes flickered, "No need. You can go back now. Please pay more attention to your children in the future."
"Yes, I will. Thank you, Teacher. It's also because of your good teaching."
Xie Sui returned to his seat. The parents next to him unconsciously made space. This was a major factory director! His attire was no longer surprising.
"Director Xie, are your factories still hiring? Can I apply? I'm a fitter at the machinery factory, and I'm very skilled. There's no machine I can't repair."
Xie Sui: "..."
This was a parent-teacher meeting, not a job fair.
"The factory has a dedicated human resources department. I don't handle these matters. You can check the announcements later. When they need to hire, it will be posted.
Fitters are very capable; you won't have trouble finding work. Don't worry, they'll be hiring soon. The new factory needs a large number of talents!"
"Really? I'm facing redundancy. My elderly parents and young children depend on me. I'm really worried."
Xie Sui felt a pang of sympathy. "Middle age is difficult. Don't be discouraged. Even if my factory isn't hiring, you can set up a stove at home and sell pancakes outside construction sites. It won't be less than your salary."
"Selling pancakes, that's quite embarrassing."
"Is money more important or reputation? When I first started my business, I even sold canned goods from a stall. A man has to endure hardship and bear disgrace to support a family."
"Alright, I've learned a lot."
While the teacher was speaking above, they were whispering below. Teacher Chen's impression of Xie Sui worsened. If he hadn't been a parent, Teacher Chen would have wanted to hit his hand with a ruler.
After assigning summer homework and distributing small red flowers, Xie Sui happily accepted the award certificate, and the parent-teacher meeting concluded.
Xie Sui saw that the classroom desks and chairs were broken, some with missing legs, and the teacher's blackboard was smudged, leaving chalk dust all over her face when she wiped it. He felt a pang of sympathy and approached Teacher Chen. "Teacher Chen, thank you for your hard work. At the beginning of the new semester, I will donate a batch of new desks and chairs, and a new blackboard to the school. Who is responsible for this matter?"
Teacher Chen: "..."
A smile, somewhat strange, appeared on the face of the "wicked teacher." Indeed, Director Xie was extraordinary in his generosity. "I'll take you to see the principal."
The principal was sitting in his office when wealth came from heaven. Xie Sui's donation of new desks and blackboards was also his accomplishment.
Xie Sui would not donate money directly. He asked the principal to tally the quantity, and the items would be delivered to the school. Don't assume everyone in the school is diligent and incorruptible; corruption can also occur.
Seeing that the windowpanes were also broken and tattered, Xie Sui decided to replace the windows as well. He also covered the cost of electric fans and the honeycomb briquette stoves for winter, ensuring the children had a comfortable learning environment.
Children in this era truly suffered when studying. In winter, their little hands were red from the cold as they wrote homework, breathing out puffs of steam.
Unfortunately, air conditioning was not yet common, and Xie Sui himself didn't have any, so he couldn't donate air conditioners.
Honeycomb briquette stoves were the most cost-effective heating equipment. Xie Sui was still not entirely satisfied; what if there was a gas leak?
So he replaced them with radiators. During the summer break, he almost renovated the children's school.
The principal also presented him with a banner thanking him for his contribution to the school. Lin Wanwan only learned about his actions when she saw the banner, and she was very happy. This man was becoming more and more attentive to the children.
However, he was a bit extravagant, spending a full million without saying a word.