FIMA Ch106: Teacher Xie

When Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang arrived home, their sister-in-law Guo Yu had just brought out dishes from the kitchen. Seeing them, she said, “Perfect timing. The fire in the stove still has some embers. You can use it directly.”

“Alright, thank you, sister-in-law,” Xie Yiyang jumped off the bike.

Guo Yu shook her head and smiled, “No need to thank me.”

Ever since the family split, her spirits had improved considerably.

Although during the split, apart from the allocated rationed grain and temporary living quarters, Father Gu and Mother Gu gave nothing to their two families.

However, from now on, the work points and wages they earned would be theirs, and they could gradually save up.

It was certainly better than when they all lived together, eating chaff and wild vegetables while constantly having to support Gu Lao Si and Gu Lili.

After entering the kitchen, Gu Siyuan went to the back stove to stoke the fire, while Xie Yiyang added water to the pot, excitedly asking, “Husband, what are we having tonight?”

Gu Siyuan thought for a moment and replied, “Dough drop soup.”

Xie Yiyang’s eyes lit up, “Dough drop soup is great. Today the team let us pick spinach, it’s fresh and green. We can add it to the soup.”

Seeing his happy expression, Gu Siyuan went to the corner cupboard in the kitchen and unlocked the cabinet door.

Because the kitchen was shared, to avoid any unnecessary disputes, each family’s food was locked in their own cupboard, and they only took out a small amount for each meal.

Gu Siyuan untied the string of the flour bag and poured some into a bowl.

At this time, flour wasn’t white but brown because bran was mixed in. It was coarser but already precious enough, as each person in the production team received only one or two bags per year.

As he put the flour bag back, his peripheral vision caught sight of a small bag of rice.

Immediately, his brows furrowed.

“Xie Yiyang, come here!”

An icy male voice sounded.

Xie Yiyang, who was boiling water by the stove, involuntarily shivered, slowly turned and looked over, feeling timid.

What’s with his husband? Why is he suddenly so fierce?

However, when he saw what Gu Siyuan was holding, his face immediately showed a guilty, flattering smile. He slowly walked over with two legs.

The whole person stuck to Gu Siyuan like sticky taffy, rubbing against him, pretending to be innocent with a naive face, asking, “Husband, what’s wrong…”

Gu Siyuan gripped his chin with a big hand, his gaze cold: “No acting cute. Why didn’t you eat lunch? This knot looks just like the one I tied this morning.”

“…” Xie Yiyang was speechless.

Why would you remember the appearance of a knot?

However, at this moment, he could only smile awkwardly with full regret.

Gu Siyuan, obviously not buying it, increased his grip slightly, his voice cold: “Speak.”

Hmph.

Xie Yiyang couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed and unconsciously a bit aggrieved.

He pouted, mumbling, “I was home alone, constantly thinking about you. How could I be in the mood to eat? Eating anything felt irrelevant. Besides… I did cook a potato and eat it.”

As he spoke, he started to feel a bit justified.

“…” Gu Siyuan.

This way, it almost seemed like it was his fault.

If it were the 21st century, he could have posted on a forum, “What to do when your spouse loves you too much? As soon as I go to work, he loses his appetite and looks haggard.”

However, it was the 1970s.

Most people’s nutrition was inadequate, and Xie Yiyang was already very thin, so meals had to be eaten on time.

Gu Siyuan looked down at the person in front of him, his face still stern.

Xie Yiyang also stared at him, then slowly extended two slender white fingers, one on each side of Gu Siyuan’s mouth, gently lifting them, and said in a flattering manner, “Husband, I know I was wrong. Smile!”

Saying this, he even stood on tiptoe, kissing Gu Siyuan’s face and lips several times.

“…” Gu Siyuan.

Cunning human.

How could he continue to be angry like this?

Thinking this, Gu Siyuan lowered his head, lightly biting those sweet-talking red lips a few times, his voice low: “Don’t let it happen again.”

“Mm-hmm, okay… I understand.” Xie Yiyang responded sweetly, dragging out his words with a bright smile.

Their brief argument ended, and they returned to their usual sticky sweetness.

Gu Siyuan scooped some hot water from the pot, and added it to a bowl of flour, stirring it into small dough lumps with chopsticks.

Once the water boiled, he poured the lumps into the pot, letting them spread out.

Soon, the lumps floated up, cooking quickly. Gu Siyuan added a bit of salt and oil for flavor, then threw in the spinach Xie Yiyang had just washed.

“Done, ready to eat.” Xie Yiyang peeked into the pot, very excited.

Gu Siyuan glanced at him, saying calmly, “Hungry?”

“No.” Remembering the recent incident, Xie Yiyang firmly denied it.

Then, a clear ‘gurgle’ came from his stomach.

“Cough… cough…” Xie Yiyang immediately started coughing on purpose, trying to cover the embarrassing sound.

Gu Siyuan pinched his soft cheek, his voice cold: “Turns out you’re still a baby, even needing someone to watch you eat.”

“Ugh…” Xie Yiyang felt both sweet and slightly shy.

How could his husband say such a term so naturally?

Gu Siyuan served the dough lump soup into two bowls.

Xie Yiyang prepared to add more water to the pot to wash later.

Gu Siyuan stopped him: “Wait a moment, let’s heat up something else.”

He opened the lunch box he brought back.

Xie Yiyang looked at the contents, his eyes widening: “This is a scallion pancake, did you bring it from the canteen?”

Gu Siyuan nodded: “I said I’d bring you something good.”

Xie Yiyang looked up at him, frowning slightly: “Why is there so much left? Didn’t you eat lunch?”

Gu Siyuan pinched his nose, deliberately keeping a straight face: “Of course I ate. This is what’s left. Do you think I’d be as silly as you?”

Xie Yiyang, detecting the sarcasm, puffed his cheeks in anger: “Hmph, so it’s only me thinking pitifully about you, losing my appetite, and you don’t miss me at all.”

“…”

Gu Siyuan’s fingers switched from pinching his nose to pinching his face.

His little wife really had a way with words.

Although the scallion pancake had cooled, it was oily enough that a quick fry in the iron pan released a fragrant aroma of flour and scallions.

Xie Yiyang inhaled the scent happily, not caring about the heat, quickly picked up a piece, and offered it to Gu Siyuan.

Seeing his little wife’s offering gesture, Gu Siyuan’s heart softened. He casually took a bite, then said, “You eat. I had enough at lunch, too oily, a bit greasy.”

“Really?” Xie Yiyang tilted his head, eyes wide, watching him skeptically.

Gu Siyuan turned his head straight, his voice cold: “Eat your own.”

Then he picked up the two big bowls of dough lump soup and walked out.

Watching Gu Siyuan’s back, Xie Yiyang laughed, seeing a hint of retreat in his husband’s demeanor for the first time.

But this was because he loved him.

Xie Yiyang felt his heart overflow with sweetness.

The Gu family home wasn’t large, and the strong scent of scallion pancakes soon filled the entire courtyard, making everyone sniff the air.

At this moment, Gu Siyuan’s parents and Gu Lili were also eating dinner, looking down at their bland soup, suddenly losing their appetite.

Mother Gu spoke coldly, “It’s only his first day at work, and he’s already causing such a fuss.”

Father Gu also scolded, “He wasn’t like this before.”

Gu Lili didn’t say anything, but his eyes were full of resentment.

Ever since Gu Siyuan exposed Gu Lili’s speculative activities in front of the Gu family, Father and Mother Gu, although gradually brainwashed by Gu Lili, no longer had much opinion on the matter.

But Feng Keng was unwilling to take any more risks.

Feng Keng always felt that Gu Siyuan was not an easy person to deal with and feared that this matter could be used as leverage against him in the future.

Because he had recently received a letter from Beijing indicating that there might be a move to redress injustices and even the possibility of allowing some of those who were sent down to return to Beijing. His maternal family still had some influence and was helping him strive for the opportunity.

The more this was the case, the better he had to behave recently, leaving no moral flaws or stains.

To return to Beijing, besides strong support from that side, he also needed certificates from the local production team and government, so he couldn’t take any risks.

Moreover, once back in Beijing, he could avoid having this matter become an obstacle to his career advancement.

Feng Keng also promised that he would definitely take Gu Lili with him when he returned to Beijing.

As a result, Gu Lili temporarily let go of the idea of speculative activities.

But now, seeing how happily Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang, the two main culprits, were living much more comfortably than him, he felt extremely unbalanced.

Gu Lili bit his lip slightly, thinking: Later, I must talk to Feng Keng again; this can’t continue.

…

After dinner, Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang lit a candle and leaned against each other, chatting.

Actually, Yunxi Village wasn’t remote, and it had been electrified a few years ago, but electricity was expensive. In the evening, unless necessary, people generally used candles.

Gu Siyuan didn’t mind the electricity cost, but the family, although separated, still shared one meter, so arguing over the electricity bill would be troublesome.

Thinking about this, Gu Siyuan squinted his eyes, realizing he needed to find an opportunity to move out.

It would be best to bring Xie Yiyang into the city too, so he could keep an eye on him and prevent him from goofing around and not eating properly when alone.

Xie Yiyang rubbed against his husband’s firm chest, looking up at his expressionless face, curiously asking, “Husband, what are you thinking about?”

“Things at the factory,” Gu Siyuan casually replied, then looked down at Xie Yiyang, “What did you do at home today? Did you study as told?”

“…” Xie Yiyang.

Why does this feel like being watched by a school teacher?

“Of course, I studied.” Xie Yiyang smiled brightly, stood up, and went to the table by the window, picking up two books.

“Hehe, I brought these especially when I was sent down to the countryside, and I’ve been reading them today.”

By the candlelight, Gu Siyuan saw they were ninth-grade math and Chinese textbooks and nodded approvingly, “Very wise.”

Xie Yiyang’s smile deepened.

But soon, he rested his chin on his hand, troubled, “I haven’t looked at books for years, and today I realized I forgot many math formulas and some poems and essays.”

Gu Siyuan touched his cheek, casually comforting him, “It’s okay, you know more than me. I only have an elementary school education.”

Boss Gu spouted nonsense effortlessly.

“…” Xie Yiyang looked at his husband.

With your confident demeanor, it doesn’t seem like you only have an elementary school education at all.

Even university professors in Beijing probably aren’t as good as you.

Well, all he could say was, Xie Yiyang, you nailed it.

Gu Siyuan pinched his cheek, “What are you looking at?”

Xie Yiyang shook his head, hugged his arm intimately, and said with determination, “It’s okay, husband, even if you’re an elementary school student, I’ll study hard and teach you.”

Hehe…

Thinking about being a teacher to his cold, serious husband, he felt an inexplicable thrill.

“Mm, let’s start now!”

Student Xie Yiyang immediately turned into a diligent little teacher.

But soon.

Student Xie Yiyang began to doubt life.

He looked up, asking with difficulty, “Husband, do you… have a photographic memory?”

Gu Siyuan squinted his eyes, firmly shook his head, and asked innocently, “What’s photographic memory? But I’ve always had a good memory since I was little. I can remember most things after reading them once.”

Xie Yiyang stared at him, unable to hide his admiration.

After a while, he asked, puzzled and confused, “Then why didn’t you go to junior high or high school?”

With his husband’s intelligence, if he had continued studying, even if he didn’t become a great scientist, he would surely be a top engineer…

Seeing his thoughts, Gu Siyuan casually explained, “Junior high tuition for one semester was over four yuan, plus living expenses. My older brother and I together needed at least forty to fifty yuan a year, but if we worked at home, each of us could earn more than that. And the money we earned could allow Gu Lili and the fourth brother to continue studying.”

Xie Yiyang understood everything and was immediately shaking with anger.

Someone like the fourth brother, who took three years to get into the worst technical school, and Gu Lili, who did nothing at home, took away the study opportunity from his genius husband.

Their parents were so biased.

Seeing him too agitated, Gu Siyuan quickly hugged him and comforted him, “It’s okay. From what you said, it seems pretty simple. I think I can directly get into university later, whether or not I attend junior high or high school.”

“…” Xie Yiyang.

His husband was so confident.

And it seemed he did indeed have the ability.

Gu Siyuan lowered his head, kissing the top of his wife’s cute hair, and continued softly, “Moreover, if I had always been studying, wouldn’t I have missed meeting you?”

Xie Yiyang immediately nodded vigorously.

That was indeed the key point.

He extended his hands, his slender wrists tightly wrapping around his husband’s neck, hanging on so firmly that he couldn’t be pulled off, while gently rubbing against him, murmuring sweetly, “Husband, we must always be together, and we must go to college together in the future.”

His wife was truly adept at being affectionate.

Gu Siyuan picked him up and walked towards the bed, lowering his head close to Xie Yiyang’s ear, his voice low and magnetic, “Of course, I will listen to Teacher Xie.”

“…” Xie Yiyang’s earlobes turned red.

Why did his husband really call him teacher all of a sudden? It was a bit embarrassing.

However, as it turned out, Xie Yiyang was still too young. Being called teacher at this moment was nothing compared to what was to come.

Later, in bed, in moments of passion, the sudden calling out and saying certain things would truly be shamefully red all over.

…

In the days that followed, Gu Siyuan continued to go to work at the county agricultural machinery repair factory as usual.

Originally, Fang Jie, who considered himself a veteran employee, felt that after guiding Gu Siyuan and Ling Zhi for a few days, he was really having a hard time.

Of course, it wasn’t that the two were difficult to teach, but he was deeply impacted.

This impact naturally came from Gu Siyuan.

Earlier, feeling grateful that Gu Siyuan had helped him solve a big problem, Fang Jie let him try repairing an engine himself on the second day at work.

This was actually quite rare. At the agricultural machinery repair factory, new employees generally started with miscellaneous tasks for at least a few months. Even if they did get hands-on, it was with maintenance and cleaning tasks.

But Gu Siyuan was not an ordinary person.

And it was precisely this attempt that let Fang Jie thoroughly witness his skills. His technique, his mind, and his steady hands were no less than those of long-time employees.

Therefore, in less than a week’s time, Fang Jie felt completely drained, mentally of course.

Not only did Gu Siyuan learn everything Fang Jie had acquired in two years at the repair factory, but he also did it better and more meticulously, with a broader and further vision.

Tasks originally assigned to Fang Jie alone were now done by both of them, and Gu Siyuan was even more efficient.

Thus, something strange happened.

In the subsequent period, Fang Jie spent more time teaching Ling Zhi, while most of the repair tasks in their group were handled by Gu Siyuan alone, especially the more labor-intensive and mentally demanding ones.

Their group’s work efficiency became the highest among the several groups in the engine department.

Fang Jie’s archrival, Ma Jun, mocked him more than once for this, thinking Fang Jie was slacking off, otherwise, how could he be faster?

However, after a while, the factory gradually became less busy.

There were more than 200 tractors in the ten or so communes of Qingshui County.

But in most cases, the tractors had minor issues that could be handled by the local commune technicians, so they rarely needed to be sent to the county agricultural machinery repair factory or required the factory staff to go to the countryside.

Therefore, after the busy spring farming season, the repair work naturally decreased.

But Gu Siyuan remained busy.

If he wasn’t covered in oil working on discarded tractors and parts, he was sitting at the desk reading various mechanical books. Occasionally, he would write something in his notebook.

At first, seeing him so diligent, Fang Jie and Ling Zhi wanted to follow his lead.

However, the mechanical books were too dry. After a couple of days, the two couldn’t keep up and returned to their own routines.

One day, Gu Siyuan finally received his first paycheck.

Besides the fixed salary of 27 yuan, and grain and oil coupons, he also received two pounds of meat coupons.

Additionally, there was more good news: their three-person team was awarded the advanced team of the month for outstanding performance, receiving a certificate and material rewards, including five yuan and 1.5 meters of cloth coupons, enough to make two adult outfits.

That noon, probably knowing it was payday, everyone had some extra money, so the cafeteria food was exceptionally good, featuring twice-cooked pork and meat buns.

Gu Siyuan bought quite a bit of both, intending to bring them home.

So, when he opened the lunch box that evening, even though Xie Yiyang was used to him bringing home good food every day, he was still shocked by the abundance.

“Did your cafeteria have such good food today?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “Today was payday.” Saying this, he took out the money and coupons and handed them to Xie Yiyang.

Xie Yiyang took them, smiling sweetly as he said, “Husband, I’ll give you a daily allowance.”

Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow at him, “Teacher Xie’s arrangement surely makes sense.”

“…” Xie Yiyang’s cheeks turned slightly red.

Why was he calling him teacher in broad daylight?

Twice-cooked pork gets more fragrant the more it’s cooked, especially with the strong flavors of bean paste and garlic, which not only filled the Gu household but also wafted over to the neighboring houses.

Xie Yiyang also steamed the meat buns over the coarse grain porridge, making them smell incredibly sweet.

Since Gu Siyuan started working at the agricultural machinery repair factory, every evening, the Gu household has been filled with various food aromas, but today’s was exceptionally strong, lingering in the yard for a long time and striking at the heart.

Surprisingly, it was not Mother Gu, who usually loved to scold, but Gu Lili, who maintained an air of superiority, who was the first to react.

He exploded at Gu Siyuan, who was serving the dishes, “Third brother, this is too much. You know that we hardly get to eat good food a few times a year, yet you’re cooking delicious food at home every day. Are you treating us as less than human?”

Gu Siyuan looked at him, his gaze cold and sharp, “Hardly get to eat good food a few times a year? Are you talking about yourself? Are you referring to how, before the family split up, you would secretly eat eggs and drink sugar water behind everyone’s back? Back then, did you treat the rest of the family as humans?”

“Third brother!… Why do you always bring up old issues?” Gu Lili was momentarily at a loss for words and grew even angrier.

“If you dare to do it, don’t be afraid to be called out. What do you think you are, meddling in my affairs!” Gu Siyuan’s voice was extremely cold.

Gu Lili gritted his teeth, “Even if you don’t care about me, you can’t ignore our parents. You’re eating and drinking well every day, are you just going to let our parents smell the aroma?”

At this point, before Gu Siyuan could say anything, Xie Yiyang sneered coldly, “Gu Lili, do you even have the right to say that? I’m at home every day now, and I see everything you do clearly. This morning, you and Feng Kang roasted a bird on the mountain, didn’t you? Did you think of bringing it back for our parents? This is not an old issue, is it?”

“You…” Gu Lili’s face turned pale instantly.

Then, he hurriedly turned around and ran out.

He didn’t expect Xie Yiyang to be watching him all day long and even saw him go up the mountain.

This time, he and Feng Kang had indeed found something extremely precious.

No, he had to go and discuss a solution with Feng Kang immediately.

Actually, he was wronging Xie Yiyang and overthinking it.

Xie Yiyang had merely guessed based on Gu Lili’s oily mouth and the few bird feathers on his clothes when he returned in the morning.

Gu Siyuan squinted his eyes at Gu Lili’s unusual reaction.

It seemed like a dog couldn’t stop eating shit, he was at it again.

Xie Yiyang tilted his head and waved his hand in front of him, “He’s gone, what are you still looking at?”

Gu Siyuan grabbed his slender, white fingers and said softly, “Why are you being so naughty?”

“I’m not being naughty.” Xie Yiyang pouted.

Gu Siyuan reached out and pinched his squirrel-like cheeks, saying seriously, “Not naughty at all, after all, you are now a teacher, Teacher Xie.”

Xie Yiyang: “…”

Tsk, who knows who is naughtier.

After they sat face-to-face.

Xie Yiyang handed the chopsticks to Gu Siyuan, urging, “Eat quickly, eat quickly.”

Gu Siyuan: “Teacher Xie, please start first.”

“…” Xie Yiyang.

He looked deeply at his husband, unable to help but wonder if he had some special fetish.