Reborn One Week Before the Apocalypse

Chapter 340: Chapter 330: Teacher Chen

In Xiao Jin’s memories, Teacher Chen was the only person here who was kind to her.

Teacher Chen was the school’s most talented painter. At just twenty-five, she had already won many major awards, both domestic and international.

This was also why Teacher Chen, despite coming from a rural background, was able to secure a teaching position at this school.

At this prestigious school, many of the teachers were either from prominent families just teaching for fun, or they were leading figures in their respective professional fields.

Teacher Chen was clearly the latter. Many young artists who pursue a higher level of artistic mastery don’t actually make much money.

The school offered these individuals greater freedom and stable financial security, supporting them as they pursued their dreams.

Back when they were at school, Teacher Chen had been especially fond of Xiao Jin.

First, she felt Xiao Jin had immense artistic Talent and a promising future, believing the child must be carefully nurtured.

Second, Xiao Jin’s feigned commoner status earned her Teacher Chen’s sympathy. She felt the introverted girl was a lot like her younger self, which made her want to protect her all the more.

After the ”plagiarism” incident occurred, Teacher Chen was the only person at the school who believed Xiao Jin.

She knew this incident would be a thorn forever lodged in the child’s heart, so she kept investigating. Unfortunately, the school’s surveillance footage had been destroyed.

The family of the girl who had approached Xiao Jin, Zhang Siyang, was not ordinary. Naturally, they wouldn’t let outsiders discover the disgraceful things their child had done.

In truth, a large part of the blame lay with Xiao Jin’s personality. If she had been willing to tell her family and confide in her parents, it wouldn’t have been difficult for them to uncover the truth with their resources.

It would have been far more effective than Teacher Chen’s efforts alone.

But Xiao Jin had no friends at school. The person she was fondest of was Teacher Chen.

”Xiao Jin, you seem to be in a good mood today.”

Seeing a smile on the girl’s face for the first time in a long while, Teacher Chen was genuinely happy.

Throughout the days they had been trapped, she had been very worried about the girl’s well-being.

Whenever she tried to secretly slip her some food, Xiao Jin would always run off quickly. This stubbornness reminded Teacher Chen even more of her younger self.

”Teacher, this is for you.”

Tang Mo drew close to Teacher Chen, took two chocolate bars from her own pocket, and slipped them into Teacher Chen’s.

It was late at night. Everyone else was asleep, and only Teacher Chen was outside on watch.

”What’s this... I can’t accept this. Xiao Jin, take it back.”

Teacher Chen felt what was in her pocket and immediately tried to give it back.

’Xiao Jin is in such a difficult situation. How can I possibly take anything from her?’

”Teacher, just take it. I found the package my parents sent me,” Tang Mo whispered in Teacher Chen’s ear.

She could sense Xiao Jin’s affection for Teacher Chen. It wasn’t just fondness, but also gratitude.

’Since I’m here now, I’ll be the one to repay this gratitude.’

Teacher Chen came from a rural family. She was exceptionally talented, yet she was still looked down on by many teachers and students at the school.

Now, trapped here, her family was of course unable to help in any way.

Every day, Teacher Chen ate the least and took on the hardest jobs, like standing watch at night.

Life was hard for everyone.

”Teacher, I’m going to bed now. Good night.”

Without waiting for Teacher Chen to respond, Tang Mo dashed into her room.

The bed in the room wasn’t large, but the bedding was all brought by Xiao Jin herself. It was warm, clean, and comfortable.

Tang Mo was highly adaptable to new environments. After washing up, she quickly climbed into bed and fell fast asleep.

She slept soundly. When Tang Mo woke again, day had broken.

The sun shone through the tree branches and window, bathing Tang Mo in its warmth.

Tang Mo stretched, sat up in bed, and finally began to survey the small room she hadn’t had a chance to examine the night before.

There was a single bed with two large boxes beside it.

Other than that, there was nothing.

Tang Mo opened one of the boxes. It was filled with paints, sketchpads, brushes, and other tools—the things Xiao Jin used for sketching. They were her treasures.

The other box was filled entirely with personal belongings.

A few changes of clothes, shoes, and some toiletries.

Tang Mo found a relatively plain-looking tracksuit and put it on, then changed into a pair of sneakers.

Xiao Jin’s hair was very long, reaching her waist.

For Tang Mo, long hair was far too inconvenient, so she took a pair of scissors and cut it to shoulder-length.

Then she used two small hair ties to put it up in a bun.

She also swept back what had been heavy bangs, pinning them with a clip to reveal her smooth forehead. That felt much more refreshing.

’Short hair would be even more convenient,’ Tang Mo thought. ’But considering Xiao Jin’s usual personality, and my own haircutting skills...’

She decided it was wiser not to do anything too drastic for the time being.

Xiao Jin was nearsighted. Tang Mo had noticed yesterday that she always wore glasses.

However, her glasses had broken during the fall.

This was no problem for Tang Mo. With her spiritual power, she could do more than just fix nearsightedness—she could cure blindness.

By the time Tang Mo was ready to go outside, a long line had already formed for the porridge distribution.

Since the school had organized such a long sketching trip in the mountains, they naturally had all the basic equipment, including gas stoves and cookware.

Most of the care packages contained non-perishable food items, and rice was one of the essentials.

The porridge for the past few days had been made using rice from the packages belonging to Zhang Siyang and a few other girls.

Ever since her falling-out with Tang Mo, Zhang Siyang no longer bothered with pretenses. Naturally, there was no porridge for Xiao Jin.

Just as Tang Mo was about to turn and leave, Teacher Chen grabbed her arm.

”Come with me.”

Teacher Chen pulled Tang Mo into her room.

”Eat,” Teacher Chen said, pointing to a bowl of porridge on the room’s table.

The teacher’s room was a little nicer than the students’, at least having a small table.

Tang Mo looked at the bowl of porridge, deeply touched.

If it had been Xiao Jin, she probably would have turned and run, but Tang Mo was different.

She picked up the bowl without hesitation. ”Thank you, Teacher. I owe you for this. I’ll pay you back next time.”

Then she drank it straight from the bowl, not even using a spoon.

The porridge had sugar in it. It was hot and sweet. Drinking it down, Tang Mo felt it settle her stomach considerably.

Xiao Jin had a weak stomach, and health is the foundation of everything.

Tang Mo mentally filed this debt away. One day, she would repay Teacher Chen.