Dear Mr. Chen,

I am a former student of Teacher Su Fangfang, and as I write this email, my feelings have been quite uneasy. After much hesitation, I have decided to muster the courage to send it to you.

Teacher Su once took us from the first grade to the fourth grade at our school. We heard in the fifth grade that she had transferred to Beidu. On one hand, we were sad to see her go; on the other hand, we were happy for her to work in the Capital.

In high school, I recklessly participated in some essay competitions for admission to prestigious schools and contacted many of my former Chinese teachers for help. Among them, only Teacher Su was the most attentive, giving me the most fair advice and a lot of help. I have always been grateful and remained in touch with her.

A few days ago, I learned the news of Teacher Su's passing, and I was at a loss, feeling more sadness and regret. I always wanted to express my condolences to you and wish you well, but I hesitated to reach out—just recently, I had discussed my career aspirations with Teacher Su. I told her I wanted to work in human resources, and she encouraged me greatly, reminding me to prepare well, and even suggested that I apply for a human resources position at your current company. But fate is unpredictable; I hadn't yet given her the good news before I heard the sad news.

I have no other intentions in saying this. In fact, I've been struggling lately, torn between sincerely wanting to express my condolences to you and being mindful of your situation, while also fearing that mentioning job applications now might taint the sentiment, making me seem too opportunistic, using condolences as an excuse to connect, which might annoy you.

The more I wait, the more this dilemma torments me, and I finally decided to be honest with you, even if only to let you know that there is a student of Teacher Su's who always remembers her kindness and teachings and also cares for you.

You might not remember, but when we were young, you once appeared at our school to pick up Teacher Su after work. The affectionate scene between the two of you shaped my earliest views on love.

Now, with a heavy heart and regret, I care about you and Niannian. If your mood has eased a bit and you have the time, I hope to visit you, simply to bid Teacher Su farewell in person and to hear you talk about her life. If you prefer not to be disturbed, I completely understand and just wish you take good care of yourself, so as not to harm your health due to excessive sadness.

I apologize for the intrusion and hope for your understanding.

Wishing you peace and well-being.

Respectfully,

A Student of Teacher Su Fangfang

Chen Lizhou blinked as he read.

The wording was quite formal and cautious, filled with the aura of the Ivory Tower.

It felt like the student didn't really know how to write an email properly and looked up some rigid templates online to sound formal, then foolishly followed them for the wording.

Yet, at the most crucial place—the closing—they didn't write their own name.

Chen Lizhou couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

"Fangfang's student…" In Chen Lizhou's memory, his wife indeed taught back home in the early years.

He and his wife had a campus romance, but they initially had great differences in life planning. Chen Lizhou wanted to put down roots in Beidu; once he came to the big city, he didn't want to leave.

His wife, on the other hand, returned home under her family's arrangement, wanting a stable life.

Because of this, their families almost drove them to break up.

Eventually, he first found a foothold in Beidu, seized an opportunity as Beidu Primary School went through extensive software upgrades, and got a contract with the school, establishing relationships with the school officials so his wife could transfer to Beidu to teach.

This helped ease the families' relations and paved the way for their future marriage.

"Yes… That's right, Fangfang did mention a student from home contacted her, asking for help with essays."

Although he was sitting in the office, the image of his wife in the bedroom inexplicably appeared before Chen Lizhou.

…

"Who are you replying to so late? A student from home?"

"Yes, it must have been six or seven years… It was the first batch of students I taught."

"Is there still contact after so long?"

"No… They just contacted me yesterday, wanting my help with essays. The child wants to attend a good university, but you're aware of the educational resources back home; in the whole city, only two or three schools can produce first-tier university students. This child's got some ideas, trying for self-recruitment, entering essay competitions for awards, trying to take the bend to overtake..."

"Smart kids can learn by themselves, and if they're in high school and not able to secure a spot in a top-tier university, it means they're not smart to begin with."

"Oh, why do you say that?"

"Fine, fine… I spoke out of turn."

"Some things can't be blamed on the students."

"… I'm just seeing that you've spent so long on this. Don't they have other teachers? Or specific competition coaches?"

"Maybe the family's financial conditions don't allow it, and generally, most teachers wouldn't be very attentive..."

"Are you not just a regular teacher?"

"Oh, well, having student ideas is always good. Moreover, I took their class for four years, and I left abruptly in the fifth year, which made me always feel guilty. Elementary school is crucial for building foundations, and I always felt I held the kids back..."

"What? Do you regret coming to Beidu with me?"

"No, not at all!"

…

His wife's voice gradually faded by his ears.

If Chen Lizhou didn't misremember, his wife later happily told him that the child did win quite good results in competitions.

Unfortunately, although the child participated in self-admissions later, their college entrance exam scores were indeed not satisfactory, wasting a national-level essay award.

However, his wife seemed to have continued to follow the child's academic progress and would occasionally share it with him before bed.

"It seems… they got into a second-tier major in a first-tier school in Beidu, and then transferred to a first-tier major, so they have a first-tier background now?"

"Applying for an internship in our company, in the human resources department..."

With the company's current situation, how could they turn an intern into a full-time employee? They would certainly be let go after the internship period. Chen Lizhou was very familiar with the company's HR tricks.

Not to mention the student applied for a human resources position, an administrative job with very low entry barriers. As such, it was always the first hit during layoffs.

Once laid off, a few months of internship experience would hardly provide fresh graduates with much work experience. Apart from losing their valuable fresh graduate status, it would bring no other change.

The hard-earned first-tier degree would lose much of its value.

As for whether the HR in charge of layoffs would show leniency to their department intern… ha, this wasn't school anymore; this was the workplace.

Chen Lizhou instinctively checked the email's date, and it was something from a few days ago.

He frowned, skipped over a stack of work emails, and quickly found the second email sent by this student in the mailbox.

Just a little over ten minutes ago.

…

Dear Mr. Chen,

I am the student of Teacher Su Fangfang who previously emailed you. I write again, first to apologize—after much consideration, I feel the previous email might have been too abrupt, which might have made you uncomfortable or even annoyed. If that's the case, I ask for your forgiveness and forbearance for my thoughtlessness.

Since sending the last email, I have been silently waiting, prepared not to receive a reply. At the same time, I have diligently prepared for the recruitment assessment for the human resources position at your esteemed company. Unexpectedly, I received the job offer; I successfully passed the interview and will soon join Tongpin Software's Human Resources Department as an intern.

Upon receiving the news, I was both delighted that my efforts had borne fruit, not letting down Teacher Su's encouragement, and inevitably anxious about becoming colleagues with you, fearing that my inexperience might inconvenience you. I also worry that this career connection might make you more conscious of my previous contact.

I reach out to you again, still filled with deep nostalgia for Teacher Su, and I also have a small wish, hoping to have the chance to visit you. Firstly, to apologize in person for the abruptness of the previous email. Secondly, I have always held deep gratitude for Teacher Su, and if I could have the privilege of hearing you talk about her daily life, it would be a comfort to me.

I understand that you are still in mourning, and all matters are according to your wishes. If you wish to meet me, I will confirm the time with you in advance, and will not casually disrupt your life; if you are not willing, I will keep this sentiment in my heart, study earnestly, and grow diligently, to not let down Teacher Su's expectations.

Lastly, I still wish for you to take care of yourself and that all will go smoothly for you.

Respectfully,

A Student of Teacher Su Fangfang