By the time she took the person out, the cake shop could officially open for business.
The apprentices for the cake shop, Tang Lin had found, were sons and nephews of their own housekeeper, not much older, quick-witted, willing to endure hardship, and trustworthy; he had no worries that they would betray them after learning the trade.
Of course, these matters were all communicated by Yu Cheng.
Even though Tang Lin would have preferred to talk directly with Jiang Mianmian, Yu Cheng was stingy and refused to give him Jiang Mianmian’s phone number.
Jiang Changhai, carrying things on his back and hoisting Su Wanyu, walked home in the cool breeze, chatting and laughing.
When they arrived home, they saw their daughter still sitting at the dining table, doing her homework.
"Daughter, are you tired? Take a break, look, your grandma got you some eggs and corn, and we’ll cook them for you tonight," Jiang Changhai said, shaking a small basket in front of Jiang Mianmian.
Jiang Mianmian looked at the corn and said happily, "My grandma is so nice, I’ve been wanting to eat corn these past few days."
"Your grandma misses you too, she said after your exams you should come back to the village to stay for a few days," Jiang Changhai passed on the old lady’s words to his daughter.
Jiang Mianmian tilted her head and thought for a bit, then decided to postpone Tang Lin’s invitation for two days so she could first spend time with her grandparents before heading to Capital City.
After all, if she went to Capital City, she wouldn’t be able to return for at least ten days to half a month.
Moreover, she really hadn’t visited her grandparents in a long time, and not to mention how they had been to her in the past, but especially these past two years, they truly loved her from the bottom of their hearts.
"Okay, Dad, I’ll go back after my exams," Jiang Mianmian smiled and replied.
About a week later, it was time for the town middle school to have its final exams.
The first-year curriculum was far too simple for Jiang Mianmian. After she finished the last exam paper and turned it in, she went home early.
Thinking about her promise to her father to visit her hometown for a few days, she packed her backpack with a few changes of clothes and stuffed the camera that Yu Cheng had given her inside.
The next day, Jiang Changhai had the day off. After lunch, Jiang Mianmian said to her parents, "Dad, Mom, I finished my exams. I plan to go back to my hometown today to stay for a few days."
"Huh? So soon? You’re going back right after the exams?" Jiang Changhai was a bit surprised.
"Yes, Brother Tang Lin has invited me to Capital City a long time ago, so I thought I’d go back to my hometown for a few days before going to Capital City. I’m worried about making Brother Tang Lin wait too long," Jiang Mianmian explained.
"Right, she’s right. We shouldn’t keep others waiting, Brother Hai. You’re free today, so you can take our daughter back," Su Wanyu said.
"Sure, daughter, go pack up your homework and clothes, and I’ll take you back in a bit," Jiang Changhai said.
"Dad, I’m already packed," Jiang Mianmian said, and then she ran back to her room to fetch a bulging small backpack.
"All right, let’s go." Jiang Changhai took the backpack and led his daughter out.
When the two arrived in Stone Bridge Village, they caught people just finishing their work and heading home for dinner.
"Oh, our Little Prodigy from Stone Bridge Village is back? How did the Little Prodigy do on the final exams? Can you secure the top spot?"
Sitting on the back of the bike, hugging her father’s waist, Jiang Mianmian showed a bright smile to the crowd and confidently said, "Uncle, I can get the first place, don’t you worry."
"The Little Prodigy is really amazing, Changhai you’re so blessed. If Mianmian gets first place, she’ll definitely get a scholarship. The scholarship from the town must be more than that from the commune."