Hao Shichao hasn’t left yet, and Lv Beiguang has already come over.
"You came quickly too."
"Yeah, Jiang Xinyu sent some things over, so I had to come and get them. What goodies?"
"Twisted breadsticks."
"That’s exactly what I needed, perfect timing for the two kids at home to satisfy their cravings."
She Xiaoyun handed a portion to Lv Beiguang, casually asking, "The kids are with you?"
"Yes, the kids are living with me now."
Finally free from that woman, he feels guilty towards his wife, but he really dislikes his sister-in-law. However, she managed to raise the two kids, and he’s given her a job that everyone envies. That’s the best he can do.
"So you’re taking care of the kids all by yourself?"
"Yeah, they are very well-behaved. They’ll be starting school next year, and I’m hoping to get Jiang Xinyu’s help to get them into the Textile Factory Kids Elementary School."
"She won’t refuse." She Xiaoyun knows Jiang Xinyu’s temperament well; she’d be happy to help with such matters.
Wang Fangtian, Meng Fanxing, Cao Xuelian, and Hou Wenquan all came in together.
Everyone exchanged a few words and went back since it’s a busy time; they were all using their lunch break to come over.
Jiang Xinyu went home and immediately started kneading dough; she still had to keep her promise to make bread for Wang Ailing.
The door was knocked, "Secretary Lv?"
"I have something to discuss with you."
"Come in, I’m kneading dough. How are the kids adapting?"
"They’re doing alright, thanks for the breadsticks. Great for their cravings."
"Is that necessary? You can’t skimp on the kids. Come by tomorrow noon; I’ll be steaming bread for the kids."
"Thank you. The main reason I came is that I want my kids to attend the Textile Factory Kids Elementary School. Can you help me with it?"
"I don’t know much about it, haven’t interacted with them yet. I’ll ask tomorrow; I’m worried the kids will miss out if I start work on the sixteenth of January.
Why the kids’ elementary school?"
"I bought a house near the school recently, so it’d be convenient for them to attend."
"Isn’t it far for you to get to work?"
"No worries, I’ll just wake up a bit earlier."
"Alright, I’ll ask tomorrow, you can come after work."
"No problem, are you heading home or something else?"
"Here’s some braised beef and sausage, take it back for the kids to try. Taking care of the kids all by yourself must be tough."
"It’s okay. I enjoy it." Seeing his genuine smile, Jiang Xinyu can understand.
After sending off Lv Beiguang, Jiang Xinyu kneaded a whole basin of dough again, feeling soft-hearted.
When Wei Kaiyun returned home that evening, he saw the house filled with steam.
"Wife, what’s going on?"
"I’m steaming bread, promised to let Lv Beiguang’s kids taste some bread.
By the way, are you familiar with the principal of the kids’ elementary school?"
"Why? Lv Beiguang’s kids want to attend school?"
"Yes, he came over today wanting his two kids to go to school there. He bought a house near the school."
"I know him, do you want me to speak on behalf?"
"Do you think if I speak, it would be okay?"
"It should be, just mention you’re Jiang Xinyu, it should be fine."
"Hahaha, am I that famous?"
"Of course, Director Jiang’s name is quite influential within the Textile Factory."
"Maybe I should go myself. If it doesn’t work, you step in. With the holiday now, I should visit the principal’s house, right?"
"Yes, his home is right behind the school. I’ll take you there tomorrow."
"Alright, should I bring any gifts?"
"Just bring some of the bread you made; during this time, food is more precious than anything."
"Wife, I probably can’t stay with you till the end of the month."
Jiang Xinyu paused, "When are you leaving?"
"I have to leave on the fifth of January."
"Going back to the Provincial City?"
"Yes, wife, have you really considered coming back with me?"
"No, I’m already used to it here. I used to fear Kong Mengjie, and now I’m settled, and don’t want to leave."
The topic ended, Wei Kaiyun sat by the stove making porridge, the atmosphere felt a bit unnatural.
Jiang Xinyu steamed two batches of bread, and after they were done, left them to cool on the trays, ready for Lv Beiguang to take them back to the kids tomorrow.
It was rare that Jiang Xinyu didn’t refuse Wei Kaiyun that night, leaving him feeling quite uneasy; she was reluctant to see him go. But how could he not feel the same?
The following morning, Wei Kaiyun clung to Jiang Xinyu, not letting her get up.
"Don’t mess around, I need to settle things today for peace of mind."
Unwillingly, Wei Kaiyun got up. They ate sauerkraut noodles together and then rode their bikes to the kids’ elementary school.
"I’d better go with you, save you from having to ask around."
"Will it cause any trouble?"
"No worries, let’s go."
"Director Wei? What brings you here?"
"Principal Luo, sorry to bother you."
After sitting down, "Principal Luo, this is Director Jiang from our Textile Factory."
"Principal Luo, I’m Jiang Xinyu, sorry for the interruption."
"So this is Director Jiang, heard so much about you, but this is my first time seeing you. Please sit down.
What brings you two here?"
"Principal Luo, I’d like to ask a favor. I have a friend’s two kids wanting to study here. They’re not workers at our factory."
"Haha, since Director Jiang is asking, that’s no problem. It just requires paying two yuan for school fees this semester."
"Haha, thank you so much, Principal Luo. Can he come directly to find you during the term start?"
"Sure, what are the kids’ names?"
Jiang Xinyu paused, and smiled awkwardly, "Principal Luo, I didn’t ask. They’re twins of Secretary Lv Beiguang from the furniture factory; I forgot to ask yesterday."
"Haha, no problem, just have Secretary Lv come directly to me."
Wei Kaiyun exchanged a few polite words, Jiang Xinyu insisted on leaving some bread, and then they left together.
"Mission accomplished, I’m heading home. Need to steam bread today to take it back tomorrow."
"Alright, I won’t be home for lunch; I’d like dumplings for dinner, sauerkraut and meat filling." Eating porridge every night with his wife, he was yearning for something different.
Jiang Xinyu returned to continue proofing the dough; for her neighbors, it was quite a torment. Occasionally smelling meat was bearable for adults, but the kids struggled quite a bit.
But not being familiar, it’s awkward to ask, so they just end up restraining their own kids.
With no meat smells these last two days, the kids finally settled. But now there’s the scent of frying and a hint of milk, making the kids restless again. Both neighbors had complaints, but confronting her wouldn’t be reasonable.
Jiang Xinyu was unaware of this situation. When the bread was done steaming in the evening, she heard a knock on the door.
"Hello, I’m your neighbor from the west, my family goes by the last name Zhang."