Chapter 11
Wu Xiang is making money, and many industry professionals are keeping an eye on him. The recipe for these green dumplings is actually very simple. I only understood it after learning from Teacher Chen.
Chen Yuan has specific requirements for making dumpling skins. The middle should be 0.2-0.25cm thick, while the sides of the dumplings should not exceed 0.15cm in thickness. Each skin should be of the same size, with a standard diameter of 7cm. As for blending the right amount of spinach juice and using at least 10 different seasonings in the filling, these seasonings add flavor and enhance the taste. The cooking process involves boiling the dumplings, and the timing is crucial. A minute more or less can affect the final taste.
According to Mr. Chen's guidance, the most delicious dumplings are cooked differently from ordinary dumplings. Wu Xiang feels that he can already make dumplings to perfection with such strict requirements. However, he admires Chen Yuan's dedication to culinary excellence. It's not common to find someone who strives for perfection in cooking.
Apart from accuracy in timing, there are no other remarkable aspects of Chen Yuan's cooking. She has mastered various cooking methods and techniques by heart. The key lies in controlling the heat, which distinguishes a professional chef from an amateur one using the same ingredients. Professional chefs have their own standards and create advanced and delicious dishes.
The intelligent housekeeping system includes a comprehensive collection of practical and delicious recipes from both ancient and modern China and abroad. With ordinary ingredients, it can create the best and most satisfying dishes, even pleasing the most discerning palate.
Wu Xiang took the opportunity to introduce dumplings in various colors, such as carrot orange, beetroot red, black rice black, and tomato pink. Combining all five colors, he boldly introduced five-color rainbow dumplings. Selling them together proved to be more popular, and the price could be higher than that of single-color dumplings. As a result, his restaurant's business thrived while others' restaurants became deserted.
After several days of research, Wu Xiang's colleagues realized that they couldn't replicate the same taste. Upon inquiry, they discovered that they could learn the recipe by paying three yuan. Without hesitation, they paid the tuition fee to Chen Yuan and went for training. In a short time, Chen Yuan had already recruited twenty or thirty students, earning more than 100 yuan. However, she became busy and couldn't take on more students at the moment.
Wu Xiang's restaurant is named Guozhi Restaurant. The parents of students from Wucheng Elementary School heard that a female student's uncle had learned the secret recipe for jade dumplings from Chen Yuan and began selling them in his restaurant. A long queue formed outside the restaurant.
When the children saw the restaurant selling dumplings, they stopped urging their parents to learn and instead found ways to manage their parents' pocket money. They went to the restaurant and bought a box of dumplings to try.
Upon seeing the dumplings packed by their children, the parents felt mixed emotions. The taste was simply amazing. Especially for those who had laughed at Chen Yuan before, thinking she came from a small place and couldn't make it big, they felt embarrassed now. Why was Wu Xiang so successful?
Some military wives who knew Sister Wu weren't happy. They had the most complaints earlier and vowed not to learn this stuff. But now, hearing about Sister Wu's younger brother making a lot of money, they were envious. They had jobs, but their businesses didn't generate much profit. They couldn't help but express their dissatisfaction, saying, "Sister Wu, you're really something. Didn't you say it before? Why didn't anyone go? What's wrong with you? Are you really embarrassed by that rural girl?"
Sister-in-law Wu was also indignant. She couldn't stand these women looking down on her and talking behind her back every day. She retorted, "Why are you being so nasty? It's because you didn't like Teacher Chen's dumpling recipe. I didn't say anything, and I didn't agree at the time. Besides, what can you do even if you look down on it? Now, the money they earn from the students is more than what you earn in several months. Who's more upscale now? Your ancestors didn't all come from the countryside? You don't judge people based on their family background, but you look down on others because of your own petty faults."
The other women's faces turned ashen with anger. They pointed fingers for a long time before speaking, "Sister Wu, we didn't expect you to be like this. You've been spending too much time with that rustic farm girl, and you've become vulgar."
"Hehe, I'd rather be like this than be hypocritical like all of you. You're all so fake. You don't want to admit it, but you secretly go to Guozhi Restaurant to buy dumplings."
Sister-in-law Wu learned from her younger brother that familiar neighbors had been going to buy dumplings recently. She even inquired about it. She didn't expect that these women's family members were among the customers.
The women felt guilty and arrogantly said, "You're being unreasonable. We won't talk to you anymore." Then they hurriedly left.
Only a middle-aged woman surnamed Su didn't leave. Under Sister-in-law Wu's suspicious gaze, she stated her purpose, "Sister, I'm sorry for my past behavior. I didn't expect these jade dumplings to be so delicious, and I didn't deserve them. Now I regret it. Can you help me talk to Chen Yuan and see if I can learn from her before she starts accepting students again?"
Sister-in-law Wu felt that Sister Su was sincere, much better than those hypocritical women. Her attitude softened, and she waved her hand, saying, "Alright, I haven't learned that myself, so I haven't had the time to teach others. I can help you inquire, but my brother's restaurant has started selling these dumplings now, and the price isn't expensive. If you want to eat them, you can just buy them. If you want to learn from someone else, I can't guarantee it. But if you're sincere, maybe there's a chance."
Sister Su nodded eagerly and even wanted to buy a fish as a thank-you gift for Sister-in-law Wu, but she politely declined and suggested that the gift be sent directly to Chen Yuan.
As expected, Chen Yuan happily agreed to Sister-in-law Su's request and accepted the grass carp she brought as a gift. Chen Yuan told her to come the next day.
When Sister Su saw Chen Yuan, she thought she looked very much like Nurse Li whom she met at the People's Hospital. At first glance, their eyebrows and eyes were quite similar, but the nurse and Chen Yuan differed in age and height. She doubted whether her guess was correct, so she didn't mention it, but the suspicion lingered in her mind.
After living there for a month, Chen Yuan finally felt a sense of belonging. The main reason was that she had sufficient energy, which made her feel very comfortable. Being close to the children gave her a sense of fulfillment. She hugged the adorable Niuniu, kissed and pinched her, and taught the recipe to earn money for food and other necessities. This, in turn, improved the children's happiness index. It was like a virtuous cycle that constantly replenished her energy. This beautiful life was simply delightful.
Every day, students from the Shen family gathered in large numbers, catching Zhang Guilan's attention. Living so close, she found it hard to believe that their new house was just across the street. She was astonished to see a crowd of people at the Shen's house, especially because they were paying three dollars for tuition. She couldn't comprehend why anyone would do such a thing or why they would charge so much money.
To her surprise, people really came. When twenty or thirty people gathered outside Shen's house, Zhang Guilan was dumbfounded. Did these people lack common sense? If they had money, why didn't they invest it elsewhere? Why did they give money to the Shen family? She even tried to persuade them to leave, but she received nothing but insults from them. Was there any reason for this?
She decided to mind her own business and not worry about it. She thought these people would regret their actions once they realized the truth.
However, Zhang Guilan's son, Shen Cheng, returned from the factory on his own initiative and said, "Mom, you should go and learn from Sister-in-law. You have no idea how popular jade dumplings are in Wucheng now. Guozhi Restaurant is doing exceptionally well."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Guilan stared at Shen Cheng as if he were an idiot. She didn't expect her smart son to make such a naive suggestion.
Chapter 12
"Have you lost your mind, considering a broken dumpling recipe a treasure? What's so delicious about it? If you want to eat meat, I'll pack it for you. It's been a while since we've had a good meal together. Don't be foolish."
As soon as Shen Cheng heard this, he didn't think his new sister-in-law's recipe was taken seriously. So many people went to learn it, ready to show off their skills and make money. On the contrary, no one from the Shen family learned it, allowing others to take advantage. What was happening?
"If you don't want to learn, then I'll learn. I can start a small business or something and definitely make money!"
Zhang Guilan was furious upon hearing these words. Her son's words pierced her heart. She saw Chen Yuan as a thorn in her side. She thought about the future expenses for raising the baby and how their living standards had dropped. She felt distressed. Wasn't the little daughter-in-law next door the culprit behind all this? If it weren't for her, how could Dabao, Erbao, and Niuniu be out of her control? Didn't Shen Huai bring back all those things with her? She lost so many benefits, and now she had to step in and block it. She couldn't agree with Shen Huai and Cheng studying with that woman.
"You're foolish! Don't waste your efforts on speculative things. In the past, you would have been arrested and sentenced for such activities. Don't be fooled by the illusion of easy money. Running a business can be hard and tiring. How can you expect stability?"
People with jobs these days have a sense of superiority. Before Zhang Guilan retired, everyone in the Shen family had jobs. Wherever they went, they were envied by others. But now, the tables had turned. Speculation, which used to be associated with the lower class, couldn't solve the family's problems.
Shen Cheng did consider studying, but he felt that running a small business, especially in the food industry, required a lot of hard work. He might have to wake up before dawn to set up a stall. If he did that, it would definitely affect his job. Having a stable job was important, so he thought his mother made sense. He even mentioned it to his girlfriend when he went back to the factory, considering learning the recipe.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for Dabao and Erbao's mid-term exams. When their scores came out, although they scored higher in individual subjects compared to before, their overall results were still terrible. Dabao scored only 25 points in English, 82 in Mathematics, and 75 in Chinese. Erbao scored 98 in Mathematics but only 48 in Chinese, failing to reach the passing score of 60. The reason was that Erbao struggled to write the composition. Chen Yuan had asked them to write about their parents' professional lives and their most unforgettable memories with their parents. The topic was like a knife in the heart for the child.
When Erbao came home with his exam papers, he buried his head under the quilt and couldn't come out. Standing outside the door, one could hear his muffled cries, filled with sadness and an effort to suppress them. He knew he shouldn't cry. He had a good life now, with food and care from his aunt every day. He no longer had to study under the dim streetlights at night. He should be content and not dwell on those things.
Dabao wasn't feeling well either, but he also knew that their mother wouldn't come back. It might sound cruel, but it was better for his brother to face the reality sooner. With time, the wounds might heal.
Erbao's impression of their mother was of a woman with long, messy hair and a very pale face. She had a fierce temper, spoke loudly, and would break things when she was in a bad mood. The three of them were terrified of her. Whenever Niuniu wet her pants, their mother would pinch her all over, and Niuniu would quietly weep in the dark.
Their mother threatened Niuniu not to tell her brothers, or else she would beat her even harder. Erbao knew that Niuniu cried not because she liked to cry, but because she was in pain. Erbao witnessed his mother beating Niuniu and burning her with cigarette butts on her hand.
Seeing Erbao so frightened, he felt cowardly himself. He didn't know how to protect his brothers. He wished he could strangle their mother.
Without her, life would be much freer and more relaxed. They wouldn't be despised by others or disliked by other men. They could have a good life.
Back then, they didn't want to leave their mother, so they didn't say anything. Even when they were locked outside the window in freezing temperatures, they had no complaints. When Erbao fell seriously ill, their mother still cared for him and wanted to take him to the doctor. He thought his mother would understand and give up the idea of leaving them. But when he opened his eyes, everything had changed.
Since that day, Erbao hadn't seen his mother again. It had been almost a year. Sometimes, he felt her appearance was blurry, and thinking about it caused him great pain. So, he avoided thinking about it subconsciously. Since their aunt came, their happiness had grown while their memories of the past faded. But after writing the composition, the memories resurfaced and haunted him.
It felt like yesterday, and their mother's actions played before his eyes once more. Their father had passed away early, and his influence had been vague in their lives. What was more profound was their mother's resentment towards them.
Yes, it was resentment. When Erbao saw the composition title, he could only think of that word. He couldn't write a single word.
It was time to wake up and face reality. With a little more time, he believed he would figure out what the composition's theme meant to him.
After the exam results were released, the school planned to hold a parent-teacher meeting. Dabao, who had recovered from his grief, felt the urgency to solve the problem at hand—who would attend the parent-teacher meeting for them?
Uncle, Grandma—they had all left. Now, only their aunt could help.
Dabao pleaded with his aunt to attend the parent-teacher meeting for them. He took his tear-stained brother by the hand and walked up to her, speaking cautiously, "Auntie, I'm sorry. Can I ask you for a favor? Our scores were very poor, and the school wants to hold a parent-teacher meeting."
Chen Yuan looked at Dabao's anxious expression, afraid that she would get angry and refuse in the next second. After all, the scores on the paper were abysmal. Usually, if students fail an exam, their parents don't have the face to attend a parent-teacher meeting and often face criticism instead.
She raised her head and asked the two children, "Do you want me to go?"
Dabao and Erbao nodded eagerly, their heads bobbing up and down like a rattle. "We'll do better on the next exam. Can you help us this time?"
"We scored 48 and 25 on the previous test. It would be embarrassing to ask your uncle to attend. I'm really sorry. Actually, I don't have the energy for this. Even without energy, I don't want to let her have the satisfaction."
Dabao and Erbao hung their heads, feeling ashamed. Although Aunt didn't scold them or criticize them, they felt sorry for burdening her. They didn't deserve to use the newly purchased lamp, as poor students like them shouldn't benefit from it.
Chen Yuan looked at them with a sad face, feeling helpless. "Smile, both of you. I'll go."
Dabao wiped away his tears and rubbed his eyes, forcing a faint smile. It wasn't pretty, but it was much better than a tear-stained face.
Chen Yuan placed her hand on Dabao's head, closed her eyes, and absorbed the energy she felt from him. She sighed internally, realizing her mistake. She wanted to save more energy and accumulate it, but now, the index she had just raised had dropped significantly. Wasting energy was truly distressing.
—
Several military vehicles approached from a distance, and the soldiers in the lead vehicle glanced at the road signs ahead, realizing they still had dozens of kilometers to Wucheng.
"After we return, Shen Tuan will definitely get a divorce," one soldier remarked.
"Don't speak nonsense. If Shen Tuan hears that, you won't have a pleasant outcome." The young man in a green military uniform glared at the soldier beside him, then turned his gaze to the man sitting in the back of the car, his face pale and a bandage wrapped around his hand. The stern man closed his eyes, signaling them to stop talking.
The leader had been injured, and although his condition had stabilized, he was still weak from the blood loss.
Security guard Bai Haiyun was complaining about his leader. If it weren't for the urgency of the situation, he would have confronted that woman. They were good people, so how could Shen Tuan marry such an arrogant woman? If they didn't get divorced, it would be a lifelong burden for him.
Bai Haiyun's younger sister, Bai Shuangshuang, had always liked Shen Huai. If their parents had agreed, Shen Tuan might have become his brother-in-law by now. His sister was as beautiful as a flower, and her looks were no less appealing than that shrew. She had a gentle and considerate personality, making her a perfect match for Shen Tuan.
Shen Tuan was not yet 30 years old, an excellent age. With his recent contributions, his future was promising. When the old regiment leader retired, he was likely to become the leader of the regiment. Such a talented young man should not be tied to a bad woman.
Furthermore, Bai Haiyun knew that once he was married, he would spend less time at home and more time away. It would be best if he had no ties to a malicious woman. With the era of reform and opening up, his mindset wasn't as old-fashioned as before. If a marriage wasn't happy, he could consider getting a divorce. He was planning to introduce his sister to Shen Tuan and see if they could hit it off.
Bai Haiyun glanced at the rearview mirror. It seemed that the regiment commander had fallen asleep. Seeing no response, he let out a sigh of relief and lowered his voice again. "I'm telling you, that woman even hit Shen Tuan on the head with a kettle. His head was bleeding. Didn't you see it with your own eyes? At that critical moment, tens of thousands of people in Nancheng were waiting for rescue, but she completely disregarded the safety of others and selfishly asked Shen Tuan to prioritize her work. She left after making arrangements, as if her work was more important than life itself."
"You may be right, but be careful with your words. Even if Shen Tuan didn't hear, it's better not to say such things," Wang Junyi warned, glancing at the rearview mirror. It seemed like the man's eyelids twitched a bit, causing his heart to skip a beat. He shot Bai Haiyun a furious glance.
Bai Haiyun didn't understand what was happening. Suddenly, a cough came from behind, startling him.
"Cough-"
Silence fell in the vehicle, and after a while, a weak voice sounded. "Keep your mouth shut and focus on driving."
Chapter 13
Chen Yuan went to the shopping mall where she had previously bought stationery and purchased two pens. She intended to give these pens to Dabao and Erbao's head teacher. It was customary to give gifts as a way to build relationships, and many people followed this tradition without offering a smile or a handshake.
In the class, Dabao and Erbao were isolated by their classmates and disliked by the teacher. Chen Yuan thought that giving gifts might help change their impressions.
However, she knew that giving expensive gifts to teachers wouldn't be appropriate, as they might not accept them. On the other hand, if the gifts were too cheap, they might be seen as inadequate. Chen Yuan chose two Hero pens, which were new and limited edition. They had a price tag of 20 to 30 yuan each, and their style resembled the collection of Grandpa Deng. These pens were not commonly bought by people, but they made perfect gifts.
Dabao was in the first grade, while Erbao was in the third grade. The parent-teacher meetings for their respective grades were scheduled in the morning and afternoon. It was challenging for Chen Yuan to attend both meetings alone.
The previous night, Dabao had a dream where his second uncle was covered in blood, as if he was in danger. Startled, Dabao woke up and wanted to share the dream with his second aunt. However, he hesitated when he remembered that the relationship between his second aunt and second uncle was not good. They constantly quarreled, and their marriage seemed troubled.
Dabao was torn. If their relationship wasn't harmonious, he didn't know whose side to take. If it weren't for all the recent events, he would have sided with his second uncle without hesitation. However, his second aunt had been so good to them, and she was a kind woman. He believed she deserved to be treated well. Even though he was young, he had matured quickly due to his experiences. As for Erbao, he initially fainted, but he was now aware of their mother leaving with a strange man. He didn't understand the meaning behind it yet, but he knew it was significant.
Sighing, Dabao realized that his dreams often turned out to be true. If his second uncle returned injured and disabled, he knew his second aunt wouldn't be pleased. For now, he decided not to tell his second aunt about the dream. He hoped his second uncle would return safely, as his restless eyelids seemed to be a sign that something was about to happen.
After getting ready, Chen Yuan headed to Wucheng Elementary School. She arrived early, and the number of parents present was still relatively small. However, her appearance drew the attention of many.
She was wearing a light red plaid top she had recently purchased, along with white flared trousers and white cloth shoes. She had a simple flower hair accessory and two curly bangs on her forehead. This combination accentuated her delicate face, making her look lively and beautiful, like a young student.
When Chen Yuan went to Dabao's classroom, she found that his head teacher was not there. Unable to locate anyone, she decided to return to the area where the parents were waiting and wait for an opportunity to present her gifts. As she listened in, she overheard a conversation among a few female parents.
"Shen Dabao and Erbao have no parents, so will their step-grandmother attend the parent-teacher meeting this time?"
"The second treasure, Dabao, has parents. It's the second aunt from the countryside who makes dumplings."
"That's right, I've heard of her. The dumpling business is booming right now, and they're being sold on every street in Wucheng."
One parent expressed disdain, "I wanted to learn how to make dumplings too, but that woman from the village is so stingy. She charges three yuan, and that money won't buy me anything good. Why should I learn her recipe? With such stinginess, I bet she's a bad influence."
"She must be a rural woman, big and sturdy, unable to speak Mandarin properly, and lacks refinement."
"Yeah, isn't her husband an officer? How did he end up marrying her?"
"Who knows? She must have used some means. Otherwise, with her circumstances, she wouldn't have dreamt of marrying the regiment commander."
"I'll observe her for a while. I want to see what kind of person she really is."
As the parents discussed, they had completely formed a crude image of Chen Yuan. However, the time for the parent-teacher meeting arrived, and Dabao's head teacher entered the classroom as the bell rang.
The head teacher looked young, in her twenties, and was quite attractive, although she was petite. Her name was Huang Ru, 23 years old. She glanced around, seemingly searching for something.
Most of the parents in attendance knew each other, but there were a few new faces. They hadn't seen anyone matching their preconceived image of Chen Yuan. They had envisioned her as a rustic, middle-aged woman, but the woman sitting there was very beautiful. The parents were taken aback and felt their initial smiles freeze on their faces.
Huang Ru was also surprised and asked again in disbelief, "Are you Shen Qingxuan's parent?"
Chen Yuan raised her eyebrows and replied, "Yes."
Huang Ru examined her closely, still finding it difficult to reconcile the image before her with her preconceived notion. Seeing Chen Yuan's delicate face and fair skin, she grew increasingly uncomfortable.
She quickly regained her composure and proceeded with the meeting, adopting an aggressive tone. "Shen Qingxuan's English grades are extremely poor. How is it possible to score only 25 points? As a parent, what do you have to say about your child's low score? Some classmates perform well in the subject. Don't you feel ashamed as a parent?"
No matter how Chen Yuan looked, she still seemed like a woman from the village, and her child's low English score was indeed shameful. Huang Ru scolded her as she would scold any parent she didn't like. She treated Chen Yuan as an illiterate village woman, regardless of her beautiful appearance. Huang Ru believed that Chen Yuan couldn't speak English, let alone recognize Chinese textbook words.
Most people proficient in English these days were college students, and passing the entrance exam was rare. Among all the parents present, only a handful could speak English.
Feeling the eyes of the crowd on her, Chen Yuan couldn't help but lower her head, falling into silence. Looking at the test paper filled with mistakes and poor scores, she realized how appalling Dabao's English foundation was. She didn't know how to help him improve his score and overall happiness. It seemed impossible to raise his happiness index through English alone.
Huang Ru interpreted Chen Yuan's silence as nervousness and panic, assuming that she was staring blankly at the test paper covered in red marks. Huang Ru felt satisfied, believing that Chen Yuan didn't understand a single word on the paper. She intended to embarrass her in front of everyone, exposing Chen Yuan's alleged illiteracy to all the parents in the class.
2
Chapter 14
In the morning, the air in Wucheng was cool and foggy. Several military jeeps drove into the city and returned to the military compound following their original route. However, as they were driving to their destination, they encountered a traffic jam on the road. This was a new occurrence. In the past, it was rare to see no traffic accidents.
Clearly, there was no traffic accident this time. Bai Haiyun and Wang Junyi noticed that there were many street vendors and pedestrians buying food in the morning. Particularly at the entrance of a restaurant in the center of the street, there was a long queue. Judging by the situation, it would be difficult to pass through for an hour or two.
As the traffic jam continued, the anxious expression on the stern young man's pale face in the back seat grew more evident. He counted the days and realized that it had been a month and a half since he hurriedly left. He wondered how the three children were doing at home during this time. Although he had sent them many things and written letters, he hadn't seen their current situation. Every time Shen Huai returned from a mission, the children appeared thin and weak. He always tried to send nutritious food for them to eat, but he didn't see any improvement.
Aunt Zhang had said that the three children's physical condition was fundamentally damaged. Their constitution was weak, and it couldn't be rectified in a short period of time. Worrying was useless. Shen Huai also believed that when the children grew older, they might become stronger through external exercise.
There was also the matter of Chen Yuan. Shen Huai wondered if she could get along well with the three children. They had argued in a rush before he left. Shen Huai was afraid that Chen Yuan's temper would affect the children. This was absolutely unacceptable to him, and based on what he knew about Chen Yuan, she was not someone who loved children.
Before marrying her, he didn't see that side of her. Even after arriving in Wucheng, she had pretended to be fine. But after their last argument, she had revealed her true intentions. In such a urgent situation, she couldn't prioritize properly and only cared about her own desires.
Moreover, Shen Huai was uneasy about bringing Chen Yuan into the Shen family's house. But with time running out, he couldn't find a satisfactory solution to handle her situation. Therefore, he had no choice but to send her home first.
Now, as he approached the door of the house, Shen Huai felt anxious when he didn't see the children immediately.
"I just found out that Guozhi Hotel has recently become popular for its jade dumplings. After they introduced colorful dumplings, other restaurants, hotels, and food stalls started to imitate them. However, what's strange is that even though they learned from the same recipe, the taste is always best at Guozhi Restaurant. The word has started to spread. If you want to eat the most authentic jade dumplings, you have to go to Guozhi Restaurant."
Guozhi Hotel had made jade dumplings their signature dish and had even given their establishment a name. As long as they operated smoothly in the future, there would be no trouble, and other establishments with similar styles wouldn't threaten them.
After Bai Haiyun finished inquiring, he quickly returned to the car and said, "The traffic is starting to clear up, but I asked to find out what happened. It turns out that there's a restaurant in this area that launched a highly popular dumpling dish, and people from other places are coming here to eat. They have a limited supply of 3,000 servings, and it's always in high demand. That's why there are so many people queuing up here every morning."
Shen Huai nodded without saying anything. He thought to himself that the catering business in Wucheng had flourished in the short time he had been away. The possibilities seemed endless with the country's ongoing economic development.
The gate of the Shen family's house.
"Brother, are you feeling nervous? Didn't Er Aunt tell us to wait until she returns from the meeting?" Erbao saw his brother standing at the entrance of the yard, glancing around. Today, they had to wait for their aunt to return due to the parent-teacher meeting. There were no students coming to learn jade dumplings, so only the three of them were left to take care of the house.
He thought that his brother was nervous because their aunt was attending his parent-teacher meeting. If it were in the afternoon, he would be the one feeling nervous.
Dabao felt that the parent-teacher meeting was indeed important, but his intuition told him that something else was going to happen. He asked with a furrowed brow, "Do you think our second uncle will return soon?"
Erbao picked his nose and replied, "How could our second uncle return so soon? We didn't receive any news about his return."
"But I have a feeling that he'll be back soon."
"It must be your imagination. Do you miss Uncle Er that much?" Erbao said seriously.
Dabao rolled his eyes and retorted, "Don't you miss Uncle Er?"
Erbao sighed, "Of course I miss him, but I don't know when he'll be back."
Dabao insisted, "I have a hunch that it will be very soon." Intuition was a mysterious thing. He had accuracy not only in his dreams but also in his intuition. He didn't know when he developed this ability, but he had kept it a secret, afraid that people would think he was crazy. He hadn't even told Erbao and Aunt Niuniu.
"Brother, your intuition... it seems... it's coming true." Erbao was about to dismiss his brother's thoughts, but suddenly he heard a jeep's horn coming from the gate. It slowly drove in, and the sight of the army-green vehicle's prominent figure entering the small alley stunned him. He stammered as he tried to finish his sentence.
Following Erbao's stunned gaze, Dabao couldn't wait to look outside. Could his premonition really be true? But he had dreamt that his second uncle was injured, and worry flashed in his eyes. He rushed out.
Erbao quickly followed suit, wanting to see what had happened. The two children watched the arrival of the two jeeps with anticipation.
When they saw the familiar figure getting out of the car, their defenses finally crumbled, and tears welled up uncontrollably.
"Second Uncle!"
Dabao and Erbao ran frantically, each grabbing a leg and hugging Shen Huai's calf, tears and snot streaming down their faces as they exclaimed excitedly. Of course, their excitement wasn't mixed with sadness; crying for them meant they were happy.
Niuniu ran behind, not wanting to be left out. With her short legs, she stumbled forward, her anxiousness causing drool to escape her mouth. "Boo! Boo!"
Before she could reach the front, she was lifted up by strong hands and placed on Shen Huai's shoulders. Niuniu's position suddenly rose, and for a moment, she felt a little unsteady. However, when she looked into Shen Huai's warm eyes, she didn't sense any danger. Instead, she felt safe and secure. Shen Huai held her, and the feeling was strong—well, it seemed like a few pounds heavier.
Shen Huai hadn't paid close attention earlier, but now he noticed that apart from Niuniu looking great, Dabao and Erbao seemed to have become much healthier. Their clothes appeared new and clean, and their faces were fuller. Seeing this, Shen Huai finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the stepmother had taken good care of the children according to the instructions in his letter.
Wang Junyi watched the leader's actions with concern. He feared that Shen Huai might reopen his recently healed wounds through excessive movement. In fact, the leader wasn't suited for strenuous activities at all. Hesitatingly, he reminded, "Shen Tuan, your...?"
"It's okay, don't worry." Shen Huai gestured that it was fine. Although their actions were subtle, Dabao could clearly see the silent communication between the two. Could it be that his second uncle was truly injured? Judging by his second uncle's movements, he seemed a bit slower, confirming his suspicion.
The older boys held Erbao back and quickly said to Niuniu, "Come down quickly, don't tire your uncle Er. Let's go inside and rest."
Dabao wasn't sure of the severity of his second uncle's injuries, but he knew that the top priority was not to worsen them. However, he couldn't say it directly, so he persuaded Niuniu instead.
Obediently, Niuniu climbed down from Shen Huai's arms. As Shen Huai followed the children into the yard, he also noticed the significant changes in the house and yard from the outside.
There were dried vegetables and dried fish outside the yard. There was also a large stone mill, a wooden table, and several wooden benches. Shen Huai hadn't known about the stone mill's presence at home. Everything, including the outdoor furniture, seemed brand new.
Due to the high number of students coming to learn jade dumplings, even though they had been divided into odd and even groups for teaching, it was still crowded. Chen Yuan had purchased a set of small benches to accommodate them.
The transparent glass windows were spotlessly clean, without a speck of dust. The tiled floor and walls reflected light from a distance, and it seemed as if the person responsible for cleaning had OCD. Ordinary people could clean their homes to a satisfactory level, but very few could take it to the extreme. Every item in the house seemed to be arranged according to a rule.
The more they looked, the more pleasing and comfortable it felt. Shen Huai also felt it, realizing that his own home being so neat and clean would bring immeasurable joy, just by being in it and looking around.
Upon seeing all this, Shen Huai felt a sense of "freshness." When he used to come home, the house was usually a mess, and the children were dirty with lice crawling in their hair. There was a sour smell of sweat. Whenever this happened, he would clean the house, take Dabao and Erbao to the bathroom, and shave their heads.
Previously, it was clear that the stepmother didn't take good care of the children. But Shen Huai had no other options. When he hired a nanny, she was driven away by the stepmother, who accused her of stealing from the family. Since there was no suitable nanny available, Zhang Guilan had to take care of the children for the time being.
However, he didn't expect to return this time and find himself surprised. Had the stepmother undergone a transformation? Shen Huai wondered.
Bai Haiyun, Wang Junyi, and the other soldiers looked around the room curiously, increasingly impressed and full of genuine admiration. "The woman who takes care of your family is truly exceptional. With her looking after the three children, you have nothing to worry about. The house is clean inside and out. Our own families can't compare."
Before Shen Huai could speak, the two children weren't happy.
What? Why were they praising their stepmother? The cleanliness of the house had nothing to do with her, and it was unjust for her to receive credit for it.
Dabao's face darkened, and he explained, "This was cleaned by my aunt, and it has nothing to do with my stepmother."
Erbao added, "My mother is lazy and hardly cleans the house once or twice in a month or two. How could she be as diligent and capable as my aunt? The parents of the whole class can't even compare to my aunt's abilities."
Their words stunned everyone. They had initially thought that Chen Yuan was a lazy, self-centered woman who only cared about her own desires. Her character was considered unreliable based on their previous encounters. But hearing what the children said about their aunt, if it was still the same person, it would be strange.
Only at that moment did Shen Huai realize that Chen Yuan wasn't at home, so he asked the children where she had gone.
"Auntie went to a parent-teacher meeting."
Upon hearing this, Shen Huai's expression changed, and he frowned, saying disapprovingly, "She went to a parent-teacher meeting? With her temper, she'll end up offending the parents and teachers."
1
Considering the grievances between him and Chen Yuan, if she attended the parent-teacher meeting with her usual temperament, it wouldn't bode well.
Chapter 15
At the parent meeting of Wucheng Elementary School's third-grade class, Huang Ru noticed that Chen Yuan wasn't speaking, so she knocked on the desk to urge her, "Parent Shen Qingxuan, aren't you going to speak? Please don't waste everyone's time, okay? Whose parent are you? Your time is valuable, do you have spare time to be here?"
Huang Ru had a strong ability to mobilize people. The other parents quickly became restless and impatiently looked at Chen Yuan, signaling her to give up if she didn't want to embarrass herself. The class couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Just as the parents' patience was running thin, Chen Yuan cleared her throat and took charge. She held up the test paper with confidence, as if she was a different person, and focused on Dabao's paper. She said, "Since the teacher said so, I'll oblige. Let me explain the wrong answers to the parents. This way, you can also see what mistakes your children made and tell them not to repeat them if they encounter similar questions."
Everyone wore dissatisfied expressions. This woman was putting on airs and talking like a teacher. Who did she think she was educating?
Besides, in order to educate others, one must possess a wealth of knowledge and be capable of shouldering the responsibility. But who was Chen Yuan? Did she even know the 26 letters and how to pronounce English words? It was ridiculous for her to speak so arrogantly. They had no interest in listening to her random talk.
Just as the parents were about to voice their objections, Chen Yuan calmly asked the first question, "Everyone, please look at the first question. It's a multiple-choice scenario. Choose the correct sentence based on the descriptions provided."
"You want to know who that girl is, how should you ask? Here are three options: A) Who's this girl? B) Who's that girl? C) Who's that boy? Which one should you choose? The correct answer is B) Who's that girl? Let's see whose child chose A. Pay attention to it. Don't choose C either. My treasures all chose A."
After Chen Yuan finished speaking, the parents were momentarily stunned. Their previously impatient expressions froze on their faces. After going through the first question, some parents realized that their children had indeed answered incorrectly. They saw many wrong answers and realized that their children had been careless in answering the question.
Some parents were the first to snap out of it. They picked up their pens and started marking the test papers. They either circled the incorrect answers or made notes for analysis. Huang Ru's face looked the ugliest at this moment. She had never felt so flustered since she started teaching. She stared at the composed Chen Yuan, never expecting her to actually provide the correct answers. Was it just luck? Or was the question too simple?
Regardless, she felt that Chen Yuan had seriously challenged her professional status.
Before Huang Ru could gather her thoughts, Chen Yuan continued speaking, "Question 2: When you introduce your mother to Lili, what should you say? The options are as follows: A) This is Lili. B) Lili, this is my mother. C) She is my mother. This question shouldn't be answered incorrectly by ordinary students. The correct answer is B) Lili, this is my mother. If there's a wrong choice, choosing C without a title and a proper tone would be strictly judged. In this scenario, each question carries 4 points. If you answer two questions incorrectly, you'll lose 8 points. So, answer with care."
At this point, some parents started discussing the incorrect answers on their papers. "My child chose C. This question shouldn't have been wrong. This girl is really careless. I'll teach her a lesson when I get home."
"My child, too. Such a simple question was answered wrong. It's a shame to lose those 4 points."
Huang Ru wanted to interrupt, but since everyone was listening quietly, the entire classroom fell silent. It seemed like all attention was focused on the incorrect answers. It appeared that her presence as a teacher was superfluous, which left her extremely embarrassed. She felt that her professional competence was being seriously challenged.
Naturally, parents were concerned about their children's grades. Even if they had doubts earlier, hearing Chen Yuan speak English fluently was enough to surprise them and captivate their attention. They concentrated on listening to the questions.
Huang Ru noticed that the parents were engaged, and interrupting forcefully at this point would surely provoke their dissatisfaction. So, she chose to remain silent, thinking that if Chen Yuan made any mistakes, she would have something to ridicule her with.
Although the questions were simple, a small number of students still answered them incorrectly. About 80% of the mistakes were random guesses. Many parents looked at the test papers in their hands with embarrassment. How could they laugh at other children's grades when their own children couldn't even answer such simple questions? They wondered how these three classes lacked educational quality.
At this moment, Huang Ru's expression was no longer as composed as before. She also felt the growing tension in the air. She secretly thought that seizing back control of the situation was crucial. "Shen Qingxuan's parents, your explanation is quite impressive. Let me continue now. Shen Qingxuan, you can take a break."
However, the parents were not convinced. They had heard Huang Ru's explanations before, and they felt that they were not as easy to understand as what Chen Yuan was saying. It might have been their imagination, but Chen Yuan's tone seemed more composed and her class more engaging. They had underestimated her earlier, and now they were suddenly interested in hearing her explain the next question. Their emotions were contradictory.
The parents who had been criticizing earlier felt embarrassed and kept quiet. Two parents, a man and a woman, spoke up, "Ms. Huang, didn't you just say that teaching was difficult, so you should rest? And don't forget to apologize to Shen Qingxuan's parents later. We'd like to hear the rest of the questions from Shen Qingxuan's parents. You've done a great job, Shen Qingxuan's parents. We don't even know English very well."
The use of honorifics and the indirect criticism hit Huang Ru hard, leaving her without any moral high ground. Her face turned as red as an eggplant, and she shrunk into herself. She couldn't argue anymore.
But she couldn't bring herself to apologize either. With so many parents watching, if she didn't stand by her words, she would lose the trust of all the parents present. They might even complain to the school, and she might face severe consequences. Reluctantly, she said to Chen Yuan, "I apologize to Shen Qingxuan's parents. I was too hasty. Please don't mind me."
—
When Shen Huai and Bai Haiyun arrived at Wucheng Elementary School, they discovered that the parent-teacher meeting had already concluded, and parents were leaving one after another.
Shen Huai was worried that Chen Yuan might cause trouble, so he had come to check on the situation. In fact, it should have been his responsibility to attend the parent-teacher meeting. Now it was Chen Yuan's turn to fulfill that duty, so he thought it was only fair that he came to the school. Despite Wang Junyi's injury, he insisted on going. Unfortunately, they had arrived a step too late. They could only wait outside the school gate.
Bai Haiyun looked at Shen Huai's pale face and silently cursed Chen Yuan for causing trouble for their leader. If they hadn't rushed here, the leader could be resting at home right now. Wang Junyi understood this as well. It's not easy to understand the pain in one's own hole. If their child's grades were poor and they attended the meeting, they would face disciplinary action. Their reputation would be tarnished. They wondered if Shen Tuan's family could handle it calmly.
At that moment, several parents walked out of the school gate with papers in their hands. They were engaged in serious conversation. "Shen Qingxuan's English questions were really good. We didn't even finish listening. It would be great if our children could hear them too."