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Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Both Funny and Heartbreaking
Ancheng First High School, she had once dreamed that she could be admitted into Ancheng First High School, and then go on to university.
Even making this her own goal.
However, due to Lin Jiayi’s poor academic performance and inability to continue studying, she persuaded her mother to let her drop out as well.
Her mother seemed to have never pinned any hopes on her, even when the teacher came to their home, acknowledged her achievements, and tried to persuade her verbally, her mother did not agree to let her continue schooling.
Lin Chuxia snapped out of her thoughts, ready to leave when she suddenly saw a notice board listing the university students that Ancheng First High School had produced after the reinstatement of the university entrance exam.
Qin Yang’s name was at the top.
Lin Chuxia’s lips slightly curved into a smile, pity she didn’t have a camera, she really wanted to take a photo as a keepsake.
When she reached the Bun Shop, she saw Zhang Guilan selling cooked food at the window, who smiled and asked her, "Are you this happy just sending your brother to school?"
Lin Chuxia touched the corner of her lips, she hadn’t noticed, still in a good mood since leaving the school.
But it wasn’t because she sent her brother to school.
She was embarrassed to mention the real reason and simply changed the topic, "Where’s Hongmei?"
Usually, it was Zhou Hongmei who sold the cooked food at the window.
Zhang Guilan glanced back at the kitchen, "She’s in the back, she’s got pregnant, these days she can’t stand the smell of cooked food, so we switched."
"Pregnant? That really is good news."
At this time, the family planning policy wasn’t strict, and since Qin Wu currently only had a daughter, according to the policy, rural households whose first child is a daughter can have a second child after the daughter reaches a certain age, taking into account the agricultural labor needs of rural areas.
Zhou Hongmei’s circumstances fit the criteria, so having a second child was justified.
Lin Chuxia glanced at Zhang Guilan, "When will your sister-in-law have another one?"
She knew Qin Han and his wife had always wanted a second child.
Zhang Guilan didn’t avoid the question, "We’re not in a rush. Now that Hongmei is pregnant, if I were too, who would manage the bun shop? Maybe discuss it after their child is born."
In the village, children are typically left under the care of the grandparents shortly after birth and can start working right after the confinement period, so it wouldn’t be a long delay.
However, Lin Chuxia didn’t see it that way; in two years the family planning policy would be stricter, and since her elder brother’s first child was a boy, having another one might not be so easy.
"Don’t overthink it. If you ask me, it would be good for you and your sister-in-law to be pregnant together, then just hire a couple more people for the shop, and the two children would have company."
Zhang Guilan thought Lin Chuxia was just making casual conversation, but Lin Chuxia suddenly turned serious, "Sister-in-law, at most by next year, the family planning will get stricter. You and elder brother should hurry."
Zhang Guilan’s smile faded, seeing Lin Chuxia’s serious expression and remembering her connections with town leaders and even the county mayor, she might really have some insider information.
"Alright, got it."
When she got home, Little Zhuangzhuang came up to greet her, "Little auntie, look at my new school bag, Grandma made it for me."
Lin Chuxia remembered, tomorrow Zhuangzhuang was also going to the elementary school for registration.
After she had discussed Zhuangzhuang’s schooling with Zhang Guilan, the latter had immediately visited Qin Jiang’s wife the next day.
Xu Yun was a teacher in the village elementary school; even if a child was underage, it was merely a matter of notifying the principal.
The navy blue cloth bag, Lin Chuxia realized, was made from the fabric she bought for Mrs. Qin before New Year’s, the old lady had made trousers with it but had been saving it ever since.
To use cherished new fabric for a child’s school bag showed how much Mrs. Qin valued her grandson’s education.
"It’s very nice," Lin Chuxia complimented, responding to the little one’s hopeful gaze, "Got notebooks? Little Aunt will take you to buy notebooks and a pencil case."
Little Zhuangzhuang’s eyes brightened, and he nodded vigorously, "Ok."
Mrs. Qin emerged from the kitchen, seeing Lin Chuxia about to leave just after returning, and reminded, "There are no classes tomorrow anyway, just have your elder brother bring them for him."
The light in Little Zhuangzhuang’s eyes began to dim, but Lin Chuxia replied, "It’s fine, riding the bicycle isn’t too far, I’ll be back soon."
Qin Han and his wife come back every night after closing up, and leave early in the morning the next day. They are actually busier than she is.
The light in Zhuangzhuang’s eyes brightened again.
Lin Chuxia pushed the bicycle forward, "Hop on."
It was a twenty-eight inch bicycle, with a horizontal bar at the front where Zhuangzhuang had already learned to sit by straddling his legs.
He stepped on one pedal, stepped on the frame with the other foot, and twisted his little buttocks to sit up.
"I’m ready, Auntie," he called back loudly.
"All set, let’s go."
There was a small store in the village, but they only sold notebooks and pencils. Lin Chuxia took him directly to the department store in the city.
The tin pencil boxes were fifty cents each, with several different designs.
Plain pencil shafts were five cents, patterned ones were six cents, and those with faux leather were eight cents
There were also erasers, costing two, three, or five cents each.
All kinds, and Little Zhuangzhuang didn’t have enough eyes to take them all in.
He was obviously excited.
"Which one do you like?" asked Lin Chuxia.
"Can I choose myself?"
Zhuangzhuang’s little face turned red.
Excited.
Lin Chuxia nodded her head, and he turned his little head again, his forehead nearly touching the counter. He pointed at a pencil case, "I want the Sun Wukong pencil case. Any of the others would be fine."
It’s said that Zhuangzhuang is taught well by Mrs. Qin; despite his young age, he knows his limits and is not greedy.
Lin Chuxia asked the clerk to fetch the pencil case he chose. She decided on the pencils, getting two of each, took two erasers, and five notebooks each of pinyin, squared, and character notebooks.
The little backpack was empty when they arrived, but bulging when they left. 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
Back home, Little Zhuangzhuang first showed Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin his new items: the pencil case, pencils, erasers, and notebooks, one by one.
Mrs. Qin smiled and approved, then asked Lin Chuxia to wash her hands and join them for dinner.
The elderly couple had been waiting for them.
After they ate, Qin Han and Zhang Guilan also came back. Little Zhuangzhuang, like a little firecracker, rushed out to show them his backpack.
Despite Lin Chuxia’s previous reminder to Zhang Guilan about the importance of educating the child, people tend to be lenient.
In the eyes of Zhang Guilan and Qin Han, sending the child to school was fulfilling their duty.
Concerning books and such, if his mother could sort it out at home, there was nothing to worry about.
If really needed, they could just bind some pages at home as a temporary measure. Even children going to school without notebooks wasn’t unheard of.
Now seeing the complete set Lin Chuxia had bought for him, they felt too careless.
They quickly thanked Lin Chuxia.
"Sister-in-law, you’re too polite. We’re all family, and besides, you and my brother are busy with the Bun Shop; you wouldn’t have time for this."
Lin Chuxia didn’t think much of it.
She really liked Zhuangzhuang. Having no children in her two lifetimes, she sometimes even treated Zhuangzhuang like her own child.
Indeed, the emotional value this child brought was high, making everything she did for him feel worthwhile.
Qin Han and Zhang Guilan had already had dinner at the Bun Shop, and it was getting late. They had to wake up early the next day, so everyone was getting ready to wash up and go back to their rooms to rest.
