Good morning, Mengmeng!

"Good morning, Xiaomin! It's our turn to clean the common areas this week, so we need to get to school early."

"Then... let's run there!"

After saying that, Xia Minmin and Tang Meng held hands and jogged to school. If it weren't for their backpacks swaying behind them, the scene would have been even more harmonious.

The two sisters struggled to climb to the fifth floor, put down their schoolbags, grabbed brooms, dustpans, and trash cans, and rushed downstairs to clean the public sanitation area designated by the school.

There are hardly any fallen leaves in Shenzhen in March; a little sweeping is all that's needed.

Tang Meng said, "That egg tart shop yesterday was really delicious. No wonder so many people lined up to buy it. Let's go to the English Corner next Sunday and buy some more."

Xia Minmin proudly tilted her head back and said, "I told you, my recommendations are always right! You didn't trust my judgment before!"

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right! The atmosphere at the English Corner is really great! I feel like I've become much bolder, and I dare to talk to people outside now."

"That's great! Good luck with your efforts! Let's try to be deskmates in junior high!"

"Wow, you have such high expectations of me, even higher than my parents! I'd be happy just to be in the same school as you! I never even considered being in the same class!"

Xia Minmin pointed to the upper right corner of the public area, "There's still a little bit left over there. Once we finish sweeping that, we can call it a day."

The two people who had finished cleaning the public area carried the trash cans toward the garbage station.

The trash can was quite tall for Xia Minmin, so she had to carry it.

Tang Meng was completely amused by Xia Minmin's appearance!

Xia Minmin said expressionlessly, "Is it that funny?"

Tang Meng could only force a laugh, "It's not that funny. Xiao Min, are you going to ask Lao Wang for leave today?"

"Hmm, I'd like to ask for ten days off around the Qingming Festival. I don't know if Lao Wang will approve it."

"If it were you, it would definitely be fine. But then you'll be going back to your hometown in just two days, and I'll have to go to and from school alone again! Ugh!!!"

Tang Meng's wailing startled many passing students, who looked at her with strange eyes, as if she had some serious illness!

Xia Minmin could only lower her head and pretend not to know Tang Meng; it was just too awkward!

What are you going back for this time?

"My dad said it was to erect a monument for my grandparents and repair their graves."

"oh oh!"

Ring ring…

"Class is starting! Run!"

The two of them awkwardly dragged the trash cans toward the classroom.

Ring ring…

"Mengmeng, I'm going to ask Lao Wang for leave!"

Xia Minmin told Tang Meng and then walked towards the homeroom teacher's office.

thump thump thump…

An unfamiliar teacher said, "Please come in!"

Xia Minmin looked around but couldn't find Teacher Wang. "Hello, teacher, have you seen Teacher Wang?"

"Are you looking for Lao Wang? He went to the restroom, he should be back soon."

Xia Minmin observed the desks of each teacher. Old Wang's desk was the tidiest with the fewest items on it. He truly lived up to his reputation as Old Wang.

Teacher Wang came in from outside, wiping her hands. "Xia Minmin, is there something you need from me in the office?"

"Teacher, I would like to ask for leave the day after tomorrow, for a total of ten days!"

Teacher Wang was surprised that few parents would allow their children to take such a long leave during the school year. "Do your parents know you're taking so many days off? Has something happened at home?"

"No, my family plans to go back to our hometown to repair my grandparents' graves and erect a tombstone."

After thinking for a moment, Teacher Wang said, "Okay! I'll call your parents later to confirm and then approve your leave, but your grades can't drop! Understand?"

Xia Minmin smiled and saluted Teacher Wang, "I understand, Teacher Wang. I'll take the textbooks home with me!"

Teacher Wang was amused by Xia Minmin, "Let's go back to class!"

After Xia Minmin left, the teacher who was writing lesson plans at her desk also looked up.

"Old Wang, this must be Xia Minmin! She's definitely more clever than the average kid! No wonder her parents dared to give her such a long leave of absence!"

"I guess there's no other way. The parents have all gone back home, and the child can't stay in Shenzhen alone!"

"Too."

...

"get out of class is over!"

"Finally, I can go home!"

Xia Minmin packed her schoolbag and waited for Tang Meng at the door.

"Xiaomin, let's go!"

"Um."

"Did Teacher Wang approve your leave request?"

"It should be fine. He said he would call my parents to confirm beforehand."

"That's pretty much it. I'll miss you."

Taking advantage of her height, Tang Meng picked up Xia Minmin and spun her around, pressing Xia Minmin's face against Tang Meng's chest.

Xia Minmin kept patting Tang Meng.

"Phew...you almost suffocated me!"

Tang Meng chuckled twice!

The two said goodbye at the entrance of the residential area. Xia Minmin went back to the supermarket and Tang Meng went home. They would go to the boxing gym together in the evening.

After the busy period after school ended, there weren't many people around, so Xia Minmin finally sat down to eat. The food was delivered from a nearby restaurant. Usually, from Monday to Friday, in order to accommodate Xia Minmin's Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) classes, she would order food from the restaurant.

"Dad, did Teacher Wang call?"

"I've made the call, and I'm granting you leave!"

Xia Minmin didn't even bother to eat, and kept banging on the table.

Unable to bear the noise any longer, Li Chunmei finally spoke up to stop it, "Quiet! Let's eat!"

"Dad, what time is our train? I want to buy some snacks to take on the journey! Are my aunt and uncle coming with us?"

Li Chunmei couldn't help but recall the nickname Xia Minmin's maternal grandfather had given her—"Duck," because she quacked incessantly every day.

“Our train is at 8 pm the day after tomorrow. What do you want to eat? Dad will buy it for you tomorrow. Your aunt and uncle will come back with us.”

Xia Minmin smiled sweetly, "Dad, I want to bring roasted pigeon, coconut chicken, handmade egg rolls, chicken biscuits, and dried lychees. Most importantly, I want to bring pineapple buns. The pineapple buns that Tang Meng's mom bought last time were delicious. Also, can I bring egg tarts from the university town?"

Xia Minmin blinked her big eyes incessantly and giggled at her father.

Li Chunmei complained, "Are you trying to kill your dad with work? It'll take him a lot of time just to buy all this stuff for you tomorrow."

Xia Jianguo patted Xia Minmin's head, "It's rare for the child to want to eat, so it's okay to go to a few more places. Besides, apart from pineapple buns and egg tarts, everything else can be bought at specialty stores. I'll also buy some souvenirs while I'm at it!"

Li Chunmei rolled her eyes. "Fine! As long as you're okay with it, I'm even less of a problem. Oh, and buy some more pineapple buns so we can have them for breakfast the next day."

"Hmm, Chunmei, would you like something else to eat?"

Li Chunmei was about to speak when Xia Jianguo stopped her.

"Wife cake, right! I'll never forget what you love to eat."

Xia Minmin coughed twice as she watched the lingering gaze between Li Chunmei and Xia Jianguo. Sigh, she was such a big and bright third wheel.

Enraged, the two kept urging Xia Minmin to eat dinner and go to her Sanda class.