Lin Juan was somewhat surprised by Xu Keke's words. She thought that what Xu Keke had done tonight was to try to go to Beijing to study.

She was deliberately trying to please herself and making sure the neighbors could see it.

But she said no. Lin Juan stared at Xu Keke's face, trying to see what she was thinking.

“I took Zhaodi to the hospital today, and Du Yi’s mother, Dr. Chen, kept saying that it was wrong for a child this age not to be in school. She even laughed at Zhaodi’s father, saying that he is clearly a technician in the factory and an educated man, how could he be so ignorant as to not let his child go to school.”

Just as Lin Juan was about to speak, Xu Keke stopped her with a gesture, saying, "These things have nothing to do with you."

Lin Juan, “….,” I said, “It has something to do with me.”

“I’ve thought about it. I’m sure you also want Zhao Di to go to school. It’s only a matter of time before Zhao Di goes to school. Just like Dr. Chen said, her father is an educated man.”

You wouldn't believe it, her dad is highly respected at the factory. That Du Yi, the factory manager's nephew, is a complete scoundrel there, but no matter who he hangs out with, he'll never behave like her dad. Why, you tell me? It's because everyone sees her dad as an educated man.”

Xu Keke took a breath and continued her charade, "So I was wondering why you wouldn't let Zhaodi go to school. Then I realized it's because if Zhaodi went to school, you wouldn't even be able to go to the toilet. You can't exactly carry a child to the toilet, can you? And then there's cooking and cleaning."

"Being at home isn't any easier than working for us. There's a ton of chores waiting for you to do. That's why I thought giving Fubaoan this land would give you a break, and once Zhaodi starts school, you won't be without a place to sell it."

Lin Juan was a little stunned. In fact, she herself hadn't thought that she was actually working very hard and didn't even have time to rest.

She always felt she was meant to do this much work. It was work she'd been doing since she was young. Nobody thought she deserved a break.

"You really don't want to go to Beijing to study?" Lin Juan looked at Xu Keke suspiciously.

Xu Keke laughed, "Why would I lie to you about this? But the reason I'm saying all this is to tell you that I'll be going to check out the school for Zhao Di tomorrow. If everything goes well, she'll be starting school in the next few days."

Lin Juan wanted to say something, but thinking of her son, she couldn't let him be talked about outside. In the end, she said nothing and tacitly agreed to it.

The houses in the courtyard are not soundproof. Everyone outside can hear what Xu Keke is saying.

Grandpa Zhao glanced at the flickering smoke in the shadows, sighed, and went back into the house with his hands behind his back.

Aunt Chen, seemingly lost in thought, glared at her daughter-in-law's room, muttered something under her breath, and went back inside. However, the door slammed shut rather loudly, causing the glass to rattle.

Suddenly, Grandpa Chen shouted, "What are you doing? What's wrong with you? Isn't this your own stuff?!"

Aunt Chen replied with something, and the two started arguing back and forth inside the house.

Wang Lin took a deep drag on his cigarette, threw it on the ground, and stomped it out. Then he turned and left.

That evening, Zhao Di saw the book under her pillow. She took it out and carefully felt around for it. Then, she cautiously stole glances at Xu Keke.

Xu Keke lay on the bed and patted the empty space next to her. Zhao Di understood and ran over with a book in her hand.

Xu Keke had her hold it, then opened the first page and began to read it to her.

The little one was so excited today that the book in her hand fell over not long afterward.

Xu Keke smiled and put it aside for her.

The next morning, Xu Keke woke up very early. There had been some noise in the courtyard before dawn.

Lin Juan also got up early. Xu Ke probably heard her tidying up the house.

Hearing Fu Bao cry, she ran to check on her. She heard Fu Bao yelling that Fu Bao had wet the bed, followed by the sounds of the door being pushed and closed, and people coming and going.

She never even considered asking Xu Keke to get up and help her.

This woman lost her husband when she was young and raised her son alone. In her eyes, her daughter-in-law was an intruder who came to take away her son.

So she has to do everything she can to kick her out and make her an outsider in this family.

But she also paid a heavy price for it.

The son she raised was a selfish person who cared nothing for anyone else. He wouldn't help her. And she wouldn't let the original owner of this body participate in the household affairs. So all the housework fell on her alone.

It was impossible for her not to be tired. Just cooking alone was a challenge. An ordinary family would cook two or three dishes for the whole family. But she had to cook three portions: one for her son, one for herself and Zhao Di, and one for the original owner of the body.

Needless to say, she also has to look after the children, tidy up the house, and go out to buy groceries.

How could she not be tired? And how could she possibly have a good temper? The exhaustion left her with no mood to treat others well.

Xu Keke got up, and Xiao Zhaodi next to her also got up. Seeing the lunchbox on the table, Xu Keke smiled, but she didn't touch it.

She told Zhao Di, "I'll go to the factory and let them know. I'll come back later and take you to school to register. You wait at home."

Zhao Di nodded obediently, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Lin Juan came out of the house carrying Fu Bao, glanced at the two of them, and didn't say anything.

Xu Keke walked out of the courtyard, and more people greeted her today.

It seemed they had all heard what she said in the yard last night and knew she was a talkative person. Today's greetings were also different from yesterday's. Instead of simple titles and hellos, they chatted with her for a bit.

Riding that difficult-to-ride bicycle, Xu Keke quickly arrived at the factory.

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