"Registration hasn't started yet; it usually starts in September." Ding Ya took a sip of soda, feeling the heat in her body subside considerably.

Xu Yanhong seemed to have figured something out and hesitated before asking, "Sister Xuemei, are you asking on behalf of a relative? They're not local residents, are they?" She remembered that Zhang Xuemei's family only had two daughters, and the eldest daughter was still in kindergarten.

Zhang Xuemei gave Xu Yanhong an approving look and replied, "Yes, it's my eldest brother and second brother's child. They're starting school this September, and we didn't make any preparations. We only remembered to register after the school holidays started. We were worried that we wouldn't be able to register when school started, since the circumstances are different!"

"Oh, then you should ask Yanhong about this. She's in charge of admissions."

Ding Ya nudged Xu Yanhong. They often went to Zhang Xuemei's shop to buy things, and they became familiar with each other over time. They would often go there to chat when they had nothing to do, and they could also get some free tea and drinks from her. They could be considered friends.

Xu Yanhong glanced around and whispered, "It's not a good place to talk. I'll go to your shop tomorrow to discuss it." There were too many people around, and it wouldn't be good if she said something wrong and someone overheard.

Zhang Xuemei smiled and nodded. Now that she had met the person, there was no need to rush.

Just then, the dishes started arriving one after another, and everyone stopped talking and focused on eating, because the food tasted really good.

"I didn't think these crayfish would be very tasty, but they're surprisingly addictive." Xu Mingwan reached out and picked up another crayfish, putting it in her bowl. This stuff is so addictive!

"You bet! I think the side dishes are delicious too. I never thought cucumbers could be so tasty." Ding Ya loved the cucumbers the most, finding them very flavorful, and wished she could add another one.

"That's right. You can tell the owner's cooking is good just by looking at how many people are here. It hasn't been open for long! Everyone rushes here as soon as it's mealtime. But it's not cheap, though the food is really good."

Xu Yanhong looked up and glanced around. The shop was packed with people, both inside and out. The owner's barbecue grill was about to break down; it hadn't stopped burning since they arrived.

“Such a good business, just you wait and see, it won’t be long before others follow suit.” Zhang Xuemei understood this quite well; the market, after all, is just about everyone following each other.

Xu Mingwan nodded, she understood this all too well, it was just like that when they were selling hair clips.

"But the taste has to be comparable to this place. When it comes to food, the most important thing is that it tastes good." Ding Ya felt that if other places didn't taste as good, she wouldn't go even if they were cheaper. She would rather spend more money to eat well and not compromise her taste buds. Most importantly, she wasn't short of money.

After finishing their meal, the group exchanged a few pleasantries and parted ways at the intersection. Since they all lived nearby, there was no need for them to see each other off.

The next day, Zhang Xuemei arrived at the store early, thinking that Xu Yanhong probably wouldn't be there so early, so she took stock of the goods for a while.

"Good morning, Sister Xuemei!" Just as I was counting, I heard Xu Yanhong's voice coming from outside the door.

Zhang Xuemei put the goods down on the shelf, stood up, and asked with a smile, "Why did you come so early? Please have a seat."

Xu Yanhong sat down with a smile and said, "Isn't it because I was in a hurry to talk to you? By the way, do you have a school you'd like to go to? Xiaoya and I both work at the Thirteenth Elementary School. If you want to go to that school, I can really help you."

"Where is the Thirteenth Primary School? I only know that the Eleventh Primary School is near Mingzhu Garden." Zhang Xuemei knew that her older brother and his family rented a house near the Eleventh Primary School. If the school was closer, it would be more convenient to pick up and drop off the children.

"It's about the same area, a bit farther than No. 11 Primary School. If you live in Mingzhu Garden, it's about a 20-minute walk to No. 13 Primary School, or less than a 10-minute bike ride. It's still quite close."

Xu Yanhong knew about Mingzhu Garden; the designated school for that area was No. 11 Primary School, a key primary school.

"If you want to get into No. 11 Primary School, then there's really no way. No. 13 Primary School is actually quite good too. If you want to get in, I can help you."

Xu Yanhong does have this much power; her uncle happens to be the vice principal of the 13th Elementary School, who is also in charge of student admissions.

Zhang Xuemei thought, "The 13th Primary School is fine, it's better than going to school in the village anyway."

Thinking this, she asked, "What procedures are needed if both children attend No. 13 Elementary School, and how are the tuition fees calculated?"

Xu Yanhong thought for a moment and replied, "I remember last year the tuition fee for one child was two hundred per semester. How about this, I'll talk to my uncle and we'll make it one hundred and fifty per semester for your nephew, and three hundred for both children. Is that okay?"

"Thank you so much, Yan Hong. We're so grateful to you, otherwise we would be running around like headless flies!"

Zhang Xuemei was speaking the truth. They didn't know any teachers in Tianshui City, and it was summer vacation, so they really had nowhere to turn for help.

"What's the big deal? We're friends, and we get along well. Besides, I got a free meal yesterday, so I should at least repay you, right?" Xu Yanhong said with a smile.

"That's nothing. We'll treat you to a meal sometime when you're free." Thinking about giving her a small gift as a token of our appreciation, we couldn't let her work for nothing.

Xu Yanhong quickly waved her hand and said, "No, please. We've already said we're friends. Why are you being so polite?"

"Then come pick out a few items when I get new stock in the store next time. Don't refuse this time, or I'll feel bad asking you for help." Zhang Xuemei interrupted Xu Yanhong's attempt to refuse.

Xu Yanhong sighed and said with a smile, "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. By the way, you should prepare your child's household registration book. I'll let you know when school starts, and you can just come find me."

However, I should point out that it might not be feasible to get into junior high school without a local household registration, unless the child is exceptionally academically gifted and passes the entrance exam. Even then, they'll have to return to their registered place of residence to take the high school entrance exam in their final year of junior high. So, if you can transfer your household registration here, you won't have this worry.

Zhang Xuemei nodded after hearing this, "I know that too, but now you have to buy a house to transfer your household registration. My sister-in-law and her husband really can't do it in a short time. We'll talk about it later. Fortunately, the child is only in first grade, so there's still time."

"Okay, you know that's good. Alright, I'll head back now, it'll be too sunny later." Xu Yanhong left after finishing her business; she just wanted to stay home on such a hot day.