Chapter 26 (Chapter 26) Knowing He Was Wrong

Song Xinwen still took the two of them back, as there would inevitably be gossip if so many people were watching outside.

Cai Yang cried and wailed the whole way. Song Xinwen felt bad listening to him, so he patted him on the shoulder and said, "Stop crying, don't disturb other people's families!"

Cai Yang managed to stop crying, sniffed, and noticed her eyes were a little swollen.

Seeing her child crying so heartbrokenly, how could a mother bear to hit him? But it wasn't the right time to say that. All she could say was, "Xinwen, Xiaoyang misses you. As soon as he heard I was coming to town, he cried and begged to come with me to see his mother. I wonder how you're doing now..."

Before he could finish speaking, Song Xinran opened the door, and the words caught in his throat.

Unlike Cai Yongde, Cai's mother didn't think that Song Xinwen and her sister couldn't make a living in the town. If they really couldn't make a living, Song Xinwen wouldn't have stayed away from home for half a month.

After learning about this, Cai's mother asked around and found out that Song Xinran was selling chickens at a stall in town, and that her business was quite good.

But how much money can you make doing small business? Cai's mother also has relatives who sell tofu. They pick and choose every day and can only earn ten or twenty yuan, which is hard-earned money. I suppose Song Xinran's business is about the same.

They have to pay for rent in town and have a child to raise, so they must be struggling to make ends meet.

If Cai Yongde apologizes and says some nice things, Song Xinwen will go back for the sake of the child.

But as soon as Cai's mother saw the house, she knew she was wrong.

The living room was bright and spacious, with tables and chairs neatly arranged and curtains clean. You could tell at first glance that this house couldn't be cheap. Hesitantly, he followed Song Xinran inside and glanced at the kitchen. There was even a liquefied gas cylinder installed, something only city dwellers use, and an unfamiliar appliance hanging on the wall.

Looking to the other side, you can see two rooms. One door is open, and inside are Song Xinwen's clothes. The room is tidy and well-lit, much better than the room Song Xinwen lived in back home.

The other room should be where Song Xinran and Song Yu are staying. Cai's mother withdrew her gaze, suppressing her surprise. Her heart sank, feeling that unless Cai Yongde took some action, Song Xinwen would not be able to return.

She quickly nudged Cai Yang, who was lingering next to Song Xinwen, sobbing and wiping away tears, and reminded him, "Xiao Yang, didn't you bring snacks for your mom? Hurry up and give them to her!"

Cai Yang was still in a daze from crying. He only came to his senses after hearing his grandmother's words. He quickly took out a bag of instant noodles from his pocket with his chubby little hands: "Mom, Mom, hiccup, Mom eat."

Cai's mother said, "Xiao Yang was worried that you wouldn't have anything to eat in town, so he specially brought his snacks with him when he left, saying that he wanted to give them to his mother."

Song Xinwen's eyes immediately turned red. Cai Yang was a glutton. In the past, when Song Xinwen came back from doing farm work and saw Cai Yang watching TV, she would feel a little angry, but before she could lash out, Cai Yang would quickly hand her snacks and smile so much that her eyes narrowed into slits.

Although Cai Yang is mostly tough, he is still my own flesh and blood, and he can be cute at times.

Looking at Cai Yang now, Song Xinwen noticed his chubby face had thinned out considerably. He muttered to himself, "I'm not hungry. You eat by yourself. Doesn't your dad cook for you at home?"

The chubby boy burst into tears again: "Daddy cooked porridge with pickled cowpeas, it doesn't taste good at all, I don't want to eat it."

Song Xinwen was even angrier. She knew Cai Yongde was a glutton, so how could he possibly eat like this every day?: "Does your dad eat out every day?!"

Cai Yang cried and sobbed, "The day before yesterday, we went to a restaurant, but Dad said it was too expensive, so he... he didn't eat there."

Cai's mother quickly interjected, "Xinwen, you know Yongde. He can't cook anything, and he's very frugal. He wouldn't eat out every day."

Cai's mother sighed: "I only found out today that you weren't home. Otherwise, I could have called Xiaoyang over to eat with me, instead of having to eat porridge and pickles every day."

She then spat again, "Cai Yongde deserves to eat pickled vegetables. He angered you and left, yet he doesn't come looking for you!"

He then looked at Song Xinran and softened his voice: "Xinran, our family is sorry for what happened to you. Your brother-in-law is just outspoken and doesn't mince words. We're all family, how could he say such things? I've already talked to him properly!"

“I know you’re a good person, and you get along well with your sister. I feel at ease knowing that Xinwen is staying with you.”

Song Xinran knew exactly what Cai's mother meant. Wasn't this sentence clearly separating her from Song Xinwen? Song Xinwen and Cai's mother, Cai Yongde, were the real family. Although she was Song Xinwen's younger sister, she was just an outsider.

Song Xinran found it somewhat ridiculous, since she was the one who was related to Song Xinwen by blood: "Auntie, my sister is my own sister. Our parents are no longer here, so my sister can stay here as if she were at home. Of course, you can rest assured."

Song Xinwen wiped his eyes and said in a clear and firm voice, "Mom, this is a matter for your Cai family. Don't involve Xinran."

Cai's mother was puzzled, thinking that Song Xinwen had become much more assertive than before in just half a month, but she smiled and said, "Isn't our home your own home? It's good that you have two homes now."

Song Xinwen seemed to have sobered up a bit and was no longer caught up in the emotions she had just experienced, though her voice was still a little hoarse: "Mom, I know what you mean, but Cai Yongde went too far in this matter. If he looks down on my sister, he looks down on me. I've been married to him for five or six years, and I've done everything I can at home. I'm wholeheartedly devoted to this family, and I had no idea he had so many schemes in his heart!"

"Mom, you don't need to say anything more. This is a matter between Cai Yongde and me. If he doesn't realize his mistake, I don't need to go back and suffer any more."

Cai Yang only vaguely understood what was being said, but the second half of the sentence was crystal clear: his mother wasn't going back. He immediately couldn't help but yell, "Mom, I want to stay with you! I'm not going back!"

Mother Cai panicked and hurriedly said, "Xinwen, you're mistaken. Yongde knows he's wrong. He came today too, but he doesn't dare to see you. He's waiting outside right now!"

Song Xinwen patted Cai Yang on the back to comfort him, but his expression remained solemn: "Call Cai Yongde up and explain yourself."

Cai's mother said, "Xiaoyang, go and call your father up."

Cai Yang left in tears.

Just then, Song Yu, who had been playing outside, returned, escorted back by his friends as always.

Song Yu waved to them and said in a childish voice, "See you tomorrow."

Yuanyuan rushed over, pinched his cheek, turned and ran away quickly, her laughter crisp and clear: "We'll come find you to play again after school tomorrow!"

Song Yu pursed her lips, wiped her face with her small hand, and pouted a little unhappily.

Just as he reached the door, he saw a familiar-looking adult standing in front of him. He looked up, and when he saw who it was, he couldn't help but take a small step back, a little scared, but he still mustered up his courage and called out, "Uncle."

Cai Yongde looked down and saw Song Yu. At first, he was a little hesitant to recognize him. He knew Song Yu very well in the countryside, but now Song Yu really looked like a city kid, wearing new clothes and even his skin was fairer.

Cai Yongde knew why he had come today. Although he was feeling very agitated, he still managed to force a smile at Song Yu: "Little Yu is back."

When Song Yu saw that smile, he shuddered, a little scared. He wanted to run home as soon as possible, but his uncle was blocking the way. He pursed his lips, wanting to ask his uncle to move aside, but he didn't dare. He frowned, feeling a bit troubled.

Just then, Song Yu saw Cai Yang and his eyes lit up immediately: "Little Yang, little brother!"

Cai Yang glanced at him and said to Cai Yongde, "Dad, Grandma is calling you in."

Cai Yongde agreed, rubbed his hands together, nervously tugged at his clothes, and went inside.

Song Yu hurriedly ran forward and walked to Cai Yang's side: "Little Yang, when did you get here?"

Cai Yang is feeling down and doesn't want to talk.

Song Yu was taught at his aunt's house that Cai Yang was his younger brother and he was the older brother, so he should give in to Cai Yang and treat him well. Seeing Cai Yang's red and swollen eyes from crying, Song Yu thought for a moment and took out the last piece of milk candy from his pocket: "Here, have this, don't cry."

Cai Yang glanced at Song Yu with his small eyes, grabbed the milk candy, stuffed it into his pocket, and glared at him, saying, "None of your business!"

Song Yu blinked, but before she could speak, she heard her aunt say, "Cai Yang, what are you saying!"

Song Xinwen strode over and slapped Cai Yang on the butt: "Little Yu kindly gave you candy and you still curse at him!"

Cai Yang burst into tears and threw the candy on the ground: "I don't want to eat his candy!"

Song Xinwen was even angrier. He grabbed a clothes hanger and swung it at Cai Yang. As soon as the hanger hit him, Cai Yang covered his bottom and jumped up, hiding behind his mother and screaming, "Mommy hit me! Mommy hit me!"

Normally, Cai's mother would probably have protected the child. He hadn't done anything seriously wrong, so why beat him like that? But today, Cai's mother needed something from her, and they were at Song Xinran's house. As the saying goes, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Not only did she not protect Cai Yang, she pushed him out, saying, "Serves you right for being disobedient!"

Cai Yang stared in disbelief, his eyes swollen from crying. But the next second, the clothes hanger slapped his arm, sending a sharp, burning pain through him.

Cai Yang: "Ahhh!"

When he couldn't hide behind his grandma, he quickly hid next to his dad.

At this point, Cai Yongde was powerless to do anything, so he slapped Cai Yang on the buttocks and said, "Quickly apologize to your brother!"

Cai Yang couldn't escape. The main room was only so big, and he couldn't outrun it. There were four adults in the room, three of whom wanted to beat him up. The only one left was Song Xinran, so Cai Yang had no choice but to run towards her.

But Song Xinran wasn't about to let him get away with it. She slipped her foot and stood to the side.

Cai Yang was truly at his wit's end. He couldn't care less about being stubborn anymore. He slid to his knees, quickly picked up the milk candy, and cried out, "I was wrong! I was wrong! Brother Yu, I'm sorry! Waaaaaah!"

Song Yu was stunned. He had never seen Cai Yang beaten so badly before. To be precise, he had never seen a child beaten so badly before.

She quickly ran over and said, "Auntie, please don't hit him anymore. Xiao Yang knows he was wrong."

Cai Yang plopped down on the ground, crying and wiping away tears, his body trembling.

Song Xinwen stopped what he was doing, panting heavily. Seeing Cai Yang like this, he felt a pang of sympathy and tossed the clothes hanger aside: "Aren't you going to thank your brother Xiao Yu?"

Cai Yang was completely convinced. Without the slightest hesitation, he said to Song Yu, "Thank you, Xiao Yu, hiccup, Brother Xiao Yu."

Song Yu's voice was childish yet earnest: "It's okay."

This seems to be the first time Cai Yang has called him Brother Xiao Yu. Before, at home, Cai Yang always called him Song Yu.

Song Yu straightened his back, feeling like an older brother, and reached out his hand to Cai Yang, wanting to help him up.

Cai Yang pouted, propped himself up with his chubby little hands, and stood up. He patted the dust off his bottom, but accidentally patted the spot where he had been hit earlier. A sharp pain shot through him, and he hissed. Tears welled up in his squinty eyes and were about to fall again.

"Take it back, and stop crying!" Song Xinwen shouted.

Cai Yang let out a sob, but she really didn't cry.

Cai Yongde couldn't stand it any longer: "Xinwen, Xiaoyang knows he was wrong."

Song Xinwen glared at him: "He knows he was wrong, but what about you?!"

Cai Yongde awkwardly shut up.

Cai's mother quickly winked at him, "Yongde, didn't you tell me so much on the way here? Why don't you say anything when you're in front of Xinwen?"

She taught Cai Yongde a lot on the way here.

Cai Yongde looked at Song Xinran and stammered, "Xinran, it's your brother-in-law's fault. Please, please don't take it to heart..."

Saying those words was like taking Cai Yongde's life. How could an elder apologize to a junior in front of two children? Wasn't that just trampling on his self-esteem?

Song Xinran said, "Brother-in-law, I didn't take it to heart, but my sister is someone you spend every day with. How hurt she must be by what you said. You should apologize to my sister, not me.

Song Xinwen's nose suddenly stung with tears, and she thought that only Xinran in this world would consider her feelings in this way.

She glanced at the two somewhat bewildered children standing beside her and thought to herself that it wasn't good for the children to hear about these adult matters: "Xiao Yu, take your brother outside to play."

Song Yu nodded: "Little Yang, I'll take you to play."

Cai Yang was still holding a grudge and didn't want to go at all, but when he saw his mother's expression, he immediately wilted and obediently followed behind Song Yu.

Song Yu led Cai Yang out of the house and asked happily, "Little Yang, what do you want to play?"

Cai Yang pouted, not wanting to go anywhere. He looked back at the house, wondering if his mother would come home. He didn't want to eat pickled cowpeas anymore.

Song Yu tilted his head and thought for a moment, then decided to take Cai Yang to the place he had played at that day: "Little Yang, would you like to ride the swing?"

"I don't want to!" Cai Yang was very principled. He would never forget that he was beaten because of Song Yu. However, he hesitated for only five seconds after saying that, and then asked again, "Is it one of those swings with two long ropes tied together, like in cartoons?"

Song Yu nodded.

Cai Yang wiped away his tears: "Then, I'll go take a look."

Song Yu became excited and introduced to Cai Yang, "This is my first time playing here too. A new friend took me. There's a big playground with ping-pong tables, hanging bars, and a swing. Lots of kids are playing there!"

Cai Yang said, "There are many children in my family who play together."

Song Yu thought for a moment. He hadn't played with many children in his hometown, but he had watched them many times. They chased each other, climbed trees, went into the water, and played a lot of games. However, there were no ping-pong balls or swings in his hometown.

It wasn't dark yet, but it was almost dinnertime, and the playground was deserted. Cai Yang spotted the swings, ran over quickly, plopped down on one, and shouted back, "Song Yu, push me!"

Song Yu played with his friends today, so naturally he pushed people, but he pushed very gently, and the swing creaked and swayed very softly.

Cai Yang was displeased: "You need to be stronger!"

Song Yu shook his head, behaving like an older brother: "No, shaking it too hard will make you fall."

"I definitely won't!"

Song Yu ignored him and continued to gently rock him. Cai Yang was speechless. However, his legs were short, and when he sat on the swing, his feet could just touch the ground, but he couldn't get any more leverage and could only rely on external force.

Although Song Yu pushed gently, Cai Yang had never played on a swing before, and he found it quite fun to swing, even telling Song Yu not to stop.

Song Yu didn't care; he had played with his friends for a long time today: "Little Yang, it would have been great if you had come earlier."

Cai Yang asked, "Why did you come so early?"

Song Yu said, "We had braised pork noodles this morning, which are a hundred times tastier than instant noodles."

Cai Yang's mouth watered a little. He hadn't had instant noodles in ages. For the past two weeks, aside from occasionally eating out, he'd spent the rest of his time at home soaking cowpeas. But he was stubborn and raised his chin: "So what? I've eaten meat at restaurants. Have you ever eaten meat?"

The mention of meat reminded Song Yu of the time when she ate chicken every day, and it was always boiled chicken. She shuddered and said, "I used to eat boiled chicken every day, but I don't eat it anymore."

Feeling inferior, Cai Yang quickly replied, "I eat boiled eggs every day!"

Song Yu said, "I don't boil eggs every day."

Cai Yang felt smug.

"Mom made me an egg pancake the day before yesterday, steamed egg custard yesterday, and a soft-boiled egg today," Song Yu said in his childish voice. He wasn't boasting; he was simply stating a fact.

Cai Yang immediately became unhappy: "It's not good! Your mother's cooking is not good!"

Song Yu was also unhappy: "It's delicious! My mom makes it so delicious! It smells so good, it makes my mouth water."

Cai Yang suddenly remembered the dishes his aunt used to make when she lived at his house: tender fish slices, spicy tofu, and fragrant spicy pork lungs. The taste was unforgettable.

Cai Yang knew in his heart that he couldn't win no matter what, and he was even more annoyed. He pouted, jumped off the swing, and walked outside, saying fiercely, "I'm never playing with you again!"

Song Yu was stunned for a moment, then puffed out her cheeks.

But Cai Yang stopped before he even left the playground because he realized he didn't know the way. This wasn't a place he was familiar with. Back in his hometown, he could always find his way home no matter which mountain he ran across or which river he crossed, but he didn't come to town often.

Song Yu stepped forward and said, "Alright, if you don't want to go, then don't. I'll take you home, and you can play with your aunt."

Cai Yang pouted: "Mom doesn't want to play with me. She has to do chores at home, and she even hits me here."

Song Yu, acting like a responsible older brother, advised in a mature tone, "Your auntie only hits you because you did something wrong. As long as you admit your mistake, that's fine. A good child is one who knows their mistakes and corrects them. Your auntie definitely wants to play with you. My mom also likes to play with me!"

Cai Yang glanced at him with his small eyes: "What are you guys playing?"

Song Yu said, "There are so many! My mother taught me to read and write, taught me to draw, told me stories, and I taught her how to wash mushrooms, wipe the table, and put away chopsticks..."

Cai Yang said, "I can't read or write either."

Song Yu patted his small chest: "I'll teach you!"

He can recognize many characters now.

Song Yu took Cai Yang home. As soon as they entered the house, he sensed that something was off. He whispered to Song Xinran, "I'm taking little Yang to his room to read."

Song Xinwen himself wasn't very well-read, but he admired cultured people. Upon hearing Song Yu's words, his face softened, and he smiled more: "Go quickly."

Song Yu led Cai Yang into the room and quietly closed the door to block out some of the outside noise.

Cai Yang entered the room and glanced around. Song Yu said, "I'm sleeping with my mom now."

Cai Yang said, "I also sleep with my mother when I'm at home."

Song Yu walked to the table, took out three books, and beckoned Cai Yang to come and look at them: "My mother bought these for me."

Cai Yang glanced at it and said, "I'll ask my mom to buy it for me too."

Song Yu was a little puzzled, wondering why Cai Yang always wanted to buy things, but he remembered his business and took out a picture book: "Let me teach you to read."

In the countryside, children don't have books; only children who have started elementary school have them, and even then, they're never allowed to look at them, as it's said they'll get them dirty. Cai Yang, however, became interested when he saw the pictures and poked at one of them with his finger: "What's this?"

It was a poem that Song Yu could recite, but looking at the characters Cai Yang was pointing to, he still couldn't quite recognize them individually. He recited the poem in his mind and said confidently, "This is 'li,' the 'li' of 'one, two, or three li away.'"

"Little Yang, let me teach you to read this poem." Usually, Song Xinran would teach Song Yu to read it, but this time Song Yu was able to teach someone, so he was happy and taught him to read it clearly, word by word.

Cai Yang listened to him this time and followed his example.

Song Yu said, "Now that I've finished teaching this line of poetry, little Yang, you can read it yourself."

Cai Yang looked at him: "One, one two three... one two three li!"

Song Yu was very patient: "That's not how it is. Let me teach you to read it once."

He read it again, but when it was Cai Yang's turn, Cai Yang was still just reading "one, two, three". Song Yu was completely confused. How could this be? This is exactly how his mother taught him. He learned it after his mother read it once. He had read it three times!

However, Song Yu was not a child who would give up easily. After teaching him six times, Song Yu covered his head and said, "I'm so dizzy. Why am I so dizzy?"

Cai Yang was the first to lose his temper, flipping the book over and shouting, "I'm not reading anymore!"

For some reason, Song Yu felt a little more relaxed and agreed with him, saying, "Okay, then I won't read it."

Cai Yang's gaze swept across the room, and he suddenly spotted an Ultraman doll in the cabinet: "You actually have Ultraman Tiga!"

Song Yu said, "My mother bought it for me."

Cai Yang muttered, "I'll ask my mom to buy it too."

"What's that?" Cai Yang saw another little pig-shaped thing.

Song Yu explained, "It's my piggy bank."

Is there money inside?

"Of course, my mom gives me money every day."

"And what is that?"

Song Yu said, "These are my watercolor pens. My mom bought them for me so I could draw."

...

There were many things in the room, many of which Cai Yang had never seen before. For some reason, Cai Yang felt unhappy.

He looked at Song Yu and then realized how much Song Yu had changed.

Song Yu had cut his hair short and was wearing clothes he had never seen before: a sweater underneath a yellow cotton coat, and a pair of sparkly shoes.

Cai Yang looked at himself. He rarely paid attention to this before, but his cuffs were very dirty. His father hadn't washed them properly. One of the buttons on his clothes was about to fall off, and the knees of his pants were worn through, revealing his thermal underwear underneath.

Cai Yang was angry, especially since Song Yu was saying, "Little Yang, it would have been better if you had come earlier. You could have eaten the braised pork noodles that Mom made. But we didn't finish the braised pork, so we can eat it again tonight. Why don't you eat with us?"

Cai Yang pushed Song Yu and ran out, shouting, "I don't want to eat!"

Cai Yang ran to Song Xinwen's side and grabbed her arm: "Mom, let's go home."

But his mother pushed him away: "Xiaoyang, you go back with your father."

Cai Yang's world has collapsed.

In the end, Song Xinwen didn't go with them. When they left, Cai Yang cried again, sobbing and unable to walk. Cai Yongde had to carry him back.

Song Xinran asked, "Sister, are you really sure?"

Song Xinwen snorted: "I've seen it clearly now. Cai Yongde says he knows he's wrong and will change, but he doesn't take it to heart at all. If I go back with him so easily, he'll be back to his old ways in a couple of days."

Song Xinran smiled; she felt that Song Xinwen had also changed a lot.

As soon as she turned her back, Song Xinwen sighed. She was right to think that way, but seeing Cai Yang's appearance, she couldn't bring herself to be ruthless. She could only hope that this time she could resolve things properly so that life wouldn't be like it was before.

At least in the future, when she disciplines Cai Yang, Cai Yongde shouldn't interfere.

This is also for Cai Yang's future. When Song Xinwen was in the village, all the children were pretty much the same. Although Cai Yang was a bit naughty, he wasn't particularly noticeable.

She came to the town and lived there for half a month, interacting with the townspeople. Only then did she realize the difference; well-educated children are indeed different.

She knew the differences and wanted to change them.

After Song Xinran returned to her room, Song Yu asked, "Mom, did Xiaoyang go back?"

Song Xinran said yes.

Song Yu sighed like a little adult: "Little Yang didn't get to eat the braised pork noodles that Mom made."

Song Xinran patted his head: "He doesn't want to eat. What were Xiao Yu and Xiao Yang playing just now?"

When the topic of play came up, Song Yu was quite happy. He said they went to ride the swings and he even taught Cai Yang to read and write.

However, the little boy frowned and said, "I've taught Xiaoyang so many times, but he still can't understand."

He clearly didn't know why.

"Little Yang pushed me from behind."

"Is Xiao Yu injured?"

Song Yu smiled at her: "No, it doesn't hurt at all."

He clearly didn't understand why Cai Yang suddenly got angry, so he told Song Xinran everything.

Song Xinran learned what had happened from the child's account, but didn't say much. The child didn't understand what jealousy was yet, only saying that Cai Yang might be unhappy because he knew Song Xinwen wasn't going back.

Song Yu didn't ask any further questions.

Song Xinran thought to herself, who says children don't know anything? In fact, children know better than anyone what they should and shouldn't do. Their usual behavior and crying are all tests of adults' bottom line.

That's why Cai Yang, such a little tyrant, knows that his grandma and dad won't protect him, and his mom will beat him up for bullying Song Yu, so he doesn't dare to do it anymore.

The next day, Song Xinran didn't see Song Yu's new friend come to visit him, and she was a little puzzled: "Isn't Xiao Yu going out to play today?"

Yesterday, the little one played outside all day and only came back for meals. He had a great time and was very excited when talking about what he did.

Song Yu shook her head, her voice still childish: "They're going to kindergarten. They'll come find me to play after school."

Looking at his clueless expression, Song Xinran felt a pang of sadness: "Does Xiaoyu want to go to kindergarten?"

He finally found new friends to play with, but everyone else had to go to school, and he was the only one at home.

Song Yu frowned and thought for a moment: "I can't go to kindergarten."

Why?

Song Yu said, "I can only go to school when I am six years old."

Song Xinran learned that the village had such regulations: because of limited educational resources and the lack of public kindergartens, if a child wanted to attend, they could only go to preschool at the age of five and then start first grade at the age of six.

But it must be different in town. Song Xinran remembered the children who came to ask Song Yu to go out and play yesterday. They looked about the same age as Song Yu, which proved that children under six years old in town could go to school.

Song Xinran decided to go and find out more information.

The first person to ask was naturally Huang Yun. Huang Yun's family had lived in the town for many years and had a daughter who was in elementary school. She should know a lot about the school.

Song Xinran fried a pot of crispy pork, packed it in a food box, and took it to Huang Yun's house.

As soon as she entered, Huang Yun saw what she was carrying and scolded her, "You're here, why did you bring anything? Xinran, you're too kind!"

Song Xinran opened the lid: "I just fried some crispy pork. I thought your family likes it, so I brought some for you to try."

Huang Yun was about to refuse, feeling guilty for always accepting things from others, but when she smelled the aroma of crispy pork, she couldn't bring herself to say no.

What an amazing aroma! The freshly fried crispy pork was still steaming hot, and the unique aroma of the oil mixed with the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns and the pure, meaty fragrance of the pork wafted straight into people's noses. In no time, it filled half the room. Huang Yun, who loved fried food the most, immediately swallowed hard, her mouth watering.

The words lingered in her throat, but when she finally said them, she said, "Oh, thank you, Xinran. This looks like it just came out of the pot. Let me try it."

After saying that, he couldn't wait to put it in his mouth. With a bite, there was a crisp "crunch" sound, followed by a mouthful of fragrance. The golden skin was crispy, while the meat inside was incredibly tender. Not only was it tender, but the taste was also top-notch, with a slight numbing aroma. The scallions, after being deep-fried at high temperature, lost their spiciness, which made the flavors blend together perfectly. It felt like every bite was a different taste.

Huang Yun ate several pieces without realizing it, and said with a smile, "If Jianjun were here, he would never have tasted such delicious fried ribs as you made last time!"

Song Xinran said, "If Brother Ding wants to eat some, I can fry more and send them to him at the post office. The weather is cold now, so they probably won't spoil. You can just fry them again later."

Huang Yun waved her hands repeatedly: "How can this be? It will take half a month to send it over, and it will spoil even in the coldest weather. Besides, how can I trouble you like this?"

Song Xinran was silent for a moment. She had never sent anything since she came to this world. Occasionally, some habits from her previous life would pop into her mind. She had no idea that sending something now would take so long.

"He's not lucky enough to eat it, I'll save some for Sisi." Huang Yun emptied the crispy pork from the food box, put it in another box, and prepared to wash it later for Song Xinran to take back.

Song Xinran said, "Sister Yun, Sisi will be going to junior high school next year, right? Where are you planning to study?"

Huang Yun said, "I want to get Sisi to go to the city, but the schools in the city require a city household registration. Without a household registration, you have to find connections, and these days it's not easy to find connections."

Huang Yun had actually considered this matter long ago; otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to the city specifically for her mother-in-law's birthday and even asked Zhou Zhengming to make an appointment, just to keep in touch.

Song Xinran asked, "Sister Yun, did Sisi need connections to get into kindergarten and primary school back then?"

Huang Yun said, "You don't need to worry about that when you start primary school, you can just register directly. But it's not so simple when you start kindergarten."

Song Xinran sighed: "Sister Yun, to be honest, I also want Xiao Yu to go to kindergarten. I'm busy with my stall every day, and Xiao Yu has to come with me. But he's only three years old, and I can't take care of him when I'm busy with my business. I want to send him to kindergarten so that he can play with other children his age."

Huang Yun said, "Your idea is good, but there is only one kindergarten in our town. The tuition is not expensive, only 300 yuan per semester, but it is very difficult to get in. First of all, you have to be a resident of Lingde Town, and secondly, you need connections."

“Now each family has one or two children. Lingde Town is so big that you can’t count all the children in the town. There is only one public kindergarten in the whole town. The admission requirements are clearly stated: priority is given to the children of town government employees and school staff. Ordinary people have to wait in line!”

"Speaking of queuing, if you don't have some connections, you won't be able to get in even when you're in elementary school. When Sisi was four, a kindergarten had just opened in town. As soon as I heard about it, I tried to find connections, but it was so crowded that I didn't get in until the following year. But I still remember Sisi coming home from kindergarten and saying that the teachers played games with them and taught them to recognize words! It was much better than the preschool classes in the village schools now!"

“Xinran, the connection I made was Jianjun’s distant cousin. He used to teach at a primary school, but he retired a couple of years ago. If he hadn’t retired yet, I could take you to see him.”

Song Xinran said, "Sister Yun, don't say that. I'm already very grateful that you told me this news."