Chapter 7

Tu Mian was unaware of her parents' shock. After waking up, she waited for her mother to dress her as usual.

Even though she is a very smart child, asking her to dress herself at this age is much more difficult than just using her brain.

While taking care of her daughter day after day, Lin Mei's heart is always soft. She watches her daughter grow up day by day, and the areas where she needs to take care of her gradually become less and less, which sometimes makes her feel lost.

At the age of three, she still couldn't sleep in a separate bed from her parents. After Tu Mian woke up, Lin Mei, who was sleeping next to her, heard the noise and woke up too.

Now that she has changed her business, Lin Mei doesn't need to get up very early. But her daughter goes to bed early and gets up early, so how can she not get up early?

The person who dresses Tu Mian and makes breakfast is Lin Mei. Tu Chenglin will not get up until the appointed time, as his ears will automatically block out all sounds.

After changing Tu Mian's pajamas into a bright yellow skirt, Lin Mei couldn't help but rub Tu Mian's head.

Tu Mian's hair is fine and soft but has a few curls, which feels very nice to the touch. Lin Mei often misses her curly hair.

Adults always liked to pinch Tu Mian's face and rub her hair. Tu Mian was weak and could not resist them, so she could only express her dissatisfaction with her eyes.

After washing up, Lin Mei originally wanted to make rice porridge for Tu Mian. When her eyes turned to her daughter's head, she cracked a few walnuts, crushed them and added them to the rice porridge.

Walnuts are good for the brain, so Tu Mian should eat more.

Tu Mian is a very well-behaved child. She sits on a bench and eats rice porridge with a small spoon. She has no expression on her face, as if she is taking something very important very seriously.

Lin Mei felt her heart melt when she saw her like this.

She became more and more excited as she talked with Tu Chenglin yesterday, which resulted in her not being able to sleep well at night.

But Lin Mei is still full of energy now.

Regardless of whether Tu Mian is a genius or not, she must find a way to make more money so that her daughter can receive a better education.

What's more, Tu Mian is a very smart child. She needs a better environment and better education. All of this requires not only a lot of love but also a lot of money.

At this moment, Lin Mei was extremely grateful that she did not stop and wait, but chose to work hard to create a better future for her daughter, so that she would have more choices.

Before Lin Mei could think about it, Tu Yin also got up. Junior high school students had morning reading classes, so she had to get up early too.

While Tu Yin was washing up, Lin Mei made her a bowl of noodles with a poached egg.

After all, it's breakfast, so you can't put too much chili in it, but you have to add a little. Tu Yin likes spicy food and can't live without it. She has to put a little chili in everything before she can eat it.

After Tu Yin finished eating, Lin Mei tied Tu Mian's hair and they went out together.

The Tu family's daily life seems to be the same as before, but a lot has changed.

After closing the shop, Lin Mei would go to the bookstore and buy arithmetic books and idiom story books. When she had nothing to do, she would teach Tu Mian to read, and she told him more stories at night. She couldn't recognize some words herself and had to look them up in the dictionary beforehand. She didn't want Tu Mian to think she was an uneducated mother.

Tu Chenglin would often take Tu Mian out to play, and Tu Mian knew all of his friends.

They were all amazed at her and couldn't believe that Tu Chenglin had such luck. In such a situation, Tu Mian's little schoolbag was always full of candies, even though she always said she didn't need them.

But as a child, there is no one who doesn’t like candy, so those uncles and aunts would still put candy in her bag.

Tu Chenglin would not say openly that Tu Mian was a genius. Tu Mian was still young, and other people's excessive expectations might put pressure on her. This was what Lin Mei repeatedly told him, because Tu Chenglin really wanted to tell everyone that his little daughter was an absolute genius.

In the second half of his life, which was full of frustration and disappointment, Tu Chenglin found a better place to put his hopes. Compared to having a son, the hope brought by a genius child was greater.

Tu Chenglin is now full of fighting spirit. He really wants everyone to know that his daughter is a genius. Even if he doesn't say it, everyone can see it, right?

He, Tu Chenglin, still had some light in his mediocre life. He was more eager than anyone else to grow up quickly.

Compared to her obvious gender, Tu Mian’s intelligence is not obvious enough. She is too young and no one can be sure that this intelligence will always stay with this girl.

Lin Mei easily saw through his thoughts. Lin Mei, who always tried to be patient and avoid quarrels, did not tolerate him this time and scolded him harshly, so Tu Chenglin obeyed.

Compared to Tu Chenglin's joy, Lin Mei was very anxious. She only knew how to raise an ordinary child.

She would send her children to school until they didn't want to study anymore. Even if they had to get a doctorate, she would still find ways to help them finish the education and do everything she could to give them what she thought was the best.

But that is for ordinary children. Parents will give their children what they think is best, because they have been through this and know what is best for their children.

But how do you raise a genius child?

Are the things they think are good for the child really good for her?

Lin Mei was anxious about this, and she turned the pressure into motivation to make money. Her child deserved the best.

Tu Mian is not adapted to the repetitive teaching methods of the kindergarten, and she always tries to accommodate them. This makes Lin Mei proud. Her Tu Mian is really a very kind and sensible child.

But as parents, faced with this situation, it is inevitable that they will feel guilty.

Lin Mei used to think that buying a house in the county as a retreat for Tu Mian would be enough, but now she has changed her mind.

"In the city? What are you thinking? You actually want to buy a house in the city!"

Crazy, crazy!

Tu Chenglin felt that Lin Mei was crazy to say such a thing.

Lin Mei's business is booming now, and they have saved enough money to buy a house earlier than they expected. When Tu Chenglin has nothing to do after get off work, he always goes to the newly opened real estate projects to see which houses are in the best locations.

In his opinion, it would be best to buy a three-bedroom apartment, with one room for each sister. If there are guests, they can sleep in the couple's room, and he will sleep on the sofa while Lin Mei and Guo'er sleep.

After all, the house is too big and it is very troublesome to clean, and Tu Chenglin can't stand the results of others cleaning, so he can only satisfy his taste if he cleans it himself.

But now all expectations have to be abandoned, Lin Mei actually said that she wants to buy a house in the city!

"Why? Isn't that right? Since we're buying a house to live in, of course we have to buy the best! You've already had a vasectomy, and you'll only have these two children anyway, so why not think about giving them the best? Hua'er is about to take the high school entrance exam, and if we buy a house in the city, we can send her to school there, and Guo'er can also go to elementary school. How great is that! Think about it carefully, isn't that the truth?"

Tu Chenglin didn’t think Lin Mei was a very radical person before, but perhaps he also noticed it. He should have understood it when Lin Mei chose to switch business even though she could have bought a house in the county.

"What on earth are you thinking about all day? Who wouldn't want to buy a house in the city? But we don't have enough money, do we have to borrow money? And have you ever thought about your business and my job? Also, Hua'er is about to take the high school entrance exam, but with her grades, it will be difficult for her to get into a better high school in the county. And Guo'er, she's still so young, can you let her go to elementary school? Those kids are older than her, what if they bully her when we can't see her?"

How could Lin Mei not have thought about what Tu Chenglin said?

"What's wrong with borrowing money? Given the current situation, I'm confident I can repay them within the stipulated timeframe. I've also considered your job. You're after it because it's a stable job, but the problem is that your boss doesn't value you, making it difficult for you to get promoted. Ultimately, you can only advance based on your years of service. How long will it take you to get ahead? We can find someone to oversee this business and pay her a salary. Let's find other things to do in the city. As long as we're not lazy, we'll always find money. The most important thing right now is our child's education."

Lin Mei was thirsty after talking for so long. She took a sip of water and continued, "Hua'er has difficulty studying, so we can pay for Hua'er to go to school on loan. It's just a little more expensive, but it's reasonable to spend money on children. Teachers in the city are better than teachers in county high schools, right? I know you are worried that Guo'er will be bullied, but is it a good thing for Guo'er to stay in this kindergarten now? Guo'er is just making do. We all know that she is so smart, and that's why we can't delay her. She needs a better education. We are all ordinary people and we all hope for the best for our children. You work hard at home to take care of the children in the past few years, and I will work hard outside. We will definitely be able to live a good life as a family."

Tu Chenglin moved his mouth a few times, obviously convinced.

But the idea that women work outside and men work inside was contrary to Tu Chenglin's growing environment, and he was afraid that people would laugh at him if he agreed.

But if Lin Mei had to stay at home to take care of the children and not work, and rely on Tu Chenglin's salary, their family really couldn't live well, let alone buy a house in the city.

Tu Chenglin still wanted to buy a house in the city, but his self-esteem prevented him from agreeing.

Suddenly we were at a stalemate.

It was almost July, and Tu Yin was feeling anxious about the upcoming high school entrance exam. At this time, her family remained calm on the surface for her sake, and Tu Yin could not feel the turbulent waves underneath.

Before the exam, Tu Mian kissed Tu Yin on the face.

"Good luck to you, sister!"

Tu Yin is only proud of Tu Mian's intelligence, because her friends' brothers and sisters are not as smart as Tu Mian and many of them are very naughty. She thinks this is a face-saving thing and she likes her sister very much.

Tu Yin hugged Tu Mian and gave him a kiss: "Thank you, Guo'er."

Tu Chenglin took her to the examination hall, and he would be the one to take her there for the next two days.

After Tu Yin finished her exams, the atmosphere at home was no longer hidden from her.

Now that the strained relationship between Lin Mei and Tu Chenglin was no longer concealed, anyone could see it.

Lin Mei thought that 16-year-old Tu Yin was old enough to participate in the family's decision-making. She asked Tu Yin, "Auntie wants us to move to the city. Do you want to live there?"

Tu Yin was a little terrified: "Ah! But I applied for the No. 1 Middle School in the county. Auntie, are you going to divorce my dad, or leave me here alone? Don't do that!"

She was frightened by her own guess. Adolescent girls are always sensitive. She always looks forward to and fears changes in life.

Lin Mei was also frightened by her scream: "How is that possible! For so many years, Auntie has always treated you as her own daughter. You have everything that Guo'er has, and Auntie loves you too. Don't think too much, Auntie wants you to go to the city to study. We will spend more money, and you can get a better education there. Hua'er, Auntie has always liked you. You are very hardworking and diligent. You are a very persevering child. Maybe now you just haven't found the right method to study, or you just can't learn math. But look at your English and Chinese, your grades are very good. Auntie just wants you to study in a better environment. Maybe you can improve your math grades. Isn't that the story of Meng's mother moving three times?"

Tears welled up in Tu Yin's eyes. She just couldn't get over her own hurdle. She was not made of stone. How could she not appreciate Lin Mei's kindness to her?

While her mother was busy with her new family, it was Lin Mei who took her to the lingerie store and helped her choose the right underwear. It was Lin Mei who explained to her what menstruation was before her period began, so she wouldn't be frightened when it came. It was Lin Mei who taught her how to refuse love letters without hurting their pride and causing them to resent her. It was Lin Mei who never complained when she wanted a midnight snack, but instead got up to make it for her...

She had long regarded Lin Mei as her mother, but she had a mother, Guo'er's mother. Tu Yin did not want to possess the love of her sister's mother, although she had already enjoyed the maternal love that should have belonged to Guo'er alone.

Just keep the word "Mom" in your heart.

Seeing Tu Yin's tears, Lin Mei sighed and hugged her tightly: "Don't worry, think about it slowly. If you don't want to go to the city, then we don't have to go. The No. 1 Middle School in the county is also very good. Hua'er will be good wherever she goes, because our Hua is smart and beautiful, and everyone will like you."

Lin Mei has given up the idea of ​​moving to the city. She thought that maybe she could use her connections to find someone to teach Guoer individually. As long as she worked hard to earn more money, Guoer could get a good education without going to the city, or she could wait until Huaer went to college before going. It all worked.

Tu Yin was very confused. Here were her friends, family, and... Su He. But, as her aunt said, their family would have a better life in the city.

No matter what, people will always move towards a better place.

She is good at making friends and is cheerful and generous. So what if she goes to the city?

She will meet new friends and at the same time, she will get a better education.

After thinking it through, Tu Yin ran to hug Lin Mei before she went to sleep: "Auntie, thank you for always thinking about me. I think I will make new friends quickly in the city and adapt to the new environment quickly. We will get better and better."

Lin Mei smiled. Now only Tu Chenglin was opposed. As for Tu Mian, she believed that what her mother said was right. After all, she could feel Lin Mei's love for her.

It doesn’t matter if Tu Chenglin doesn’t agree. It’s okay for them to live apart. Lin Mei wants both children to have a better path.