Chapter 251 Testifying

The air seemed to freeze, and all that could be heard was her steady breathing after a slight inhalation.

"First, the matter of money."

Qiao Wanyin held up a document stamped with a bright red official seal, the paper gleaming under the light. "This funding was donated voluntarily by Mr. Zhang Jianshe, a Hong Kong businessman, entirely for charitable purposes. But please rest assured—all funds have been formally reported to the organization and have received clear approval from higher authorities."

She paused, her gaze sharp, "Every expense is documented and traceable, the accounts are clear and transparent. Anyone can come and review them at any time, and not a single penny will be concealed."

Qiu Zishu quickly handed over the budget sheets that had been prepared in advance and distributed them one by one.

She moved swiftly, handing a neatly bound stack of forms to the family representatives in the front row, who then passed them on to the back row in turn.

The sound of papers turning filled the air as many people carefully examined each expense item: building materials costs, labor costs, teaching aids purchases, water and electricity bills...

The entries are clear, the numbers are accurate, and there is not a single ambiguity.

"Secondly, there are fees."

Qiao Wanyin raised her voice, each word ringing out, "From today onwards, Hongtaiyang Kindergarten will be permanently free for all children of active-duty factory workers and their families!"

Her voice pierced through every corner of the auditorium, booming in people's ears like spring thunder.

These words caused an uproar.

A mother holding her child in the front row suddenly looked up, her eyes wide open; several young husbands in the back row exchanged glances, their faces full of disbelief; some even stood up from their seats, leaning forward, as if afraid they had misheard.

"Huh? Free? Did I hear that right?"

"Is this just empty promises? They'll make a nice promise first, then change their mind later?"

"Is this really true? Even the government doesn't have factory regulations like this!"

"Could it be that they're using us as guinea pigs?"

The chatter was like a swarm of bees buzzing. Some people were skeptical, some whispered among themselves, and some took out their cigarette cases to light one, but then put it back after their hands trembled.

The noise was chaotic.

A mixture of doubts, speculations, and astonishment surged together, boiling like water, almost lifting the roof off.

Qiao Wanyin coughed lightly and raised her right hand to press down. "To put everyone at ease, I propose that we elect three family representatives on the spot to form a supervision group."

Her tone was calm yet firm: “Starting tomorrow, the kindergarten’s accounts will be placed on the office desk, and the key will be kept by the supervisory team. Anyone who wants to check can come in and look through them at any time; not a single page will be missing, and not a single item will be omitted.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the murmurs immediately subsided by half.

The whispers among the people quieted down considerably, and many exchanged glances, seemingly assessing the credibility of the proposal.

A bespectacled man adjusted his glasses and said in a low voice, "If they really let us check the accounts ourselves, that would be quite sincere..."

Third, what about the teacher?

She continued, "We won't hire from outside with high salaries, nor will we engage in formalism."

Qiao Wanyin looked around and said, “We will select sisters from our family members who have a basic education, genuine love for children, and are willing to put in the effort. They will first undergo intensive training, and only those who pass the assessment will be allowed to teach.”

"The provincial preschool teacher training school has agreed to send professional teachers to come regularly to guide teaching and provide curriculum support."

"The courses include literacy, arithmetic, singing, and drawing. In addition," she paused, a slight smile playing on her lips, "we also invite soldiers to take turns coming to the kindergarten on their days off to tell the children stories of their wars, the hardships on the front lines, and the significance of defending the country."

At this point, the eyes of several young mothers in the front row lit up, and the corners of their mouths subtly turned up.

One of them bent down and stroked the little head of his son in his arms, whispering, "From now on, the baby can listen to his father tell stories..."

Another person quietly wiped the corner of their eye, as if they could already see their own child sitting in the classroom listening attentively to the lesson.

"Finally," Qiao Wanyin looked down at the audience, her voice steady, each word as if carved into stone, "this garden was not built for fame, nor for showing off."

"It's not like anyone just had a sudden whim and decided to do a vanity project."

"We just want our children to not lose at the starting line."

“My husband is guarding the country on the front lines, braving wind and rain, risking his life. We who stay behind should support the family so that they have no worries.”

"Children are the foundation; when the foundation is stable, the family prospers; when the family is stable, the country is at peace."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a voice suddenly drifted from the back row: "Pah! You make it sound so high and mighty, but everyone knows your mother-in-law calls you a hypocrite!"

The voice was sharp and piercing, carrying a strong sense of irony, like a needle puncturing the warm atmosphere that had just been formed.

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

You can even hear the wind blowing through the cracks in the window.

Everyone froze, their eyes turning to the source of the voice, but no one dared to speak.

The atmosphere suddenly plummeted to freezing point.

Wan Yin's face turned pale instantly.

Her fingers trembled slightly, and her chest felt as if she had been punched hard.

She never expected that someone would publicly humiliate her with such harsh words at such a solemn moment.

She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes, and was about to explain when the auditorium doors were suddenly kicked open with a bang.

"Who says my Wanyin isn't honest?"

A familiar and loud voice rang out.

The voice was filled with anger, yet it did not lack authority, like a thunderclap splitting the frozen air.

Everyone in the room turned their heads.

All eyes followed the wide-open door, where a figure stood.

Song Yazhi was dressed in a navy blue Lenin suit, her hair was neatly combed, and although her face showed signs of travel, her eyes were as sharp as ever.

She strode in with firm steps, her leather shoes making a clear "tap-tap" sound on the cement floor.

Behind her followed Fu Lian'an's father, Fu Xianxiu.

Mr. Fu leaned on an ebony cane, his expression solemn, his gaze calmly sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on Qiao Wanyin.

Qiao Wanyin was stunned.

She stared wide-eyed at the person in front of her in disbelief.

My mother-in-law has only been gone for a few days?

Why did you suddenly come back?

And at a time like this...

Her mind was in turmoil, and she was speechless for a moment.

Her eyes widened, her pupils contracted slightly, and her voice trembled uncontrollably: "Dad, Mom, why...why are you here at this time?"

Song Yazhi ignored everyone else, her expression resolute, her gaze fixed straight ahead, and walked directly to the front row of the venue.

Her steps were unhurried, yet they carried an undeniable air of authority.

After standing still, she slowly turned around to face the densely packed neighbors below the stage, straightened her back, and spoke in a loud and clear voice: "Dear neighbors, I am Fu Li'an's mother, Song Yazhi. I am here today to testify for my daughter-in-law!"

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Those who were just whispering in small groups, their faces full of doubt, suddenly fell silent.

Some people opened their mouths in shock but couldn't make a sound; others quietly shrank back, not daring to meet Song Yazhi's gaze.