We can do without maternity and children's homes, but we can't do without schools; these children can't be left unattended.

“I’m looking for Sun Ye,” said Liu Cheng, the head constable of Pingyang County, at the entrance of the paper mill.

The women hadn't had time to set up their stall yet; their most important task was to fill their stomachs. They went into the paper mill together. Fortunately, although the wages weren't much, they were provided with meals and lodging every day.

The wages were enough to support their children, and Sun Ye and the others were very happy and cherished this opportunity.

Hearing from the gatekeeper that someone was looking for her, the woman hurriedly wiped her hands clean and came out. At the door stood the soldier who had given them the pancakes and helped carry the child that day, and a man who looked like a constable.

"Sir, it's you!"

That day, Sun Ye's face was dark and she couldn't see anything clearly. The Northeastern man only thought that the woman was a bit short, barely reaching his chest. Today, the woman had washed her face, and her small, delicate face looked petite and exquisite, making this older, unmarried man blush.

"Uh... um"

Liu Chengdu couldn't bear to see his brother suffer, so perhaps he only had a tiny bit of ambition left.

“The county school we just built needs a few women to help out. They’ll be tidying up the school every day and cooking for the children. My brother told me that you and your sisters are pretty reliable, and you can take your kids with you. What do you think? Want to go?”

"go!"

Sun Ye barely hesitated. The county school, and he could even take his child there. This meant that Da Hu could grow up in an environment of scholars. It was a windfall!

"The monthly pay is a bit more than that. Go ask your girlfriends; everyone who wants to come, come on over."

"Ai!"

Sun Ye had already run up, but then turned back and bowed to the soldier from Northeast China.

"Thank you for your concern, sir."

"No...you're welcome."

"Your eyes are practically begging to be taken away, Li Gou Dan, have some self-respect!" Liu Cheng teased.

"What dog egg! Li Wei! Li Wei!"

"Li Gou Dan'er~"

"Liu Cheng, I've realized you're truly despicable!"

Inside the brothel, Er Ya was leading several maids in packing the children's luggage, adding a couple more outfits for those who didn't have enough. In a few days, these children would be going to school; the county school provided room and board, and they could come back to play during holidays.

Huo Xiaolong used the money he got from catching human traffickers last time to buy them a big house in the back alley of Hualiu Lane. It wasn't expensive, but it wasn't renovated yet. Since they were in school, he would take this time to tidy it up. It would be good if the three old people could stay at home and look after them. These three also had their own livelihoods, especially the old man with the white beard. After recovering his health, he made a small flag and sat at the entrance of Hualiu Lane every day to tell fortunes.

They're living in such a small place now, just two rooms. If it were any longer, it definitely wouldn't be big enough.

Besides, Little Dumpling doesn't believe that Huo Panlijian will stop taking people in. He may seem incorruptible, but he's actually very soft-hearted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken in the three old people and a bunch of little potatoes.

"Big sister, are we leaving in a few days?"

"I kind of don't want to leave..."

"Me too……"

The young girl was the same; the two weeks they spent at the brothel were the happiest days of their lives, days they would never forget, even on the day they stepped into their coffins.

Do you know where we're going if we leave here?

"have no idea"

Apart from the teenager following behind her, the others shook their heads and said.

"We're going to school!"

"go to school?"

"Isn't that something only rich people can go to?"

Yes, yes.

"How can we possibly deserve to go to school! We don't have the money!"

Huo Xiaolong happened to hear this when he came out. The little dumpling stood triumphantly next to Huo Panlijian, hands on hips, and said...

"Why wouldn't they deserve it! As long as a person is upright, everyone deserves to go to school! Everyone deserves to study!"

"But Miss Huo, we don't have any money!"

"Attending the county school is free, and we'll even cover your room and board."

"Wow!"

Wow, the magistrate is really rich!

"Will we be able to come back in the future?"

Can I invite you to come over again?

The little girl watched as her younger brother and sister-in-law asked Huo Xiaolong a series of questions, and she also wanted to know if they could still play together like they had these past few days.

"Of course! Come visit me when you're on vacation!"

"Miss Huo is so kind!"

Huo Panli smiled. "That's wonderful. She's so kind. She's beautiful and has a good heart."

"Tell me if anything happens when you get to school. If anyone bullies you, come back and tell me, and I'll beat them up for you."

The little dumpling gave the little girl serious instructions. Despite being short, he loved to worry about other people's business.

Li Jian bent down, embraced the incessantly chattering Huo Xiaolong, and whispered in her ear...

"Thanks"

The sudden gentleness made her a little embarrassed, and two blushes appeared on the little dumpling's face as she said...

"It's nothing, it's a small matter."

Who could resist a girl who's usually so outgoing and boisterous suddenly speaking so softly and gratefully? It's like Lu Zhishen suddenly putting down his wine bowl and saying to you seriously, "Brother, thanks to you..."

Huo Xiaolong was quite pleased with himself, his face full of arrogance.

"Let's go and kowtow to Madam He and Madam Cen," the little girl said to her younger siblings.

If Er Ya hadn't stopped them from kowtowing, they would have kowtown for her too, no matter how high or low they were. This round-faced sister has taken good care of them over the past two weeks.

"Thank you both for taking care of me during this time. My brother and sister-in-law have come to pay their respects to you."

He Yi and Cen Ang were sunbathing outside when a group of children suddenly knelt down on them, catching even the martial arts expert Cen's mother off guard.

"Kneel before the two ladies."

"If you two ladies ever need our help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. We'll do anything, even risk our lives." The little girl kowtowed again, and her younger siblings followed suit.

"We don't have anything for you to do. Go ask Long'er if there's anything she wants to do."

"Yes, get up quickly, the ground is cold."

The two mothers then started to trick their children, a scene that made everyone uncomfortable, yet they couldn't refuse the children's sincere intentions. In that case, they should all go find the daughter; the daughter is naive and knows how to fool people.

"yes"

Huo Panli obediently led his younger siblings to their feet and left the backyard of Fengyue Tower. As a group of children stood at the back door, the little girl said...

Do you know what we're supposed to do by studying?

"have no idea"

"We study so that no one in the world will starve or freeze to death. No matter where you are or what you do in the future, remember this."

"I remember, big sister!"

The little girl raised her hand to touch the red hawthorn hair tie, then looked back at the back door before disappearing into the red-haired alley with her younger siblings, heading towards their new home.