Wu Qiaoling had a plan in mind and was willing to chat with her two cousins-in-law. From Lingyun and Wen Yugui's conversation, she learned a lot of things she had never encountered before, such as prenatal education, storytelling, and setting rules.
Looking at her son crawling on the kang (a heated brick bed), she felt as if she had neglected him, because she had never thought about prenatal education or telling him a story. Like most children in the village, he just grew up carefree and unruly, becoming whatever he became.
As Wu Qiaoling watched Ling Yun strolling around on the ground, supporting her pregnant belly, her mind was filled with thoughts of her second uncle's brothers. Qian Feng, Qian Yu, and Qian Duoduo were all college graduates, which brought Qian Sheng's prestige in Beian Village to unprecedented heights. Furthermore, because Qian Mao had become the secretary of a high-ranking provincial leader, the villagers felt like he was a close advisor to the emperor. Even the most unassuming Qian Rao had something that others envied: he had traveled to big cities with his second aunt. These five siblings had become the envy of everyone in the village.
Qian Duoduo is now 20 years old, considered an "old maid" by the village's gossipy aunties. But who dares to mention it to her second uncle? All he has to say is, "My daughter is a college student," instantly silencing the gossips.
Moreover, judging from Lingyun's tone, the university will remain open in the future. Looking at her son who was still in swaddling clothes, she also hoped that 20 years later, her son would also become a university student and bring her more glory.
From that moment on, she became absolutely determined to send her child to her mother-in-law so that her mother-in-law could help raise the child.
That night, Wu Qiaoling and Qian Yin lay on the kang (a heated brick bed). Wu Qiaoling placed her small hands on Qian Yin's chest and whispered, "Honey, I have an idea that I'd like to discuss with you."
Qian Yin felt the gentle caress of the small hand, and his mind was already wandering to erotic thoughts. He asked, "What's wrong?"
Wu Qiaoling said, "This time, my second aunt brought Qian Feng and my sister-in-law's family back together. I really liked Qian Yixuan from their family."
Qian Yin grasped the small hand that was acting up in her chest and said, "Why do you like someone else's son? Don't you have a son too?"
Wu Qiaoling rolled her eyes at him and said, "I do have a son, but he's still young."
Qian Yin smiled and said, "He'll grow up eventually."
Wu Qiaoling snorted and said, "Look at our eldest brother's Qian Yi'an, Qian Feng's Yixuan, and even Qian Rao's Xiao Yibo. When these three children play together, they are so loving and respectful to each other. I suddenly feel that we should change our family's environment."
Qian Yin was taken aback, turned to look at the person in his arms, and asked, "What do you mean?"
Wu Qiaoling said, “Before, it was just the two of us. You and my dad would go out to work, and I would be left alone at home. I would go back to my parents’ house when I had nothing to do, but after having children, you were not at home, and my mother helped me take care of the children. But after seeing Yixuan, Yibo, and Yian, I suddenly wanted to move to Beian Village.”
Qian Yin asked, puzzled, "You're living there so well, close to your parents' home. Aren't you afraid I'll bully you?" After saying that, he took her little hand and kissed it.
Wu Qiaoling rolled her eyes at him and said, "I don't know whether you'll bully me or not."
Qian Yin chuckled, pulled his wife closer to him, and asked, "Why did you come up with the idea of moving to Beian Village?"
Although he asked that question, he was secretly pleased. After all, he lived alone in his wife's village, and many people, though they didn't say it to his face, would still call him a live-in son-in-law behind his back.
Although Qian Yin didn't show it on his face, he did have some reservations. He hadn't expected his wife to want to move to Beian Village, which was quite a surprise to him.
Wu Qiaoling sighed and said, "You know, Yi'an from my sister-in-law's family is about to start primary school. I've observed him these past few days and he knows a lot. Not only can he read and write, but he's also much better at math than other children in the village."
Qian Yin nodded and said, "That's right. My sister-in-law has been reading to Yi'an since he was a child, reading with him, and teaching him to write. Even Duoduo helps take care of the children during the autumn harvest and takes care of the children just like my sister-in-law."
Wu Qiaoling asked, puzzled, "Doesn't Yi'an spend most of her time with her?"
Qian Yin said, "Although my mother is literate, how can she compare to college students like my sister-in-law and Duoduo? But my mother has one good point: she is reasonable. So all the rules of Yi'an were taught by my mother. To be honest, even the three of us brothers were taught the rules by my mother."
Wu Qiaoling's eyes lit up as she said, "I also think Yi'an's rules are very good."
Qian Yin then understood what his wife wanted. He kissed her forehead and said, "Wife, although I can't go to university like my sister-in-law and Duo Duo, I want to say that whenever I have time, I can read to our son and tell him stories. Besides, now that Dad and I are working, I do all the accounting and such, so I think I'm pretty good at math."
Wu Qiaoling looked up at Qian Yin and said with heartache, "Honey, that's too hard on you."
Qian Yin smiled and said, "They are all my children, what's so hard about it? If our son can get into university like Duo Duo and the others, then even if it's a little hard, it's not a big deal."
Wu Qiaoling smiled and put her arm around Qian Yin's neck. How could Qian Yin let such an obvious invitation pass?
Qian Yijing, who was sleeping soundly next to them, had no idea that his parents were too preoccupied to care about his feelings!
Wu Qiaoling had this idea in mind and planned to tell her parents first after returning home for the New Year, and then talk to her mother-in-law about it. After all, her son was still young, and even if she wanted to set rules for him, it couldn't be done so early. She could have a proper talk with her parents.
~~~
During the Spring Festival, there were too many people at home. Qian Duoduo felt like there were people everywhere she went, either elderly or children. She was also very busy, either chatting with her maternal grandparents or taking care of the children. Until the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Qian Feng started packing to take his wife and children back to Guangdong Province, and then he would go back to school. This time, he would have to accompany them again. Qian Sheng felt very uncomfortable.
He looked longingly at Jin Jinxiu, who was packing clothes, and said, "Wife, I'm getting old. Look at the children, they're all grown up. Why can't you spend some time with me?" He looked back and saw that the children weren't in the house. He walked to Jin Jinxiu's side and asked softly, "Wife, why don't you go later?"
Jin Jinxiu said, "If I don't go with Dafeng now, do you expect me to be escorted by Lao Si? Besides, Lao Da is on the road with his wife, so I have to help take care of the child."
Qian Sheng sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), watching his wife pack his clothes into her bag. Although he knew it, he still felt a little reluctant.
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