ribbon-cutting
Xia Zhitang and Gu Zian watched the sleeping Xiao Qingwu being safely placed on the bed before they took hands and gently left the baby room.
Back in the room, Xia Zhitang packed his luggage while reminding Gu Zian of the precautions for tomorrow's parent-child swimming class.
"Qingwu's class is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 3:00. I'll send you a list of things to bring later. Before you go out, make sure to check if the nanny has left anything unpacked."
Gu Zian was a little unhappy and hugged Xia Zhitang's waist from behind: "Wife, I want to go too."
"It's still not too late to book a plane ticket, and the parent-child swimming class can be canceled." Xia Zhitang's fingertips gently stroked Gu Zian's arm, and he undoubtedly felt his muscles bulge instantly.
"No, you're finally not making such a fuss after going swimming." Gu Zian rested his chin on the crook of Xia Zhitang's neck and took a deep breath of the faint milky scent lingering on her body. "If you keep crying, this family will be heartbroken."
"Thank you for your hard work, husband." Xia Zhitang's fingertips brushed across Gu Zian's cheek.
"Give me some reward?" Gu Zian turned around and bit Xia Zhitang's fingertips.
Xia Zhitang felt the wet touch on his fingertips and couldn't help but turn around and hug his neck.
"Remember to bring your wedding ring." Gu Zian picked up Xia Zhitang and said, "Say hello to Principal Wang for me."
Xia Zhitang was gently placed on the soft blanket, which had wrinkles like flowers on her smooth back. Lying on it, she looked like an elf that had fallen into the human world, but she playfully reached out and pulled Gu Zian down.
"Don't be distracted." Xia Zhitang raised his head and blocked Gu Zian's lips with a kiss.
Gu Zian walked barefoot on the clothes scattered on the ground, holding Xia Zhitang all the way to the desk in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
The smooth wooden tabletop gave Xia Zhitang goose bumps. "What's wrong?"
"Let's change places." Gu Zian said vaguely.
"You'll see." Xia Zhitang kicked Gu Zian's calf.
"The curtains are drawn." Gu Zian held Xia Zhitang's face and kissed the corner of her mouth.
"The window screen is transparent." She struggled, "Pull it up first."
Gu Zian reluctantly let the person go, took two steps to the window, hurriedly pulled the dark brown curtains, then jumped back and hugged the person.
"Wife, you are leaving early tomorrow morning. I miss you." Gu Zian rubbed Xia Zhitang's neck with his cheek.
Xia Zhitang narrowed his eyes and glanced at the floor-to-ceiling window. A palm-wide piece of beige translucent gauze appeared through the opaque dark brown curtains. He didn't say anything else.
When beads of sweat appeared on Xia Zhitang's forehead, he was carried behind the window by the extremely excited Gu Zian.
Her palms pressed against the cool window screen, and the happy emotions continued to reach her brain, covering up the slight abnormality in her heart.
"Didn't Gu Zian come to see you off?" Lin Jingming raised his eyebrows and asked Xia Zhitang who was pulling a mini suitcase alone.
"He's taking Qingluan swimming this afternoon." Xia Zhitang felt like he hadn't seen Lin Jingming for a long time. "When does your movie start shooting?"
"I chose the 26th. If I hadn't been delayed before, I might not have been able to make it to the ribbon-cutting ceremony." Lin Jingming sighed as he swished his coffee. "Making documentaries has its own worries, and making movies has its own worries."
Xia Zhitang looked at Lin Jingming's face, which had not changed much, and couldn't help but miss the days when they worked hard together.
"Bring Qingwu over to experience the opening ceremony?" Lin Jingming looked at Xia Zhitang's expression and invited her, "My mom is a producer, my dad is an actor, and my godfather is a director. You have to come and see it since you were little."
"Let's wait until she's older. It's inconvenient for her to go out now because she's too young." Xia Zhitang said jokingly, "Would the big director welcome me over?"
Lin Jingming's eyes lit up, but he tried hard to hide his inner joy: "I'd love to. It would be even better if you could come to the team and help me keep an eye on it."
Xia Zhitang was a little tempted, but when he thought of his sweet and soft daughter, he couldn't help but shake his head: "It's okay to come over and visit occasionally."
Lin Jingming had anticipated this outcome and didn't force it. "You sent me the project progress report, and I think the schedule can be adjusted."
Xia Zhitang was stunned for a moment, then thought of the half-written report from yesterday: "It just so happens that I haven't finished writing the review report yet, so let's integrate it together."
She took out a tablet from her backpack and compared the project schedule and budget with Lin Jingming.
The two of them managed to discuss the general framework before boarding the plane. Xia Zhitang couldn't help but feel a little emotional when he put away his computer.
Although she was exhausted from the busyness at the moment, she felt an inexplicable sense of happiness and accomplishment.
"Lin Jingming, you know what?" Xia Zhitang looked a little lonely. "I suddenly realized that work can really make me happy."
Although Xia Zhitang had begun to miss her daughter, the connections she had with other people at work reminded her of her social identity besides being Xiao Qingwu's mother.
Whenever she is at home, she can't help but focus her attention on her daughter, even if there is a nanny at home.
"Xia Zhitang, you love Qingwu very much, and you also love your work."
Lin Jingming shamelessly asked Guan Mingyue about Xia Zhitang's condition. Although she ridiculed him, she still revealed some information to him.
In fact, if Xia Zhitang didn't attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony this time, he would also find an opportunity to invite her to attend the opening ceremony of his own movie.
Xia Zhitang's expression revealed a hint of fatigue, and she found it difficult to describe her current state.
Every time Xiao Qingwu grew up, she felt happy, but it seemed like there was something different to worry about every day. She would worry about whether Xiao Qingwu's stroller had good shock absorption, worry about a new rash on Xiao Qingwu's body, and reflect on what she had done wrong because of Xiao Qingwu's constant crying...
"Well, let's get on the plane."
She didn't want to say more, and Lin Jingming was considerate enough not to ask any more questions.
Just like how Xia Zhitang silently accompanied him out of the trough, there was no need to ask too many questions or to confront, everything flowed in soft tolerance.
Xia Zhitang and Lin Jingming donated the dividends from their documentary to the construction of a new teaching building. The documentary they shot gained a good reputation in a certain theme event, so the two of them were arranged to sit next to the leader and in a relatively middle position for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new school building.
The deputy county magistrate in charge of education shook hands with them excitedly and expressed his gratitude enthusiastically.
As far as he knew, Lin Jingming had been recognized by the higher-ups for this film, and he would have plenty of opportunities to film feature films in the future. He was someone who could have a say...
As for Xia Zhitang, he was a wealth man within easy reach. Her husband's family was now one of the stable sponsors of the girls' high school. It was said that this person also controlled a number of records and resources that could be used for charity...
Xia Zhitang suddenly found that the county's attitude had become more subtle this time, and they kept saying that they would welcome them with authentic home-cooked meals.
Although it was passionate last time, it wasn't this close.
Lin Jingming observed Xia Zhitang's expression out of the corner of his eye, and seeing that she looked indifferent, he politely declined the county's invitation.
Principal Wang took the opportunity to push the County Governor aside and said, "We all appreciate your kindness. We've already made an appointment to personally inspect the quality of the school building. I'll take them there first."
"Hey, why didn't you say so earlier? I want to come too, I want to come too."
On the way to visit, the group happened to run into a large group of students carrying their luggage into their new dormitory.
They carried red plastic buckets filled with bedding and daily necessities, and some of them also carried red, white and blue woven bags.
Although they were dressed simply, everyone's face was filled with joy.
"Have you done a formaldehyde test?" Xia Zhitang calculated the construction time of the school building and was a little worried that this would be ignored in order to get the students moving in quickly.
"We've tested it, and I agreed to accept it only after all of them passed." Principal Wang smiled like a golden daisy at the corners of his eyes.
"Teacher Xia! Mr. Ling!"
Erniu was carrying a plastic bucket filled with luggage in one hand and a quilt tied with ropes in the other. She also had a woven bag draped over her shoulders. It had been almost a year since I last saw her; her face had become rounder, and her smile had become more lively and confident.
Xia Zhitang smiled and waved to her. Erniu's eyes narrowed into slits with laughter, and she bravely ran over with her things in her hands.
"Teacher, we miss you so much!" She put the luggage in her hands against the wall and wiped the tears that she couldn't control with the back of her hand in a panic.
Xia Zhitang also felt sad and went forward to hug Erniu.
"Oh, today is a happy day, we should smile happily." Principal Wang touched Erniu's head helplessly.
Erniu was too embarrassed to let go of Xia Zhitang and wiped her tears with the back of her hand twice: "I'm crying tears of joy. Teacher Xia, you don't know, we finally have our own toilet!"
Erniu couldn't contain her excitement, jumping up and down and gesturing, "Finally, we don't have to run to the next door to queue up for the restroom and shower!"
The county magistrate coughed uncomfortably twice and said, "I wish the girls' high school will continue to do better with everyone's efforts."
"You've come just in time. I have a mission for you," Principal Wang interrupted the county magistrate. "Take our leaders and your teachers to visit our new dormitory!"
"Got it!" Erniu stomped her feet and saluted seriously.
Lin Jingming looked at Erniu, who was covered in things, and wanted to help her, but Erniu pushed him away: "Teacher, I can do it!"
"Why does this kid call Director Lin and the others teachers?" The county magistrate was a little surprised.
"Mid-last year, Teacher Ye went on maternity leave, and then another teacher resigned, leaving us severely short-staffed." Principal Wang explained in a low voice, "They're both really good teachers at the school, so I asked them to cover for a few classes."
"Hey, Wang Xinyuan!" The county magistrate glared at Principal Wang. "If you have any problems, tell me. Do you know that they..."
"Oh, you couldn't even approve the money to repair the desks at that time, and I came to you?" Principal Wang interrupted the county magistrate in a low voice and signaled him with his eyes to look at the three people in front of him.
Erniu walked in front with her head held high and chest puffed out like a confident little duck. She looked back at Xia Zhitang and Lin Jingming from time to time.
The three of them asked and answered questions, and the atmosphere was great.
"Isn't this good now? People need real interactions to develop feelings for each other."
Although having Director Lin and Producer Xia substitute for the class was just a temporary solution at the time, Principal Wang felt that the result was much better than she had expected.
The deputy county chief looked at the three familiar people, smacked his lips, and thought that Principal Wang's move was a good one.
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