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After the mother and her two children left, the others remained at the entrance, discussing plans for the children.
“Commander Zhou, aren’t you going on a mission in a couple of days? What do you plan to do with these two kids?”
“How about this, let the two children take turns eating at everyone’s houses.”
No one wanted to see such a situation, but for the moment, no one could think of a better solution.
Finding someone suitable in every way to take care of the children on short notice was truly difficult.
Everyone had their own matters to attend to at home and was hesitant to take on long-term responsibility.
Commander Zhou Jinchuan didn’t agree immediately but simply advised everyone to go home and rest.
As for the children, he would think of another way.
After everyone had left, Zhou Jinchuan turned to Su Yi and said, “Thank you for speaking up for the two children earlier, and also, thank you for saving them on the road.”
Su Yi smiled slightly and said, “You’re welcome! It was just a small effort on my part. Given your position, Commander Zhou, it’s not appropriate for you to get entangled in arguments with these women. I just helped by saying a few words.”
Zhou Jinchuan nodded and then went back inside the house, returning with some herbal medicine for injuries. He helped apply it to Ye Xiaowu.
Although Zhou Jinchuan didn’t say anything, Ye Xiaowu already knew he had done wrong.
“Uncle Zhou, I’m sorry. If something like this happens again, I will definitely tell you.”
Zhou Jinchuan nodded, “It’s not your fault, but in the future, you must speak up when something happens.”
Ye Xiaowu nodded earnestly, “Uncle Zhou, you don’t need to worry about Nuannuan and me not having anyone to take care of us. I’ve thought it over; from now on, I’ll take my sister to the cafeteria for all three meals, and I’ll take care of her myself.”
Zhou Jinchuan paused for a moment while applying the medicine and said firmly, “No, you still have to go to school. I’ll find someone else. This time, I’ll make sure to find someone reliable.”
Su Yi, who had been standing quietly on the side, listened to their conversation. Then, she silently raised her hand and said, “Commander Zhou, I have a suggestion for someone—”
Zhou Jinchuan turned his head to look at her, finally realizing that she hadn’t left yet and that he hadn’t written her recommendation.
“Go ahead,” he said.
Su Yi cleared her throat and introduced herself seriously, “My name is Su Yi, I’m 20 years old. I can do housework, cook, and take care of children. I can even teach Nuannuan some basic lessons. What do you think?”
Zhou Jinchuan was momentarily stunned by her suggestion and asked, “Aren’t you planning to return to your hometown?”
Su Yi smiled bitterly, “I don’t dare to go back. If my parents find out that I broke off the engagement on my own, they’d probably beat me half to death. Right now, I’m worried about where I can go.”
When the two children heard that Su Yi was willing to stay and take care of them, their eyes lit up with hope. They looked at Zhou Jinchuan expectantly, anxiously awaiting his decision.
Zhou Jinchuan could easily see that the two children liked her, and from their interactions today, he believed that Su Yi was capable of taking good care of them.
Seeing that Zhou Jinchuan seemed to be hesitating, Su Yi quickly added, “If you’re worried that it might be inconvenient for me to stay here, I can find a place to rent nearby.”
“Also, you don’t have to pay me thirty yuan a month. I can be reimbursed for expenses as they come up, and I’ll keep detailed accounts.”
Zhou Jinchuan paused for a moment and then asked her a question, “Why are you being so kind to Xiaowu and Nuannuan?”
After all, it was only the first day they had met. It was one thing that she had saved them on the road, but earlier, when she confronted Liu Dajie outside, she was particularly emotional and angry.
Those feelings couldn’t have been faked.
He was slightly concerned that Su Yi might have some ulterior motive for being so caring toward the two children. After all, they had only just met, so his concerns were understandable.
Su Yi understood his worry. After all, even in an interview, one would ask a lot of questions.
Su Yi didn’t feel uncomfortable with the question and replied, “I’ve always liked children. Besides, when I was young, I was often bullied just like them, so I got a bit emotional.”
After speaking, Su Yi lowered her gaze.
[Because I’ve been through the rain, I want to hold an umbrella for those who are still in the storm.]
[Even though I had both parents, it was worse than having none. Xiaowu and Nuannuan are actually luckier than I was—they at least have Zhou Jinchuan.]
Zhou Jinchuan stared at her for a few seconds, almost forgetting to look away. When he finally came to his senses, he averted his eyes and said, “Living outside wouldn’t be convenient for you, and without a formal job, you might not even be able to rent a place.”
“So, you’ll stay in this courtyard with the two kids. I have a room in the dormitory. As for expenses, it will still be thirty yuan a month, and if you need anything, you can come to me.”
After speaking, Zhou Jinchuan wrote down his office and dormitory phone numbers and handed them to Su Yi.
“There’s a phone at home. If you need anything, you can call me.”
Su Yi stared at the slip of paper in surprise—was this his way of agreeing?
The two children tugged at her clothes, excitedly urging her to take it.
Su Yi reached out and accepted it, bowing with enthusiasm. “Thank you, Boss. I’ll do my best!”
Zhou Jinchuan was momentarily taken aback but then stood up. “Let them show you around the place. I’ll come by tomorrow morning to drop off some things.”
With that, Zhou Jinchuan got up and left.
As the front door closed, Ye Xiaowu and Ye Nuannuan finally let out cheers like the children they were.
“Sister Su, this is great! You’re really staying and not leaving, right?”
“Sister Su, will you make us delicious food every day from now on?”
Su Yi gently patted the two children’s heads. “Yes, from now on, the three of us will live together, and I’ll make you delicious meals every day.”
Ye Xiaowu’s eyes reddened slightly. “Nuannuan won’t have to go hungry anymore.”
After saying this, the two children excitedly pulled Su Yi along to show her the rooms.
Although there were three bedrooms in the house, one had been converted into a study. Only two rooms had beds: one was where Ye Xiaowu and Ye Nuannuan were currently staying, and the other, it was easy to guess, belonged to Zhou Jinchuan.
The room was sparsely furnished, likely because Zhou Jinchuan didn’t stay there often. It had just a bed, a table with a chair, and a large wardrobe. The bed was neatly made, with the blanket folded into a perfect square, resembling a “tofu block.”
After falling into the water earlier, Su Yi felt itchy and uncomfortable. The two children didn’t seem to be in much better condition, so she decided to heat a large pot of water in the kitchen, planning to give everyone a bath one by one.
“Xiaowu, you go first, and then I’ll bathe Nuannuan.”
“Sister Su, you should bathe with my sister first.”
Su Yi gathered her and Nuannuan’s hair into buns on top of their heads to keep it from getting wet. Since it was already late, washing their hair now would leave it damp overnight, so she decided it would be better to wait until morning when the sun was out.
The house hadn’t been cleaned in days, so Su Yi thought it would be a good idea to tidy up, do some laundry, and air things out the next day.
After getting clean clothes for Nuannuan, Su Yi found herself in a bit of a dilemma. She only had the two pieces of clothing she was wearing, and since they had been soaked in river water, they definitely needed to be washed. But if she washed them, she wouldn’t have anything else to wear.
After thinking it over, Su Yi reluctantly decided to call Zhou Jinchuan at his dormitory.
Zhou Jinchuan had just returned to his dorm when he answered the phone. Hearing that it was Su Yi, he immediately wondered if something had happened at home.
Su Yi quickly explained the situation. “Could I borrow a couple of pieces of clothing from your wardrobe to change into?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Um, thank you, Commander Zhou. Good night.”
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Jinchuan felt a moment of confusion. Even though it was just a professional arrangement, something about it felt a little odd.
The thought of her wearing his clothes and sleeping in his bed crossed his mind, causing him to quickly shake his head, trying to dismiss the strange notion.