Chapter 246: Grandpa Wang and Grandma Wang Arrive

After Yang Xiaomei went home and discussed it with Sun Hao, they decided to find someone to cover the shift. After all, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of such a rare opportunity as the college entrance examination?

Xu Ning introduced them to Dawa, who was from Aunt Si’s family. Dawa was clever and straightforward.

He worked efficiently; Xu Ning had noticed this when he helped her chop firewood last year—he was more capable than Jianmin and Da Lin.

She brought Sun Hao and Yang Xiaomei to Aunt Si’s house. As soon as she explained their purpose, Dawa immediately expressed his willingness.

“Sun, I’m not good at studying, so I definitely won’t be able to pass the exam. I’m willing to fill in for you.”

“Don’t worry. If you get into college, I’ll buy your job from you. If you decide to go back to work, I’ll return the job to you.”

Dawa thought for a moment and added, “Even though it was Xu Ning who made the introduction, we haven’t had much interaction before. To put your minds at ease, how about we write an agreement?”

He then turned to Xu Ning and asked, “Xu Ning, could you please act as a witness?”

Xu Ning was a bit surprised by his suggestion. She hadn’t realized before that despite his young age, Dawa was so perceptive. This young man had a bright future ahead of him!

She smiled and said, “No problem. You can write it up, and I’ll be your witness.”

Upon hearing Dawa’s words, Sun Hao and Yang Xiaomei felt that it would seem petty if they insisted on writing a formal agreement.

Sun Hao chuckled, “There’s no need for a formal agreement. Although we haven’t interacted much, we’ve lived in the same village for a long time. I know your character, and since Xu Ning introduced us, I trust you.”

Dawa, however, disagreed with the casual approach. “Sun, it’s precisely because Xu Ning introduced us that we should write an agreement. We don’t want to put Xu Ning in an awkward position later.”

Uncle Si also chimed in with a smile, “Let’s write one. You trust our family, and we also want to give you peace of mind.”

In the end, under Xu Ning’s witness, both parties drafted an agreement. Sun Hao then bought some snacks and took Dawa to meet with the workshop leader, sealing the arrangement.

The next day, Dawa and Jianhua both started working at the machinery factory together.

While Xu Ning and Xu An were at home reviewing their studies, the postman came by with a telegram. It was from Aunt Lu, informing them to focus on their studies, as she would come immediately to take care of Niu Niu, Pi Pi, and Tang Tang.

Xu Ning calculated the time and realized that if her mother-in-law came this time, she would likely stay for at least two or three months. The back-and-forth travel would disrupt her work too much. Moreover, her presence wouldn’t make much of a difference, as Xiao Mo and Grandpa Qi were already helping to take care of the little ones.

Xu Ning and Xiao An had been reviewing their studies for years, and they had covered most of the material. At this point, they were just consolidating what they had learned.

With that in mind, she quickly sent a telegram to Beijing, telling Aunt Lu not to come.

The little kids had become more independent and played by themselves, and Xiao Mo helped with childcare after school.

Then, on the third day after the announcement of the college entrance exam resumption, Grandpa Wang and Grandma Wang arrived!

Xu Ning, seeing them arrive, immediately thought something must have happened. She quickly invited them inside and asked, “Grandpa Wang, Grandma Wang, why are you here? Did something happen?”

Grandma Wang chuckled and reassured her, “No, nothing’s wrong. Your Grandpa Wang heard about the college entrance exam resuming while sweeping the streets. I thought that you and Xiao An must be busy studying, so we came over to help take care of the little ones and cook meals for you.”

Xu Ning breathed a sigh of relief, grateful nothing serious had occurred. “But what about Grandpa Wang’s job?” she asked, concerned.

Grandma Wang smiled. “He’s still sweeping in the city, but I’ll stay here to help with the cooking and looking after the kids.”

“Grandma Wang, how can that work? Then no one will be there to cook for Grandpa Wang!” Xu Ning worried. Grandpa Wang’s health wasn’t the best, and she didn’t feel comfortable leaving him to fend for himself in the city.

Xu Ning thought about suggesting that both Grandpa Wang and Grandma Wang stay with them, as there were only a few months left before she could take them back to Beijing. However, no matter what she said, Grandpa Wang refused, insisting on returning to his job sweeping the streets.

With no other choice, Xu Ning asked Xiao An to ride his bike and take Grandpa Wang back to the city. She also packed some noodles and eggs for him, so he could easily cook meals for himself.

When Xiao Mo came back from school and saw an elderly woman cooking in the kitchen, he asked curiously, “Grandma, are you making food for us?”

Grandma Wang, seeing the young boy standing at the doorway, immediately recognized him as Xiao Ning’s younger brother, whom she often mentioned.

“You must be Xiao Mo, right?” Grandma Wang smiled warmly. “I’m Grandma Wang. I heard that the college entrance exam is resuming, so I came to help your sister out.”

Xiao Mo quickly put his backpack on the table, then walked over to hold Grandma Wang’s hand. “Grandma Wang, I’ve finally gotten to meet you! My sister talks about you all the time.”

He looked around the room and asked, “Why haven’t I seen Grandpa Wang?”

Grandma Wang chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Your Grandpa Wang still has to sweep the streets, so he went back.”

“Oh no, why did you let Grandpa Wang leave?” Xiao Mo exclaimed, concerned, before gently guiding Grandma Wang to sit down on a bench.

“Grandma Wang, you rest here. I’ll take care of cooking,” Xiao Mo said as he picked up the spatula and began to stir-fry the vegetables.

When Xu Ning and the little ones returned from the cowshed, they found Grandma Wang tending the fire while Xiao Mo was busy cooking. The two were chatting happily, looking so close that one might think they were grandmother and grandson.

Niu Pi Tang, who had seen Grandma Wang not long ago, still remembered her. Not shy at all, they walked over and greeted, “Hello, great-grandma!”

“Oh my, Niu Pi Tang! Come here and let great-grandma have a good look at you!” Grandma Wang beamed, hugging the little ones and showering them with kisses.