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Jiang Mixia couldn’t help but admire the item Song Jingyun had crafted.
Indeed, it had a nostalgic feel of ancient bamboo stationery boxes, perfect for children who were just starting their education and needed guidance on organizing their study materials.
Jiang Mixia contemplated whether to introduce a new product at Zhengji’s store.
On the day Song Jingyun officially started school, the entire family rose early.
Jiang Mixia dressed Song Jingyun in new clothes, and the breakfast prepared by Liu shi was more lavish than usual.
After enjoying his meal, Song Jingyun helped with the dishes before shouldering his small bamboo box. “Wife, I’m off to school.”
“Do you want me to walk you there?” Jiang Mixia asked, taking a few steps after him.
“No need, I can manage,” Song Jingyun politely declined.
He was aware that his decision to return to school at his age already set him apart in the eyes of others. Having his wife accompany him to school would only draw more attention.
He knew he needed to step into his role as a true man, protecting his wife and their household, and attempting things he had never done before.
Such as going to school independently.
“Alright.” Seeing Song Jingyun’s determination, Jiang Mixia nodded. “Did you remember everything I taught you last night?”
As it was his first time venturing out without family members’ company to attend school, Jiang Mixia spent half the night explaining to Song Jingyun the rules to follow when attending school.
The first rule was to respect the teacher, obeying their instructions most of the time, but not hesitating to question unreasonable commands.
The second rule emphasized unity and friendship with classmates, suggesting small gestures to build camaraderie, without going overboard to seek approval. If faced with hostility, there was no need to overly please others.
The third rule, the most crucial, focused on standing up against bullying. If someone mistreated him, especially using physical force, he was advised to fight back if possible or, if necessary, to run away.
Due to time constraints and concerns about overwhelming him with too much information, Jiang Mixia focused solely on teaching these three crucial rules.
Even with just these three rules, Jiang Mixia used various examples and scenarios multiple times to ensure her husband could understand them clearly.
Although Song Jingyun seemed to grasp the concepts, his actual understanding would become evident in practice.
“Alright,” Song Jingyun nodded. “Rest assured, wife, I’ve taken note of them.”
“Then I’m off.”
“Alright, be careful on the way, and return home promptly after school…”
Jiang Mixia stood at the doorway, watching Song Jingyun depart. Once he was out of sight, she returned home to assist Liu shi in tending to the backyard chickens.
Despite believing that Song Jingyun was capable of facing the world independently, it didn’t stop Jiang Mixia from feeling anxious and worried about his first solo venture. She even felt the urge to sneak a peek at how he would fare in school.
Jiang Mixia suddenly understood why there were always so many parents sneaking around on the first day of kindergarten, trying to gather information discreetly.
Now, she felt the same urge!
To distract herself, after finishing up household chores, Jiang Mixia headed to the porcelain kiln.
With orders increasing for tea canisters to store winter tea leaves from the tea garden and other shops, Zhao Ji’s pottery workshop had become busier than ever.
Jiang Mixia assisted in sketching designs, adding color, and handling basic tasks at the kiln.
While busy, Jiang Xiaoxing arrived at the kiln.
“Jiang Xiaoxing is here,” Jiang Mixia said, washing her hands upon seeing her.
“Yes,” Jiang Xiaoxing smiled. “We sun-dried persimmons at home, and Mother asked me to distribute them to everyone. I just dropped some off at your place. Not finding you there, I thought you might be here.”
Before Jiang Mixia could respond, Zhu Guangtai popped his head in, exclaiming, “Persimmons!”
“Did Aunt Xiaoxing bring these persimmons for me because she knows I love them?” he asked eagerly.
“Of course, I know you love persimmons, so I brought extra for you,” Jiang Xiaoxing pinched Zhu Guangtai’s chubby cheeks.
Having lived here for half a year, Zhu Guangtai had grown taller, with noticeably fuller cheeks. His face was plumper and rounder from all the attention and care he received.
It’s evident that Zhu Guangtai’s autumnal plumpness suits him well.
“I knew it, Aunt Xiaoxing must be thinking of me,” Zhu Guangtai beamed, taking the persimmons to share with Jiang Chunyu and the others.
“Don’t forget to save some for your father,” Jiang Xiaoxing reminded him.
“Don’t worry, Aunt Xiaoxing,” Zhu Guangtai nodded vigorously, like a little chick pecking at grains, “I’ll go save some for my dad now so he can have them when he’s free.”
“Off you go,” Jiang Xiaoxing chuckled, then added, “Oh, while you’re at it, ask your dad what he fancies for lunch – steamed buns or noodle soup?”
“I’m on it.” With a persimmon in his mouth and a heap of them in his arms, Zhu Guangtai swiftly dashed off.
“Take it slow, don’t trip,” Jiang Mixia reminded him with a smile.
“Okay…”
His voice faded into the distance from the pottery kiln.
That child certainly has excellent hearing.
Jiang Mixia and Jiang Xiaoxing exchanged smiles.
After a busy morning at the pottery kiln, with thoughts lingering on Song Jingyun’s return from school, Jiang Mixia returned home to help Liu Shi prepare breakfast.
On the menu were simmered pork ribs, stir-fried cabbage with dried tofu, sautéed lotus root slices, and spicy shredded radish, served with white rice.
As the ribs simmered, Jiang Mixia kept an eye on the door, anticipating Song Jingyun’s return.
However, as time passed and the sun climbed higher in the sky, there was still no sign of Song Jingyun.
Could it be that her husband got lost on his first day of school? Or perhaps, being his first day, he was engrossed in everything, playing with other children and forgetting to come home for a meal?
Lost in her thoughts, Jiang Mixia was interrupted by Jiang Laifu, a village child of eight years, who came running over. Jiang Laifu also studied at Yang Shunde’s private school in the village.
“Miss Xia,” Jiang Laifu sprinted over so quickly that he almost couldn’t stop in time, narrowly avoiding crashing into the door.
“Slow down,” Jiang Mixia cautioned, “Why the rush? What’s going on?”
“Uncle Jingyun made a mistake at school and the teacher kept him back. The teacher sent me to relay the message for the adults at home to come and collect Uncle Jingyun…” Jiang Laifu panted, speaking in fragments.
Jiang Mixia processed the information. So, on the first day of school, they were already calling parents?
Rubbing her temples, she inquired, “Do you know what mistake he made?”
Shaking his head, Jiang Laifu replied, “I’m not entirely sure. I just know he argued with the teacher, and the teacher punished him by hitting his palms and asking him to stand in the courtyard, but Uncle Jingyun refused…”
“Hurry, Miss Xia, the teacher is strict. I’m afraid if we delay, Uncle Jingyun might get in more trouble,” Jiang Laifu urged.