Chapter 146

During the summer vacation, while the children were all taking their afternoon nap, Su Xiaoxiao was racing against time to memorize quotations. When she saw Minister Jiang personally paying a visit, she was quite surprised. 

“Minister Jiang, why did you come in person? Is there anything urgent?”

Minister Jiang set down the snacks he brought for the children and waved his hand. “No, no, Comrade Su, don’t worry.”

Su Xiaoxiao poured him a glass of water, and Minister Jiang cleared his throat before speaking. “It’s like this, Comrade Su Xiaoxiao. I believe you’ve also seen the works of your children. Do you find them impressive?”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “Indeed, they are quite good. It’s also thanks to your excellent leadership, Minister Jiang.”

Minister Jiang loved chatting with Su Xiaoxiao the most. Her gentle manners and tactful approach made the conversation particularly pleasant. “I won’t beat around the bush with you. It’s like this, there’s a publishing house interested in publishing promotional brochures nationwide. They also hope that children can continue to create serialized works and publish them in newspapers. I told them that I would seek the children’s opinions first before giving a response. But, Comrade Su, let me speak frankly, this is a great opportunity. Firstly, it allows the children to showcase their talents. Secondly, they can earn some royalties. Most importantly, they can become role models for children nationwide, changing the outdated notion that studying is useless. From the bottom of my heart, I genuinely believe that knowledge can change one’s destiny.

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about the resumption of the college entrance examination. I believe you’re aware of it too. Let me tell you this, the college entrance examination will definitely resume, most likely within the year. Your son, Fantuan, will start sixth grade when school reopens. If I’m not mistaken, with his intelligence, he’ll only need to study in junior high and high school for a maximum of two years each, or perhaps even less, right? So, at most, in four or five years, he’ll be eligible to take the college entrance examination and go to college. We will use this timeline as a benchmark and continue to serialize it until Fantuan goes to university. Of course, if they are still interested, they can continue to serialize it. After all, there’s Xiao Doubao who can take over, right? And Xiao Roubao, Xiao Tangyuan as well. Let’s show children across the country how outstanding children like Fantuan can change their destinies through knowledge and achieve their great ideals through diligent study.”

Minister Jiang became more and more excited as he spoke, he stood up and bumped his right fist into his left palm, as if the matter was about to happen.

Han Cheng and Fantuan stood at the door of their respective rooms at some point. The father and son exchanged a glance, and Fantuan yawned and shrugged. “Uncle Jiang, why are you coming to our house in the middle of the day to paint rosy pictures?”

Minister Jiang, upon hearing Fantuan’s voice, became naturally delighted. “Fantuan, come here, Uncle Jiang has something to tell you.”

Fantuan yawned again and said, “I’ve heard it all. There’s no problem with the drawings and writing. We’re capable. The issue is how much compensation you can offer us. Uncle Jiang, you don’t know, I’ve been short of money lately. Our family is almost living on thin air!”

Minister Jiang was taken aback for a moment and said, “Director Han, have your family encountered any difficulties recently? Feel free to tell me; perhaps I can help.”

Han Cheng shook his head and said, “No, we are not.” Han Cheng glanced at his son and said, “Are you trying to talk nonsense again?”

Fantuan closed his mouth and made a gesture of zippering his mouth.

With his mother going to college and his old father following her to study, no one in the family is making money anymore, weren’t they about to be left with nothing? He seriously considered whether to take Xiao Doubao back to Sujiacun to attend school with Dabao and Xiaobao. Eating sweet potatoes grown by Grandma every day wasn’t impossible. Besides, both he and Xiao Doubao had saved some lucky money. Occasionally, they could go and buy some meat to improve their lives.

Poor Xiao Fantuan was already about to worry about making a living. 

If they could earn royalties, it would be different. Raising Xiao Roubao at home is too expensive, not to mention enough to support the family, but the royalties are enough to support Xiao Roubao, which is also worth it.

Fantuan stopped joking around. “Come on, Minister Jiang, just tell us how much we can get for this job?”

Minister Jiang gave a rough estimate, and Fantuan widened his eyes. “Can we really earn that much money?” He recalled his mother’s usual talk about household expenses. It seemed like they could actually afford meat?

Minister Jiang nodded and said, “This is just the royalty before publication. If you serialize it, every week, four times a month, I can negotiate with them again. Maybe we can even raise it a bit more.”

Fantuan nodded frantically and said, “Yes, yes, yes! We’re so capable! Uncle Jiang, don’t underestimate us. I’ve almost completed all the knowledge from middle school. I have plenty of free time. Isn’t the newspaper printed every day? Even if it’s once a day, it’s not difficult for us at all. It only takes one or two hours a day to get things done.”

“Fantuan,” Su Xiaoxiao interrupted him, “Don’t promise recklessly yet. We need to have a family meeting to discuss this matter thoroughly before making any decisions.”

Minister Jiang was pleasantly surprised, not having expected Su Xiaoxiao to interrupt before even stepping outside.

Su Xiaoxiao continued, “Minister Jiang, we appreciate your visit and understanding of the situation. After we discuss it as a family, we’ll get back to you. Is that alright?”

Minister Jiang grew anxious, “Comrade Su, this is an extraordinary opportunity. I assure you it will only benefit the children’s future development. I’ve watched Fantuan, Zhuzi, and Doubao grow up. How could I harm them?”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled and said, “Minister Jiang, don’t worry. I didn’t mean that. Our family is already aware of this, but Zhuzi’s parents don’t know yet. We need to discuss it with them too. Publishing won’t be an issue, and royalties are negotiable. However, I need to assess how much time it will take away from the children’s studies to determine whether it will be a monthly or weekly serialization. Daily serialization is out of the question; it would consume too much of their free time, which I cannot agree to.”

Su Xiaoxiao had made her stance clear. Minister Jiang couldn’t press further and knew he needed to discuss with Zhuzi’s parents, “I got ahead of myself. It’s just that… well, you know the situation. I won’t disturb you any longer. Please inform me of your decision as soon as possible so I can inform the head of the publishing house.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “Understood. Thank you.”

Han Cheng escorted Minister Jiang out, while Su Xiaoxiao called Fantuan over and said, “Come here, son. Tell Mom honestly, what have you been up to lately? Why are you short on money?”

Xiao Fantuan blinked and pointed to his nose. “Me? Short on… short on money?” Fantuan shook his head. “It’s not me, it’s our family!”

Su Xiaoxiao looked at him helplessly and asked, “Since when has our family been short on money? Both Dad and Mom have their salaries. We even have receipts for everything we buy. We didn’t spend all of our money, and raising you doesn’t cost much. Dad’s income alone is more than enough, and Mom is saving up for your college. How could we be short on money?”

Xiao Fantuan noticed that his dad hadn’t come back yet. He leaned in closer and whispered to his mom, “Mom, we’re not short on money now, but when you go to college, Dad will quit his job to go with you. I don’t know if any company will accept him. Who will earn money for the family then? It’s rare to have such a good opportunity to make money. Shouldn’t we seize it? It doesn’t take much time for the three of us to write and draw those things. There’s still a month left of summer vacation. We can finish drawing the year-long series in this one month. At the very least, the fees we earn will be enough for Xiao Roubao to buy some meat, right?”

Su Xiaoxiao was truly amused and touched, she hugged Xiao Fantuan and kissed him on the cheek, thinking how fortunate she was to have such angels.

Xiao Fantuan blushed and jumped away, “Mom, I’m not Xiao Roubao. I’m grown up now, and you can’t kiss me casually in the future!”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled and said, “Even when you’re 80 years old, you’ll still be my son, you will always be a child in my eyes. Mom has told you not to worry about money. Even if Mom goes to college, there will be subsidies. Dad won’t be jobless; he just plans to further his education. By then, with the project team, his salary and subsidies will only increase and not decrease. Don’t let your little head be filled with worries all the time, okay?

Mom has told you before, until you’re eighteen, just focus on growing up well, balance work and rest, learn when it’s time to learn, play when it’s time to play and experience what you need to experience. As long as you grow up happily and healthily, Mom doesn’t object to you doing this kind of thing. Just treat it as a hobby. Even if you want to learn music or dance, as long as you’re happy and it doesn’t affect your studies, Mom will fully support you. But it shouldn’t be a burden. Otherwise, it’ll lose its original meaning and joy. Do you understand?”

Fantuan thought for a moment and nodded. “I understand, Mom. I’ll draw your current expression and write down what you just said. Ahh, I have the material again. Comrade Su Xiaoxiao, your Xiao Fantuan now declares you the best mom in the world! I’ll hurry and tell this good news to Zhuzi and Aunt Yali. They’ll surely be very happy.”

After saying that, Xiao Fantuan ran out, almost bumping into his father who was coming in from outside. Seizing the opportunity, he hugged his father and, in a tone, resembling an old cadre, said, “Comrade Han Cheng, I truly envy you for marrying such a good wife.” Then he dashed off.

Han Cheng: “……?”

Han Cheng looked at his son’s cheerful back and asked Su Xiaoxiao, “What’s wrong with Fantuan?”

Su Xiaoxiao bent over, her dimples showing as she smiled. “Comrade Han Cheng, I truly envy you for having such a good son.”

Han Cheng: “……”