Chapter 225

The store has been really quiet in recent days. Even Cotton Candy has stopped making noises and hides under the tree’s shade. Gu Zhanwang also prepared dinner for the kids. Xiao Roubao would ask for a portion to be packed back for his mother whenever he ate something delicious, and Gu Zhanwang would get used to it.

Zhuzi wasn’t staying at Su Xiaoxiao’s house all the time anymore. Recently, after finishing work, he would go straight home to keep his grandfather company. His grandpa ate half of the things Xiao Roubao brought back. Grandpa Zhang had recently been enthusiastic about playing chess with his friends. He would proudly say whenever they asked, “My grandson is so filial. During summer break, he works diligently and brings back food for me to eat. I’ve even put on weight.”

Naturally, these words stirred envy among the elderly chess friends. Since Su Xiaoxiao’s family and Grandpa Zhang had lived here for over half a year, they had integrated well into the neighborhood. Everyone knew how outstanding their children were without needing Grandpa Zhang to brag.

Most children were ordinary in this world, and others could only envy those from “other people’s families.”

When Su Xiaoxiao’s driving test was approaching, Han Cheng took time off work to borrow Grandpa’s car and personally teach her on the outskirts.

Su Xiaoxiao sighed, “It’s not necessary. I’ve really learned it. Do you believe me?”

“You’ve only practiced for two days. How can I let you take the test so soon? Safety comes first. If something seems wrong, don’t panic. Just press the brake. Make sure you remember where the brake is, and don’t accidentally step on the accelerator when you’re flustered. Can you remember that?” Han Cheng looked at his delicate wife, his tone full of concern.

In Han Cheng’s eyes, Su Xiaoxiao, like Xiao Tangyuan, was someone who needed to be protected—a fragile darling. The little one dared to swim in the reservoir, but this big one didn’t even dare to go near it. Sometimes, in Han Cheng’s opinion, Su Xiaoxiao was even more timid than Xiao Tangyuan. How could he not worry?

Carrying one lie led to countless others to cover it up, which was true. Su Xiaoxiao told Han Cheng she had practiced for two days, but she had only gone once. Naturally, she didn’t dare tell Han Cheng the truth. If she did, she wouldn’t even be able to leave the doorstep on the day of the test.

Su Xiaoxiao told another small lie, “Don’t worry. I have a foundation. I used to go to school in the city where some classmates had cars. Sometimes, we would go to their homes on weekends, and they taught me some basics. You also take every opportunity to teach me, right? Don’t worry.”

At this moment, Han Cheng was more regretful. He had few opportunities to drive and could have made more time to teach her, but since coming to the capital, he had been busy with graduate exams and experiments. In fact, he had very little time to teach her, so he should have known she was in such a hurry to register.

On the day of the test, Han Cheng was determined to accompany her.

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t argue with him, so she had to let him go.

When they arrived at the examination room, Han Cheng followed closely. Non-exam personnel and employees were not allowed to enter. Han Cheng stated his identity and said that he was worried about his wife. After a long time of talking, he was only allowed to stay where he could see the examination room but was still not allowed to enter the venue.

Su Xiaoxiao squeezed his hand: “Han Cheng, don’t worry, I’m very good.”

Han Cheng said: “Go slowly, okay? If you can’t do it this time, I will teach you well next time. Don’t worry.”

Su Xiaoxiao wanted to roll her eyes and didn’t know who was nervous between them.

When he heard this, the stern-faced instructor looked at Han Cheng a few more times, almost stumbled, and fell to the ground. Su Xiaoxiao’s skills are so good that she can steal his job, but he still needs to teach her well. Why not let her fly a plane in the sky?

“Your wife can get an instructor’s certificate; what else is there to teach?” The instructor couldn’t help but retort.

Su Xiaoxiao was afraid that the instructor would reveal her lies if he said too much, so she smiled and said, “It’s all because of the instructor’s good teaching.” Su Xiaoxiao looked at Han Cheng and said this with a double meaning. The instructor thought she was talking about Han Cheng’s good teaching, and Han Cheng thought she was talking about the instructor’s good teaching. With this sentence, she actually fooled them.

When it was Su Xiaoxiao’s turn to take the test, she knew Han Cheng was watching outside, so she deliberately acted like a novice, slowed down, and tried to be as unfamiliar as possible. She could pass the test, but it was definitely not a perfect score.

She passed, but her performance made even the instructor suspicious: “Why did you fall so far behind today?”

Su Xiaoxiao touched her nose and said, “I was a little nervous today.”

The instructor knew her true level, and even though he was suspicious, he didn’t ask any more questions. He made an appointment for the practice road test and went to do other things.

Su Xiaoxiao happily went outside and hugged Han Cheng: “Han Cheng, I passed, I passed!”

Han Cheng was worried when she took the test, but seeing that she passed every level without any danger, he was also happy for her.

He touched his wife’s head, saying, “Yeah, I saw it. Great. I’ll take you to dinner first.”

Su Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief. God knows how difficult it is for her to grasp the balance of passing the test without looking like a good driver. This part is much more difficult for her than getting a perfect score.

“You don’t have to come for the road test. You won’t be able to see me even if you go.” Su Xiaoxiao said.

Han Cheng shook his head: “I’m worried. The road test is more dangerous, and I can wait outside even if I can’t get in.”

Su Xiaoxiao: “…………” If she had known earlier, she would have behaved better to reassure him.

It was a mistake.

But he couldn’t see the road test, so it didn’t matter whether he went or not.

She ran into Jiang Xue by chance when she came out of the test site.

Su Xiaoxiao smiled indifferently and greeted her: “Are you here to take the driver’s license test, too?”

Han Cheng also nodded slightly at her and greeted her.

Jiang Xue didn’t expect to meet Su Xiaoxiao here, and she couldn’t imagine a delicate lesbian like her coming to learn how to drive, and Han Cheng allowed it.

She nodded: “Yes, how are you all?”

Su Xiaoxiao: “Everything is fine, how about you?”

Jiang Xue nodded again: “Fine, I’ll go in first.”

Su Xiaoxiao: “We’re leaving. I wish you good luck on your exam.”

Jiang Xue: “Thank you.”

Casual acquaintances exchanged pleasantries, starting with greetings and ending with goodbyes, all cordial and pleasant

It was mid-August, and the part-time workers who worked as hard as bees every day finally finished their summer jobs and welcomed the wonderful vacation that truly belonged to them.

Su Xiaoxiao also successfully passed the road test and obtained a unique driver’s license for this era.

Comrade Han Cheng received an admission letter from Peking University and officially became a graduate student.

Yali’s film crew began wrapping up, inviting the twins who had cameo roles to attend their wrap-up banquet.

Where there’s food, Xiao Roubao couldn’t be left out. Since Xiao Tangyuan refused to go, he dragged his older brother Xiao Yu along with him.

Xiao Yu was also a typical foodie, highly receptive to new and fun things. Hearing about Xiao Roubao and Xiao Tangyuan’s movie roles made him envy them greatly. He eagerly tagged along. Originally a social butterfly, Xiao Yu and Xiao Roubao had a blast. They even brought back a large box of roast suckling pigs to treat their friends, delighting Director Chen and ensuring he’d contact them first for future projects, happy as can be.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao received the largest income since they grew up, and even Yao Bao, who only drew some flowers and plants, got his share. Looking at the money in their hands, they couldn’t believe that they had earned it in just one week.

Yao Bao had no concept of money yet, so he turned around and gave all the money to his brother, asking them to keep it for him.

Since he was little, Zhang Chunying had never been able to cheat Xiao Bao out of his New Year’s money. Now, he loves to take Xiao Yao’s New Year’s money, so Xiao Bao promises to keep it for him, but he must not tell his mother that he has earned so much money.

Yao Bao has no idea how much money his brother Fantuan gave him, so he naturally agrees.

Xiao Bao asked Fantuan if he had given them too much. Fantuan took over the work and made the plans. He was the commander-in-chief who was most tired and worked the hardest, so he should get the biggest share.

Fantuan, Zhuzi, and the others have a lot of royalties and pocket money, and they really don’t lack money. If only the three Bas could accept more, they would have wanted to give Da Bao and Xiao Bao the biggest share. They waved their hands and said that this was what they deserved, and they could earn so much if they had time every winter and summer vacation.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao didn’t bother to be polite to him and went to find their aunt after receiving it.

Xiao Bao said: “Aunt, why don’t you help us save the money? We don’t need so much money now, so we will just take some coins as pocket money.”

Su Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and agreed to help them. She asked, “What’s your biggest realization from this trip to the capital?”

During their short stay in the capital, Da Bao and Xiao Bao’s horizons had already broadened considerably. Xiao Bao replied, “There are so many things and opportunities here in the capital that we’ve never seen before. It’s lively and thriving. I feel increasingly small and limited. Without Fantuan’s guidance, we wouldn’t know anything. Auntie, I will work hard to get into university in the capital and learn more in the future.”

As Xiao Bao grew older, he became more aware of the gap between himself and Fantuan and Zhuzi, whether in terms of perspective, thinking, or understanding. There was so much more he needed to learn.

Da Bao nodded in agreement. “Auntie, me too. I’ll study even harder when I go back, and I’ll work hard for the rise of our motherland.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded and said, “Very good. Aunt will save this money for you first and also help you invest it. In the future, I will save the money you earn every winter and summer vacation and return it to you when you come to the capital to study. Before you go back, I’ll give you some pocket money. You can buy whatever you want and eat whatever you like. As long as it is within a reasonable price, don’t treat yourself badly, and don’t haggle over small amounts of money. A man must be generous and open-minded. You shouldn’t focus solely on these things; this way, you can see higher and farther.

“You have grown up and should have your own judgment. If your grandparents are reluctant to spend on things that should be bought or money that should be spent, you can buy them yourself. However, you can’t say it’s the money given by your aunt. You have to say it’s the money you earn from working and studying. Do you understand what aunt means?”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao glanced at each other. Xiao Bao shook his head. “Auntie, deduct the expenses from what we earn. You’ve already bought us so much over the years. We shouldn’t spend so much of Auntie’s money anymore.”

The children in the family were all good children, and Su Xiaoxiao was very pleased. She patted Da Bao and Xiao Bao’s heads and said, “Grandpa and Grandma always think that Aunt is a married woman and that her family should not spend her money. They are also often worried that her life in the capital will be very difficult, so they are unwilling to spend her money. Buying something to show filial piety becomes very difficult, and they are even more unwilling to accept money. What Aunt meant is that you have grown up and have your own judgment. Do you think her life in the capital is difficult? Is it difficult?”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao shook their heads at the same time. Her aunt’s family lives very well in the capital.

Su Xiaoxiao: “That’s right, auntie is far away and can’t be filial to your grandparents. Now, Auntie asks you to be filial to your grandparents on her behalf. Do you understand what I mean?”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao nodded at the same time: “Auntie, we understand.”

Su Xiaoxiao continued, “Remember Auntie’s words. Your main task now is to study well and stay healthy. When you go to university and start working, there will be plenty of opportunities to repay your family and society. Do you understand? You must also remember that people are not divided into high class and low class, and there is no distinction between them. Whether you are Fantuan, Zhuzi, Xiao, Yu’er, or anyone else, all of you just grew up in different environments. Don’t think that one is superior to the other. All people are equal. The college entrance examination is your unified starting line and the watershed of life. If you succeed, you will be greeted by a broader world, so you must firmly grasp this opportunity.”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao breathed a sigh of relief. They felt very small after they came to the capital, and the gap between them and Fantuan or Zhuzi seemed too big. They knew no one looked down on them, but the feeling was subtle. Maybe they had felt a little inferior, but after being guided by Su Xiaoxiao, the bit of depression dispersed, and they regained confidence.

“Aunt, we understand. Don’t worry, we can do it!”

Su Xiaoxiao was relieved. ‘It’s difficult for a child from a poor family to become outstanding.’ They had different starting points from the beginning. Da Bao and Xiao Bao had nothing to feel inferior about from their childhood. In Su’s village, their family’s conditions were decent. There was a gap between Qingfeng Town and Su’s village, but not too big. However, this was the capital. After coming here, they felt small and inferior, which was understandable.

Su Xiaoxiao hoped that the family’s children would have broad minds and be self-respecting, self-disciplined, and self-confident.

In short, Su Xiaoxiao’s whole family had a fulfilling first summer vacation in the capital.