“I feel the same.”

When Cen Huai’an came down, the students were clapping their hands raw.

As for Cen Huai’an violating any school rules, it wasn’t important.

Tang Song’s written apology was also different from the others.

His apology simply recited the school rules and then stated, “Today, as a negative example of violating school rules, I want to remind everyone to review the school rules once more and hope that everyone will remember them and avoid breaking them!”

Teacher Jiang had become completely numb to the actions of his three students.

The principal and the director of the school stood beside him, the director expressionless, while the principal had a smiling demeanor.

“Teacher Jiang, those three were your students, right?”

“Yes.” Teacher Jiang exhaled and put on a gentle smile again. “Please don’t mind the principal. They don’t have any special talents, just good writing skills.”

The principal nodded. “Indeed, they are impressive, especially the first girl. I even felt hungry listening to her. Are those baked sweet potatoes really that good?”

Teacher Jiang’s smile stiffened slightly, but he nodded. “They are indeed very tasty.”

“Well then, Teacher Jiang, go buy some for me later. Lao Wei, you should come and taste them too. Let’s see what the students are into lately.”

With that, the principal put his hands behind his back and leisurely returned to his office.

Teacher Jiang: …
Director Wei: …

They then enjoyed some delicious baked sweet potatoes with the principal.

Zhang Lu didn’t face any severe consequences from Teacher Jiang.

After a brief scolding for “mischief,” she was sent back to her class, and the incident was soon forgotten.

After school, the baked sweet potato vendor outside the school was swarmed by students.

In no time, all the baked sweet potatoes were sold out, and there were even pre-orders for the next batch.

As the weather grew colder, Jiang Shengnan called from the northwest, saying she had sent new skins for Chu Xia and the others: “We have plenty of these here, so don’t be frugal.”

“Mom, I also sent down down jackets for you and Dad. They are new styles from this year, very warm.”

Chu Xia bought not only outer down jackets but also inner down vests, which were warm but not too bulky.

Jiang Shengnan, talking to Chu Xia, had a constant smile on her face. “Good.”

When Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an received their midterm results, Cen Huai’an was the top student in the grade.

His deskmate, Cao Gaocong, shook his head at his paper.

“Is this paper something a person can write? Full marks in math, physics, chemistry, and biology, and hardly any points off in Chinese. That’s incredible!”

Zhang Lu took Cen Huai’an’s paper and said, “Of course, you don’t even need to think about it. An An is the smartest in our family!”

Cen Huai’an replied, “Sister, you and Xixi are also smart.”

Zhang Lu gave him a big smile. “But not as smart as you!”

A few months into high school, Chu Xia had also grown accustomed to Cen Huai’an staying at school every week.

When it was just her and Cen Zhengnian at home in the evenings, their behavior became more casual.

Cen Zhengnian had become noticeably more affectionate, hugging and kissing her more often.

Their relationship had grown even closer.

Even Shi Qin, holding her baby, couldn’t help but comment, “It feels like you and Mr. Cen have returned to the honeymoon period.”

Chu Xia laughed and adjusted her hair. “You and Ye Xingxiu don’t have a good relationship every day?”

Shi Qin sighed, showing a hint of worry on her face. “Since I had Zhuzhu, Xingxiu’s mother came to take care of me, and Xingxiu and I haven’t been close for a long time.”

Chu Xia was both surprised and unsurprised.

With a new baby and an elder in the house, Ye Xingxiu’s family didn’t have as much space as Chu Xia’s family.

“The house is too small.” Before Chu Xia could respond, Shi Qin continued, “I want to buy a house nearby, nothing too fancy, just a bungalow with a big yard. This way, Xingxiu and I won’t be lacking any personal space.”

Chu Xia supported her decision. “If you want to buy, then buy. When the child grows up, your space will also become insufficient.”

Shi Qin, receiving support, immediately grabbed Chu Xia’s hand with a smile. “I’m just worried that my mother-in-law might think too much about it.”

Chu Xia said, “Explain the reason for buying the house clearly to her. Xingxiu’s mother should understand; she isn’t an unreasonable person.”

Chu Xia had also spoken with Ye Xingxiu’s mother and found her to be a straightforward person, not someone who would be difficult to deal with.

“I’m just afraid, since she’s my mother-in-law. If I say something wrong, it might cause conflicts.”

Chu Xia and Jiang Shengnan didn’t have such worries.

Firstly, there was distance between them, and secondly, neither of them were overly sensitive people.

Shi Qin had long thought about it and cared about Ye Xingxiu, which is why she hesitated.

After leaving Chu Xia’s house, she first discussed the matter with Ye Xingxiu.

Ye Xingxiu thought for a moment and said, “The area around here is mostly villages; it’s hard to buy a house.”

The people there had lived in their houses for generations and wouldn’t sell easily.

“It’s not like we’re buying immediately. We’ll start looking first.” Shi Qin placed Zhuzhu in Ye Xingxiu’s arms and said, “Our house is so small. If I get pregnant again and Zhuzhu grows up, this house won’t be enough for us.”

Ye Xingxiu had his own thoughts. “I’ll apply to the school for a larger house.”

Shi Qin gave him a look. “It’s easier said than done. It’s not that simple to get a bigger house!”

As Shi Qin mentioned, many people wanted a larger house, and applying for one was practically impossible.

Shi Qin had heard Chu Xia mention buying a house in the future.

Since Chu Xia’s family still lived in rented accommodation, Shi Qin had the idea of buying a house.

Ye Xingxiu thought it wasn’t necessary, but Ye’s mother, hearing Shi Qin’s words, immediately agreed to the purchase.

“I actually wanted to say this a long time ago. Living in this small house feels cramped.” Ye’s mother had not mentioned it to avoid hurting the younger couple’s pride, knowing that her own house, when she and her husband lived together, was quite spacious.

With two votes in favor, Ye Xingxiu went to work, and Shi Qin and Ye’s mother took turns going out every day to look for houses.

With just one child to watch, it was manageable.

Half a month later, Shi Qin happily hugged Zhu Zhu and came to find Chu Xia again.

She and her mother-in-law had found a house not far from the family compound. It wasn’t a bungalow, but a nicely built brick house.

“My mother-in-law and I were lucky. Just when the overseas relatives of the owners contacted them to take them abroad, they had to sell the newly built house.”

Chu Xia smiled and congratulated her for finding a house she liked.

The area was still somewhat remote at the moment, but the capital would eventually expand beyond the Fifth Ring Road, so it wouldn’t always be like this.

The sunburn ointment wasn’t selling as well in winter, and Jiang Zhishu’s company hadn’t expanded nationwide yet, so after October, profits were declining.

Jiang Zhishu had asked Chu Xia several times if she had any other prescriptions to share.

On the third time he urged her, she finally gave him the formula for the frostbite ointment that she and An An had been using.

When Jiang Zhishu received the formula, he frowned, looking somewhat regretful. “If we were selling this now, it would have a better market than the sunburn ointment.”

The approval process for the medicine was slow, so they wouldn’t be able to launch it this winter.

Chu Xia said, “We can wait until next winter. Plus, this isn’t just good for frostbite; it also works well for dry, cracked hands.”

Jiang Zhishu relaxed a bit; that was a better selling point.

When Chu Xia left Jiang Zhishu’s company, she received the first dividend from the sunburn ointment.

Counting her money, she realized that Yunmengze was basically on the right track, and she was getting monthly dividends.

Suddenly, she discovered she had enough money to buy a courtyard house.

Excitedly holding her bankbook, she turned around and hugged Cen Zhengnian tightly. “I can buy a courtyard house now!”

Cen Zhengnian firmly supported her, allowing her to hang onto him. His eyes were filled with joy for her. “When are you going to buy it?”

Chu Xia’s smile faded slightly. “Ah, it’s hard to buy. I don’t have a wide network and don’t know anyone who’s selling a house.”

“Ask Da Zi; he knows a lot of people.”

Yunmengze could get off the ground thanks to Jiang Zhida’s connections, and just because he walked a straight path didn’t mean he didn’t know others.

“Okay. If I have leftover money after buying the courtyard house, I’ll buy gold bars.”

As Chu Xia counted her plans, she grew happier, swaying her body against Cen Zhengnian and resting her head on his shoulder, unable to contain her excitement.

“Stop moving.” Cen Zhengnian tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her closer.

His voice suddenly turned hoarse and deep, making Chu Xia freeze.

“You… you can put me down now.”

Cen Zhengnian’s grip tightened again.

He didn’t let her go but instead led her step by step toward the bed, finally placing her down.

As Chu Xia lay down and was about to get up, her lips were suddenly blocked by Cen Zhengnian, who had turned off the light.

The next day, Chu Xia had classes.

She wore a turtleneck sweater to the hospital, with a down jacket over it.

She tried hard to suppress her urgent desire to find Jiang Zhida, finishing up with her patients one by one.

Chu Xia specialized in gynecology and pediatrics, so the majority of her patients were women and children.

People from the family compound gradually began coming to her for health consultations.

Many women developed minor issues after marriage, and some would become serious if not addressed.

Having just helped someone from the family compound recover, news of Chu Xia’s medical skills began to spread, leading more people to seek her help, whereas previously her patients were mostly those she helped during rural aid programs.

After finishing her consultations for the day, Chu Xia stretched her neck and rubbed it.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Chu Xia called out, “Come in.”

The door opened, and Feng Xiaoyuan walked in with a dejected look, sitting on the stool across from Chu Xia. “Sister, Dr. Bai rejected me again.”

Chu Xia wasn’t surprised at all.

Pouring herself a glass of water, she sipped slowly. “You’ve been pursuing him for so long, and he still hasn’t agreed. That proves he doesn’t like you.”

Chu Xia bluntly pointed out the fact of Feng Xiaoyuan’s rejection.

Feng Xiaoyuan sighed and rested her head on the table, her expression even more despondent.

“Sister, I know what you’re saying. But I really like him.”

Chu Xia replied, “You’re only attracted to his looks.”

After all, Feng Xiaoyuan had liked Jiang Zhida before; she tended to like whoever looked good without really understanding what love was.

“Dr. Bai is indeed very handsome! He has great medical ethics, is very gentle with patients, and knows how to console those feeling down about their skin issues.”

Chu Xia didn’t say much more, drinking her water while listening to Feng Xiaoyuan sigh.

By the time Chu Xia finished her glass of water, she took off her lab coat and hung it up, picking up her bag. “You can keep dreaming about Dr. Bai in the hospital. I need to go home.”

Cen Huai’an was on vacation and back home, so Chu Xia was eager to get home and see her son, leaving no time to comfort the lovesick girl.

Feng Xiaoyuan got up from the table. “I’ll go with you.”

As they walked toward the hospital entrance, they coincidentally saw Dr. Bai talking to a patient in the hallway.

The patient had quite a few red bumps on her face, and after a closer look, Chu Xia suspected it was an allergic reaction.

However, since she didn’t examine the patient closely, she couldn’t be sure about the exact condition.

Dr. Bai’s expression was indeed very gentle, and when he looked at the patient with his peach blossom eyes, it seemed like he was radiating affection.

But Chu Xia knew how peach blossom eyes worked; coupled with Dr. Bai’s gentle smile, it was easy to create misunderstandings that he liked you.

Feng Xiaoyuan held her face with both hands, looking enchanted by Dr. Bai’s appearance. “Sister! Look how gentle and handsome Dr. Bai is!”