After sending everyone off, only Jiang Zhida remained.

Chuxia and An An were also about to say goodbye, but Grandfather Jiang said, “Wait a moment. I’ve found a few schools for An An. You can check them out and choose one for him to transfer to.”

Chuxia had been thinking about this, as it was the school enrollment period, and An An couldn’t stay home all the time.

“This school is one of the best primary schools in the capital, but it’s a bit far from where you live. This other primary school is slightly less renowned but closer to my place, though still far from your home…”

Grandfather Jiang introduced several schools, and Chuxia pointed to the experimental primary school closest to her home. “Grandpa, I’d like to visit this school.”

Grandfather Jiang wasn’t surprised by her choice, as the experimental primary school was also a good school in the capital, though not as famous as the first two he mentioned.

Most importantly, it was closer to Chuxia and An An’s home.

Choosing a school based on proximity was practical, especially since An An was still young, and convenience was a priority.

Grandfather Jiang had initially considered this school but couldn’t make the decision for Chuxia if she preferred a more prestigious school.

“Alright, Dazi, take Chuxia and An An to the experimental primary school today to find out about transferring in. Resolve An An’s enrollment issue as soon as possible.”

If An An could enter the school through regular means, Grandfather Jiang wouldn’t interfere further; otherwise, they would discuss other options.

Dazi drove Chuxia and An An to the experimental primary school.

The administrative office, upon hearing they wanted to enroll, looked up at Chuxia and then at Cen Huaian, and asked why they were registering at this time.

Chuxia explained, “My husband’s job was transferred, so we’ve moved to the capital, and we need to transfer our child as well.”

The director looked at Cen Huaian and, noticing his young age, frowned and asked, “Is your child already seven years old?”

The age was obvious from the records; Cen Huaian was not yet seven.

Chuxia’s face showed some difficulty. “If he’s not yet seven, is there no way for him to enroll? Can he take a test?”

The director, adhering to regulations, said, “According to the rules, he must be seven years old.”

Of course, the school did accept some children who were not yet seven if their parents could find a way to enroll them earlier.

Chuxia frowned and went out with Dazi and Cen Huaian.

“An An isn’t seven yet. But he has completed his preschool and is smarter than other children. He shouldn’t be kept at home.”

Jiang Zhida knew this wasn’t a major issue; the experimental primary school wasn’t without exceptions.

Many parents found ways to enroll their younger children. He told Chuxia, “Cousin, don’t worry. I’ll talk to my grandfather and find a solution. Rest assured, there will be a way to get An An into school.”

Chuxia exhaled.

She knew that since Cen Zhengnian had asked them to come, there would be a solution to An An’s schooling issue.

As for why they needed to come to the school first, it was probably to get her opinion on the choice of school.

Grandfather Jiang and Cen Zhengnian indeed thought this way.

“Alright, thank you.”

Jiang Zhida took Chuxia and An An back home. An An finally spoke, his face worried. “Mom, can’t I go to school?”

“You can,” Chuxia said without hesitation. “Mom and Dad won’t let you be without school. It should be sorted out in a couple of days. In the meantime, you can get familiar with our neighborhood.”

Chuxia wasn’t very worried, though the matter was on her mind, she focused entirely on her studies.

In the afternoon, Chuxia took An An out for a walk, bought some vegetables, and saw many people talking in the alley.

Though she didn’t know these people yet, An An curiously observed them and later told Chuxia, “Mom, those people outside were all looking at us.”

Chuxia was chopping vegetables and said, “It’s because we’re new here. They’re just curious. Please help me wash the potatoes.”

For dinner, Chuxia made braised pork ribs with potato chunks.

While they were eating, they suddenly heard the sound of the gate.

The two small dogs immediately rushed out, barking “Woof woof woof” at the gate, and other dogs around joined in.

Chuxia was startled, put down her chopsticks, and went out to the yard, grabbing a wooden stick to approach the gate cautiously.

Just then, she saw Cen Zhengnian coming out from behind the screen wall.

She heard him calling her from outside.

She relaxed, tossed the stick aside, and went to open the gate.

Cen Zhengnian pushed the cart inside. Chuxia closed the door and locked it, then turned to him with curiosity. “Why are you back at this time? Does your work still give you time off?”

The two small dogs recognized Cen Zhengnian, having already gotten used to his scent the day before, so they stopped barking and wagged their tails around him and Chuxia.

Cen Zhengnian noticed the wooden stick lying aside and felt a pang in his heart.

He held Chuxia’s hand tightly and said, “I was worried about you and An An since you were going to see Grandfather today. I told my supervisor and came home early.”

Cen Zhengnian hadn’t planned to come back at this hour.

Usually, he returned to his dormitory around ten or eleven at night, too late to see anything on the way home.

Moreover, it took him an hour to bike from the research institute to his home, making it inconvenient to come back at midnight.

So, he had to take leave early, which was also a disruption to his work.

Since hearing what Grandpa Jiang said, he couldn’t stop worrying after finishing work.

He was concerned that Chuxia might not be comfortable at Grandpa Jiang’s house, that she might not like his relatives, and that she might be unhappy because he wasn’t there to accompany her.

“Doesn’t your teacher get upset about you coming back so frequently?” Chuxia asked as they walked together toward the living room.

Cen Zhengnian smiled and replied, “Even if he’s upset, there’s nothing to be done. If I don’t come back, I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I promised my teacher that I’d be back early tomorrow, so he’s not upset.”

In fact, Yan Hemin criticized Cen Zhengnian after hearing his reason for coming home, “You should have taken immediate leave to be with your wife for such an important family event. You can make up for the missed work later. We already owe our families a lot; if something urgent comes up, you should definitely be there to support your wife!”

Cen Zhengnian didn’t explain further and just quietly said, “Teacher, I understand.”

Yan Hemin approved his leave and urged him, “Hurry up and go, and remember to arrive early tomorrow morning.”

Cen Zhengnian didn’t mention this to Chuxia, but she could tell from his expression that his teacher’s attitude towards him coming home wasn’t a big deal.

Chuxia relaxed and was about to ask Cen Zhengnian if he had eaten when Cen Huai’an’s voice rang out from the living room.

“Daddy!” Cen Huai’an shouted with excitement, running over like a little cannonball.

Cen Zhengnian picked him up, “It’s me.”

“Daddy, can you come home every day?” Cen Huai’an looked up at his father with hopeful eyes.

Cen Zhengnian wanted to fulfill this wish but knew it was impossible. “I’m sorry, An An. Dad will try to come home more often, but coming home every day might not be possible.”

Cen Huai’an’s eyes showed a moment of disappointment but quickly brightened again, “That’s okay. It’s good to see you often.”

Seeing his father more often was enough for Cen Huai’an.

In the past, he seldom saw his father and didn’t even know what he looked like.

Cen Zhengnian didn’t have dinner yet, but luckily, Chuxia had steamed some new buns today.

There were plenty of buns, enough dishes, and even extra porridge since they had two little dogs.

Cen Zhengnian was hungry after not eating all afternoon and riding for so long. Despite his hunger, he ate quickly but elegantly.

“Did you adjust well to Grandpa’s house today?” Cen Zhengnian asked as he ate, his gaze showing apology. “I didn’t expect Grandpa to be so urgent, and I didn’t accompany you.”

Chuxia took a bite of potato and said, “It was fine. Grandpa is very nice, and Uncle and Aunt are nice too. The other relatives were polite. Huai’an and I didn’t feel uncomfortable at Grandpa’s house. Oh, and we also received red envelopes, right, Huai’an?”

Huai’an looked up from his porridge bowl and nodded vigorously, “Yes, a lot of money.”

Elders older than Huai’an gave him red envelopes, and Chuxia also gave red envelopes to Zhang Lu and Jiang Weixian.

She felt it was her duty to give to her juniors.

The Jiang family was very generous.

Even Second Aunt, who had been aloof towards Chuxia and Cen Huai’an, was proper in terms of etiquette, though she didn’t like interacting with them.

It wasn’t just Chuxia who felt this way; Second Aunt had always been disdainful towards many in the Jiang family and carried an air of superiority.

However, she didn’t speak her disdain aloud, so Chuxia chose to ignore her looks of disapproval.

But Second Aunt was truly beautiful, and Chuxia mentioned this to Cen Zhengnian.

Hearing this, Cen Zhengnian couldn’t help but chuckle, “You noticed these things when you went to my grandpa’s house?”

Chuxia nodded naturally, “What else should I notice? I think everyone in your family has a good temperament.”

Cen Zhengnian added some meat to her plate, “I haven’t really paid attention to that. But I’ve heard people praise our family’s appearance before.”

Cen Huai’an noticed Cen Zhengnian’s actions and held out his bowl, “Daddy, I want some too.”

Cen Zhengnian smiled and added some meat to Cen Huai’an’s bowl, making him happy.

Cen Zhengnian mentioned that those praises were from a long time ago.

Later, when the Jiang family went through a tough period, those compliments disappeared.

After things improved, Cen Zhengnian was no longer in the capital, so he didn’t know if anyone still said such things.

Cen Zhengnian and his brother had always been praised for their looks since childhood, but he didn’t care much about appearance.

He valued inner qualities more.

“I noticed that Auntie’s demeanor is different from ordinary people, and so is Uncle,” Cen Zhengnian said. “My uncle works in the Ministry of Education and used to teach, so he might be more serious. My aunt works in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Second Uncle works in the Ministry of Culture, and Second Aunt teaches at a university…”

He explained some family background to Chuxia, which should have been shared before the visit.

But Cen Zhengnian didn’t have time to do so earlier, thinking he’d explain during the visit.

Since Chuxia and Huai’an had already been, he quickly filled in the details now.

Chuxia nodded, “No wonder they seem different from ordinary people.”

Especially Second Aunt, whose demeanor and appearance seemed above ordinary.

Chuxia didn’t ask further, as people from well-off backgrounds sometimes went through hardships, living cautiously even if they didn’t face any major problems.

“By the way, Dazi took Huai’an and me to the experimental primary school today. They said they only accept children who are seven years old.”