These words were like two thunderclaps, striking Jiang Si utterly dumbfounded.
The first thought that popped into her mind was, how did she dare?
Teacher He could tell from her expression that Jiang Si probably didn't know; otherwise, she wouldn't be this shocked.
"This was also an oversight in our work," Teacher He said apologetically.
Through his explanation, Jiang Si finally learned the whole story.
It turned out that after receiving the notification for the Jing City Abacus Competition yesterday, Teacher He had handed out entry forms to every child in the abacus small class.
He instructed the children to discuss it with their parents first when they got home. If they decided to participate, their parents should help fill out the form.
It was simple: just fill in the child's name and check the corresponding age group.
This morning, the children handed in their forms.
Teacher He had something urgent come up, so he entrusted the task of registering and checking the forms to Teacher Li in the office.
Soon after, entry forms from other classes were also sent over.
Because there were so many forms, Teacher Li didn't pay much attention. He just registered the information and then submitted all the forms to the Jing City Abacus Association.
By the time Teacher He finished his work and saw the registration list, his world had collapsed.
The abacus small class taught by Teacher He primarily enrolled children aged three to six.
Normally, they should participate in the preschool group competition, which tests abacus levels 10 to 8.
The youth group competition content is more complex, basically covering abacus levels 7 to 5.
Worried Jiang Si might not understand what the tests involved, Teacher He explained in detail.
Level 10 tests single-digit, 4-step operations. (Example: 3+4-2+6=?)
Level 9 is single-digit, 6-step. (Example: 7+9-3+6-4+5=?)
The first two are relatively simpler. By Level 8, the difficulty increases noticeably. The competition content is 2-digit, 3-step operations (Example: 78+46-63=?).
Additionally, it includes a 2-digit multiplied by 1-digit calculation (Example: 36X4=?).
The difficulty level of the youth group goes without saying. Take the Level 5 abacus competition content as an example.
It tests 5-digit, 2-step operations (Example: 76895+45634=?). Both multiplication and division involve five-digit numbers against a single digit (Example: 98153X3=?, 26079÷3=?).
This level of difficulty is simply too much for children in the preschool group.
And just now, Teacher He had received even more startling news.
He had always thought little Jiang Jingyan was five or six years old. However, the admissions teacher told him that this child is only four years old by nominal age!
Her birthday is quite late in the year.
If calculated by actual age, Jiang Jingyan is currently only two years and four months old!
Actually, one can't blame Teacher He for being so surprised. Although the twins are nominally four this year, they not only inherited their parents' good looks but also their height.
Plus, with the spiritual spring water in their daily food and drink, the siblings are a good head taller than their peers.
Their verbal expression skills are exceptionally advanced, leading all the teachers at the school to believe the little ones were at least five or six years old nominally.
Jiang Si understood now. "Teacher He, you mean she should be transferred to the preschool group competition, right?"
Teacher He hurriedly waved his hands, indicating Jiang Si still hadn't grasped his point.
The entry forms had already been submitted to the Jing City Abacus Competition organizing committee. It was too late to make changes now.
The best solution was to withdraw from the competition because there was simply no competing at that level.
Teacher He comforted her, "Jingyan is still young. She can practice for another year, build a solid foundation, and participate next year. That would be just as good."
Jiang Si pondered for a moment. "Teacher He, how about this: I'll discuss it with her first. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?"
Having taught abacus at the children's palace for nearly ten years, Teacher He had met quite a few parents. This was the first time he encountered a parent who remained calm and collected when a problem arose and was even willing to discuss it with their child.
"That's fine," Teacher He nodded.
Having communicated what was necessary with the parent, he didn't stay long. He led Jiang Si to the door of the abacus small class, they exchanged a few more words, and then Teacher He turned and left.
Jiang Si now stood at the classroom's back door.
Through the window, she could clearly see inside.
Zhaozhao was following the teacher's instructions, her small hands swiftly moving beads on the abacus.
Her skilled movements and serious, focused demeanor made Jiang Si momentarily dazed.
Usually, she most often saw her daughter's mischievous, playful, or coquettish side. It was rare to see her so steady and serene.
Jiang Si's feelings suddenly became complicated.
Even though they were together day and night, her Zhaozhao seemed to have grown up a little more without her noticing.
She had her own ideas and even dared to challenge seemingly impossible things.
This courage filled Jiang Si with both surprise and pride.
Lost in thought, Jiang Si didn't even hear the bell for the end of class. It was Zhaozhao's voice that finally pulled her back to reality. "Mom, why are you here?"
As she spoke, she threw herself into Jiang Si's arms.
Zhaozhao was genuinely happy.
She hadn't expected that her casual mention last night would actually bring her mom to pick her up today.
And she even brought her favorite chocolate!
Jiang Si unwrapped the outer packaging and placed the chocolate into Zhaozhao's mouth.
The chocolate was quite large, making Zhaozhao's voice instantly muffled. "Mom... mmm, so sweet! Mom, let me take you to find brother. His class ends in a few minutes."
Jiang Si let herself be led along until they saw the backyard, where the snow was trampled into slush by the children.
Knowing Zhaozhao loved cleanliness and cared about her appearance,
Jiang Si gently shook her little hand. "Come on, let Mommy carry you on her back."
Zhaozhao shook her head sensibly. "Mom, I'm a big kid now. I can walk by myself."
Dad said he started sleeping independently when he was three.
Aspiring to surpass their dad, the siblings started sleeping in their own rooms independently just after turning two.
Sometimes, waking up early, they would even get up and make themselves something to eat.
Jiang Si still remembered clearly the day she woke up to find the two little ones sitting at the dining table, peeling eggs and chatting quietly.
To her, it was simply shocking!
Of course, at their current age, they couldn't whip up elaborate meals.
At most, it was simple boiled eggs paired with instant milk.
Fortunately, when Chris returned to France earlier this year, Jiang Si had asked her to buy many practical small appliances, including a small thermos.
Otherwise, with the large metal thermoses at home, she really wouldn't have felt at ease.
In summary, she found being a mom quite effortless!
The children were also taking good care of themselves.
They were already very independent, no need to wait until they grew up.
It should have been a cause for joy, but Jiang Si inexplicably felt a sense of loss, a feeling of not being needed.
So she insisted, "The snow has melted into water, it will dirty your little leather boots. Let Mommy carry you on her back, okay?"
Seeing her mother so insistent, Zhaozhao didn't want to spoil her mood.
The moment she climbed onto Jiang Si's back, Zhaozhao pressed her little face close. "Mom, am I very heavy?"
Dad was afraid she'd get cold, so today he had her wear three sweaters, two pairs of woolen pants, and a big padded coat on top.
She also had her hat and scarf on.
She felt like a round, bouncy ball right now!
"Alright, you are quite heavy," Jiang Si told the truth. "But Mom can manage for another ten minutes."
Mother and daughter had always communicated like this, and Zhaozhao was used to it.
She nestled against Jiang Si's cheek. "Mom, I love you so much!"
When it came to expressing affection, the two little ones were practically naturals.
"Mom loves you too."
After saying this, Jiang Si asked, pretending to be casual, "I just heard from your Teacher He that you signed up for an abacus competition?"
"Yes!"
Zhaozhao had been wanting to talk to her mom about this too. "Mom and Dad were so busy yesterday. When Great-grandfather came to pick up me and brother, I asked Great-grandfather to help me fill out the form, but I wrote my name myself!"
Her tone carried a hint of pride as she spoke.
She had learned to write her own name when she was just two years old.
Mom had taught her.
She also recognized lots and lots of characters.
She could even recite many, many ancient poems.
Listening to her daughter describe all this vividly, Jiang Si first affirmed her bravery. "Our Zhaozhao is so amazing, daring to enter a competition by herself."
Then she carefully chose her words. "Zhaozhao, do you know which age group you signed up for?"
"I know." Zhaozhao said with a face full of pride, mentioning the youth group.
Sure enough, Jiang Si had suspected as much.
If it wasn't Zhaozhao's own idea, there was no way Great-grandfather would have ticked the youth group box for her.
Without anxiety or interrogation, Jiang Si asked very calmly, "Then can you tell Mom why you chose the youth group? Actually, Mom thinks the preschool group might be more suitable for you."
Zhaozhao blinked her big eyes. "But Mom, I already know all the problems for the preschool group."
Jiang Si: "..." All of them?
Before she could speak, Zhaozhao added, "Didn't you say, Mom, that people shouldn't stay in their comfort zone forever? They need to challenge themselves to improve?"
Hearing this, Jiang Si felt a bit dazed for a moment. That did sound like something she would say.
But when had she said it? She really couldn't remember.
Her tone was uncertain. "I said that?"
"Yes, you did!" Zhaozhao nodded her little head emphatically. "It was when Brother and I had our second birthday. At lunch that day, Aunt Chris drank too much, and you two were lying on the sofa talking. You also said life is too short to be complacent..."
Alright, that was several months ago. Jiang Si truly couldn't remember clearly.
So, she steered the conversation back to the competition.
Jiang Si knew Zhaozhao had been learning abacus in kindergarten.
But she wasn't sure how advanced the kindergarten teaching was. "Zhaozhao, do you know how difficult the youth group competition is?"
Zhaozhao nodded again. "I know. Brother Weidong and Brother Weimin both told me."
"And are you confident about this competition?" Jiang Si asked further.
"Mom, you said the result isn't important; what's important is to enjoy the process!"
Jiang Si: "..."
It seemed she had fed the kids quite a bit of "inspirational talk" over the past two years!
After a pause, and without bringing up withdrawing from the competition again, she said, "As long as you've thought it through. But one thing: you're not allowed to cry if you lose."
Zhaozhao agreed immediately, but then followed with, "My dear mom..."
