Although Huo Tingzhou had been promoted this time, the core focus and content of his work hadn't fundamentally changed.
Naturally, there was no so-called "new broom sweeping clean" situation.
After finishing the tasks at hand, and thinking that tomorrow was the weekend, Jiang Si said, "Tomorrow, let's take Zhaozhao to the Zhuo Family together."
It had been over half a month since kindergarten started. On weekdays it was fine, but come the weekend, Suisui and Teacher Hu's children all went to the children's palace.
Zhaozhao was left alone at home, which seemed rather dull.
Jiang Si added, "Your daughter told me yesterday that if she stays this idle any longer, she's going to start sprouting."
The couple had already reached a consensus earlier about having Zhaozhao learn mental abacus calculation from Old Zhuo.
Huo Tingzhou had nothing to object to. "Alright, we'll do as you say."
Seeing his agreement, Jiang Si continued, "Then let's get up a bit earlier tomorrow. I plan to buy some gifts for the master-disciple ceremony to bring along."
Huo Tingzhou rolled over, his voice noticeably perking up. "Gifts for the ceremony?"
"Yes," Jiang Si said with an amused laugh. "You weren't planning on going empty-handed, were you?"
That wasn't his intention. It was just that, "Won't this mess up the seniority?"
Back at the military academy, the guy was calling him 'big brother'. Now, if his daughter calls him 'master', what should he call Old Zhuo when they meet?
"Call him whatever you always have! It doesn't conflict!"
Jiang Si didn't understand what he was being so awkward about and stated directly, "This is your daughter's idea. If you don't agree, go tell Zhaozhao yourself."
Huo Tingzhou fell silent at that.
The next day, upon hearing that his sister was going for her master-disciple ceremony today, Suisui paused while packing his backpack.
"Mom, can I go with you?"
Jiang Si was quite surprised by this. Normally, this child would go to the children's palace without fail, rain or shine.
Today, he was actually willing to make an exception for his sister.
Her moment of hesitation, however, was clearly misunderstood by Suisui. "Mom, I won't fall behind in my Go lessons. I'll make up for today's class myself later."
"Mom wasn't thinking that," Jiang Si said, patting his head.
She knew Suisui was a very determined child, something evident from his insistence on learning Go.
To be honest, when she first learned he wanted to study Go, Jiang Si was quite surprised.
Judging by his usual hobbies, he didn't seem to like Go that much.
In private, she had asked Suisui,
If you don't really like it, why do you want to learn it?
But the answer she got surprised her even more.
Suisui actually said he wanted to temper his disposition.
Hearing such words from a three-year-old was simply unbelievable.
Later, she inquired at the children's palace and found out it was because a teacher had told him that practicing Go could not only improve one's concentration, endurance, and calculation skills but also enhance logical thinking abilities.
It was precisely for this reason that Suisui had thrown himself into it wholeheartedly.
Jiang Si always respected the children's ideas.
So, after calling the children's palace teacher to ask for half a day's leave, the family of four set off.
In the capital, gifts for a master-disciple ceremony usually consist of six items, with no strict rules on which six.
Before leaving home, Jiang Si had already prepared a cashmere scarf and some tea.
Passing by the service cooperative, she bought a box of pastries, a cut of meat, a selection of fruit, and finally picked out a pack of dried fruits and mixed grains.
It contained red beans (symbolizing great fortune and high prospects), red dates (for early success), longan (for perfect merit and virtue), and lotus seeds (representing the teacher's dedicated nurturing).
The Military Economic College was under the General Logistics Department, and its affiliated residential compound wasn't far away, just a ten-plus minute walk.
Zhaozhao was very happy, skipping and hopping along the way.
For some inexplicable reason, Huo Tingzhou suddenly asked, "Zhaozhao, who's better, Daddy or Teacher Zhuo?"
Not this again?
Jiang Si was truly speechless this time.
Fortunately, Zhaozhao knew how to comfort her old father. She swung his arm and said,
"Daddy is definitely the best! But Teacher Zhuo is also very good to Zhaozhao. Zhaozhao re...spects him!"
Re...spects?
"It's 'respects'," Jiang Si couldn't help but correct.
Huo Tingzhou felt balanced now. "Yes, your mom is right, it's 'respects'!"
However, the smile on his face came to an abrupt halt as they reached the gate of the Zhuo family's small courtyard.
Even through several thick doors, Zhuo Mingda's loud voice could be clearly heard.
Huo Tingzhou frowned. Old Zhuo was usually quite gentle and refined; he hadn't expected him to be like this during lessons.
"Is Teacher Zhuo always this strict during class?" he couldn't help but ask Zhaozhao.
Zhaozhao nodded, then after a thought added, "Teacher Zhuo isn't like that with Zhaozhao."
During those two weeks of lessons, Teacher Zhuo praised her every day.
Jiang Si paid no attention to the conversation between father and daughter and went straight to knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Hearing the knock, Zhuo Mingda quickly came out.
Seeing Jiang Si, he said in surprise, "Sis-in-law, what brings you here?"
Then, noticing Huo Tingzhou was there too, and importantly, he had brought Suisui and Zhaozhao along.
Zhuo Mingda hurriedly invited them inside, though he couldn't help but frown slightly upon seeing the things in Huo Tingzhou's hands.
The brothers had agreed back in the day that aside from essential social courtesies, no one should bring gifts when visiting casually.
Even during festivals, this much wasn't necessary?
Huo Tingzhou said, "This was your sis-in-law's idea."
Zhuo Mingda poured a cup of water for each of the adults, grabbed some crispy peanut candies for Zhaozhao and Suisui, and then said to Jiang Si,
"Sis-in-law, next time you come, you really mustn't bring these things. Old Huo and I have a friendship forged in life and death. You should take all these back later."
"That won't do," Jiang Si said with a smile. "These are Zhaozhao's gifts for the master-disciple ceremony."
As for tuition fees, it didn't seem appropriate to bring that up today.
After all, there were still students in the inner room. That would have to wait for Huo Tingzhou to find a chance to discuss with him privately.
"Oh, so it's for the master-disciple ceremony," Zhuo Mingda said, having been momentarily flustered by his students. It took him a good while to process it. "Mas...ter-disciple ceremony?"
Jiang Si nodded and explained their purpose.
"Zhaozhao really likes mental abacus calculation and very much wants to continue learning from you. We were wondering if it would be convenient for you to take her on as a student."
"Convenient! Of course it's convenient!"
In his excitement, Zhuo Mingda blurted out everything on his mind. "I wanted to talk to Old Huo about this before the New Year, but I was afraid he might be reluctant or have other plans, so I never dared to bring it up."
He patted his chest in assurance. "Sis-in-law, just leave Zhaozhao with me, rest assured. I'll teach her well, I promise to treat her like..."
He originally wanted to say he'd treat Zhaozhao like his own daughter, but glancing up, he found Huo Tingzhou staring at him with an inscrutable gaze.
So, he decisively bit back his words.
On this point, Jiang Si was a thousand, ten thousand times assured.
Knowing he was still in the middle of a class, she didn't plan to stay long.
After chatting a bit more, Jiang Si said, "Then we'll trouble you with our Zhaozhao. We have some other matters to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."
"Sis-in-law, what are you saying! It's no trouble at all, no trouble."
Zhuo Mingda waved his hands repeatedly, warmly urging them to stay. "Don't go. Stay and have a meal here at noon."
"No need to trouble yourselves," Jiang Si had just begun to speak.
Zhuo Mingda cut her off, "Absolutely not, you must stay for a meal today."
The guys are usually all busy, so it's rare to have a chance like this.
Having said that, he then looked at Huo Tingzhou, "Old Huo, say something."
The door to the inner room was slightly ajar, and Zhuo Mingda wasn't keeping his voice down.
Everyone inside the room heard all the commotion from outside.
