Yang Yufen took out the vegetables from the basket, along with a large bowl of bamboo shoots.
"I also love these spring bamboo shoots. Perfect timing—I still have the cured chicken you sent earlier. I'll go get it. You take charge of the cooking, and I'll assist."
"Sure."
The kitchen was filled with warmth and cheer. In the living room, Zhou Ang and Qin Nian chatted about everyday life.
"I see Dabao and Erbao are very attached to you. I hope the little one in my belly will be as well-behaved as them."
The two children sat on either side of Qin Nian, their eyes glued to the TV that had just been turned on.
"They are indeed well-behaved, but they’re also quite energetic. After their nap this afternoon, they ran all the way from the new house to play under the big banyan tree without stopping. Only now, with the TV on, are they sitting still."
Though Qin Nian said this, her gaze at the children was full of affection.
"You’re starting work the day after tomorrow. How are you adjusting? This year’s plans are quite ambitious."
"The house should be settled by tomorrow. What’s the big move you mentioned?"
"Mommy, I want to eat."
Dabao had somehow grabbed an apple and was blinking up at Qin Nian.
"Alright."
Qin Nian took it and began peeling it with a knife.
"Our residential compound is going to install central heating. They’re also planning to set up a childcare center to make it easier to look after the kids. The location’s already been decided, and the paperwork is almost done.
Once construction starts, it should be ready by the end of August. Dabao and Erbao can already feed themselves and speak clearly, so they can be enrolled right away. That’ll lighten your mother-in-law’s load."
"Really? That’s wonderful!"
Qin Nian was overjoyed to hear this.
"Yes. To ensure the children in the compound are well cared for, the childcare center’s staff will undergo training. The job postings will be announced soon, with priority given to internal recruitment so families in the compound can have stable work."
"That’s a relief. Last night, the kids slept with me, and I realized they don’t just sleep straight through the night—they need to pee or get thirsty.
When half-asleep, they can’t express what they need and just cry. If my mother-in-law hadn’t come to help, I might not have noticed until both of them wet the bed."
"You’re already very fortunate to have your mother-in-law’s help. Of course, my mother is also wonderful, but she’s a professor with her own responsibilities and students to attend to. The childcare center will be a great solution."
Zhou Ang couldn’t help feeling a little envious of Qin Nian, though she didn’t resent her own mother-in-law. When Dabao was born, her mother-in-law, though unable to help directly, had sent money and gifts from afar whenever she could.
"I do feel very lucky. Tomorrow’s the kids’ birthday. I’m thinking of taking them and my mother-in-law out for a meal. From my pregnancy until now, she’s been handling everything at home. I want her to have a break."
Qin Nian glanced toward the kitchen and lowered her voice as she spoke to Zhou Ang.
"That’s a great idea. You could also take them shopping for new clothes."
"That’s what I was planning. I’ve ordered some things that’ll be delivered tomorrow, and then we’ll go out."
Yang Yufen had no idea a pleasant surprise awaited her.
Yang Yufen’s cooking was vigorous, her wrist strong as she flipped the wok with practiced ease.
"Your cooking skills could rival the canteen chefs."
"Oh, I’m nowhere near that good. This is just small-scale home cooking. The canteen chefs have to prepare meals for so many people—they can’t cook like this."
"The compound’s building a childcare center, and they’ll need someone to cook for the kids. Would you like to apply? It’s just one meal a day, with a monthly salary of thirty-six yuan. Not much, but it’s steady. Later, Dabao and Erbao can also enroll. Children over one year and three months old are eligible—they’ll just meet the age requirement."
Professor Wen also brought up the childcare center.
Thirty-six yuan might not sound like much, but the workload was light, making it a decent offer. Still, Yang Yufen hesitated before declining.
"Nian’s already busy enough. Sending the kids to the center would ease my load, but thirty-six yuan a month isn’t as much as I earn from bamboo weaving or selling roasted sweet potatoes. Plus, I can take better care of the kids this way."
"Fair enough. Not many in the compound can manage what you do."
Professor Wen had only asked casually, as family naturally came first.
"The compound’s getting central heating this year, so winter won’t be as harsh. We initially thought of having you choose an apartment in the tube-building area after Nian’s promotion—those places will be warmer, and the heating fees will be lower."
"How will the heating fees be calculated?"
Yang Yufen didn’t hesitate; with children at home, central heating would spare them from the cold.
"It’s based on the size of the home. This applies not just to our compound but eventually all of Beijing."
At Professor Wen’s words, Yang Yufen’s hand paused briefly.
"Though construction will be done in phases."
Clearly, Professor Wen had also remembered the two properties Yang Yufen owned. They’d need heating eventually, so it was better to install it now.
"Since the houses are rented out, we can deduct the cost from the rent."
Yang Yufen nodded in agreement.
Indeed, finding ways to earn more was essential.
"When will the childcare center be completed?"
Yang Yufen scooped the stir-fried vegetables onto a plate.
"Construction should take two or three months. Barring delays, it’ll be operational by late August."
Late August wasn’t far off—tomorrow was already April. The news hadn’t spread in the compound yet, meaning it was freshly approved. The progress was impressively fast.
"Besides childcare, the center will teach the kids basic literacy. Better than letting them play in the mud all day."
"They’ll teach reading too? That’s excellent!"
Yang Yufen’s eyes lit up. She’d assumed it was just a babysitting service, but if they offered lessons, the kids would definitely attend.
Dean Hu returned with roast duck, followed by Hu Jun and his son, Hu Zhenghao.
"Perfect timing—dinner’s ready."
The table was set, marking the first proper reunion meal for the two families.
Hu Jun’s gaze lingered on Dabao and Erbao for a long moment before shifting to his own son.
Hu Zhenghao met his father’s eyes, then quickly looked down.
Was his dad planning to scold him again? He hadn’t caused any trouble lately.
Shrugging it off, Hu Zhenghao picked up a piece of meat and then pinched Erbao’s cheek.
Heh, this little brother was fun—no, both brothers were fun. Too bad school kept him so busy.
Zhou Ang didn’t miss her son’s antics. Glancing at her husband’s expression, she couldn’t help but smile.
