Yu Xiang had always been generous. "Of course, that's fine. Our household has a monthly allowance of a hundred thousand for this sort of thing. Given the special circumstances this month, we can stretch it to two hundred thousand. Go see Assistant Sun about it—he knows which account to draw from."
There was such a thing? She had been at the estate for three months and had never once heard anyone mention it.
"Understood."
Qiuyun didn't dwell on it and continued her report: "Lastly is Yu Heng's enrollment application. I called and asked—with our family's donation level, we can secure one more spot at Guanghua International Elementary. Since the slot would go to waste otherwise, I compiled a list of school-age children in our main branch who are eligible and wish to transfer. Ma'am, who would you like to give the spot to?"
Qiuyun handed over a file containing three children. One was the child of the nanny in Mingyuan Tower, in third grade. Another was the child of the bodyguard in Mingsi Tower, in sixth grade. The last was the youngest son of Uncle Zhang, the driver for the lady of the house, in second grade.
People have their closer and more distant relations—when given a choice, most people would rather extend a favor to someone they know better than a stranger.
"The nanny has only been here for a little over three years—she started much later than Old Zhang. And the sixth grader—only one year left, it'd be a hassle to make that child transfer schools too." Yu Xiang made her decision. "Give it to Old Zhang. I gave his youngest a red envelope when he was born—it's fate, you could say."
Qiuyun nodded. "Yes, I'll take care of that tomorrow along with everything else."
The lady's driver was none other than Uncle Zhang, the man who had driven Qiuyun to Chengyuan that day, and also the one who had persuaded Assistant Sun to stay at the hospital for a full check-up.
"Anything else?" Yu Xiang asked.
Qiuyun scrolled through her iPad. "That's all. Those were the only matters that needed your approval."
The whole thing was handled in just over ten minutes after coming home—efficient, quick, and thorough.
Clearly, having a capable right hand made all the difference!
After taking her leave of the lady, Qiuyun went to find Assistant Chen, explained her purpose, and asked for the homeroom teacher's number for the young miss, as well as the numbers for the parent committee head, the grade director, and the vice principal.
In truth, these external matters shouldn't have been the responsibility of an assistant like Assistant Chen, but her daughter Lan Xin was rather lazy—what could a mother do but pick up the slack for her child?
Assistant Chen sent the numbers over. "The young miss's homeroom teacher is surnamed Wei. She's easy to get along with."
"I know. Thank you for the reminder, Assistant Chen." Qiuyun wore a friendly expression.
Ever since Lan Xin had resigned, the two had rarely met in private. Assistant Chen felt awkward about it; Qiuyun simply didn't care.
"You're welcome. This kind of running-around business should really fall under the assistant's duties anyway." Assistant Chen's words carried a subtle barb.
Qiuyun put on a sympathetic look. "You're too indulgent with your child, really. We get paid for what we do—and if you do your child's work for her, not only does she not get the chance to grow, but you don't earn a single extra cent. What a loss."
Assistant Chen's expression stiffened slightly.
That was her sore spot. Lately she often blamed herself for having done too much, which had left her daughter like a student still in an ivory tower, never having set foot in the real world. With no social experience, the girl had no idea how good her job at the estate was—how easy, how much worth cherishing!
"Um..." Assistant Chen remembered that Xiaoqiu had once had some insight into family education, and wondered if she could ask for advice.
Upon hearing the question, Qiuyun looked innocent. "Assistant Chen, I'm nineteen this year. The young miss is about the same age as my little sister, so I can offer a word or two. But Miss Lan is six years older than me—what advice could I possibly have for you?"
Assistant Chen choked on her words.
In just over three months, this girl had gone from a simple nanny to the young miss's assistant, and was now carrying the weight of reforming the entire main branch. To be honest, she'd forgotten the girl was only nineteen!
What a contrast—it really put things into perspective.
Qiuyun took the numbers, said a polite goodbye, and left.
She wasn't a glutton for punishment. Lan Xin had quietly caused trouble that made her work overtime, and her mother wanted Qiuyun to hand over advice on how to discipline her daughter? Not a chance. If it weren't for the fact that modern society had all kinds of ways to detect wrongdoing, and she had lost a phenomenal job because of that 'accident' which would make the rest of her life completely different, Qiuyun would not have let it go so easily.
Back in the living room, the two young women had already gotten acquainted. Yu Heng's new room was arranged in the staff dormitory by the west side gate. Qiuyun had stepped in and gotten the logistics staff to swap the aunt and niece into a small two-bedroom unit; they had just finished moving that day.
"Alright, go back, get yourself sorted, and get some early rest." Qiuyun saw Yu Heng off at the sightseeing shuttle stop outside Mingyue Tower. "Tomorrow's your first day on the job. Make a good impression."
Yu Heng nodded solemnly. "I've noted everything down."
Sensing that she was a bit too tense today, Qiuyun gently reassured her. "The young miss and the lady are kind-hearted people. As long as you do your job well, you have nothing to worry about."
"I understand, Sister Qiu." Yu Heng fidgeted with her fingers, her cheeks flushing slightly. "And thank you, Sister Qiu. I know this opportunity came from you. Without your recommendation, I wouldn't have even made it onto the list."
Qiuyun tousled the girl's hair and said warmly, "Then you should also thank yourself—thank yourself for spotting me as a customer in the crowd that day, and having the courage to come over and pitch to me."
Yu Heng smiled shyly, the tension in her easing noticeably.
The shuttle arrived. Qiuyun greeted the driver with a smile, chatted for a bit, and somehow even learned that the driver suffered from rheumatic arthritis.
"I happen to have a herbal plaster recipe that works well for rheumatism. I'll write it out for you next time—take it to a Chinese medicine practitioner to check if it's right for your condition."
The driver beamed. "That'd be wonderful! I'll be waiting for that recipe of yours!"
After exchanging pleasantries, Qiuyun waved goodbye to Yu Heng.
Watching Sister Qiu's figure recede into the distance, Yu Heng sat lost in thought. Then she turned to look at her reflection in the window glass, and, mimicking Sister Qiu's example, she curved her lips into the warmest, most friendly smile.
-
The next day.
Qiuyun rode in Uncle Zhang's car to the school to handle the enrollment procedures for the two children.
Since it was admission via donation, tuition, textbook fees, and meal fees were all waived; parents only had to pay for the uniforms. The big expenses were all covered, and this small amount was nothing for someone like Uncle Zhang, who had been working for the Jiang family for over a decade or two. He paid happily, smiling all the while.
"Really, thank you, Xiaoqiu! Oh, this youngest son of mine is clever—the wife kept saying his current school wasn't good enough and it was holding him back."
Qiuyun sat in the back seat organizing her papers. "Exactly! The moment I saw his photo, I could tell from his forehead—he's got a smart look about him. I just read the school's introduction—they have dual-language instruction from the start. Once he gets his spoken English polished, send him abroad to study, and when he comes back, he'll be a returnee student. Then you and Auntie will be living the life, Uncle!"
A few words here and there and Qiuyun had Uncle Zhang grinning from ear to ear. At the corner, she said, "If you don't mind, Uncle Zhang, just drop me at this intersection. It's my day off, and I'd like to pay a visit to my family."
Uncle Zhang offered warmly, "Where's your place? One turn of the wheel and I'll drive you straight there."
"How could I impose on you like that?" Qiuyun tucked the organized documents into her bag. "I have to go see my brother first; we're heading home together."
"Alright—if you need a ride, give me a call. I'm free whenever the missus doesn't need the car." Uncle Zhang pulled over to the side of the road and turned to tell Xiaoqiu.
"Got it, Uncle Zhang. Thanks for everything." Qiuyun got out of the car. "Bye now."
