Han Xiaorui nodded, feeling emotional as she said, “This is also why I didn’t want to move away after the divorce. Yang Jianming is a piece of trash, but Pingping and An’an’s grandfather is a very good man.”
“I heard that raising small animals can improve children’s autism, so he brought chickens, ducks, geese, cats, and dogs over this afternoon.”
“That was really thoughtful of him,” Han Xiaojing said with a smile, encouraging her sister, “Sister, don’t be afraid. Everything will be fine.”
After dinner, they washed the two children and headed to the bedroom early to coax them to sleep.
Han Xiaorui opened the picture book that Specialist Wang had lent her. With one adorable girl on each side, she slowed her speech, softened her tone, and enunciated as clearly as possible.
Halfway through the book, Pingping and An’an fell asleep.
Han Xiaorui kissed her babies’ chubby little cheeks and adjusted their sleeping positions to make them more comfortable.
Stepping out into the living room, Han Xiaorui stretched. Once her mind relaxed, a wave of exhaustion washed over her.
In the living room, Han Xiaojing was flipping through the book given by Specialist Wang while recording the words her two nieces had spoken that day in a notebook.
Han Xiaorui was slightly stunned. “Xiaojing, I find that you are even more meticulous than I am.”
Han Xiaojing smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I actually applied to East China Normal University back then, but I didn’t get in. I wanted to be a teacher, but I never had the chance.”
“Now, with Pingping and An’an, my wish to be a teacher has been fulfilled. Sister, don’t worry. I can help you take good care of them. Don’t be anxious or impatient.”
Han Xiaorui suddenly thought of a question. She blinked, feeling puzzled. “Xiaojing, I remember your grades were excellent. Applying to East China Normal University shouldn’t have been a problem. Was the exam too difficult, or did you perform poorly?”
A bitter look appeared in Han Xiaojing’s eyes as she scratched her head. “During the exam, I answered all the questions, and they weren’t harder than the mock tests I usually took.”
“But after the term started, I never received an admission letter. You know how Mom and Dad are; they spent all day scolding me, saying studying was useless and just a waste of money. I couldn’t stand being at home anymore, so I packed my things and came to rely on you, and I’ve been working here ever since.”
Han Xiaorui patted her younger sister’s shoulder, encouraging her. “There are other ways to study and pursue further education. Don’t be impatient. Once I find someone to help, I’ll see if you can attend night school to earn a technical secondary school diploma.”
At this time, night school training certificates carried a lot of weight.
However, such opportunities were usually reserved for those in good workplaces or those with the right connections. Most ordinary people wouldn’t even hear about them, as the spots were snapped up internally.
Han Xiaojing was optimistic and turned to comfort Han Xiaorui instead. “Sister, if I were still back home, I might feel resentful. But now that I’m in a place like Shencheng, there are more opportunities than back home. Even if I just find a place to sell scallion pancakes, I’d earn more than I did back home. We will definitely get better and better!”
Han Xiaorui smiled and nodded. “Yes, better and better. I’ve already cleaned up the large bedroom next door for you. Go get some rest.”
“Okay!” Han Xiaojing nodded, holding the books as she returned to her room; she still wanted to read more.
Returning to her own room and lying down beside the children, with her sister there to help, Han Xiaorui felt she was one step closer to her goal of deep-sea fishing.
The next morning, after breakfast and feeding the chickens, ducks, and geese, Han Xiaorui took her sister and two daughters, boarded Song Laoliu’s minivan, and headed straight for the hospital.
The Han sisters were tall, both standing no less than 1.68 meters. They both had delicate facial features and were quite striking in appearance.
The original Han Xiaorui had suffered from depression, worried about her two daughters, and dealt with her husband’s infidelity and her mother-in-law’s cruelty, which had left her exceptionally thin. At 1.68 meters tall, she weighed less than 80 jin (about 88 lbs).
Now that she had been replaced by the “ferocious” Han Xiaorui from the apocalypse, she was eating well, drinking well, and sleeping well. In just two days, she had gained a jin.
Although Han Xiaojing worked hard at the factory, she was not bitter inside. At nineteen, she wore her hair in two braids. Because she wasn’t out in the sun, her skin was fair. Wearing her sister’s old clothes, her entire demeanor had changed.
When Specialist Wang saw Han Xiaorui and the children arrive early, she was very pleased. “Xiao Han, how were the children when they got home yesterday?”
Han Xiaorui opened her sister’s notebook. “Specialist Wang, this is my sister, Han Xiaojing. She will be bringing the children to therapy sessions from now on; I need to work to provide economic stability for the children.”
“My sister is very meticulous. This is what she recorded yesterday based on the children’s performance. The children have more eye contact, and they can say ‘Mom,’ ‘eat shrimp,’ ‘Grandpa,’ ‘thank you’…”
Upon seeing the elegant handwriting in the notebook and reading the notes, Specialist Wang was shocked.
The notebook recorded the children’s performance in excruciating detail and even included summaries.
“Very good,” Specialist Wang praised. “Xiao Han, you and your sister are both very dedicated. Believe me, as long as you put in the effort, the intervention results for your children will be excellent.”
This field was still in its infancy domestically. She had started following it in 1980 and later went abroad to study and research. After observing her surroundings, she realized there were many children with such problems. It was just that many people didn’t realize they could improve through scientific intervention and treatment, often letting their children go without help.
Han Xiaorui nodded. “Yes, Specialist Wang, we will definitely cooperate with the treatment.”
During the lesson, Han Xiaojing kept peeking through the small glass window on the door.
She observed very carefully and was pleasantly surprised to find that her two nieces could actually understand most of the doctors’ instructions and act accordingly.
The way the doctors asked questions and the training they gave the children were targeted and not random.
To understand the underlying logic, Han Xiaojing took the initiative to borrow books from Specialist Wang. However, there were very few relevant books in the country; Specialist Wang only had English versions.
“Specialist Wang, I have studied English. If I come across words I don’t know, I will use a dictionary,” Han Xiaojing said with a smile. “If there is anything I don’t understand, I will ask for your advice.”
Specialist Wang was more than happy to have such a dedicated guardian and immediately lent Han Xiaorui two books. “Alright, come exchange them when you finish reading.”
“Thank you!” Han Xiaojing bowed to Specialist Wang, feeling very grateful. These foreign books looked very expensive.
While Han Xiaojing accompanied the children in class, Han Xiaorui went to the entrance and handed a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes to the old man guarding the gate.
The old man, Liu, was stunned. He didn’t take the cigarettes and asked, “Young lady, what is it?”
Han Xiaorui smiled. “Grandpa Liu, I want to hire a vehicle long-term. I wanted to ask you which of the turtle-car (pedicab/motorized trike) drivers at the hospital gate has a good character and is reliable?”
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Liu realized it wasn’t a big deal. He reached out, took the cigarettes, and tucked them into his pocket. He chuckled, “You came to the right person to ask. I’ve been guarding this gate for thirty years.”
“Wait a moment, I’ll introduce you to my distant nephew. He’s been picking up passengers at the hospital gate for three years. Sihai, come over!”
At that moment, a man in his forties with tanned skin hurried over from his vehicle. “Uncle, what are your orders?”
His vehicle had been purchased through Grandpa Liu’s connections, so he was extremely respectful.
Hearing this, Han Xiaorui felt relieved. Someone who was well-known and connected to people she trusted wouldn’t dare to act recklessly for fear of losing his work.