Jiang Xiaoyu refused to switch with her. She rejected Xiao Chunlan’s request outright and applied what she had learned that morning about teaching methods in this era, blending theory and practice naturally.
The principal came by to observe once and left with a satisfied nod.
Xiao Chunlan could only endure it. In the afternoon at the Sunflower Class, she felt even more uncomfortable than in her own classroom. Teacher Qiu even said she was not as good as Jiang Xiaoyu, which immediately darkened her expression. Since this was not her own class, she no longer bothered to force a pleasant face.
She endured until school ended. When the children in her class were picked up by their parents, she returned home with a calm, indifferent expression.
Gao Hongfen immediately noticed her daughter’s mood. “Did Jiang Xiaoyu bully you? Didn’t I tell you? If she dares to cause trouble, you should make a scene. With me backing you, there’s no need to be afraid.”
Xiao Chunlan was not sure whether what happened counted as bullying, so she explained briefly. Jiang Xiaoyu had been constantly ahead of her, even performing well in the kitchen. The dishes clearly made by Pan Mengping’s wife were being praised as Jiang Xiaoyu’s teaching achievement instead, making her look like she was showing off.
“She didn’t directly bully me, but I felt uncomfortable all day.”
Gao Hongfen said with deep regret, “Foolish girl, this is the highest level of bullying. She keeps performing well everywhere, making you look useless. That makes others think poorly of you, and over time you’ll become disliked by everyone. We need to think of a way to deal with her.”
Xiao Chunlan worried, “But it’s only been one day. The principal and the teachers in the next class all praise her, and the children like her too. What can I do?”
“Stay calm. Let me think…”
“Enough!”
Before Gao Hongfen could continue, her husband Xiao Baoguo interrupted her sharply.
Gao Hongfen was stunned. “Old Xiao, what are you doing? You came home so early today. I thought you were worried about your daughter, but it turns out you’re worried about me?”
Xiao Baoguo was indeed worried about her. Last time a marriage arrangement was almost settled, she stirred up unnecessary trouble at the last moment. The match fell through and even offended the friend who helped arrange it.
Ignoring his daughter’s presence, he said coldly, “Since that marriage incident, I’ve reflected deeply. Over the years I’ve been too tolerant of you. If it were just our marriage, I wouldn’t say a word no matter what others think. But now, you’ve already delayed Chunlan more than once.”
Gao Hongfen immediately retorted, “Fine, I was wrong about the marriage matter. But today at the kindergarten, didn’t you hear? Wasn’t it Jiang Xiaoyu bullying Chunlan?”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Xiao Baoguo snapped without hesitation.
“Jiang Xiaoyu is very smart. On her first day at work she knows how to build relationships. If Chunlan’s aunt and the others had some opinions, she could have simply kept her distance or spoken sarcastically about the food. Instead, she respected them and even taught them properly. And you two still want to find ways to deal with her? Deal with what exactly?”
Xiao Chunlan lowered her head in shame and began to cry. “Dad, don’t blame Mom. I’ll change.”
Xiao Baoguo felt a surge of relief that his son had been sent to the army. Otherwise, staying at home, he might have grown up under the wrong influence.
Earlier that day, the hospital director had spoken to him in depth. Given the current situation, if changes were not made, future problems would be serious.
Now there was an opportunity. A newly established maternal and child health hospital in a coastal prefecture-level city needed experienced medical staff, including four positions in obstetrics and gynecology.
Director Jiang had told him, “Qian Chunmei can go. We can coordinate care for the adopted children. But think carefully, do you want Qian Chunmei to go, or Gao Hongfen? She has been stuck as deputy director for years for a reason. If her influence in the family continues, how many more years will your Chunlan be delayed?”
Xiao Baoguo had originally planned to discuss the transfer, but Gao Hongfen suddenly brought up the topic of interns.
“Oh right, you have new interns in neurosurgery, don’t you? There’s one called Feng Yuqing. He’s handsome, sweet-talking, and has a good reputation. Why don’t you take him as a disciple and eventually make him our son-in-law?”
Hearing this, Xiao Baoguo felt his vision darken. A newly arrived intern could not be judged so quickly. He only saw that the boy was slick and overly talkative. The transfer decision, which he had intended to discuss, was now made on the spot.
“The maternal and child hospital in Yushi needs a leading director. I’ve already registered your name. You always say you are not valued, now the opportunity is here. Don’t complain about unfairness anymore.”
Gao Hongfen hesitated. She wanted to go but was reluctant to leave home. However, at her age, if she did not seize this chance, she might never get another promotion opportunity. After weighing everything, she finally agreed.
Xiao Baoguo spent several hours talking with Xiao Chunlan.
He spoke about how her brother had already made contributions to the country, while she had been delayed by their mother’s influence. As a father, he could not escape responsibility, but he hoped she would develop her own judgment and not be easily influenced by others. Especially now that her mother would be transferred away, she should also reduce contact with her aunt Gao Hehua.
Xiao Chunlan agreed.
“Dad, Jiang Xiaoyu is my colleague. I still have to interact with her. How should I get along with her?”
Xiao Baoguo hoped she could maintain a good working relationship with colleagues, regardless of whether it was Jiang Xiaoyu or anyone else, but he would not force her.
“If you feel uncomfortable with her, you don’t need to actively become friends. But can you at least be polite and respectful in work-related interactions?”
Xiao Chunlan nodded. Xiao Baoguo said that was enough, and again emphasized that she should not take her mother’s words about the intern Feng Yuqing to heart.
“I don’t like young men who are smooth-talking and scheming. Don’t remember your mother’s words.”
Meanwhile, Ke Xiu brought over some leeks and casually mentioned hospital gossip. She said there was an intern named Feng Yuqing who was very handsome, almost as good-looking as Mu Chengfeng. Mu Chengfeng always had a cold face and spoke bluntly, so he was not popular with women, but this young man was different, smiling and charming, and every department wanted to introduce him to someone.
Jiang Xiaoyu suddenly froze.
She remembered a plot from the book. Feng Yuqing would later seek revenge. His mother, who developed mental illness later in life, constantly told him that his father was a “Chen Shimei” who abandoned them, forcing her to marry a bad man while pregnant.
Growing up under abuse and hardship, Feng Yuqing worked hard to get into medical school and was assigned to his biological father’s hospital. After his half-sister fell in love with him, he revealed the truth to his father.
However, the problem was that both his father and his mother had type A blood, while Feng Yuqing was type B. A biological relationship was impossible. Everything had been a delusion formed after his mother developed mental illness.
She thought that if she had the chance, she should go to the hospital and take a look at this person.
Just then, Mu Chengfeng returned.
Jiang Xiaoyu pointed at the dough she had already kneaded. “We’re having dumplings tonight. Take Chengsheng and Wangzhou to wash their hands. They’ve been playing with mud.”
The younger brother spread his hands, showing a cute little mud sculpture of a lamb. “Dad, look, isn’t it like it? I made it for my brother.”
He called Wangzhou “brother” as well. Both children were born in the Year of the Sheep, and the younger one did not want to always be the youngest in the family. So when Wangzhou was registered, his birthday was recorded just one day later than Mu Huisheng’s.
“Very much like it,” Mu Chengfeng praised.
He told Damei to take the children to wash their hands, then sat by the stove, slowly drying the little mud lamb.
“Have you gotten used to work today? Two teachers managing over twenty three-year-olds must be tiring.”
“It’s not tiring,” Jiang Xiaoyu replied. “The children really like me. The more capable ones even help take care of others. Our Sunflower Class children are all very cute.”
The younger brother came back after washing his hands. “That’s right, Dad. I’ve already been chosen as class monitor. I led everyone to line up and wash hands at noon.”
Mu Chengfeng praised him again, then asked Jiang Xiaoyu, “How are your colleagues at the kindergarten?”
“Most of them are easy to get along with. I even taught Li Ruyi how to mix seaweed salad today. Xiao Chunlan wanted to switch shifts with me, but I ignored her.”
“Don’t bother with her,” Mu Chengfeng said calmly. “Don’t agree to unreasonable requests like that. Vice Director Xiao is reasonable and won’t take it out on you. Don’t worry.”
Jiang Xiaoyu smiled at him. “Then I’m relieved.”