Taotao's school schedule was arranged in this way.
Xu Shuang got up early in the morning to make breakfast. She put pink wontons into the pot, and put seaweed, shrimp skin, chopped green onions, and pickled mustard tubers on the bottom of the bowl. The soup was light and the thumb-sized wontons fell into the bowl with steam. The fragrance spread all at once. Taotao, who was still lying in bed, was so greedy that she started humming with her eyes closed.
Wang Ying took Taotao's cotton-padded jacket off the radiator. If she had to say what made her happiest after coming to the capital, it would be the heating.
Many of the old houses in the old city do not have heating pipes, but in recent years some tube-shaped buildings have reserved pipes, and large units and factories are all supplied with heating.
Wang Ying and her family came to Beijing just in time to catch the tail end of the heating season.
Taotao was unwillingly woken up by her mother, holding the quilt. After waking up, she became energetic.
"ravioli!"
Her favorite wontons!
The little girl has eaten a lot of delicious food since she was a child, following her mother who is good at eating and her father who is a great cook. Recently, her favorite is wonton.
Taotao put on her clothes and ran to the kitchen in a hurry without even buttoning them.
"Dad! I smell the wontons!"
Xu Shuang turned sideways and said, "Yes, wontons and custard buns."
Taotao was so excited that her mouth was about to drool: "Ah—"
Xu Shuang was about to feed his daughter, but Wang Ying was standing outside the kitchen with a smile on her face, so he had to take the spoon back.
"Go wash your face quickly. You can eat after you wash."
Wang Ying nodded in satisfaction. To be honest, it was Xu Shuang who spoiled her. Every time Taotao went to the kitchen, he would feed her without hesitation, which made it difficult for her to take care of her.
"Go quickly, the wontons won't run away, wash your face and brush your teeth before you eat."
Wang Ying pushed the pouting Taotao into the bathroom and walked behind Xu Shuang very naturally.
"ah-"
Xu Shuang: “…”
Resigned to her fate, she gave Wang Ying a bite and muttered to herself, Wang Ying always said that she was the one who taught Taotao bad habits, but now it seems that she learned those habits from her.
When you take a bite of the piping hot wontons, the wonton skin is slippery. When you gently close it with your teeth, you can taste the tender and chewy meat filling. The pure meat filling is salty and fresh, not greasy at all. It goes into your stomach with heat and instantly whets your appetite.
Wang Ying tilted her head and thought about it for a moment, then said regretfully, "I can't find any fault with it now."
Ever since Xu Shuang started learning the craft from Old Man Qiu, she seems to have been enlightened. The dishes she cooked were already delicious enough, and now she has made even the details to perfection.
To Xu Shuang, praise from others was just normal, but Wang Ying’s recognition really made her happy.
There are many varieties of breakfast. In order to cheer for Taotao, a new student who is starting school, Xu Shuang carefully made wontons, custard buns, pot stickers and millet porridge.
Old Mrs. Xu is old and sleeps less. Among the family, she is the only one who is least able to adapt to life in this city.
Wang Ying has to go to school, Xu Shuang has to work and learn a skill, and Taotao also has to go to kindergarten.
When we were in the county town, at least we were all in the same compound and could talk to each other, but now we live in a tube-shaped building. This area is still surrounded by the university, so Old Lady Xu couldn't help but feel scared.
Wang Ying was planning to come back early today when she didn't have classes to take Old Lady Xu for a walk, otherwise it would be uncomfortable for the elderly to be the only one in the family.
but…
Old Mrs. Xu went out early in the morning, but when she came back she was all smiles.
"I went out this morning and met a few old ladies in the building. One of them saw the clothes I made for Taotao and asked me to make one for her grandson. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative with them to look at the cloth after I finish my meal!"
Old Mrs. Xu doesn't know much, but she has good skills, especially after Cheng Shufen's teaching and practice, and Wang Ying has been taking her pulse. The family eats well, and she is in her early sixties but her eyes are still bright and not drowsy at all.
The clothes given to Taotao are all made delicately and exquisitely, with several peach blossoms embroidered on the corners of the clothes, and there are also round peaches on the little cotton pants.
We have just moved here and have already attracted the attention of people around us.
Wang Ying and Xu Shuang looked at each other and made the decision very quickly.
"Ask the master if he can find us a second-hand sewing machine. We can vacate the balcony corner in our living room for you."
Taotao waved her little spoon and happily imitated him: "Make room!"
After breakfast, the family got dressed. Xu Shuang carried Wang Ying's schoolbags, one in each hand, ready to send the older and younger ones to school. Old Mrs. Xu went out with a proud and confident look on her face, ready to meet up with her new friends.
Taotao was extremely curious and was a walking circle of people with a hundred thousand questions when she walked on the road.
"Mom, are all the kids in kindergarten my age?"
"They haven't been to the country, have they?"
"Aren't they so pitiful? They have never played catching fish or grasshoppers."
"Can I eat the custard buns my dad gave me when I get to school?"
…
People say that raising a child is like raising a dozen ducks. It is true that after having a child, even the most tongue-tied person will be forced to talk more.
Xu Shuang kept making humming and ah-ah sounds along the way, and Taotao would respond to whatever she said.
So I went to the kindergarten and handed Taotao over to the kindergarten teacher.
The kindergarten teacher’s surname is Li, and she is a very likable girl.
Taotao was not shy at all. After the introduction, she naturally took the teacher's hand and waved to her parents: "Bye~"
This left Xu Shuang and Wang Ying outside speechless.
Teacher Li probably rarely sees a child who doesn't cry or make a fuss on the first day of school. She was amazed and said to the parents who came to send their children, "Don't worry, we will be very careful with the children here."
Wang Ying: "Thank you for your hard work. I am a freshman in school, majoring in clinical medicine. If anything happens to your child, you can call the school directly to let me know."
Xu Shuang also left the hotel's phone number.
Teacher Li was not surprised. Most of the children who came here to study were from families of faculty and staff. They usually left their parents' work place phone numbers so that they could find someone at any time if anything happened.
It is quite rare to find a mother like Wang Ying who is still a college student.
The adults were still chatting, but Taotao couldn't wait any longer.
Her eyes rolled around as she looked at the kindergarten's furnishings.
Compared to the nursery in my hometown, the kindergarten here is more fully equipped, with swings, slides, and a group of people playing with a small ball.
Taotao was eager to try it out, as she had never played with a small ball before.
After Teacher Li finished discussing business with Wang Ying and her husband, he registered their home addresses and phone numbers before leaving, looking back every few steps.
Teacher Li bent down and said in a friendly manner, "Little Taotao, let me take you to put down your schoolbag first, and then I will introduce you to everyone, okay?"
Taotao responded obediently and followed Teacher Li into the small class classroom.
As soon as I walked into the classroom, Teacher Li clapped his hands and said, "Hello, children. We have a new friend today. Come, let's welcome Wang Mantao, classmate Taotao, with applause."
A group of little kids started clapping.
Teacher Li was just about to encourage Taotao. After all, not every child can handle this kind of situation. Some children who are shy still need the teacher to introduce them to them.
But before she could say anything, she heard Taotao's proud voice.
"Hello everyone, my name is Taotao, and my full name is Wang Mantao."
"I just moved here from Nanshao County. My father is a chef and my mother is a doctor. I also have a grandmother."
"My grandma can make beautiful clothes. Look, did you see the peaches on my clothes? They were all embroidered by my grandma!"
"My dad made me wontons and custard buns today. The wontons are slippery and delicious."
"Oh, by the way, I have an uncle who has a younger brother named Doudou, and his full name is Xu Siqi."
"My aunt sent a lot of delicious mutton to my family, and my father made me a mutton rib hotpot..."
…
Teacher Li was looking at Taotao with a smile. She was used to seeing shy little babies, so she was very happy to see a cute little girl who spoke so fluently and generously.
but…
"I also have sister Cheng Yu and sister Maimiao. Sister Cheng Yu would take me to catch rabbits, fat wild rabbits, and dad would make them into air-dried rabbit meat. Rabbit meat is delicious! But mom said that rabbits are not as easy to catch as they used to be. It's probably because we catch too many of them, so we can't catch enough baby rabbits to eat."
…
Little friend Wang Mantao successfully turned a personal self-introduction into a large-scale speech.
As the bell for class was about to ring, Teacher Li finally lost his patience and interrupted Taotao's chatter.
"Taotao, alright, alright. I believe everyone knows you now. Let's go back to our seats first. We can share more later when we have the chance, okay?"
Taotao nodded obediently and licked her lips.
Alas, if mom hadn’t said that these kids had never been to the countryside, she wouldn’t have said so much.
As soon as Taotao sat down, a chubby hand reached out from behind her.
"Hey, is what you just said true?"
Taotao frowned and looked at the little fat man who was speaking.
Who is this person? So rude.
My mom once told me that once you know someone’s name, you should stop calling them “hey” because it’s impolite.
The fat boy got a little angry when he saw that the little girl ignored him, and the overbearing fat boy fed her again.
"I'm asking you a question, new little country girl."
Taotao turned away angrily: "You are the country girl."
The little fat boy said with disdain: "My grandma said that people from the countryside are called country girls. If you are from the countryside, you are a country girl. I am from the city, so I am not."
Tao Tao: "My mom said there are unreasonable bad guys in the city, and we should beat them if we meet them."
The little fat boy was happy: "Are you going to hit me again?"
Taotao pouted: "Today is my first day of school and my mom won't let me play with you."
I'm so angry. I have to endure it for another day.
The little fat boy looked at Taotao's pigtails and couldn't help but reach out and pull them.
Taotao:!!!
When Teacher Li turned his head again, he saw two meat balls beaten into a ball.
Taotao eats well, and although she is not fat, she is very healthy and strong. The little fat guy is even more solid. The two little guys fight back and forth, making loud noises.
Some timid people around were scared to tears.
Teacher Li quickly stepped forward and pulled the person apart.
The little fat boy was bitten on the arm by Taotao, and he was crying and complaining: "She bit me!"
Tao Tao didn't cry, she just pouted and said with disgust: "Who told you to pull my hair!"
She treasures her little braids very much. Her mother braids them for her every day, and puts her favorite little butterflies on them.
When the little fat man pulled her, her little butterfly fell off.
Teacher Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He persuaded the boy to leave and changed his seat. He planned to talk to both parents after school this afternoon. It's not a big deal if the children fight, but it's not a small deal either. At least the adults should be informed.
Taotao didn't think much of it and took out the custard buns from her schoolbag during the break.
Taotao was finally happy when she tasted the sweet milky flavor.
Phew, she almost disliked the kindergarten here.
The custard buns were kept in the lunch box. Xu Shuang was afraid that the lunch box would not keep warm, so she even added a layer of hot water underneath. So when the sweet milk smell spread, the eyes of several children around were all wide open.
Taotao was very generous and gave a few away.
Soon after Taotao took a bite of the sweet snack, a group of people gathered around her.
The little fat boy smelled something from a distance and became greedy.
But Taotao gave all the money to others and refused to give it to him.
The little fat boy felt aggrieved and thought that he would ask his grandmother to make it for him after school.
But the nightmare is far from over.
Taotao had some custard buns in the morning. At noon, Teacher Li came in with a lunch box during lunch time.
"Taotao, your father brought you food."
On the first day of school, Xu Shuang was still worried, and he happened to go to Old Man Qiu to practice today. He packed up a portion of today's dishes and sent it over at noon.
Teacher Li had a headache. She had never seen a child spoiled like this.
Not only do mom and dad send the child to kindergarten, they also have to deliver lunch at noon!
Taotao's eyes sparkled.
The food in the kindergarten is pretty good, but for a picky kid like her, she still thinks the food her dad cooks tastes better.
The dishes Xu Shuang made today include scallion beef, fermented bean curd pork ribs and Chinese sausage rice.
Several delicious dishes were packed in the lunch box. The moment the lunch box was opened, even Teacher Li swallowed his saliva.
The moment the aroma exploded, the orderly lunch meal could no longer be maintained.
Some little girls came up to Taotao and asked to exchange food with her. Some gave her chocolates from home. Some children even threw away their own bowls...
The beef with scallions is fragrant and tender. The pork ribs with fermented bean curd are stewed until soft and tender, and even the little teeth of children can chew them. Even the fried rice is fragrant.
Taotao snorted at the little fat man with a gloomy face beside her.
What are you looking at? There's no place for you!
Taotao shared food with the kids around her, and within a day, she had become familiar with most of them.
The fat boy was so angry that tears were welling up in his eyes, and his stomach was rumbling.
Taotao didn't care about that. Not only did she share her food with others, she also tasted several kinds of chocolate. Even a kid promised to bring her sausage the next day.
Taotao has eaten the sausages made by her father, but has never eaten any red sausage.
The kid who said he could get the sausage said mysteriously: "I bought it from the Friendship Store. It's delicious!"
Tao Tao agreed immediately: "Then I'll bring it to you tomorrow."
In short, in addition to the little fat boy, Taotao promised to give out a basket of delicious food.
…
Teacher Li saw the quarrel among the little ones and told Wang Ying, who came to pick them up after school, what happened today.
Wang Ying never thought that her daughter would get into a fight with someone on her first day of school.
She thanked the teacher, took her daughter home from school, and began to interrogate the little girl on the way.
Tao Tao said confidently: "Mom, you said that if someone pulls my pigtails, I should tell them. He not only pulled my pigtails, but also called me a country girl."
Wang Ying: "… You can't just come up and fight."
At least you have to reason with him. If reason doesn't work, then fight him.
Taotao hugged her thighs and started to act coquettishly: "I know, I know, Mom, are we going to look for Dad today? What are we having for dinner?"
Wang Ying was both angry and amused, and tore the little girl off: "Don't change the subject, I'm talking to you. In the future, you should reason with others first. If you can't reason with them, you can start with them."
She didn't intend to let her daughter be a punching bag, but she couldn't be someone who only knew how to hit people and couldn't reason, right
After a pause, Wang Ying said, "Let's not go to see your father today. Let's go see your sister Cheng Yu."
In fact, Wang Ying went to ask Cheng Shufen about the house.
It has been several days since I came to Sijiu City. The place I live in now is quite quiet and Wang Ying likes it quite a lot. But after all, I am renting someone's house, so who knows when they will take it back
Wang Ying still wants to buy a house first, especially as more and more people have returned to the city in the past two years, and there are always people who want to sell their old houses.
Wang Ying wanted to buy an apartment closer to school and pack it up slowly.
The furniture for the house can be brought over once the house is settled.
Cheng Shufen now lives in a magnificent courtyard house within the Second Ring Road. Wang Ying and Taotao had been there once, so they came this time as they were familiar with the place.
Unfortunately, when they arrived, there were a few people standing at the door, arguing with Lan Yue's guards.
"Our teacher lives here, why can't we go in?"
"You stopped us outside without even telling us what to do. This doesn't make sense!"
"We are all students of Mr. Cheng from the Peking Opera Theater!"