The Fat Wife of the 1980s Awakens

"But, if this happens, Xie Yi won't have time to take care of Xiaoyun?"

Father Xu asked with concern, "How about letting Xiaoyun stay at home and we can help take care of her."

"No need to trouble you," Xu Xiufang shook her head. "I have already contacted the staff nursery of Jingshi University for Xiaoyun, and plan to send her there in September."

"You're already in daycare at such a young age?"

Father Xu looked surprised.

"Nowadays, many nurseries accept children as young as three and a half years old."

Xu Xiufang explained patiently.

In the end, Xu's father and mother did not raise any more objections, and Xu Xiufang took Sanbao and Xiaoyun on their journey home.

The next day, the family returned to the familiar Yanyuan cottage.

Although he has not been home for two months, the house remains clean and warm thanks to Dabao's careful care.

Dabao is a clean-loving child. Even if he has heavy homework on weekdays, he will still take time out to maintain their little world with Erbao.

Otherwise, Xu Xiufang really couldn’t imagine what the two boys’ rooms would become.

The new semester is about to begin, and Xiaoyun will embark on her nursery journey and officially join the ranks of learners.

"Wife, I will send Xiaoyun to the nursery tomorrow, you just go to class with peace of mind."

Xie Yi said considerately.

"The nursery is right on campus, so you don't have to go there specially," Xu Xiufang smiled. She chose Peking University's nursery for convenience. "Don't you have to go to the scrapyard early? You can just leave directly. I can send Xiaoyun by myself, and Dabao and Erbao can also go to school by themselves."

"It's okay, I can wait for the second bus," Xie Yi considered that after moving to the vicinity of Peking University, the distance to the scrap yard would become longer, there would be no direct bus, and it would take more than an hour to ride a bicycle, so he planned to take the bus to the Siheyuan first, and then ride there.

"Okay then, let's send Xiaoyun off together," Xu Xiufang nodded. As a boss, she had flexible working hours and didn't have to worry about being late, which was what she enjoyed most.

However, facing Xu Xiufang's worried eyes, he emphasized his tone, as if he was promising her and himself, "I really won't go back. The journey here is long, and I have to commute back and forth every day. Your worry is not without reason. How can I bear to see you working so hard for me, with your brows furrowed like this? My heart will also ache."

Xu Xiufang snuggled up to his shoulder, her fingers unconsciously entwined around the corner of his clothes. Her silence expressed her understanding of him, as well as her hidden worry about the unknown challenges of the future.

She had mixed feelings, as she was touched by Xie Yi's persistence, but also worried about the burden such an arrangement would put on his body.

"Let's put it this way," Xie Yi's voice was gentle but firm. He kissed her forehead gently as if this kiss could resolve all difficulties. "When I can catch the bus, I will naturally go home to spend the night with you. If I miss it, I also have a courtyard house as a place to rest, so don't worry too much."

His words were full of determination, as if he had made all the necessary plans for this moment.

Although Xu Xiufang still had concerns in her heart, she could only temporarily accept this loving compromise.

She put her arms around his neck, a barely perceptible expectation flashed in her eyes, and she thought to herself: If they could have a car of their own, all these troubles would be solved.

Next year, by the end of this year, as the wave continues to sweep, the situation next year will surely be brighter.

When the time comes, I will definitely persuade Xie Yi to buy a car so that he can avoid the suffering of running around day after day.

The next morning, as the morning light began to appear, the family shared breakfast at the dining table and then got ready to go.

Erbao and Xiaobao were laughing and playing at the fork in the road, and then they each ran happily towards their respective schools. Their backs were elongated in the morning sun, full of energy.

Dabao had to say goodbye to his family early and embark on the journey of studying because of the call of his first class at Peking University.

Xie Yi, Xu Xiufang and Xiaoyun walked slowly towards the Peking University faculty and staff dormitory area, where was the nursery where Xiaoyun was about to start her new life.

As they walked, Xu Xiufang softly asked Xiaoyun whether she missed her parents in the nursery and whether she couldn't help crying.

Xiaoyun shook her head sensibly, with a strong light flashing in her eyes.

"Then Xiaoyun, you have to do what you say. Dad heard it all," Xu Xiufang's voice was full of encouragement and expectation, and her eyes were full of tenderness.

Xiaoyun nodded heavily, and her serious look made people feel pity for her.

However, when she really stood in front of the nursery door, Xiaoyun suddenly grabbed the corners of her parents' clothes tightly, as if the little girl wanted to use all her strength to retain the warmth and support at this moment.

Xie Yi chuckled with a hint of heartache. He gently stroked Xiaoyun's hair, "Didn't we agree before that Xiaoyun should be brave and not cry?"

His eyes were full of encouragement for Xiaoyun, and Xiaoyun looked up with red eyes, but miraculously held back her tears.

Although she didn't cry, her little hands were still reluctant to let go, which showed her deep dependence and reluctance to leave her parents.

Xu Xiufang stroked Xiaoyun's braids lovingly, her tone gentle but firm, "Mom knows Xiaoyun is the best, but Mom has to go to teach the older brothers and sisters, and Dad has to go to work. Xiaoyun will play with the teacher and new friends here. Mom promises that when the bell rings, Mom will rush back to pick you up, okay?"

At this moment, Xu Xiufang knew deeply that the promise she made to her children was like a planted seed, which needed careful care in order to bloom the flower of trust.

As I recall, that was a time without Xiaoyun. Once when they went back to her parents' home, because it was inconvenient to bring Sanbao with them, they made up a white lie.

Unexpectedly, that little "betrayal" almost caused the children to take the extreme action of running away to find them. That incident brought a huge shock to Xu Xiufang.

From then on, she vowed never to let her children suffer the fear of being abandoned again, and every promise she made became her fulfillment in the future, no matter what the weather.

Xiaoyun felt this strong sense of security. She trusted every word her mother said. Finally, she mustered up the courage to open her tightly clenched hands and said, "Then...you must come to pick me up, okay?"

"I definitely will," Xu Xiufang gently held Xiaoyun's hand and placed it lightly in the teacher's palm, completing a silent handover ceremony.

The teacher led Xiaoyun and praised Xu Xiufang for her cleverness and understanding. Xu Xiufang responded with a smile and watched Xiaoyun walk into the nursery gate. She only turned around and left with Xie Yi until the little figure completely disappeared from her sight.

Xie Yi wanted to send her to the classroom, but was declined by Xu Xiufang. Just as they were about to part, four youthful girls appeared in front of them - Xu Xiufang's roommates, Yang Xue, Chen Lu, Guo Yunxin and Zhou Xiaoyue.

When Yang Xue saw Xu Xiufang, she was overjoyed. She trotted to her side and glanced at Xie Yi secretly, with curiosity flashing in her eyes.

Xie Yi nodded to them with just the right amount of politeness.

"I was thinking of going to the classroom in advance to save a seat for you, but I didn't expect to meet you here."