Sunlight spilled through the gap in the curtains.
A rustling sound woke a groggy Lin Jiang. It was Xu Lin getting up.
Lin Jiang squinted, glancing at his phone.
"It’s just past five and you’re already up?"
"I have to take Xuanxuan to school. It’s still early, so you can sleep a while longer."
Xu Lin bent down, picked up her bra from the floor, and slipped her arms into the straps.
"I don’t have time to make you breakfast today. You’re on your own."
"I’ll go."
Lin Jiang stopped Xu Lin, pulled her bra off, and tossed it toward the door.
"I’m an idle man now, and you have to take care of the shop. If you get up this early, you’ll be exhausted during the day. I should be the one to go."
Xu Lin froze, surprised that Lin Jiang would say such a thing.
"I just want you to get some more rest."
Lin Jiang sat up in bed. "I’m well-rested. A little physical labor like this is nothing to me."
"Oh, listen to you." Xu Lin shot Lin Jiang a look, though it was true that this probably wasn’t a challenge for him.
’Sigh, what a hard life I used to lead.’
’It’s nice to be young.’
"Alright, go back to sleep. I’ll head over and get Xuanxuan."
"My mom doesn’t have time to make him breakfast in the morning. On the way, buy him a steamed bun and some soy milk. Oh, and a tea egg."
After a few "deep exchanges," neither of them was coy about things like money anymore.
"Don’t worry, I won’t let him go hungry. You get some more sleep."
"Mhm."
Xu Lin snuggled back under the covers, planning to go back to sleep.
Lin Jiang got dressed, quickly washed up, and headed out.
[You have experienced a weight-loss exercise. Physique +1]
[You have mastered a new weight-loss technique. Comprehension +1]
[You have received praise from your female neighbor. Charm +1]
[You charged in alone, going in and out seven times. Martial Force +1]
’This many rewards?’
’Tongzi, did you update yourself?’
After getting his car, Lin Jiang drove to Zhao Wenxuan’s grandmother’s house.
Before long, he saw the boy come out wearing his backpack, his face etched with sleepiness, as if he hadn’t woken up properly.
"Why so sleepy?" Lin Jiang asked casually.
"I was playing with my Ultraman toys. No one bosses me around at Grandma’s house, so I didn’t go to bed until after two. It was awesome!"
Lin Jiang chuckled. The kid’s sleep schedule was pretty much the same as his.
’Come to think of it, I went to sleep around the same time last night, and it was pretty awesome for me too.’
’By that logic, staying up late is the cause, and feeling awesome is the effect. It has nothing to do with anything else.’
Lin Jiang followed the route and drove to the school.
He bought Zhao Wenxuan a steamed bun, soy milk, and a tea egg on the way, and by the time the boy finished eating, they had arrived at the school.
The main reason he’d offered to pick up Zhao Wenxuan for Xu Lin was to find an opportunity to get closer to Jiang Xiaoqi.
He needed to find out about the "Outstanding Teacher" selection and complete this mission as soon as possible.
But whether he’d run into her today was all down to luck.
The morning was better than the after-school pickup. At least no one was double-parking.
After parking the car, Lin Jiang walked with Zhao Wenxuan toward the school gate.
To Lin Jiang’s relief, Jiang Xiaoqi was standing right at the school gate, welcoming the students from her class.
"Good morning, Teacher Qiqi."
"Good morning, Xuanxuan."
Jiang Xiaoqi waved, her smile as sweet as that of the girl next door who had just blossomed into a young woman.
After greeting Jiang Xiaoqi, Zhao Wenxuan happily skipped into the school grounds with his backpack on.
"Mr. Lin, you’re bringing Xuanxuan to school again," Jiang Xiaoqi said, initiating the conversation.
Lin Jiang smiled and nodded. "His mother is very busy with work, and since I’m free, I help her with the school run."
Hearing this, Jiang Xiaoqi became even more certain that there was something going on between Lin Jiang and Xuanxuan’s mother.
’These older women are so annoying, poaching from the dating pool for my age group.’
WAHHHH...
"Actually, I’ve been wanting to find a chance to chat with Xuanxuan’s mother. If you have time, Mr. Lin, I could just talk to you instead, and you could pass the message along."
’Huh?’
From Jiang Xiaoqi’s words, Lin Jiang sensed that something was a little off.
’Teachers have all the parents’ phone numbers. Even if she didn’t have time to meet in person, she could just call. There’s absolutely no reason to have me pass on a message.’
’The only possibility is that I’m the one she really wants to talk to!’
"No problem. When are you free, Teacher Jiang?"
"Would tonight be convenient?" Jiang Xiaoqi asked tentatively.
"Yes, it is."
"I get off work at six. We can meet at the school gate then? How does that sound?"
"No problem. It’s settled, then."
"It’s about that time. I should head back in. I’ll see you tonight." Jiang Xiaoqi smiled and waved at Lin Jiang.
"Okay."
Lin Jiang left, and Jiang Xiaoqi turned and walked back into the school.
In reality, the school didn’t require teachers to greet students at the gate in the morning.
The school’s security guards could handle that job just fine; having a teacher do it was redundant.
But Principal Zhou had called her last night, which meant the "Outstanding Teacher" award was pretty much in the bag.
Besides getting her application materials in order, she had to make a show of being diligent in other areas as well.
At the same time, Jiang Xiaoqi also had her own little motive: she wanted to see if Lin Jiang would be the one bringing Zhao Wenxuan to school this morning.
And to her surprise, he had shown up exactly as she’d hoped.
RING RING RING—
Just then, Jiang Xiaoqi’s phone rang. It was a call from her mother.
"Mom."
"Qiqi, are you in class yet?"
"Not yet, but soon. What’s up?"
"It’s about what I told you yesterday. Your Uncle Zhang’s son passed the civil service exam for the tax bureau, I think. He’s coming over to the house tonight, so come home early and meet him."
"I already told you I don’t want to meet him. Stop setting these things up for me," Jiang Xiaoqi said reluctantly.
"I wouldn’t have to arrange things if you’d just find someone yourself! You’re not getting any younger, just wasting time. Once you pass thirty, no one will want you," her mother chided.
"Then I’ll just stay single and child-free for a peaceful life."
"Are you trying to kill me with anger!"
Jiang Xiaoqi’s mother raised her voice, trying to overwhelm her with sheer force of will.
"I’m not trying to make you mad, I’m just telling the truth. You tell me, what are the benefits of getting married? If you can name three, I’ll go to the blind date."
"The benefits of marriage are..."
Jiang Xiaoqi’s mother fell silent.
"The benefits of marriage... well... um... er..."
"See? You can’t even name them yourself."
"If you don’t get married, how will you have children!"
"And what’s so great about having children? You get one like me, who makes you angry all the time. Do you think that’s a good thing?"
"I... well... er..." Her mother fell silent again.
"I know you’re anxious, but try not to be. If I meet the right person by chance, I’ll get married and have kids. If I don’t, then I’ll just stay single and child-free for a peaceful life."
"I don’t care if there are benefits or not. The point is, you have to come home tonight."
"I don’t have time. I have to work late tonight," Jiang Xiaoqi said. "And another thing, don’t set me up on these kinds of blind dates anymore. I refuse to go."
With that, Jiang Xiaoqi hung up and stubbornly marched toward the school building.

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