Chapter 41: Trivial Matters

  Zhao Juan wiped her hand and kissed her daughter's small flower face, not minding the dirt, and Song Jie was kissed to "hehe" laughter, revealing a little white tooth that had just started to grow.

  Now that Zhao Juan is back, Song Jie naturally couldn't play anymore and went home with Xiao Yan'er. Xiao Yan'er had a keen sense of propriety and went to Aunt Li's house instead of following them.

  The mother and daughter returned to their long-separated home, with Aunt Li having the key given by Zhao Juan, who came to help clean up every few days, so the house was very clean and dust-free.

  Zhao Juan put the things she took on the kang in her home. At first glance, it was a big package, and even if half of its volume was gone, it was still not small.

  Zhao Juan poured a basin of clear water, and wiped her daughter from head to toe, washing away the little black muddy devil-like Song Jie. She took off all her dirty clothes. From the bundle, she pulled out a new skirt that Zhao's mother had bought for her, and tried it on her daughter.

  This little skirt is made of good cotton fabric, and the pink dress has a light green lotus leaf edge at the bottom. In Song Jie's opinion, although this skirt is ordinary in style, the material is very good, and it must be comfortable to wear.

  "This is what your grandma specially bought for you at the department store, and there's another one too, wear them alternately." As she spoke, Zhao Juan quickly helped Song Jie put on the clothes.

  After putting it on, Zhao Juan took a mirror from the cabinet and held it in front of her daughter for her to take a look. Song Jie spun around several times from afar, twirling the skirt, and was so beautiful that she couldn't close her mouth.

  But what's with that face, how did it get so dark?! These days have been crazy, haven't even gone into space, forgot to drink the water in space, and rarely look in the mirror, didn't even notice my face got tanned.

  Song Jie Hei Xian, no wonder just now when mom called her own voice was not loud, it turned out that her own daughter had changed greatly and was uncertain.

  Song Jie was overjoyed with her new clothes and sat down on the kang, trying to untie the stubborn knot on the package. However, she couldn't open it no matter how hard she tried, and her face turned red with effort. Zhao Juan, on the other hand, just stood by and watched, showing no intention of helping.

  Song Jie busied herself for a while, but couldn't untie it, so she launched a warm offensive, looking at Zhao Juan with tears in her eyes, her big eyes full of accusation and entreaty.

  A cute little loli stared at him like that, Zhao Juan couldn't take it anymore and was immediately defeated, surrendering with her hands up. Helplessly glancing at the bear child, she took the package and opened it with a few movements.

  Song Jie let out a cheer and gazed at her mother with adoring eyes, as if the stars had come out in broad daylight.

  Zhao Juan was secretly proud and arrogant, her head held high, her chin pointing to the sky. This wasn't similar to Song Jie's favorite gesture or what? Truly worthy of being mother and daughter.

  Song Jie's luggage was opened, and the things inside were too many, and they all came out at once. A pile of food and clothing dazzled Song Jie's eyes, and she really wanted to sleep on top of it.

  Zhao Juan quickly separated her daughter from the bundle, sorted out clothes and food, and took out a pile of snacks to put in front of Song Jie, letting her grind her teeth.

  There are some dried fruits and meat floss, Zhao Juan packed a bag to be sent to Auntie Li and others in the evening to thank them for taking care of Nini for many days.

  In the end, it was late in the evening when Aunt Li came back and refused to let Zhao Juan leave, saying that there were no elderly people at home and nothing to eat. She insisted on letting Zhao Juan bring her child over for dinner, and Zhao Juan had no choice but to nod in agreement.

  In the evening, Song Jie wore her new dress to Aunt Li's house. When she saw someone coming over, she would slowly walk past them, and if no one paid attention to her, she would do it again. She wouldn't stop until someone complimented her on how beautiful her dress was. How childish, completely forgetting how old she is, acting like a real little brat.

  Adults look at her skirt like a Western-style painting, and they don't flatter her by saying it's beautiful. They tease her on purpose, and it's great fun to see the little adult change her face. Who says adults don't have a playful sense of humor?

  Zhao Juan came over especially early in the evening to help with cooking, originally letting others help take care of the kids was already a big favor, how could she also eat ready-made food?

  She brought out some famous Beijing roasted chicken and duck, adding a few dishes.

  When eating, the host and guest are delighted, and they eat with relish.

  "Juan'er, are you confident about this exam?" Li Aunt asked worriedly.

  Zhao Juan hesitated: "I'm not very confident about this either, after all, I haven't studied for so many years, and my heart is also uncertain. Let's see what fate brings. If I don't pass the exam this year, I'll take it again next year. My parents are getting old, and I should stay with them."

  "Aunt Li sighed: "Yes, with the children not around, your parents don't know how much they miss them. If you leave, where can I find such a good neighbor? Don't worry about whether you pass or not, just take it easy and let things be."

  "It's better to go back home, after all it's a big city and it's good for the kids. Just wait patiently for the exam results this time, don't lose your usual calmness, no need to take it too seriously."

  Zhao Juan nodded in agreement and said yes.

  Song Jie was gnawing on a chicken thigh with her right hand, her face covered in oil stains. Although she seemed to be enjoying her food, her ears were perked up, listening to their conversation. Song Jie knew that the day of her departure was not far away.

  It's not a month later, but a year later. However, in her opinion, it should be soon, because when she had nothing to do, she also took a look at Zhao Juan's answer sheet, and the questions were all answered correctly, as long as she didn't perform abnormally, she would be able to get into a pretty good university.

  It's just that Zhao Juan hasn't held a pen for many years and is somewhat lacking in confidence, it seems like they're about to part ways, she suddenly felt that the chicken leg in her hand wasn't as delicious as before...

  The adults were eating well, but Song Jie was eating a bit tasteless. However, the adults were busy talking about their experiences over the past few days and didn't notice her abnormality.

  The moon is high in the sky, and the July new moon hangs like a crescent moon in the air.

  After dinner, Zhao Juan carried her daughter back home, and the moon in Song Jie's eyes that night was forever etched in her heart.

  Since Zhao Juan returned, Song Jie became visibly happier, carefreely squandering the last moments of her time.

  Zhao Juan returned at just the right time. The wheat had already been harvested, and there was no farm work to be done in the fields. It was the hot summer season when farmers were idle.

  The weather is really too hot, and people can't stand it after leaving the house for a while. So, on the streets during the day, there are almost no pedestrians, except for those little kids who ignore the advice of adults and play outside. Especially by the small river, there are always people at any time.

  Song Jie was also one of them. Since she knew they would be parting ways soon, she had been hanging out outside and didn't want to go home. This made Zhao Juan constantly grumble that she had raised a wild child who never stayed at home.

  In fact, only Song Jie herself knew how reluctant she was to leave this place, and how much she didn't want to go...