BXBX NOVEL Chapter 417 - 417: Show Off
Li Zexin carefully read the papers. It seemed to be about the early admissions starting next semester into a high school. It required his parents to sign the documents. On Sunday morning, at ten, the school invited parents to attend a meeting for filling out voluntary applications.
Moreover, attendance was mandatory.
Li Zexin was very pleased with this. He had worried about how to come up with
an excuse to show off his stepmother to his classmates. Finally, he had found a
reason!
That evening, Lin Wan received a phone call.
“A meeting and filling out voluntary applications?” she asked.
“Ms. Lin, you must be punctual. You and Mr. Li need to be here at ten in the morning on Sunday.”
Lin Wan was about to suggest that Li Yanchen would be better at meetings than her.
“Alright, I’ll make sure to bring Mr. Li along,” Lin Wan said in a loud voice.
Li Yanchen was sorting some documents on the sofa. His hands paused on the papers when he heard his name.
“At ten o’clock, our class volunteers will meet you at the entrance and guide you to the classrooms. I’ll hang up now.”
“What day is today?” Lin Wan asked Li Yanchen.
“Friday? What is Li Zexin up to now?” Li Yanchen guessed that it was Li Zexin on the phone.
“Can’t he be a little more sensible? Xinxin said there will be a parent meeting on Sunday morning at ten, regarding filling out voluntary applications for the high school entrance exam. It seems that next semester, high schools will conduct early admissions. I don’t quite understand the details. The teachers will explain it to the parents. Let’s go together.”
“Alright, I’ll free my schedule on Sunday. There aren’t many days left until winter vacation. Mama Bao has already arranged for someone to take care of the animals at her farm. She said she can leave anytime. Finally, Assistant Qin and Secretary Han can have a long vacation.”
“Isn’t this going to be the most meaningful winter vacation ever?” Lin Wan sat beside him.
Li Yanchen caressed her face. “It’ll be very eventful and fulfilling. I asked Secretary Han and the kids’ holidays start quite early this time. Once they are all home, we can set off.”
“Yes. Do you have any suggestions for choosing a school? I don’t understand much and don’t know which schools are good in Yun City. I heard from the ladies in Royal Water Bay that Yun Xi High School is the best, but we shouldn’t just focus on that one alone. We should keep our options open.” Lin Wan hadn’t raised children before, so she didn’t have any idea how to choose schools for them.
“I’ll ask Assistant Qin to print out the pros and cons of all the high schools in Yun City tomorrow. I remember there’s analytical data available online. He mentioned it to me before, but I didn’t pay much attention at the time.”
“Sounds good. We still have two days. I’ll also ask in the group chat. Some of the ladies there have done quite a bit of research on schools. Let’s discuss it tomorrow night.” Lin Wan remembered that many ladies of Royal Water Bay devoted themselves to taking care of their husbands and educating their children. They were bound to know more about good schools around.
In mid-January, Li Zexuan and Li Zekai called home. There were only five days left until the exams. They were afraid their parents would forget to pick them up after the exams.
Lin Wan set a reminder for that day and told the children that she would pick them up herself.
On Sunday morning, the Yun Xi Junior High School was abuzz with anticipation. This was the day when parents would fill out applications for high school for their children, Even parents like Li Yanchen who had never attended a meeting here before were present.
In the boys’ dormitory, Li Zexin woke up early.
“Xinxin, there’s no class this morning, and it’s not even daylight yet. Why did you get up so early?” Big Mouth was awakened by the creaking sound from the upper bunk. He opened his drowsy eyes.
“Get up and study. Parents are coming to the school today. Don’t you want to make a good impression?”
Big Mouth sighed. “What’s the point? My parents already know what kind of person I am. Even if I study hard today, they won’t believe me. They’ll think I’m just putting on a show.”
“Xinxin, I’ll wake up. I can still handle some studying.” Chubby Jiang tried to get out of bed and then fell back in. “No! I can’t leave my blanket. It’s so warm! I need it for survival.’
Li Zexin sighed. “Okay, I’ll go buy breakfast for you guys. I’ll let my lovely roommates enjoy a treat today.” His friends were suddenly wide awake. “What? Really?”
“Breakfast!” Li Zexin said loudly.
Li Zexin bought breakfast for his roommates for the first time. Although it was just meat buns and soy milk, they were happy.
Big Mouth was even more amazed. He secretly brought his phone and could record this historic moment.
Usually, it was them who took care of Li Zexin, not the other way around.
Li Zexin ate his meat buns and soy milk and looked at his friends’ astonished faces. “Why are you so surprised? You make it seem like I abuse you!”
Preserved Egg pretended to wipe away a tear. “That’s right. It feels like our child has finally grown up and learned to take care of his parents. We used to joke that I’m your dorm mom, Chubby Jiang is your dorm dad, Big Mouth is your big brother, and you were our troublesome little brother.”
“Exactly! Now that we’ve grown up and know how to treat your parents better,” said Chubby Jiang in agreement.
Li Zexin was speechless.
“But now, since we can go to your home and eat for free, I feel like you’re not such a burden anymore,” said Preserved Egg.
“So… it’s not because of me, but because you can come to my place and have a free meal?” Li Zexin felt wronged. Other than being a bit lazy, messy, and carefree, he was quite good in other aspects.
“No, no, no… Xinxin, you’re great too. You share all the good things with us.
Except for running off to the Wind God’s team, everything else is good.”
Li Zexin couldn’t help but feel like they were still saying he was unreliable.
“Xinxin, the breakfast you bought tastes especially good. Are there more buns? Three are not enough.” Chubby Jiang was still chewing but wanted more.
“These are garden buns! 200 grams each! How are these not enough? Chubby Jiang, drink some water with the buns, and you’ll feel full in no time!” Li Zexin had bought two large meat buns, but one whole bun was snatched away by Chubby Jiang.
“Alright… Being 70% full is fine too.”
Li Zexin was speechless.
Lin Wan and Li Yanchen arrived at the school gate ten minutes early. Following the message given by their stepson, they found the volunteers holding small flags for Class 9-3.
Lin Wan dressed very casually.
Li Yanchen had also changed his usual formal attire for a sports jacket in the same color as Lin Wan. However, when they stood together in Class 9-3 group with other parents, they attracted many glances.
Even the volunteers couldn’t remain composed. They held their small flags and stood beside the couple. They looked at them eagerly. The excitement was visible in their eyes..