CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: JEALOUSY

"Auntie, what’s an English class? Is it what the foreign devils speak?" Xu Jian asked innocently.

Lin Qin had a headache and carefully explained to the two children the importance of Western countries and English. "Your mom and dad are busy and don’t have time for all this, so this winter break, you’ll take English classes here with Ping’an and Yaya. Let’s see how it goes first."

The two kids already admired their aunt and uncle, so naturally, they agreed to whatever Lin Qin said.

The next day.

Lin Qin took the four children to the training center, explained the situation to Bai Linlin, then turned around to take the little one to the nursery, beginning her tough winter break study life.

It wasn’t until the nursery went on break that Lin Qin started cleaning the house, buying New Year’s clothes for the kids, and preparing holiday goods.

After finishing these tasks, it was already New Year’s Eve.

Xu Dahai brought his youngest daughter and New Year gifts to Nanyu to pick up the kids. He heard his two sons speaking loudly in a language he didn’t understand and was bewildered.

"Dad! What are Ah Jian and Ah Kang doing?" Xu Dahai put the things in the kitchen, looking puzzled in the direction of the living room.

Lin Yi scolded, "You parents aren’t as concerned for the kids as their aunt is! Ah Qin enrolled all four kids in an English specialty class. They’ve been studying for over half a month, one class a day, then doing homework, exercising, fishing when they have free time, and they have to repeat what they learned daily, reading English for half an hour morning, noon, and night."

Xu Dahai was shocked, "Dad! I thought my sister-in-law brought them here to play with Ping’an and Yaya. This... no, I must ask how much the classes cost; I can’t let them pay both money and effort."

"Forget it! I covered the cost; you should just do what you’re supposed to do! Don’t disturb the kids studying. Also, let me tell you something, since you and your wife are busy with business and can’t take care of the kids, just send them to study in the city.

Anyway, picking up two kids is no different from picking up four. Just transfer their household registration."

Lin Yi had this idea early on, especially seeing the gap between his elder and younger grandchildren; this thought grew stronger. Fortunately, he hadn’t used the money from selling lotus roots, sweet potatoes, calla lilies, and taro this year, and his personal savings had reached five figures.

He couldn’t use that much money himself and could plan carefully for his grandchildren.

Xu Dahai hesitated, "Dad, the kids’ household registrations are in the village. Wouldn’t transferring them mean Ah Ying and I have to transfer too?"

Lin Yi rolled his eyes, "I’ve already checked. As long as one of you transfers, the kids can transfer out.

Now, collective labor isn’t popular anymore, each family manages itself. Your village doesn’t have much money, and the land was long distributed, so transferring the two kids’ registrations won’t have much impact.

The education in the city is better. In the village, the two boys might not want to study past middle school. In the city, surrounded by children who study, their mindset will be different. Don’t you want someone in the family to become a college student?"

These words struck Xu Dahai at his core.

Originally hesitant, he immediately agreed, gritting his teeth, "I’ll discuss it with Ah Ying later, but isn’t transferring schools quite troublesome?"

Lin Yi pondered, "You find Wenjun. Wenjun knows a supervisor at the education bureau; he even plans to give them New Year gifts. Let him take you to ask, we’re just ordinary transfers, not asking for special favors, so it shouldn’t be a problem."

Xu Dahai took it to heart.

Originally planning to give New Year gifts and take the sons back, he stayed two extra hours to discuss with Chen Wenjun before taking them home.

By the time they got home, it was nearly dark.

Lin Ying had prepared the New Year’s Eve dinner and relaxed once she saw the three returned safely, complaining, "Making it so late on New Year’s Eve!"

Xu Dahai, in high spirits, shouted to his sons, "Come on! Eldest and second, say something to your mom in English."

Xu Jian and Xu Kang immediately greeted Lin Ying in English.

Lin Ying was completely confused, "What is this? What are they saying? I don’t understand a word."

"Don’t understand, right? That’s right! Your two sons have made progress; they can speak foreign words now! I only found out when I went to pick them up today. My sister-in-law took these two boys to the city for English lessons.

Dad means that the village school isn’t good, so we should transfer the two kids’ registrations to the city and let them attend school there. Dad also said we don’t have to pay; he will cover the schooling costs for his grandchildren.

I think Dad’s right. If the kids stay in the village, they might be working after middle school, maybe not even that. In the city, Dad and my sister-in-law keep a close eye, and the study environment is better. We don’t expect big achievements from the kids, but if they can get into high school or a technical school, then they won’t have to live as hard as we do, right?"

Lin Ying, more eager for her sons to succeed than Xu Dahai, nodded vigorously, "Right! For the children’s future, we must send them to study in the city."

Xu Dahai softened, "If you agree, it will be easier. The house in the city Dad bought for you, my suggestion is to transfer your and the kids’ registrations there, keep Xinyi’s and mine in the village.

When she’s older, we’ll move hers too. By then, the three siblings will all study in the city, and surely one of the three will make it to a technical school!"

He dared not dream of a university, but a technical school seemed attainable.

Lin Ying felt fired up inside, planning with Xu Dahai to handle the transfers right after the New Year.

Because of this, they decided not to go to the city on the second day of the lunar new year and to call Lin Qin.

On New Year’s Day, Xu Dahai took two bottles of wine to the village secretary’s house to pay respects and casually inquired about the transfer.

The village secretary was surprised, asking for details.

Xu Dahai explained that Lin Ying’s family bought a house for her and planned for the kids to study in the city.

The village secretary was envious, "Great! This is a good thing! For the kids’ future, it’s right to transfer. Come by the eighth, fill out the materials here, and you’ll have to make a few trips to the city."

Xu Dahai quickly expressed gratitude.

The village secretary kept his mouth sealed tight, not revealing a thing, until Lin Ying and the two sons’ registrations shifted to the city, and Xu Jian and Xu Kang transferred to the city’s experimental primary school – then the news spread.

Xu Dahai’s eldest sister-in-law, Wang Fengying, couldn’t stay still hearing this, pulling her husband Xu Dapeng along, grumbling, "Second brother is really capable; I think he’s just afraid we’ll share in their gains and that’s why he rushed to separate."

If we hadn’t split, our kids could’ve been transferred to study in the city. Hurry up and think of a way; we can’t let our kids be overshadowed."

As the Xu family’s favorite daughter-in-law, Wang Fengying always felt superior, never taking Lin Ying or Zhang Guizhi seriously.

Even when the second and third families quarreled, she just watched like a spectator.