224 They’re Going to be Valuable Adults
Dean Lu and Professor Wang glanced at Lu Jiao and then back at Xie Yunjin.
Xie Yunjin didn’t speak. Right now, he doesn’t know how to introduce Lu Jiao to others. Was he supposed to say she was his wife? But they were technically separated.
Classmate Han smiled and stood up, “Dean, Professor, this is Yunjin’s wife, Lu Jiao. It’s all thanks to her that Yunjin was able to heal so fast and walk so soon. Because she was so busy taking care of him, she lost a lot of weight.”
So Lu Jiao was the first wife Xie Yunjin married, not someone different.
The two of them were embarrassed. They smiled and took the tea, “Thank you.”
Lu Jiao responded, “No problem.”
Her mannerism was full of grace, which made the Dean and the Professor curious. This woman was born in the countryside yet she appeared fearless and confident, not at all like someone raised by farmers. In this area, even wealthy families rarely manage to raise their children like this. She acted more like a wealthy daughter from the Capital City, who was carefully educated.
Lu Jiao didn’t know the Dean and the Professor would think so much. She went up to Xie Yunjin and asked him, “I’ll make noodle soup later. Should I make extra?”
She was asking whether or not she should cook for the guests.
Xie Yunji guessed that the group hadn’t eaten, “Sure. Cook extra.”
Lu Jiao then went out after she chatted a little more.
After she left, Dean Lu couldn’t help but compliment her, “With such a virtuous wife, I’m sure your exam will go smoothly.”
Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened a little. Every time he was reminded of his separation from Lu Jiao, depression and anxiety filled him.
Since he was in front of Dean Lu and Professor Wang, he didn’t show it.
Classmate Han smiled at Dean Lu and Professor Wang, “Not only is Yunjin’s wife virtuous, but she’s also very capable. She’s an amazing cook, great at raising kids, and even knows medicine. More importantly, she’s very kind. This village was very poor so she taught everyone how to harvest herbs to sell. I heard she also started teaching everyone how to keep leeches, and how to plant honeysuckle.”
The Dean and the Professor were shocked. They exclaimed, “What an astounding woman.”
The more the group discussed Lu Jiao, the worse Xie Yunjin felt. No matter how great that woman was, she was no longer his wife.
Lu Jiao didn’t know she was being talked about. She efficiently boiled water and made noodles in the kitchen. When Lu Gui caught her cooking, he went in to help.
The four little ones and Huzi had a great time in the yard. After the initial excitement died down, they also ran into the kitchen to help out.
“Mommy, what do you need? Let me help you.”
Lu Jiao wasn’t going to spoil them and ordered, “Get me some spring onion and cilantro. Also, pull some veggies for me.”
“Okay.”
The children ran out to the yard to get what she asked. Inside the kitchen, Lu Jiao discussed with Lu Gui as they cooked, “Now that you’re living here, you can only stay in the west building. Once we move to the city of Qinghe, I’ll get you your own room. What do you say?”
Lu Gui wasn’t picky about where he slept. He was, however, very interested in moving to the city.
“Sister, you’re really going to move?”
Lu Jiao nodded sternly. Xie Yunjin was already planning to move. Today, the Dean and Professor had asked him to teach students. If all goes according to plan, they will move to the city soon.
Lu Jiao nodded, “Yeah, we should be moving there soon.”
Lu Gui smiled happily. He was going to be a city boy? All his life, he’s only been to the city of Qinghe once. Now he was about to move there permanently. He was right that following his sister was a good decision.
“Sister, I will go wherever you go. Once my brother-in-law becomes an official, I’ll be your steward.”
Lu Gui chuckled while Lu Jiao rolled her eyes, “Can you be more ambitious?”
Lu Gui flattered, “To be the steward of an official is very ambitious.”
Lu Jiao rolled her eyes again and teased, “Yes, yes, you’re so ambitious.”
The two of them, along with the children’s help, finally finished cooking.
Other than the noodle soup, Lu Jiao cooked a few side dishes as well.
Pan-fried tofu, eggs with chives, pork with green onion, and kung pao chicken.
At the lunch table, the Dean and Professor couldn’t help but compliment, “Classmate Han mentioned you’re a good cook and we were skeptical. Now I see what he means.”
Lu Jiao grinned, “They’re all common home cooking. I’m happy if you don’t mind.”
Lu Jiao then called out to the four little ones, “Boys, greet our guests. This is Uncle Dean, and that is Uncle Professor.”
The four little ones checked out their guests and were not at all shy. They called out, “Hi Uncle Dean, hi Uncle Professor.”
Dean Lu and Professor Wang studied the four adorable boys in surprise. They were experienced teachers and knew right away that the four little ones were smart.
Perhaps they will be good students like their father, which made them great potential students for their school.
Dean Lu gestured for them to go to him happily, “What are your names? How old are you? Have you learned to read?”
The First Born was the first to step up and answer crisply, “Uncle Dean, my name is Xie Wenyao.”
“My name is Xie Wenjia.”
“My name is Xie Wenshao.”
“My name is Xie Wenyu.”
“We are four years old!”
“We’ve learned how to read the Three Character Classics and the Hundred Family Surnames from daddy. We have started reading the Thousand Character Classic.”
Dean Lu started to evaluate them. He pushed aside his food and started to quiz the four little ones one by one. He discovered that the four little ones had great memorization skills and knew the answers to all his questions.
Dean Lu was in love with them. He turned to Xie Yunjin, “Yunjin, your boys will be valuable adults one day. You have to teach them well.”
Xie Yunjin nodded, “I will take that advice to heart.”
Dean Lu then looked at Lu Jiao, “How educated a child is is often determined by their mother. You’re a great mother.”
Lu Jiao was shy from the compliment. The children were the way they were because they were good kids.
“Dean, you’re being too kind.”
Lu Jiao didn’t want to talk about the kids too much. Children shouldn’t be complimented too much when they’re little, it makes them too arrogant.
Lu Jiao invited Dean Lu, Professor Wang, and Classmate Han to eat. She took the five children to the kitchen and ate there.
There were too many people and the table was too small.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to heat the noodles.”
Behind her, the Dean and Professor called out, “Just eat here.”
Lu Jiao beamed, “It’s okay. You guys eat.”
Lu Jiao then took the children to eat outside. If there were only the four little ones here today, she might’ve stayed. However, Lu Jiao could tell that Huzi was getting anxious and uncertain at the table. Worried that something might happen, she figured it was better for her to take the children.
224 They’re Going to be Valuable Adults
Dean Lu and Professor Wang glanced at Lu Jiao and then back at Xie Yunjin.
Xie Yunjin didn’t speak. Right now, he doesn’t know how to introduce Lu Jiao to others. Was he supposed to say she was his wife? But they were technically separated.
Classmate Han smiled and stood up, “Dean, Professor, this is Yunjin’s wife, Lu Jiao. It’s all thanks to her that Yunjin was able to heal so fast and walk so soon. Because she was so busy taking care of him, she lost a lot of weight.”
So Lu Jiao was the first wife Xie Yunjin married, not someone different.
The two of them were embarrassed. They smiled and took the tea, “Thank you.”
Lu Jiao responded, “No problem.”
Her mannerism was full of grace, which made the Dean and the Professor curious. This woman was born in the countryside yet she appeared fearless and confident, not at all like someone raised by farmers. In this area, even wealthy families rarely manage to raise their children like this. She acted more like a wealthy daughter from the Capital City, who was carefully educated.
Lu Jiao didn’t know the Dean and the Professor would think so much. She went up to Xie Yunjin and asked him, “I’ll make noodle soup later. Should I make extra?”
She was asking whether or not she should cook for the guests.
Xie Yunji guessed that the group hadn’t eaten, “Sure. Cook extra.”
Lu Jiao then went out after she chatted a little more.
After she left, Dean Lu couldn’t help but compliment her, “With such a virtuous wife, I’m sure your exam will go smoothly.”
Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened a little. Every time he was reminded of his separation from Lu Jiao, depression and anxiety filled him.
Since he was in front of Dean Lu and Professor Wang, he didn’t show it.
Classmate Han smiled at Dean Lu and Professor Wang, “Not only is Yunjin’s wife virtuous, but she’s also very capable. She’s an amazing cook, great at raising kids, and even knows medicine. More importantly, she’s very kind. This village was very poor so she taught everyone how to harvest herbs to sell. I heard she also started teaching everyone how to keep leeches, and how to plant honeysuckle.”
The Dean and the Professor were shocked. They exclaimed, “What an astounding woman.”
The more the group discussed Lu Jiao, the worse Xie Yunjin felt. No matter how great that woman was, she was no longer his wife.
Lu Jiao didn’t know she was being talked about. She efficiently boiled water and made noodles in the kitchen. When Lu Gui caught her cooking, he went in to help.
The four little ones and Huzi had a great time in the yard. After the initial excitement died down, they also ran into the kitchen to help out.
“Mommy, what do you need? Let me help you.”
Lu Jiao wasn’t going to spoil them and ordered, “Get me some spring onion and cilantro. Also, pull some veggies for me.”
“Okay.”
The children ran out to the yard to get what she asked. Inside the kitchen, Lu Jiao discussed with Lu Gui as they cooked, “Now that you’re living here, you can only stay in the west building. Once we move to the city of Qinghe, I’ll get you your own room. What do you say?”
Lu Gui wasn’t picky about where he slept. He was, however, very interested in moving to the city.
“Sister, you’re really going to move?”
Lu Jiao nodded sternly. Xie Yunjin was already planning to move. Today, the Dean and Professor had asked him to teach students. If all goes according to plan, they will move to the city soon.
Lu Jiao nodded, “Yeah, we should be moving there soon.”
Lu Gui smiled happily. He was going to be a city boy? All his life, he’s only been to the city of Qinghe once. Now he was about to move there permanently. He was right that following his sister was a good decision.
“Sister, I will go wherever you go. Once my brother-in-law becomes an official, I’ll be your steward.”
Lu Gui chuckled while Lu Jiao rolled her eyes, “Can you be more ambitious?”
Lu Gui flattered, “To be the steward of an official is very ambitious.”
Lu Jiao rolled her eyes again and teased, “Yes, yes, you’re so ambitious.”
The two of them, along with the children’s help, finally finished cooking.
Other than the noodle soup, Lu Jiao cooked a few side dishes as well.
Pan-fried tofu, eggs with chives, pork with green onion, and kung pao chicken.
At the lunch table, the Dean and Professor couldn’t help but compliment, “Classmate Han mentioned you’re a good cook and we were skeptical. Now I see what he means.”
Lu Jiao grinned, “They’re all common home cooking. I’m happy if you don’t mind.”
Lu Jiao then called out to the four little ones, “Boys, greet our guests. This is Uncle Dean, and that is Uncle Professor.”
The four little ones checked out their guests and were not at all shy. They called out, “Hi Uncle Dean, hi Uncle Professor.”
Dean Lu and Professor Wang studied the four adorable boys in surprise. They were experienced teachers and knew right away that the four little ones were smart.
Perhaps they will be good students like their father, which made them great potential students for their school.
Dean Lu gestured for them to go to him happily, “What are your names? How old are you? Have you learned to read?”
The First Born was the first to step up and answer crisply, “Uncle Dean, my name is Xie Wenyao.”
“My name is Xie Wenjia.”
“My name is Xie Wenshao.”
“My name is Xie Wenyu.”
“We are four years old!”
“We’ve learned how to read the Three Character Classics and the Hundred Family Surnames from daddy. We have started reading the Thousand Character Classic.”
Dean Lu started to evaluate them. He pushed aside his food and started to quiz the four little ones one by one. He discovered that the four little ones had great memorization skills and knew the answers to all his questions.
Dean Lu was in love with them. He turned to Xie Yunjin, “Yunjin, your boys will be valuable adults one day. You have to teach them well.”
Xie Yunjin nodded, “I will take that advice to heart.”
Dean Lu then looked at Lu Jiao, “How educated a child is is often determined by their mother. You’re a great mother.”
Lu Jiao was shy from the compliment. The children were the way they were because they were good kids.
“Dean, you’re being too kind.”
Lu Jiao didn’t want to talk about the kids too much. Children shouldn’t be complimented too much when they’re little, it makes them too arrogant.
Lu Jiao invited Dean Lu, Professor Wang, and Classmate Han to eat. She took the five children to the kitchen and ate there.
There were too many people and the table was too small.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to heat the noodles.”
Behind her, the Dean and Professor called out, “Just eat here.”
Lu Jiao beamed, “It’s okay. You guys eat.”
Lu Jiao then took the children to eat outside. If there were only the four little ones here today, she might’ve stayed. However, Lu Jiao could tell that Huzi was getting anxious and uncertain at the table. Worried that something might happen, she figured it was better for her to take the children.
