Chapter 97: Mom Starts Teaching You the Multiplication Table

Chapter 97: Mom Starts Teaching You the Multiplication Table

After Auntie Zhong and Xia Zhiqiu left, Su Taotao began optimizing the blueprints again. Since they planned to add production lines in the future, it was best to reserve space for them from the start of the infrastructure construction.

The Nursery Class was a good example. Because no space was reserved initially, they now had to make room within the elementary school.

"Mommy~~ Bai Bai is bad~~ He peed all over the place~~"

Su Taotao had been consciously training Bai Bai to use the bathroom, but even the smartest dog needs time to adapt, and occasionally, accidents happen.

There was no other option but to keep training Bai Bai until he stopped making messes everywhere.

Su Taotao picked up Bai Bai and let him smell his own pee: "It smells bad, doesn't it? If you pee anywhere else next time, I'll lock you in the bathroom and won't let you out."

Chenchen believed it was true and thought his mom was really going to lock Bai Bai up. He nervously patted Bai Bai's head: "Bai Bai, be good~~ Don't~~ pee everywhere anymore, okay~~"

Bai Bai whimpered sadly. He didn't want to, but he couldn't help it.

Back then, there was no cat litter or dog litter, so Su Taotao had to rinse Bai Bai's mess with water.

Su Taotao continued with her work, occasionally testing Chenchen on the Three Character Classic. She found that no matter which section she quizzed him on, the child always answered correctly, with hardly any mistakes.

Su Taotao was concerned. She didn't know how to further teach such a bright child.

Chenchen's focus was on Bai Bai. When he noticed signs that Bai Bai needed to pee, he carried him to the bathroom in advance. By the time Fu Zhengtu came home from work, Bai Bai hadn't had any accidents outside the bathroom.

For dinner, Su Taotao made a simple cured meat rice dish. She used taro rice as the base, added cured pork and sausage after the rice started boiling, placed a few slices of ginger on top to remove the fishy smell, and blanched some vegetables as a side.

Once the rice was fully cooked, she drizzled a circle of soy sauce over it.

The simple yet tasty cured meat rice was ready.

Fu Yuanhang and Mo Jialin, two sweaty young boys, returned at this moment.

The sizzling sound of the rice crust soaking up the soy sauce and the aroma of the cured meat combined, creating a smell so enticing it could make the neighbor's kid cry from hunger.

Mo Jialin, basketball in hand, kept sniffing the air: "What did your sister-in-law make? Why does it smell so good?"

Fu Yuanhang recognized it immediately and smiled brightly: "Taro cured meat rice."

It was his favorite dish. He especially loved the rice crust, and his sister-in-law always saved it for him.

Mo Jialin swallowed his saliva: "I wish I had a sister-in-law like that. Too bad my older brother can't find a partner, but he cooks really well."

Even without a sister-in-law, having his brother back would be nice.

Fu Yuanhang wasn't the type to gossip, so he didn't ask why Mo Jialin's older brother couldn't find a partner.

Mo Jialin was used to Fu Yuanhang's more reserved nature and, after finishing his sentence, went home with his basketball.

Auntie Zhong was in a good mood today and didn't just make a one-pot stew. Uncle Mu got to eat a regular version of tofu stewed with fish and a perfectly seasoned egg and seaweed soup!

Even Da Hei's meal improved—he got to eat fish soup mixed with mixed grain rice!

Uncle Mu was stunned!

The last time he had such a normal meal was when he scored first place in the final exam last semester!

"Mrs. Zhong, did something big happen at home today?"

Mo Gong also looked at Auntie Zhong expectantly.

Auntie Zhong was in such a good mood that she didn’t even reach for her ancestral feather duster when Uncle Mu called her "Ms. Zhong."

"Did it work?" Mo Gong asked out of the blue.

Auntie Zhong beamed and pulled out the appointment letter she had ready: "See this? 'We are pleased to appoint Ms. Zhong Xiumei as the Director of the Logistics Department of our factory.' From now on, you better call me Director Zhong!"

Uncle Mu was stunned, his mouth hanging open wide enough to catch flies.

What does this mean? Director Zhong? Ms. Zhong is going to work? And as a director?

Mo Gong had a different take: "Comrade Su Taotao's handwriting is truly masterful."

Auntie Zhong cherished the appointment letter like a treasure, glancing at it over and over all afternoon.

"Of course, who is our Director Su? She excels at everything she does! Old Mo, let me tell you, Little Su even gave me a notebook and a pen, and I started practicing my handwriting this afternoon..."

Meanwhile, at Xia Zhiqiu's house, the scene was much the same.

Zhang Chuncheng was just as shocked as Uncle Mu: "What? Secretary? Su Taotao wants you to be her secretary?"

Xia Zhiqiu glanced at him: "Is there a problem?"

Xia Zhiqiu gave a quick rundown of the factory setup: "Taotao said it's just me and Auntie Zhong for now. She'll manage logistics and HR, and I'll handle secretarial and financial tasks. It works."

Zhang Chuncheng recalled asking Fu Zhengtu about jobs for family members, and Fu's reply: "She's tight with Little Su. If she's got the skills, she'll get her shot. No worries."

Zhang Chuncheng laughed, realizing what he meant.

He never thought Su Taotao would have the guts to take on something so big.

He nodded: "That's great. Comrade Su Taotao has a lot of courage. It's always good to work with her. Do your best."

Truth be told, both she and her husband are real go-getters.

Xia Zhiqiu: "When have I ever slacked off? Taotao's been a godsend to our family. I don't even know how to repay her."

Zhang Chuncheng: "They are both people who get things done. No need for superficial gestures. Doing your job well is better than any thank-you gift."

Xia Zhiqiu nodded: "You're right. I'll do my best. From now on, you should also pay more attention to things at home. When I'm busy, I might not be able to take care of everything, especially Dongdong's matters."

Zhang Chuncheng was still admiring the appointment letter. He nodded: "I know. After dinner, I'll teach Dongdong the Three Character Classic."

At this point, Zhang Chuncheng sighed: "Fu's son Chenchen finished reciting the entire Three Character Classic during a single car ride. Our Dongdong often plays with Chenchen, so he can't fall too far behind."

Xia Zhiqiu was surprised: "Chenchen has already finished the Three Character Classic? He's still not very articulate."

"I heard him recite it during the car ride this morning," Zhang Chuncheng said, looking back at the appointment letter in his hand, reacting similarly to Mo Gong. "Just Comrade Su Taotao's handwriting alone surpasses many people. Fu's handwriting is also excellent. This family is really something."

Xia Zhiqiu nodded: "Yes, my handwriting was considered good at our old workplace, but it's still far from Taotao's. Chenchen is indeed smarter than most kids. Dongdong can't compare to him. Let's hurry and eat. After we're full, we'll teach Dongdong the Three Character Classic."

...

Chenchen was blissfully unaware that he was raising the bar for his little buddy.

After enjoying the fragrant rice dish and resting for a while, his dad took him for a bath. Tonight, while bathing him, his dad quizzed him on the Three Character Classic.

Chenchen felt utterly helpless, his chubby little hand splashing in the water: "Daddy~~ Mommy already quizzed me~~ Chenchen knows it all~~"

Fu hesitated: "..."

"Alright, Daddy’s going to teach you the times tables now."

Su Taotao, lounging in the yard, couldn’t help but smile: "......"

...