Chapter 25: Registering Lu Lin for School

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Registering Lu Lin for School

"Even if we’re not your biological children?" Lu Lin asked softly.

"Blood relations don’t matter; this is a promise and a responsibility. Since Lu Feng adopted you, he is your father in name and must take responsibility for you. I promised him that I would take care of you well, which includes letting you go to school like other kids. Of course, if you make mistakes, I will also strictly discipline you." Fu Xiaoxiao nodded and said directly.

"I want to study so that when I grow up, I can repay you and Mr. Lu." Lu Lin looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, sharing his feelings for the first time.

He yearned for education.

But he always knew that their current days were hard-earned and much better than wandering the streets. He never dared to hope for schooling; he only wanted to raise his younger brother and was unafraid of hardship.

"If you want something in the future, just say it, don’t be afraid or feel like a stranger." Fu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but reach out to rub his head.

Lu Lin hesitated, then slowly lowered his head, voluntarily leaning his head into Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand.

Fu Xiaoxiao was taken aback, and originally wanted to retract her hand but instead rubbed Lu Lin’s head, her eyes flashing with satisfaction.

Lu Lin’s ears turned red, and he turned and ran back to his room.

Fu Xiaoxiao watched his fleeing back with a smile, heading to the kitchen.

Having brought back a lot of things from Aunt Li’s house, Fu Xiaoxiao thought about taking Lu Lin to school tomorrow and decided to bring some sugar.

Fu Xiaoxiao brought out two sets of new towels and toothbrushes just as Lu Lin and Lu Chen finished packing. She beckoned them over.

"Xiao Lin, Xiao Chen."

"Aunt Fu," Lu Chen called joyfully. After learning from his brother that Fu Xiaoxiao was willing to let his brother attend school, Lu Chen looked at her with bright eyes.

"These are new towels and toothbrushes for you. Toothpaste and soap, however, you’ll have to share one set." Fu Xiaoxiao handed the items to Lu Lin.

"We don’t need new ones; we have old ones." Lu Lin looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, realizing she had gone to the town’s supply cooperative for them, a two-hour trip.

"Use them! I’ve already bought them for you, and your old ones should retire honorably." Fu Xiaoxiao recalled their ragged cloth, shaking her head helplessly.

That must be the most durable tattered cloth she had ever seen.

"... Thank you." Guilt surged in Lu Lin’s heart.

Fu Xiaoxiao always considered their needs, and yet they had deliberately led her around town.

"Tomorrow I’ll take you to enroll in school, come over soon so I can give you a bath; meeting your teacher, you must look clean and presentable." Fu Xiaoxiao smiled. "I’ve already heated the water, come to the yard."

"We... we can wash ourselves!" Hearing Fu Xiaoxiao offer to bathe them made their faces turn beet red, shaking their heads in embarrassment.

"Let me wash you!" Fu Xiaoxiao recalled Lu Feng’s version of bathing them, which was more akin to water splashing than bathing.

Just water pouring from above, trickling down their bodies, with mud remaining.

"Enough, I’ll fetch water—hurry up!" Fu Xiaoxiao gave them no chance to refuse and went to the kitchen.

"Brother, what do we do?" Lu Chen blushed, pondering whether they should let Fu Xiaoxiao bathe them.

"... Let her wash us!" Reminded of Fu Xiaoxiao’s words about being clean for the meeting, Lu Lin clenched his teeth and endured.

When Fu Xiaoxiao brought out the mixed warm water, she saw two bare boys covered demurely in the yard, looking valiant yet resigned.

Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, carrying soap and towels, poured warm water over them and then gently scrubbed Lu Chen’s little arm.

A long strip of black mud appeared instantaneously.

"... Impressive, they might as well be noodles!" Stunned, Fu Xiaoxiao blinked, deeply shocked by how dirty they were.

Lu Lin and Lu Chen exchanged a glance, ashamedly lowering their heads as they watched Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand scrub off swathes of dirt.

"Dear me, a major cleaning project today!" Fu Xiaoxiao rolled up her sleeves, picked up a nearby towel, scrubbed them all over.

After half an hour, Fu Xiaoxiao tossed away a blackened towel, applied soap, and rinsed away all dirt and soap, admiring the look of two shades whiter boys, feeling accomplished.

Ruined hands, water, and well, exhaustion.

After bathing the two, Fu Xiaoxiao returned to her room, collapsing onto the bed.

"Brother, you’re so white." As Lu Chen and Lu Lin returned to their room, they marveled at their newfound cleanliness.

"She likes cleanliness, so we’ll bathe daily," Lu Lin told Lu Chen.

"Haha, I like it too, Brother smell me, I’m all fragrant." Lu Chen lay in his small nest, the scent of soap enveloping the cozy space.

"Mm." Lu Lin gazed at Lu Chen, secretly sniffing.

He was fragrant too.

No longer did they resemble filthy little beggars.

"Brother... I like... her." Lu Chen whispered sleepily, yawning as he drifted to sleep.

Lu Lin stared in Fu Xiaoxiao’s direction, softly whispering. "... Mm."

The next day, Fu Xiaoxiao awoke to find Lu Lin already in the kitchen.

"Morning." Fu Xiaoxiao rubbed her eyes, surprised Lu Lin was up earlier than her.

"Mm, morning." Lu Lin replied upon seeing Fu Xiaoxiao. "I made congee."

"So early? You weren’t awake all night, were you?" Fu Xiaoxiao checked her watch; it was six, with the congee almost done. Did he rise at five?

"... I slept a bit." Lu Lin answered, guilty. The thought of attending school kept him awake all night.

"Lying makes your nose grow longer." Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled.

"... I was too excited to sleep." Lu Lin lowered his head, avoiding Fu Xiaoxiao’s gaze, afraid of angering her.

"Have you read before?" Fu Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

"I learned a few words from Grandpa Bai." Lu Lin knew only his name, his brother’s, and some medicinal herbs.

"You’ll learn many more!" Fu Xiaoxiao said, ruffling his hair with a gentle smile. "Today my little helper made breakfast, so I’ll be lazy and sleep a bit longer."

"Remember to wake Xiao Chen at six-thirty; we’ll leave at seven." With that, Fu Xiaoxiao returned to her room to catch some more sleep.

Watching her depart, Lu Lin sat at the stove, eyes reflecting excitement.

At six-thirty sharp, Lu Lin eagerly pulled Lu Chen from bed, while a yawning Lu Chen struggled to stay awake. Impatient, Lu Lin readied the toothpaste and brushed Lu Chen’s teeth himself.

"Brother, so sleepy..." Lu Chen passively brushed his teeth and washed his face, with congee already served.

"Eat quickly." Lu Lin’s stern glare instantly woke Lu Chen up, obediently grabbing a spoon to drink the congee.

Fu Xiaoxiao, stretching leisurely after her nap, emerged from her room to find Lu Lin and Lu Chen eagerly ready. Waiting solely for her arrival.

Their eyes gazing at her as if asking—

Can we leave?

Can we leave?

Can we... leave?