Chapter 29: Joining the Village Information Department

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Joining the Village Information Department

"Is that so?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Lin; no wonder Lu Lin’s mood seemed off when they came over earlier.

"... Yes." Lu Lin nodded lightly.

"Thank you for answering my questions. Here’s some candy for you all." Fu Xiaoxiao handed the candy to one of the kids, who seemed to be the leader. The other kids waited patiently for him to distribute it.

"Oh, candy time!" The kid who received the candy couldn’t wait and started eating eagerly.

"Xiao Chen, stay here and play with your brother for a while. I’m going to the office." Fu Xiaoxiao ruffled Lu Chen’s hair and grabbed a handful of milk candies from her pocket, placing them in his hand.

"Okay." Lu Chen looked at the candies in his hand and nodded vigorously.

As Fu Xiaoxiao left the classroom, her expression turned cold. There were only two teachers here, and the kids mentioned Teacher Xu, which must mean Xu Linlin.

This morning, her face was unkind, and nose turned up—just one morning, and she’s already bullying Lu Lin?

Really, she’s pushing it.

"Hey, who was that pretty lady just now?" The leader kid, munching on candy, leaned close to Lu Lin and asked quietly, full of curiosity.

"That’s our stepmother." Lu Chen grinned as he ate his milk candy.

"Liar!" Upon hearing Lu Chen’s answer, several kids widened their eyes, refusing to believe him.

"How could a stepmother be so nice and give us candy?"

"My grandma said stepmothers are all bad. A stepmother would starve you. How could she possibly give you stir-fried bacon and rice?"

"She’s better than my biological mom! If you say she’s a stepmother, then I’ll trade with you; I want a stepmother like that."

None of the kids believed it.

Lu Lin and Lu Chen glanced at them.

They originally didn’t believe it either, but... Fu Xiaoxiao had never been mean to them from the start and never said hurtful words; the work they did was voluntary...

"Is she really a stepmother?" The leader kid remained skeptical, but seeing both brothers silent, he began to believe.

"Yes, Aunt Fu really isn’t like those bad stepmothers. She makes me delicious food, bought me and my brother new towels, and even teaches us how to climb trees..." Lu Chen counted off one by one, yet the more he spoke, the less the kids believed it.

"So Grandma lied to me; stepmothers aren’t as bad as she said!" One child sulked, feeling deceived.

"In honor of your stepmother, we’re gonna be friends with you! My name is Niuwa." Niuwa patted his chest proudly.

The other kids followed suit, introducing themselves.

"I’m Gou Dan."

"I’m Hu Zi."

"I’m Tie Dan."

"I’m Chui Zi."

After speaking, they looked at Lu Lin and Lu Chen.

"I’m Lu Chen, and this is my brother, Lu Lin." Acting as Lu Lin’s spokesman, Lu Chen never let a word fall.

"Is Niuwa your real name?" Lu Lin paused upon hearing Niuwa’s name.

"No, it’s just a nickname! My grandma says a cheap name is easy to raise." Niuwa scratched his head, replying.

"Then we’re friends from now on! If Teacher Xu scolds you again, I’ll scold right back!" Niuwa patted Lu Lin’s shoulder, giving a thumbs-up and promising.

Seeing Lu Lin not utter a word even when scolded today, they thought he must be weak!

Now they realized, he just doesn’t like talking, he’s not mute.

"Can you share some of your stepmom’s delicious food with us in the future?" Niuwa’s eyes sparkled, revealing their true intent.

"..." Lu Lin.

He knew this sudden friendship offer had ulterior motives.

Five pairs of eager eyes were fixed on Lu Lin; they truly wanted to taste it.

"Each person can only have one bite." Lu Lin pursed his lips, pushing his leftover lunch box towards them.

"You scoop it."

"I’ll eat first!" Niuwa exclaimed excitedly, stepping forward with his mouth open, waiting for Lu Lin’s spoon.

Lu Lin glanced at them, scooped a full spoon, and placed it in Niuwa’s mouth.

"Mmm mmm mmm mmm!!" Niuwa stomped his feet excitedly upon tasting the rice.

The other four kids couldn’t wait to step forward, and after Lu Lin fed each one, he gained five loyal friends instantly.

"If my dad remarries a stepmom, I definitely won’t stop him!" Tie Dan was filled with regret; had he known stepmothers could be so great, he wouldn’t have listened to his grandma and stirred up trouble to prevent his dad from remarrying.

"You’ve got to be kidding! Their stepmom is so pretty and can cook. She’s got to be the best; there’s only one like her." Niuwa felt it was unlikely every stepmother would be good.

A good stepmother, like Fu Xiaoxiao, must be beautiful and can cook.

Lu Lin calmly finished his fried rice. Seeing the clean empty lunch box, Niuwa’s eyes flashed with disappointment; not a bite was left, and he wanted to freeload another mouthful!

"Let’s go play together!" Niuwa patted his chest. What he promised, he fulfilled.

Now they were friends, which made them family!

"Mm." Lu Lin took Lu Chen with him, joining Niuwa’s group of five, officially becoming seven.

Meanwhile, Fu Xiaoxiao arrived at the office, empty and devoid of people. She frowned and stepped out of the school, only to bump into the few aunts from earlier.

"Aunts, may I ask, during lunchtime, where do the two teachers from the school go?" Fu Xiaoxiao inquired.

"You’re looking for those two educated youths, huh? See over there? That row of houses—that’s the educated youth point; they’re having lunch there." One aunt kindly informed Fu Xiaoxiao.

"Why are you looking for them?" Another aunt, sensing gossip, leaned over to ask.

Fu Xiaoxiao sighed, detailing what happened with Lu Lin to them.

"I didn’t expect Teacher Xu to be this way; I just dropped the kids off this morning, and they’re already being targeted."

"I’m telling you, those two educated youths aren’t any good. When they were fighting over this teaching job, a few female educated youths ended up in a fight." Fu Xiaoxiao’s words immediately drew the aunts’ agreement as they perceived her candidness.

"Really? Seriously?" Fu Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up. She pulled out some sunflower seeds from her pocket and distributed them among the aunts.

Seeing Fu Xiaoxiao’s down-to-earth attitude, the aunts didn’t hold back, spilling all their stories.

"Indeed! It got pretty crazy at the time; the village chief scolded every educated youth. Finally, it was only after Xu Zhiqing knelt and begged that she got a position."

"And what about Zhao Qing?" Fu Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected this twist.

"I don’t think Zhao Zhiqing is any good either; when everyone was targeting Xu Zhiqing, somehow the other position became hers! When the village chief announced this, I saw those educated youths’ eyes widen in disbelief." The older aunt whispered conspiratorially to Fu Xiaoxiao.

"Who do I complain to about this issue then? Can the village chief do anything?" Fu Xiaoxiao pondered, uncertain who could handle the matter in the village.

"I’m telling you, if you want to find the village chief, that’s a waste of time; he doesn’t care about them." The older aunt shook her head, suggesting Fu Xiaoxiao had chosen the wrong person to consult.