People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

The weather is gradually getting warmer.

Two particularly noteworthy events have recently occurred in this quiet alley.

Firstly, Yiming's family opened a small shop at the entrance of the alley.

The news spread like wildfire through the neighborhood.

On the opening day, the store was packed with neighbors who came to watch the excitement; it was incredibly lively.

Yiming stood at the store entrance, handing out candy to everyone. After he finished, he began to introduce the store: "Today is the opening of the store. The business license and tobacco permit have been registered with the factory. You can buy things here with peace of mind. The prices of the things I sell here are the same as those in the factory store."

Zhang Amei nodded. "It will be much more convenient for everyone to make and receive phone calls when buying things in the future."

At this moment, Huang Ling and Song Ying were squeezing in and out of the convenience store with curious expressions.

Zhuang Chaoying followed behind.

Song Ying finally managed to squeeze out of the store: "Yiming's little shop has a really complete selection of things. They have everything from oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, cigarettes, and daily necessities. They even have a refrigerator. I can come here to buy popsicles from now on."

Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she whispered, "But it costs 4,300 yuan to make a phone call! Looks like Yiming is making a lot of money from his stall."

Huang Ling nodded in agreement: "You didn't see Aunt Li at the factory. She never mentioned Yiming's stall before, but this time she took the initiative to tell everyone that setting up a stall is no worse than having a stable job. She's really proud of herself."

Song Ying put her arm around Huang Ling's shoulder: "Is Yiming still running a stall?"

Without hesitation, Huang Ling replied, "Sure, Grandpa Li is watching over things here, and Yiming is also setting up a stall at Xuanmiao Temple. You can earn money right at your doorstep. This job is great!"

Another thing is that Wang Yong's younger sister, Wang Fang, from next door, brought her daughter, Zhou Qing, back home.

Their return seemed to shatter the alley's usual tranquility.

Every day, there is noise coming from Wang Fang's house. When Zhuang Chaoying and Huang Ling are sleeping at night, they can still hear the arguing across the street.

Upon hearing the news, Sister Zhang rushed over and approached Huang Ling and Song Ying, asking mysteriously, "I heard that Wang Fang from Wang Yong's house next door brought her daughter back. Is she divorced?"

Song Ying looked around, then pulled Huang Ling and Sister Zhang to a corner and whispered, "No, Wang Fang found a former educated youth from Shanghai and got married in the new province. They don't have the right to return to the city. They're very bold; they secretly ran back to live as unregistered residents."

Sister Zhang looked at Song Ying with a face full of surprise: "How do you know everything?"

Huang Ling smiled helplessly and explained in a low voice, "They live right next to our courtyard. They're noisy every day. It's impossible not to hear them. Their voices are like they're drilling straight into your ears."

Sister Zhang nodded thoughtfully: "What's all the arguing about? Is it also because of the house? There are so many educated youth returning to the city now, and every family is arguing terribly about the house."

Song Ying nodded heavily: "That's right. Wang Yong said that this house belongs to the cotton mill and has nothing to do with Wang Fang. He said some really nasty things."

Zhuang Chaoying pushed her bicycle over, glanced at her watch, and said, "Ah Ling, I have to go to work. If I stay any longer, I'll be late."

Huang Ling quickly said, "Go quickly, Chao Ying!"

Zhuang Chaoying rode her bicycle and quickly disappeared at the end of the alley, leaving behind only the still bustling crowd in front of the convenience store and the seemingly endless noise from Wang Fang's house.

Zhuang Chaoying hurriedly rode her bicycle to school.

At the school gate, Wang Fang and her daughter Zhou Qing, who was standing beside her, waited to the side.

As soon as Wang Fang saw Zhuang Chaoying, her eyes lit up instantly: "Teacher Zhuang, I've been waiting for you! Zhou Qing, quickly greet Teacher Zhuang!"

Zhou Qing: "Hello, Teacher Zhuang."

Zhuang Chaoying smiled and nodded slightly: "Wang Fang, is there anything I can help you with?"

Wang Fang, holding the net bag in her hand, said, "Teacher Zhuang, let's talk over there."

Zhuang Chaoying glanced at her watch and frowned slightly: "Wang Fang, I have to go to work, I'm going to be late."

With that, he got on his bicycle and headed towards the campus.

Wang Fang was extremely anxious and hurriedly pulled her daughter to follow behind.

Zhuang Chaoying rushed into the office, quickly put her briefcase on the desk, and before she could even catch her breath, a colleague came over and told her, "Director Zhuang, there's a woman with a child outside the office looking for you."

Zhuang Chaoying took a deep breath and calmed herself down: "I'll go out and take a look."

Reaching the door, Zhuang Chaoying looked at Wang Fang and asked, "Wang Fang, what exactly do you want?"

Wang Fang pursed her lips and hesitated for a moment: "Teacher Zhuang, could you please help my son Zhou Qing to study at the affiliated middle school?"

Zhuang Chaoying glanced at the mother and daughter and said, "Wait here for a while. I'll take you to the principal's office in a bit. The principal has the final say in the school. I'm just a teacher and I can't make any decisions."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Wang Fang's eyes. She hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Well, that's the only way. Thank you, Teacher Zhuang."

After waiting for a while, Zhuang Chaoying led Wang Fang and her daughter toward the principal's office.

Zhuang Chaoying raised her hand and knocked on the door. "Knock knock knock!"

"Please come in!"

Zhuang Chaoying pushed open the door and went in: "Principal, this woman is named Wang Fang. She wants her daughter to study at our school temporarily. Wang Fang, please tell the principal about your situation as soon as possible."

Wang Fang nervously straightened her clothes, took a few quick steps forward, and recounted to the principal in detail her life with her educated youth husband in the new province, the difficulties of returning to the city, and Zhou Qing's longing to learn.

The principal's brows furrowed, his eyes showing difficulty, and he turned to look at Zhuang Chaoying.

Zhuang Chaoying stood behind, shrugging helplessly.

After a moment of contemplation, the principal slowly spoke: "Comrade Wang Fang, our affiliated high school can accept educated youth returning to the city, but the quota is very tight right now. It's not that we don't want to accept your child, it's just that there are too many children of educated youth returning to the city."

Wang Fang's eyes instantly reddened. She stepped forward and stood in front of the principal's desk, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "Principal, please, let my son Zhou Qing study here temporarily!"

Seeing this, Zhuang Chaoying stepped forward and gently patted Wang Fang on the shoulder.

Wang Fang followed Zhuang Chaoying out of the office dejectedly, muttering to herself, "Teacher Zhuang, what are we going to do? Zhou Qing can't stop going to school."

Zhuang Chaoying stopped and patiently explained, "As long as there are available spots, Zhou Qing can come to school. Wang Fang, your Zhou Qing's school registration is in Xinjiang Province. Even if he can study here, he will have to go back to Xinjiang for the middle school and college entrance exams. You should think this through."

Wang Fang raised her head without hesitation: "Teacher Zhuang, policies change frequently these days, and who knows what the situation will be like then? I'm willing to wait!"

After saying that, Wang Fang hurriedly waved to Zhou Qing, who was standing not far away, and Zhou Qing quickly ran over. "Zhou Qing, come over here and thank Teacher Zhuang!"

Zhou Qing bowed obediently: "Thank you, Teacher Zhuang!"

Wang Fang handed over the snacks she was holding: "Teacher Zhuang, please take these."

Zhuang Chaoying quickly declined, knowing full well that this wasn't just about a box of pastries; accepting it could lead to a mistake, and it was still uncertain whether Zhou Qing could attend school there. She absolutely couldn't get involved in this mess. "No, no, Wang Fang, take it back! I can't accept it!"

Zhuang Chaoying turned around and hurriedly returned to the classroom. She went to the window and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Teacher Zhuang, is this your relative?"

Zhuang Chaoying waved her hand: "No, she's just a neighbor next door. We haven't talked much. There are too many educated youth returning to the city now, and they have many children, so it's not easy for the principal to handle things."

As Zhuang Chaoying was speaking, her eyes inadvertently glanced out the window, and in a daze...

He seemed to see that familiar figure—Wu Jianguo.

He rubbed his eyes, and upon closer inspection, he realized that the man talking to the security guard was none other than Wu Jianguo!

That bastard, he's made himself sound so convincing, but it's no use!

I still want my child to stay in the countryside. Nowadays, there's a big difference between the countryside and the city, unlike later when there was basically no difference.