Xie Yijun knew Zhu Yanyi wouldn’t go to Shanghai. “We originally planned for you to visit Shanghai this summer, but you went to Beijing instead. With everything that happened, you likely have matters to settle here. It wouldn’t be convenient for you to join us. You must come to Shanghai during the winter break.”
Zhu Yanyi didn’t promise directly. “We’ll see then.”
Xie Yijun and Ouyang Manqing were very busy people. They only came to Sicheng Town because Ouyang Manqing was poisoned. Now that she had recovered and everything was settled, they needed to leave. Three days after the detoxification, they returned to Shanghai. On the same day, Li Yang and Pei Tian left Beijing for Sicheng Town.
After seeing them off, Zhu Yanyi started packing. Junior high registration was on August 30, and Zhu Yanli’s high school registration was on August 31. Zhu Shunhao planned to take them both. She would drop Zhu Yanyi off in the city center first, stay at a guesthouse in Yao District for the night, and then take Zhu Yanli to No. 1 High School the next day. There was a bus route between the two schools, about four or five stops. Going early helped them familiarize themselves with the route so the sisters could travel together during breaks.
Since they were boarding students, they had to prepare everything at home. Schools today didn’t provide supplies like in the future. They only offered a bed and a small locker. Students had to bring their own items. Zhu Yanyi could only store things under her bed in her Ruyi Space.
Although it was still hot and thick clothes weren’t needed, cups, straw mats, basins, and thermoses took up space. They also had to bring rice and lunch boxes. The school provided dishes, but students had to cook their own rice. In short, schools weren’t as convenient as in the future. You couldn’t just buy everything with money. They had to plan carefully, so the sisters started preparing a week in advance.
Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Yanli had two large bags each for quilts, mats, and clothes, plus rice, basins, and thermoses. There was a lot of luggage. Fortunately, Cheng Baokun was also taking Cheng Chen to the city center. She decided to use the food factory’s delivery truck for personal use, so they wouldn’t have to carry their bags on crowded buses.
“Good thing your godfather is taking Cheng Chen. Otherwise, with so much stuff, I don’t know how you two would manage,” Xie Xinlian said, helping pack and chatting.
Zhu Yanyi clapped her hands, satisfied with her packing. “Ama, aren’t you going to handle the audit class paperwork? Is it done?”
“The principal of your elementary school is nice. It was easy. Your aunt and I took the household register, and it was done. Since it’s just auditing, no special procedures were needed. Plus, we aren’t boarding, so we just needed a certificate. It’s done. Classes start September 1. We’ll just go then.” Xie Xinlian felt nervous about going to school at her age, but she had learned many characters through self-study, so she felt more confident. At least she wouldn’t be illiterate.