Jiang Cheng instantly played the role of a kidnapper, using candy and charm to tempt Shen Yue.
Shen Yue's chubby face was puffed up, and her expression was conflicted.
"Sister Jiang Cheng, don't waste money."
With a snort, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but laugh. She looked at Shen Yue seriously and said, "You did well, resisting the temptation of candy."
Shen Yue didn't understand why Sister Jiang Cheng did this, but she knew she was being praised.
Jiang Cheng held Shen Yue's hand and walked into the alley.
"Shen Yue, don't stand at the entrance of the alley alone in the future. It's dangerous to encounter bad people."
Shen Yue raised her small head, and her little chubby face proudly said, "I know! I don't take things from others, and I don't go with them. My big brother told me so."
Jiang Cheng first affirmed Shen Yue's cleverness.
"But what if an old grandpa asks you for directions, a three-year-old little sister asks you to take her home, or a strong adult directly knocks you out? What will you do?"
Jiang Cheng's question scared Shen Yue.
"Can they really do that?"
Jiang Cheng matter-of-factly said, "These are just simple tricks. There are also schemes by acquaintances. What if someone you know asks you to deliver a message or run an errand? What will you do then?"
Shen Yue's chubby face wrinkled, clutching Jiang Cheng's hand tightly, afraid.
Jiang Cheng comfortingly patted her head and said, "Remember, don't help anyone asking for help. You're just a child, let them ask the police for help, and you must never stay outside alone, understand?"
Shen Yue nodded like a little chick pecking rice.
Jiang Cheng continued to explain to her how kidnapped children might be abused, bullied, and what to do if she really encounters such situations.
In short, a heap of terrifying yet necessary knowledge entered Shen Yue's mind.
Jiang Cheng did this because a month later, Lin Chengyuan's boss was killed breaking a kidnapping ring.
When the two returned to the Shen Family, Shen Yue let out a long breath, finally feeling a bit relieved.
Grandma Shen noticed Shen Yue's pale face and confusedly looked at Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng candidly said, "I was just educating her about the tricks used by kidnappers and what to do if truly taken."
Grandma Shen was dumbfounded, wondering what was said to scare the child like this.
"Jiang Cheng?"
"Hmm?"
Jiang Cheng responded, unsure: Did I go overboard?
"You should give Shen Xing a rundown too!"
Jiang Cheng immediately discarded her doubts, her eyes gleaming. Grandma Shen indeed resonated with her.
"You're right; it's better to give an enhanced version."
Grandma Shen nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes! That boy isn't easily scared."
"What do you mean not easily scared?"
Just then, Shen Xing came running in and heard half a sentence. Jiang Cheng acted mysteriously, "You'll find out tonight."
Shen Xing pouted but didn't pursue it, placing the washed vegetables on the cutting board and picking up a knife to help.
Jiang Cheng washed her hands to help too but was once again chased away by Grandma Shen.
"Such a small place, why the crowd?"
"It's too hot, go on, go on!"
Jiang Cheng didn't get a chance to help, knowing this was Grandma Shen's way of saying thank you.
Thanks for her care towards Shen Xing and Shen Yue.
Jiang Cheng didn't pretend to be modest, and when Shen Xing was also kicked out of the kitchen, she started tutoring him.
Shen Yue was beside them, drawing in a book with a pencil.
Jiang Cheng glanced over and was pleasantly surprised at how well Shen Yue drew.
"Shen Yue, your drawing is really good."
Shen Yue tilted her head and asked unsurely, "Really?"
"Of course! Trust my judgment. I'm so capable; why would I randomly praise someone?"
Shen Xing, who was solving problems, paused his pen, resisting an urge to roll his eyes.
Is this praising herself or praising Shen Yue?
"Sister is right!"
Shen Yue's affirmation left Shen Xing speechless, feeling his sister was a bit silly.
"It's because Shen Yue is smart enough to realize Sister is right."
Once again praising Jiang Cheng indirectly, she took another pencil and drew a little cat next to Shen Yue.
Shen Yue's eyes were brimming with admiration.
"See, if the line looks like this... isn't it more beautiful?"
Jiang Cheng guided Shen Yue step by step, and Shen Yue listened attentively, learning quickly.
Shen Xing's mouth hung open; was this the same sister who gets sleepy after recognizing a few words, uses mostly pinyin for letters, and guesses when reading them?
"Shen Xing, you need to focus."
Shen Xing, who was drifting off, got his head knocked.
He covered his head and pouted, "What if it makes me stupid?"
"If one hit makes you stupid, then the brain must just be decoration."
Jiang Cheng's words left Shen Xing unable to retort, seeming a bit reasonable, perhaps?
Grandma Shen was cooking by the stove, always able to see the three.
Her smile never faded, feeling so good.
Finally, there's some family warmth here.
Half an hour later, Grandma Shen called for dinner, and after tidying the table, the three helped scoop rice and serve dishes.
They had sorghum porridge tonight, boiled potatoes and eggplant, and spicy stir-fried with sauce, tasting really good with potatoes and eggplant.
Jiang Cheng had an extra bowl of rice.
After dinner, Jiang Cheng hurried to night school.
At the night school entrance, Jiang Cheng chatted warmly with the old man at the door, handing him a handful of fruit candy.
The old man shared lots of insider news with Jiang Cheng.
Which teacher hated tardiness most, which teacher liked flattery...
"Mister, I have to go inside; we'll chat tomorrow."
Jiang Cheng waved goodbye kindly and walked towards the classroom.
Night school runs from seven to nine PM, two hours of classes, with two teachers lecturing each day.
Current subjects offered include Chinese, math, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, politics, and Russian.
Russian was newly authorized this year.
This special era is nearing its end but hasn't finished.
Learning any foreign language requires layers of approval.
Jiang Cheng had already researched the night school's courses; Russian would be her breakthrough point to showcase her linguistic talents.
Currently, graduating from the night school extension program is equivalent to a high school diploma, and going further to the provincial night school equals an associate degree.
But Jiang Cheng isn't in a hurry; a high school diploma is enough for now, and the college entrance exam is just in the next couple of years.
She plans to cement her place in the translation world during these two years.
The extension classes are on the third floor.
When Jiang Cheng entered, the noisy chatter in the classroom quieted down from front to back, step by step.
"Jiang Cheng?"
He Dan frowned, looking at Jiang Cheng at the door, feeling inexplicably nervous.
Why was she at night school?
Will she expose the Lin family's issues?
She will definitely speak up.
No, she must get ahead of it.
He Dan pretended to be surprised and looked in Jiang Cheng's direction.
"Jiang Cheng, you've got the wrong classroom; the literacy class is downstairs."
The girl next to He Dan asked puzzledly, "Literacy class?"
He Dan nodded with a look of understanding, "You didn't know, we live in the same compound; Jiang Cheng hasn't been to school."
Jiang Cheng: If you want to seek trouble, it's really... quite touching.