School was out.
Parents waited anxiously at the gate for their children.
With a heavy heart, Meng Lanlan picked up Little Xingxing, said goodbye to Qin Jiao and the others, and left with her daughter.
She lived near the school in a two-bedroom, sixty-eight-square-meter apartment assigned to faculty and staff. It was quite comfortable for the mother and daughter.
She bought groceries on the way, then held Little Xingxing's hand as they walked home together.
Little Xingxing obediently set down her schoolbag, pulled out a paper star, and said happily, "Mom, I folded this. It's for you!"
"You're amazing, Little Xingxing."
"Mom, I'm the best at folding paper stars in our class. And I actually folded two. Qin Zijin's was pretty good too, but Xiao You couldn't even make one, so I gave one of mine to her."
Meng Lanlan, tying on her apron and starting to prepare the vegetables, listened to Little Xingxing and recalled what Qin Jiao had said.
'Lin Nian is back. Lin Nian is back...'
