The Labor Day holiday arrived quickly. With the weekend, there were two days off, and He Lele stayed home to cram her books. She even asked Wang Muman to supervise her, ensuring she wouldn't be tempted to play games.
Wang Muman video-called He Lele, and they studied together.
"Manman, I can only try my best to memorize. There's so much to memorize for Chinese, and I always forget what I've learned. It just doesn't sink in," He Lele said, clearly distressed and pulling at her hair.
"Just memorize the key sentences that the teacher often asks us to recite. For the rest, just have a general impression. If you can't recite them, that's fine," Wang Muman advised.
"You're right, I'll do that," He Lele nodded and resumed her memorization.
Wang Muman went downstairs for lunch and heard a familiar voice.
"Sister Muma!" Her leg was already being hugged.
"How did Little Tuanzi get here?" Wang Muman looked at Wang Mujin, crouching down to hug the little one.
Wang Mujin replied with a helpless sigh, "Little Tuanzi insisted on coming. She said she missed you."
Little Tuanzi began to share her stories. She had quite a few tales from kindergarten, and the dining table became lively again.
"Uncle Muji, I heard Grandpa say you have a beautiful older sister!" Little Tuanzi exclaimed excitedly after finishing her story, looking at Wang Mujin with bright, expectant eyes.
Wang Mujin's face stiffened, unsure how to respond.
"Uncle Muji, is it true? Can you introduce her to me?"
Wang Mujin's expression turned dark. He was truly impressed by this child, so cute on the outside, yet so gossipy on the inside.
"Little Tuanzi, if you ask again, he'll kick you out," Wang Muman said with a smile.
"No way! If he kicks me out, I'll call Grandpa and have him deal with him," Little Tuanzi declared, hands on her hips with a proud look.
Wang Muman chuckled inwardly but kept her expression neutral.
After lunch, Wang Muman messaged He Lele, saying she couldn't continue the video call as relatives had come to visit. He Lele sent back a string of crying emojis, lamenting her inability to control herself.
"I believe you'll still study without me!" Wang Muman encouraged her.
Little Tuanzi knocked on Wang Muman's door and called out to her. Wang Muman opened the door and let her in. Little Tuanzi immediately began exploring, her short legs scampering around, curious about everything.
"Sister Muma, I have a secret to tell you. Hurry and lean in," Little Tuanzi whispered mysteriously, climbing onto the bed to get a better vantage point.
Wang Muman leaned in to listen, only to hear Little Tuanzi's "romantic" tale.
"Sister Muma, little boys at kindergarten always give me gifts and want to be my friends! But none of them are as handsome as Brother Yan."
"Pfft!" Wang Muman was stunned, her mouth agape. Did she really have such worries at such a young age?
She could only conclude that she was out of touch; the new generation was truly different.
"If only Brother Yan were the same age as me," Little Tuanzi sighed.
Children's thoughts were simple, yet they often shattered one's worldview.
"Does kindergarten have no homework?" Wang Muman tried to steer Little Tuanzi back to normalcy.
"Yes, we have to draw ourselves," Little Tuanzi replied. She took out paper and drawing tools from her small bag and began to draw on the bed. She applied blush and lipstick to herself, drew pigtails, and adorned her skirt with glitter, making it sparkle beautifully.
Seeing her extensive supplies filling half the bed, Wang Muman quietly settled down.
"Tuanzi, I'm going to read a book. You be good, okay?" Wang Muman sat down at the desk and picked up a book.