The boy suddenly mustered his courage, "Even though you aren't my sister, you are my friend, and I can give you candy too!"
The little girl immediately turned her head, her eyes sparkling, "Really?"
The boy nodded emphatically, "Really!"
As if afraid he would go back on his word, Jian Sheng quickly stuffed the milk candy into her pocket, a silly grin on her face. The sight made people unconsciously overlook her status as a little ancestor and smile knowingly.
The seven-entrance mansion was incredibly vast. Upon reaching the entrance, a dedicated electric vehicle was waiting to take everyone to the front courtyard, where preparations had been made for their honored guest.
That night, Jian Sheng truly experienced the treatment of a young miss of the Qi family. The Qi family members doted on her to no end, showering her with every conceivable comfort and care, as if afraid she might encounter the slightest inconvenience.
Jian Sheng, overwhelmed by the warmth, was almost unable to bear it.
So, after a night's rest, facing the eager gazes that seemed as though they wanted to devour her, Jian Sheng unhesitatingly stated that she now had her own home. The Qi family would visit often, but she would not be living there permanently.
Finally escaping the persistent Qi family members who tried to keep her, Jian Sheng returned to Jian Junru's estate.
She launched herself into her mother's arms like a cannonball, nuzzling her mother's soft chest without reservation.
Indeed, it was much better to be with her mother – peaceful and free. She still had everything she wanted, and she could experience what it felt like to have a mother. While many at the Qi family's place longed to hold her, she always felt something was missing.
Furthermore, their gazes made her uncomfortable.
However, what Jian Junru said next left her utterly stunned.
"Sheng Sheng, Mommy and your uncle discussed it, and we've found a suitable kindergarten for you."
This news struck Jian Sheng like a bolt of lightning, leaving her completely scorched.
Jian Sheng put on a mournful face, pouting as she pleaded with her mother, "Mommy, can I not go? I can study at home by myself!"
Jian Junru, unlike her usual accommodating self, said gently but firmly, "Sheng Sheng must go to school this time. Not only will you learn knowledge at school, but you'll also make many new friends. Don't you want to play with other children?"
Jian Sheng shook her head like a rattle drum, "No, they're all so childish. Sheng Sheng doesn't want to play with them!"
Children in kindergarten might not even be able to communicate properly. She would definitely break down if she went there!
However, no matter how much she acted spoiled, her mother remained steadfast in her intention to send her to kindergarten.
Jian Junru explained softly, "Sheng Sheng, Mommy knows all children don't want to go to school, but no matter what, going to school is a necessary experience. We can't live our lives confined to this small space of our home."
Seeing that she truly couldn't avoid it, Jian Sheng lowered her demands, saying softly, "Then Mommy, I don't want to go to kindergarten. Can I go directly to elementary school?"
"This..." Jian Junru hesitated for a moment. Given her daughter's intelligence, going directly to elementary school was entirely feasible, but Sheng Sheng's age was a significant issue.
"Mommy will discuss it with your uncle again." Jian Junru picked up her phone and called Jian Junyu.
Upon hearing his niece's request, Jian Junyu pondered, "It's not impossible. Many aristocratic primary schools and gifted child programs in the capital allow for a reduced entrance age. Entering an aristocratic primary school is no problem with the Jian family's connections, and with Sheng Sheng's intelligence, a gifted child program should also be quite easy. Little sister, which kind of school do you want Sheng Sheng to attend?"
Jian Junru fell into a dilemma again. As a mother, if she wanted her child to have the best, a gifted child program would undoubtedly be better, and children with higher intelligence would clearly be able to communicate better with Sheng Sheng.
However, as a mother, she also did not want her child to be overworked with studies. She knew all too well the situation in gifted programs, with their various courses and extracurricular activities, which were simply too much for a child of Sheng Sheng's age to bear.
Moreover, Sheng Sheng was so much younger than the children who would normally enroll.
Jian Junyu completely understood her feelings. After a while, he said, "Let's go to Red Star Primary School."
Red Star Primary School, a name that sounded rather ordinary, possessed the best teachers in the capital and the highest degree of freedom in terms of choices. However, its admission requirements were exceptionally demanding.
Admission not only required a strong background but also the successful completion of the school's specialized intelligence tests and entrance examinations.
The so-called freedom was merely exchanged for talent.
As long as one could pass the school's assessment, one could even skip classes, and the school would arrange for teachers who were aligned with their interests to accompany them in their activities.
This was a school entirely established and supported by aristocratic families, capable of fully nurturing the hidden strengths and advantages of their children.
Jian Junru, who spent little time in the capital, felt a pull of interest after hearing her brother's introduction, but also worried whether Sheng Sheng could pass the assessment.
Jian Sheng had already leaned close to the phone, "Uncle, I want to go to this school!"
Jian Junyu, not one to dither, and hearing no objection from his sister, immediately made the decision, "Then I'll go communicate with the principal."
Soon, Jian Junyu called back, "Everything is fine on their end, but Sheng Sheng will need to undergo a test. Little sister, do you have time this afternoon? If so, I'll take you there this afternoon."
"We have time, let's do it this afternoon."
-
As it was nearing noon, Jian Junyu arrived at the estate where the two were staying.
As the car drove in, someone took over, driving it to the garage and parking it. Jian Junyu surveyed the surroundings and exclaimed in wonder, "What is the relationship between Qi Sui Bai and Sheng Sheng? He treats Sheng Sheng incredibly well. Private jets and arranged accommodations – I didn't even get such good treatment."
His good relationship with Qi Sui Bai was purely personal. The manor in Jiang City was where Qi Sui Bai had let him stay when they met in Jiang City and he had nowhere to go. It was nothing like his niece's situation; even before arriving in the capital, everything had been meticulously arranged for her.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
"No, it's still early."
"Then it's perfect, I'll come over for lunch."
The siblings chatted idly as they walked slowly. Jian Sheng, holding her mother's hand, followed with her short legs, her ears perked up, listening to their conversation.
Jian Junru suddenly asked about Jian Junyu's art exhibition, "Little brother, how is your exhibition going? Doesn't it start tomorrow? Why are you still busy with Sheng Sheng's matters today?"
Jian Junyu casually replied, "It's not my exhibition; a friend in the industry is holding it. He was just worried he couldn't hold his own, so he asked me for a few paintings to support the event. I just came back from his place. He'll handle the venue arrangements. I'll just show up tomorrow to lend some prestige."
Jian Sheng's eyes lit up as she heard this. Her uncle seemed quite formidable in the secular world as well.
After having lunch at the manor, Jian Junyu drove them to Red Star Primary School.