Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Because she had to take Joy for a kindergarten interview, Shu Pan had to take a day off from work. This was the first time she had requested a day off since joining âSunrise Architecture, â but her manager quickly approved it.
Early the next morning, Shu Pan dressed Joy and they left home ahead of schedule. Joy was wearing a neat dress and carrying a small backpack, bouncing with excitement.
For convenience in drop-off and pick- up, Shu Pan had chosen kindergartens in their neighborhood. Due to her limited financial situation, she couldnât afford a public kindergarten, so Joy was enrolled in a simple private kindergarten called âQiming Star.â
However, Shu Pan had secretly observed the kindergarten several times, and it had good teachers and a nice environment. Other parentsâ reviews of it were also favorable.
When they arrived at Qiming Star Kindergarten, the principal welcomed them. Since it was summer school, there werenât many children around.
âHello, little one, whatâs your name?â The principal squatted down to ask Joy. âIâm Shu Joy, and Iâm over three years old,â Joy replied, her voice clear and loud.
The principal patted her head.
Seeing the slide in the kindergarten, Joy seemed eager to try it out. She asked
Shu Pan in a soft voice, âMom, can I go play on the slide?â
âOf course, sweetheart. You can go play, and Iâll have a chat with your mom.â The principal said kindly.
âGo ahead, Joy.â Shu Pan encouraged her.
Joy ran toward the slide like a happy little bird.
âMs. Shu, if I may ask, where is Joyâs dad? Why isnât he here together? Parents are the best teachers for children,â the principal inquired.
âPrincipal, Joyâs dad and I are divorced, and now Joy stays with me,â Shu Pan replied, feeling a bit embarrassed as divorce wasnât something to be proud of.
âI see. Well, it must be challenging for you. We not only focus on the childrenâs physical health but also pay attention to their psychological well-being. However, itâs clear that Joy is an optimistic and cheerful child, and youâve done a great job in raising her,â the principalâs words made Shu Pan feel somewhat relieved.
âPrincipal, since I work during the day, Iâd like to start bringing Joy here from tomorrow to let her adapt for a few days. Then she can officially start in September,â Shu Pan thought this arrangement would be best because she had no one to care for Joy during the day.
âThatâs perfectly fine. Donât worry. We treat all the children here as if they were our own,â the principal reassured Shu Pan.
After leaving the kindergarten, Shu Pan held Joyâs hand and took her to the mall. She planned to spend her free time with Joy, making up for any previous regrets.
âMom, where are we going now?â Joy asked, holding Shu Panâs hand and wearing a naive and cheerful smile.
âMommy will take you to a big mall, and if we find something suitable, Iâd like to buy you a couple of dresses,â Shu Pan patiently answered her question.
âMommy, will that cost a lot of money?â Joy probably had been influenced by Auntie Luâs frequent teachings about the familyâs financial situation, so at a young age, she was already very thrifty.
It was often said that girls should be raised in affluence, but Shu Pan knew that with her current financial situation, she couldnât fully provide for Joyâs needs. Still, she didnât want her daughter to worry about money at such a young age.
âNo, sweetheart, Mommy has a job now, so we have money. We wonât buy a lot, and we wonât buy expensive things,â Shu Pan reassured her and patted her head.
The mall was filled with a dazzling array of products, overwhelming to the eye.
Shu Pan tightly held Joyâs hand, afraid of being separated in the crowded space.
They explored the mall, looking here and there, both of them enjoying the experience..