Chapter 97

At the end of August and beginning of September, the campus was very lively; everywhere were parents of new students bringing their children, taking photos with their cameras at many iconic buildings of Chu Hua Da Xue.

When Zheng Tan went out for a stroll, he saw some parents who, just a moment before, had been smiling broadly as they said goodbye to their children at the dormitory gate, preparing to leave and catch a train home, but after walking only a short distance they started to cry, some aunties crying so hard their makeup ran.

Jiao Ba said many parents didn't bring their children because they couldn't bear to part with them; although those parents didn't come, after seeing their children off on the train back home they would still cry for a long time.

Regarding this, Zheng Tan didn't understand it at all; at least he himself had never experienced such a thing.

When he attended university before, he went with a few dissolute friends to a school not far from where he lived; plus, his relationship with both parents was distant, so he could never feel that emotion. He had never been a father, so he didn't understand the reluctance of watching a child grow up and then leave.

That really is a strange feeling.

On the Jiao family's side, Jiao Yuan was taken by Jiao Ma, together with several other parents' children from the compound, to go to the junior high; they didn't have to crowd with other students to look at the class assignment list, because they already knew which class and homeroom teacher they were assigned to.

Thanks to the intervention of several special parents, the several children from the compound were all placed in the same class, for fear they would be bullied there. Middle school students are not yet mature in character, they are impulsive, and no one knows whether a fight might break out, so it's better to stick together; moreover, parents can get advance notice of any matters, and when biking home they have companions.

Regarding this, Jiao Yuan and the others were very pleased. At noon they all stayed at school to eat. Jiao Ma was busy with the start of term, and still had Jiao Yuan to look after, so she didn't go home for lunch but took the other few children to the staff cafeteria; compared to the student cafeteria, the staff cafeteria's food is somewhat better.

Meanwhile, Xiao Youzi, because she had skipped a grade, was in fourth grade right from the start of term; among her classmates were people she knew, namely Yue Lisha and Xie Xin from the West District staff compound, one a vice class monitor and the other a study committee member; in class they were like big sisters. Since they were also acquainted with Xiao Youzi, Jiao Ba didn't worry that Xiao Youzi would be bullied in class because of her young age.

At noon, the dismissal music of the affiliated primary school sounded.

Jiao Wei stood at the gate of the affiliated primary school, watching the children running out from inside, looking for Xiao Youzi's figure among them.

Every day at noon he comes over here to wait for Xiao Youzi to go together to eat at their family's restaurant. Their small restaurant just opened not long ago. Although the location is not as good as other restaurants. But when school starts, there are many people. Returning customers are also many, business has been decent lately; they hired a fellow townsman to help out. When he has free time, Jiao Wei also goes over to lend a hand, but he's always pushed out by his mother, not letting him get oily smoke.

Originally Jiao Ba and Xiao Youzi planned to eat at the cafeteria, but Jiao Wei's parents told them to eat at the restaurant; at that time after school, it's crowded, the cafeteria is packed, and besides, home-cooked food always makes people feel more comfortable eating. Jiao Ba wanted to pay, but Jiao Wei's parents refused; only after Jiao Ba's persuasion did they symbolically take a little money, and moreover, every time Jiao Ba and Xiao Youzi go there, the portions are generous and the oil used is good oil.

Jiao Ba has also been busy lately, with an irregular schedule, so the task of picking up Xiao Youzi fell to Jiao Wei.

Xiao Youzi originally said she could go by herself; she knows the way, she's already in fourth grade, no need for an adult to accompany her. But Jiao Ba worries, especially now that school has started, there are many people, it's chaotic, there are pickpockets stealing wallets, phones, bicycles, etc.; who can guarantee there's no child trafficking?

Jiao Wei is no longer as gloomy as before; he has opened up a bit, his Mandarin practice has become more standard and natural, the various southern and northern accents around him let him relax a lot, and the campus is generally simpler than society. Sometimes people who know Xiao Youzi still chat with him, and Jiao Wei responds with a smile.

While waiting, Jiao Wei sensed movement on the nearby wall; without looking he knew it was the precious black cat of the Jiao family.

The first day Jiao Wei came to pick up Xiao Youzi, Zheng Tan had been playing outside too long and arrived late. After picking up Xiao Youzi, Jiao Wei prepared to take her to their family's restaurant, but Xiao Youzi wouldn't go; she kicked pebbles on the ground with her toes, waiting at the school gate, occasionally looking around. Only after asking did Jiao Wei learn that Xiao Youzi was waiting for her family's black cat, and she wouldn't leave if she didn't see it.

Jiao Wei looked up at the black cat on the wall; over this period he has gradually become accustomed to some of the cat's behaviors, and he also somewhat understands why the Jiao family treasures it so much. Jiao Yuan told him about the cat's other glorious deeds; it's hard to imagine that such things were done by just a cat. And the Jiao family seems to regard it as another child, which Jiao Wei still finds hard to understand—no matter how smart or understanding, isn't it still just a cat?

Zheng Tan can spot Xiao Youzi in the crowd of children at a glance; upon seeing her, he jumps down from the wall, waits for Xiao Youzi to come out, then goes to Jiao Wei's family restaurant to look for food.

Above Jiao Wei's family's small restaurant there is a simple canopy built by the original owner, formerly used for storing goods; now Jiao Wei's parents have tidied it into a small room where they rest and nap when there are no customers. There is also a small folding square table like the one in Jiao Yuan's room; Jiao Ba and Xiao Youzi usually eat there, although it's a bit hot, but fortunately September's temperature isn't as oppressive as July and August—stringing up a wire and plugging in an electric fan to blow makes it okay.

Everyone in Jiao Wei's family has also become accustomed to the way Jiao Ba and they treat Zheng Tan, so when feeding the cat it's done much like for a person; Jiao Ma bought a special bowl placed here, Zheng Tan's dedicated bowl.

Today Jiao Ba had no time at noon; Yi Xin and the others had already helped bring lunch, so they didn't come over to eat.

After Xiao Youzi finishes her meal, Jiao Wei sends her home; at noon he also stays at the Jiao family's place for a nap, then in the afternoon he goes to class and incidentally takes Xiao Youzi to school.

On the way back they took out a portion, which was Qu Xiangyang's ordered lunch.

Just after entering the compound, having walked only a few steps, an SUV drove in; Jiao Wei glanced at it, four rings. Rich people, huh!

But unexpectedly, the next moment the car stopped beside them, the window rolled down, revealing a face familiar to Zheng Tan.

"Youzi, Hei Tan!"

Xiao Youzi looked at that person and grinned. She had a good impression of Fang Shaokang, knowing he was the one who brought Hei Tan home. So whenever she saw Fang Shaokang she would rarely smile.

Zheng Tan remained the same; seeing him, he had no reaction.

"Who is this?" Fang Shaokang looked at Jiao Wei.

After Jiao Wei introduced himself, Fang Shaokang said: "That's perfect; later help me move some stuff."

After Fang Shaokang parked the car, Zheng Tan went over to see what he had brought.

As soon as he got out of the car, Fang Shaokang lifted Xiao Youzi and gave her a hug; he himself has a little daughter and usually likes to do this. Xiao Youzi doesn't really object to it.

After hugging Xiao Youzi, Fang Shaokang then lifted Zheng Tan, who was about to jump into the car to see what was up, and Zheng Tan stepped on his face with one foot.

Fang Shaokang didn't mind. He laughed and set Zheng Tan down. "Seems heavier."

Jiao Wei, standing beside him, twitched his face. Nonsense, this cat is just a foodie—how could it not be heavy? It eats a big bowl every meal!

Fang Shaokang said nothing more, opened the car door. On the back seat lay two large cardboard boxes, it wasn't clear what they were.

"What are these?" Jiao Wei asked.

Fang Shaokang said with a proud look: "Cat climbing frame!"

Jiao Wei: "……"

Xiao Youzi helped carry Qu Xiangyang's lunch. Jiao Wei and Fang Shaokang each carried one cardboard box.

Jiao Wei really didn't know what to say. A cat climbing frame. Another cat! Two large cardboard boxes containing it, and they're quite heavy.

After carrying the boxes up to the fifth floor, they took a break. Qu Xiangyang came over with his lunch, eating while circling the boxes, studying what's inside.

Although Xiao Youzi really wanted to see how the cat climbing frame was installed, during nap time Fang Shaokang wouldn't work on it; they had to wait until the break was over.

Strolling over to the balcony, Fang Shaokang opened his phone and called Jiao Ba: "Hey, Professor Jiao, I'm Fang San'er."

On the other end, Jiao Ba answered the call rather hastily, didn't see the caller ID, hearing "Fang San'er" he didn't react right away, paused a few seconds before saying: "Oh, Mr. Fang, hello."

"I'm at your place right now; I've put together a cat climbing frame, preparing to install it this afternoon—first let me tell you…" In the afternoon, with no one at the Jiao family's home, Fang Shaokang installs the cat climbing frame here; he still needs to inform the host.

Jiao Ba had nothing to object to, and was actually looking forward to Fang Shaokang's result.

Sitting in the living room, Jiao Wei was somewhat speechless about this seemingly wealthy person—another one who treats cats better than people. Looking again at the black cat leaning on the edge of the cardboard box, peeking inside, tsk, how could he not understand these people's thoughts?

After the break ended, Jiao Wei left to go to class, incidentally taking Xiao Youzi to school. As they walked, Xiao Youzi kept glancing at the cardboard box placed in the center of the living room.

Zheng Tan stayed at home, watching Fang Shaokang assemble the cat climbing frame.

Zheng Tan had seen a cat climbing frame at Xiao Guo's place, so he had a rough idea; but looking at what Fang Shaokang brought out, it was a little different from what he imagined.

Although there are some things he doesn't understand, there are also similarities—for example, the rack installed in the corner of Xiao Youzi's room is made of posts wrapped with hemp rope, plus shelves and some boards; the difference is that besides that, some fixtures fixed to the wall have been added. Zheng Tan can use the steps formed by small boards protruding from the wall to walk up to the recently installed "passage" near the ceiling, then from that passage go to the window on the door of Xiao Youzi's room; when the window is open he can jump straight out, when it's closed he can peek at the living room scene.

The rack is freestanding; if later they feel it's unsuitable here, they can move it elsewhere in the house. The fabric on the rack is all washable, no need to worry about dirt breeding bacteria. Besides the "walkway" near the ceiling and the "steps" on the wall, most of the connecting struts are easy to detach, belonging to a no‑nail design—without nails it still lets the whole rack stay steady, and it can be taken apart and put together by hand without tools.

The Jiao family's space is too small; Fang Shaokang couldn't achieve the ideal effect, so he could only "make do" a bit. He also wanted to install some things in the hall, but after all it's not his own home, and the space here is truly tiny; after consideration, Fang Shaokang gave up, leaving the remaining materials for now, to be installed later if the Jiao family wants them.

Whether "making do" or not, the Jiao family is quite satisfied with the cat climbing frame; Xiao Youzi likes it a lot. Anyway, her room has few things, so putting a cat climbing frame is no problem, and during assembly they made reasonable use of the leftover space—looking at it, it's not much different from before installation.

It must be said, for this cat climbing frame Fang Shaokang indeed spent a lot of thought.

However, on the night the cat climbing frame was finished being assembled, Zheng Tan……still burrowed into Xiao Youzi's blanket.

Cat climbing frames aren't as comfy as blankets, huh? (To be continued...)