The next day, Chen Meixiang got ready early. She didn't want to be late on her first day. She had already packed her bag with a hot water bottle and anything else she might need.
Su Rui was still sleeping, so Chen Meixiang woke her up for their morning run. As soon as Su Rui remembered they had to run, she got ready immediately, putting on her cotton-padded jacket before heading out.
Chen Hu was already standing in the yard, ready.
The system saw this and thought to itself that its plan was really working. With the ego this brat had, he wouldn't stop until he surpassed Su Rui.
When Chen Hu saw Su Rui coming, he started running ahead. Su Rui waved and ran behind him. Today, Chen Hu seemed more serious than yesterday.
Seeing this, Su Rui asked, "Dad, do you think Brother Hu can run faster than me?"
The system nodded. "He was faster than you yesterday too."
Hearing this, Su Rui became indignant. "But in the end, I was the one who won."
The system chuckled as he saw Su Rui pouting. "You little glutton, you won yesterday because I spent my merit points to buy you a buff. It let you run as much as you wanted without feeling any pain. If you had tried without it, you would have been lying on the ground gasping after just the first round."
Su Rui pouted again. "Then does that mean when the buff ends, I won't be able to run?"
"Of course you can run. But you'll have to practice hard to train your muscles. That way, when the buff ends, you can run just as well as you do now."
Hearing this, Su Rui nodded. She decided she would work hard these days so that Brother Hu could never defeat her. Thinking this, she sped up and overtook Chen Hu.
"I don't know what my mom ate when she was pregnant with this little packet—how can she outrun me?" Chen Hu gasped.
But today, he didn't push himself like yesterday. After completing three rounds, he simply sat down on the ground. After Su Rui finished running, they returned home together.
After washing their hands and feet, they went to the kitchen. Old Man Chen and Chen Meixiang were already sitting and eating.
Seeing the two children come in, Madam Chen served them two bowls of noodles topped with scrambled eggs. Today was her daughter's first day at work, and her grandchildren would also start tutoring classes. So she made something special.
After breakfast, Meixiang left for town right away. It was still cold outside, so she tightened her scarf as she hurried along.
At the school, she greeted Uncle He. After showing her temporary pass, she proceeded inside.
While walking, she spotted a familiar back and called out to He Ping.
He Ping looked back and waved. "First day on duty—best of luck from me."
Chen Meixiang replied, "Thank you very much."
He Ping pulled her toward the admin block. "Don't stand here like a block of wood. Let's go to the office. Comrade Wang will be waiting to take attendance."
Chen Meixiang asked, "Do they really take attendance?"
He Ping didn't change her expression. "Of course. Comrade Wang is very strict. She takes attendance on time, and anyone late gets scolded."
Chen Meixiang hurried along, not wanting to make a bad impression on her first day.
When they arrived, some staff were already standing there. Before they could catch their breath, Comrade Wang entered.
She put the attendance register on the table and asked everyone to sign next to their name.
When it was Chen Meixiang's turn, Comrade Wang asked her to sign. She said she would be delegating personnel and duties. After signing, Chen Meixiang stood off to the side.
Once everyone had signed, Comrade Wang signaled them to stand in a line and began delegating tasks.
For today, Chen Meixiang's task was to inspect the hostel and make a list of repairs and replacements needed. She was assigned one helper—a thin, honest-looking woman named Mo Eryi, who would be responsible for cleaning.
After delegating the tasks, Comrade Wang told Chen Meixiang to settle in. She added that they would be recruiting more hostel cleaners. If Meixiang knew anyone she could recommend, that would be even better.
Chen Meixiang nodded and said she would do her best. Mo Eryi's eyes flickered slightly as she listened.
Comrade Wang went off to do other work, while Chen Meixiang and Mo Eryi went to inspect the girls' hostel.
When they got there, the hostel looked like an old abandoned building, full of dust and cobwebs. Chen Meixiang opened her notebook and took out a pen. As they went along, they checked every room—whether the locks worked, inspected the furniture, and looked for leaks.
After working the entire afternoon, they had only managed to check two floors. There was still one floor left.
They were both hungry and thirsty. After thinking it over, they decided to eat in the cafeteria first before inspecting the remaining rooms. Mo Eryi was tired too, but it was still far better than the field work she used to do.
When they reached the cafeteria, many people were sitting and eating. They got their lunch and waited their turn.
After getting their food, they looked for a place to sit. Then He Ping waved her hand.
Seeing a familiar face, Chen Meixiang headed toward He Ping's table, and Mo Eryi followed.
After sitting down, Chen Meixiang introduced Mo Eryi. He Ping nodded toward Mo Eryi, then asked Meixiang about her day.
Chen Meixiang told her how busy they were. It was already afternoon, and they still had one floor left.
Mo Eryi nodded at first, then just listened while keeping her head down and eating, catching bits of their conversation.
After eating, they washed their lunch boxes and went back to work.
While Chen Meixiang was at school doing her best, back in Hongqi Village, Li Min really wanted to slap her past self for ever deciding to tutor these two little ancestors.