Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 109 Enrolling in Summer Training Programs
It was almost dark when she returned to Nanyu.

Lin Yi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her return, and couldn't help but ask, "Where did you go again? So late? Did you buy something? What is it?"

"These snacks are all delicious, Dad. Let's have a good celebration tonight."

As she spoke, Lin Qin whispered in Lin Yi's ear about her purchase of the shop.

Lin Yi stared in astonishment, gasped, and muttered, "How could you be so bold! You didn't even tell me about something this important, nor did you ask Wenjun to go with you. What if you got scammed?"

Lin Qin stuck out her tongue sheepishly, "Dad! I arranged to meet the person at the Land Bureau for the transaction, all the documents are in order, what are you worried about?"

Lin Yi was speechless after being retorted, and raised an eyebrow to ask, "How much did it cost?"

"Eleven thousand," Lin Qin reported truthfully.

Lin Yi was also tempted. After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Girl, you keep an eye out for me too."

Lin Qin looked puzzled. "You want to buy it too?"

Lin Yi rolled his eyes. "Isn't that obvious? Like you said, keeping that money around won't generate more money. It would be different if we exchanged it for a house. I'm thinking of saving up more while I'm still alive, so you and your sister can split it equally."

I used to worry about you terribly, but now it seems you don't need to worry at all. On the contrary, if your sister had a house or shop in the city, she would have more leverage in her husband's family and could do whatever she wanted. Even sending A-Jian and A-Kang to study in the city wouldn't be a problem.

Lin Yi never dared to dream of such a thing before, but now that he has money, his thoughts have naturally changed.

Since he has the ability, he should naturally share more of the burden with his two daughters.

Lin Qin wholeheartedly agreed, "Dad! I've noticed that you're more open-minded than many people in the village. They all think about leaving the family fortune to the sons, but you're the only one who thinks about your daughter!"

Lin Yi was speechless. He wasn't exactly an enlightened person; he had just been heartbroken by Lin Zhi's family and dared not rely on his two nephews anymore.

Furthermore, with Chen Wenjun promising to support him in his old age, he felt secure and naturally sided with his daughter.

After the father and daughter talked for a while, Lin Qin came out of the kitchen and saw the two children doing their homework at a table in the yard. She went over and sat down with them. "Summer vacation is coming soon. What are your plans?"

The two children, who were diligently doing their homework, looked up at Lin Qin in bewilderment.

"Mom, what can we plan?" Ya Ya asked, puzzled.

Ping An seemed to be thinking, "I can go with Ya Ya to collect snails, go fishing, help my parents with their work, help my grandfather with chores, and do my homework."

Lin Qin nodded in satisfaction, "Well said, that's a plan. Ya Ya, you should learn from Ping An and be sure to plan things out."

She then smiled and said, "But Mom doesn't need you to help earn money. You're still young, and studying is the most important thing for you. While you're still young, you can learn more skills so that you can stand on your own two feet in society in the future."

Mom went to your school today and saw a summer training program recruiting students near the school gate. Would you like to sign up for a talent program?

The two children looked at each other, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

"Mom, what is talent?" Ya Ya asked, puzzled.

Lin Qin patiently explained to them, "Talent is a skill. For example, Master Zhang who builds houses for us can earn money by building houses. If you learn a skill, you can also earn money by your skills when you grow up and not be afraid of a hard life. There are many kinds of talents, such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Mom is planning to send you to learn calligraphy and another skill. What do you think?"

The two children nodded, looking a little confused. "We'll listen to Mom."

Lin Qin was satisfied.

Lin Yi overheard the entire conversation between the mother and her two children in the kitchen, and secretly asked Lin Qin, "Do you think learning those things is very expensive?"

Lin Qin shook her head, "It's alright, it depends on what you're learning. A calligraphy beginner's class is only 80 cents a lesson, a slightly more expensive one dollar, and later, when you're better at it, a lesson is only one dollar and fifty cents, which isn't expensive."

Musical instruments are the most expensive, so we won't learn those.

Lin Yi took a deep breath and looked at Lin Qin as if she were a spendthrift. "This isn't expensive? Eighty cents a class, how many classes a day?"

Lin Qin was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Dad! What do you mean by several classes a day? One class a day is already a lot. Calligraphy class is three classes a week, and the other courses are the same. Moreover, there are only summer classes. The teachers also need to see how the summer classes go. If the classes go well, there will be weekend training classes after the start of the new semester."

"It'll be one class a week then. Considering that, is it expensive?"

Lin Yi was speechless.

When Chen Wenjun returned in the evening, Lin Qin took out the four property certificates to show him and mentioned the matter of enrolling the children in training classes.

Chen Wenjun was clearly very concerned. After inquiring about all the courses, he pondered and said, "Both children should take calligraphy classes, and they should continue to take them. Also, let's enroll Ping An in an art class. With his hands like that, he can't learn any other musical instruments."

Ya Ya could learn a musical instrument or dance. Dance helps girls develop good posture and improves their physical fitness. As for musical instruments, the piano is a good choice.

Lin Qin's forehead veins throbbed as she listened. "You really dare to spend money. A dance beginner's class costs one yuan per lesson, and later lessons will probably cost around two yuan per lesson. Piano lessons are even more expensive. A beginner's class costs two yuan per lesson, and as you progress, a lesson can cost five to ten yuan. Are you really willing to spend that much money?"

Chen Wenjun looked at Lin Qin with unusual seriousness, "The child now has my surname and is still on my household registration. She is my daughter, and I'm willing to spend any amount of money to raise her!"

Seeing his agitation, Lin Qin quickly apologized and soothed him, "I was just saying. Since you don't object, I'll go talk to Teacher Bai tomorrow and finalize the registration."

The two children will be on holiday in another week, which will be perfect for them to attend classes consecutively.

Lin Qin only told Lin Yi after finalizing the details of the child's training class.

When Lin Yi learned that in addition to calligraphy lessons, Ping An also had art lessons, and Ya Ya had dance and piano lessons, he immediately became furious. He kept nagging Lin Qin for a long time and also complained to Huang Yuezhen.

"This family really can't be run by that brat; she'll ruin it sooner or later!"

Huang Yuezhen chuckled, her eyes full of envy. "Uncle, I think my cousin is doing great. The family's money will be left to the children anyway. Spending it on them and raising them well will make them more successful in the future, won't that be better?"

Having spent the past six months in the city, she has broadened her horizons and is no longer the ignorant village woman she once was. Now that she knows Lin Qin is investing in her child's livelihood and spending money on his upbringing, she is also tempted to do the same.

Unfortunately, her three children are all grown up now, and it's obviously too late to raise them properly. The only thing she can do is save money as much as possible so that her children won't have to live such a hard life in the future.

(End of this chapter)