A four-year-old child shouldn’t be expected to be very logical about things.

Basically, Pei Jing just says whatever comes to his mind.

No matter what Pei Jing says, Jiang Ran listens carefully.

Of course, it’s not just listening. Jiang Ran also responds and asks a question in return, encouraging Pei Jing to continue speaking.

The mother and son chat away and soon arrive at the main courtyard.

Jiang Ran and the others have evening classes, so they usually have dinner quite early.

Pei Jing had just gone to find Jiang Ran to call her over for dinner.

Seeing Jiang Ran carrying Pei Jing over, Wang Cuilan teased Jiang Ran with a glance, "Little Jing is already so big, he can walk by himself. Why are you still carrying him?"

Wang Cuilan wasn’t against Jiang Ran carrying Pei Jing; she was just worried Jiang Ran might get tired.

Jiang Ran smiled at Wang Cuilan, "I just picked him up casually. He’s not heavy."

"Alright, alright, whatever you say. Hurry up and eat, you’ll have to leave again soon."

Hearing Wang Cuilan’s urging, Jiang Ran didn’t say more and sat down with Pei Jing for dinner.

After dinner, Jiang Ran and the other two went to their classes.

They’d been going for a few days already. Even the youngest, Pei Jing, understood they were off to study, just like how he goes to kindergarten during the day. So, as he watched Jiang Ran and the others leave, he didn’t cry or fuss, behaving exceptionally well.

Arriving at night school again, once inside the gates, the three of them parted ways to go to their respective classrooms.

To avoid unexpected situations, they timed their arrival just right, considering the short distance. Even if they timed it precisely, they wouldn’t be late.

They had just sat down in their classroom when the teacher arrived.

Even if someone wanted to have a quick chat, there wasn’t really an opportunity.

By the time class ended, it was completely dark, and everyone was in a rush to get home, leaving no time for extended conversations.

The approach from before was probably just an isolated incident.

When the three of them returned home, Pei Jing was already sound asleep.

However, Wang Cuilan and Pei Baoshan were still awake.

Though Jiang Ran had repeatedly told Wang Cuilan and Pei Baoshan they didn’t need to wait up, Jiang Ran said what she would, but Wang Cuilan didn’t heed it.

Realizing Wang Cuilan was concerned about the three of them, Jiang Ran didn’t say more and let it be.

Seeing Jiang Ran and the others return, Wang Cuilan urged the three of them to wash up and get to bed quickly, whatever needed to be said could wait until the next day.

Jiang Ran nodded, "Mom, you should go to sleep, too."

It was already quite late at that hour.

After all, Wang Cuilan liked to get up early.

It was a habit developed over many years.

Back home, there were the crowing roosters; here, although there were no roosters, they had an alarm clock.

In fact, there was barely a need for an alarm clock.

After many years of a consistent biological clock, as soon as daylight appeared, Wang Cuilan would open her eyes on time, get dressed quietly, freshen up, and head to the kitchen to make breakfast.

That’s why Jiang Ran had the kitchen placed in the main house.

Without having to leave the house, she could go directly to the kitchen.

In the other three seasons, this setup might not have been particularly noticeable.

But come winter, the benefits become clear.

Winter here gets incredibly cold, the kind of cold where stepping outside could freeze you.

Not having to run outside for cooking is truly a blessing.