Since their ho had bought a piano, Xiao Xiao had stopped attending her piano classes and only practiced at ho without a teacher’s guidance. If no one was around, Gong Mingxia would point out any wrong notes in Xiao Xiao’s playing and ask her to correct them. If there were others present, she hesitated to instruct for fear of not being clear, after all, she ca from a rural area where pianos were inaccessible.
But sotis, in front of Cao Yuan and her godmother, she would ask Xiao Xiao for advice on studying, starting from the basics of sheet music to lay a foundation for the future.
In the mornings, Gong Mingxia would go to the market, and Cao Yuan would accompany her. Eventually, he took over this task because, as a soldier, he was accustod to waking up early. Regardless of whether Mingxia was willing or not, he proactively left with the bike even earlier than her, leaving her no choice but to accept his kindness and enjoy a few extra hours of sleep each day.
Breakfast was always prepared at the godmother’s house, and after cooking, the two families would eat together. After breakfast, Cao Yuan went to work and also dropped Xiao Xiao off at kindergarten.
The godmother would stay at ho to help Mingxia pick, wash, and chop vegetables. Sotis, she even accompanied Mingxia to sell packed lunches. Although the godmother rejected the idea multiple tis, worried that her body couldn’t handle it, people insisted that seniors needed to stay active. With no other options, she had to agree.
On weekends, the area around snack street was less crowded, but Mingxia would still set up her stand unless she felt unwell, though she would reduce the volu of food to half. Initially, Cao Yuan helped out, but eventually, he decided to handle the weekends himself, letting Mingxia rest after preparing the food and then going to pick up Xiao Xiao from her piano and dance classes.
Through his actions, he gradually beca a part of her daily routine. One could say that aside from intimate gestures, there was virtually no difference between them and a real married couple.
Xiao Xiao often called him dad too, hoping that one day she could truly call him "Dad."
Yangyang, although calling Mingxia "Aunt," also hoped to drop the "aunt" title soon.
The family really put their hearts into supporting this couple.
In April of 1999, Xiao Xiao passed her Level 4 piano examinations. It felt like another step closer to Level 10.
While it might have seed quick from one level to another, unknown to many, Xiao Xiao spent at least two hours daily practicing the piano. It was her diligence that allowed her to progress so rapidly in the exams. But as she advanced, the exams beca increasingly difficult, especially since she was starting primary school that year. If she could pass one level each year for the remaining six years, that would be okay.
Of course, this was just amateur grading, which couldn’t compare to professional training. If she wanted more professional training, it was essential to keep up with it.
It all depended on the child’s talent.
After all, maybe seven or eight years of amateur practice might not compare to Level 1 of professional training.
When Cao Yang went to high school, he lived at school, and Cao Yuan, previously too busy, now had ti and wanted to influence soone else, as jogging alone wasn’t fun.
With Cao Yang out of the house, he focused his efforts on Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao loved to sleep in; Cao Yuan ordered her to wake up at 6:30 AM and join him for a run, then eat breakfast at 7:20 and leave for school by 7:30.
They say the most disciplined children excel the most, and this fit Xiao Xiao perfectly. Although she was reluctant, seeing Cao Yuan as a future father, she was willing to listen to him and keep up with the morning runs.
In fact, Cao Yuan also wanted to involve his future wife, but he feared offending her. Although she seed diligent, she might not enjoy morning exercises and at least knew to work out in the evening. Reflecting on it, he found Xiao Xiao easier to manage. If she ever found out she was just a scapegoat, he wondered if she would feel a bit sad, haha~
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