In her previous life, Qiao Shu herself had graduated from the Chinese literature department. Coupled with her appearance, after graduation, she had chosen a writer’s job where she didn’t need to go out to work and could type away at words from home.
However, she hadn’t chosen to become a web novel author. Instead, she had opted to submit manuscripts to magazines and work directly with publishers.
Thus, her writing genres spanned a wide range, whether campus stories, supernatural tales, or fantasy magic stories—she had written them all.
As long as there was money, she had no problem with publishers commissioning custom stories from her.
Precisely because of this, after transmigrating to this era, Qiao Shu felt that this skill of hers in writing could still support her in these 1980s.
What she hadn’t expected was that the style of writing in this era differed greatly from that of the future.
It wasn’t that Qiao Shu couldn’t write it; she could imitate it, mimicking the characteristic red revolutionary tone unique to this era. But on one hand, she felt her imitation might not necessarily make money, and on the other, she thought it would drain her passion for writing.
Therefore, after reading the novels and newspapers of this era, Qiao Shu gave up on the idea of submitting to those newspapers and magazines.
“Little Aunt, what’s wrong? You look a bit unhappy.”
He Anning, who had just finished a children’s book, saw Qiao Shu’s pink lips pressed tightly together and her pretty brows slightly furrowed. She, who had been happily reading the picture book, immediately grew tense.
Meanwhile, Jiang Lekang, who was flipping through a comic book nearby, heard his sister’s words. He also put down the comic in his hands and stared at Qiao Shu with his big eyes unblinking.
Seeing how the two little ones cared about her so much, Qiao Shu smiled and shook her head, saying softly.
“It’s nothing. Little Aunt isn’t unhappy. I’ve just finished all the books I picked up. Have you two finished yours?”
Qiao Shu didn’t explain too much to the two little ones and directly changed the subject.
“Not yet! Little Aunt, you read so fast! I’ve finished these fairy tale books—they’re so good! Little Aunt, look at mine!”
“Little Aunt, Kangkang’s comic is really good too~! You can look at Kangkang’s!”
The two little ones eagerly piled the children’s books they had finished and liked in front of Qiao Shu.
Qiao Shu originally had no interest in these picture books for kids, but the two little ones were so enthusiastic that she couldn’t refuse their kindness. So she took them from their hands.
As she casually glanced through them, Qiao Shu, who had thought her plan to make money through writing had fallen through, discovered a new continent!
Looking at the Nezha Conquers the Sea comic Jiang Lekang handed her, then at the fairy tale collection He Anning offered…
Qiao Shu’s eyes sparkled as she not only finished all the children’s books the two little ones gave her but also went back to the children’s section to grab more fairy tale books.
With this look, the small flame in Qiao Shu that had been extinguished regarding making money through writing reignited!
Right, she could write children’s books!
Although she hadn’t written fairy tale stories in her previous life, she had also had a childhood and read plenty of fairy tales…
Moreover, the children’s books she was reading now had very simple stories, so she could completely choose to write children’s books to submit and make money…
The more she thought about it, the more feasible the idea seemed to Qiao Shu.
Although marrying into the Feng Family meant she wouldn’t lack money—the powerful and influential Feng Family certainly wouldn’t mistreat her.
But the Feng Family treated her so well, and she didn’t want to just lie flat completely and be a rice worm without a care.
Besides, what if she couldn’t get along with that cheap husband and cheap child in the future and ended up divorcing? At least she’d have a skill to support herself, so her family wouldn’t force her to remarry.
Also, there really weren’t many entertainment activities in this era; writing novels every day to pass the time would be pretty good…
The more she thought, the more Qiao Shu felt that writing children’s books was a solid idea.
By the time He Yingzi and Jiang Zheng finished shopping at the mall, bought Qiao Shu a ton of stuff, and came back to pick up the ‘three kids,’ Qiao Shu, this ‘big kid,’ had already firmly memorized the contact information for several children’s magazines and publishers. She was only thinking about outlining a fairy tale story in the next few days and submitting it to a children’s magazine to test the waters.
“Shushu, Ningning and Kangkang didn’t cause you any trouble, did they?”
As He Yingzi drove Qiao Shu back to the Feng Family Residence, she asked with concern.
“No, no, Ningning and Kangkang were very good. We read a lot of books together.”
Qiao Shu stroked the two little ones’ heads and smiled as she said.
“Huh, that’s really rare. These two little ones usually hate reading books the most—even picture books they rarely look at.”
He Yingzi found Qiao Shu’s answer somewhat unexpected. She had thought her two book-hating kids would make a fuss with Qiao Shu.
She hadn’t expected the two little ones to actually turn over a new leaf and be so well-behaved in front of Qiao Shu.
Compared to He Yingzi’s surprise, Jiang Zheng looked pleasantly surprised. He glanced at Qiao Shu, then at his own two kids who clearly adored her and clung to her without letting go. An idea suddenly struck him.
When He Yingzi dropped Qiao Shu back at the Feng Family Residence and it was time to part ways, Jiang Zheng saw He Anning and Jiang Lekang refusing to let go, wanting to go with Qiao Shu. Before his wife could get angry, he cleared his throat lightly and spoke.
“Yingzi, how about we leave the two kids here with Mom and Dad? It’s summer vacation now anyway, no need for school.”
Hearing her husband’s words, He Yingzi subconsciously retorted.
“How can that work? Grandpa and Mom and Dad are getting on in years; they don’t have the energy to watch these two energetic little rascals.”
“Isn’t there Shushu? Look how well-behaved Ningning and Kangkang are around her—they’ve even started loving books.”
Jiang Zheng revealed his little scheme. As a cultured man, he naturally wanted his two kids to develop a love for reading and studying.
But for some reason, though he and his wife were both highly educated and loved learning, their two children didn’t share that passion for reading.
Even the slightly quieter and more obedient Jiang Lekang preferred playing with toys over books.
So when he saw Qiao Shu actually get his two book-hating kids to sit still and read quietly, he immediately thought of letting Qiao Shu take the two little ones for the summer to influence them properly and make them love learning…
Seeing the eagerness in her husband’s eyes, He Yingzi understood his thinking, but—
“Shushu, do you want them to stay?”
What He Yingzi cared more about was Qiao Shu’s opinion. After all, He Anning and Jiang Lekang were her children, not Qiao Shu’s; she had no obligation to help watch them.
“Huh? Sure, let them stay. I really like Ningning and Kangkang.”
Hearing He Yingzi’s words, Qiao Shu was momentarily stunned. Then she lowered her head to look at the expectant expressions on the two little ones’ faces, nodded, and said nonchalantly.
“Shushu, don’t be polite with me. Ningning and Kangkang are actually quite naughty; their grandparents have spoiled them rotten. Taking them for a day is fine, but for a whole summer…”
Seeing Qiao Shu didn’t refuse, He Yingzi raised her brow and didn’t mince words at all, directly pointing out her own kids’ ‘flaws.’
The moment they heard their mom say that, the two little ones were immediately unhappy.
“No way! Fairy Little Aunt, I’m very good, not naughty at all! I’ll definitely listen to Little Aunt in everything!”
“Little Aunt, Kangkang is good, not naughty.”
He Anning and Jiang Lekang both gripped Qiao Shu’s hands tightly, staring at her with their round eyes full of pitiful pleading.
Faced with these two soft and cute little ones, Qiao Shu, who had a slight case of face-con, really couldn’t resist.
Especially since she already liked the two little ones quite a bit, and keeping them also served a bit of her own selfish interest.
That was—she planned to write children’s books now. For her first time writing this genre, she naturally needed readers of this age group to test-read and give her feedback.
So, under the two little ones’ expectant gazes, Qiao Shu nodded at He Yingzi again and smiled without any reluctance.
“It’s fine, Sister. I really like Ningning and Kangkang. Let them stay.”
In the end, He Anning and Jiang Lekang stayed, moving into the Feng Family Residence with Qiao Shu.
Elder Feng, Feng Father, and Feng Mother were of course delighted that He Anning and Jiang Lekang were staying at home.
After all, these were their beloved grandchildren.
Jiang Zheng was also very happy—his goal had been achieved. With them around the book-loving Qiao Shu, his kids would surely be influenced to love learning.
Everyone in the Feng Family was happy, except He Yingzi, who was a bit unhappy.
Before leaving, He Yingzi still reminded Qiao Shu once more.
“Shushu, if these two little ones start acting up and getting naughty, just call me. I’ll come pick them up. Don’t feel bad about it. I shouldn’t have let them stay in the first place.”
“Mm-hmm, got it, Sister. If anything happens, I’ll call you right away!”
After seeing off He Yingzi and Jiang Zheng, Qiao Shu returned to the living room.
At that moment, Elder Feng and Feng Shengli were playing chess, while He Hong sat on the sofa with He Anning and Jiang Lekang, watching TV.
Qiao Shu had writing children’s books on her mind, so she didn’t sit down to watch TV with He Hong and the others. After greeting the three elders, she went upstairs to prepare to pick up her pen, outline, and organize the fairy tale story she was about to write.
Seeing Qiao Shu go upstairs alone, the two little tail-followers originally wanted to go too, but He Hong stopped them. After switching the TV to the cartoon channel, He Hong walked over to Elder Feng and Feng Shengli.
“Dad, why don’t you talk to A Xiao’s superiors and have him come back soon.”
Elder Feng, who had been playing chess with his son, frowned slightly upon hearing his daughter-in-law’s words.
Before Elder Feng could say anything, Feng Shengli spoke up discontentedly.
“Nonsense. Do you think A Xiao is playing house? That he can just come back whenever? There’s a war at the front lines right now. How can you ask him to come back at a time like this?”
He Hong knew her words were a bit inappropriate, but whenever she thought of those ‘neighbors’ coveting her daughter-in-law, she felt uneasy.
She just had a nagging feeling—what if someone ran off with her daughter-in-law!
“Dad, you don’t know. At noon while you were napping, quite a few people in our compound saw Shushu. They were all so enthusiastic toward our family’s Shushu! Some even said that A Xiao and Shushu’s marriage was arranged, too feudal. They claimed A Xiao doesn’t value Shushu, isn’t satisfied with the marriage and doesn’t want to marry her, and that their family’s child could marry Shushu instead…”
He Hong knew her father-in-law’s temperament well, so she exaggerated to sound the alarm. Of course, what she said wasn’t false—it was all true~!
Sure enough, as soon as He Hong finished speaking, Elder Feng got angry.