Transmigrating to the 80s to Become Stepmom to Five Bigwigs - Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Doing What One Can

It wasn’t just Xiao Wu. The five kids were all the same. Mu Jingzhe supported their hobbies, which was why Shao Nan was so outstanding and why Shao Xi had managed to publish his novel. It was also why Shao Dong was already earning money at such a young age, why Little Bei had become the youngest movie queen, and why Xiao Wu’s talent had been discovered.

When Shao Qihai had come back and seen these earth-shattering changes, other than feeling grateful to Mu Jingzhe, he had blamed himself. He thought that he definitely had to treat his children well in the future, but he still couldn’t keep up.

“Ji Bu… Teacher, thank you.” Shao Qihai thanked him. “Please tell me again what to do after this.”

Shao Qihai thanked him seriously and addressed Ji Buwang as ‘you[1]’. He admired him as a teacher from the bottom of his heart. Ji Buwang was really a good teacher.

When Ji Buwang heard Shao Qihai thank him, he was naturally in a good mood. However, he couldn’t stand this atmosphere and rubbed his arms. “Don’t. Just talk to me like usual. Stop addressing me as ‘you[2]’. I’m not doing this for you. I just like Xiao Wu.”

He was doing this for Mu Jingzhe, for Xiao Wu, but in any case, not for Shao Qihai.

Shao Qihai smiled. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. Go ahead.”

“That’s all. Just guide him well. If there’s a chance in the future, find a better teacher. I can give you recommendations too. Then, take him to listen to more music. If he can listen to live music, that’d be even better. He can also attend recitals.”

After Ji Buwang finished speaking, he added, sounding worried, “Xiao Wu is only five years old. There’s no need to rush to take him to school to learn. He’s very smart and has already finished learning almost all the content of the third and fourth grade. Therefore, he might as well take the opportunity to walk around and take a look before school officially starts.

“It’s better to travel 1,000 miles than read 10,000 books. I’ve told him a lot, but he has never seen it before. It’d be good to hear more and see the world. In his world, all sounds are musical notes.”

Ji Buwang was still a teacher at this art school, but he liked Xiao Wu too much and couldn’t let go of him.

“Alright, I understand. Ji Buwang, can you tell me all the details? Actually, I don’t quite understand what these…”

Mu Jingzhe had heard of concerts before, but she really didn’t know anything about recitals, musical styles, etc.

Mu Jingzhe and Shao Qihai surrounded Ji Buwang and listened to him like elementary school students listening to a lecture. They didn’t forget to take notes, and their seriousness was indescribable.

Xiao Wu, Shao Dong, and the others leaned against the window and watched. They then muttered, “What’s this important thing they are talking about?”

“I don’t know, but Mommy and Daddy seem to be students now.”

“It’s rare for them to be so harmonious.” Shao Dong pulled at Xiao Wu. “Alright, stop peeking.”

Ji Buwang’s words enlightened Mu Jingzhe. It wasn’t just Xiao Wu. The same could be applied to Shao Nan, Little Bei, Shao Dong, and especially Shao Xi. As a young writer, it would be better for him to go to more places and expand his horizons.

“In the future, when we’re on break or have free time, we really have to take them places.”

Ji Buwang asked, “How’s your driver’s license coming along?”

Mu Jingzhe: “It’s still in progress.”

It was really difficult to get a driver’s license. Otherwise, she could have taken the children there herself without needing Shao Qihai to drive.

Ji Buwang clenched his fists. “You can do it. I believe in you.”

He hoped that Mu Jingzhe would get her driver’s license as soon as possible and drive by herself. He really didn’t want to see Shao Qihai driving while she sat in the front passenger seat.

Mu Jingzhe was forced to nod. “Mm, I’ll work hard on it.”

She decided to work hard when she got back, using the same fighting spirit she’d had when studying for the college entrance examination. She didn’t believe that she wouldn’t pass.

Shao Qihai wanted to say something but hesitated. His thoughts were the opposite of what Ji Buwang was thinking. He didn’t want Mu Jingzhe to pass the exam so quickly. This way, he could drive them again and have Mu Jingzhe sit beside him.

After leaving school, Mu Jingzhe was in a complicated mood because of her driver’s license and Ji Buwang’s suggestion.

When she saw Xiao Wu and the children again, Mu Jingzhe felt quite upset. She had taken over their lives and tried hard to give them the best, but she had still failed.

On the way back, Mu Jingzhe didn’t say much and kept thinking. Shao Qihai acted the same way, which made the five kids feel a little worried.

“Mom, what’s wrong? Did something happen?” After getting out of the car, Shao Dong tugged at Mu Jingzhe and asked her what was going on.

“No, I’m just thinking about something.” Mu Jingzhe squatted down, stroked their heads, and clenched her fists. “I’m going to get busy. You don’t have to think too much or worry.”

She had to work harder to earn money. Otherwise, it would be difficult for the five children.

Shao Qihai was also having similar thoughts. They both intended to give it their all.

Seeing Mu Jingzhe’s condition, the five kids guessed that something had happened, so they found an opportunity to contact Ji Buwang.

Ji Buwang knew that although Shao Dong was still young, he was already sharing the responsibilities of the head of the family. After thinking for a while, he didn’t hide anything and told him about their conversation that day.

It was only then that Shao Dong found out about this situation. His heart was instantly filled with complicated emotions. Mu Jingzhe had given them enough, but she still blamed herself for not doing enough. He finally understood why Mu Jingzhe had suddenly asked about recitals and even started preparing to go to the capital.

Shao Dong didn’t tell Xiao Wu and the others the news. Instead, he found Mu Jingzhe and forbade her to continue working overtime at night.

“Mommy, Teacher Ji is right. It’d be good for Xiao Wu and us to go out and broaden our horizons, but there’s no need to blame yourself. There’s also no need to do what other families do.

“Our family is already good enough. We’ve already gained the most precious thing in the world.” To them, the most precious thing was Mu Jingzhe’s love.

Shao Dong knew best why Shao Xi and Xiao Wu were so outstanding. Most importantly, it was because of Mu Jingzhe’s support. The warmth in their home was the greatest source of inspiration. Without it, it would be useless no matter how much they went out to broaden their horizons.

“Mom, just do what you can. One doesn’t necessarily have to go overseas or visit a big city to broaden their horizons.”

“That’s true.” Out of guilt, Mu Jingzhe had thought of a series of plans. She hated that she couldn’t take them to travel the world, but when she thought about it, she realized she had been overly anxious.

“Thank you for your suggestion, Little Dong.” Shao Dong was really wonderful.

He kept an eye on her and forbade Mu Jingzhe to work overtime. He also didn’t allow Shao Qihai to go out at night to escort goods on his vehicle.

However, the plan still had to be implemented. After that, Mu Jingzhe took Xiao Wu to listen to two recitals. During the holidays, she even took Xiao Wu, Shao Xi, and Shao Dong to the capital to look for Mu Han.

It was really troublesome for the five children to go together. In the end, she took the three of them out first. Shao Nan and Little Bei stayed at home for the time being, and she would take them out next time.

This was also Shao Dong’s intention. There was no need for the five of them to travel together, for five kids were really too many.

Shao Dong, who was now earning money himself, even wanted to pay for the journey, but Shao Qihai and Mu Jingzhe rejected his offer in unison. They could still afford this much money.

Mu Han was really familiar with the capital now. After they found him, Mu Jingzhe could just follow him without worrying. Shao Dong, Shao Xi, and Xiao Wu were each more obedient than the other. They kept calling him ‘Uncle’, and Mu Han was unable to handle them.

After a few days of attending art exhibitions and listening to four recitals in the capital, Mu Jingzhe felt like she had elevated their life to a whole new level.

[1] the formal version of “you” used to address elders, respected figures, and people of a higher rank or status

[2] the formal version of “you”