Chen Lan, upon hearing Song Wan and Chen Shumin mention "the city" together, ceased her questioning, thinking that "the city" was sufficient.
She then immediately made a decision: "Xiao Wan, Xiao Min, there's no problem with the idea of opening two classes you two just mentioned. How about this! You two go to the school first and discuss the curriculum arrangements with Principal Xu Mingwei. I'll send someone to deliver all the musical instruments you requested to the school the day after tomorrow. You two must teach well! These instruments are not cheap. Don't let these good instruments go to waste. Strive to present a回报演出 by the young and old in the valley after the busy farming season."
Song Wan and Chen Shumin immediately vowed loudly, "Sister Xiao Lan, you can rest assured! We guarantee to complete the mission. Just wait and see the performance then! We'll head to the school to find the principal now."
With that, the two turned and walked hand-in-hand to the school to find Ming Wei.
With the addition of six newcomers, the valley became more lively. Although it was winter, the season when Northeasterners usually stayed indoors, the people in the valley were not idle this year. Everyone was busy with their own tasks.
Uncle De, Uncle Fu, and the elders of the valley went to the greenhouses every day to ensure the supply of vegetables for every household in the valley during winter. The elder aunties were responsible for childcare and cooking at home because it was too cold, and the kindergarten was closed. The daughters-in-law, daughters, and young boys in the family had all gone to school.
The men of the household were either on rotation to care for the livestock raised in the valley or at Xiang Xi and Teacher Zhou's several laboratories.
Xiang Xi's two laboratories had already been in operation for some time. One soap production line and one shampoo production line had been put into production. The products from both lines were supplied to everyone in the valley.
Chen Lan's requirement for Xiang Xi was to avoid chemical detergents as much as possible and to use plant-based formulas, so as not to damage the surrounding environment of the valley. Therefore, he spent his days in the laboratory with Xiao Shuan and a group of like-minded people conducting research.
Teacher Zhou and his four students now had six laboratories. As for their research direction, Chen Lan adhered to her original promise: as long as there was a need, she would support it, but she never asked too many questions.
Auntie San Mei was so busy that she barely touched the ground, living a life that was both painful and joyful. The pain was in her back, because Yulia and Milana were both too prolific. Yulia was now the mother of five children, and Milana already had two. The two of them were competing to have children, so it was no wonder Auntie San Mei's back ached. With the kindergarten closed for the winter, they were even busier taking care of the children at home. There were too many children to look after, and Yulia and Milana hadn't even gone to school. The mother-in-law, Mother Cui, and Mother Liu were also busy spinning around every day.
Everyone in the valley had something to do and no one was idle. However, it seemed that only Chen Lan was relatively free. The triplets had grown up and no longer clung to her all the time; the three of them were very busy now! Little Sister Shi was fond of the guzheng, and now, apart from going to school, she practiced diligently at home every day. Although the sounds she played were not very pleasant, her diligent attitude was worthy of everyone's admiration.
Eighth brother Jia Hui and ninth brother Jia Jun, although they didn't like any musical instruments, couldn't resist their love for crosstalk. You should have seen how smoothly those two boys practiced their tongues; no one at home could outtalk them now.
Jia Hui, who didn't like needlework, unexpectedly fell in love with fashion design. Chen Lan found it truly incredible. So, Jia Hui spent her free time fiddling with defective fabric with her sisters at home, and demanded that Chen Lan show her support.
So Chen Lan asked, "Jia Hui, haven't Mother supported you enough? If you want fabric, we give you fabric; if you want picture albums, we provide you with picture albums. How else do you want Mother to support you?"
Jia Hui smiled slyly and said, "Do you want Mother to wear clothes designed by us in the future?"
Chen Lan looked at her daughters. To support her daughters' endeavors, she decided to go all out. So she nodded and said, "Okay, Jia Hui, Mother supports you. As long as they are clothes designed by you, even if you make Mother wear a burlap sack, Mother will wear it."
Jia Hui immediately hugged Chen Lan's neck, acting cute and spoiled, "Mother, how could we possibly let you wear a burlap sack! Don't worry, your daughters will definitely make you look beautiful."
The daughters had indeed all grown up, and there was basically nothing for Chen Lan to worry about at home anymore.
However, one shouldn't speak too soon. Just then, her mother-in-law came looking for her. Chen Lan quickly invited her mother-in-law to sit down. As soon as her mother-in-law sat down, she sighed and started on the usual topic: "Lan'er, your two younger brothers are no longer young. You must keep their marriage prospects in mind..."
Chen Lan's head started to ache. Just as she was about to offer comfort, she looked up and saw the wrinkles at the corners of her mother-in-law's eyes and her greying hair. She immediately stopped talking, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Mother, there are quite a few good girls in the valley now. Which one do you fancy? I'll immediately find someone to act as a matchmaker."
Upon hearing Chen Lan say this, her mother-in-law's eyes lit up with a smile. She said with a smile, "Lan'er, what's the use of Mother liking them? Your two brothers must like them too."
Chen Lan immediately replied, "Of course, it's most important that Mother likes them first. You raised them so painstakingly; when they find wives, they should certainly consider your opinion first. You must like them, and then consider their opinions."
Her mother-in-law smiled and patted Chen Lan's hand, saying, "It doesn't matter to me. A wife is someone who will spend a lifetime with them, so it's more important that they like each other."
Chen Lan couldn't help but sigh, "The hearts of parents under heaven are indeed pitiful!"
So she asked, "Mother, please give me a hint first, which girl are you looking at? That way, I can observe her and test the waters with my two brothers to see if they have any feelings for her."
Her mother-in-law smiled and lowered her voice, saying, "I think Zhao Qian, who teaches nursing, is good. She's careful and has a good personality. Song Wan and Chen Shumin are also good, with lively and cheerful personalities. I like all three of them."
Chen Lan heard this and thought, this is as good as saying nothing! So she said, "Mother, since you like them, it's easy to handle. Don't you remember how the couples like Chuncao and Old Qi got together? I'll mobilize the masses right now. People will do anything for a generous reward, so let's offer a generous reward to anyone who provides clues. If they can facilitate this marriage, we'll give them a large gold bracelet. Mother, what do you think?"
Her mother-in-law, mimicking a mother-in-law's gesture, slapped her hand and said heartily, "Fine, you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a cub. Let's do it this way."