CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108: SELF-PLANNING

The last house is by the roadside heading to Qingyun Temple.

Don’t underestimate this area for not being downtown, but Qingyun Temple still has decent incense offerings. Housing here isn’t extremely expensive, nor is it particularly cheap. A farmhouse courtyard costs more than two thousand yuan, and you can renovate it yourself.

If they buy all four properties, it would cost around twelve thousand yuan, which they can definitely afford.

When Chen Wenjun returned after finishing his work, Lin Qin shared this idea with him.

"I think all four property locations are pretty great. We can give each of our three kids one spot in downtown for a storefront. The farmhouse near Qingyun Temple can be renovated by us; we can turn the front into a shop and live in the back, perhaps enclosing a courtyard. The main selling point is that the house is by the water, and it takes less than five minutes by boat to reach us. What do you think?"

Chen Wenjun met Lin Qin’s expectant gaze and smiled brightly, "You’re the one handling the money. You choose where to buy; your taste is unfailing."

Lin Qin felt a bit shy and mumbled in explanation, "I’m just idly thinking about various things; how does that prove my taste is good?"

Chen Wenjun moved closer to Lin Qin, almost touching her, and teased her breathily into her ear, "If your taste wasn’t good, would you have married me?"

Lin Qin was momentarily stunned but then realized, playfully chiding and lightly punching Chen Wenjun, "Self-absorbed!"

Chen Wenjun looked at Lin Qin with a burning gaze but dared not be presumptuous due to her pregnancy, quickly diverting his attention, "If you’re bored at home with nothing to do, you can visit your good friend Zhang Shujuan at Friendship Square. Learn to make clothes from her, and you’ll have someone to chat with. You can even make some clothes for yourself and the children.

Once you learn, we’ll buy a sewing machine for our home, and you can make any clothes you want."

Initially, Lin Qin didn’t think much of Chen Wenjun’s words, but after he left, she pondered it intently, considering it more and more a great idea.

People always say prenatal education is crucial. She can enroll in a literacy class, read, and later be an apprentice with Zhang Shujuan, making her days more fulfilling.

She immediately sets her plans into action.

The next day, Lin Qin went downtown to find a literacy class.

At this time, literacy classes usually run in the evenings or on weekends, with regular work hours rarely offering classes, except for one class at the Senior University.

Without hesitation, Lin Qin enrolled, presumed there wouldn’t be many participants at that time, but was surprised to find the entire classroom almost full.

Most attending the literacy class were elderly people in their fifties and sixties, who were truly diligent and hardworking, whereas young people were fewer, likely busy earning money.

She joined as a transfer student, fortunately with some foundation to keep up.

After two consecutive days, Lin Qin adapted to the pace of the literacy class and then informed her family.

When Chen Wenjun found out, the next day he brought back a bicycle, so Lin Qin wouldn’t have to walk to her classes daily.

With the bicycle, Lin Qin could also put learning to sew on her agenda.

The scorching summer sun couldn’t deter her enthusiasm for learning.

Moreover, with the bicycle, Lin Qin could single-handedly negotiate the purchase of storefronts.

Originally, the four properties cost around twelve thousand yuan, but she managed to bargain down by a thousand. When she got the property deeds in hand, Lin Qin couldn’t contain her excitement. Leaving the Land Bureau, the first thing she did was buy loads of delicious food for everyone to celebrate.

Passing near the Municipal Experimental Elementary School, she considered whether to wait for the children after school.

Just then, she saw a huge summer training class recruitment advertisement hanging outside a shop near the school gate.

The banner instantly captured Lin Qin’s attention. Coming to herself, she quickly took out paper and pen from her bag and noted the address carefully.

Soon, the bell rang.

Lin Qin kept watching the school gate, but before the children came out, Lin Yi arrived first.

Just as she was about to speak, she saw her two kids running towards Lin Yi.

The three of them chatting joyfully, with heads bowed, got on their bikes and quickly rode away.

Lin Qin let go of the thought of calling them, turning instead to find the address.

The recruitment was happening at a place near the Municipal Experimental Elementary School, so it couldn’t be too far.

After asking a few people, Lin Qin found a small villa.

She hesitated, unsure whether to approach the villa and inquire, but a woman tending the landscaping saw her first and asked proactively, "Do you have any business here?"

Lin Qin hurriedly read the address from her paper, "Is this the talent training class?"

The woman’s eyes lit up, tossing the large scissors aside, excitedly coming over to open the gate, "Yes, yes, yes! Are you a parent?"

Lin Qin nodded, smiling a bit awkwardly, "I wanted to ask what training you offer?"

The woman immediately warmly invited Lin Qin inside, "My surname is Bai, I’m Bai Linlin, also the person in charge of the training institute."

Speaking, Lin Qin followed the woman into the hall and immediately saw the conspicuous piano. Beside it on the wall hung a violin, and on the floor rested a cello, along with saxophones, trumpets, trombones, accordions, and other Western instruments.

On the opposite side are ancient traditional instruments like the guzheng, pipa, erhu, bamboo flute, flute, xiao, etc.

These were ones Lin Qin recognized, while some niche instruments she didn’t recognize at all.

Bai Linlin invited Lin Qin to sit down and handed her a booklet, "How should I address you?"

"My surname is Lin."

Bai Linlin kindly addressed her, "Sister Lin, what special skills do you want to develop for your children? Now with domestic reform and opening up, children in big cities start learning various talents early. Our An City is relatively small; we are uniquely offering training institutions. You can find any talent activity here."

Lin Qin was surprised by Bai Linlin’s tone, subconsciously asking, "Do you have music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"

Bai Linlin’s smile widened, nodding heavily, "Of course! As you can see, our range of musical instruments is vast, and we even offer rare instruments with teachers, though they are not displayed.

Calligraphy includes hard pen and brush pen, taught by a retired calligraphy professor whose skills are unquestionably high. Painting offers sketching, Chinese paintings, oil paintings taught by top graduates from art colleges, who are also highly capable."

More intrigued, Lin Qin mused, "I sense you all are art students creating the training institution?"

This surprised Bai Linlin, "Sister Lin, you’re sharp! You figured it out!"

Bai Linlin felt a bit embarrassed, "Indeed, I studied art, majoring in piano and violin. I spent several years abroad for education and just graduated this year, returned to teach musical instruments at An City Normal College. With the summer vacation here, I thought about starting a training institute since I have time, also offering art students from the college a part-time job opportunity.

By the way, here’s my information. If you’re skeptical, you can inquire at Normal College."

Lin Qin easily saw Bai Linlin as a promising youth new to society, naturally not doubting her words.

She then asked some questions about fees and class schedules before leaving.