The next day, all of the parents went over to the property management. With the crowd outside, even the property management who had always considered herself as a very calm person was a little worried.
“Hi everyone. Please remain quiet. This is Boss Huang from our company and he has made a special trip here today to take care of the issues that have been brought to our attention. I am sure he will be able to provide you with a satisfactory response.”
Boss Huang was in his forties. He was skinny and had on a gold rim spectacle. He looked very cultured and one would think he was a scholar if they didn’t know better.
The matters were taken care of smoothly. Principal Lin along with a few of the upper management personnel were let go. The tutorial center was done away with. If the mothers couldn’t come and pick up their children afterward, they could have individual teachers watch over them and negotiate the cost with the teacher directly without the property management as the go-between. If the kindergarten was to remain open on the weekends, it would be an additional $30 fee.
These were all good news for single-income families and families that had elders helping out at home. After all, they could save a lot of money and also spend more time with the children.
***
Weather was still very nice in November this year. Having been in City Nan for most of the month, Shu Yan had yet to take the kids out.
“What do you think about going to the zoo today?” asked Shu Yan with a smile as she helped Tianbao get dressed.
The zoo? Both Ye Jingjing and Tianbao’s eyes lit up. Wang Yitong had been to the zoo and had taken a lot of pictures ,and she had even brought them to school to show to Jingjing. “The zoo where we can see lions and tigers?”
She had been wanting to go since she had seen the pictures. But Ye Jingjing was a mature little kid. Knowing how difficult it was for Shu Yan to take care of them, she would never express any ideas that would impact her mother negatively.
“Yes, the zoo. On top of lions and tigers, there are also peacocks, pandas, and other smaller animals. If you want to go then quickly go wash your faces and brush your teeth. We need to head out early; otherwise, we will have to stand in line for a long time,” said Shu Yan as she patted the two kids on their heads.
“You are the bestest, mom! I will go wash my face right away!” Tianbao bounced into the bathroom like a bunny and voluntarily brushed his teeth and washed his face. Then, he brought a stool over to a spot closest to the front door and waited there, worried that Shu Yan would leave him behind.
Shu Yan put hats on both children and took them to the zoo.
“Mom, there are so many people here!” Looking at the long line in front of them, Ye Jingjing was a little anxious. What if they couldn’t get any tickets? Then they wouldn’t be able to see the tigers and pandas.
Tianbao, on the other hand, looked all around him and wanted to shake loose of Shu Yan’s hand to run off to play. He finally quieted down with a pout after Shu Yan gave him a stare.
About half an hour later, it was finally their turn. “You must follow mommy once we get inside, okay? Do you still remember what mommy told you before we left the house?”
“Yes. No talking to strangers. No taking food from strangers. No leaving with strangers.” Ye Jingjing immediately recited the three “No’s”.
“What about you, Tianbao? Do you remember?” Shu Yan wasn’t worried about Jingjing. Tianbao she wasn’t so sure about. That fool very well would leave with someone else if they offer him candies.
“Yes, must always follow Mom. If I can’t see Mom, I will need to go look for Mr. Cop.” As he was saying that, Tianbao’s mind had already gone inside the zoo.
“That’s right! Do you see those uncles and aunties in azure clothes? You go look for them if you lose mommy. Nobody else, alright?” said Shu Yan once again, not feeling too confident about it.
“Okay, we will!” replied the two kids loudly.
They may know it now, but once they saw these animals they’d probably forget all about it. Shu Yan shook her head in resignation. She must keep a good eye out on them in a bit.
And just as she had expected, as soon as she saw the first animal, Tianbao shook free of Shu Yan’s hand and ran over.
This was both children’s first time at the zoo, so Shu Yan didn’t want to be too strict with them. She could only stare at them intently and not let them out of her sight even for a quick moment. Luckily, Ye Jingjing was only excited for a little while before she returned to Shu Yan. She didn’t run about madly like Ye Tianbao.
