(Thanks for the encouragement from the monthly vote)

"How about it, were people enthusiastic about participating in the educational activities on your end?"

After returning home, Liu Banxia casually asked.

"It’s okay, but I always feel they aren’t very interested," Xu Yino said.

"What did you guys do?" Qiaoqiao asked curiously.

"We organized a small event to bring first aid knowledge into schools. These skills are really lifesaving, but the students seem to think it has nothing to do with them," Liu Banxia said.

"I went directly to the University of Technology. The students’ response was okay, but that’s mainly because they’re freshmen or some class leaders."

"Then I went to check out other schools. Although it looked lively at the scene, very few were genuinely attentive; most were just following along for fun."

"Teacher Liu, you say we work so hard, but they still don’t appreciate it. Is it worth it?" Xu Yino asked, hugging a puppy.

"Worth it or not, we have to keep going. What if, what if another sudden death occurs, we might just save a life."

"You’ve got a point. Even if the gains are small, any gain makes your work very meaningful," Qiao Xuezhi said with a smile, joining the conversation.

"What you’re doing isn’t easy, unlike teaching other skills. If they don’t learn those, they just earn a bit less. But what you’re teaching is lifesaving skills, and if they’re ever needed, they’re priceless."

"I’m not praising just because Teacher Liu is my son-in-law, but because this truly is serious work. It’s much better than those frivolous things that look good on the surface but are hollow inside."

"Comrade Old Qiao, be serious," Qiaoqiao said with a straight face.

But after saying it, she couldn’t help but laugh.

"Mistress, are the little ones still as active as before?" Liu Yiqing asked.

"Still okay, but I’m used to it. Finally, the end is in sight. Then, I’ll let him handle everything; I can finally enjoy life," Qiaoqiao said.

"Mistress, maybe you should find someone else, so we can feel less stressed," Xu Yino suggested.

"Who could I find? I’m not familiar with anyone else. You all were personally trained by him, so I can trust you," Qiaoqiao said.

"No problem, you’ll definitely manage. It’s just a small surgery; nothing more routine. I’m not worried, so why are you?"

Qiaoqiao spoke nonchalantly, but Xu Yino and Liu Yiqing were full of worries. This was like forcing a duck onto a perch; whether they liked it or not, they had to step up.

"Alright, the food is ready, let’s dig in," Liu Fengxia called out.

With that, even Qiaoqiao excitedly joined the table.

"Hehe, I’ve been freeloading meals all day," Wang Xiaoyan said.

"You’ve helped a lot too. Otherwise, I sometimes wouldn’t know how to chat with Qiaoqiao. What you know and what I know are not the same," Liu Fengxia said.

"Auntie, it’s actually pretty similar. When we’re together, we just chat away," Wang Xiaoyan said.

"In the past, we could snack, watch movies, and do face masks. Nowadays, all she’s interested in is studying the babies in her belly."

"What else should she study? Only those who’ve carried the burden themselves know the hardships," Qiaoqiao said, picking up a piece of stewed beef and eating it fiercely, glancing at Liu Banxia.

He’s the culprit here. Without his meddling, would she be suffering like this?

Liu Banxia obsequiously served Qiaoqiao a bowl of egg drop soup to quench her thirst.

"Actually, from the students’ attitude today, it’s clear that promoting first aid knowledge is indeed challenging," Liu Banxia said.

"All we can do is persist, persist, and persist, and work hard, work hard, and work hard, or else it really won’t work. By the way, this lamb skewer is delicious today; can the air fryer really cook it this well?"

"Hehe, tasty, right? This is sand onion lamb brought over by Brother Zhao," Qiaoqiao said, beaming.

"It arrived a bit late today, but tomorrow we can have hot pot with lamb. This lamb tastes really good, tender, and not gamey at all."

"I almost forgot about it. Is this beef the same?" Liu Banxia asked.

"Indeed, they chose really good beef for us," Qiaoqiao said.

"You two should eat more, too. This beef would be expensive if sold in the shop. Apparently, it’s raised using rather fine methods, but I don’t really understand the specifics," Liu Banxia replied.

"If you like it, there are some steaks too. We can take them out to defrost, and then grill them to eat," Qiaoqiao said excitedly.

"Let’s leave it at that for today. Tomorrow we’ll see their luck when house hunting. If they find a suitable house, we’ll come back and have a barbecue," Liu Banxia said.

"If they don’t find one, we’ll still come back and have a barbecue. Both for celebrating and consoling, it’s comforting either way. Honestly, I’m looking forward to it," Qiaoqiao added.

"Ah... just thinking about it feels like a dream. I’m going to buy my own house. If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have bought a car," Xu Yino said.

"What’s the big deal? You bought it, so be it," Qiaoqiao said.

"Sure, we’re women, but who said women can’t buy cars, houses, or start their own businesses? That’s old news. If you don’t believe it, do some research. Nowadays, the proportion of single women buying houses is quite high."

"We can’t just be their appendages; we need to have our own voice. Especially when expecting, it’s truly exhausting."

Qiaoqiao’s earnest speech amused everyone.

"Banxia, will your activity keep going?" Qiao Xuezhi asked.

Liu Banxia nodded, "We’ll have two rounds; the first round will be before these students’ exam week, visiting all the schools."

"The second round will be after their winter break. It’ll be quick, mainly reviewing and correcting the movements, and that’s as much as we can do without affecting the normal operation of our emergency center."

"I hope their schools will take this seriously and organize it on their own. We can just send someone every now and then to guide them with the movements."

"Now, I have a new idea, to extend this activity to high school students. In high school, freshmen can still relax a bit. By sophomore and senior year, PE classes are reduced due to college entrance exam preparations."

"For these kids, there’s hardly any time for exercise. Haven’t there been news reports about sudden cardiac death during morning exercises?"

"But in high school, the teachers really need to step up. I think the results might be better in good high schools, where aside from sports-specialized students, others tend to have worse physical health."

"Sigh... mentioning this, I’m worried for Xiaoyu. He’s about to face it soon, and I can’t help with his studies," Qiao Xuezhi sighed.

"Dad, I think you shouldn’t pressure Xiaoyu too much. Xiaoyu is quite sensible; he can manage things well on his own," Liu Banxia said.

"Just like us, knowing that even if we go there many times, it might not yield significant results, but it’s something meaningful."

"Xiaoyu’s the same; he knows he has to study hard to get into a good college and learn enterprise management."

"I believe as long as he has this idea, he has his motivation to learn. Compared to many students who aim for college without clear objectives, this gives him an edge."

"I know, sometimes it breaks my heart. But your Auntie Tong doesn’t agree, and we can’t decide on our own. Maybe when they visit, you could help persuade them?" Qiao Xuezhi asked.

"Please spare me, this task is too challenging," Liu Banxia grinned ruefully.

"Actually, your Auntie Tong respects you quite a bit; she just worries Xiaoyu’s family conditions might lead him astray," Qiao Xuezhi said.

"I’ll give it a try when the time comes, but don’t rely solely on me," Liu Banxia replied helplessly.

"Qiu Mingyuan has grown up quite well, so I think Xiaoyu won’t fall short. It’s important to develop his social skills; I’m not as good as Ming Yuan in that aspect."

"Exactly, only knowing how to study won’t do. When they come over, you should discuss thoroughly with Auntie Tong, and pick out a watch," Qiao Xuezhi said.

"After all, being a leader, it’s not fitting to have a bare wrist. Even if it’s cumbersome during surgery, just keep it aside beforehand. It’s just that I don’t know what your preference is, otherwise I’d just order one outright."

Comrade Old Qiao’s words found agreement from Qiaoqiao, "Xu Yino, when you go house hunting tomorrow, take him to the shop and let him buy a watch; it’s a task."

"Also, don’t let him choose something cheap. Since he’s buying one anyway, it should look good; otherwise, it’s a waste of money."

"Haha, that’s a good task. Don’t worry, I’ll surely get it done," Xu Yino said happily.

Liu Banxia was amused and exasperated, wondering how the conversation turned to buying a watch for him. Watches can either be a few thousand, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions — anything’s possible!

But since it’s a decision made by his father-in-law and wife, he’ll buy a watch that costs tens of thousands. It’s not too extravagant and fulfills his task.

It brings some burden; at this point, he truly doesn’t prioritize it much. No matter how expensive the watch, it’s not as important as the solidified stone he’s eagerly saving now.