My College Teacher is My Children's Mom-Chapter 671 Are You Secretly in Love?

The couple didn’t need to bring Xiao Bao with them. The little girl was the family’s darling, always following her four older siblings and a few cousins, playing everywhere.

Lin Feng and the others were playing cards, chatting, reminiscing, and planning for the future.

Lin Rui leaned back on the sofa. "Once both kids are settled down with families of their own, my wife and I will travel everywhere, exploring mountains and rivers. Anyone want to join us?"

Yu Zheng laughed. "You pay, and our whole group will follow you!"

Lin Rui yelped. "You’re all wealthy, and you’re picking on a poor man like me? Do you even care about my measly savings?"

"You cover the round-trip expenses, and we’ll take care of the rest!" Yu Zheng chuckled.

While cracking sunflower seeds, Lin Jiajun spoke without missing a beat, "You’re our big brother. Aren’t you going to take us out to have some fun?"

This made Lin Rui laugh heartily. "In that case, you all should take me along when you have fun. I’m your big brother, after all!"

"In your dreams," Lin Jiajun chuckled. "That’s not happening."

Lin Xiaolan and Zhang Kai seemed a bit out of place. Zhang Kai fared slightly better, as he wasn’t very familiar with them to begin with, but Lin Xiaolan was close to all of them. She masked her awkwardness by watching videos on her phone, only speaking up when someone addressed her directly. She used to be the most active person in the group, but times had changed, and she was no longer that same person.

When the time was right, they all sat down for a meal and called the children to let them know they were already eating out.

The only elders left in the house were the couples of Lin Dashan and Lin Daan, who also loved joining in on the fun and following the younger crowd. Doing so not only made them feel closer to their children but also made them feel much younger themselves.

"Where are we going to have fun tonight?" Lin Jiajun asked.

"Is playing all you think about? How old are you?" Wang Lu teased.

Lin Jiajun pouted. "It’s the New Year! Isn’t the holiday for having fun? What else is there to do?" Wang Lu was left speechless.

After they’d nearly finished eating, the children arrived in a boisterous group. Si Bao was even carrying a child in his arms. Who else could this child be but Xiao Bao? As long as her older siblings were around, her legs were merely decorative, much like Mi Fan’s. After eating, the older kids had gone to an amusement park. That night, they planned to go to an internet cafe to play games together, which was why they had to bring Xiao Bao and Mi Fan back to the adults.

With that, they left. Mi Fan, who was eager to play, watched them go with wide, longing eyes.

Wen Xiaoya comforted her son, "Your older brother and sisters have things to do. Look, your big sister Xiao Bao is still here."

Mi Fan only calmed down when he saw that Xiao Bao was still there.

"They aren’t going to do errands," Xiao Bao whispered in her mother’s ear. "They’re going to an internet cafe to play games! Humph!"

Xiao Bao was furious that her older siblings hadn’t taken her with them. It was so unfair!

Zhang Yuxi also whispered, "Because they’re going to play for a long time, and they might stay up all night. You’re too young to understand."

Regardless, Xiao Bao was simply unhappy that her siblings didn’t take her along, and she pouted sullenly.

Suddenly, Zhang Yuxi thought of something. "Have you finished your homework?"

"I finished it," Xiao Bao blinked.

First-grade homework was simple, but Xiao Bao wasn’t very good at it. Lin Feng was the one who always helped her. Zhang Yuxi wasn’t retired yet, and a lot of work was waiting for her at the school. Perhaps because her mother was a teacher, Xiao Bao was always a bit scared when her mother asked about her studies.

People began heading home one after another around nine or ten o’clock. Lin Xiaolan’s family was staying in Lin Dashan’s old house. The Third Aunt also lived there. Her health wasn’t great, so she preferred to go to bed early and only joined in during the day.

On the way back, Wen Wen mentioned that Er Bao had arranged a job for her at a good company in Jingcheng. The base salary was five thousand, but with full attendance and other bonuses, her take-home pay would be seven thousand, plus a year-end bonus. It was an excellent offer.

Lin Jie, Da Bao, and Si Bao had all been developing their careers in Jingcheng for many years and had established certain connections. Finding a good job was well within their abilities. Wen Wen added, "There’s a one-month probationary period, after which I can become a permanent employee."

In a small city like theirs, jobs like working in a clothing store or being a lobby manager only paid a little over five thousand.

Wen Wen continued, "Once I’m permanent, the base salary will be six thousand five hundred, and I could earn a hundred and ten to a hundred and twenty thousand a year."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaolan and her husband were very satisfied. Wen Wen had just graduated from college and had already looked for several local jobs. The base salaries were all around two thousand five hundred, which only came to about three thousand five hundred after accounting for full attendance. Some jobs offered a base salary as low as two thousand. With that, you couldn’t even think about saving money by the year’s end; you’d be lucky just to avoid starving.

The big city had more opportunities and better pay, so both of them agreed that Wen Wen should go and try her luck there.

But Wen Wen lacked confidence. "Mom, what if I can’t pass the probation?" she worried.

Lin Xiaolan smiled. "If you can’t pass it, then so be it. Don’t put pressure on yourself. Just take it one step at a time. Besides, work experience is something you accumulate over time. Don’t worry, Mom will always be here for you."

Wen Wen’s childhood had been fragmented. Lin Xiaolan’s unhappy first marriage had deprived her of a father’s love. When Lin Xiaolan remarried, Wen Wen became even more cautious and unconfident. Lin Xiaolan knew all of this, but now that her daughter was grown, Zhang Kai felt it was inappropriate to show too much concern, so he limited himself to doing his part as a stepfather. Their relationship was a little better than that of mere friends.

After hearing her mother’s words, Wen Wen finally felt much better and felt that she could give it a try. This was a hard-won opportunity, and she didn’t want to give up on it.

Now that their living conditions had improved, the Lin Dashan brothers could truly enjoy their twilight years. They didn’t need to worry about their children, but the matter of their grandchildren getting married was an inevitable concern. However, they had come to accept it, acknowledging that every generation has its own fortunes. They couldn’t rush such things; times had changed.

Lin Feng and his peers all had business dealings and good relationships with one another. With their children nearing the age of marriage, they were all starting to look forward to retirement.

The New Year had only just begun when people started to leave. First, Da Bao returned for work, and then Lin Jie followed, as a lot was waiting for him. After a discussion, Wen Xiaoya decided to go back with her husband. Just like that, their whole family was gone.

Originally, Si Bao was set to leave a bit later, but seeing Wen Xiaoya holding a child while Lin Jie juggled their luggage, he decided to go with them to help out. With more people leaving, the festive atmosphere faded instantly.

Xiao Bao and Mi Fan were both reluctant to see them go. Mi Fan, in particular, was crying his eyes out.

"Sister, sister, come with me, WAAAH..."

"No, I want to stay with my sister! I want my sister!"

"I still want to play with my sister, WAAAH!"

Mi Fan was extremely attached to Xiao Bao, always trailing behind her and calling out "sister" incessantly.

Although Xiao Bao was sad to see her younger brother go, she knew it couldn’t be helped. "It’s okay," she said gently. "I’ll come find you and play when I have a holiday!"

Wen Xiaoya also chimed in, "That’s right. Your sister has to go to school. You can play together again next time she’s on holiday, okay?"

After a long time of coaxing, Mi Fan finally agreed through his sobs, repeatedly making Xiao Bao promise.

"Sister Xiao Bao, when you’re on holiday, you have to come find me. You must, okay?"

By now, Xiao Bao was just trying to placate him. "Okay, I’ll come play with you when I’m out of school."

Mi Fan finally felt a little better. Nearby, Lin Feng was giving his son some last-minute advice. "Take good care of yourself over there."

Si Bao grinned. "Dad, don’t worry. I might not have many other skills, but my ability to survive is second to none. I’m especially good at eating."

Lin Feng sighed sentimentally. "In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so tall. You’re an adult now. It’s time you thought about dating."

Si Bao chuckled. "Dad, you can’t rush this kind of thing. You have to take it slow."

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. It seemed like something was up. He said with a knowing smile, "Alright, Dad will be waiting for your good news!"

Standing beside them, Er Bao, who always enjoyed teasing him, giggled. "Hey, need your big sister to help you out?"

Si Bao was usually dense, but he was sharp at that moment. "Help with what?" he said quickly. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."

"Oh, a one-sided crush, is it?" Er Bao teased, raising an eyebrow.

Si Bao went silent and turned to San Bao. "You take care of yourself."

"Is it a one-sided crush?" San Bao asked bluntly.

Si Bao was speechless.

Er Bao couldn’t stop laughing. "Kid, don’t say your sister didn’t warn you. Just give a shout when you need help!"

Si Bao nodded hastily. "I know, I know!"

Er Bao didn’t press further; she had her ways of finding out who the girl was.

Zhang Yuxi came over. "It’s time to board. Si Bao, take good care of yourself over there, and bring a girlfriend back for Mom by the end of the year, got it?"

Now a principal, Zhang Yuxi carried an increasingly authoritative demeanor, and her words had an imposing air.

Si Bao nodded. "Okay, Mom. I’ll do my best."