Chapter Four: Morning Star Kindergarten
The next morning.
After finishing her morning routine, Jiang Suisui casually tied her hair up and headed to the kitchen to heat up the leftover lettuce and meatball soup from the night before.
Steam rose, and the soup bubbled gently.
Judging that the soup was hot enough, Jiang Suisui started the rice cooker.
At that moment, Jiang Xingran and Jiang Yueyi got out of bed. The two children were already five years old, able to stand on little stools to wash up by themselves and change into fresh clothes.
When they came into the living room, Jiang Suisui had just finished setting the table. “Wash your hands and eat. I’ll be going out for a bit later, so you two stay home and rest, alright?”
Jiang Xingran thought she was going to pick up trash again and quickly raised his hand. “Sister, take me with you to pick up trash!”
Just as Jiang Yueyi was about to pick up her spoon, she put it down and clung to Jiang Suisui’s arm coquettishly. “I want to go too! I want to go too~”
Seeing their misunderstanding, Jiang Suisui hurriedly explained, “I’m not going to pick up trash today. I have an interview. If all goes well, I’ll have a job and won’t have to rely on picking up trash anymore. So just eat well and wait for me at home. Don’t worry.”
Hearing this, Jiang Xingran’s eyes sparkled. “Wow! Yay! Go, Sister! You’re so amazing and kind, you’ll definitely get the job!”
Jiang Yueyi smiled sweetly. “Sister, you’re the best~ Go for it, Sister~”
Jiang Suisui’s mood brightened considerably. She served three bowls of rice, one for each of them. “Then let’s eat.”
The tender green lettuce had softened even more from reheating, breaking apart easily with chopsticks. At the same time, it soaked up the flavorful broth, the aroma of the meat soup permeating the lettuce, making it irresistibly fresh and appetizing.
The meatballs, perfectly sized, were tender and springy, soaked in the delicious broth as well. Jiang Suisui had fried the meatballs first before simmering them in the soup, so they had a slight crispy exterior and a juicy, tender pork interior. The rich meaty flavor was satisfying without being greasy, and the silky texture was addictive.
Toward the end of the meal, Jiang Xingran even poured his rice into his portion of the lettuce and meatball soup, mixing it all together into a savory soup rice.
Paired with the translucent, distinct grains of rice soaked in meat broth, alongside the soft lettuce and fragrant meatballs, the layers of flavor mingled on the tongue, making the taste richer and more complex.
Jiang Yueyi ate spoonful by spoonful—rice, soup, lettuce, meatball—her mouth puffed up and glossy, with a few grains of rice stuck on her little nose.
Seeing this, Jiang Suisui smiled and gently wiped away the rice from Yueyi’s nose. “Eat slowly, there’s no rush. But Xingxing, you should be careful not to eat too much soup rice in the future; it’s not good for your stomach.”
“Mhm, got it, Sister,” Jiang Xingran wiped his mouth himself and added, “You go ahead and take care of your business. Yueyue and I will clean up.”
Jiang Suisui was happy to let the two little ones do some chores within their ability, so she agreed, put on her coat, and headed out.
On the way, she finally had time to check the rewards issued by the system.
[Congratulations, host, for completing the novice tasks. Rewards obtained: 4 Happy Apples, 4 Healthy Carrots, 4 Focus Broccolis, 2 Spirit Core Nourishing Liquids, 500 Teacher Points.]
These rewards all seemed quite magical, but what interested Jiang Suisui most was the Spirit Core Nourishing Liquid.
After all, in the interstellar era, spiritual power was extremely important. The core of spiritual power was the spirit core located in the head.
The spirit core was about the size of a peanut, and it was said that everyone’s spirit core was innate, as was their spiritual power level.
Even if someone tried to stimulate or cultivate their spirit core to raise their spiritual power, it was useless—whether through technology or potions.
Every citizen of the federation had to take a spiritual power level test organized by the federation upon turning six years old.
Like Jiang Xingran and Jiang Yueyi, they would have to take the test next year.
When Jiang’s parents had the car accident, Jiang Xingran and Jiang Yueyi were also in that hovering car. Jiang’s parents died on the spot, and the two children sustained various injuries.
However, doctors said that due to the psychological and spiritual shock, the development of their spirit cores might be slow.
Thinking of this, Jiang Suisui opened the instructions for the Spirit Core Nourishing Liquid.
[Spirit Core Nourishing Liquid: After use, it promotes the development of the spirit core, making it fuller and stronger.]
Jiang Suisui pondered that she needed to find an opportunity to give this to Jiang Xingran and Jiang Yueyi.
Since it was given by the system, it shouldn’t be bad.
After reading about the Spirit Core Nourishing Liquid, she wanted to see what the Teacher Points could be used for. She remembered there was a mall exchange function in the system.
Unfortunately, the floating bus had arrived at her stop, and she had to hurry off to her interview.
Last night, she had already passed the online interview for Morning Star Kindergarten. As long as she completed this offline interview successfully, she would be admitted.
However, the staff hadn’t specified the exact position. They said the welfare position was only recently created, and they planned to assign the job after recruiting someone, probably something like odd jobs.
Jiang Suisui didn’t mind. As long as the income was stable and not low, she was fine with whatever job.
Just as she entered Morning Star Kindergarten, the system suddenly activated.
[Detected host entering optimal development location. You may spend 100 points to activate a one-hour Super Nanny buff.]
Jiang Suisui’s heart leapt. She admittedly wasn’t skilled or very knowledgeable about childcare. If she had the Super Nanny buff, the interview would definitely go more smoothly.
Without hesitation, she chose to use it. During the following hour, thanks to her enhanced experience and outstanding ability, she outperformed the other candidates and was successfully hired by Morning Star Kindergarten.
“Miss Jiang, based on your personal circumstances, we’ve assigned you to the cafeteria cleaning and miscellaneous worker position. Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a break from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Three meals are provided, but no accommodation. Saturdays and Sundays are your days off unless there’s an emergency.”
“As for salary, the probation period is one month at 6,000 Star Coins per month, and after becoming a regular employee, 8,000 Star Coins per month. If you perform exceptionally well, bonuses will be given. Once regularized, you’ll be enrolled in basic B-level insurance and receive ten days of paid leave annually.”
“If everything sounds good, please confirm and sign the contract in StarNet. Then come to the cafeteria administration department by 9 a.m. the day after tomorrow to show your health certificate and receive your work badge and uniform. They will arrange your specific duties there.”
Jiang Suisui thanked the staff and signed the contract after confirming there were no issues, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, the staff spoke again. “Oh, Miss Jiang, I see you have younger siblings. Morning Star Kindergarten offers employee benefits.”
“Each employee may recommend two age-appropriate children to enroll in Morning Star Kindergarten without entrance exams, and tuition is discounted to 70%. However, if they fail the final exams, they cannot continue next semester.”
This employee benefit was perfect for Jiang Suisui.
After bidding farewell to the staff, she hurried to the Public Security Bureau.
The investigation into yesterday’s incident was completed with a conclusion. According to the findings, it didn’t meet the threshold for criminal charges, but Lu Xiaohui’s family was required to provide compensation and issue a formal apology.
If they failed to do so, they would not receive the forgiveness of Jiang Xingran and Jiang Yueyi. Lu Xiaohui’s academic record would reflect bullying classmates during kindergarten, which would affect his future education and development.
As for Teacher Chen, he was directly expelled from Red Apple Kindergarten. With such a black mark, finding a job later would be difficult.
Jiang Suisui was somewhat satisfied with this outcome.
After confirming the case closure with the police, she received the compensation from Lu Xiaohui’s family.
Fifty thousand Star Coins.
After some thought, she returned directly to Morning Star Kindergarten and registered Jiang Xingran and Jiang Yueyi.
She paid forty thousand Star Coins in tuition, waiting only to complete the transfer procedures from Red Apple Kindergarten tomorrow. The day after, the two children could start attending Morning Star Kindergarten.