Chapter 52

Because there were so many people, Xiaoqi extended the teaching time. Usually the lessons ended at 4pm, but today after finishing teaching it was almost 5pm.

Outside, the edge of the sky was a stretch of bright red, tomorrow would definitely be good weather.

Xiaoqi took a quick glance then retracted her gaze. Her temperament was fairly good, and she spoke gently. These few students actually seemed to be led in mischief by Jiajia, the others were pretty good, so teaching them was not strenuous.

Xiaoqi told them each person's current level and progress.

"Consider today's lesson as your trial lesson. If you'd like to continue, each lesson is $150. Originally when I was only teaching Jiajia, the fee was higher. But now there are so many of you, still on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the time is extended by one hour. You can discuss with your parents."

This was what Xiaoqi had thought of earlier. She didn't have experience with pricing and the like, but changing from one-on-one to a bigger class was like one-to-many. So charging that much more wasn't suitable. There was also the issue of a venue for lessons. Jiajia's home was very big with a great environment, well suited for teaching. But she wasn't sure if Mrs Liang agreed. She also needed to ask Mrs Liang.

"Also, Jingzhi, your English foundation is very solid. If I taught you, there really wouldn't be much I could teach. You can read more original English materials and books, there's no need to attend class."

Guan Jingzhi immediately shook his head. "Teacher Xiaoqi, you teach very well. I understand clearly and can reinforce my English. I'm very willing to come."

The others echoed agreement. Even though Jingzhi's English was so good he was still willing to come. Moreover, when Jiajia was in class she recorded videos. During their break they sent the videos to their parents. Girls their age were able to work hard and show off to their parents with a little effort. Even Jingzhi sent them.

When Mrs Liang learned that little miss Xiaoqi had even lowered the price, she admired her more and more. As a businesswoman, she valued money greatly, but the more she valued money the more she knew, sometimes money was not the most important, especially money on hand.

Even if Xiaoqi didn't lower the price she would still be very satisfied. Recently her daughter Jiajia had become much better behaved and was willing to study diligently. As for using her home as a classroom, she was even more willing. Jiajia could play with classmates and study together safely at home. Moreover, the families of the few girls Jiajia now associated with were not lacking. At parent-teacher meetings she had also exchanged contact details with them, bringing them even closer. Business people greatly valued connections. Whether presently useful or not, knowing more friends was never wrong.

That the young miss had taken the initiative to lower prices and add time, she was extremely satisfied. She wasn't worried at all her daughter would suffer losses and go.

She admired Xiaoqi even more. She agreed readily.

And so Xiaoqi's tutoring fee went from $200 to $150 per lesson, but multiplied by 7 students, that was $1050 per lesson. With two lessons per week, that was $2100. Xiaoqi was genuinely shocked she could earn so much. No wonder although it was clearly prohibited for teachers to open extra "make-up" classes, these cram schools still existed everywhere. It really was very lucrative!

But she didn't dare be arrogant, especially with such a pretty, polite and clever 12 year old girl sitting right in front of her. She could earn so much, still thanks to student Liang Jiajia's connections in introducing more students. Over this period of time she had truly exerted effort in studying and working hard. Effort was what truly resulted in gains.

Xiaoqi did not get conceited.

After saying goodbye to the seven students, she walked back to her aunt's dorm. By the time she arrived it was 5:30pm. Her aunt was washing rice, preparing to cook dinner. Xiaoqi explained that she finished class late because there were more students. She still took over stir-frying the dishes.

Ever since she started cooking, whenever she had time it was her doing it.

Dinner was simple too. Xiaoqi wanted steamed minced pork with sweet potato starch. She placed a steamer basket on top of the rice steamer, and cut the pork belly into 3mm thick slices. She poured light soy sauce, salt, MSG, then evenly incorporated the sweet potato starch and mixed it together with the pork. She added ginger slices too, because her aunt didn't like eating minced ginger. Otherwise mincing it and mixing it in would be even better.

Mixing required technique too. Chopsticks were no good. Xiaoqi washed her hands clean and used her hands to mix back and forth.

She was following her mother's method from memory. She always felt it was especially delicious. Though from her memories at home, the sweet potato starch steamed pork always had way more starch and little pork. When eating, you'd bite into a huge lump of sweet potato paste then finally get a tiny bit of pork. But the pork was extremely fragrant and oily, very appetizing.

After the rice and pork finished steaming, Xiaoqi washed the prepared stir-fried amaranth greens. Since they were having steamed minced pork tonight, she made a simple soup, seaweed soup.

The steamed pork still needed some time. So she went to practice writing characters for half an hour. When the rice cooker turned to keep warm, she started stir-frying the veggies.

Soon, she finished cooking and called her aunt to come eat. After the meal, Sumei immediately went swimming. Unexpectedly, Xiaoqi had even bought her a swimsuit. She was always rough and careless. When she returned to her room today she also saw a few bags of things, but since they were her niece's she didn't touch them. She didn't expect her niece had bought something for her too and was very happy.

"I only have the one, I was preparing to buy it. These days I didn't rest, however much it cost, let auntie pay you back."

"No need auntie, I got quite a few more students these days and earned a lot more money. Consider this a celebration gift. Please keep it auntie, it wasn't expensive." Xiaoqi said.

Sumei didn't politely refuse either and insist on paying. Seeing the price tag said over 100 RMB, she had originally planned to give her niece a thick red envelope when she entered university. She could just add a bit more then.

After dinner she hurriedly went swimming again. Xiaoqi cleared up the bowls and chopsticks.

After tidying up, unexpectedly there was a phone call from her rural hometown. It was old lady Liu next door's number.

"Tomorrow when I go sell winnowing baskets, I'll bring back some dishes for you and your aunt." Su Youfu yelled loudly into the phone.

Even without speakerphone on Xiaoqi could hear it blaring.

Unexpectedly after just a week, dad had made more winnowing baskets to sell. Based on dad's efficiency he probably stayed up past midnight making them every day. When Xiaoqi thought of it, her heart felt somewhat sour.

"Dad, I'm free tomorrow. I'll go pick you up." Xiaoqi said.

Recently she felt very fulfilled. On the contrary she felt even more grateful. She discovered that when she felt empty she would actually complain about her parents, complain that they didn't give her an affluent life. But when she was busy and fulfilled, she felt grateful to her parents instead.

Now she didn't feel selling winnowing baskets was embarrassing either.

Youfu hurriedly declined. You could feel him shaking his head through the phone.

Then her mother's voice cut in.

"Xiaoqi remember to eat your meals. Dress warmly since it's cold...."