Chapter 91: Should We Applaud for Her?

“Big sis-in-law, you stay with Mom and help her get used to things first,” Su Qinghu turned back and said to Chen Yan. She quickly finished her warm-up, got into the water, and swam after the three little rascals.

Heh, today she was absolutely going to crush these three little troublemakers who didn’t play by the rules!

With a push off the wall, Su Qinghu glided straight over to the kids, shot them a cold smirk, and swam ahead without even looking back.

The kids were stunned.

Watching Su Qinghu’s receding figure, they snapped out of it just as they were about to choke on water, hurriedly started paddling, and chased after her.

By the time they reached the finish, Su Qinghu was already waiting with her arms crossed.

“Haven’t you learned how to warm up?” She looked down at the kids, who were floating like frogs, kicking their legs, her voice dangerous. “Do you know how risky it is to get in the water without warming up?”

Qian Duoshu swam a bit closer, grabbed Su Qinghu’s arm, kicking his little arms and legs occasionally, and panted, “Duoduo forgot. I’ll remember next time.”

Da Dan and Er Dan exchanged a guilty glance. Their dad had taught them to warm up before swimming, but nothing bad had happened when they skipped it, and it had been a long time since they’d come to the pool, so… they just forgot…

Su Qinghu patted Qian Duoshu’s head, supported him in the water to save his strength, and then looked at Da Dan and Er Dan. “If I remember right, you two told me you couldn’t swim, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. We didn’t want you to spend money,” Da Dan admitted directly, his tone calm, not a hint of guilt.

Going to the pool cost money, and knowing how Su Qinghu liked to do things properly, buying swimsuits was a must. The total cost for the three of them could easily wipe out their already meager savings.

Su Qinghu looked at him, raising her eyebrows almost imperceptibly.

Er Dan was so anxious he was practically scratching his head. He tried signaling his brother with his eyes, but Da Dan didn’t respond. So Er Dan swam over and grabbed Su Qinghu’s other arm, changing the subject. “Mom, when are we getting the bankbooks?”

Su Qinghu let it go for now. “Tuesday. On Monday, ask your teacher for leave.”

She realized she hadn’t considered how few bank branches there were these days, or how limited people’s options for saving money were.

After lunch, just a quick glance at the crowd waiting in the bank lobby was enough for Su Qinghu to give up on getting the kids’ bankbooks done today.

She’d just ask her supervisor for half a day off when the time came—that should be enough.

Looking at the two boys, Su Qinghu smiled meaningfully. “Of course, you could also bring out your little stashes, and I’ll deposit them for you.”

Da Dan’s eyes flicked left for a split second, but quickly returned. Er Dan just played dumb, staring at her without blinking.

Su Qinghu watched them, marveling inwardly at their composure. These kids had nerves of steel.

She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of extraordinary parents they had, to give them both such looks and smarts.

She withdrew her gaze and nodded at the opposite side. “Alright, let’s race one lap. I’ll give you a 20-meter head start. Whoever comes in first, I’ll round up the amount in their bankbook.”

As she spoke, she let go of Qian Duoshu. “Of course, Duoduo’s included too.”

Da Dan, for once, spoke up. “You can’t push off the wall, and you can’t use freestyle.”

Both were fast swimming techniques, and adults already had more stamina. If it was going to be fair, there had to be restrictions.

Su Qinghu nodded. “Alright. Any other requests?”

Qian Duoshu: “I—”

Before he could finish, Su Qinghu supported him and walked him forward about ten meters, then looked back at Da Dan and Er Dan. “He’ll start from here. Any objections?”

Da Dan and Er Dan shook their heads in unison. “No.”

“Okay, you two back up to the pool edge—that’s your starting position. When I say ‘go,’ the race starts.”

As soon as Su Qinghu finished, Da Dan and Er Dan exchanged a look and quickly retreated to the starting point.

“I have thirty-three yuan. If she rounds it up, she’ll have to give me sixty-seven,” Da Dan tugged at Er Dan in the water. “Got it?”

Er Dan got it instantly. Earlier, they’d sold eleven crafts for seventy yuan. Since it was hard to split, their new mom chipped in seven yuan so each was worth seven. Da Dan had four crafts, so twenty-eight yuan, plus five yuan pocket money, making thirty-three.

He himself had sold twenty yuan’s worth before, and today’s nine crafts made sixty-three, plus pocket money, totaling eighty-eight.

If new mom rounded up, and Da Dan won, he’d get sixty-seven yuan for free. If Er Dan won, he’d only get twelve more.

So of course, Da Dan should win!

Er Dan quickly made an “OK” gesture underwater, thought for a second, then looked at Su Qinghu and whispered to Da Dan, barely moving his lips, “Then share twelve yuan with me, I want a round number too.”

Da Dan, eyes on Su Qinghu, also barely moved his lips and softly replied, “Mm.”

Deal struck in no time.

Su Qinghu watched them, narrowing her eyes. These two were definitely up to something.

But what exactly?

“Mom, we’re ready!” Er Dan called from the starting point.

Su Qinghu nodded. “Ready!”

“Go!”

The moment the word left her mouth, Su Qinghu let go of Qian Duoshu, checked he was fine, then quickly turned and rushed to the starting point. When the kids reached their set distance, she caught up in a flash.

Chen Yan watched her son paddling desperately, itching to rush over, but Mrs. Meng stopped her. “If you’re worried, just walk along the poolside.”

With three kids in the water and the strikingly beautiful Su Qinghu, they instantly drew a lot of attention. Many people stopped to watch their race.

After one lap, the three kids, panting, looked at Su Qinghu with eyes full of accusation.

Su Qinghu’s face, lashes, and slender neck were all beaded with water, droplets falling from her delicate earlobes onto her collarbone, making her so beautiful it made hearts race.

She tilted her head and grinned smugly. “I won!”

It was a kind of dazzling, flamboyant beauty!

She amazed the kids, the onlookers, and even Chen Yan and Mrs. Meng felt like they were seeing her in a whole new light.

Can someone really be this good-looking?

Still basking in the joy of defeating the kids, Su Qinghu laughed heartily. “I won! I’m first!”

Da Dan and Er Dan blinked, still a bit dazed—they saw she’d won.

Er Dan edged closer to Da Dan and whispered, “Does she want us to applaud for her?”

Da Dan didn’t answer, unsure. Seriously? She’s an adult—does she really want kids to applaud her for winning?

“No,” Qian Duoshu gripped the handrail, tilted his head, and mimicked the two, his voice small. “Auntie said she’s first.”

Da Dan and Er Dan glanced at him, then looked away.

Did this little guy even know what they were talking about? His answer didn’t even make sense!"