September 1st.
The day when kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools, and universities across the city all start school.
At seven in the morning, the entire Haicheng was shrouded in mist, enveloped in a layer of smoky gray gloom.
On the second floor of the Ye family’s small courtyard, the wooden floor was covered with soft carpet. Dim daylight pierced through the window at the end of the corridor and streamed in. Chen Wan walked very lightly, glancing worriedly at the weather.
When she reached the children’s room, she faintly heard crying.
She was startled and hurriedly pushed open the small door of the children’s room. The room was arranged very warmly, padded everywhere with soft velvet. The paint was a cute tender green, and the walls were even decorated with little flowers crocheted by the maternity nanny.
On the large bed in the center, a small figure poked his head out. Narrow little phoenix eyes carried the drowsiness of just waking up. Shen Shi, wearing short little pajamas, clung to the railing. His small voice was milky as he urged Chen Wan, “Auntie, little brother is crying.”
Ye Ran was a delicate child, raised immersed in his parents’ single-minded doting. Although obedient, every time he woke up, he would always display the spoiled nature typical of his age.
Chen Wan quickly stepped forward. Ye Ran, wearing loose little pajamas, was sunk into the soft bedding. He couldn’t even open his eyes. His thin little eyelids were reddish, golden tears dropping. When he saw Chen Wan, he cried even louder, lifting his arms for a hug: “…Mom.”
Chen Wan unzipped the railing and picked him up, gently patting his back. “Oh oh, Ranran, don’t cry, okay, Mommy’s here.”
After being held by her, Ye Ran felt like he had fallen into a soft ball of cotton. Mommy’s scent wrapped around him, fragrant, making him feel less sad. But the world in his dream had been too scary, and he still wanted to cry.
He rested his head on Mommy’s shoulder. Little tears hung on his soft cheeks, and whimpering spilled from his throat.
Chen Wan knew his habits. While coaxing him, she also watched Shen Shi, who nimbly climbed down from the bed.
Shen Shi’s pajama pants had been kicked off, exposing two little short legs. His slightly long pajama top slid up as he scooted down from the bed, also revealing his Ultraman little underwear.
Chen Wan suppressed a laugh. “Little Shi, do you need to go to the bathroom?”
Shen Shi nodded. Recently, Chen Wan and Jiang Ruoyan had been teaching him and Ye Ran every day to use the toilet by themselves and pull up their own pants. Shen Shi learned very quickly and went thump-thump-thump running to the bathroom. There was a children’s urinal inside. The nanny happened to come in from outside and hurriedly followed him into the bathroom.
Ye Ran was already about to fall asleep. His soft little body sat in Mommy’s arms, face tilted, pressed against Mommy’s shoulder. Just a second before drifting off, he dreamed again of a monster with a gaping bloody mouth, and this time he cried completely out of control.
Chen Wan hurriedly coaxed him while walking around the room. The door of the children’s room was open. The nanny came upstairs warming milk. The small milk bottle was placed on the little table by the door. Chen Wan asked Ye Ran, “Ranran, do you want to drink milk?”
Ye Ran didn’t answer, only clung to her neck and pitifully shed tears.
Shen Shi’s anxious voice flew out from the bathroom. “Auntie, what’s wrong with Ranran?”
“It’s okay, Little Shi, go to the bathroom properly.” Chen Wan raised her voice slightly as she replied.
Before long, Shen Shi ran out holding up his little underwear. The small slippers he was wearing had been kicked off and flew away, but he obediently put them back on himself.
Seeing Ye Ran crying nonstop in Chen Wan’s arms, he anxiously furrowed his little brows. Lowering his head, he spotted the small milk bottle on the table by the door, hurriedly grabbed it, and followed Chen Wan step by step as she walked around. Tilting up his tender little face, he earnestly said to Ye Ran in her arms, “Ranran, drink milk, drink milk and you won’t cry.”
Chen Wan’s gaze softened. She reached out and patted Shen Shi’s little head. “Thank you, Little Shi.”
Shen Shi said, “You’re welcome, Auntie.”
After saying that, he anxiously stared at Ye Ran again. His jet-black little phoenix eyes didn’t blink at all. “Ranran, will you drink milk?”
Ye Ran was so sleepy his consciousness was hazy. His little head was muddled. Aside from unconscious whimpering, there was no other sound.
When Ye Huaishan came upstairs, this was the scene he saw.
In the faint morning light, Chen Wan held Ye Ran and gently coaxed him. Shen Shi, not wearing pants, clutched the corner of Chen Wan’s clothes, hugging the small milk bottle in his arms, following her back and forth in circles, calling Ye Ran’s name and trying to feed the bottle to his mouth.
He crouched down and gently called Shen Shi, “Little Shi.”
Shen Shi hugged the bottle and looked at him, still holding onto Chen Wan’s clothes, blinking his eyes in confusion. “Uncle.”
“Mm,” Ye Huaishan lightly patted his hair. “Did you sleep well last night?”
Shen Shi thought for a moment, then answered seriously, “I slept very well, but Little Brother Ranran didn’t sleep well.”
“Little Brother Ranran had a nightmare, so he cried. Let’s let him sleep a bit more, okay?” He took the milk bottle and tested the temperature, found it a little cool, then handed his own small milk bottle to Shen Shi. “Are you hungry? Do you want to drink some milk first?”
Shen Shi hugged the small milk bottle, nodded, and gulped down a couple of mouthfuls. In the middle of drinking, he suddenly thought of something and said to Ye Huaishan, “Uncle, today I’m going to school with Ranran.”
“That’s right. From today on, you and Ranran are big kids now. But it’s still early. After you finish drinking milk, do you want to sleep a little more together with Ranran?” He smiled and asked Shen Shi.
Shen Shi nodded hard. “Yes!”
“Okay.” Ye Huaishan smiled again and rubbed his hair.
It wasn’t even seven-thirty yet. On the first day of kindergarten, arriving before nine o’clock was acceptable.
Half a month ago, Chen Wan and Jiang Ruoyan took the two children to look around interest classes. After looking, they realized that young children had soft bones and carefree personalities. Interest classes required long periods of concentration and focus, which wasn’t easy for two children who hadn’t attended early education or kindergarten.
So the two planned to wait until the children were in elementary school before considering interest classes. By then, they would have developed self-care abilities and had prior exposure to similar things in kindergarten, making it easier for them to discover their own interests and hobbies.
Ye Ran had already fallen asleep in Chen Wan’s arms. Shen Shi woke up early and got sleepy quickly. After a cup of warm milk, he rubbed his eyes and obediently let Ye Huaishan pick him up and put him on the bed.
Soon, the sleeping Ye Ran was also placed on the bed by Chen Wan. Both of their soft little bellies were covered with blankets. The nanny sat by the bed watching them.
Downstairs, Jiang Ruoyan and Shen Hanqing had arrived as well.
She carried Shen Shi’s small schoolbag. The kindergarten-issued bag could hold quite a lot. The two families sat together for breakfast, chatting about all sorts of things. When the eight o’clock alarm rang, they finally went upstairs together to wake the two little treasures who were still sleeping in.
…
Ye Ran and Shen Shi held small stools and stood in front of the sink, brushing their teeth and washing their faces by themselves.
Their hands were very small. After washing up, most of their pajamas were wet. Jiang Ruoyan and Chen Wan smiled as they changed them into the kindergarten-issued uniforms.
The uniforms were very cute: blue tops, black shorts, with the school emblem embroidered on the chest, reading Wisteria Kindergarten.
The kindergarten was a private one. Every week there were three swimming classes, physical training classes and soccer classes, and foreign teacher classes, all aimed at improving children’s immunity, physical ability, and oral language skills, equipped with professional teachers and caregivers.
A few days earlier, the teacher had sent a list in the group of what to bring to school. This morning, Chen Wan and Jiang Ruoyan organized things together with Ye Ran and Shen Shi, also letting them deepen their impression.
On the soft carpet in the living room, Ye Ran and Shen Shi obediently sat on sunflower cushions, watching their moms pack their things.
Both of their small schoolbags were blue, with tags hanging from the zippers. The tags had Ye Ran’s and Shen Shi’s names embroidered on them.
Two pairs of shoes were prepared: one pair of indoor shoes and one pair of outdoor sports sneakers. These also had name tags hanging from them, attached at the heels, secure and very visible.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi still liked drinking milk. This had been communicated with the teachers before. The private kindergarten followed parents’ wishes very closely in this regard, so Ye Ran and Shen Shi could bring their beloved small milk bottles and milk powder to school. In addition, a small outdoor water cup with a strap was prepared. Some kindergartens did not allow bringing personal water bottles, but Wisteria Kindergarten had no such requirement.
The school had already sent blankets, throws, pillows, and mattresses to parents in advance. Chen Wan and Jiang Ruoyan embroidered their names on them and let Ye Ran and Shen Shi use them for three or four days to adapt. After confirming the two children had no discomfort, they packed them into dust-proof bags together.
There were many miscellaneous items as well: colored photos, sweat-absorbing towels, pajamas, swimsuits, goggles, swim bags, children’s picture books, clean little underwear and clothes and socks, antibacterial storage bags, and so on.
While packing things, the two worried parents also had to spare time to instruct Ye Ran and Shen Shi.
“Ranran, Little Shi, if you want to go to the bathroom at kindergarten, what should you do?” Chen Wan asked patiently.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi obediently answered in unison, “Find the teacher.”
“When you find the teacher, what should you say to the teacher?”
“Teacher, I want to go to the bathroom.”
“Mm, very good. After the teacher takes you to the bathroom, what should you do?”
“Thank you, teacher.”
Jiang Ruoyan clapped enthusiastically for the two children. “That’s great. When you go to kindergarten, you need to get along harmoniously with the other children. Mommy and Auntie Chen will be waiting for you at home. After school, you have to tell the moms what happened at kindergarten, okay?”
Ye Ran nodded dully. “Okay~”
Shen Shi also nodded, indicating that he heard.
After finishing packing, it was already almost eight-thirty. Shen Hanqing drove the family’s six-seater car to pick them up. Shen Shi and Ye Ran carried their small schoolbags, held hands, and were placed into the child seats by their moms. They kicked their little feet and whispered to each other. Listening to what they talked about, it was yesterday’s Ultraman plot.
Chen Wan and Jiang Ruoyan were also chatting, but both of them were a bit absent-minded, afraid the children would cry on their first day of kindergarten.
Wisteria Kindergarten was very large, with six guards at the entrance.
The fountain in front of the teaching building was playing elegant piano music. At this moment, the open area at the entrance was filled with cars. Parents either held or carried their children as they walked through the gate.
There was a din of voices, along with quite a few children wailing loudly.
Ye Ran looked out the window and gradually began to feel uneasy. He was carried out of the car by Mommy. Beside him, Shen Shi also got down. Keenly sensing his little brother’s unease, he took Ye Ran’s small hand and stood in front of him. “Ranran, don’t be afraid.”
Ye Ran obediently nodded and followed Shen Shi forward.
At the end of the stone-paved path, there was a child who was crying and making a fuss about going home. The little boy’s clothes were all wrinkled, and he was crying his heart out, his wails piercing the sky. His mother could barely hold onto him, and the teachers were also persuading him from the side. The commotion was immense, like a disaster scene.
Chen Wan and Jiang Ruoyan’s eyelids both twitched at the same time, and they lowered their heads to look at the two little ones.
Quite a few children who hadn’t been crying were infected by the little boy and started crying their hearts out as well, but Ye Ran and Shen Shi were different. The two little treasures opened their dark, round eyes, observing their surroundings, taking firm little steps as they walked forward.
Jiang Ruoyan and Chen Wan unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. The teachers guarding the school gate also noticed these two cute and well-behaved children and walked over to ask, “Are you students Ye Ran and Shen Shi?”
Before school started, the teachers’ preparatory work had been very thorough; they had already memorized the appearance of every child in the class.
Ye Ran blinked his eyes and answered in a milky voice, “Yes~”
Shen Shi kept a straight little face, his cool-guy persona completely intact, and looked warily at the few aunties in front of him who were smiling very enthusiastically.
Wisteria Kindergarten had a total of two small classes, with only twelve students in each class.
They were the Apple Class and the Pineapple Class.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi were both students of the Apple Class. The three teachers with apple emblems pinned to their chests smiled at them. One teacher stayed behind to talk with the parents, while the remaining two teachers took their luggage and led the two children toward the classroom.
Ye Ran’s steps hesitated and paused. Holding Shen Shi’s hand, he couldn’t help but turn his head back.
Chen Wan stood outside the gate and, together with Ye Huaishan, made a fist at him in encouragement. Brilliant sunlight poured over them. Ye Ran let out a small breath, puffed up his little chest, nodded, silently recited courage in his heart, then slung his small schoolbag properly on his back and bravely followed Shen Shi’s footsteps.
…Mom said that only brave little men could go to kindergarten.
Ranran was the bravest little man!
Shen Shi also turned back and waved at his mom. His small voice was clear and bright, carrying far away: “Mom, don’t forget to come pick me and Ranran up!”
Jiang Ruoyan: “……”
Jiang Ruoyan laughed and cried at the same time. “Don’t worry, I remember!”
Parents had to stop outside the gate. Today was the first day of school, with large, middle, and small classes all starting together. As they walked along the path, the two teachers gently and patiently asked them questions: what they ate this morning, what toys they liked most, which cartoons they liked.
Ye Ran answered every question very obediently. He looked like a little angel, with a personality that was both well-behaved and soft. Fair and tender like a glutinous rice ball, although his speech carried a milky tone and wasn’t very clear, the two teachers still showed satisfied smiles.
While they were talking, Shen Shi’s attention was drawn away by the teachers of the older class nearby.
He pursed his little lips, listening to those teachers and students introduce themselves, and became increasingly unhappy.
“What’s wrong, Big Brother Little Shi?” Ye Ran, equally sensitive to Shen Shi’s emotions, asked him softly.
Shen Shi snorted and replied just as softly, “Why are we the Apple Class and they’re the Tiger Class? I also want to be a tiger.”
Ye Ran froze. Following his gaze, he looked over and saw the teachers with tiger patterns pinned to their chests holding the children’s hands and smiling at them.
He paused, thought for a moment, and said to Shen Shi, “Then let’s go to the Tiger Class, Big Brother Little Shi.”
“Mm!” Shen Shi had already had this in mind and immediately took Ye Ran’s little hand, ready to go.
The teacher who had been smiling and listening to the two children’s conversation reacted at once. She hurriedly crouched down to coax them, “Ranran, Little Shi, the students of the Tiger Class are there because they’re old enough, and because they eat and sleep on time and have strong bodies. You also have to wait until you’re old enough before you can go, okay?”
Shen Shi’s little steps halted, and he looked over suspiciously.
The little boy being led by the Tiger Class teacher was indeed tall and sturdy, almost twice as bulky as Shen Shi.
Shen Shi cautiously used his little brain to think it over, realized he couldn’t beat him, and so sighed. Worrying a bit, he said to Ye Ran, “Alright then, Ranran. When I become as strong as him, we’ll go to the Tiger Class.”
Ye Ran also clenched his little fists and comforted him, “Mm, Big Brother Little Shi, Ranran will also eat properly. We’ll go to the Tiger Class together.”
The two children immediately set a long-term goal. Then, under the teachers’ laugh-crying coaxing, they returned to the big family of the Apple Class.
The castle-like kindergarten had a total of three floors. The staircases were surrounded by tall railings that only teachers could open when passing through. To the side sat childcare aunties who guarded the stairways, changing shifts at fixed times.
The small classes were on the first floor. Each floor had only two classes; the rest were activity rooms, rest rooms, game rooms, and so on. As soon as they entered the corridor, terrifying crying and noise poured into their ears, making the sunlit hallway feel like a child-eating demon’s lair.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi stopped in place, holding hands, not daring to move forward anymore.
Teacher Xiao Mei and Teacher Xiao Lu exchanged a look, handed the two children’s luggage to the life-skills teacher, coaxed them a bit, and then led them into the Apple Class.
Before entering the Apple Class, they had to change into indoor shoes.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi put down their schoolbags. The two three-head-tall little treasures plopped their bottoms onto the soft little stools and said to the teachers who wanted to help, “Teacher, we want to change our shoes ourselves.”
Shen Shi moved deftly. He curled up his short little legs. The indoor shoes were light and soft, with no Velcro or laces, only name tags hanging from them.
After changing his shoes, he saw Ye Ran beside him, moving slowly like a little turtle, only just taking off his shoes. He very seriously squatted beside Ye Ran. “Ranran, big brother will help you change.”
The two teachers had no chance to help at all and watched them with curiosity.
Ye Ran placed his two little hands on his soft knees, craned his little head, and, half a beat slow, lifted his little feet, obediently saying, “Thank you, big brother~”
Hearing this, Shen Shi was overjoyed. Holding back a smile that didn’t fit his cool-guy image, he pulled up Ye Ran’s white socks that had slipped down a bit, then made sure Ye Ran wasn’t uncomfortable. Only then did he stand up, take Ye Ran’s little hand again, and coolly say to the two teachers, “All done.”
The two teachers’ hearts were completely melted. They clapped and encouraged them, “So great, Ranran, Little Shi. Will you be able to put on your shoes by yourselves in the future too?”
“Yes!”
“Very good. You’re both role models for our Apple Class! Now the teachers are going to take you into the class. We hope you can get along well with the other children, not fight, not quarrel, and play together, okay?”
This time Shen Shi didn’t speak, but Ye Ran very enthusiastically tilted his head back and dragged out his little milky voice, “Okay~”
Teacher Xiao Mei almost couldn’t help but kiss him, but her professional ethics held. Wearing a gentle smile, she and Teacher Xiao Lu each took one child’s hand and walked into the classroom.
Pushing open the door painted with apple trees, what came into view was a huge floor-to-ceiling window. Outside the window stretched an endless lawn, dyed golden by the sun, with a small fountain splashing water.
The large classroom was divided into two areas. On the right was the toy area, filled with building blocks, drawing books, and all kinds of little dolls. Two teachers were there accompanying the quiet children.
In the remaining area were twelve small stools in many colors to choose from. At this moment, several little boys and girls were sitting on the stools, wailing loudly, while two teachers were comforting them.
“Waa I want Mommy, I don’t want to be here!”
“I want to go home… wah wah wah… I want to go home!”
Ye Ran and Shen Shi walked in holding hands. The teachers were extremely busy and greeted them gently one by one, then let them go to the activity area to play with toys under the guidance of the life-skills teacher.
Their small schoolbags were taken by the life-skills teacher, who led them, took out their little clothes, shoes, swimsuits, change bags, and such, and placed them one by one into the lockers. She also found their colored photos from their schoolbags.
“Once the photos are posted, Ranran’s and Little Shi’s things will be placed in here from now on.”
Shen Shi leaned in seriously to take a look and nodded. “I remember.”
Ye Ran also looked at his own little locker and silently memorized it in his heart.
The two children were simply too well-behaved. The life-skills teacher felt extremely gratified and found picture books in the activity area, letting them read on their own.
Shen Shi hugged a picture book almost as big as his little belly, pulled Ye Ran’s little hand, and sat down on the soft mat in the corner. “Ranran, I think kindergarten isn’t fun at all.”
He complained in front of his little brother, frowning his little brows. “It’s so noisy.”
Ye Ran’s attention had already been captured by the little animals in the picture book. Half a beat slow, he looked at Shen Shi, blinking his watery round eyes. “Then let’s go home.”
“No,” Shen Shi shook his head, pushing the picture book toward Ye Ran. Suppressing his own little troubles, he began taking care of his little brother. “Mom said kindergarten can only go home in the afternoon… let’s read the book.”
Ye Ran curiously leaned closer and pointed at the pictures in the book. “…This is a nao fu.”
Shen Shi: “And this one?”
“Flying wolf~”
“Does Ranran like the nao fu or the flying wolf?”
“Both.”
Looking at Ye Ran’s soft, chubby cheeks, Shen Shi felt like he had found a bit of kindergarten fun after all. He plopped down beside Ye Ran, propped the picture book upright, and the two little heads hid behind it, whispering quietly to each other.
“Ranran, big brother has lots of books at home. Do you want to come to big brother’s house to play?”
“Yes.”
“Then after school today, big brother will bring you to my house.”
The life-skills teacher watched every child’s movements closely. Seeing that Ye Ran and Shen Shi weren’t crying or fussing, and could even have a great time with just a simple little picture book, she couldn’t help but smile with relief.
This well-behaved state lasted until lunchtime. The cafeteria food was very plentiful, with careful nutritional balance, and there was also little fruit after the meal.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi wore bibs, the two little guys facing each other, scooping food with small spoons. Occasionally, Ye Ran would get rice grains on his face, but before the teacher could go over to help, Shen Shin who had been watching him all along would pull out a tissue and skillfully wipe his little brother’s face.
There was essentially no difference from wiping milk stains.
Taking care of his little brother had already become Shen Shi’s habit.
The only small mishap happened after the midday nap.
After eating, the children of the Apple Class all felt sleepy, their eyelids drooping. Even the little boy who loved crying the most didn’t cry anymore, but obediently lined up in a long queue and, under the teachers’ guidance, went to the rest room to sleep.
There were twelve beds placed in the rest room, in two rows, six in each row.
At Shen Shi’s strong insistence, the life-skills teacher helplessly pushed his bed together with Ye Ran’s. The two children changed into their pajamas by themselves, resting their heads on small pillows that smelled of milk, and under the teachers’ gentle voices, slowly fell asleep.
Falling asleep was not difficult; the real trouble came after the children woke up.
When the midday rest ended and the children were woken, they looked around and did not see their familiar environment, nor their familiar fathers and mothers. Unease grew in their hearts, and one by one they began to cry sadly, calling for their moms.
The four teachers hurried to start soothing the children.
This time, even Ye Ran’s little eyes reddened. Tears fell pitifully as he was held in the teacher’s arms and gently patted on the back for comfort. “Mama…”
Ye Ran’s soft, milky voice just after waking sounded gentle as he looked around blankly, tears hanging on his cheeks. “I want Mama, wuu…”
“Mommy is waiting for Ranran at home. Ranran is a little man, if you hang on a bit longer, you’ll be able to see Mommy. Okay?”
Teacher Xiao Mei coaxed him while wiping his tears and changing his clothes.
Ye Ran silently nodded, resting against her shoulder, lifting his little legs to put on his pants, yet tears still fell patter-patter.
He wasn’t noisy, but when he cried, he looked especially pitiful. No matter how Teacher Xiao Mei coaxed him, he stayed immersed in his own sad little world. With no other options, Teacher Xiao Mei prepared to have Teacher Xiao Lu come over to coax him. Just as she stood up, a small figure rushed over like the wind at her side.
Still wearing his pajamas, Shen Shi climbed onto the bed, panting from exhaustion, yet focused intently on the tearful Ye Ran. He took the milk bottle he had been holding against his chest and brought it to Ye Ran’s mouth.
“Ranran, don’t cry. Drink milk.”
Hearing his voice, Ye Ran lifted his head. Water droplets still clung to his curled eyelashes, but he obediently raised his hands, took the familiar little milk bottle, and began drinking, his cheeks puffing in and out.
“Big Brother…” He bit on the nipple, his beautiful little phoenix eyes full of tears, as if washed by water. “I miss Mama.”
Shen Shi hugged him thoughtfully and said seriously, “Ranran, in one more hour you’ll be able to see Aunty.”
Ye Ran nodded with red eyes.
He drank half the milk, then handed the bottle to Shen Shi. “Big Brother, drink milk.”
Teacher Xiao Mei spoke up in time to stop him. The childcare area had already prepared milk for the children, all using formula labeled with each child’s name. At this moment, every child was holding a milk bottle and drinking familiar milk, no longer crying or making a fuss.
Shen Shi’s own little milk bottle was also handed over by the childcare teacher. Warm milk released a fragrant aroma. Shen Shi swallowed, hugged the bottle, and gulped it down.
He had already wanted milk after lunch, but had been holding it in.
Now that he was finally drinking it, the little anxiety and irritability in his heart were pressed down.
Wisteria Kindergarten dismissed at three-thirty in the afternoon.
During the next hour or so, the teachers led the children who had finally calmed down to play games, introduce themselves, and hand out small snacks.
Time passed quickly. When the dismissal bell rang, the small-class students changed clothes, carried their backpacks containing dirty clothes, lined up in long rows, and under the teachers’ guidance walked out of the teaching building. When they saw the parents waiting at the school gate, the sun was already nearing the west.
The children were like lambs returning to the flock. Upon seeing their guardians again, cries of “Mama” and “Papa” rang out.
The parents were just as excited, craning their necks in anticipation.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi held hands and were delivered into Chen Wan’s care by the teachers. Several teachers all praised the two children’s performance on their first day, and in front of the parents, gave each child a little red flower.
Holding his little red flower, Ye Ran excitedly hugged his mother and rubbed against her.
Shen Shi also snorted softly, deliberately showing his little red flower in front of Shen Hanqing.
……
The journey home was long.
The setting sun gradually stained the entire sky, orange-yellow light pouring over the earth, covering everything in a dreamy layer of orange.
Gradually, there were no more parents or children at the entrance of Wisteria Kindergarten.
Along the tree-lined avenue, several long shadows trailed behind, patiently watching the two children in the middle.
Ye Ran and Shen Shi laughed and giggled, curiously stepping on each other’s shadows. After playing for a while, they started playing hide-and-seek. Ye Ran hugged Ye Huaishan’s leg and hid behind him, while Shen Shi ran over, circling Ye Huaishan’s leg to chase him.
Both their cheeks were hot with sweat. Seeing that they had run out of energy, Jiang Ruoyan and Chen Wan finally pulled them over to sit on a roadside bench and asked about their day.
“Did you listen to the teacher today?” Jiang Ruoyan asked.
Shen Shi lifted his little chin. “Of course. Ranran and I both listened!”
“Then did you cry?” Jiang Ruoyan asked again with a smile.
This time, Shen Shi fell into conflicted silence. He looked at Ye Ran. Sitting in his mother’s arms, Ye Ran said softly, “Today Ranran cried.”
Chen Wan lowered her head, feeling the soft, innocent little life she was holding. “Why did Ranran cry?”
“Ranran missed Mama,” Ye Ran said.
Shen Shi pressed his lips together. “But Ranran didn’t cry for very long… the teacher made milk for Ranran to drink. After drinking milk, Ranran didn’t cry anymore!”
Chen Wan smiled gently and looked at Shen Shi, who was afraid she might be disappointed. “Little Shi stayed with Ranran the whole time?”
“Of course,” Shen Shi puffed out his little chest proudly. “In the future, I’ll always stay with Ranran too!”
Chen Wan’s eyes curved into a smile.
Jiang Ruoyan also smiled, teasing Chen Wan. “You look so strong, but Ranran just started school today, took a midday nap, and already had a nightmare. What will you do in the future when Ranran grows up and goes off to university?”
“It’s okay,” the smile in Chen Wan’s eyes shimmered like rippling lake water. She lowered her head to look at the innocent, well-behaved Ye Ran. Her voice grew lighter and lighter, so light it seemed it could scatter with a breath, yet full of love. “Even if I’m not always with Ranran, Little Shi will be.”
She rubbed Shen Shi’s slightly bewildered little head, met those jet-black, resolute little phoenix eyes, and smiled softly. “Thank you, Little Shi.”
“Aunty is very grateful to you.”
Author’s note: It was just a nightmare, once it was over, it was forgotten. But Chen Wan still had a faint, harmless impression of it.
Mom will live a long, long life in this world, so don’t worry.
