Chapter Sixty-One: Going to Elementary School

Xuanxuan crawled back into her father’s arms. “Daddy.”

Wan Qi Lianhao caught her and looked down, waiting to hear what she’d say.

“No kindergarten,” Xuanxuan pouted stubbornly.

Wan Qi Lianhao gazed at her helplessly, unable to comprehend why she was so adamant about not going to kindergarten.

Seeing that her father offered no objection, Xuanxuan grinned mischievously. “I want to go to elementary school, with my brother.”

“Daddy needs to discuss it with Grandpa first,” Wan Qi Lianhao said, holding Xuanxuan on his lap.

There were six grades in elementary school, and Wan Qi Weihao and his friends were already in sixth grade. Even if Xuanxuan went to school, she couldn’t possibly jump straight into sixth grade. Moreover, Xuanxuan was only six years old—children entering kindergarten were usually at least eight. For a six-year-old to attend kindergarten was already young; those in elementary school were generally eleven. Xuanxuan, frail by nature, hardly looked her age.

If she really were to go to elementary school, people might mistake her for a three- or four-year-old. Wan Qi Lianhao felt uneasy about it. The students there were much older than Xuanxuan, and he worried she could be bullied.

He tugged at the corner of his mouth; this wasn’t just a simple discussion—it would require careful consideration. Before anything else, Wan Qi Lianhao asked, “Who taught you to write?”

Xuanxuan lowered her head, silent.

Tong Wan glanced at Wan Qi Lianhao from the side, silently confirming she wasn’t the one who’d taught her.

Wan Qi Lianhao looked at the paper in his mother’s hand, scrutinizing the handwriting. An uneasy premonition stirred within him.

Xuanxuan, sensing her father’s unwavering gaze, looked away to the side. “Teacher taught me.”

A universal excuse, it seemed. This time, Zhan Yu had profited greatly.

Wan Qi Lianhao’s lips twitched; he knew it—such awkward handwriting could only have come from that teacher. He felt his daughter had been led astray once more.

He decided it was time for Xuanxuan to start practicing calligraphy. He also needed to assess what level she’d reached in her studies, to properly test her and select the most suitable school.

Tong Wan had no idea what was troubling her son; she simply thought Xuanxuan was clever—after all, she was only six and already knew how to write so many characters.

Xuanxuan herself was oblivious to her father’s disapproval of her handwriting.

Wan Qi Lianhao, holding Xuanxuan, wore a stern expression as he asked, “Why do you trust Zhan Yu so much, let him carry you, and ignore your own father?”

Xuanxuan was puzzled by her father’s question. Did he really think Zhan Yu was some sort of “child predator”? What was his real concern—her trust in Zhan Yu, being carried by him, or the fact that she’d ignored her father?

Suddenly, Xuanxuan realized the truth: her father was jealous.

But she couldn’t admit to meeting Zhan Yu online.

After considering for a moment, she replied, “Teacher knows him.”

That teacher was indeed a universal excuse.

Wan Qi Lianhao frowned at her answer. He trusted Xuanxuan’s mysterious teacher, so he said, “Zhan Yu is an exception, but you mustn’t trust others so easily, understand? Never intend harm, but always be wary of others.”

Tong Wan nodded as well. A child shouldn’t trust just anyone; she needed to keep some vigilance. Their family was large, and there were bound to be those with ulterior motives.

Her thoughts began to stir—Xuanxuan and Zhan Yu seemed to have a good relationship. Could it be…? And Xuanxuan’s teacher knew him as well, so perhaps the teacher approved too.

Tong Wan decided she needed to pay more attention to Zhan Yu. Who knew, he might become her future grandson-in-law. She was quite satisfied with him; after all this time in the Federation, he had never been involved in any scandal, was upright, and their families were allied.

Wan Qi Lianhao glanced at his mother, feeling another twinge of unease.

Xuanxuan nodded, finally understanding why her father had been upset. But wasn’t Wan Qi’s family allied with the Zhan family? She wondered if her father would question Zhan Yu. And what if Zhan Yu let something slip?

After thinking it over, Xuanxuan decided it was unlikely. Her father was very cautious about Zhan Yu; it probably wouldn’t happen.

For now, she didn’t have to go to kindergarten—even if only temporarily—and Xuanxuan was in excellent spirits.

Lunch was spent cultivating independence in Wan Qi Weihao and Wan Qi Weihang; they ate at school and usually only came home for dinner.

When they returned for dinner, Wan Qi Weihao and Wan Qi Weihang immediately asked Xuanxuan about her time at kindergarten.

“Sis, did anyone bully you at kindergarten?” Wan Qi Weihang rushed up to Wan Qi Lianhao and questioned Xuanxuan.

Xuanxuan lounged in her father’s lap, having just woken from a nap to make up for lost sleep that morning, unwilling to move except for a slight shake of her head.

Wan Qi Weihang raised his small fist, excited. “If anyone does, tell Brother Hang; I’ll beat them up for you!”

Wan Qi Lianhao tapped his nephew’s forehead. What if Xuanxuan turned into a violent girl? He still hoped his daughter would be a sweet, gentle little lady.

Of course, everyone knew that was unlikely. Not becoming the Federation’s second ‘hard nut’ was already an achievement.

“No fighting at every turn,” Wan Qi Lianhao admonished his nephew. These two boys, under Wan Qi Lianchen’s influence, were becoming little tyrants.

Wan Qi Weihang stuck out his tongue and winked at Xuanxuan, showing great respect for Wan Qi Lianhao.

“Hello, Third Uncle,” Wan Qi Weihao also stepped forward, patting Xuanxuan’s cheek. “Hello, Sister.”

Xuanxuan lay motionless in Wan Qi Lianhao’s arms.

Wan Qi Lianhao glanced at his lethargic daughter, helpless. Her interests seemed limited to eating and sleeping. He sat her up straighter, patting her head. “Your brother is speaking to you.”

“Hao Brother.” He had already patted her, so of course she knew. She managed to perk up a bit in her father’s arms, then covered her mouth and delicately yawned, her eyes misty and drowsy.

Whatever energy she’d mustered vanished again. She stretched lazily and burrowed back into Wan Qi Lianhao’s embrace.

The dinner wasn’t even ready—why wake up so early? She could have slept longer, if it weren’t for her troublesome father insisting she get up.

ps: Tingzi’s book is recommended for everyone, launching on the eighteenth. Go take a look: [bookid==“Dream of the Red Chamber System”]