But by the afternoon, Xia Ran was completely distracted.
Dazhuang lifted his head from the game on his phone and asked,
"what's on your mind?"
"I'm wondering if Xiao Chen is adjusting well to his first day of kindergarten, and I also don't know what time he gets out of class, or if he'll come here after class."
Xia Ran answered without even thinking.
Dazhuang: "Why are you worrying so much? That child is so smart, would he let anyone bully him? Besides, it's only a little past four o'clock, he shouldn't be out of school that early. Aren't most elite kindergartens supposed to let students out later?"
Xia Ran agreed, and could only suppress her thoughts. Grandpa Xia, however, chuckled and said...
“I was like that when you started kindergarten. I was always anxious and would stand guard at the kindergarten gate all day long. It wasn’t until a week later, when I felt that you had adapted to kindergarten life, that I stopped standing guard every day.”
"Actually, all parents are like this. I'm so happy to see you like this. But if you could work a little harder and find me a proper granddaughter-in-law, I would have no regrets even if I died."
Xia Ran's expression stiffened for a moment, and she suddenly felt a pang of sadness, but she still forced a smile and said,
"Grandpa, what are you talking about? You know me, I never want to get married again in this life. Besides, Xiao Chen and I have such a good relationship now, so it can be considered as fulfilling our wish."
Grandpa Xia paused for a moment, then smiled and said,
"Fine, if you don't want to, then don't. Xiao Chen is indeed a very good kid."
He'd been through it all before and understood how Xia Ran felt. So he figured it out and wouldn't pressure her. As long as she was happy, that was enough for him.
Chapter 314 Parent-Child Activities
"That's right. I wonder how Xiao Chen is doing now. He's finally become a little more lively. I'm worried he won't be used to kindergarten."
Xia Ran couldn't help but worry. After all, he knew the child's personality. What if the child got scared and became upset, and reverted to his old ways?
"No, it won't happen." Grandpa Xia said confidently. "Don't worry, Xiao Chen is such an obedient and smart child, he'll be fine."
Although Grandpa Xia and Dazhuang comforted Xia Ran a lot, Xia Ran was still a little worried. It wasn't until after five o'clock that Gu Chen's voice rang out, and Xia Ran seemed to regain her composure.
"Little Daddy, Little Daddy! I miss you so much!"
Gu Chen's voice came from the doorway, and Xia Ran jumped up. Before she could even leave, Gu Chen rushed in like a cannonball.
Xia Ran picked up the child and said with a smile,
"Daddy misses you too, Xiao Chen. How were you today? Did you have fun at kindergarten?"
Gu Chen hugged Xia Ran's neck and said,
"Hmm... I'm doing alright, Daddy. How about you? Have you missed me?"
"I've thought about it, but what do you mean by 'okay'? Does anyone bully you at school? Also, who picks you up from kindergarten?"
Xia Ran's heart tightened, fearing that her child would be bullied at kindergarten.
Gu Chen quickly shook his head and said,
"No, no, no one will bully me. The other kids are all nice to me, it's just... they're a little too clingy, I don't like that."
He frowned, clearly disliking how the kindergarten children were clinging to him too much.
"And it was my eldest father who brought me back, but he stayed at the door and didn't dare to come in."
Xia Ran was stunned for a moment, ignoring Gu Zheng's story about bringing the child back, but she was very interested in Gu Chen's story about how many people clung to him at kindergarten.
"How do those people cling to you? Can you tell your stepfather?"
"Of course!" Gu Chen was clearly overjoyed. "But Daddy, please put me down first. It's tiring for you to be carrying me."
"Besides, I want to have dinner with you here tonight. I'll go tell Uncle not to wait for me at the door, okay?"
Xia Ran: "Of course you can go. Great-Grandpa misses you too. Tell him about kindergarten later, and then I'll go buy you something delicious."
"Okay!" Gu Chen replied, then jogged towards the door.
Gu Zheng had actually been standing at the door listening to their conversation, and now that he saw the child come out, he immediately took a step forward.
Because of this step, he and Xia Ran made eye contact.
Xia Ran paused, then turned to look at her grandfather.
Gu Zheng felt a pang of sadness, but he still looked down at the child.
"how's it going?"
Gu Chen pulled Gu Zheng aside and whispered,
"I want to stay here for dinner, but you probably have to leave first, Daddy."
Gu Zheng narrowed his eyes. "Have you forgotten what you promised me in the car?"
Gu Chen pouted, "I haven't forgotten, but I can't be too hasty. Besides, isn't there a parent-child activity at kindergarten next week? The teacher said that both parents have to participate. You can't be my parent all by yourself, can you?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zheng paused for a moment. He had originally intended to take Xia Ran with him, but now that Gu Chen, the little bean sprout, had said it, he felt somewhat at ease.
"Ahem..." Gu Zheng cleared his throat. "Then tell your stepfather that I have some kindergarten-related matters to discuss with him. Make sure your stepfather comes out, understand?"
Gu Chen nodded, turned around and ran into the ward.
Xia Ran smiled instantly when she saw the child come in.
"Is it a deal?"
"Okay, it's settled then. But Daddy, there's something else I need to tell you, but you can't get angry after I tell you, okay?"
"Hmm?" Xia Ran was a little puzzled, not understanding why the child suddenly said these things.
"Is it something terrible that you can't let me know?"
"It's not that scary." Gu Chen suddenly seemed a little embarrassed. "It's about kindergarten, but I don't know how to explain it. Could you go out and talk to your dad?"
Xia Ran, who already found it very strange, was filled with even more doubts after hearing these words.
"Xiao Chen, does Daddy really have to go out? Can we not go?"
"But...but it's about kindergarten." Gu Chen's eyes reddened. "If you don't go, what will happen to my kindergarten?"
Xia Ran has always been soft-hearted towards children, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for them when she saw their reddened eyes.
"Are you really talking about kindergarten?"
"Of course, Daddy, do you doubt me? I'm on your side. If you don't go, I'm afraid the kindergarten teacher will be unhappy."
Dazhuang and Grandpa Xia exchanged a glance, but neither of them said anything.
Grandpa Xia mainly wanted to say something, but he was afraid of hurting the child.
Moreover, Xia Ran is now genuinely raising Gu Chen like a child, so she can't just ignore the matter of the child's kindergarten.
Xia Ran was still amused and defeated by the child's words. She reached out and pinched the child's soft cheek, and said,
"Okay, Daddy's going out. You stay with Daddy, okay?"
With the child present, Gu Zheng, standing at the door, dared not do or say anything.
"Okay!" Gu Chen agreed immediately; he didn't refuse this offer.
When Gu Zheng saw Xia Ran and the child come out, his eyes lit up.
"Ranran."
Xia Ran frowned immediately. "Don't shout like that."
Gu Zheng paused for a moment, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
"Did your child say you wanted to talk to me?"
Gu Zheng nodded, "Yes, the kindergarten teacher said there's a parent-child activity next week because when the children were registered, the parents listed were 'you and me'."
"Both parents will have to go to the parent-child activities together, so..."
Before Gu Zheng could finish speaking, Xia Ran's brows furrowed even more. Gu Chen tugged at Xia Ran's hand, looked up at her expectantly, and said...
"Little Daddy, can't you go? Xiaoming from kindergarten said his mom and dad are going too. I want my little daddy and big daddy to go together too."
Xia Ran felt a pang of sadness, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
Gu Zheng smiled slightly, clearly pleased with Gu Chen's quick wit.
"Who is Xiaoming? Is he a new friend you met?" Xia Ran asked.
Gu Chen thought for a moment and then nodded.
"Yes, a friend said his parents will come too."
Gu Chen really didn't want to admit that the chubby boy was his friend, but in order for his stepfather to be able to go to the parent-child activity, he had no choice but to lie to his stepfather a little.
The younger father probably won't find out, right?
Chapter 315 Going to Find Someone
Xia Ran hesitated. If he agreed to go, he would definitely get involved with Gu Zheng.
But if I don't go...
Xia Ran looked down at the child, who was looking at him with expectant eyes.
"Okay, your little dad will go with you then."
Xia Ran reached out and ruffled Gu Chen's hair, and the latter immediately burst into laughter.
Gu Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Xia Ran was willing to go, he wouldn't have to worry about not having the opportunity to spend time with her.
"Come on, let's go back to your room and find your great-grandfather."
Xia Ran ignored Gu Zheng and took the child back to the ward.
At this moment, Gu Zheng felt not disappointed, but rather a sense of anticipation arose within him.
Should he invest some money in the kindergarten? And then have someone plan the games properly, preferably more two-player games?
Gu Zheng didn't go back, but went directly to the rest area, as he needed to pick up his child later.
Now he understands that Xia Ran may really not like him anymore, and he can only use the child to bind Xia Ran to him.
Although this method is shameless, he had no other choice.