"I'm currently teaching at this school, in Class 4-A. You can come find me anytime."
Si Nian paused as she turned her head.
She blinked her eyes.
Just as Wu Ren'ai thought she was moved by his words.
Si Nian revealed a smile and waved to a child not far away. "Son, come here quickly. This is your homeroom teacher. Say hello to him."
Wu Ren'ai: "...."
Zhou Zedong had spotted Si Nian talking to a strange man from a distance.
He instinctively quickened his pace, feeling there was something off about the way this man was looking at his mother.
Hearing her call out now, he was momentarily stunned.
He walked over, glanced at the man in front of him whose face was flushed red and who didn't seem very bright, and frowned with a hint of disdain. "This is my homeroom teacher?"
The previous vice-principal had said his homeroom teacher was very strict, and even though he was excellent, the teacher might not accept him.
Because the teacher was apparently some kind of... turtle doctor? He didn't really understand, but it sounded impressive.
Why does he look kind of dumb?
Wu Ren'ai's mind was buzzing from the word "son."
It wasn't until the child in front of him looked at him with an expression reserved for idiots that he snapped back to reality.
He stiffened, barely able to form words. "Y-yes, I am the homeroom teacher for Class 4-A. M-my name is Wu Ren'ai..."
Zhou Zedong thought: Looks like nobody loves you either.
"Well, we'll be going now."
Si Nian offered a polite smile and prepared to leave with the two children.
Wu Ren'ai hadn't seen her in ten years, but Si Nian looked exactly the same as she did when she was little.
Even more beautiful than before.
Back then, Si Nian was the prettiest kid in the military compound. All the boys her age in the compound liked her.
Wu Ren'ai, like everyone else, shared the unspoken dream of growing up and marrying Si Nian.
But in Si Nian's eyes, there was only Fu Yang.
No one else could catch this young lady's eye.
No one could have imagined that Si Nian would encounter such a tragic fate when she grew up.
He still had so many things he wanted to ask.
Seeing her about to leave, he immediately grew anxious.
"Wait, Nian Nian, don't go..."
Hearing this form of address, even though he was a childhood playmate of the original owner, Si Nian still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Just as she frowned, a low, cold, displeased voice came from not far away—
"What do you think you're doing?"
Si Nian was taken aback and turned to look.
She saw Zhou Yueshen standing at the entrance of a building ahead. The winter sunlight fell on his tall, lean frame, making him appear even more aloof and icy.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on Wu Ren'ai's hand that seemed about to grab hers, a flicker of killing intent flashing in his pupils.
Si Nian's eyes shifted slightly.
Didn't the old man say he was very busy?
She thought he wouldn't be home for the next few days. What was he doing here?
Zhou Yueshen closed the distance in a few long strides. He took Si Nian's hand and pulled her behind him, shielding her.
Looking down at Wu Ren'ai from his height, his voice was ice-cold. "What do you want with my wife?"
Hearing this, Wu Ren'ai was first stunned.
Once it registered, his scalp immediately tingled.
He instinctively sized up the other man, intimidated by his robust build and sharp gaze, feeling inwardly shocked.
How was this person different from the rumors about the divorced, older man with three kids that Si Nian had married?
He opened his mouth, stiffly explaining, "C-comrade, don't misunderstand. I'm Nian Nian's childhood playmate. We happened to meet today and I just wanted to chat with her for a moment. Nothing more."
Zhou Yueshen turned his head to look at Si Nian.
Si Nian ran a hand through her hair. Although she could sense this person seemed to harbor some other feelings, she wasn't sure how close their relationship had been in childhood and didn't want to offend him outright.
So she nodded.
"It's fine, Zhou Yueshen. He didn't do anything to me."
Wu Ren'ai nodded hurriedly. "Right, right. We've known each other since we were little. Childhood sweethearts, friends who grew up together. How could I possibly bully her?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yueshen's eyes grew even colder.
Si Nian's mouth twitched.
How many childhood sweethearts did the original owner have?
Wu Ren'ai felt his voice growing smaller and smaller. Finally, steeling himself, he said, "Since you're alright, I'll be going now. We'll talk another time."
With that, he turned and scurried away dejectedly.
He had originally thought that Si Nian, married into such a family, must be living a very hard and miserable life.
But now it seemed that might not be the case at all.
For a moment, he felt somewhat dejected.
So she didn't need his help after all.
It was all just his own wishful thinking.
But he also felt ashamed. Her husband was here. If he said anything more, it would seem like he had ulterior motives.
So he awkwardly made a quick exit.
Before Zhou Yueshen could say anything else,
little Lao Er stepped forward.
Tilting his head up, he asked Si Nian curiously, "Mom, who was that? Is he very close to you?"
"Why did he call you Nian Nian? And he said something like..." He wiggled his bottom, imitating Wu Ren'ai's tone, "Wait, Nian Nian, don't go~~"
Si Nian: "...." He doesn't learn the good stuff, only the bad!
Zhou Yueshen rapped his son on the head. "Nian Nian is not for you to call. Call her Mom!"
Zhou Zehan immediately covered his head, grimacing. "I'm sorry, Dad!"
"Alright, let's head back. It's almost dinnertime."
Si Nian shook her head helplessly and looked at Zhou Yueshen. "Why are you here? I thought you said the factory was very busy?"
Zhou Yueshen said, "The New Year holiday is over. The factory has returned to its normal supply volume. It's close by now, so I don't have to travel much every day."
"I went home and heard from Aunt Jiang that you took the kids to the school. Thought I'd come see. How did it go?"
Now that Zhou Yueshen had moved into the city, he didn't have to make overnight deliveries constantly.
He had quite a bit more free time.
Zhou Zehan said with super pride, "Dad, big brother got into the elite class. Do you know what kind of class that is? It's a class where everyone is as amazing as big brother!"
Zhou Yueshen glanced at his unfazed eldest son and patted his shoulder. "Well done."
He then asked about the younger one, "What about Xiao Han?"
Zhou Zehan's nose was practically pointing to the sky, his little hands on his hips.
Just as Zhou Yueshen was surprised, wondering if his younger son had also made a stunning reversal, he heard him say, "Me? Of course I'm in the regular class, Dad. You're so silly, you couldn't even guess that."
Zhou Yueshen: "...."
The family walked together, discussing the matter.
Zhou Yueshen held his chattering son's hand, not really taking in what he was saying.
Instead, he turned his head to ask Si Nian beside him, "Was that man just now your childhood sweetheart?"
Zhou Yueshen was still hung up on that.
Si Nian felt a headache coming on. She nodded, then shook her head. "Probably? But it's been over ten years since we last met. To be honest, I don't even really remember who he is."
The slight frown that had been on Zhou Yueshen's brow immediately smoothed away.
The family hadn't gone far when several people in military uniforms emerged from behind.
One woman stared intently at Si Nian's retreating figure. "So that's Battalion Commander Zhou's second wife?"
