"What are you doing?" A low, cold male voice interrupted Li Fenghua's furious outburst.
She was startled. There were few people living around here, as she had discovered after walking around earlier.
That's why she had dared to make such a loud scene.
Now that someone had heard her, the breath she was holding got stuck, nearly choking her.
She turned her head and saw a man as tall and imposing as a mountain.
The man's features were sharp and severe. Perhaps because the sky was growing dim, his eyes looked even colder.
She had initially thought it was just a passerby meddling in her business. Seeing the man dressed plainly, like a typical farmhand, she assumed he was all brawn and no substance.
Probably a migrant worker living nearby.
"And who are you? What I do is none of your damn business..."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a crisp, clear voice rang out from inside the large iron gate, "Daddy—"
Before Li Fenghua could react, she saw the little brat who had nearly driven her mad with anger moments ago run out and hug the leg of the man in front of her.
"Daddy, you're back~" After saying this, the younger boy loudly tattled, "This person is a liar. She just tried to trick me. But I didn't fall for it. I saw right through her evil scheme right away."
The boy added proudly, "Daddy, aren't I clever?"
Zhou Yueshen's eyes instantly turned cold.
There had been many cases of child trafficking in the city in recent years; he had heard of quite a few.
When he first moved here, he thought being close to the school with more foot traffic would be relatively safer.
But hearing his son's words now, Zhou Yueshen realized the danger.
It was too risky when he wasn't home.
Hearing this, Li Fenghua almost exploded: "You little brat! What nonsense are you spouting? Do you have a death wish?"
The younger boy immediately hid behind Zhou Yueshen.
"Daddy, she's being mean."
Zhou Yueshen's gaze grew even colder.
He hadn't said a single word, yet it sent a chill down Li Fenghua's spine.
She had wanted to give the child a good scolding, but the words died in her throat.
It was infuriating.
"Brother Yueshen, what's going on here?"
Someone walked over.
Seeing who it was, Zhou Yueshen shifted his gaze.
"You came at the right time." His brow was dark with anger. "I suspect this person is a criminal. She was threatening my child."
"What?" The visitor, Captain Li, who also lived nearby, had heard Zhou Yueshen had moved in and had come by for a visit while he had some free time.
He never expected to encounter such a thing.
For this to happen in his own jurisdiction, he really was useless!
There had been several trafficking cases recently, and he was already getting a headache over them.
This was a sensitive period, and any suspicious individuals absolutely could not be let go.
Before Li Fenghua could react, Captain Li had his men restrain her.
Captain Li handed a gift to Zhou Yueshen.
"I originally came to have a couple of drinks with you. Didn't expect something like this to happen. I just took over a related case. Since there's a suspicious person, I won't stay long. Let's get together another time."
Then, a completely bewildered Li Fenghua was taken away.
"Daddy, you're amazing!"
Seeing Captain Li take the woman away, the younger boy was thrilled.
Zhou Yueshen looked away from the scene and down at his son, his voice deep. "Let's go home. From now on, don't run too far outside alone, understand?"
It was fine back in the countryside, where houses were close together and everyone knew each other. There was no need to worry.
But here was different.
They had only moved in a little over half a month ago.
They didn't know many people.
The younger boy loved to play and would dare to run outside alone, which was extremely dangerous.
The boy immediately nodded, then hurriedly said, "Daddy, Daddy! Look, this is my new school uniform. Isn't it nice?"
He pulled at his clothes for Zhou Yueshen to see.
The uniform was a white shirt and long trousers, which looked very smart and full of youthful spirit.
It fit the little guy perfectly.
He even looked more proper.
Seeing the change in his son, Zhou Yueshen felt a stir of emotion in his heart.
He patted the boy's head and said, "It looks good."
"Nice, right?" The younger boy was very happy, lovingly stroking his clothes with his small hands. "I think so too."
The father and son entered the house. Si Nian was already downstairs, holding Yaoyao.
"I heard the iron gate outside rattling earlier. What happened?"
Zhou Yueshen told her what had just happened.
The younger boy chimed in, adding dramatic details and gesturing animatedly: "Mom, she looked really mean, just like Granny Liu. But don't worry, I won't let people like that in anymore like I used to. Daddy helped me chase her away."
After listening, Si Nian fell silent. "Was she in her forties or fifties, with beady eyes, wearing a suit dress?"
Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly. "You know her?"
Si Nian nodded. "That's the dean from our school."
Zhou Yueshen: "..."
The younger boy: "..."
...
The school did not wait for Si Nian's return. Instead, they received news that Li Fenghua had been arrested by the police on suspicion of involvement in a human trafficking case.
To prevent the incident from escalating, the school hurriedly sent someone to explain and clarify the situation.
Only then did the police station release her.
The principal, furious that this incident had negatively impacted the school's reputation, gave Li Fenghua a severe reprimand.
Not only was the incompetent Li Fenghua harshly lectured, but her bonus was also deducted.
Every year at the start of the new term, the school would distribute the previous year's year-end bonuses to the teachers.
Li Fenghua, already shaken and angered by the ordeal, nearly fainted from rage when her bonus was docked.
In the end, she had to swallow her pride and beg the vice dean for help.
The vice dean gave a cold laugh. Although he really didn't want to help her, if Si Nian didn't show up tomorrow, it would be a huge problem for the school.
He immediately stretched out his hand towards Li Fenghua, making a gesture for money.
Li Fenghua's face darkened instantly. "What do you mean? Trying to solicit bribes right here at school?"
Hearing this, the vice dean's expression turned grim. "Nonsense. If you're going to apologize in person, you should do it properly. If everyone acted like you, no wonder you got arrested as a trafficker."
Hearing this, Li Fenghua's face turned green, then pale.
However, remembering the principal's stern warning, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and give money to the vice dean.
She had originally wanted him to handle it himself.
That old fox.
Li Fenghua was so angry she fell ill.
...
The vice dean bought some fruit and packs of White Rabbit candies, then rode his "28-bar" bicycle to Si Nian's home.
"Teacher Si, this matter was our school's fault. Please rest assured, Dean Li has been severely reprimanded by the principal, and her year-end bonus was deducted..."
At this point, the vice dean couldn't help but chuckle.
He handed her the gifts. "I bought some things as an apology. You must come to work tomorrow! The students all like you very much; they say you're like a fairy."
"If you teach well, I'll talk to the principal later about giving you a raise!"
He had high hopes for Si Nian.
Si Nian, however, wore a disappointed expression.
"What's wrong, Teacher Si? If you have any dissatisfaction, you can tell me directly."
Si Nian shook her head, sighing with regret. "It's nothing. I just thought... you were here to deliver the breach of contract penalty to me."
For a moment, she had almost believed she could get three months' salary without having to work.
The vice dean: "...." He had thought Si Nian was just acting out of anger.
Turns out she was serious!
Am I getting old? In this day and age, even such a good job can't retain people anymore.
The deputy director was deeply disheartened.
He suddenly understood the helplessness Director Li must have felt.
Otherwise, a person like Director Li would never have been reduced to asking him for a favor.
Si Nian didn't make things difficult for him, after all, this matter wasn't the deputy director's fault.
She politely declined once for appearance's sake, then accepted the fruit and agreed.
Only then did the deputy director leave.
...
