Chapter 67: Getting Along Harmoniously |
Following Liu Changqing’s gaze, An Yuanyao also noticed their hands. His large hand was firmly gripping her wrist. A fluttering sensation suddenly stirred in her chest as she raised her eyes to look at Liu Changqing.
Feeling her intense gaze, Liu Changqing seemed to jolt as if shocked, hastily letting go.
“Don’t get the wrong idea—I only grabbed your hand out of urgency…” he mumbled, awkwardly tilting his head toward the school gate.
An Yuanyao didn’t seem to register his words. She stared blankly at her wrist where his hand had been, silent.
“Dad!”
“Ah!”
Feng Shuyan came running up to Feng Qian, grabbing his hand. Father and daughter shared a smile as Feng Qian knelt to ruffle her hair.
Not far away, Liu Xiazhi was walking alongside a chubby boy holding the latest handheld console. Xiazhi, wearing a pink backpack, leaned in curiously, her pace slow as she followed the boy closely.
Liu Changqing spotted his daughter and immediately noticed the boy next to her. His previously calm expression darkened.
With a grim expression, Liu Changqing marched toward them, his steps heavy with irritation.
Still rooted in place, An Yuanyao glanced at her hand, muttering to herself. “Did he just…?” When she raised her head, Liu Changqing was already gone. She blinked in confusion, turning to search for him.
Liu Changqing reached Feng Qian and his daughter.
“Uncle Fatty!” Feng Shuyan greeted with a smile.
Ignoring her, Liu Changqing walked past them and stopped in front of the two children, blocking their path.
Haohao, engrossed in his handheld console, didn’t even notice Liu Changqing standing there. Xiazhi, her head tilted in curiosity, was similarly oblivious. The two bumped right into him.
“Ouch!”
Haohao fell backward, landing on his bottom, while Liu Xiazhi was caught by Liu Changqing’s hand before she could stumble.
Startled, Xiazhi froze. When she realized it was her father, her eyes lit up briefly with joy before she quickly masked it. Turning to Haohao, she shook off Liu Changqing’s grip and ran to the boy.
“Are you okay?”
“It hurts…”
“Did the console get damaged?” Xiazhi asked anxiously, ignoring Haohao’s pain.
“The console? No… it’s fine.”
“Phew, that’s good.” Xiazhi sighed with relief, patting her chest.
Haohao looked at her, bewildered. Why does it feel like the console is more important than me?
Lifting his head, Haohao finally noticed Liu Changqing standing before him, his expression dark and intimidating.
“Is… is this your dad?” Haohao asked nervously.
“Yep!” Xiazhi nodded, her eyes still fixed on the console in Haohao’s hands.
Haohao glanced at her delicate, cute face and then at Liu Changqing’s menacing one. His voice trembled as he blurted out, “Dad?!”
“Scram! Call me that again, and I’ll deal with you!”
Haohao quickly covered his mouth with his hand, too scared to make another sound.
Man, Xiazhi’s dad is terrifying!
Standing up, Haohao dusted himself off and handed the console to Xiazhi. Her face lit up with joy as she snatched it eagerly.
Then, Haohao fished a few game cartridges from his pocket.
“If you want to switch games, just swap out the cartridge with one of these.”
“Got it! Thanks!” Xiazhi nodded, taking the cartridges and carefully placing them into her pink backpack, treating them like treasures.
Watching his daughter’s gleeful reaction over a mere console, Liu Changqing felt a twinge of sadness.
It’s just a lousy handheld console…
“See you the day after tomorrow!” Xiazhi waved at Haohao as he walked away, his backpack bouncing with each step. The day after tomorrow was the release of exam results and a parent meeting to finalize tuition payments.
As Haohao disappeared into the distance, Xiazhi lovingly patted her backpack.
Feng Shuyan tugged on her father’s hand and joined Liu Changqing and Xiazhi.
“Uncle Fatty!” Feng Shuyan chirped again.
“I told you not to call me that!” Liu Changqing instinctively raised a hand to flick her forehead but stopped, remembering Feng Qian was standing right there.
He awkwardly laughed, settling for ruffling her hair instead.
“So cute!”
Feng Shuyan glared at him with deadpan eyes as she tried to fix her now-messy hair.
“Hahaha!” Feng Qian chuckled, knowing his daughter wasn’t actually upset.
At that moment, An Yuanyao approached, smiling warmly at Xiazhi.
“Xiazhi~ Long time no see!”
“Auntie An!” Xiazhi froze in surprise before breaking into a wide grin. She ran past Liu Changqing and threw herself into An Yuanyao’s arms.
Looking up at her, she asked, “Did you come to pick me up too?”
“Of course! It’s been ages since I last saw you, my adorable Xiazhi.” Stroking Xiazhi’s head, An Yuanyao cast a glance at Liu Changqing.
Turning to Feng Qian, Liu Changqing said, “You should take Shuyan home. I’ll give you a call soon, and we can grab a meal.”
“Sounds good. Keep in touch.”
After watching Feng Qian and his daughter leave, Liu Changqing noticed the scattered children still trickling out of the school. These were likely the ones whose parents couldn’t pick them up.
Looking back, he saw An Yuanyao holding Xiazhi’s hand, the two chatting happily.
He raised an eyebrow.
How do they get along so well?
“Xiazhi, are you hungry?”
“I want fried chicken!!” Xiazhi’s excitement made her nearly jump. She adored crispy, golden chicken legs, so much that she seemed ready to drool just thinking about them.
“No problem.” Liu Changqing nodded with a smile before turning to An Yuanyao.
“Not for you, though. You’re not invited.”
“I’ve got money,” An Yuanyao replied with a grin.
“…”
“I’m kidding. Of course, I wouldn’t leave you out.” Liu Changqing laughed, though he couldn’t help but think her smug expression was oddly amusing.
Heading to the van, he gestured for them to follow. Opening the door, he climbed into the driver’s seat.
Meanwhile, An Yuanyao thoughtfully opened the back door for Xiazhi, making sure she was settled before closing it. Then, she slipped into the front passenger seat, swiftly buckled her seatbelt, and turned to Liu Changqing.
He was staring at her with a peculiar expression.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Nothing…” Liu Changqing looked away, started the van, and adjusted the steering wheel.
His thoughts, however, lingered.
How is she getting along with my daughter so harmoniously?