Chapter 71: A Heartwarming Gesture |
A van pulled up in front of a breakfast shop.
Lan Yixian was cleaning up the trash left by customers when she saw a figure dash toward her. Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Liu Changqing.
“What brings you here for breakfast today?” she asked, puzzled.
“Get me a cup of soy milk, two youtiao, and one marinated egg. Oh, and—” he turned back toward the passenger seat. “Son, do you want buns?”
“No buns. Just youtiao!” Liu Zhiyue replied.
“Got it.” Liu Changqing turned to Lan Yixian. “That’s two youtiao, one egg, one soy milk. Quick—I’m in a hurry!”
“Oh… okay!”
Though bewildered by his urgency, Lan Yixian set aside her tasks and rushed inside to prepare the order. In no time, she returned with the food packed and ready.
Grabbing the bag, Liu Changqing called out as he headed back to the van, “Put it on my tab. I’ll pay you later—I don’t have time right now!”
“What’s the rush…?” she muttered as she watched the van speed away.
As Liu Changqing drove, his eyes remained fixed on the road while Zhiyue unwrapped his food in the passenger seat. The aroma of eggs filled the car as Zhiyue cracked the shell and bit into his youtiao.
“Dad, is the breakfast shop downstairs closing? It’s been shut for two weeks.”
“Not sure,” Zhiyue replied between bites of his egg.
“It’s a hassle having to go further for breakfast. Still, we could start coming here—it’s cleaner,” Liu Changqing suggested.
“Yeah! Their youtiao is crispier than anywhere else,” Zhiyue said, nodding in agreement. “And their soy milk isn’t watered down—it’s rich and filling.”
Liu Changqing didn’t argue. In truth, Lan Yixian’s breakfast offerings were far superior. Her baozi had thin skin and plenty of filling, and the soy milk had an unmistakable aroma of fresh soybeans. The shop’s popularity was well-earned.
As they drove, Zhiyue polished off his youtiao and idly glanced out the window, suddenly spotting a familiar figure.
“Dad, stop the car!”
“Huh? Why?”
Without waiting for a reply, Liu Changqing pulled over.
Zhiyue rolled down the window and called out, “Zhou Shiyan!”
The girl, visibly out of breath from running, stopped and turned toward the voice.
When she saw Zhiyue, her face lit up, but her exhaustion was evident. She bent over, hands on her knees, struggling to catch her breath.
“Get in! You’re going to be late!” Zhiyue urged.
Without hesitation, Zhou Shiyan made her way to the car, and Zhiyue opened the rear door for her.
Sliding into the seat, she closed the door and slumped against it, her face pale from exertion.
Liu Changqing glanced at her in the rearview mirror as he pulled back onto the road. “Were you running all the way to school?”
She nodded, her breathing still uneven.
“That’s impressive. The distance from your house to the school must be at least two or three kilometers. Slept in today, huh?”
Her silence confirmed his suspicion.
“You shouldn’t be running that far to save on cab fare,” he muttered, shaking his head.
They soon arrived at the school. Liu Changqing parked temporarily by the gate, pulling the handbrake.
“Relax. You’ve still got over ten minutes before the gates close. No need to panic,” he said as he hopped out of the van and jogged to a nearby stall. Returning moments later, he handed a bottle of milk to Zhou Shiyan.
“You need this. Your color hasn’t improved yet.”
Zhou Shiyan stared at the milk in surprise, then glanced at Zhiyue, unsure of how to respond.
“What are you waiting for? Take it,” Liu Changqing said, placing the milk firmly in her hands. “Drink it before the exam. You’ve got time.”
Caught off guard by his gesture, Zhou Shiyan lowered her gaze to the milk, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.
Raising her head, she met Liu Changqing’s eyes, and for a moment, something passed between them. His caring expression reminded her of her mother.
“Come on, drink up,” he urged, smiling as he patted her head. The warmth of his hand lingered, and she obediently unwrapped the straw and began sipping the milk in small gulps.
Noticing her occasional glances at him, Liu Changqing gave her what he thought was a gentle smile.
Watching their interaction, Zhiyue couldn’t help but feel like the odd one out.
“Why didn’t I get milk?” he asked, baffled.
“You had soy milk earlier. If you drink too much, it’ll turn into fat,” Liu Changqing replied matter-of-factly.
“…”
Zhiyue couldn’t argue with that.
After finishing her milk, Zhou Shiyan jogged to the trash can to dispose of the empty carton, then returned.
Liu Changqing glanced at both kids. “Check your exam permits and make sure you don’t end up in the wrong room. Double-check your answers, and don’t rush to turn in your papers—even if they seem easy. Got it?”
“Got it,” they replied in unison.
More and more students were streaming into the school. Liu Changqing gave them a few final reminders before watching them walk through the gates.
As the two figures disappeared into the crowd, Liu Changqing exhaled deeply. With a faint smile, he muttered to himself, “They’ll be fine.”