Monday: ".......?"
Yi Qingju persisted: Just say you're the kid's aunt and you're taking the mom's place at the parent-teacher meeting, just chat with the teacher for a bit.
Zhou Yi doubtfully replied: Why should I go? Do you have something else going on?
Of course she couldn't say she was afraid of embarrassment, so she looked up at Qi Weiran across the way: "Sir, I recall you mentioning that someone would be coming to your house this afternoon?"
Qi Weiran's gaze wavered.
Damn, he almost got caught staring at her.
"Yes." He nodded his chin arrogantly, casually crossing one leg over the other.
"Are they guests? Do you need any preparations?" she continued smiling.
[You little brat, your legs get numb too, huh? I was thinking you could keep that pose for 24 hours.]
Qi Weiran answered: "It's a photography crew."
It was the long-awaited family portrait.
Yi Qingju nodded, replying to Zhou Yi: He has something going on, Sir needs to take some portraits, so I have to accompany him.
Even someone as straightforward as Zhou Yi couldn't help but reveal her gossipy nature when it involved Qi Weiran.
Monday: Qi Weiran is taking portraits? What kind of series?
Yi Qingju made up a lie: It should be that popular 'Young Divine Men (Elderly Edition)' series.
Monday: [Subway elderly people looking at phones]
Monday: Send me the school address and the kid's name, I'll go.
Closing her phone, Zhou Yi remarked:
Truly, to be the woman in charge of running the world's lifeline corporations, you must have unknown hardships behind the scenes. To even indulge his whims like this.
I have newfound respect for you, Yi Qingju!
Only having heard the part about portraits, Qi Weiran: "......"
Happening to catch his ugly expression, Yi Qingju concernedly asked: "Sir, is something uncomfortable?"
[Uncomfortable!? He's uncomfortable!? Summon the royal physician! No no no, we need to find a lawyer, the one who does inheritance certifications!]
Qi Weiran: "......"
"No, I just thought of an unpleasant person."
Yi Qingju felt regretful inwardly but feigned concern: "Sir, don't dwell on those unpleasant things."
[There's actually someone in this world who can affect your mood? That celestial being must have weeds taller than two meters growing on their grave now.]
[Life is full of eating shit sometimes.]
[But don't chew on it.]
Qi Weiran silently averted his gaze.
Of course he wouldn't chew on it.
At Happy Every Day Kindergarten—
The teacher of the Sunflower Class, upon seeing the message and photo of Zhou Yi sent by Yi Qingju, simply replied with "Received."
She then glanced at Qi Xinian gifting presents to his best friend before looking away.
"I had Yi Qingju specially custom-make this gift. There are only two in the world, and now, I will give you the second one." Little Qi Xinian had a very serious expression on his milky face.
Seeing this, An Zuoran's innocent face also turned solemn as he stretched out his hand straight, as if awaiting the passing of a crown.
And so, he received a children's glow-in-the-dark Ultraman t-shirt.
"Wowee, that's so cool!!" An Zuoran was so touched by this friendship that he almost cried.
He carefully folded the shirt and scampered over to put it in his personal cubby.
Then, seeing the teacher wasn't paying attention, he secretively beckoned Qi Xinian over.
Qi Xinian ran up: "What's up?"
"Have you ever eaten this before?" An Zuoran shoved a small package into his hands.
Qi Xinian looked down, it was a rectangular plastic pack of some oily-looking, brownish meat-like snack.
"What is this?" He frowned in confusion.
An Zuoran licked his lips: "It's called spicy strips."
"I brought this pack of 'Big Blade Meat', bought it from the snack shop near our kindergarten. It's super delicious, a life without trying spicy strips is incomplete!"
"Try some, quick." He stared at Qi Xinian with bright, expectant eyes.
Yi Qingju had taught him that he shouldn't be too domineering in speech and actions. If it wasn't against the law or principles, he should consider his friends' feelings as much as possible, that's how friendships last.
"Although she doesn't have a single friend and just hangs out with that old sow all day."
An Zuoran: ?
Realizing he had said his inner thoughts out loud, Qi Xinian, as if taking medicine, steeled himself and tore open the pack, stuffing that 'Big Blade Meat' into his mouth.
And was utterly astonished.
...
"Little boy, my uncle has lots of snacks at home, you want to come eat some?"
Originally feeling annoyed that Yi Qingju didn't come for his parent-teacher meeting herself, Qi Xinian looked up at these words.
He didn't know how this man had gotten in, since it was dismissal time most people were out front. This area was rather empty.
The man was decently good-looking, with neat features, just his longish hair covered half his eye in a rather emo style.
Without a sound, Qi Xinian touched the charm on his bookbag and smiled widely: "Sure, that'd be great."
The man's eyes visibly lit up with delight, but then the little ball of energy added: "But can we go to the kindergarten snack shop first to eat some yummy stuff before going to your uncle's place?"
As long as he could get the kid, he'd agree to any condition.
The man readily agreed.
So Qi Xinian led the man towards the snack shop An Zuoran had mentioned.
He was so daring because it was peak dismissal time, there were people everywhere. The man wouldn't dare try anything rash.
"Hello Auntie," Qi Xinian politely greeted the snack shop owner.
Seeing such an adorable little kid, the auntie smiled, her eye crinkles bunching up: "What is it, little one?"
The man eyed Qi Xinian warily, feeling some regret.
He really should have been more cautious in agreeing to the little master's request.
But Qi Xinian didn't say much, only asking: "Auntie, how many spicy strips do you have in the shop total?"
The auntie knew some of the kids from the kindergarten were from wealthy families, so she asked: "How many do you need?"
Qi Xinian flashed her a bright smile: "Auntie, I want all the ones in your storeroom."
Then he gestured to the man behind him: "This uncle can pay for them."
The man: ?
Although I'm not human, you little brat really are a dog, huh.
His already strained finances from buying components for laser weapons were further devastated by these mere spicy strips.
Listening to the kid calmly tell the auntie a driver would come to collect them, he felt pained but couldn't help a cold laugh.
No more futures for you after this.
Say your goodbyes to that young master of yours.
"Uncle, I have another friend, can he come too?" Qi Xinian asked innocently.
But the man didn't dare cause any more trouble now, immediately refusing. Then he roughly dragged Qi Xinian into an alley and forcibly took off the smart watch from his wrist.
Qi Xinian obediently stayed still and cooperated with him.
He even shook his head with an air of regret and sighed: "What a pity if Uncle doesn't want to meet my friend."
As soon as those words left his mouth, an angry roar rang out: "Eat—this—foot!!"
Before the man could turn, a heavy blow struck the back of his head. Then came the sound of orderly, rapid footsteps headed their way, followed by the clicking of guns being cocked.
Zhou Yi pulled the little ball of energy behind her, furiously kicking the crouched man grabbing his head: "You dare try to kidnap someone right in front of me, you little bastard, are you tired of living?"
Listening to this coarse, abusive language, Qi Xinian straightened his school uniform which she had pulled askew, and stepped lightly towards the trafficker, clearing his throat. His black grape-like eyes suddenly flashed with a sharpness unbecoming of his age.
"I gave you a chance, but you refused to take it."
Then his plump little hands clapped together, and he called out in a childish voice, "Zhang Wei!"
Immediately, a tall, imposing figure in black emerged, kneeling on one knee. "This slave is here."
Qi Xinian extended his short arm imperiously. "Take him out!"
Zhou Yi looked on in bewilderment: "........"
The heir of the first prestigious household seemed to be playing some new kind of game.
