PCMWF Chapter 180

That evening, the two families ate together. The Shen family’s round table was packed, lively, and bustling. The adults discussed which kindergarten was better while eating. Pei Yi had a lingering shadow over sending Qiqi to kindergarten. Shen Minyan also didn’t want Youyou to leave home. They actually felt kindergarten wasn’t absolutely necessary. What child doesn’t go to school? The two men were immediately glared at by Hua Zhao and Chu Ying.

The two little ones had small appetites. They quickly finished their food and sat on stools, heads together, playing. Shen Lin picked up Youyou, who was playing happily, put him on his lap, and bounced him. The little guy giggled at his second brother’s bouncing, turning his face and grabbing his ears.

“Youyou, which kindergarten do you like?”

The little guy thought for a moment and said: “I like little cakes.”

Shen Lin strongly recommended his alma mater: “Wutong Kindergarten has little cakes too. So delicious.”

The little guy smiled, eyes squinting, and nodded. “Little cakes are delicious.”

Su Youli was too young to know today was a kindergarten “inspection.” He couldn’t even remember the names, only that the cakes were good.

Shen Lin held the little guy and turned to ask the slightly older Qiqi: “Qiqi, do you like Wutong Kindergarten?”

“I like it.”

Shen Lin felt hopeful, enthusiastically praising his alma mater, hoping his two little brothers would go there. His little brother was smaller than his peers. He was afraid he’d be bullied at other kindergartens. If he went to Wutong, Teacher Qin was very nice and wouldn’t let Youyou be bullied. His little brother had been found after so much difficulty. He couldn’t bear for him to suffer.

After dinner, the two families discussed for a while. Shen Yan even video-called the two parents abroad. In the end, they decided to send the two little ones to Xingya International. There were several reasons. Xingya was bilingual, the educational model was seen today, and most importantly, both little ones were willing to enter the classroom. The environment was good, and it was close to home. Once decided, Chu Ying called Xingya’s admissions office and set the enrollment date.

In the living room, the two little ones knelt by the sofa in their socks. Su Yuanzi squeezed between them, his fluffy tail lazily wagging. The two little ones lay by the sofa building Legos, serious and adorable. Chu Ying held the phone. Turning her head, she saw the two obedient little ones playing by themselves. So good. Since returning to the Shen family, her health had improved. Her heartache had been healed, and her physical ailments would slowly heal with time. She walked to the sofa with a gentle smile and sat next to Su Youli.

The little guy looked up at her and held up his Lego. “Mom, look.”

Chu Ying nodded and praised him. “So pretty.”

The little guy, praised, happily turned back to building. Ten minutes later, the two little ones ran out of energy, yawning and nodding off. The two little ones were taken back to sleep by their parents. Before entering, Shen Yan looked at his mother, then at the little guy sleeping deeply in her arms.

“Mom, maybe let Youyou sleep on his own.” He was going to kindergarten. He needed to be independent.

The little guy’s brows furrowed immediately, as if he’d heard his brother. His little body moved, his hands clenched into fists on his chest.

Listening to the little guy’s even breathing, Chu Ying didn’t even think. “Not yet. Youyou is still little.”

Shen Yan wanted to say something. He remembered sleeping alone at three. But this wasn’t urgent. Su Youli had been found after so much difficulty. Everyone in the family spoiled him. Four parents took turns sleeping with him seven days a week. After the children’s room door closed, Shen Yan was about to go to his room when he turned and saw Shen Lin holding his phone, flashlight under his chin, pretending to be a ghost. Shen Yan grabbed his neck. Shen Lin clasped his hands and begged. The brothers went downstairs silently, side by side.

“Did you finish your homework?”

Shen Lin touched his nose. “Yeah.”

Shen Yan got a headache thinking about his grades. He kicked him. “Haven’t skipped class lately?”

“No.”

Shen Yan clearly didn’t believe him, eyebrows raised, eyes half-squinted. Shen Lin felt innocent. He really hadn’t skipped class lately. He didn’t even sneak snacks or play on his phone in class.

Shen Yan thought, stood beside him, and bumped his shoulder. “Dad scolded you again?”

Shen Lin opened a bottle of water, tilted his head back, and gulped it down.

“He doesn’t have time to scold me. He and Mom are busy finding a kindergarten for Youyou.”

The tone sounded a bit sour to Shen Yan. Shen Yan looked at his brother and felt guilty somehow. His dad had taken Youyou abroad for half a month. He was filming and had no time to come back. His mom was home with Shen Lin every day, but teenagers were sensitive. Shen Yan sighed, walked over, and hugged him.

“We’ve neglected you lately. Don’t be angry, don’t take it to heart.” Shen Yan felt no embarrassment apologizing to his brother.

Shen Lin’s hand holding the bottle stiffened, his body twisting. “Brother, don’t be so mushy. It’s gross.”

Shen Yan let go and punched his head. They looked at each other and laughed.

“Brother, I didn’t feel neglected, and I’m not angry. Really.” Shen Lin said seriously.

Rare to see the little devil so good. Shen Yan’s hand itched, and he ruffled his head. The living room had a small light on. The brothers leaned there, talking.

“Brother, Youyou’s been back for months already.”

Shen Yan: “Almost half a year.”

He came in summer. Now it was almost winter.

“Brother, you didn’t see the first time I met Youyou. He was so timid. All the kids on Yunshui Street wanted him as their little brother.”

The little guy even cried. Sitting on the steps, Shen Lin secretly took a photo. Shen Yan had never been to Nancheng or where Youyou used to live. Shen Lin kept telling him how beautiful Yunshui Street was.

“Uncle Su’s little building, you haven’t seen it. So beautiful, so atmospheric. Uncle Qin even made Youyou little stools and chairs. Even the bowls and chopsticks were made by Uncle Qin himself.”

Shen Yan felt his heart ache as he listened. What era was this, making everything yourself? How poor were they?

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