PCMWF Chapter 182

Pei Yi held Qiqi, his heart full of mixed feelings. Qiqi was reserved. Except for the half month after returning to China, Pei Yi hadn’t really experienced being clung to by his little nephew.

“Brother Qiqi, don’t cry.” Youyou had run over at some point.

He patted Pei Qiqi’s back like a grown-up. Pei Qiqi buried himself in his uncle’s arms, unable to calm down for a long time. He actually didn’t quite trust his uncle and aunt. Adults were especially good at lying to children. The little hand patting his back was very gentle. Pei Qiqi lifted his face from his uncle’s arms.

The little curly-haired boy beside him was smiling at him, one hand holding his backpack strap. Right. Youyou would be with him. Pei Qiqi was immediately no longer afraid. He held Su Youli’s little hand tightly, waved goodbye to his uncle, and walked toward Teacher Apple. A line of children stood in front of Teacher Apple, checking one by one whether the children had brought any dangerous items to school.

“Youyou.”

The two little ones reached the back of the line and heard someone call out. It was the little boy who had given him cake yesterday.

“Haohao.” The little guy was quite happy to see him.

Haohao ran over happily from the front, surprised. “You still remember my name?”

The little guy tilted his head. “You remember mine too.”

Haohao was a bit embarrassed. Because the kid sitting in front of him was as cute as a doll, he could remember the doll’s name. Other children in the class also looked over one after another. Most of them still remembered these two kids who had come to play in their class last week. After the two little ones joined the group of children, the parents standing not far away had their eyes busy. The children were all about the same height, in uniform. Fortunately, most carried the kindergarten’s uniform backpack, so they could still distinguish their own child.

Teacher Apple bent down to greet the two new kids. “Youyou, Qiqi, good morning. Welcome to Xingya. Teacher will take you in later, okay?”

Youyou liked Teacher Apple and nodded obediently. Pei Qiqi nodded, turning his body slightly, his gaze searching through the crowd for Pei Yi. Pei Yi and Hua Zhao were both very tall, easy to spot.

“Qiqi, go for it! Uncle and Auntie will come pick you up this afternoon!”

Pei Yi cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting hard, every word clear. Many parents looked over, seeing themselves from two months ago when they sent their children to school. Pei Qiqi’s mouth pouted, his eyes reddened, wanting to run to his uncle.

Teacher Apple smiled at Pei Yi, crouched down, and patted Qiqi’s head. “Don’t be afraid, Qiqi. Uncle will come pick you up this afternoon. Today, play with the teacher and the other kids, okay?”

No one could understand what Pei Qiqi was feeling at this moment. Other children had parents to pick them up. He was a child truly abandoned by his mother. His mother back then was the same. She sent him to kindergarten, promising she would definitely come pick him up. Every Friday, all the children were picked up by their parents. Only he stood alone at the classroom door, waiting and waiting, but no one ever came.

At first, the teacher would call his mother. Learning she couldn’t come, the teacher would pity Pei Qiqi. After many times, the teacher found him a burden. The teacher later scolded him for being unwanted, a nuisance. Because of him, the teacher couldn’t leave to do her own things.

Mom lied. She wouldn’t come to pick him up. No one understood the fear of abandonment better than Pei Qiqi. Teacher Apple kept comforting him. Pei Qiqi showed no reaction at all. But this time was different. Su Youli was beside him. The younger child sensed his mood and opened his arms to hug him.

“Brother Qiqi, don’t cry. Youyou will always be with you.”

The childish voice reached his ears. Pei Qiqi came back to himself, wrapped in warmth. He raised his arms and hugged Youyou too.

“I’m not crying.” Pei Qiqi explained softly.

The little guy saw his wet eyelashes and said nothing, just nodded.

“Brother Qiqi is amazing.”

The two little ones were led into the classroom by Teacher Apple. Shen Minyan watched Youyou’s back get smaller and smaller. He took two long strides forward, following with his eyes. Only when Youyou’s figure disappeared around the corner did he reluctantly look away. Pei Yi was just as reluctant. He ran to the guard and pleaded, asking if he could be let in. He would just hide at the classroom door and peek for a bit, not disturbing the children.

The duty teacher explained patiently: “Parent, I completely understand your feelings. But as parents, the first lesson we must learn is to let go.”

“Only by letting go can the child fly to a broader world…”

A whole set of principles. Pei Yi sniffled. He couldn’t let go. He would never let go his whole life. Qiqi didn’t need a broader world. As long as he lived happily and healthily under his protection. While Pei Qiqi was still adjusting, little Su Youli had perfectly blended into the harmonious and friendly Class 5.

Five minutes earlier, Teacher Apple had led them into the classroom, stood in the center, and clapped her hands. Children were playing in every corner of the class like mushrooms. Hearing the clap, they immediately sat back in their seats. The two new kids did another self-introduction and were warmly welcomed. Teacher Apple led them to their seats and cubbies. The two little ones took off their backpacks and hung them with the other children’s.

Both were quiet children. Teacher Apple didn’t force them to join the games. She brought them to their seats and placed a craft booklet in the middle for them to look at together. The two little ones sat obediently, not moving around. Occasionally, drawn by the laughter of other children, their little heads turned together to watch.

Haohao came over with others, one hand each, leading them to line up for the slide. Both had slides at home and were a bit tired of them. But sliding with so many children was a novel experience. Everyone lined up orderly, holding the clothes of the person in front, climbing the stairs, then sliding down one by one. Those who finished rejoined the back of the line.

Pei Qiqi was right behind Youyou. When Youyou slid down, he immediately followed, grabbing Youyou’s clothes after sliding. A few times, a child lined up in the wrong place. Youyou stood out to wait for him, and the two little ones walked hand in hand to the back of the line, waiting for their turn.

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