November 23, 2025 18:01:32 | Author: Bu Jin Chun
“Get on.”
Zhong Qing looked up in surprise to see Pei Yanshen holding a classic 28-inch bicycle, waiting for her.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
At this hour, shouldn’t he still be at the airport?
“Or were you planning to walk there by yourself?” Pei Yanshen glanced at her. “When it’s time to act delicate, you suddenly aren’t.”
Zhong Qing didn’t argue. She turned sideways and sat on the back seat of the bicycle, matter-of-factly.
“It’s Xiao An’s parent-teacher meeting. I can’t let him down.”
Pei Yanshen fell silent for a moment.
The old Zhong Qing—forget being injured—even slightly cold water would have made her complain.
She really had changed.
By the time they arrived, many parents had already gathered outside the kindergarten.
Pei Le’an stood on tiptoe, craning his neck again and again, but still didn’t see Zhong Qing.
The tiny spark of hope in his heart slowly deflated like a balloon.
He knew what kind of person Zhong Qing was. Why had he even expected her to come?
Just as he turned to go back inside, someone called out—
“Xiao An? Why haven’t you gone home yet?”
He turned around and saw Qiao Jiangyue. The grievances he’d been holding in burst forth at once. He lowered his head and mumbled,
“There’s a parent-teacher meeting today.”
Qiao Jiangyue had known. That was why she had purposely waited there.
She sighed softly, her tone carrying just the right amount of sympathy.
“Sister Zhong Qing might be busy with something and couldn’t get away in time.”
It sounded considerate—but it pricked like a thorn in Xiao An’s heart.
Busy? Too busy to come to his meeting?
His eyes instantly reddened.
Seeing his reaction, Qiao Jiangyue crouched down gently. “How about I—”
“Xiao An!”
A bright voice rang out.
Both of them froze and turned around at the same time. Pei Yanshen was holding the bicycle, and Zhong Qing was just stepping down from the back seat, smiling at him.
“Why are you waiting at the gate?”
Qiao Jiangyue’s smile stiffened. Xiao An, meanwhile, tried desperately to suppress the grin tugging at his lips.
Mom and Dad came together!
She really didn’t lie to him!
But he still complained, “It’s because you’re so late!”
Pei Yanshen frowned. “Xiao An, mind your tone.”
“Oh.” Xiao An lowered his head obediently—only to notice Zhong Qing’s slightly awkward gait.
…Was she really that badly hurt?
Zhong Qing then looked meaningfully at Qiao Jiangyue and smiled.
“Doctor Qiao, do you have a child here too?”
It was peak time for the meeting; many people had already noticed Qiao Jiangyue standing beside Xiao An.
The question sounded casual, but it subtly pointed out how inappropriate it was for an unmarried woman to appear at a parent meeting like this.
Curious glances began to gather.
A flicker of panic passed through Qiao Jiangyue’s eyes before she quickly composed herself.
“Sister Zhong Qing, you’re joking. I’m not married yet. I just needed to follow up with Teacher Fang about the children’s health check reports. I happened to pass by.”
“I see.” Zhong Qing smiled lightly. “You were standing with Xiao An for so long that anyone might think you came for the meeting. But since you’re here on official business, we won’t keep you.”
She had no interest in meddling between Qiao Jiangyue and Pei Yanshen.
But that didn’t mean she’d allow Qiao Jiangyue to set her sights on Xiao An.
Qiao Jiangyue’s expression darkened.
Others might not understand—but how could she not hear the implication?
Just like the rumors said. Zhong Qing was indeed unpleasant.
“Xiao An, we should go in. Don’t keep the teacher waiting.” Zhong Qing held out her hand.
Xiao An hesitated. This time, he didn’t refuse her—but he didn’t move either.
“Wait. I have something to tell Auntie Qiao.”
Qiao Jiangyue immediately put on a conflicted expression and glanced at Zhong Qing, a faint trace of triumph in her eyes.
“Sister Zhong Qing, don’t misunderstand. Xiao An and I just get along well. He’s used to telling me things—after all, he said you’re not often by his side.”
Zhong Qing raised an eyebrow. Under her seemingly all-knowing gaze, Qiao Jiangyue suddenly felt inexplicably guilty.
Zhong Qing simply smiled. “Sure. Go ahead. Wouldn’t want people saying I have a bad temper again.”
But though Zhong Qing agreed, Xiao An grew shy.
“It’s a secret.”
With that, he pulled Qiao Jiangyue aside, deliberately out of earshot.
Pei Yanshen watched Zhong Qing’s subtle expression and said quietly,
“Give Xiao An some time. And give yourself some time. If you treat him sincerely, he’ll feel it.”
Zhong Qing wasn’t angry at Xiao An.
After all, she had neglected him before—that was how Qiao Jiangyue found an opening.
What surprised her was that Pei Yanshen was comforting her.
“You wouldn’t have said that before,” she said in surprise.
He paused, then spoke seriously.
“I misunderstood you these past days. I can see that you truly want to treat Xiaoyu and Xiao An well.”
Now it was Zhong Qing’s turn to be suspicious.
Those words—from Pei Yanshen?
Was this really him?
Then she seemed to realize something and nodded lightly.
“It’s fine. I didn’t take it to heart.”
After all, the female lead had already appeared. His mood must’ve improved. Being more patient with her—the so-called vicious supporting character—made sense.
“The issues with Xiaoyu and Xiao An are being resolved. We can put the divorce back on the agenda,” Zhong Qing said seriously, turning to him. “Have you submitted the report?”
His grip on the handlebars tightened abruptly, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
He had even tried following Yu Xingze’s advice to coax her.
And she was still thinking about divorce?
Pei Yanshen inhaled sharply, his expression turning cold.
“The report has to go through procedure. Do you think I’d deliberately delay it because I don’t want a divorce?”
Zhong Qing blinked.
Weren’t they just fine a second ago? Why the sudden mood change?
Was he upset because he still couldn’t be with his heroine?
“Don’t worry. I’m not that narcissistic,” she shot back.
“Fine.” He nearly laughed in anger. “Once the procedure is done, I’ll submit it immediately.”
Before leaving, he looked at the utterly carefree Zhong Qing.
In the end, he still told her to wait there after the meeting so he could pick them up.
Meanwhile—
Xiao An stood awkwardly in front of Qiao Jiangyue, face flushed red, as if too embarrassed to speak.