“Teacher Zhou is here? Why are you still standing? Have a seat!” The man’s thin lips parted, his voice low and magnetic.
Zhou Nuan froze again. That voice—too pleasant!
Her professional habits made her especially sensitive to pleasant voices.
Seeing her still standing, the man repeated, “Teacher Zhou?”
Zhou Nuan realized and smiled awkwardly, then slowly sat down.
“Secretary Shi, I didn’t expect you’d be back,” she said, making small talk to cover her surprise and fluster.
“Hmm, it’s Xu Zhi’s first home visit. No matter how busy I am, I have to make time, right?” The man smiled and asked in return.
Secretary Shi actually smiled? She must be seeing things, Zhou Nuan blinked, hardly believing her eyes.
This didn’t match the rumors of “stern, decisive, never smiles”!
Her nervousness increased; she clutched at her clothes, fidgeting.
She swallowed hard and stammered, “Thank you, Secretary Shi, for supporting my work.”
Seeing the young girl so flustered, Shi Anlan’s lips curved slightly, and his voice unconsciously softened.
“Teacher Zhou, don’t be nervous. I’m not Secretary Shi right now—I’m Xu Zhi’s dad. Just treat me like any other parent. Let’s talk about the child.”
He gestured to Shi Yan, who tactfully stepped aside.
Hearing this, Zhou Nuan relaxed slightly. She paused, then spoke slowly.
“It’s like this, Secretary Shi. I came today with two purposes. First, to understand Xu Zhi’s family situation and upbringing to better tailor my teaching; second, to report on his performance at school recently.”
Shi Anlan listened quietly, his eyes lingering on her for a few seconds.
Today, Zhou Nuan wore a fitted light blue business suit. Her long hair was tied into a low bun. Light makeup highlighted her delicate face, making her lips red, teeth white, and eyes bright. She appeared poised, professional, and elegant.
Shi Anlan’s thoughts suddenly drifted to last Saturday night—the little girl drunk and crying by the roadside.
One was a vulnerable, pitiable young woman; the other, a composed and professional elementary school teacher. It was hard to reconcile the two identities.
“Secretary Shi?” Zhou Nuan gently prompted when he remained silent.
“Oh,” Shi Anlan came back to himself and smiled faintly. “Sorry, what did you just say?”
“I heard from Xu Zhi,” Zhou Nuan hesitated, “that he doesn’t have a mother and has never met her. Is that true?”
“Oh, Secretary Shi, don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to pry into your privacy,” she quickly explained, fearing he’d misinterpret her. “I just want a fuller understanding of Xu Zhi’s upbringing.”
“It’s true.” The man shrugged. “As you see today, it’s just me, Xu Zhi, and his cousin Shi Yan at home.”
He paused, then added, “His mother left him when he was just a few months old.”
When he said this, Shi Anlan’s expression remained unchanged, as if talking about something unrelated to himself.
“Then… you never thought about finding him a new mother?” Zhou Nuan asked impulsively.
Immediately realizing her slip, she hurriedly added, “Sorry, I didn’t mean anything else. I just feel that long-term lack of maternal care isn’t good for a child’s growth.”
“Heh.” Shi Anlan let out a soft laugh. “Teacher Zhou, you’re the first person brave enough to ask me that.”
“Sorry, sorry!” Zhou Nuan panicked and apologized repeatedly, regretting her impulsiveness.
“It’s fine, it’s not really an awkward topic.” The man stopped laughing and looked unusually serious.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, but…” He paused, scanning her with his eyes. “Over the years, I haven’t found someone I liked. She would need to be suitable for both Xu Zhi and me.”
Zhou Nuan’s heart skipped a beat. Somehow, his words seemed to carry hidden meaning.
“I understand.” She nodded timidly, choosing her words carefully. “Secretary Shi, I didn’t mean anything by that question—just speaking from Xu Zhi’s perspective. Please don’t take it personally.”
Her impulsive question earlier now made her break out in cold sweat.
Who did she think she was, meddling in Secretary Shi’s family affairs?
Thinking of her nervous demeanor, Shi Anlan found it quietly amusing.
Feeling frightened now? Earlier you were bold enough!
“I said, I’m just an ordinary parent right now. What you said was a joke, don’t worry about it.”
As if reading her thoughts, Shi Anlan spoke reassuringly.
“Thank you for understanding, Secretary Shi,” Zhou Nuan exhaled.
Goodness, Secretary Shi, your joke nearly scared me to death.
“Since I’m not Secretary Shi right now, don’t call me that. Just call me ‘Xu Zhi’s dad’ or… my name.”
Zhou Nuan was startled again.
‘Xu Zhi’s dad’ already felt disrespectful; calling him by his name? Did she want to get herself killed?
She never expected that, not long from now, she would be whispered to intimately, “Nuan Nuan, call me Anlan, okay?”
“I… I think Secretary Shi is fine,” she stammered.
“I said, call me ‘Xu Zhi’s dad’ or… my name.” The man repeated softly, with an authority impossible to resist.
Zhou Nuan panicked. “Then… I’ll call you ‘Xu Zhi’s dad’.” She quickly corrected herself.
“Good.” The man smiled, his voice returning to gentle.
It seemed the imposing aura from earlier had been only her imagination.
“How has Xu Zhi been at school? Behaving well?” he asked again.
“Very well. He listens attentively in class, stays focused; he greets teachers politely; gets along with classmates, doesn’t cause trouble, sometimes even compromises.
The only flaw is… he’s a bit timid. Compared to other boys, he’s too quiet and introverted.” Zhou Nuan reported honestly.
Shi Anlan nodded, saying nothing. He was fully aware of all this.
That was why he valued the class teacher so much, personally overseeing her, hoping to somewhat make up for the long-lost maternal care.
“I think it’s largely due to the child’s lack of security,” Zhou Nuan continued boldly, seeing no response from him. “I know you’re busy, but as Xu Zhi’s homeroom teacher, I hope you can spend more time with him.”