Chapter 5 It's not easy for him to raise a child alone...
The swimming lesson was very physically demanding. After Xiaotang got home and finished dinner, she fell asleep on her toy car before Wenzhi could even put her to sleep.
Wen Zhi was delighted that this would save him the trouble of telling stories to lull Xiao Tang to sleep. He gently carried Xiao Tang to bed, covered her with a blanket, and then went back to his own room.
I had just sat down at the computer when my phone rang.
He glanced at the lit screen and was surprised to find that it was a message from Song Juelan.
The last time the two contacted each other was to confirm class time; there was no other communication between them.
I wonder what it's about this time.
Wen Zhi picked up her phone, opened the message, which contained only a simple sentence: tell Xiao Tang to drink more warm water and be careful not to catch a cold.
It was probably because today was Xiaotang's first day of class that Song Juelan sent a special message to remind her.
It seems the swimming pool's training is quite thorough; they even pay attention to such small things.
He looked down and typed a reply on his phone.
Wen Zhi: [Okay, thank you for your concern, Coach Song.]
He paused for a moment, then sent another message.
Wen Zhi: [Xiao Tang had a lot of fun today and said she really likes Coach Song.]
My phone vibrated shortly after I sent the message.
Song Juelan: [Xiao Tang is very smart and learns very quickly.]
Here we go again, the same old lines every extracurricular activity teacher says.
Wen Zhi rested her chin on her hand, her slender fingers tapping her cheek lightly as she recalled the scene she had witnessed that day.
With her short arms and legs, Xiao Tang was soaking in the water, clinging tightly to her little yellow duck swim ring, just like a clumsy little frog.
However, Song Juelan doesn't seem like the type of person who would lie to sell courses.
It seems that Xiaotang is really talented in swimming.
Wen Zhi: [It's all thanks to Coach Song's excellent teaching (smiles)]
Influenced by several of his roommates, he now also likes to use the yellow face emoji on WeChat, which is better than any other emoji pack.
After sending the message, I did not receive a reply immediately.
Wen Zhi didn't pay any attention and casually clicked "Ready" in the game. Her roommates, who had been waiting in the team for a long time, immediately started a game.
He was halfway through the game when the WeChat notification sound rang again.
He picked up his phone while waiting for his resurrection and opened the message.
Song Juelan: [If it's convenient, could Xiaotang arrive ten minutes early for the next class so she can get used to the water first?]
The message was sent a minute ago; he had just read it when it was quickly retracted.
Wen Zhi: ?
Although he didn't know why Song Juelan had retracted the message, he had already seen it and still replied politely.
Wen Zhi: [Okay, I'll try to bring him there earlier next time.]
As long as he doesn't oversleep, arriving ten minutes early is fine.
He guessed that Song Juelan probably felt that starting class ten minutes earlier would be more effective, but was too embarrassed to bother her parents, so she withdrew the request.
With only a few seconds left on the respawn countdown in the game, he quickly typed another line of text.
Wen Zhi: [Coach Song, you can just say what you need to say directly, there's no need to keep backing out]
He was referring to the night Song Juelan patted him on the shoulder, then withdrew his hand.
After sending the message, there was no further response from the other end.
This silence was exceptionally long, and even after he started a second game, his phone remained completely silent.
The other person is probably busy with something else.
Wen Zhi flicked her wrist, and just as she gripped the mouse, she heard Ding Mingjun's voice coming through her headphones.
"Who are you chatting with? My phone keeps vibrating."
He Jin asked suspiciously, "You died so many times last game, wasn't it to reply to messages?"
"..." Wen Zhi wanted to prove her innocence, but couldn't explain why she had died so many times just because she was bad at swimming. She selectively ignored the second question, "My brother's swimming coach needs to talk to me."
"Looking for you at this hour?" He Jin's tone was full of disbelief.
Wen Zhi paused for a moment, glanced at the time in the lower right corner of the computer screen, and realized that it was indeed getting late.
It's no wonder He Jin found it strange; who would contact students' parents at this hour?
Wen Zhi clicked the mouse a few times and said nonchalantly, "Maybe they've been busy until now and only now have time."
That swimming pool is so big, Song Juelan must have more than just Xiao Tang as a student. He probably chats with them one by one after getting home from get off work, and by the time he gets to his place, it's already so late.
He Jin and Ding Mingjun still found it strange, but they didn't delve into it and started talking about other topics.
My phone rang again just as the second game was almost over.
Wen Zhi controlled her game character to disappear into the bushes and picked up her phone.
Song Juelan: [Sorry, it was a slip of the hand last time. I hope I didn't bother you.]
Wen Zhi stared at that sentence for a while, her delicate eyebrows unconsciously furrowing.
Why did he feel that Song Juelan spoke to him so politely, as if... there was a generational difference between them?
"Xiao Zhi, save me!!" Ding Mingjun's scream suddenly came through the earphones.
Wen Zhi could only quickly reply with an "Mhm," put down her phone, and rescued Ding Mingjun, who had escaped to the vicinity.
The phone stopped ringing, and the conversation with Song Juelan came to an end.
Swimming lessons are held three times a week. After resting at home for one day, it was time for class again.
That noon, before taking her afternoon nap, Wen Zhi set several alarms that would ring every minute.
As a result, after being woken up by the first alarm, my eyelids were so heavy that I couldn't open them. In a half-asleep state, I picked up my phone and turned off all the remaining alarms.
In the end, Xiao Tang, who had changed into her swim trunks herself, rushed in and, like in a tug-of-war, tried her best to pull him off the bed.
Wen Zhi opened her eyes, which seemed to be glued shut, and instantly woke up when she saw the time on her phone.
That night he promised Song Juelan he would go there early, and now he can only arrive on time.
He hastily threw on a loose T-shirt, grabbed Xiaotang's hand, and ran out the door.
Just like last time, I stepped into the swimming pool with one minute left before class started.
The pool was bustling with noise, and the tall figure stood on the edge of the pool closest to the entrance, looking towards it.
As Wen Zhi led Xiao Tang in, they met that gaze.
Facing Song Juelan's usually expressionless face, he inexplicably recalled his experience of standing at the classroom door in middle school because he was late.
Wen Zhi was unusually a little embarrassed, and rubbed the tip of her pert nose: "Coach Song, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting again."
The two, one big and one small, stood by the pool, looking up at Song Juelan with their similar, beautiful eyes. One looked guilty, and the other looked innocent.
Song Juelan had no intention of blaming Wen Zhi, but her heart softened under her gaze, and she shook her head, saying, "It's nothing."
His gaze drifted slightly downwards, landing on Wen Zhi's wide collar.
A fine layer of sweat glistened on her delicate, snow-white collarbone, rising and falling with her breath, clearly indicating that she had been rushing all the way.
It is indeed not an easy task for a single young man to take care of such a small child.
Song Juelan's Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly as he whispered, "...You've had it tough too."
Wen Zhi heard the whispered words clearly, and her long eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Of course, it's quite difficult to wake up after a ten-minute nap.
It was time for class, so Song Juelan didn't waste any more time and led Xiao Tang toward the swimming pool used for teaching.
Wen Zhi sat down on the bench by the pool as usual, her eyes fixed on the two people in the water.
During breaks in teaching, every time Song Juelan looked up, he would meet those bright, clear eyes, giving him the illusion that he was being watched.
But he knew in his heart that Wen Zhi was probably just looking at Xiao Tang next to him.
He lowered his eyes, unable to describe his feelings.
As get out of class was about to end, Zhu Zhenghao, who had been watching from the sidelines for a long time, strolled over and casually struck up a conversation with Wen Zhi.
"Kid, your swimming style is really good. This is only your second lesson, right?"
Wen Zhi looked up and saw Zhu Zhenghao wearing the swimming pool uniform. She smiled at him in a friendly manner and said, "Yes, Coach Song is very good at teaching children."
Having witnessed many strange things these past few days, Zhu Zhenghao remained calm and composed when Wen Zhi said that Song Juelan was very good at teaching children.
He laughed and said, "Coach Song is indeed very good, but the children still need to like swimming to learn so well."
Wen Zhi verbally agreed, but in her heart she thought, "Another course seller has come."
Taking advantage of a brief pause in the conversation, Zhu Zhenghao finally got a clear look at that stunning face.
No one would believe that this is a man who is already a father.
But since Song Juelan said it was Wen Zhi's child, then it must be true.
Song, the academic genius, was never wrong in his judgment, and he had no doubt about it.
Song Juelan, who was in the water, noticed this scene on the shore. Her fingers, which were resting on the swim ring, tightened slightly, and she gave Zhu Zhenghao a warning look.
That afternoon, after learning that Xiao Tang was Wen Zhi's child, Zhu Zhenghao was shocked for a long time and restrained himself a lot, no longer using Wen Zhi to tease him.
However, Zhu Zhenghao was unaware of Wen Zhi's family situation, and he worried that Zhu Zhenghao might say something inappropriate in front of Wen Zhi.
Voices from the shore drifted in intermittently along with the sound of water, but only indistinct fragments could be heard.
Zhu Zhenghao's enthusiastic voice came through: "...If parents accompany their children into the water, they can improve even faster."
Upon hearing this, Song Juelan's expression stiffened almost imperceptibly, and the image of Wen Zhi in the water involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
The water soaked through his loose-fitting clothes, the fabric clinging tightly to his slender waist...
"Brother Jue Lan, your face is red, like a big tomato." Xiao Tang's childish voice rang in my ears.
Song Juelan was taken aback, and felt her face getting hot. She turned her head away uncomfortably and silently wiped her face with water.
Wen Zhi, standing on the shore, smiled somewhat reluctantly: "Is that so?"
Zhu Zhenghao laughed heartily twice: "Yes, it's fine if either parent accompanies the child. This way, the child will be bolder and more relaxed in the water."
There was a moment of silence both on the shore and in the water.
Song Juelan unconsciously clenched his fist underwater, staring intently at Wen Zhi's reaction.
Wen Zhi's lips curved slightly, but the smile quickly vanished.
His long eyelashes drooped, his eyes dimmed, and he gave a low "hmm".
Just as get out of class ended, Song Juelan almost immediately lifted Xiaotang out of the water and placed her between the two of them without making a sound.
As soon as Xiao Tang got ashore, she immediately stretched out her little arms and hugged Wen Zhi's leg, tilting her little face up to interrupt their conversation: "Zhi Zhi, my legs are so sore."
Wen Zhi took out a bath towel, wrapped the child in it, gently picked him up, and smiled at the two of them: "Then we'll head back now."
Zhu Zhenghao smiled brightly: "Okay, see you next time."
Wen Zhi didn't notice Song Juelan's unusual silence on the other side, and walked towards the exit with Xiao Tang in her arms.
When he reached the roadside, he saw Xiaotang's half-wet hair and realized that his swimming cap had disappeared sometime during the day.
He thought, "Maybe she fell into the pool." He turned around, holding Xiaotang, and walked back to the swimming pool.
When he returned to the place where he had just had class, he found the two people still standing there, seemingly talking in hushed tones.
Just as Wen Zhi was about to go over and ask them if they had seen Xiao Tang's swimming cap, a series of fragmented conversations drifted into his ears on the wind.
"...So, it's just the father and son living together?" Zhu Zhenghao lowered his voice, his tone filled with disbelief.
Then came Song Juelan's deep voice, affirming without hesitation: "Yes."
Zhu Zhenghao's tone suddenly became somewhat self-reproachful: "Oh, my bad mouth... So you only accepted him as your student, is that also because of this?"
This time, the other voice paused for a few seconds, as if it hesitated.
After a long pause, it finally sounded softly.
"Yes, it's not easy for him to raise a child alone."
A note from the author:
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