Chapter 321 Pride

The next day, Zhuang Yin did not go to school immediately after breakfast, and looked at Zhou Boxu hesitantly.

Zhou Boxu noticed something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhuang Yin pursed his lips and said, "Father, can you pick me up from school?"

Zhou Boxu was a little surprised and asked, "But what happened?"

Zhuang Yin shook his head and said with a bit of grievance and envy, "The fathers of my classmates in the college often pick them up from school, but I have never been picked up by anyone."

Because he didn't have a father at all, Zhou Boxu had only been his father for two or three months.

Yu Lan heard this and immediately felt sour and red-eyed.

Zhou Boxu was also touched, and looked at Zhuang Yin who was expectant, and said, "Okay, I'll pick you up today."

After a pause, Zhou Boxu added, "I'll pick you up from school whenever I have time in the future."

He thought it was something that made him so embarrassed.

"Thank you, father." Zhuang Yin smiled, his gloomy face turned bright, and he went to the Imperial College happily.

Looking at his cheerful back, Yu Lan felt distressed.

She thought she had given Zhuang Yin everything and all her love, but it could never make up for and replace fatherly love.

Every time Zhuang Yin asked Zhou Boxu for something, it was something that seemed insignificant. But these little things were precious to him, and he envied them but could not get them.

"This is my first time being a father, so it's inevitable that I'll be negligent. Please remind me more in the future." Zhou Boxu raised his hand and wiped the moisture from Yu Lan's eyes.

Yu Lan said, "I don't blame you."

How could Zhou Boxu be blamed for this? He always responded to Zhuang Yan's requests, and there was nothing to say.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Lan forced a smile and said, "It's getting late, you should go and do your official business."

"Okay." Seeing that her mood had returned to normal, Zhou Boxu thought about finishing the affairs in hand as soon as possible so that he would be free to pick up Zhuang Yan in the afternoon.

With Zhou Boxu's personal promise, Zhuang Yan has been looking forward to the end of school since he arrived at the Imperial College.

He waited for a day, and walked out with his classmates after school.

"Will your father really come to pick you up?" the classmate asked curiously.

Zhuang Yin nodded firmly: "Yes."

Zhou Boxu never broke his promises.

So several classmates from aristocratic families went out of the Imperial College with Zhuang Yin, half believing and half doubting. They all wanted to see what Zhuang Yin's father looked like and whether he was as powerful as Zhuang Yin said.

Zhuang Yin was surrounded in the middle, holding his school bag in both hands and looking up.

It was the end of school, and the gate of the Imperial College was crowded with people and carriages. Zhuang Yin stood on tiptoe and looked around, but did not see Zhou Boxu.

Father...would he not come?

Zhuang Yin's hand holding the school bag tightened, and his palms were sweating from the tension.

"Zhuang Yin, which one is your father?" The classmate looked at the adults who came to pick up the children and asked with interest.

Zhuang Yin pursed his lips, not knowing how to answer.

He did not see Zhou Boxu.

Seeing that Zhuang Yin did not move or say anything, someone said, "He didn't come, did he?"

They were all very curious about Zhuang Yin's father and wanted to see him in person. If Zhou Boxu did not come, they would be very disappointed.

"My father is busy with official duties, maybe..." Zhuang Yin was halfway through explaining when he suddenly heard someone calling him.

"Yun'er."

A very familiar voice, it was his father!

Zhuang Yin suddenly raised his head and looked in the direction of the voice.

The adults who came to pick up the children recognized Zhou Boxu and unconsciously made way for him.

"Master Zhou, please come in first."

Zhou Boxu was a second-rank official with real power, and he was also the son-in-law of the emperor. Everyone who saw him had to pay him respect.

In the crowd, Zhou Boxu was wearing a dark blue tight-fitting brocade robe, with an upright figure and handsome appearance, which was very eye-catching at first glance.

"That's my father." Zhuang Yin raised his chin slightly, with a proud look on his face.

Several people followed and looked over.

Under the gaze of Zhuang Yin and his classmates, Zhou Boxu walked calmly and majestically, and stood in front of them.

It was the first time for several classmates to meet Zhuang Yin's father, and they were a little nervous. They all stared at him blankly and dared not say a word.

"Father." Zhuang Yin called out, walked to Zhou Boxu's side, waved to the stunned people, and said, "I'm leaving first, see you tomorrow."

"Oh, OK." Several people responded belatedly, watching Zhuang Yin and Zhou Boxu walk away.

"Zhuang Yin's father is so tall, taller than my eldest brother."

"His father is also good-looking, better looking than my dad."

"Yeah, he looks amazing at first glance, I'm so jealous..."

Several people talked to each other, excited and envious.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhuang Yin followed Zhou Boxu into the carriage, and when the door closed, Zhuang Yin's heart was still beating non-stop.

In the past, he always witnessed others being picked up by their fathers and put into the carriage, but today he finally became the one being noticed.

Zhuang Yin's heart was filled with excitement, and he couldn't hide his happiness.

Zhou Boxu took in his joy and said slowly, "If you have anything in the future, just tell me. I'm your father. What other fathers can do, I can do too."

Zhuang Yin was deeply moved and choked up and said, "Okay."

Zhou Boxu raised his hand and touched his head to comfort him.

The carriage left the Imperial College and entered the noisy street. Zhuang Yin was in a very good mood. He felt that the noise outside the car became more pleasant, and the journey back home became shorter.

The carriage stopped steadily in front of the princess's mansion. The father and son got off the car and entered the mansion. They saw Yu Lan smiling and welcoming them on the bluestone path in the front yard.

"We're back." Yu Lan stood in the afterglow of the setting sun, with a gentle smile on her face.

"Mother, we're back." Zhuang Yin's voice was clear and smiling.

"So happy?" Yu Lan asked with a smile.

Zhuang Yin nodded.

He was also picked up by his father, so of course he was happy.

Zhou Boxu and Zhuang Yin approached, Yu Lan turned around, and the three of them walked to the backyard together.

It was still early, so the three of them went to Zhuang Yin's study. Zhou Boxu taught Zhuang Yin his lessons, while Yu Lan ground ink for them.

If Zhuang Yin didn't understand something, Zhou Boxu could easily explain it.

"Father is really amazing, even more amazing than our teacher." Zhuang Yin looked at Zhou Boxu with respect in his eyes.

In Zhuang Yin's eyes, Zhou Boxu was omnipotent and knew everything, just like his uncle.

"Yun'er is very smart, and he will be more amazing than me in the future." Zhou Boxu praised sincerely.

Zhuang Yin was very happy to hear that, and he ate half a bowl of rice at dinner. If Yu Lan was not afraid that he would eat too much and accumulate food at night, he would have eaten another half bowl.

Seeing that Zhuang Yin was growing up and liked riding and shooting, Zhou Boxu put down his bowl and chopsticks and asked, "Yin'er, do you want to learn martial arts?"

"Yes." Zhuang Yin's eyes lit up, but then quickly dimmed, "But my grandmother won't let me."

Although Zhuang Yin had no father to teach him before, if he wanted to learn martial arts, he could ask a martial arts master to teach him.

Zhou Boxu thought about it for a moment and understood the reason.

Old Madam Zhuang was afraid that Zhuang Yin would follow the path of his father and grandfather.

Zhou Boxu frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "If you really want to learn, I'll go talk to the old lady."

"I want to learn." Zhuang Yin was very determined.

"Okay, I'll teach you."

Seeing that the father and son had reached an agreement, Yu Lan hesitated and said, "I've mentioned this before, but my mother was very determined."

Zhou Boxu understood and said, "I'll talk to the old lady again."

This is a big deal for Zhuang Yan, and he must fight for it again so that he won't leave any regrets.