Chapter 17. Dad, drink your milk.
Zhou Yi placed a piece of crisp bamboo shoot on Pei Yiyan's plate and said gently, "Today, Xixi and I passed by the kindergarten in our neighborhood and saw the children playing happily. Xixi was envious and wanted to play with some kids too."
Xixi nodded like a chick pecking at rice: "Xixi wants to go to kindergarten and play with her friends too!"
Pei Yiyan was cautious: "You're too young, let's talk about it next year."
The little girl is only three years old and can't even walk steadily yet. If she gets bullied by some little bully, he'll be furious.
“Xixi is three hundred years old, not young at all.” Xixi corrected indignantly, “Xixi is the eldest!”
Pei Yiyan curled his lip: "That's bullshit."
"Xiao Yan, be more composed in front of children." Zhou Yi glanced at him disapprovingly, "You're a father now."
“”
Pei Yiyan lowered his head and ate his rice, obediently accepting the scolding. In terms of educating children, Zhou Yi was more experienced than him, and his few qualities all came from Zhou Yi's teachings.
Zhou Yi: "Xiao Yan, Xi Xi is at the age where she should be playing and learning. Keeping her at home will make her bored. Why not let her go to kindergarten to play with her friends? It will also help her build her courage."
Does that little kid need to build up his courage by constantly pulling tiger whiskers?
Pei Yiyan was deeply unconvinced: "What can you learn in kindergarten?"
He wasn't deliberately being argumentative; he genuinely felt puzzled. Putting aside the bias of her being her father, in terms of self-care ability, his daughter was a hundred times better than other children her age.
Xixi can eat independently without her parents having to chase after her to feed her. After pooping, she can wipe her bottom and flush the toilet herself.
Children's basic needs are nothing more than eating, drinking, and relieving themselves, and my little girl does all of that very well. It doesn't matter if she starts kindergarten a few years later.
Xi Xi, who had been listening intently, quickly raised her hand and exclaimed, "Xi Xi wants a little friend!"
Zhou Yi laughed: "Did you hear that? The little girl wants her own circle of friends."
Pei Yiyan doesn't have the problem of being autocratic; unless it involves matters of principle, he can discuss things with others.
Since the little girl insisted, he relented: "The kindergartens are about to close for the holidays, so we'll contact them again after the New Year."
If I enroll after the New Year, it will be considered a transfer, and I don't know if the kindergarten will accept me.
The quality of kindergartens in the small county town varies greatly, and there are few options to choose from. Pei Yiyan was not satisfied with any of them.
They either complained that it was too far away, or that the school was too old.
Frustrated, he even considered starting his own kindergarten.
Meng Zhiyao noticed that Pei Yiyan had stopped sleeping in class for the past two days. He was always looking miserable, holding his phone with his brows furrowed.
Since having a child at home, the cold and aloof boy has become more vibrant.
Meng Zhiyao lowered her head and stroked her phone. After hesitating for a long time, she quietly turned her back and tapped on that familiar profile picture.
Zhizhi: [You seem preoccupied. Is it something related to Xixi?]
Upon receiving the message, Pei Yiyan paused for a moment, then immediately suppressed his emotions.
After calming down and thinking it over, he realized that choosing a school shouldn't be a decision he made on his own; he should at least discuss it with Xixi's mother.
Xixi wants to go to kindergarten, and I'm choosing a school.
He casually sent over information about several kindergartens: "Take a look when you have time."
Meng Zhiyao was surprised and edited the message in the chat box: "Isn't it a bit too early for a three-year-old to start kindergarten?"
She had read some early childhood psychology books and learned that children may experience separation anxiety in the early stages of kindergarten. If parents do not provide proper guidance, the children may become insecure and develop a dislike for school.
She insisted on going, so there was no way to stop her.
Meng Zhiyao sensed the helplessness of Pei Yiyan's father from the monotonous words.
A dimple appeared on her lips, and then she typed two sentences faster than she thought.
Zhizhi: [Why don't we take Xixi along for a field trip?]
Zhizhi: [Children's opinions are also very important, (▽)]
Pei Yiyan glanced at the screen, raised an eyebrow, tilted his head slightly, and his deep gaze drifted towards a certain place.
In an instant, Meng Zhi, who was two seats away, felt as if she were being pricked by thorns, and almost buried her head in her chest.
Retracting the message would be pointless.
When is a convenient time for you?
Meng Zhi's eyes were fixed on her toes, but her typing was incredibly smooth: 【Is Saturday afternoon okay?】
【OK. 】
Meng Zhiyao seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. As soon as Pei Yiyan looked away, her stiff back gradually softened.
"Yaoyao, what are you looking at?"
"!"
Meng Zhi abruptly turned off the screen, looking up with a guilty expression: "What's wrong?"
Cheng Xiaocen tapped the table: "I called you several times, but you didn't respond. What are you looking at so intently?"
Meng Zhiyao tried to change the subject: "Oh, it's nothing, I was just looking at a cooking tutorial."
Cheng Xiaocen raised her voice suspiciously: "Ah, you, someone who never goes into the kitchen, want to learn to cook?"
This matter doesn't stand up to scrutiny; the more you think about it, the more suspicious it becomes.
The Meng family is a large and wealthy family, and they have hired four nannies. How could it be the young lady who has never lifted a finger to cook for them?
It can't be that they went bankrupt.
Cheng Xiaocen looked enlightened and leaned down to whisper, "Yaoyao, are you learning to make spicy strips?"
"Um?"
"No need for that, I'll treat you to it."
Without saying a word, Cheng Xiaocen grabbed Meng Zhi's arm and shook it, while affectionately patting her head: "I know your aunt and uncle are very strict with you. You've never drunk soda or eaten spicy snacks before. Today, let me show you a little taste of it!"
First there was the CEO eating at a roadside stall, now there's the young lady eating spicy snacks—no problem.
"Wait, class is about to start."
On Saturday afternoon, Pei Yiyan left work at the milk tea shop early and went home. He casually guided Xixi to change into new clothes and go out with him.
He didn't tell Xixi that he was going to see her mother, afraid that she would be too excited and accidentally let it slip in front of Zhou Yi.
Just before leaving, Zhou Yi was struck by Xi Xi's outfit and praised Pei Yiyan's taste.
"Xiaoyan, Mom thought you would have a straight male aesthetic, but I didn't expect you to have such good taste. This children's clothing brand's designs are perfect for Xixi."
Pei Yiyan had no idea about children's clothing brands; Meng Zhiyao had bought them a couple of days ago, and the courier had delivered them right to his door.
Knowing that saying too much would only lead to more mistakes, Pei Yiyan gave a perfunctory reply and quickly pulled Xixi out the door.
The two agreed to meet at the kindergarten gate, and the father and daughter arrived ten minutes early as usual.
When Meng Zhi arrived, Pei Yiyan was carrying two cups of milk tea and a small bag of snacks.
As soon as she appeared, the little dumpling suppressed the urge to pounce and jumped up, waving her hands vigorously: "Sister Meng!"
In recent days, Song Ling has been picking Meng Zhiyao up from school every day and taking her to the hospital every weekend, so the number of times the mother and daughter see each other has greatly decreased.
Xi Xi counts the days on her fingers like a little old lady, looking worried and distressed at such a young age.
The two parties successfully made contact. Xixi nestled into Meng Zhiyao's arms before daring to raise her little face and softly call her "Mom."
"Mommy, Xixi misses you so much. Do you miss Xixi?"
The little one sniffed the scent of his mother with longing, his big eyes blinking.
Meng Zhiyao is trying her best to be a good mother, and thinking about her child is a daily routine.
She responded gently, "Mom thinks about Xixi every day."
She gathered her strength and picked up the little girl, her eyes soft, her lips close to her ear: "Mommy also prepared a gift for you."
Before leaving home, she made a box of snowflake crisps with a rich milky flavor; the little girl should love them.
Xi Xi's expression lit up: "Oh right, Mom, Dad bought you some yummy food!"
"Daddy, bring me the good food quickly." Xi Xi stretched out her little hand and ordered Pei Yiyan without any politeness.
Pei Yiyan, like an unlucky child being forced to perform a talent during Chinese New Year, reluctantly held up the milk tea and snacks: "These are for you."
"Thanks"
The last word "thank you" stuck in my throat.
Meng Zhiyao stared in shock at the bag of brightly colored spicy snacks, speechless.
"You're welcome." Pei Yiyan lowered his eyes, paused, and said lightly, "I didn't know which brand you liked, so I took a little of everything."
Meng Zhi shook her head:
Did he misunderstand something? Did she say she liked spicy snacks?
Meng Zhi shook her head, completely bewildered, desperately trying to recall when she had sent the wrong signal.
Xi Xi tilted her little head and asked, "Mommy, what does spicy strip taste like? Will my mouth catch fire if I eat it?"
The little girl once secretly ate some of the spicy duck neck that Qiu Ming brought, and cried on the spot because of the spiciness. Her mouth was swollen for a whole day, so she is particularly sensitive to the word "spicy".
"Yes," Meng Zhi said softly, "that's why children can't eat it."
"What if Mom's mouth catches fire?"
"It's okay, I can drink it."
"I know, Dad can help Mom put out the fire!"
The three-hundred-year-old little demon was quick-witted and fast enough that the two adults didn't even have time to react before she had already completed the kissing motion with her eyes closed and lips pouting.
The strokes flowed smoothly and were remarkably lifelike.
Pei Yiyan's face darkened instantly, and in a fit of anger, he snapped, "Xi Xi!"
Xi Xi: What?
"I should be asking you that. What are you doing?" Pei Yiyan gritted his teeth, his handsome face flushed red. "Aren't you ashamed, in front of everyone?"
Xi Xi poked her two chubby little fingers together, her expression clear and innocent: "That's just how Mom and Dad are, Xi Xi didn't make things up."
This is sophistry and adding fuel to the fire.
Pei Yiyan's eye twitched: "You still dare to talk back? Did you pay the copyright fee?"
Meng Zhiyao: (⊙o⊙)
Xi Xi: (⊙⊙)
The mother and daughter were filled with unanswerable questions.
"What fee? What's that? Dad, don't say strange things."
The little dumpling with the nine leaky fingers was completely confused. She covered her mouth and whispered, "Look, a lot of uncles and aunties are laughing at you."
Pei Yiyan's body trembled, and he became even angrier.
"Whose fault is it? It's all her fault!" The young father, filled with resentment and with nowhere to vent, glared hatefully at his leaky little daughter.
As Meng Zhi's enthusiasm for shaking her ears faded, she took the little girl's hand and looked back, unable to suppress a smile: "Let's take a look at the school first."
The family of three first went to see two of the nearest kindergartens, but came out after a quick look around because the classrooms were too small and the children's activity area was cramped and uncomfortable.
When it was the third family's turn, the staff member responsible for showing them around rushed over.
"I'm sorry, something came up and I was delayed."
"It's alright, let's go in first."
This kindergarten is the only bilingual kindergarten in Baicao County. It has only been open for a year, but the teaching building and recreational facilities are still brand new. The playground, which has been treated with anti-slip material, is spacious and clean. The multimedia classroom is bright and clean, and has a wide variety of toys.
The children's weekly menus are different each week, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive diet.
Pei Yiyan didn't understand those nutritional combinations, but he had a shrewd face, exuded the air of a top student, and was used to being serious and unsmiling, much like a prince on an incognito inspection tour of a leader's home.
The person in charge gave a thorough and comprehensive introduction, and overall, apart from the fact that the cost was twice as high as the other companies, there were no major problems.
After a general tour, Xixi remained quiet and well-behaved throughout, until she saw two bright yellow cartoon school buses in the parking lot.
Xi Xi instantly became like a light bulb that had been turned on, shining incredibly brightly as she roared and charged forward.
"Car!"
"Pumpkin carriage!"
The children were like arrows released from a bow, unstoppable, with Pei Yiyan and Meng Zhiyao chasing closely behind.
Xi Xi ran to the front of the school bus, waving her arms and jumping up and down: "Wow, the princess's pumpkin carriage is so beautiful!"
Compared to the unfashionable school buses of other kindergartens, this kindergarten's school bus is indeed more eye-catching, resembling a round pumpkin.
Not bad, the kid has great taste.
Xi Xi hugged Pei Yi Yan's leg and said in a clingy voice, "Daddy, Xi Xi wants to ride in the pumpkin carriage, and Xi Xi wants to go to school here."
The atmosphere froze for a moment when the word "Dad" was uttered.
The person in charge made no attempt to hide his astonishment, his eyes scanning back and forth across the excessively young face.
These two are father and daughter, not brother and sister?!
In the month since becoming a father, Pei Yiyan has experienced countless such scenes, and has long since become thick-skinned and used to it.
Without even lifting an eyelid, he lazily asked, "Aren't you going to look at anything else?"
"I'm not looking anymore, I'm not looking anymore." She was too tired to walk.
"Okay, let's do it here then."
The children chose their favorite kindergartens, saving Pei Yiyan and Meng Zhiyao the trouble of agonizing over it again.
The kindergarten tuition is 4,800 yuan per semester, the uniform fee is 500 yuan, and the school bus transportation fee is 300 yuan, totaling 5,600 yuan. The cost is exactly 2,800 yuan when split between the two of them.
This is no small amount of money for an ordinary family. Pei Yiyan doesn't remember ever attending a school with such expensive tuition.
Meng Zhiyao, who never worried about daily necessities, suddenly found herself in crisis.
She only had a few years left to live, and her savings of 150,000 yuan wouldn't last long. She had to make plans for Xixi's future.
make money.
She needs to find a way to make money.
Since they had finally gotten out of the house, Meng Zhiyao wasn't in a hurry to go back. Xixi had been looking forward to going to an amusement park with her parents for a long time.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Pei Yiyan and Meng Zhiyao decided to fulfill the little girl's wish.
Meng Zhiyao has a heart condition, and Xixi is too young to ride thrilling rides like roller coasters, pendulum rides, drop towers, and swing chairs.
However, Xixi, despite her young age, was quite precocious and insisted on playing on the giant pendulum ride, but her father ruthlessly refused and coldly forced her to play on the bumper cars and Ferris wheel instead.
The bumper cars are small and the prosthetic leg is difficult to adjust. In order not to disappoint the little girl again, Meng Zhiyao volunteered to go on the field.
The mother and daughter rode together in a bumper car. Xi Xi's seatbelt was fastened tightly, and the back of her head rested in Meng Zhi's soft arm. The grapefruit scent from Meng Zhi filled Xi Xi's nostrils.
When the little glutinous rice ball was happy, its two little tufts on its head swayed in the wind, showing a tendency to reveal its true form.
Meng Zhi's eyes twitched slightly. She quietly leaned down and pinched her little pigtail with one hand:
"Xixi, you must not turn back into a ginseng baby when you're outside. Try your best to control them."
Xi Xi, whose little hands were still on the steering wheel, quickly covered her head upon hearing this: "Oh dear, that was close!"
It almost turned into a ginseng slice!
Xi Xi needs to burn her magic power to maintain the form of a human child. She has little cultivation and a childlike mind. Once she loses her focus, she can easily give herself away, such as when her thick curly hair suddenly turns into ginseng whiskers.
If someone takes a picture of this, it's guaranteed to trend on social media.
Meng Zhiyao took the scarf off her neck and put it on Xixi's head, so Xixi wouldn't have to play while worrying.
Pei Yiyan offstage: *black guy with a question mark face* (jpg).
Why are you cosplaying as the Big Bad Wolf?
After leaving the bumper car area, we went to ride the Skywalk. As soon as we got off, the little girl clapped her legs together and ran out.
"Ugh, the toilet."
I can't hold it in any longer!
Xi Xi had drunk half a cup of milk tea earlier, and the urge to urinate came on fiercely. In the past, Pei Yiyan would take her to the toilet, but today Meng Zhiyao was there, so he consciously avoided taking the time to relax.
It was Meng Zhiyao's first time visiting this amusement park, but fortunately the signs were clear enough that she found the restroom without much trouble.
"Xixi, be careful on the slippery ground."
Xi Xi ran so fast her little legs were practically smoking, clutching her stomach and impatiently pushing open the door to enter.
Meng Zhiyao saw the little girl suddenly stop in her tracks, and heard two low screams in her ears.
Meng Zhiyao had a bad feeling and looked closely.
The three large characters for "mother and baby room" are prominently displayed in front of you.
Oh no.
Meng Zhi took a quick step forward.
The mother and baby room was right next to the women's restroom. Xixi was in a hurry to go to the restroom and only glanced at it briefly before entering the wrong room.
Unexpectedly, the mother and baby room was unlocked, and a young mother was breastfeeding her baby inside.
Xi Xi was not born as a human infant. She was a ginseng spirit who grew up on dew fed by her tree spirit father and had never seen a human mother breastfeeding.
At this moment, she was like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, staring wide-eyed at her young mother, her clear and pure eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The breastfeeding mother blushed, secretly regretting that she had rushed the feeding and forgotten to close the door behind her.
Just as I was about to say something, another young girl came in.
Their eyes met, and both stood awkwardly in place.
The little baby in swaddling clothes: squelching squelching
"kid."
"Hello, Auntie, what is the baby drinking?"
The baby's mother paused for a moment, then replied truthfully, "He's drinking milk. Babies all grow up drinking milk."
Xi Xi, who grew up drinking dew, seemed to have discovered a new continent, and her eyes lit up: "Is it delicious?"
Adults have long forgotten the taste of breast milk from their childhood, and young mothers are no exception. They look at the little girl in front of them with curiosity, as if she has never drunk breast milk before.
She couldn't help but soften her heart: "It tastes good, and it's very nutritious."
Xi Xi only heard the words "delicious," and her ears perked up. She shyly asked, "Auntie, can I have a sip? Just a small sip, please."
Meng Zhi, drenched in sweat, said, "Excuse me, sorry to bother you." As she spoke, she picked up the child, turned around, and sprinted a hundred meters.
When Xixi came out of the toilet, the little girl smacked her lips with a hint of regret.
"Mom, Xixi wants to too."
Meng Zhi shook her head: "No, you don't want to!"
Okay.
Pei Yiyan, growing impatient, had just picked up his phone when the familiar pair of adults and children finally returned, slowly making their way back.
"Why is it taking so long? Are you constipated?"
Xi Xi shook her head and opened her arms: "Daddy, hug me."
Pei Yiyan bent down and picked up his daughter without warning. Suddenly, he felt a tickle on his chest, raised his hand to slap away the restless little paws, and frowned as he scolded her in a low voice:
What are you doing?
"Drink milk!" The little one blurted out, swallowing hard as he looked at him, "Daddy, Xixi wants to drink milk."
Meng Zhiyao's gaze involuntarily wandered.
Pei Yiyan works out regularly, and his chest muscles are full and supple, making him look like he has plenty of breast milk, which makes Xixi very envious.
Meng Zhi shook her head and pursed her lips: "Ahem, male-male mothers aren't necessarily a bad thing."
Outrageous!
Reversing the Heavenly Gang!
Pei Yiyan, his face green, put the child back on the ground: "Dream on."
The little dumpling turned into a little shadow, relentlessly following along.
"Dad, don't be so stingy."
"Xixi will only drink a tiny bit, just a tiny bit."
"I won't drink it all."
"Get lost."
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