The He family home, study.
The afternoon sun shone through the carved window lattice and onto the desk in the study, casting a soft golden glow.
Liu Feng was studying an ancient book at his desk, his fingertips gently stroking the yellowed pages, and as he turned the pages, a faint scent of ink wafted through the air.
Just then, footsteps sounded softly, and a small figure crept closer furtively.
"Knock before you come in," Liu Feng said indifferently, without even looking up.
"cousin--"
He Tiantian drawled out her words, blinked her big eyes, and leaned closer to the table like a curious child, resting her chin on her hands, "I want to go to 'Second Elementary School' to see my good friend, will you take me there?"
Liu Feng then put down his book, raised an eyebrow at her, and said, "You didn't even finish third grade, so where did this 'good friend' come from?"
He Tiantian pouted, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, and muttered softly, "I've known her since kindergarten. Her name is Xiaomei. I miss her."
"You're a grown man, go by yourself." Liu Feng picked up the book again.
“But…” He Tiantian pretended to be aggrieved, “My mom doesn’t let me go out alone as a girl. She says there are a lot of bad people outside.”
Liu Feng laughed and said, "Don't worry about your mother. Bad guys will run away as fast as they can when they see you."
He Tiantian stomped her foot angrily: "Cousin, you're so annoying, just take me with you!"
Liu Feng casually said, "I'll take you to find your sister-in-law Jingya."
He Tiantian shook her head and explained eagerly, "My sister-in-law and aunt went to the garment factory to check the accounts. They won't be back until dark." He Tiantian's eyes lit up, and she suddenly jumped onto Liu Feng's back, "Take me with you! I promise I'll be good!"
Just then, two small heads peeked out from the doorway.
Long'er and Feng'er clung to the door frame, their dark eyes shining brightly.
"Dad, we want to go too..." Feng'er whispered.
"Auntie said the primary school has swings!" Long'er added excitedly, rushing into the house and hugging Liu Feng's arm.
"Brother, please take us there! We can see your old school and reminisce about our childhood, wouldn't that be great!" He Tiantian winked at Long'er and Feng'er, then added, "Look, Feng'er and Long'er want to go too!"
He Tiantian seized the opportunity and shook Liu Feng's body.
Liu Feng glanced helplessly at the three children with expectant faces, and finally gave in, sighing, "Fine." He let the little girl pull him outside.
As they stepped outside, the warm sunlight bathed them, and a gentle breeze carried the delicate fragrance of flowers.
Along the way, He Tiantian chattered incessantly like a bird released from its cage, sometimes talking about which classmate was a snotty-nosed brat, and sometimes saying that so-and-so's drawings were particularly beautiful.
Liu Feng listened and responded half-heartedly, occasionally throwing out a joke that made He Tiantian pretend to be angry and punch him a few times.
As they walked, a small fork in the road suddenly appeared ahead. He Tiantian paused, frowned, and looked left and right, clearly a little confused.
Liu Feng, seeing this, chuckled and teased, "What's wrong? You don't know the way anymore? You said you were coming to see your classmates."
He Tiantian raised her head defiantly: "I just haven't been here for too long and forgot for a moment."
She bit her finger and thought for a moment, then pointed to the left, "It must be this road!" With that, she led the way to the left.
Before long, the gate of the Second Primary School came into view.
The school looked renovated, with its white walls shining brightly in the sunlight. In the security room at the school gate, an elderly security guard was dozing in a chair.
He Tiantian excitedly ran forward and whispered something to the security guard. The old man, still sleepy-eyed, looked them over and waved them through.
As soon as I entered the campus, a familiar atmosphere greeted me.
The old locust tree by the playground is still lush and leafy. Under its shade, there are several stone benches where a group of younger children are having a physical education class, chanting slogans in unison.
It's time for class now.
He Tiantian tiptoed, looking around like a scout, and walked past the classroom doors. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she stopped in front of one classroom.
As soon as the bell rang, He Tiantian waved excitedly: "Xiao Mei!"
Their loitering outside the classroom had already attracted the attention of some people inside.
"Sweetie!" A clear voice called out, and a little girl with a ponytail ran out of the school building, followed by several other children.
"He Tiantian? Why are you back?" A chubby boy ran over.
"I came back to see you all!" He Tiantian replied with a smile, her eyes curving into crescents.
Several children huddled together, chatting animatedly.
Long'er and Feng'er were also infected by the cheerful atmosphere, and went up to greet the older brothers and sisters.
He Tiantian then remembered Liu Feng behind her, pulled him over and introduced him, "This is my cousin. He's really tough. If anyone bullies you, just tell my cousin and he'll stand up for you."
The children looked at Liu Feng with curiosity and admiration in their eyes, and greeted him politely.
Liu Feng responded with a smile, feeling as if he had returned to his youth.
After playing around for a while, the school bell rang.
The children reluctantly returned to the classroom. He Tiantian stood there, staring at the students sitting neatly in the classroom, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Why don't you stay and continue your studies?" Liu Feng suddenly said.
He Tiantian was stunned for a moment, then immediately shook her head vigorously: "No, what's so good about going to school? I'm not staying!"
Liu Feng smiled and said, "So you're here to reminisce about your childhood?"
She giggled and pulled Long'er and Feng'er towards the playground, "Come on, I'll show you some fun things to do!"
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