Chapter 104: Exit the Show
At the end of the seventh day of class, the setting sun painted the classroom a warm golden hue. Sizhui stood on the podium, looking at the box full of paintings handed to him by the children, his eyes a little warm.
"Teacher Lan, this is my drawing of you. Does it look like you?"
"Teacher, this amulet is for you. My grandma said it can keep you safe."
"Will you come to see us again in the future?"
Sizhui carefully put the painting into his schoolbag, squatted down again, and ruffled the children's hair one by one. "Yes, I will come when I have time." He paused, looked into their sparkling eyes, and added, "You must study hard and don't fight, understand?"
The children nodded vigorously, like a group of well-behaved little pigeons.
When they walked out of the school gate, Lan Wangji's car was still parked on the corner. Si Zhui got in, hugged his schoolbag, and said softly, "It's over."
Lan Wangji turned his head to look at him. The young man's face was tired, but there was an unconcealable sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He hummed, started the car, and said, "Go home."
Not long after driving out, Sizhui's phone rang. It was a staff member from the production team: "Teacher Lan Xiao, tomorrow's filming schedule..."
"Sorry," Sizhui interrupted him, his voice calm, "We're quitting the show."
The person on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment: "Why? Is there something I didn't do well?"
"No," Sizhui said, "It's our own fault. I'm sorry to have caused you any trouble."
After hanging up the phone, he looked at Lan Wangji: "Is it okay for me to say this?"
Lan Wangji nodded: "Okay." He had already discussed with Wei Wuxian that they would withdraw immediately after Si Zhui fulfilled the seven-day agreement - the gaze in the dark was becoming more and more obvious, and continuing to stay in front of the camera would only increase the risk factor.
Wei WuXian had already prepared dinner at home. Seeing them return, he immediately came over to greet them: "Is it over?"
Sizhui nodded and took out the painting from his schoolbag: "The children gave it to me."
Wei Wuxian flipped through the pictures one by one, smiling and saying, "These drawings are really good. Our Sizhui is quite popular as a teacher." He paused, then spoke seriously, "I've already communicated with the production team. I've paid the penalty. Don't worry about them."
Si Zhui looked at him: "Will this cause you any trouble?"
“Silly boy,” Wei WuXian ruffled his hair, “Compared to your safety, what’s this little trouble?”
That evening, the program's official Weibo account announced Lan Sizhui's withdrawal from the show, simply stating that it was due to "personal reasons." The comment section instantly exploded.
"Why did you quit so suddenly? I haven't seen enough of Teacher Xiaolan's class yet!"
"Did something happen? In the footage from the last day, I felt like something was amiss with Teacher Xiaolan."
"Although it's a pity, let's respect their decision. It's clear from these seven days that their family is truly happy."
"Yes, just by looking at the gentle yet serious energy in Sizhui, you can tell how well his family raised him. That's enough."
While fans expressed regret, most expressed understanding. Over those seven days, they witnessed the responsibility of a fifteen-year-old boy, Lan Wangji's silent protection, Wei Wuxian's vibrant love, and, more importantly, the truest form of a family—with arguments and worries, yet always cherishing each other. This alone was enough to satisfy them.
In the old house, Wei WuXian scrolled through the comments and said with a smile, "It seems everyone is quite sensible."
Lan Wangji handed Sizhui a cup of hot milk and said, "Don't think about it. Go to sleep."
Sizhui took the milk and suddenly said, "Actually, I've been very happy these past seven days."
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji looked at each other, both with smiles in their eyes.
“I know,” Wei WuXian said, “I can tell by the way you come home every day humming a song.”
Sizhui drank some milk, his cheeks slightly red. "Can we go to the amusement park tomorrow?"
"Of course." Lan Wangji nodded, "It's all arranged."
The boy's eyes lit up instantly, as if they were filled with stars.
At night, Sizhui lay in bed, neatly placing the paintings his children had given him into a drawer. Moonlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, falling on his face with a comforting warmth.
He recalled the events of those seven days—the nervousness of standing on the podium for the first time, the helplessness of dealing with a fight, the warmth of the children's dependence, and the relief of finally deciding to withdraw. These memories, like pearls, strung together formed his most special memory of the summer of his fifteenth year.
Although there have been dangers and worries, he has also experienced the joy of growing up. He seems to understand more clearly what his father meant by "courage" and also understands more clearly what his father meant by "responsibility."
As for those hidden gazes, he knew his father and dad would handle it. All he needed to do was get a good night's sleep and go to the amusement park tomorrow to watch the Ferris wheel with his family and friends.
The boy turned over, a slight smile on his face.
His summer has just begun.
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