Chapter 33: You Really Treated That Bitch Like Your Own Mother

The news that they had to go to school, Xi Xi turned out to be the last to learn it.

Her black‑grape‑like eyes widened into perfect circles, as if she couldn't believe it.

"Mommy, didn't we say we'd skip school if we went out to play? Why do we still have to go to school?"

Xi Xi hadn't even had enough fun yet; the hard‑won freedom was slipping away like that, truly a pity.

Lu Xiwán lightly tapped Xi Xi on the head.

"Your little brain is only thinking about how to play every day; there are other kids in the kindergarten to play with you, what's wrong with that? The plan has changed; we might have to stay in Haicheng longer, aren't you happy to go to school together with brother Yao Yao?"

Xi Xi pursed her little mouth and muttered something.

Fun is fun, but kindergarten is still a school after all; it can't compare to the freedom at home, there are fewer toys than at home, and it's nowhere near as comfortable as being at home.

"Can we really go to school together with little sister Xi Xi?" Yao Yao's eyes lit up; being alone at school was truly stifling and boring.

A child's malice always comes unprovoked and surging; even when Fu Yao sat quietly alone at school, people would loudly mock him as a fool.

Yao Yao had indeed thought about telling his family.

But Gu Qingmeng never cared about what was in his heart; she would only keep telling him that only a well‑behaved dad would spend more time with him, and then others would like him.

"Your dad has already taken care of the enrollment paperwork; starting tomorrow, the two of you can go to school together, and I've prepared your backpacks already," Lu Xiwán said with a smile, pulling two backpacks from behind her.

Xi Xi brightened a little, "Mine and brother Yao Yao's are the same style!"

Only the colors differed; the little girl was as delighted as if she had found treasure, instantly forgetting the sorrow about having to go to school.

Yao Yao gently grasped Lu Xiwán's hand; the icy little hand made one feel an inexplicable pang of sympathy.

"Thank you, Mommy, I really like it," he said, a rare sparkle appearing in his eyes, and a smile finally tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Fu Yao and Fu Sijue were cut from the same mold; even though their faces were still youthful, Lu Xiwán could already see Fu Sijue's shadow in him.

Lu Xiwán lightly brushed Yao Yao's head, feeling the imagined softness.

"No need to be formal with me; as long as you like it, that's fine. Today the two of you should rest early; tomorrow you'll go to kindergarten to meet more new friends."

Seeing how well the two children got along, Lu Xiwán suddenly felt reluctant to separate them.

From now on she could only take one step at a time; the situation was unpredictable, and Lu Xiwán couldn't grasp what would happen next.

The next morning, Lu Xiwán stopped the Steward who was about to escort the two children to school and personally took the backpacks.

"I'll take them there myself; from now on, as long as nothing comes up, I'll personally see them off."

The Steward smiled and nodded, watching the once‑shy young master become lively before his eyes, which was also a happy thing for him.

Though not vastly different from before, it was certainly less gloomy.

Just as they had taken a step forward, Gu Qingmeng came carrying a huge pile of things, and as soon as she entered she began shouting Yao Yao's name nonstop.

No one responded, and her expression darkened instantly.

"What on earth is going on? Early this morning you let that woman take the children away; how could you act like that!"

The Steward glanced at the sky; the sun was high, it was almost noon, yet in Gu Qingmeng's eyes it was still considered early morning.

He felt embarrassed to say so directly, and simply hurried over to Gu Qingmeng.