Chapter 313: Don't listen to the rumors

Zhou Hongsheng was dazed from the blow, and several clear fingerprints instantly appeared on his face. He stared at the woman before him, and in an instant all lustful thoughts vanished, leaving only anger.

He rose from his chair, pointing at the woman and shouting, "Who are you? Do I know you? How dare you hit someone!"

Just as Zhou Hongsheng finished cursing, two big, tall men came out of nowhere, muscular, wearing black shirts and black suits, with stern faces and earpieces, looking like professional bodyguards.

Zhou Hongsheng swallowed, his anger instantly dying, and he put on a brave front, saying, "She hit me first—does she still think she's in the right?"

The two bodyguards remained silent.

The beauty struggled to open her dazed eyes, studied him closely, then put on an apologetic expression: "Sorry, I mistook you for someone else—you look a bit like my ex-boyfriend who cheated on me."

The beauty stood up, pressed her palms together, bowed slightly, and apologized again: "I'm really sorry, it's my fault—don't hold it against me."

She waved her fair hand, and the two bodyguards silently stepped back, hiding in the shadows.

Seeing Zhou Hongsheng staring at the two burly men, the beauty had no choice but to explain: "These bodyguards were arranged by my dad; he worries about my safety as a girl going out—did I scare you?" As her eyes shifted, she pointed at his glass and said, "How about this: I'll pay for your drinks tonight, as compensation."

As the saying goes, you don't strike a smiling face; faced with such a wealthy and beautiful woman, especially after the misunderstanding has been cleared up, Zhou Hongsheng would seem petty if he kept arguing.

"It's fine." Zhou Hongsheng sat back, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and forced a smile.

"No fight, no friendship—I'm Chen Zhiwei. What's your name?"

"Zhou Hongsheng."

The bartender brought out the bar's most expensive bottle of wine, had Chen Zhiwei confirm it, opened it in front of her, and poured her a glass.

"Good thing your surname is Zhou." Chen Zhiwei gave the bartender a glance, then pointed at Zhou Hongsheng beside her.

The bartender understood, took another glass, and poured one for Zhou Hongsheng as well.

Zhou Hongsheng and Chen Zhiwei started chatting: "Why do you say it's lucky that my surname is Zhou?"

"If your surname were Zhao, I'd have to wonder whether you were related to my ex-boyfriend—you two really look a bit alike, no, no, not just a bit, you're extremely alike; I'd introduce you someday…" Saying this, Chen Zhiwei shook her head, and an uncontrollable flash of pain crossed her face: "Forget it, we've completely broken up, and we'll never have a chance to meet again."

She gave a bitter smile, lifted her glass and drained it in one gulp, tears welling at the corners of her eyes, which she wiped away with her hand.

Zhou Hongsheng raised his hand, wanting to pat her back to comfort her, but he hesitated for a few seconds and didn't let it fall, fearing he'd be too forward with a lady and make her think him frivolous.

"Let the past be the past; nowadays the saying goes—break up and break up, next one will be longer-lasting, say goodbye and say goodbye, next one will be better." Zhou Hongsheng said, "You should thank heaven for letting you see that man's true colors before marriage, unlike me, who only realized what my spouse was like after getting married."

Chen Zhiwei, sensing he had a story, raised an eyebrow and curiously asked, "Are you married? Is she terrible?"

Zhou Hongsheng took a sip of wine, gave a grim smile, and dropped a bombshell: "Do you know? My wife killed my own mother……"

Chen Zhiwei covered her mouth, shocked: "How could this happen?"

Monday, the kindergarten was going to hold a parents' meeting; the teacher had told the kids days in advance to notify their parents themselves, also testing their ability to convey information.

Before heading out in the morning, Zi Heng found a chance to remind Xu Yanfeng: "Don't forget what you promised me, this afternoon……"

"I haven't forgotten; this afternoon there's a parents' meeting." Xu Yanfeng said, "I'll be there on time."

"What are you father and son whispering about over there? It's time to go." Xia Xi stood in the entryway changing shoes, turned her head, and saw Zi Heng tugging at the hem of Xu Yanfeng's suit while Xu Yanfeng bent down, the two huddled together speaking mysteriously.

Youyou, also growing impatient, said, "Xia Ziheng, we're going to be late."

Xu Yanfeng stood straight, patted Zi Heng on the back of the head, and said, "Hurry up and go with Mom."

He had a meeting this morning that started early, so the child was taken to kindergarten by Xia Xi.

In the afternoon, Xu Yanfeng arrived at school half an hour early; chairs were neatly arranged in the open space behind the classroom, prepared for the students' parents. Xu Yanfeng greeted the teacher, picked a chair, and sat down.

Zi Heng turned his head, saw him, curled the corner of his mouth into a smile, and patted Youyou's arm: "Dad's here."

Youyou turned her head, glanced, and said, "I also told little Yue's mom, hoping she'd come help me with the parents' meeting." Youyou sighed, "Too bad her leg is injured and hasn't healed."

Parents of the students arrived one after another; the rear seats gradually filled, and the classroom atmosphere grew lively. Looking around, most of those attending the parents' meeting were mothers, and Xu Yanfeng stood out among them like a crane among chickens.

A little fat kid sitting behind Zi Heng poked his spine with a pen and said, "Hey, Xia Ziheng, you said your dad would come—where is he?"

Zi Heng didn't turn around, leaned back, lifting the two front legs of the chair and resting the back against the edge of the desk behind him: "Can't you see? The tallest, most handsome one is my dad. Your little brain is naturally dim-witted—not even enough for studying—stop listening to rumors; who says I don't have a dad?"

The little fat kid looked back and instantly spotted the tallest, most handsome man he'd described, wearing a black suit and tie, like an elite from a TV drama.

"Who are you calling stupid?" the little fat kid protested, gripping the edge of the desk with both hands and jerking backward hard.

Zi Heng, leaning on the table, suddenly lost support and fell with a "bang"; fortunately, Zi Heng was quick-witted, promptly bracing himself with his hand on the neighboring chair, avoiding hitting his head.

The commotion in the classroom startled even Teacher Song. With so many parents present, an accident couldn't be allowed; she hurried over to check: "What's going on?"

Xu Yanfeng reacted faster than she did, helping Zi Heng to his feet.

Teacher Song's expression tightened: "Jiang Hengyu, you speak."

The little fat kid, Jiang Hengyu, face red and neck thick, pointed at Zi Heng and first complained to the teacher: "Xia Ziheng called my brain stupid."

Jiang Hengyu's mother also came over, glaring at Xu Yanfeng, seeing that he was no ordinary person, she didn't dare shout at him directly but turned her anger toward the teacher: "Teacher Song, you heard it—this child Xia Ziheng insulted people; my Hengyu just couldn't hold back his anger……"

Youyou stood up, kicked her chair away, hands on hips, and loudly interrupted Jiang Hengyu's mother: "It's clearly Jiang Hengyu who first insulted us for having no dad! He's been yelling at us from behind every day! For days on end! My brother can't even be bothered to argue with him!"

Everyone: "……"

Jiang Hengyu's mother's arrogant aura instantly deflated by half; she bent over, stared at her son, and asked, "Did you really say that?"

Jiang Hengyu felt guilty, shrank his neck, lowered his head, and dared not speak. Seeing his timid, shrinking demeanor, his mother knew it was true and couldn't find words either.

Teacher Song rubbed her hands, gave an embarrassed laugh, and tried to smooth things over: "Sorry, Mr. Xia Ziheng's dad—I had no idea about this; it's my oversight. And Mrs. Jiang Hengyu, your son Jiang Hengyu is still a good kid, just a bit mischievous, but no matter what, he shouldn't be calling other kids fatherless."

In the end, the matter was settled with Jiang Hengyu apologizing to Zi Heng.

The parents' meeting ended, and it wasn't long before dismissal; next, the parents and children were left to free play.

Finding a quiet spot, Xu Yanfeng looked at Zi Heng and Youyou; Youyou blinked innocently, having forgotten the earlier incident, while Zi Heng seemed a bit unsure how to face Xu Yanfeng, avoiding his gaze.

Xu Yanfeng placed his palm on Zi Heng's head, turning his face toward him, lowered his eyes, tilted his head, and asked, "Did you ask me to come to the parents' meeting because of this?"

Zi Heng pushed his hand away, unable to explain, and simply admitted, "He keeps nagging in my ear all day—it's annoying."

Xu Yanfeng laughed, pinched Zi Heng's cheek, and said, "Your little classmate's brain is a bit slow—I pick you two up from school every few days; hasn't he seen me?"

Zi Heng: "He's just stupid."

"All right, don't be upset. I'll go home and cook something for you tonight."

"Don't bother cooking—it's terrible."

"Even your mom says it's good."

「My mom is coaxing you. 」

Tsk, you little brat, you're doing this on purpose to piss me off, huh? I don't even know if it's tasty.

Father and son exchanged a few words, Youyou covered her mouth and laughed foolishly on the side.

Xu Yanfeng's phone vibrated; he pulled it out from his pocket, glanced at the screen: 「Your mom's calling; maybe something's up, I'll answer. Don't wander off, school's out soon. 」