The kindergarten graduation party was supposed to be an evening affair, but in consideration of the children, it was ultimately scheduled for the afternoon in the school’s main auditorium.
As they drew closer to the kindergarten, Yu Buqi’s excitement became visibly palpable. Jiang Yuchi asked in bewilderment, "Why is brother so happy?"
Before Yu Buqi could answer, Yu Buying tugged at Jiang Yuchi and blurted out, "Because brother’s dance partner is Xu Zhen!"
"Mommy thought you two would be each other’s dance partners." Jiang Yuchi’s mouth twitched. Even after a night to process it, she still struggled to digest the fact that her kindergartner son had a second-grade girlfriend.
"Dance partners can be from the same kindergarten or other friends we know. Besides, there are no age or gender restrictions. If you aren't interested in dancing, you can also attend alone," Yu Buqi explained patiently. He then shot a glance at Yu Buying and tattled without mercy, "Mommy, I think you should be worrying about someone else’s dance partner instead."
"Some lady, who has absolutely nothing to do with the word 'lady,' used a series of uncouth tactics—like throwing a tantrum on the floor—to force her twenty-year-old cello teacher to be her graduation dance partner. Considering I am a gentleman, I won’t tell Mommy her name." Yu Buqi’s expression was solemn as his little mouth rattled on, his eyes flashing with malicious intent toward Yu Buying, the implication impossible to miss.
How... how old? Good heavens, she had to call the police and have this twenty-year-old cello teacher arrested!
"Mommy, stay calm!" Yu Buying bared her teeth at her brother—who was grinning like a fox after "betraying" her—while immediately putting on an anxious little face for Jiang Yuchi.
Jiang Yuchi hoisted Yu Buying up onto her lap and said, "Alright, little sister, explain yourself."
Yu Buqi, who had been smirking, instantly grew unhappy upon seeing them in this position. He turned his head away with a cold face, but at this moment, with his daughter suspected of having "inappropriate thoughts about a twenty-year-old tutor," this son who was dating a girl two years his senior could no longer command a shred of Jiang Yuchi’s attention.
Under Jiang Yuchi’s stern, expectant gaze, Yu Buying grew so nervous that she blurted out what was in her heart: "I want Zhang Yu to be my daddy!"
"Zhang... Zhangyu?" Jiang Yuchi’s brain stalled. After a long silence, she repeated the name, her voice wavering.
"Not Zhangyu, it's Zhang Yu! Yu as in honor, Zhang Yu! Mommy will understand once you see him." Having said this, Yu Buying became uncharacteristically bashful.
Yu Buqi, piling on new grievances with the old, didn't forget to twist the knife: "My dear Ms. Jiang Yuchi, I must clarify that wanting Mr. Zhang Yu to be our father is Ms. Yu Buying’s personal idea and has nothing to do with me. Of course, if you meet him... well... it is indeed possible that you might wish to develop a romantic relationship with him, which is a reasonable need. In that case, based on your current assets, I sincerely suggest you sign a prenuptial agreement with Mr. Yu."
"Brother, I didn't know you were such a chatterbox." Jiang Yuchi stared at Yu Buqi in disbelief, wondering if her son had been possessed overnight.
"Ms. Jiang Yuchi, I don't suggest you speak that way. If I were a malicious child, I would use this opportunity to fake a cry and shout, 'Mommy, you don't understand me at all,' just to trigger your guilt for not paying attention to me for the past six years. However, my dear Mommy, your good child and mature brother, Yu Buqi, would never do that. I am simply telling you that this is my personality; I was just a bit reserved yesterday." After finishing, Yu Buqi offered a smile he deemed heartwarming.
You’ve said it all! Jiang Yuchi set Yu Buying aside, reached over to pinch Yu Buqi’s cheek, and was rewarded with a cold snort from the little young master.
The car drove all the way to the main auditorium. When Jiang Yuchi got out and saw that theirs was the only car parked there, she asked in confusion, "Are we allowed to drive in?"
"Mommy, the main auditorium was donated by Uncle. What do you think?" After stepping out, the little young master spotted his "little girlfriend" nearby and ran off, leaving behind a "Mommy, I'll come find you later."
Ever since exiting the car, Yu Buying had been scanning her surroundings until she finally spotted her target in the crowd.
"Zhang Yu! Over here!" With one hand holding Jiang Yuchi’s, Yu Buying waved excitedly with the other, her short legs jumping up and down.
Jiang Yuchi looked in the direction she was waving and froze in place.
The twenty-year-old youth walked over, following the familiar voice. He stood before the little princess in the blue dress and performed a gentlemanly bow, saying, "Good afternoon, Princess Elsa."
In the past, Yu Buying would have bashfully held the edge of her skirt to curtsy back, but today she had something more important to do.
"Look, Zhang Yu, this is the mommy I told you about!"
Yu Buying chattered away, introducing Zhang Yu to Jiang Yuchi. Jiang Yuchi, however, felt as if she had lost her hearing; she heard nothing, only staring blankly at Zhang Yu. She had only ever seen photos of Yujie in his university years, but now, the twenty-year-old Zhang Yu seemed to have stepped right out of those memories to stand before her.
"Hello, Ms. Jiang. I am Yu Buying’s cello teacher, Zhang Yu." Zhang Yu smiled and reached out to Jiang Yuchi. A flash of awe crossed his face when he saw her, but he quickly reined it in.
The smile snapped Jiang Yuchi back to reality. It didn't look like him anymore—when he smiled, he didn't look like him at all.
Though their faces were similar, the youth before her smiled like the cool, crisp air after a rain in the daytime, mixed with the fragrance of earth and flowers, refreshing to the heart. Yujie probably never had a moment of such carefree joy in all his lifetimes combined.
"Hello, Teacher Zhang. I’m Buying’s mother. You can just call me Yuchi." Jiang Yuchi struggled to adjust her expression, extended her hand, and forced a stiff smile to shake his.
After a brief silence, the social butterfly Yu Buying completely ignored the awkward atmosphere between them, taking Zhang Yu’s hand in one of hers and Jiang Yuchi’s in the other, excitedly dragging them both toward the auditorium.
"Teacher Zhang, Buying is still young. She might say things that are offensive. I hope you don't mind." Jiang Yuchi had deliberated for a long time, deciding that as a twenty-eight-year-old adult, she should shoulder her responsibilities—such as explaining her daughter’s oblivious remarks to a twenty-year-old.
Zhang Yu rubbed his nose awkwardly and offered a vague, "It's no trouble."
He naturally knew what Jiang Yuchi was referring to. In fact, he would likely never forget the scene when the little princess of the Yu family first saw him during her teacher selection, rushed over, hugged his leg, and shouted, "Brother, I want you to be my daddy!"
At the time, he had only found it amusing. How could a sophomore student date a six-year-old girl’s mother? Was this musical prodigy really supposed to live off a woman?
But now...
Zhang Yu cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Yuchi. She was talking to Yu Buying, her petal-like lips parting and closing; she looked impossibly soft. Zhang Yu suddenly felt that perhaps he was born with a weak bite, and if he really could live off a woman, that would be just fine.