Wei Yanze shook his head, his tea-colored eyes glancing at Shuichang’s wrist. “Zhen Ting, what time is it now?”
Shuichang raised his wrist to check his watch. “It’s four o’clock.”
Wei Yanze continued, “Zhen Ting, Chengyun will definitely worry if he comes home from school and doesn’t see me. Could you ask the driver to bring him to the hospital to keep me company for a while? He can go back in the evening.”
Zhou Chengyun is Zhou Zhen Ting and Wei Yanze’s eldest son. He is a kindergartener and is six years old this year.
Shuichang reassuringly squeezed Wei Yanze’s slender fingers. “Of course, that’s no problem. When Deng Jie comes back, I’ll personally go to the school to pick Chengyun up.”
It’s summer now, and school ends at five-thirty. The hospital is not far from the school, so Shuichang can leave around five.
Deng Jie was worried that Wei Yanze wouldn’t enjoy the hospital food. Seeing that he liked her cooking, she asked Shuichang to take care of him for a while while she went to the hospital cafeteria to borrow the stove to make chicken soup and prepare some meals.
At four-thirty, Deng Jie returned with a food container. As soon as she opened it, the aroma of chicken soup instantly filled the hospital room.
She served Wei Yanze a bowl and added two scoops of rice, which Shuichang personally fed to him.
After the three finished their meal, Wei Yanze asked, “Zhen Ting, what time is it now?”
Shuichang replied, “It’s almost five o’clock. I’m going downstairs to pick up Chengyun. You just lie down and don’t worry; I’ll definitely bring Chengyun to you before six.”
Before leaving, Shuichang reminded Deng Jie to take good care of Wei Yanze. She readily agreed, saying, “Mr. Zhou, rest assured. I will take good care of Mrs. Zhou.”
As Shuichang walked to the door of the ward with the car keys, he suddenly remembered something and turned back. Leaning down, he kissed Wei Yanze’s forehead in a gesture that puzzled Wei Yanze and Deng Jie. “I’m leaving now. Be good while you’re in the ward.”
Wei Yanze’s face turned red; it was the first time in seven years of marriage that Zhou Zhen Ting had done anything like this.
After Shuichang’s figure disappeared, the embarrassment lingered in Wei Yanze’s tea-colored eyes, and unconsciously, the corners of his mouth lifted into a sweet smile.
Shuichang had notified the family driver in advance that he didn’t need to go to the school to pick up Zhou Chengyun. When he drove to the school gate, many parents had already gathered outside.
Vendors lined the sides of the road, selling toys, snacks, and street food.
Shuichang stood near the entrance, glancing at his watch; it was already five-thirty. The school bell rang, and soon a group of elementary school students walked out, holding hands.
The parents swarmed over, each taking their own child away.
Shuichang looked for Zhou Chengyun one by one but didn’t see him, so he continued to wait.
Zhou Zhen Ting had never been involved in taking Zhou Chengyun to and from school. Like Zhou Muting, he favored sons over daughters and didn’t particularly value Zhou Chengyun, the son who couldn’t carry on the family lineage.
The first students to come out were from Class One, and following them were the kids from Class Two. Shuichang tried to recall which class Zhou Chengyun was in, but nothing came to mind.
“Spirit Team, help me check Chengyun’s class.”
“Sure, handsome~”
“Handsome, your son is in Class One, Four~”
“Thanks.”
So when the kids from Class One, Four came out, Shuichang rushed toward them, blending in with the other parents. Thankfully, he remembered Zhou Chengyun’s appearance, and he quickly spotted Chengyun’s tea-colored eyes, which looked much like Wei Yanze’s.
He walked over, grabbed Zhou Chengyun’s small hand, and said, “Chengyun, Daddy is here to pick you up.”
Zhou Chengyun’s body stiffened, calling out pitifully, “Daddy.”
Shuichang responded affirmatively, picking Zhou Chengyun up in his arms. Chengyun’s small body was soft and still carried a milky scent.
When he was suddenly lifted, Zhou Chengyun was frightened and clutched Shuichang’s collar tightly, his tea-colored eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Having never raised a child, Shuichang felt anxious seeing how scared Zhou Chengyun was. He gently patted Chengyun’s back, his voice filled with apology. “I’m sorry, Daddy didn’t mean to scare you. Chengyun, be good; Daddy is holding you very tightly, and he won’t let you fall.”
Zhou Chengyun pouted, his voice soft. “I don’t want Daddy, I want DADDY.”
Chapter 64: He Has Two Faces (3)
Shuichang, feeling at a loss, replied, “Daddy will take you to find DADDY. Now, hold onto Daddy’s neck.”
“Find DADDY.” Zhou Chengyun nodded, extending his small arms to wrap around Shuichang’s neck.
Wanting to build rapport, he approached a cotton candy vendor, pointing at the fluffy white clouds on the wooden stand. “Chengyun, would you like to have some cotton candy? Daddy will buy one for you, okay?”
Zhou Chengyun gazed at the soft cotton candy, desire flashing in his tea-colored eyes, but he gently shook his head and said seriously, “DADDY doesn’t allow Chengyun to eat things from outside.” He placed his hand to his mouth, carefully swallowing.
Seeing his pitiful expression made Shuichang’s heart ache. He bought the cotton candy and placed it in Chengyun’s hands. “DADDY doesn’t let Chengyun eat it because it’s good for your health, but it’s okay to have one occasionally. I’ve already bought it. If Chengyun doesn’t eat it, it will have to be thrown away. Didn’t DADDY tell you not to waste?”
Zhou Chengyun clutched the cotton candy and leaned in to lick it. “Chengyun will eat it, Chengyun won’t waste it, Daddy, please don’t throw it away.”
It was Zhou Chengyun’s first time trying cotton candy, and he soon fell in love with its sweet taste. He stuck out his small tongue to take a lick and instantly squinted his eyes in delight. Two crescent moons appeared on his chubby face, resembling a little angel who had mistakenly fallen to earth.
Shuichang held Zhou Chengyun as they got into the car, only to discover there was no child seat. He placed Chengyun in the front passenger seat, instructing him, “Chengyun, I’m taking you to buy a child seat now. You sit still and don’t move around.”
Zhou Chengyun widened his eyes, nodding his little head nervously. “Chengyun won’t move.” After saying that, he even stopped eating his favorite cotton candy, afraid Shuichang would notice him moving.
Shuichang drove to a nearby car mall, and when he got out to pick up Zhou Chengyun, he realized that the cotton candy he was holding had melted, with golden syrup stuck to Zhou Chengyun’s hands.