Chapter 1, Single Parent

After sending the message, she casually tossed her phone onto the bed and went to the bathroom to take a quick shower

Liang Yuchen: Alright, I will contact you when I return

After exchanging polite pleasantries, Teacher Hu proceeded to the main topic. First, of course, he acknowledged the strengths, and then he addressed the issues, primarily mentioning that Liang Qianya has not been in a good state of learning over the past week or two. Teachers from two or three subjects have reported that she has been distracted in class, so he wanted to communicate with the parents to understand whether there are any issues with the child herself or if there are any family matters affecting her.

Teacher Hu seemed to sense her anxiety: "Please do not worry too much. The main reason for inviting you here is to discuss your child's situation. The transition from elementary school to middle school represents a significant change in many aspects. We teachers also wish to maintain close communication with parents during this critical period to help children adapt to the new stage of learning as quickly as possible"

The next afternoon, Xiao Yiyi requested leave from her supervisor and left work early to go to Liang Qianya's school

Liang Yuchen: Understood, I will be going to City H next week, leaving on Sunday. I haven't had the chance to inform you yet. If it is convenient for you, please let her stay with you for now, and I will pick her up when I return. If it is not convenient, please let her stay at my mother's place for a few days

After finishing her wash, Xiao Yiyi walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She glanced at her phone and saw that Liang Yuchen had replied: "Is the school meeting with parents? When did this happen? How come I didn't know about it?"

Sister Ding responded and returned to her room

When the people in the room smiled, the conversation passed by.

Teacher Hu said: "At this age, girls begin to enter puberty, and their thoughts are quite sensitive. This is the time when they need parental attention the most. I feel that Liang Qianya is more mature than her peers... Therefore, I still hope that parents will communicate more with their children."

There was one thing she began to ponder just after taking a shower, whether to leave some money when she leaves

As Xiao Yiyi got up and left the office, a young female teacher in the room could not resist her curiosity. Once the footsteps faded away, she asked Teacher Hu: "Is Liang Qianya's father the CEO everyone talks about?"

Xiao Yiyi took all the hundred-yuan bills out of her wallet and placed them on the bedside table. She quietly left the room with her bag, even being cautious enough not to wait for the elevator, but instead walked down a flight of stairs before pressing the elevator button, as if afraid of being discovered and pursued by the other party. It was not until she forced herself to remain calm and exited the hotel, getting into her own car, that she realized how ridiculous her series of actions had been. Nevertheless, she still did not dare to linger and quickly drove away.

She had occasionally returned home late in the past, but today's late return filled her with guilt. She instinctively leaned forward to kiss her son's forehead and quietly watched him for a while, finding his sleeping face truly adorable. Unable to resist, she took out her phone from her bag, wanting to take a picture of him.

Xiao Yiyi thought for a moment: "I haven't noticed anything particularly unusual about her recently, but it could also be that we've all been quite busy lately and haven't paid much attention to her. I will have a good talk with her when I get back."

Xiao Yiyi: Yaya called me on Monday and mentioned it, and Teacher Hu also told me about it on WeChat. I apologize for forgetting to inform you. Yaya might have known that you have been busy lately and didn't have time, so she told me directly

Xiao Yiyi: Why not stay here with me

Listening to the sound of water splashing in the bathroom, Xiao Yiyi dressed in all her clothes at the fastest speed of her life

Ya Ya: Mom, I have an appointment with Teacher Hu to discuss at school tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, please do not forget

Xiao Yiyi smiled and said: "Yes, actually I wanted to talk to you earlier, but I knew that the new semester had just started, and you must be particularly busy here, so I felt it would be inappropriate to disturb you."

Although the other person's appearance does not seem to suggest that they earn a living this way, they are certainly younger than her by quite a bit. She has never engaged in such activities and always feels that since it is not a romantic relationship, the older party should make some financial contributions.

Sister Ding waved her hand and said, "It's nothing, I went to bed quite early today, around 9 o'clock."

Teacher Hu smiled and said, "Yes"

When the topic was brought up, Teacher Hu did not say much more and instead discussed Liang Qianya's academic performance. Xiao Yiyi came by once and also wanted to visit Liang Qianya's mathematics and English teachers, so she asked Teacher Hu for assistance in making the connection. Teacher Hu made two phone calls and informed Xiao Yiyi of the office locations, after which Xiao Yiyi stood up to take her leave

Xiao Yiyi believes that being called "Mom" by students is the greatest affirmation and praise for a teacher. Therefore, even though she has never met this Teacher Hu, she has a good impression of her and thinks that Qianya is quite lucky to encounter such a teacher right after starting middle school

The young person said: "Is it a trend for wealthy individuals to marry young? The domineering CEO and his ex-wife both look quite young, and their child is already in middle school. When I first came in, I thought she was a stepmother of some student."

On the day of the enrollment ceremony, Liang Qianya's father arrived in a suit and leather shoes to attend the parents' meeting. It was evident that this was not a specially prepared outfit, but rather reminiscent of a business elite who had just stepped down from the negotiation table, tall and upright, with well-defined and handsome features, making him stand out among the other parents. The younger teachers, upon seeing him, affectionately dubbed him a "dominant CEO".

Xiao Yiyi got up and returned to her room. Since it was too late, she did not make a phone call, but sent a message to Liang Yuchen: I will pick up Yaya directly after my conversation with Teacher Hu tomorrow. She can stay with me for the next couple of days, and I will take her back on Sunday night.

Are you hungry? Would you like me to get you something to eat?

Xiao Yiyi smiled politely and said: "No, the children are all grown up now, they are in their thirties, approaching forty."

There were two young female teachers still in the office. When Xiao Yiyi entered, she politely greeted the two of them. Teacher Hu poured a glass of water for Xiao Yiyi and invited her to sit on the reception sofa, while she herself moved a chair to sit beside her

Xiao Yiyi quietly pushed open the door to her son's room. Xiao Mu Yang was sleeping soundly, hugging his large pillow. The little rascal, who was full of energy during the day, had now transformed into a quiet and lovely little angel. His long and curled eyelashes always brought a smile to her lips unconsciously.

"Not like it, really not like it, looks to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight."

Xiao Yiyi said thank you, slightly bowing to receive the water. In her understanding, being asked to have a parent come to school could never be a good thing. Although Liang Qianya's grades in elementary school were not outstanding, she had always been in the upper-middle range, was relatively self-disciplined in her studies, and had never been asked to have her parents come to school. Now, in the first year of junior high, being called to have her parents come made her somewhat worried

Women in their thirties who are mothers generally appreciate such compliments, especially when they are praised for their youthfulness by other women outside of sales associates. This further increased Xiao Yiyi's fondness for Teacher Hu.

How is it? Is everything alright? Xiao Yiyi lowered her voice

She thought, perhaps it would be better to keep some, and if the other party does not need it, it can just be a joke to share with future generations. In case the other party is indeed engaged in this, it would be awkward to ask for money directly, so her approach could be considered appropriate. She felt that the latter possibility was not without merit, as judging from the other party's performance throughout the night, it seemed they were quite knowledgeable in this regard

Come on, those who can marry a wealthy CEO are all from well-matched affluent families. I don't expect that; I just hope that we can receive the money we are owed as soon as possible

Before Teacher Hu could speak, a colleague at the opposite table smiled and interjected, "You should also marry a wealthy CEO; then you can be showered with money every day, and you will still look young and beautiful in your thirties"

She took out her phone and then realized there were two missed calls from her daughter and a WeChat message

Liang Qianya has just started the first year of junior high school this year, and she has not yet met any of her teachers, only hearing some information about them from others. Their homeroom teacher's surname is Hu, and she teaches Chinese. It is said that she is particularly strict and does not show any mercy when criticizing students. However, the students do not have any complaints about her, and there is a nickname that has been passed down from many previous cohorts of students, calling her "Mama Hu"

When Teacher Hu said this, he looked at her in surprise while leading her towards the office, saying: "You are quite young."

Although it is somewhat impolite to leave without saying goodbye while someone is taking a shower, this is her first time having a one-night stand in her life, and she truly does not know how to face the upcoming situation

At around 11 o'clock at night, Xiao Yiyi entered the house, and Sister Ding had left the door light on for her. She changed her shoes and, without even putting down her bag, went upstairs first. At the stairway, she saw Sister Ding, who usually slept lightly, coming out of Yangyang's room.

You should also go to sleep; I will take a look at him.

When the water from the shower hits my face, I inevitably recall the events of the night, when I was entangled in bed with a strange and youthful body, experiencing a certain indulgent pleasure. However, in retrospect, it seems rather uninteresting.

After she sent the message, she looked at the time again. The calls on both the phone and WeChat came in around 9 o'clock, intensifying her feelings of guilt and self-blame. She sent another message: "I will wait for you after school tomorrow, just come back here directly. I will talk to your dad about it shortly."

No need, you may go to sleep. I see that Yangyang has also rested.

It is alright, being busy is all for the sake of the children. If you have any questions, you can reach out to me anytime, either via WeChat or phone.

Occasionally deviating from the path of life is both a long-planned decision and a momentary impulse. She does not even know what she truly desires; perhaps she is simply a bit tired and somewhat bored. However, human hearts are always insatiable. Perhaps she should not harbor excessive desires, for she is already luckier than many others. At the very least, she enjoys financial freedom, is free from worries about food and clothing, and has a child who loves her

Xiao Yiyi was glad that she had retained the habit of carrying cash, albeit rarely. She rummaged through her wallet and found only eight hundred-yuan bills, with the rest being small change. Although she was unsure of the current market situation, eight hundred yuan seemed a bit insufficient; at the very least, it should be rounded up to one thousand for appropriateness. However, she did not have much time to ponder this, as the other party's bath was about to finish.

Xiao Yiyi hurriedly replied: I remember, I have a dinner gathering with colleagues tonight and did not hear your call

Xiao Yiyi discerned the implied meaning in Teacher Hu's words. As a divorced mother, she is quite sensitive to such hints: "We understand that her father and I divorced when she was young. Although we pay close attention to our child's mental health and try to minimize the impact on her, there is certainly some effect. She is now entering her teenage years, and her thoughts are more delicate and sensitive. In the future, we will dedicate more time to accompany her, and we also ask for your understanding. If there are any issues, we should communicate in a timely manner. If there is anything we parents need to cooperate with, we will certainly do our utmost to assist."

When she reached the stairway to the second floor, she happened to encounter a female teacher coming down from upstairs. She approached and inquired about the office of Teacher Hu from Class 4 of the first year of junior high, to which the other party smiled and said: "I am she. Are you Liang Qianya's mother?"