Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Chen Hansheng submitted a formal request for leave to the training instructor, stating the name of the person who asked for leave and the time. “Instructor, I have a relative coming to Jianye, so I’m going to ask for leave this afternoon. I’ve already informed the professor, and now I want to ask for your approval.”

“Go and come back early. And be careful,” said the instructor.

“Yes, sir!” Chen Hansheng pretended to salute.

In fact, even if Chen Hansheng did not request leave, the instructor wouldn’t have noticed his absence if he was not alert. However, Hansheng did not want to take such risks.

This was a critical moment to strengthen his relationship with Professor Guo. He did not want to create any complications.

The instructor found no issues with Hansheng’s request either. Though Hansheng’s tongue could be sharp sometimes, he wasn’t a bad person.

Moreover, Chen Hansheng could help maintain discipline among the boys since they seemed to respect him, which in turn gave the instructors a good impression of Hansheng.

Chen Hansheng left the school and traveled for an hour and a half before arriving at Gulou Kindergarten. He also saw Guo Zhongyun’s daughter, Guo Jiahui. However, the kindergarten teacher was still suspicious about Chen Hansheng’s identity, so she looked at him warily.

“You can call Jiahui’s father and verify my identity with my student ID.”

Chen Hansheng suggested to the female kindergarten teacher.

“I will definitely verify your identity. Now, please stand outside the door and wait.”

She first called Guo Zhongyun’s cell phone but found that it was with Chen Hansheng. Thus, she called his landline and got through.

The female teacher explained the situation on the phone then roughly described Hansheng’s appearance as she observed him.

“Jiahui’s father wants you to read out your student ID number.”

Since Guo Zhongyun had confirmed the description of Chen Hansheng, the female teacher carried out the last round of verification.

“020901254813.”

Both sides verified his identity without a hitch, which finally put the female kindergarten teacher at ease. She brought Guo Jiahui over to him and said, “Jiahui, this person is your father’s student. He will be the one to pick you up tonight.”

Guo Jiahui was a fair and tender chubby girl. She had just started kindergarten his year, so she did not have any sense of precaution. She would do whatever the teacher said as she obediently held Chen Hansheng’s hand.

“Sorry about the whole verification process.”

The kindergarten teacher apologized to Chen Hansheng again. She did think that she had been a bit too defensive.

Chen Hansheng smiled amiably. “It’s okay. You should be more cautious. Jiahui, say goodbye to the teacher.”

Chen Hansheng’s maturity surprised the kindergarten teacher.

“Goodbye, Teacher Xiaoyu.”

Guo Jiahui leaned forward with her short legs and kissed the teacher’s cheek.

“Goodbye, Jiahui.”

The teacher also kissed Guo Jiahui’s cheek.

Chen Hansheng waited patiently before he carried the chubby Guo Jiahui out the door.

He believed that the kindergarten teacher would still contact Guo Zhongyun after this. But it would only be to his benefit.

Fortunately, Guo Jiahui was fat but not heavy. She hugged Chen Hansheng’s neck and asked, “Mister, where are we going now?”

“Do you want to go to KFC?” asked Chen Hansheng.

Guo Jiahui clapped her hands happily. “Yes! I love KFC!”

To express her happiness, she kissed Chen Hansheng’s cheek.

Chen Hansheng was reminded of when Jiahui was parting with the teacher earlier. “Jiahui, can I ask you something?”

“Yep!”

Guo Jiahui answered cheerfully.

“What was the name of the teacher just now?”

“Teacher Xiaoyu.”

“Not her nickname, her full name.”

“It’s Teacher Xiaoyu.”

At Guo Jiahui’s age, how would she know what her teacher’s full name was?

Chen Hansheng had no choice but to ask a different question. “Alright then, let’s test Jiahui’s memory, shall we? Do you know Teacher Xiaoyu’s phone number?”

“I don’t know.” Guo Jiahui shook her head.

“What about her social media handle?” asked Chen Hansheng again.

“What is social media?”

After a while.

“Mister, why aren’t you carrying me anymore?”

“Mister is tired of carrying you.”

…

At the KFC near the kindergarten, Chen Hansheng bought a burger, fries, and chicken wings for Guo Jiahui. He ordered a cup of coffee for himself and read the newspaper he had just bought.

After Guo Jiahui had finished eating, she went to play on the slide. There were other children there who had been playing and were already sweating profusely. When it was about 7 o’clock, the phone in Chen Hansheng’s hand rang.

“Hansheng, I’m done with the meeting. Where are you guys now?”

“Professor Guo, I’m with Jiahui at the KFC in Gulou Square.”

“Alright, we’ll be there in about an hour. Thank you for your hard work.”

After hanging up the phone, Chen Hansheng grinned. He had finally evolved from ‘Chen Hansheng’ to ‘Hansheng’. They were on a first-name basis now.

At around 7:30, Chen Hansheng called Guo Jiahui over. He wiped her sweat and asked, “Jiahui, are you sleepy?”

“I’m not sleepy.”

Guo Jiahui struggled out from his hold, wanting to continue playing.

“No, I think you should be getting sleepy by now.”

Chen Hansheng wouldn’t let her go. After reaching a climax, every story had to end.

Chen Hansheng didn’t read the newspaper anymore. He held Guo Jiahui in his arms and slowly told her children’s stories by memory.

Guo Jiahui had played for too long, so she was actually a little tired. Plus, she had stories to listen to. She hadn’t been planning on falling asleep, but her eyelids betrayed her. She finally fell asleep before Guo Zhongyun and his wife arrived.

By the time her parents had arrived, they saw Chen Hansheng holding Guo Jiahui in his arms through the glass windows of KFC. He watched over Guo Jiahui with tender eyes as he gently swayed to lull her to sleep. The husband and wife looked at each other and the latter said, “I didn’t expect Jiahui to hit it off with your student so quickly.”

“His name is Chen Hansheng. He has a good personality and is quite capable. I owe him a favor tonight,” said Guo Zhongyun.

By then, Chen Hansheng saw Guo Zhongyun walking over and softly said, “Jiahui is a very obedient girl. She gave me no trouble at all the entire time.”

Guo Zhongyun’s wife saw that her daughter’s face was ruddy and healthy as she slept very peacefully. She tactfully took out a bag of fruits from the car and said, “Thank you, Hansheng, for helping us take care of our child.”

“You’re too kind, Mrs. Guo. I wanted to take a walk through the city anyway. Military training is too tiring.” Chen Hansheng smiled and declined her gift.

“Just take the fruits. And you’re invited to our house for a meal this weekend. Zhongyun, you better remember.”

Guo Zhongyun also nodded. “Take the fruit. I’ll send you to the bus stop. You have to set an example in class in the future.”

Chen Hansheng’s heart moved, and he silently agreed.

After another hour or so of driving, Chen Hansheng finally returned to Jiangling University Town. He had wanted to bring the fruit to the dormitory, but he changed his mind. Instead, he went to the public phone booth and called Xiao Rongyu.

“I’m at the gate of your school. The military training these few days must have been hard. I have some fruits for you. Come get them.”