Chu Lingzhi got into Nangong Yehen's car.
Just as she fastened her seatbelt, she suddenly remembered saying she would never ride in his car again.
She turned her head and looked at Nangong Yehen. "You're not going to throw me out like you did this morning, are you?"
Nangong Yehen gave her a cold glance. "That depends on your behavior."
"My behavior has always been good," Chu Lingzhi said with pursed lips.
The ride was silent.
The car stopped at the school gate, and they waited ten minutes until school let out.
As soon as the time came, lively and adorable children ran out joyfully from inside.
Some were sprinting, others were holding hands and hopping along... like little birds just released from their cages. The once-quiet campus instantly buzzed with activity.
From a distance, Chu Lingzhi spotted Nangong Yichen and Chu Junyu.
Among the crowd of children, the two stood out with their elegant demeanor, drawing attention.
They weren't running but walking gracefully toward the school gate.
Nangong Yichen led the way, with Chu Junyu following behind, and a few little girls trailing after Chu Junyu.
Chu Lingzhi saw those girls stuffing things into Chu Junyu's backpack, then vying to talk to him.
"Mr. Nangong, do you see? Under my guidance, the kids are lively and handsome—popular wherever they go." Chu Lingzhi smiled, a hint of pride shining in her eyes.
She would gradually help Nangong Yichen become more outgoing too, as lively and adorable as Chu Junyu.
Sitting in the car, Nangong Yehen remained expressionless, his deep gaze fixed on the two boys approaching.
Chu Lingzhi glanced back at him and, seeing his sour face, couldn't help muttering, "You're their father. Can you not put on that scary look in front of the kids? It'll frighten them. No wonder Yichen doesn't like talking to you."
Nangong Yehen shot her a sharp look, but she lifted her chin and glared back defiantly.
"You can be expressionless with me, but not with the children. It'll leave a shadow on their young hearts."
"..." Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow. This woman talked too much.
Raising her son like that had broken her heart and caused her pain—she hadn't even settled scores with him yet.
"Mommy." Chu Junyu spotted Chu Lingzhi first, his handsome face breaking into a happy smile as he tugged Nangong Yichen and ran over.
Nangong Yichen looked their way, and through Chu Lingzhi, he saw Nangong Yehen in the car behind her.
He paused briefly, then returned to his usual wooden expression.
Chu Lingzhi bent down, opening her arms to pull them both into a hug.
"I missed you two after not seeing you all day."
Nangong Yichen rolled his eyes. Had they really been apart for a whole day?
"Mommy, a day is 24 hours. We've only been apart for 9 hours," Chu Junyu said.
"No matter how many hours, I still missed you." Chu Lingzhi planted a kiss on Nangong Yichen's cheek.
Her gesture was natural, full of a father's warmth.
Nangong Yichen pressed his lips together but didn't refuse her kiss.
When her lips touched his cheek, a strange, indescribable feeling surged in his little heart.
When she hugged him just now, he felt the warmth in her arms—so real, so caring.
Nangong Yichen looked up at Chu Lingzhi.
This time, his gaze was no longer as cold and distant as before.
Sitting in the car, Nangong Yehen noticed this subtle change.
After kissing him, Chu Lingzhi kissed Chu Junyu too, then looked at them with concern and asked, "Are you getting used to the new school?"