Kindergarten in Progress

Fantasy ultimately couldn't defeat the gravity of reality. Chen Zhi had just closed his eyes, attempting to activate his Time Jump Magic, when the cool blanket over him was thrown off by a ruthless hand.

The early morning sunlight pierced through the curtains, shining right on his bottom, hot and stinging.

"Get up, you little ancestor! It's your first day, what would it look like if you're late!"

Zhang Guifang's booming voice was a hundred times more effective than an alarm clock. In her hand, she held a yellow and green school uniform. The color scheme was so vibrant it looked like a dish of scrambled eggs with green peppers fresh out of the wok.

Chen Zhi rolled over and sat up. Sporting a messy bedhead, he stretched out his arms with a look of utter hopelessness, letting his mom dress him in that green pepper and egg uniform as if he were a rag doll.

A comical little dumpling appeared in the mirror.

He looked like a walking canola flower.

What an ugly school uniform.

Chen Zhi didn't even have the energy to complain about the kindergarten principal's bizarre taste.

He tugged at his collar, trying to make himself look a bit more presentable, but the massive sunflower school badge sat right on his chest, bobbing up and down with every breath, maxing out the mockery.

"Looking sharp!"

Zhang Guifang patted her son's bottom with satisfaction and casually stuffed a bottle of Wangzai milk into his backpack.

"Let's go. Your Uncle Lin and the others are waiting downstairs."

Chen Zhi dragged his heavy feet to the door. Chen Jun was already dressed and ready to go, holding the car keys, wearing a relaxed smile that suggested he was about to drop off a heavy burden.

As the family of three pushed open the building door, a pink lightning bolt crashed into them.

"Zhizhi!"

Lin Wanwan was wearing the same canola flower uniform, but this girl had actually pinned two pink bunny hairclips on her head, somehow managing to pull off the outfit with the vibe of a runway model.

Wearing a backpack with wings, she excitedly circled Chen Zhi twice, her two little pigtails flying in the air.

"Look at my new backpack! It lights up!"

Lin Wanwan smacked a button on her backpack like she was showing off a treasure. The pair of wings immediately started flashing with colorful lights, accompanied by the catchy, magical sound effect of Balala Energy.

Chen Zhi silently took a half-step back.

It was too blinding.

This kind of dopamine-filled creature and his dead-inside corporate slave soul were simply two entirely different species.

"Looks nice."

Chen Zhi perfunctorily spat out two words, shoved his hands into his pockets, and took the lead, walking toward the exit of the residential complex.

Lin Shuxian followed behind, carrying bags big and small. His posture looked less like he was dropping his daughter off at kindergarten and more like he was sending her off to flee a famine.

It was only a ten-minute walk, but Lin Shuxian somehow managed to walk it with the tragic and solemn vibe of the Long March.

"Wanwan, your water bottle is in the side pocket. Remember to drink when you're thirsty. If you can't open the lid, ask the teacher. Whatever you do, don't use your teeth."

"Also, raise your hand when you need to use the restroom, don't hold it in. If you can't pull your pants up properly, find the teacher. Daddy packed two spare pairs of pants for you, right at the bottom of your backpack."

"And... if anyone bullies you, yell as loud as you can, or go find Zhizhi, hear me?"

Lin Shuxian rambled on and on, spit flying everywhere.

Lin Wanwan wasn't listening at all. She was too busy stepping on the square tiles of the sidewalk, making sure every step landed perfectly inside a square, having the time of her life.

The front gate of Sunflower Kindergarten was now close at hand.

Rather than calling it a kindergarten, it was more like the scene of a massive human cub meltdown.

In the open space by the gate, the crying was earth-shattering, the decibels high enough to blow the roof off.

"I don't want to go! I want to go home! Waaah—"

"Mommy, don't leave! Mommy, do you not love me anymore!"

"Help! Human traffickers are kidnapping kids!"

All sorts of cries and shouts intertwined, forming a scalp-numbing symphony.

Some kids clung desperately to their parents' legs, impossible to shake off, like koalas; some simply lay on the ground, throwing tantrums and rolling around, getting their new uniforms covered in dust; one was even more extreme, having climbed straight up the retractable gate, only to be plucked down by the elderly security guard like a gourd.

Chen Zhi stood at the edge of the chaotic crowd, watching the farce expressionlessly.

The thought of having to spend his days with this bunch of little kids made his life feel utterly bleak.

He raised his hands to cover his ears, trying to block out this sonic attack.

"We're here."

Lin Jing stopped walking, handed the backpack to Lin Wanwan, and waved her hand crisply and neatly.

"Go on in. Listen to your teachers."

Lin Wanwan took the backpack without a hint of reluctance, blew a flying kiss to her mom, and turned around, ready to charge inside. To her, behind this gate wasn't a school, but a playground full of new friends.

However, she had barely taken one step when she was pulled back by a massive force of resistance.

Lin Shuxian was desperately gripping the straps of his daughter's backpack, his whole body trembling.

This CEO, who was known for his decisive and ruthless demeanor at the company, now had red eyes and a runny nose.

"Wanwan..."

Lin Shuxian's voice choked with sobs. He looked even more pathetic than the chubby little boy throwing a tantrum on the ground just now.

"Let Daddy hug you one more time, just one more time."

Ignoring the strange looks from the surrounding parents, he squatted down and pulled Lin Wanwan into his arms, hugging her so tightly it was as if he wanted to meld his daughter into his very bones.

"Boohoo, my precious daughter, Daddy can't bear to let you go..."

Lin Wanwan was squeezed so hard she rolled her eyes, her two little hands pushing desperately against Lin Shuxian's big face.

"Daddy, let go! I'm going to be late!"

"I won't let go! Daddy doesn't want you to go in there and suffer!" Lin Shuxian cried, snot and tears streaming down his face, completely immersed in his own tragic script. "How about we just don't go? Daddy will quit his job and homeschool you!"

The surrounding parents were dumbfounded.

Even the elderly security guard who had dealt with the gate-climber earlier cast a shocked glance his way.

Is the psychological fortitude of parents these days really this poor?

Lin Jing really couldn't stand watching this any longer.

She took a deep breath, lifted her high-heeled foot, and delivered a swift kick right to her husband's backside.

"Lin Shuxian! Have some dignity!"

The kick was fast, accurate, and ruthless, sending Lin Shuxian stumbling forward.

Lin Wanwan took the opportunity to break free from his clutches and darted off like a startled little rabbit, shouting without even looking back, "Bye Daddy! Bye Mommy!"

With that, she zipped through the gate, not even leaving a silhouette for her heartbroken old father.

Lin Shuxian sprawled on the ground, reaching one hand out toward the direction his daughter disappeared, and let out a despairing cry: "Wanwan—!"

Chen Zhi stood to the side, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

This was way too embarrassing.

He turned to look at his own parents.

Chen Jun was just pulling out a cigarette, getting ready to light it. Seeing his son looking over, he hurriedly stuffed the cigarette back into his pocket and gave a sheepish chuckle. "Son, go on in. Don't learn from your Uncle Lin."

Zhang Guifang, on the other hand, squatted down and adjusted Chen Zhi's collar.

"Go on, son. You're a little man now, take good care of Wanwan."

Chen Zhi nodded.

No hugs, no tears.

He even felt that the hand Chen Jun had used to pull out the cigarette was trembling slightly—with the excitement of soon regaining his freedom.

Chen Zhi turned around, carrying his Ultraman-patterned backpack, and walked toward the gate with steady, composed steps.

Seeing this, the young female teacher greeting children at the entrance immediately flashed a professional, sweet smile. She bent down, ready to comfort the little boy who looked scared stiff.

"Don't be afraid, little one. Teacher will take you..."

She reached out to take his hand.

Chen Zhi turned slightly, dodging her grasp.

He looked up, his clear, dark eyes revealing a world-weary detachment.

"No need."

Chen Zhi said flatly. His voice was childish, but his tone was surprisingly mature.

"I know the way."

With that, under the teacher's dumbfounded gaze, he clasped his hands behind his back and strolled through the kindergarten gates like an executive inspecting his company.

Passing by the chubby little boy who was still rolling on the ground, Chen Zhi stopped and glanced down.

The chubby kid was wailing at the top of his lungs with his mouth wide open. Suddenly feeling a shadow loom over him, he instinctively snapped his mouth shut. With a snot bubble hanging from his nose, he stared blankly at Chen Zhi.

Chen Zhi pulled a tissue from his pocket and casually tossed it onto the chubby boy's face.

"Wipe your face."

Leaving those words behind, Chen Zhi headed toward the teaching building without a backward glance, leaving the onlookers with an incredibly dashing yet utterly incongruous view of his retreating back.

Inside the Junior Class One classroom.

Colorful building blocks were scattered across the floor, the walls were plastered with cartoon stickers, and a faint, milky scent lingered in the air.

Chen Zhi picked a corner seat by the window and sat down.

It was an excellent spot.

From here, he could advance to attack or retreat to defend. He could also observe the playground outside through the window. Most importantly, it kept him far away from the chaotic center of the crowd.

He had just stuffed his backpack into his desk cubby when a burst of childish cheers erupted nearby.