"Mommy, I have to go now." Tang Chen stared at his mother with his wide eyes.
They were in front of his kindergarten and his mother was supposed to drop him off. However, it seemed that his mother was not planning to let go of his hand anytime soon.
Tang Chen swept his gaze around the area. Seeing her friends in a distance made him feel shy.
He knew what his mother wanted him to do.
His mother would not let him go until he kissed her on the cheek once.
But now that he was older, Tang Chen would get embarrassed when his mother wanted him to kiss her when there were people around.
Tang Chen would not mind if he was to kiss his mother at home. He would gladly volunteer to kiss her mother as much as he wanted to. But it was a different story now that they were in front of his kindergarten where a lot of his friends were walking by.
"Chen Chen, didn't you say that you are in a hurry?" Tang Shi Yi had a teasing smile on her face. "Quickly." She pointed his finger to her right cheek. "Kiss me here before others would see."
"Mommy..." Tang Chen was flustered. He too wanted to kiss his mother, but he had to restrain himself. Tang Chen swept his gaze around the area again. Seeing that no one was looking at him, Tang Chen finally leaned over to kiss his mother on the cheek.
The kiss was very brief, but it was enough to make Tang Shi Yi happy. She could still feel the wetness from the boy's lips on her cheek.
Her son was too adorable.
Tang Shi Yi wanted to hug her son, but seeing the shy look on his face made her change her mind. Tang Chen would be unhappy if his friends saw them.
"Alright. You already kissed me once." Tang Shi Yi stretched his hand and stroked her son on his head. "Chen Chen, you can go to kindergarten now."
Tang Chen pursed his lips as his mother finally let his hand go. He took a step to leave, but then, stopped himself and turned around. "Mommy, I will go now."
"I know. Chen Chen, you have to listen to your teacher, you know?"
"Mommy, I know."
Tang Shi Yi heaved a breath. "Today, Mommy might have to work overtime. Chen Chen... Uncle Yi Bo will pick you up from school and accompany you. Don't run around. You have to wait for him."
The little boy nodded. After listening to his mother's words, Tang Chen finally waved his hand and left.
Tang Shi Yi watched her son until he finally walked through the school gate and joined his friends. Only then that she finally turn around to leave.
...
The moment Tang Chen walked into the class and headed straight to his seat. The moment he sat down, Tang Chen noticed that his friend, Jiang An had both his hands covering his face. Their friend, Chen Yue Jin was staying close to Jiang An, trying to coax the crying boy.
Tang Chen watched his friend for a while before he finally walked over, wanting to see what was going on. "Xiao An, what's wrong?"
Jiang An looked away, wanting to hide his face. He wiped the tears streaming down his face but was unable to stop sobbing.
"Did something happen?"
Chen Yue Jin inched closer to Tang Chen and spoke in a low voice. "It's Xiao An's father. Xiao An said that his father hit him again."
"No. He is not my father!" Xiao An said angrily. "He is just someone that my Mom found to be my father." Tears streamed down on his face again. "If I know that the man would scold me like this, I would rather not have a father."
Tang Chen exchanged his gaze with Chen Yue Jin again.
His heart was feeling uncomfortable.
Tang Chen knew that Jiang An was similar to him.
In their class, Jiang An and him both grew up without a father.
This was how the two of them became closer.
Tang Chen did not mind growing up with his mother, sister, and grandmother in his family. However, Jiang An was different. He always longed to have a father.
In the past, Tang Chen would often listen to Jiang An, telling them how he was envious of their friends who had a complete family.
Earlier that year, Jiang An happily said he would finally have a father.
Xiao An was excited. When he came to class, Xiao An would often talk about his father. However, Jiang An did not think that his father would change.
After he was married to his mother, the father that he always wanted changed.
Jiang An's new father would often hit and scold him.
At the side, Chen Yue Jin continued to coax Jiang An.
It was only after their teacher showed up in class did Jiang An finally stopped crying.
Tang Chen sat in his seat again while keeping his eyes on Jiang An.
His lips pursed into a thin line as Tang Chen recalled something that his little sister said a few days ago. Xiao Xiao said that she wanted to look for their father.
Initially, Tang Chen thought that it was not too bad to look for their father.
As long as Xiao Xiao wanted it, he would do anything.
But now that he heard about Jiang An and his father, Tang Chen began to doubt whether having a father would be a good thing.
Finding their father was one thing, but what if their father refused to acknowledge them?
Or... what would happen if their father would scold and beat them like Jiang An's father would do? He could not imagine watching Xiao Xiao being scolded or beaten up.
Tang Chen's feelings were complicated.
It seemed that it would be better if he discussed this matter with Xiao Xiao first.
Perhaps he should convince Xiao Xiao that they don't need a father.