While "Kamen Rider Kuuga" was becoming a hit, Yueyue's school organized an event. It was the most anticipated event for many kids apart from holidays—Spring Outing! However, this outing wasn't just with the teachers but was a parent-child spring outing, where parents, teachers, and children could enjoy together.
"I really want to go," Jada said, adjusting Ren's collar, looking a bit downcast.
Due to her pregnancy, Ren didn't let Jada join. Clearly, Jada was disappointed since it was Yueyue's first spring outing in elementary school. As parents, they naturally wanted to be there for their child.
"No choice, you're pregnant," Ren chuckled. "When this one is born, you can join the first spring outing with this child."
Just as Jada was about to respond, the door burst open.
Yueyue, wearing new shoes, looked anxiously at Ren. "Daddy, hurry up! We're going to be late!!!"
She had been excitedly talking about this event for days.
"What's the rush?" Ren ruffled Yueyue's hair, smiling. "It's only seven o'clock. The teacher asked you to be at school by eight-thirty."
He pulled a small jacket from the closet. "And you're wearing so little? Put this on!"
Winter had just ended, and the outing involved hiking. A bit of sweat and a chilly breeze could easily make Yueyue catch a cold.
"Wearing so much is too bulky!" Yueyue dodged the jacket, stomping her foot impatiently. "And we don't have time! What if we hit traffic?"
To Yueyue, wearing too many clothes would make her look uncool.
"Wear it, and I'll hurry."
"Okay…" Yueyue pouted.
To get there sooner, Yueyue reluctantly took the jacket, put it on, and then grabbed Ren's hand. "Alright, hurry up! Take me to school!"
"Yes, yes!" Ren laughed, holding her chubby hand. Just as they stepped out, Ren's face changed, clutching his stomach. "Oh no, I need to use the bathroom! Wait a bit!"
Before Yueyue could react, Ren dashed to the bathroom.
Yueyue stood stunned, looking at Ren, then at the clock, and screamed, "Daddy, hurry up!!!"
She rushed to the bathroom door, pounding on it.
### At Eight
Ren and Yueyue arrived at the school gate by bus. With many buses already there, the traffic was even more congested.
"See? I told you we weren't in a rush," Ren said, smiling at Yueyue.
"Hmph!" Yueyue pouted and turned her head away.
Bad Daddy made her wait so long! She didn't want to talk to him.
But Ren wouldn't let her stay mad. Holding Yueyue's backpack, he sighed, "Well, since someone's ignoring me, I guess all these snacks will go to waste. Hmm… I'll give them to Kong Xixi then."
Kong Xixi was Yueyue's classmate.
"Aah, no!!!" Yueyue panicked, grabbing Ren's hand and sweetly saying, "Daddy, you're the best daddy ever~~~ these snacks are for me~~"
As the saying goes, "Sisters are precious, but snacks are more precious; if for snacks, both can be thrown away!"
Although Yueyue and Xixi were best friends, she couldn't share her snacks!
"Say it a few more times, and I might consider not giving them to Xixi," Ren teased.
Yueyue's face showed a struggle, making Ren roll his eyes.
"Is it that hard to say something nice to me?"
Getting more annoyed, Ren pretended to reach for her backpack again, "Forget it, I'll give them to Xixi."
"No!!!" Yueyue clung to Ren, jumping up and down, "Best daddy, handsome daddy, you're the best daddy in the world…"
Even though Ren knew Yueyue was just saying it to get her way, it still made him happy. He handed the backpack to her.
The moment she got it, Yueyue looked distressed. "Oh no, the teacher said I should be honest and not lie!!!"
"What do you mean by that?" Ren glared at her, playfully reaching for the backpack again, making Yueyue scream and run.
In the classroom, Ren saw Yueyue's new teacher, a man in his thirties. The teacher smiled and nodded at Ren, then hesitated before taking out a notebook.
"Um… my son is a big fan of your work. Can I get an autograph?"
Ren smiled, taking the notebook. "Of course, how many do you need?"
"One, no, two would be great," the teacher said happily, handing Ren a pen.
Ren's signature was quite stylish, having practiced it for days.
"Here you go," Ren handed back the notebook.
"Thank you! Thank you!" The teacher was thrilled, thanking Ren repeatedly.
In fact, it wasn't for his son—he wasn't even married. He was the fan.
After signing, Ren walked to Yueyue's seat. She was chatting with Xixi, who saw Ren and ran over.
"Uncle Ren~~" Xixi gave Ren a big hug, making Xixi's father a bit jealous.
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Ren and the others headed to Lanting Mountain in the neighboring city for their spring outing. The first graders quickly arrived by bus and began climbing the mountain along the stone steps.
Since it was a parent-child activity, the school didn't require the children to walk in a line with just the teachers. Instead, they allowed parents to enjoy the time with their children, meeting at the mountain top for lunch.
Ren, along with Xixi and a few familiar parents, started their hike. The adults chatted about the struggles of adulthood, while the kids, excited to be out, chattered and climbed the mountain.
"This mountain is so high. It looks tiring..." Xixi said, looking up at the faintly visible pavilion at the top.
"It's not tiring at all!" Yueyue, trying to show off, puffed out her chest proudly. "I've climbed Da Huang Mountain with my dad! And even the Great Wall! You know the saying 'He who doesn't reach the Great Wall isn't a true man,' right? Even I, a girl, climbed the Great Wall!"
"What do you mean climbed the Great Wall?" Ren, who had been chatting with the parents, couldn't help but chime in. Yueyue had spent most of the time on his shoulders during that climb. "You didn't really climb it..."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Yueyue panicked. She couldn't let her dad ruin her moment of bragging. She quickly interrupted and turned to her friends. "Let's race to the top! Whoever gets there last has to share their snacks with everyone else!"
"Okay, okay!"
"Yeah!"
The kids, especially motivated by the thought of snacks, eagerly agreed.
Xixi, who was more delicate, looked worried. "But isn't that... Wait for me!"
Before she could finish, her friends had already started running. She quickly followed.
"Hey, don't run! Be careful, and you'll be too tired to keep going later!" the parents called out, shaking their heads before following.
But the kids were too excited to listen. They ran ahead, boasting about how strong they were and how many snacks they would win.
It wasn't long before they started to tire, panting and sweating.
"So...tired..." Yueyue gasped.
"Yeah... Are we close to the top yet?" a chubby boy asked, looking up hopefully, only to see more endless stairs. "Ahh..."
Seeing the seemingly endless steps and the hidden pavilion, the kids felt disheartened.
"Why is it still so far? We've been climbing forever!" Yueyue said, looking ready to cry.
"I'm so tired!"
"I don't want to climb anymore."
An elderly man, full of energy, passed by and heard their complaints. He chuckled, "You've only gone a third of the way. Keep going, the view at the top is worth it."
"Ahhh," the kids wailed, feeling even more discouraged.
But then Yueyue noticed something. "Xixi, you don't seem tired at all!"
"Um, well..." Xixi, a shy girl, blushed under the scrutiny of her friends, her fingers fidgeting.
"It's because Xixi exercises with her mom regularly," Ren said, patting Xixi's head and looking at Yueyue with mock annoyance. "Unlike someone who sleeps in all the time."
Xixi's dad had mentioned her mom was an avid hiker, taking Xixi on daily morning hikes for over a year.
(っ`-c)
"Ugh..." Yueyue pouted, her face turning red as she was called out for sleeping in. She knew she couldn't argue since her dad also started running every morning after climbing the Great Wall.
Seeing Yueyue's frustrated but silent reaction, Ren's expression softened. He laughed and picked her up, placing her on his shoulders. "Alright, don't be mad."
Feeling like she was flying, Yueyue's pout quickly turned into laughter.
"Okay, everyone, we'll head up first with my little one!"
Ren, tall and strong, carrying Yueyue on his shoulders, drew attention as they climbed.
Yueyue's friends looked on enviously before turning to their own parents with hopeful eyes. The dads had no choice but to follow suit, picking up their kids, while the moms apologized.
One boy, a chubby kid, started crying when his dad refused to carry him. Ren glanced back and couldn't help but laugh.
No wonder his dad refused. The boy was already quite heavy, and his dad wasn't in much better shape. Climbing was tough enough, let alone carrying extra weight.
Ren could see the dad's tearful, resentful expression and almost felt sorry for him.
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