Lu Wanqing looked around, curiously observing the environment near the kindergarten, then checked the time on her smart device. It was close to four o'clock, and school would be out soon.
She waited patiently. An aunt from the military family residential area noticed her waiting there early and approached with curiosity.
"Why are you here so early?" the aunt asked, walking over and smiling at Lu Wanqing.
"I figured it was about time, so I came to wait," Lu Wanqing replied with a smile.
"You don't need to rush. This is a military family area, very safe inside. Even if no one comes to pick them up, the children will be fine," the aunt explained kindly.
"Mm-hmm," Lu Wanqing nodded quickly.
But she still wanted to come early. After a day of school, seeing her mommy waiting for him outside would surely make her child happy.
"It's okay, I'm happy to wait here. I don't have anything else to do anyway," Lu Wanqing said with a smile.
The aunt nodded and also looked towards the kindergarten.
As school closing time drew nearer, Steward Xiao arrived to pick up the child, and other parents from the military family area also came to collect their children.
Steward Xiao was momentarily surprised to see Lu Wanqing and then walked over.
"Steward Xiao, are you here to pick up Xiao Yi?" Lu Wanqing asked immediately.
Steward Xiao nodded. "Yes, the Marshal and the General are at the military headquarters during the day, so I usually pick up the young master from school."
Lu Wanqing understood and nodded, then smiled. "From now on, you can leave it to me. I'll come to pick him up on time every day."
Steward Xiao thought for a moment, then agreed. "Alright."
Lu Wanqing was the young master's mother, so she naturally had the right to pick him up.
However, since he was already there, Steward Xiao did not leave. He stood with Lu Wanqing at the kindergarten entrance, waiting for school to end.
Just a few minutes later, the kindergarten dismissal bell rang. Inside the classrooms, the children who had been sitting stood up. Many turned their heads and excitedly looked out the windows.
The next moment, the teacher announced dismissal.
The children raised their hands and performed a standard military salute to the teacher, all shouting in unison, "Thank you, Teacher!"
"You may go home," the teacher said with a smile.
The children ran out of the classroom, each heading towards their waiting family members. Lu Wanqing noticed that most children had bright, sunny smiles on their faces. Only Xiao Yi walked at the very end, his small schoolbag on his back, his face set in a serious expression as he emerged from the classroom.
Lu Wanqing couldn't help but walk over, extending her hand to the child and smiling. "Xiao Yi, can Mommy help you carry your schoolbag?"
She had just seen other parents carrying their children's schoolbags when they picked them up.
Little Zhong Li Yi's small hands tightened their grip on the schoolbag straps. He maintained his expressionless demeanor, glanced at Steward Xiao waiting outside the kindergarten, and then looked up at Lu Wanqing.
Lu Wanqing looked at him, her face full of encouragement.
Xiao Zhong Li Yi, as if compelled, took his schoolbag off his back and placed it in Lu Wanqing's hands.
Lu Wanqing took the bag and switched hands, then extended her right hand, now free, towards Xiao Zhong Li Yi. "Xiao Yi, can Mommy hold your hand?"
Xiao Zhong Li Yi looked at his mother's offered hand; her fingers were slender and long, very beautiful.
"No need," he said in a deep voice, turning his face away. "I can walk by myself!"
Lu Wanqing's outstretched hand faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly withdrew it as if nothing had happened, then smiled. "Yes, yes, our Xiao Yi is very capable. You don't need to rely on Mommy; we can walk by ourselves."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhong Li Yi's steps faltered slightly. He secretly glanced up at her, a fleeting look before quickly looking away.
The corners of his mouth were tightly pressed, and his hand by his side twitched vaguely. Actually... if she were holding his hand, it wouldn't be so difficult, would it?
But he had already refused.
Xiao Zhong Li Yi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and then walked towards the exit.
At the kindergarten entrance, Xiao Yi saw Steward Xiao standing outside and immediately called out respectfully, "Grandpa Xiao!"
"Mhm," Steward Xiao nodded with a smile and then looked up at Lu Wanqing. "Shall we go back?"
"Okay," Lu Wanqing agreed with a smile.
The kindergarten was within the residential complex, and the walk home was very short. They arrived after a brief stroll.
Upon entering the house, Lu Wanqing couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Yi, do you have any plans for later?"
Xiao Zhong Li Yi looked up at Lu Wanqing.
Steward Xiao explained, "Miss Lu, the young master has an hour of rest after school each day. Once the General returns, he is scheduled for training in the practice room."
An hour?
Lu Wanqing pondered this, carrying the child's schoolbag. She couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Yi, do you want to play on the star network later?"
"Do you know about Wasteland planets?"
"Many people in the military family area play it; it's very fun."
Xiao Yi looked at her, a glimmer of hope appearing in his usually subdued eyes. "Can I go too?"
Lu Wanqing looked at the hope in his eyes, and her heart felt a sharp pang. How strict must Xiao Yi's life have been for even a short time on the star network to be something he yearned for.
Lu Wanqing couldn't resist reaching out and ruffling Xiao Yi's hair. "Of course, Mommy will take you."
"But Grandpa will be unhappy," Xiao Yi said sullenly, clearly worried.
Hearing this, Lu Wanqing also thought of Marshal Zhongli. She had to admit, the thought of Marshal Zhongli made her a little fearful, but it only lasted a second. She nodded to the child with certainty. "Don't worry, Mommy will explain it to him later."
Lu Wanqing deeply respected the Marshal, but she couldn't entirely agree with his methods of educating their child. As the child's mother, she felt she had the right to voice her opinions on his life and upbringing. If the Marshal disagreed... she wouldn't back down!
Xiao Zhong Li Yi looked at her, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Lu Wanqing ruffled his hair again, smiling. "Let's go. Trust Mommy, okay?"
"Okay!" Xiao Zhong Li Yi nodded.
Lu Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her gaze to the child and suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion.
Xiao Yi had agreed!
Xiao Yi was willing to go play with her!
Lu Wanqing, filled with joy, led the child upstairs. Xiao Yi's room also had a star network pod, although it was rarely used.
"Xiao Yi, do you know how to log into the star network?" Lu Wanqing asked.
"Yes," Xiao Zhong Li Yi replied.
Lu Wanqing nodded happily. "Great, let's log into the star network quickly."
"Wait," Lu Wanqing quickly said just as Xiao Yi was about to open the star network pod.
Xiao Zhong Li Yi looked up, his expression blankly at Lu Wanqing.
Lu Wanqing quickly opened her smart device and said to Xiao Yi, "Let's add each other as friends first. That way, once we're on the star network, Mommy can find you."