Chapter 305 Walking Towards Here with a Tall, Straight Man Who Looks Travel-Weary…

Chapter 305: A tall, upright man, dusty from travel, was walking toward them...

Fu Yuanhang and Uncle Mu both happened to wear new clothes today.

Their identical white shirts were sewn by Auntie Zhong from fabric bought with the money they earned from part-time jobs.

"Oh, the same white shirts! Ah Hang looks extra sharp in his," Auntie Zhong said with a smile.

Then she glanced at Uncle Mu with disdain. "You’d better not get that white shirt dirty on the first day of school, or no more white clothes for you!"

Ever since we got the radio, Uncle Mu had become much more obedient to Auntie Zhong. Sometimes, he even did chores without pay, calling it his contribution to buying the radio.

So her teasing didn’t bother him at all.

"Don’t worry, Director Zhong. I promise I’ll come back cleaner than Little Cloud. Hey, Little Cloud, are you doing your business again so early in the morning?"

Sure enough, Chenchen had brought Little Cloud to feed the veggies again.

Chenchen directed White Duck, "Duoduo, go here! Today, it’s this bean plant’s turn for fertilizer~"

Auntie Zhong’s face lit up. "Chenchen, you’re such a big help! So that’s why our veggies have been growing so well lately—it’s all thanks to you!"

Chenchen shook his head. "Not my credit~ It’s Duoduo’s credit~"

The smart little guy had been listening to the radio a lot, and his Mandarin got way better.

Auntie Zhong’s face lit up just looking at Chenchen. "Alright, alright, it’s both of your credits."

Fu Yuanhang was all set to go—any longer, and they’d be late. "Chenchen, let’s go, or you’ll be late on the first day of school."

Chenchen blinked. "But I go to school every day lately~"

Fu Yuanhang: "..."

Su Taotao said, "Ah Hang, you and Uncle Mu take Pangpang ahead. I’ll send Chenchen to school later."

Fu Yuanhang really couldn’t wait for him—the kiddo took forever to get ready.

Xia Zhiqiu also came downstairs holding Dongdong’s hand. "What’s the fuss about?"

"Waiting for Chenchen," Uncle Mu said.

"Ah~" Chenchen quickly led Little Cloud back inside, instructing it not to poop everywhere and to use the bathroom if it had to go, or Mama won’t be happy.

Then he put on his little backpack and little straw hat. "All done~"

Uncle Mu sighed. "Chenchen’s come a long way. Before, it would’ve taken him at least ten minutes to get ready."

Su Taotao had noticed it too—lately, the little one had gotten better at walking, talking, and everything compared to last semester.

Kids at this age really change day by day.

On September 1st,

a group of children, big and small, headed to school, buzzing with excitement.

The kindergarten kids couldn’t care less—after all, they never got a vacation, so September 1st wasn’t special to them.

But for Fu Yuanhang and Uncle Mu, it was different. Most of their classmates hadn’t seen each other all summer, so seeing everyone again was a blast.

Upon seeing Fu Yuanhang, his seatmate couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, Ah Hang, what did you do this summer? You've shot up so much! You're almost as tall as Mu Mu now."

When Fu Yuanhang first started school, he was quite a bit shorter than Mu Mu.

A classmate in the front row also chimed in, "Yeah, we all got super tan, but you look even fairer? Do you never go out during the day?"

"Nonsense," Mu Mu frowned at Fu Yuanhang, disagreeing, "He's not taller than me! He's out in the sun every day, hasn't he gotten tanned too? How is he fairer?"

"He is out in the sun every day, but he never tans," Kang Zi said.

Yadan came over, wrapping one arm around Mu Mu and the other around Fu Yuanhang, "Hey, why are your clothes exactly the same?"

"Not important, sit down quickly, class is about to start," Fu Yuanhang shoved him off with a sigh.

Kang Zi said, "Important, how is it not important? What about the Five Tigers deal? If you guys bought matching clothes, why didn't you tell us? If all five of us had matching outfits, we could've worn them to school today—how awesome would that look?"

Mu Mu started herding everyone back, "These clothes were custom-made by my Auntie Zhong. If anyone wants them, pay for the fabric yourselves and take it to Auntie Zhong to make. Now go away, get to class already."

Kang Zi and Dongzi looked at each other, "Your Auntie Zhong made them? Forget it then, too rich for our blood. Auntie Zhong only likes Ah Hang."

Mu Mu said, "Good that you know. Who doesn't like Ah Hang? Hurry to class."

Before the teacher came in, Mu Mu asked Fu Yuanhang, "Are we playing basketball or going to the library after classes?"

The high school library had finally opened, and Fu Yuanhang was dying to borrow books.

"Go to the library after lunch, play basketball in the evening," Fu Yuanhang replied.

Mu Mu asked, "What about Chenchen and Pangpang? Bring them along?"

Fu Yuanhang shook his head, "My sister-in-law is taking them somewhere at lunch, they won't be back until evening."

Mu Mu blinked, "Since when? You're not going?"

Fu Yuanhang shook his head again, whispering, "Pangpang's real dad is coming. My sister-in-law is taking them to the train station to meet him."

Mu Mu's eyes went wide, about to say something.

Fu Yuanhang raised a finger to his lips, his eyes warning, "Shh!"

Mu Mu quickly closed her mouth, swallowing her words.

...

Pangpang had been fidgety all morning, couldn't focus during games.

But the two children had a silent understanding not to mention Pangpang's real dad's arrival.

When lunchtime neared, Dongdong asked if they were eating at the cafeteria today.

Chenchen shook his head, "Mom is taking us to the government restaurant in town today, no school lunch today~~"

"Lucky you!" Dongdong said enviously, "I haven't been to town in so long."

Chenchen said, "Next time when Aunt Qiuqiu is free, we'll all go together."

Dongdong nodded, "Okay."

Just as the children wrapped up their chat, Su Taotao showed up to get them.

Xiao Lu and Zhou Shiyan both arrived.

Each carrying a kid, Su Taotao got to relax.

Dongdong said, "Aunt Taotao, next time when my mom is free, let's go to the state-owned diner together again."

Su Taotao paused for a moment and looked at Chenchen.

Chenchen blinked his innocent big eyes.

Understanding something, Su Taotao smiled and patted Dongdong's head, "Alright, we have something to do this time, but we'll take you next time. Be good in class."

Dongdong nodded, "Okay."

The other children all looked at Chenchen and Pangpang with envy.

"So envious of Chenchen, his mom is so nice too."

With such a great dad and such a wonderful mom, it's really hard not to be envious.

Dongdong said proudly, "Of course, my Aunt Taotao is the best!"

Chenchen had his own special car seat, while Pangpang had to be held by Xiao Lu.

Along the way, Pangpang seemed uneasy. Normally, he would have been babbling nonstop with Chenchen about his car seat.

But today, he just gazed out the window without saying a word.

Chenchen seemed to understand his friend's mood and also swung his little legs silently, gazing out the window.

Xiao Lu, for some reason, felt the car was strangely tense today. Even he, normally talkative, stayed quiet.

Zhou Shiyan wasn't much for conversation to begin with.

Su Taotao occasionally glanced at the rear-view mirror—this was the quietest car ride she'd ever had since she started driving.

Su Taotao took them to the state-owned diner for a simple lunch, then dropped them off at Mr. Tang's place before rushing off with her two assistants to take care of some errands.

Mr. Tang didn’t expect two children to arrive at once and was beaming with joy.

"Grandpa Tang, Grandpa Fu, this is my good friend Pangpang~~

Pangpang, this is Grandpa Tang who teaches art to Uncle Shu, and this is Grandpa Fu~~"

Pangpang, who was usually not shy, politely greeted the two elders.

Mr. Tang asked, "What are you kids doing here today?"

Su Taotao had left in a hurry after dropping them off with a few quick words.

Chenchen said, "Pangpang got lost as a baby because of his Papa. Today, his Papa is taking the train here to find him. Mom brought us to pick up his Papa~~"

Mr. Tang looked at Pangpang in surprise.

The child seemed well taken care of, not like an abandoned one.

Chenchen added, "Pangpang’s old dad and mom were very bad. They often hit him and wouldn’t feed him. I hope his new Papa is a good one~~"

Mr. Tang was even more surprised.

Pangpang didn't look underfed at all—he was much sturdier than Chenchen.

But he didn’t say anything, only asking Old Wu to bring out the finest snacks they had to treat the two children.

Chenchen was always very relaxed at Mr. Tang’s place.

He ate snacks while playing chess with Mr. Tang.

Pangpang, influenced by him, also relaxed quite a bit.

Still half-asleep, when Su Taotao came to pick them up and said it was time to go to the train station, he was still groggy.

Totally out of it, like he was wondering, *Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing here?*

Before waking them up, Su Taotao had briefly explained what had happened to Pangpang to Mr. Tang and the others.

Mr. Tang was so indignant he almost pounded the table, and his gaze at Pangpang grew even more affectionate.

When they were leaving, he filled both children's pockets to bursting with candies and cookies.

Su Taotao couldn’t stop him no matter how she tried.

After a nap and the warm hospitality from the elderly, Pangpang finally seemed like his old self again.

At 4:45 p.m., Su Taotao and the others arrived at the train station on time.

Su Taotao handed the prepared name sign to Xiao Lu and Zhou Shiyan: “Once you find him, don’t waste time—bring him over immediately.”

Xiao Lu grinned mischievously. “Boss, don’t you trust me? I was the one who picked you up the first time you came here too.”

How time flies.

It felt like a long time had passed, but in reality, it had only been about six months.

In that brief time, Su Taotao felt she had accomplished so much and was very proud of herself.

Su Taotao stepped out of the car and walked to the back seat. “Pangpang, don’t be nervous. Just treat him like an ordinary uncle. Be yourself—it’s okay.”

Pangpang bit his lip and nodded. “I know, Aunt Taotao. I’m not nervous, it’s just… just…”

Pangpang was only four years old and couldn’t put into words his feelings.

It was probably something like that nervous feeling you get when returning home after a long absence.

Su Taotao ruffled his hair. “Aunt Taotao understands.”

“Pangpang, wanna learn how to make paper airplanes~~” Chenchen said.

“Okay~~”

Su Taotao smiled, ruffled Chenchen’s hair, and stepped out to wait.

The two kids had fun with paper airplanes for a while.

Then, from a distance, Su Taotao saw Xiao Lu and Zhou Shiyan leading a tall, weary-from-travel man their way…