Chapter Fifty-Five: What? Kindergarten?

Xuanyan spent another night researching mechas online. The more she delved into these machines and modern technology, the more fascinated she became. Unfortunately, she was dragged out of bed early in the morning by Wan Qi Lianhao.

Xuanyan yawned delicately, letting Wan Qi Lianhao dress her without protest. After all, he’d seen it all countless times, so what did it matter now? She was long used to it. It wasn’t until she’d been washed and dressed that Wan Qi Lianhao patted her on the head. Xuanyan reluctantly raised her head to glance at her father, grumbling inwardly about being made to get up so early for no reason.

She let Wan Qi Lianhao carry her to the main building’s dining hall. To her surprise, both of the usually pitiable brothers were already sitting at the table so early—was there a special occasion today?

"Good morning, Third Uncle. Good morning, Xuanyan," greeted the two brothers, Wan Qi Weihao and Wan Qi Weihang, dutifully.

Lately, they’d often taken Xuanyan to play at their place, sometimes just the two of them, sometimes with friends, and occasionally with Wan Qi Lianjun present as well. Without fail, there were always treats—jerky, Xuanyan knew full well it must be Wan Qi Lianjun’s doing, so she thoroughly enjoyed it every time she visited. If she couldn’t finish, she’d take some back to her room to eat in secret, paying no mind to her steadily increasing weight.

Wan Qi Lianhao always wanted to say something about it, but at the sight of his elder brother’s gaze, he could never bring himself to speak.

"Xuanyan, darling, you’re here?" Tong Wan came out of the kitchen, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she looked at her three grandchildren. Despite their comfortable life, she insisted on making breakfast herself, never letting the servants or robots do the work.

Xuanyan squinted at her grandmother and nodded, joining the brothers to call out, "Grandma."

Tong Wan, holding a plate of fried eggs, beamed at them. "Good." She set the plate down, pleased by her grandchildren’s presence.

"Mother," Wan Qi Lianhao stood up from Xuanyan’s side to take the plate from Tong Wan and placed it on the table, adding a fried egg to Xuanyan’s bowl.

Xuanyan pouted at the egg, prodding it with her little spoon.

Tong Wan sat down and handed Xuanyan a glass of juice. She knew her granddaughter didn’t care for milk, so she always prepared juice or soy milk for her in the mornings.

"Is Xuanyan going to school today?" Tong Wan asked Wan Qi Lianhao. He was the only man of the house at home today; the other three were all busy.

Xuanyan immediately snapped to attention. What? School?

Wan Qi Lianhao nodded. "Yes, we’ve already made arrangements. You’ll be attending the kindergarten affiliated with the First Federal Military Academy. Today is the first day of term."

Kindergarten? What was that?

"Yes, Weihao and Weihang attend the affiliated elementary school, so they can look after Xuanyan. Take them along," Tong Wan said.

"Our little sister is going to school?" Weihao put down his chopsticks, grinning, and Weihang did the same, glancing at their grandmother.

Tong Wan patted Weihang’s head. "Eat your food. When your sister goes to school, you two must take good care of her."

"Of course, of course," the brothers agreed eagerly, their eyes squinting with delight. They’d grown increasingly fond of their little sister.

Kindergarten? Xuanyan’s jaw dropped. She was going to school? Kindergarten, no less? She had mentioned to Zhan Yu not long ago that she wanted to find a school, but wasn’t this a bit too soon? And kindergarten at that—weren’t kindergartners just a crowd of snotty little kids, crying all day, calling for their mothers?

Was she really to attend school every day with a group of little kids like that?

Before Xuanyan could process it, she was already at the gates of the kindergarten.

The First Imperial Military Academy was the best school in the entire Federation. It had affiliated middle, elementary, and even kindergarten divisions. The kindergarten, being under the Academy’s wing, was naturally located nearby, right next to where Weihao and Weihang attended elementary school. The brothers accompanied Wan Qi Lianhao and Xuanyan to the entrance.

Xuanyan stared at the colorful, castle-like building, mouth twitching. How had she ended up here without realizing it?

She looked around at the crowd of children at the gates, all clinging to their parents or grandparents, many with tear-stained faces. Xuanyan glanced up at her father, wondering how she might persuade him to abandon this idea of sending her to kindergarten.

Weihao and Weihang obediently said their goodbyes to Wan Qi Lianhao. "Goodbye, Xuanyan!"

Xuanyan nodded listlessly.

Wan Qi Lianhao patted her head, urging her to be spirited.

Xuanyan, slumping in his arms, had no energy at all as he carried her into the school.

Having been away from the Imperial Capital for years, one could walk down the street without being recognized. Wan Qi Lianhao proceeded calmly, having already made arrangements with the school. Yiqiong led the way, with Wan Qi Lianhao following, carrying Xuanyan.

After giving a few instructions, Wan Qi Lianhao left, reassured.

Yiqiong watched her master go, while her young mistress sat dazed at her seat, clearly bewildered.

He just left like that? Was the young master really at ease?

But seeing how docile her young mistress looked, Yiqiong quickly hurried after Wan Qi Lianhao, who was already out of sight.

Of course, Wan Qi Lianhao was at ease. Anything concerning Xuanyan was top priority at home. Matters like school arrangements didn’t require his direct involvement—Wan Qi Yi had already taken care of everything, and Tong Wan had confirmed all the details repeatedly.

Even Xuanyan’s future classmates had been thoroughly investigated. This kindergarten was, after all, the best in the Federation, though its one flaw was that it was entirely aristocratic, with almost all students being children of the Federation’s prominent families.

Wan Qi Yi and Tong Wan feared someone might bully Xuanyan, but Wan Qi Lianhao thought they were worrying for nothing. Who could possibly bully Xuanyan? It was more likely the other way around—someone would come complaining about being bullied by her.

And, given Wan Qi Yi’s stubbornness and Tong Wan’s fierce protectiveness, no one would dare lay a finger on Xuanyan.

Wan Qi Lianhao was more concerned about his daughter picking up bad habits. Especially with her steadily increasing weight, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of worry, not just mild concern.

He could almost see her becoming the second notorious troublemaker in the Federation, robust and intimidating. Thinking of Xuanyan’s weight, he feared she’d end up with a face full of chubby cheeks.

If you enjoyed this, please roll on the ground, act cute, and leave a recommendation!

P.S. I recommend Mirror’s book "Spring Fills the Boudoir."