Chapter 165: Kindergarten

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Kindergarten

Once the cameras were off, the guests, who were already relaxed, became even more laid-back.

Fu Chao immediately sidled up to Nan Zhi.

"So, what did you think of my suggestion just now?"

He actually seemed more eager about it than Nan Zhi!

Nan Zhi felt Nan Yi’s small hand once again tighten its grip on the corner of her clothes.

She reached out and patted him reassuringly.

Then, she said to Fu Chao,

"I’m sure Xiao Xi’s kindergarten is excellent, but..."

Nan Zhi pressed her lips together, looking a bit troubled.

Although she didn’t know the specifics of Fu Chao’s and Qing Xi’s family background, seeing how Fu Chao’s parents spoke and dressed that day told her they must come from an incredibly wealthy family.

Even if Nan Zhi wanted to give Nan Yi the best of everything, her financial situation was limited right now. She couldn’t possibly pour all their savings into kindergarten tuition.

So, she could only politely decline.

"...Thank you for your kind offer, but it might be a little difficult for me."

Fu Chao was cheerful, not stupid.

He immediately understood that she was short on cash.

For someone who seemed so guileless, he surprisingly didn’t blurt it out. Instead, he slapped his forehead.

"Silly me, I completely forgot to send you the information on the kindergarten! Don’t rush into a decision. Why not wait until you’ve had a look at the details?"

Nan Zhi understood his kind intentions and didn’t refuse this time.

"Okay, I’ll take a look."

After a two-second pause, she added,

"I have something to do tomorrow, but I’m free today. Why don’t you let Xiao Xi come over to our place tonight? It’s a perfect chance for me to make some of their favorite food, and I can take him home afterward."

Fu Chao’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Can I come too?"

’I have lots of favorite foods, too!’

Nan Zhi asked, confused,

"But don’t you have plans with someone tonight?"

She had accidentally overheard Fu Chao saying he had plans to play ball with someone...

"It’s fine, he can play by himself."

’Ditching him is no big deal. How could that be more important than a meal?’

Fu Chao clenched his fists excitedly, absolutely determined not to miss this golden opportunity!

"Are you playing golf?"

"No, tennis."

"..."

’Tennis by himself?’

’Is he going to play against the air?’

Nan Zhi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

But when she remembered it was Fu Chao, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

"If you’d like to come, I’d be more than happy to have you."

Nan Zhi’s answer made Fu Chao’s grin grow even wider.

With the matter settled, their conversation came to a temporary close.

Xie Yu, who had been lingering nearby, "coincidentally" drew closer.

"I think I overheard you talking about... eating dinner tonight?"

His expression was casual.

But he inadvertently pointed out the terrible crime of Nan Zhi and Fu Chao planning to ditch everyone else for a private meal.

Qi Pei’er, who had been on the phone with her manager, hung up and quickly swooped in.

"Dinner? What dinner?"

Nan Zhi told them the truth—that Fu Chao had helped her by recommending a kindergarten, so she was planning to cook a meal to thank him and let the two kids play together.

Qi Pei’er’s eyes lit up like lightbulbs.

"Kindergarten? I know all about that! My manager’s mother is the director of a public kindergarten! My Qi Zhang just transferred there a little while ago!"

She then listed all the various features of the public kindergarten, which had excellent reviews all around.

Most importantly, a public kindergarten like this wouldn’t put too much financial pressure on Nan Zhi.

Nan Zhi was clearly torn.

Fu Chao also sensed the impending crisis.

Before he could even open his mouth, Xie Yu beat him to it.

"Why not consider An’an’s kindergarten?"

He explained the situation succinctly.

In short, it was well-balanced in all aspects, though the tuition might be slightly more expensive than the public one.

But there was one very important point...

It was within walking distance of Nan Zhi’s home!

When he realized this, not only was Nan Zhi taken aback, but even Xie Yu himself couldn’t help but be surprised!

He mused for a moment before saying,

"In that case, we live very close to each other."

Just a street away, a few minutes’ walk.

Hearing this, Nan Zhi was even more tempted.

Just moments ago, she had been agonizing over finding a kindergarten.

In the blink of an eye, three options, each with its own pros and cons, were laid out before her, leaving her so dazzled she didn’t know which to choose.

She only hesitated for a moment.

But Fu Chao was already about to explode with anxiety.

"H-Hey, it’s first come, first served!"

Xie Yu calmly retorted,

"This is Nan Zhi and Nan Yi’s decision. No one can interfere."

Qi Pei’er nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Yeah, yeah, Nan Zhi hasn’t even said anything yet!"

Fu Chao was indignant and heartbroken.

On the side, the little ones’ heads quietly drew closer together.

Qi Zhang, who had been brought over midway, was bewildered.

"What are they talking about?"

Nan Yi remained expressionless and didn’t reply.

Qing Xi had to explain for him:

"Auntie Zhizhi said she’s going to send little brother Yiyi to kindergarten."

His tone was full of sympathy and pity.

As expected of Qing Xi’s good buddy, Qi Zhang’s eyes widened as he exclaimed:

"Ah! Poor little brother Yiyi!"

Qing Xi sighed like a little adult.

"I know, right? Who even likes going to kindergarten?"

The usually quiet Xie An’an countered them:

"I like it. The teachers at kindergarten are really gentle, the food is good, and there are lots of other kids. I love going to kindergarten!"

Qing Xi and Qi Zhang looked at Xie An’an with expressions of complete bewilderment.

Nan Yi still remained expressionless.

After a long moment, he let out a breath.

"Either way, I’m not going."

Meanwhile, Nan Zhi also gave her answer:

"I’d like to visit them in person before I decide. After all, Yiyi is a bit resistant to the idea of school."

If Nan Yi was truly and fiercely against it, Nan Zhi felt that delaying his enrollment a little wouldn’t be out of the question.

So, she decided to take him to visit the kindergartens first, to change his view of school as some kind of terrifying beast.

Everyone agreed with Nan Zhi’s suggestion.

However, about that dinner tonight...

Looking at the three pairs of eyes staring at her expectantly, Nan Zhi couldn’t help but laugh.

"Why don’t you all come to my place? We can have a celebratory cast dinner today?"

Fu Chao chuckled in relief.

Qi Pei’er raised her hands and cheered.

Xie Yu gave a subtle, knowing smile.

They all hurried to share the good news with the children.

Children have short memories. They immediately forgot their sympathy for Nan Yi and started jumping around happily.

"Yay! We get to play together again!"

"What should we do later?"

"I want to see little brother Yiyi’s room!"

"..."

Everyone began arriving at Nan Zhi’s house a little after 4 p.m.

After coming in, they hadn’t even had time to sit down.

Nan Zhi went to the kitchen and came back out.

"There are no groceries in the fridge. I need to go out and buy some."

After being away filming for half a month, she had long since cleared everything out.

Fu Chao went, "Ah!"

"I totally forgot about something so important! Don’t worry, I’ll call my assistant to go buy them!"

Nan Zhi stopped him.

"No need, there’s a supermarket just downstairs. It’ll only take a few steps."

As she spoke, she started walking toward the door.

Without a second thought, Xie Yu followed her.

"I’ll go with you."

They had done all the grocery shopping together these past few days, so Nan Zhi was used to it and was just about to nod.