Zhao Youlin was relieved after a new secretary had been selected. In the future, at least, the weirdos could not barge in her office or lay their hands on her staff as easily as they did previously.
Zhao Youlin woke up early the next morning. She also woke her rosy-cheeked child up from his bed.
“No, Mommy. I’m still tired… I want to sleep.” Joy buried himself under the blanket like a baby silkworm. He waved his hand in dissatisfaction as if to wave away the annoying harassment.
Zhao Youlin was amused by Joy who looked just like a piggy. She reached out and patted his small butt. She chuckled as she said, “Joy, if you don’t wake up, I’ll have to go first. I won’t send you to the kindergarten, and the driver will fetch you there.”
“Huh?” Upon hearing this, Joy’s plump body shuddered. He crawled out blearily from under his blanket, and he clung to Zhao Youlin’s shoulder in his bleary eyes. He pressed himself against Zhao Youlin’s body and shouted, “No, no. Mommy, I want you to accompany me. I want Mommy…”
Zhao Youlin lowered her head and gave a peck on Joy’s fleshy cheeks, “Then get up quickly!”
“Okay…”
Zhao Youlin could not help but smile when she looked at Joy’s sleepy eyes. Her heart burst from looking at her child who had gained more weight than before. Then, she rose up and went to the washroom.
Ever since they moved out of the Mu family, Zhao Youlin had been staying with Joy in the same room. One, she wanted to make up for Joy’s lack of mother-son relationship in the past. Two, Joy was still very young, she did not feel comfortable letting him sleep in the room alone.
After the mother-son pair washed up, Zhao Youlin purposely put on a set of new apparel on Joy.
It was a fluffy white sweater with a big, cute kitten imprinted on it, paired with a pair of snowy white fluffy cotton pants with a bunch of kittens imprinted on it, and lastly, matched them with a cap with kitten ears. Joy looked very adorable in them.
After Joy got changed, he looked at Zhao Youlin innocently. He stretched out his hands and shouted, “Mommy, hug hug.”
Zhao Youlin’s eyes sparkled. She lunged at him, hugged him and kissed him intensely. She cried out in excitement, “Oh dear, Joy, you look really cute!”
Zhao Youlin was satisfied after hugging her son for some time. Then, she took Joy out for breakfast, and they departed to kindergarten.
The kindergarten which Duan Yarong had chosen for Joy was located at a not-so-crowded commercial and residential area. At the same time, it was more secluded but on top of that, it offered a conducive environment.
By the time Zhao Youlin and Joy arrived at the kindergarten, the female teacher was already waiting for them at the entrance.
“Is he Joy? He’s so cute! Come, let me hug you, okay?” The female teacher’s eyes sparkled when she spotted Joy in Zhao Youlin’s arms. She walked forward and took the initiative to carry Joy.
Unfortunately, Joy rarely got in touch with strangers. He did not give honor to the female teacher. Instead, he clung to Zhao Youlin, not willing to let go of her even if it cost his life while looking at the female teacher warily. A hint of fear appeared in his eyes.
When Zhao Youlin saw this, she immediately said, “Joy has been staying at home most of the time, so he’s a bit shy when he sees strangers. Ms. Shen, I hope you don’t mind…”
The female teacher was also aware that she had acted abruptly. She grinned and kept her hands to herself. She did not take it to heart. Instead, the way she looked at Joy grew increasingly gentle, “I’ve acted too suddenly. Ms. Zhao, your son is very cute. I couldn’t help myself…”
Zhao Youlin had a good impression of Ms. Shen. She was a straightforward person and did not attempt to curry favor with her even after knowing she was from the Zhao family. Besides, Zhao Youlin had been here once. She had observed the surroundings as well as Ms. Shen’s interaction with the children. Her interaction with the children could tell that she truly enjoyed being with children and adored them.
As such, Zhao Youlin could leave her precious son under her care at ease.
“Your child is called Joy, right? Come, Joy. Come in with me. There are many girls and boys about your age. You could make friends with them and play games together, okay?”
Upon hearing this, Joy looked up from Zhao Youlin’s shoulder, and he cast a questioning glance at Zhao Youlin.
Zhao Youlin placed her child down and let him stand on his own. She reached out and caressed his head. She smiled gently, “Did you forget what you’ve promised me at home? Go with her.”
Joy hesitated for a while before he answered softly, “Then… Mommy, remember to pick me up after work.”
“Okay. Joy, you’ll be rest assured that you’ll see me right after your class,” Zhao Youlin looked up at Ms. Shen, and she said, “Ms. Shen, I’ll hand Joy over to you, then.”
Ms. Shen nodded. She waved her hand at Joy, and she said, “Come here, Joy. Come with me.”
Joy reluctantly looked at Zhao Youlin, only then he slowly stretched out his hand to Ms. Shen, allowing her to lead him through the kindergarten entrance.
Joy turned back to look at Zhao Youlin for every step he took. Zhao Youlin watched him until he was completely out of her sight. She was not in a hurry to depart. So, she rested in a secluded shade outside the kindergarten.
After watching Joy being led into the kindergarten by Ms. Shen from afar, he cowardly hid behind Ms. Shen and looked at those lively children. After that, Ms. Shen coaxed Joy to step out and introduce himself to other children.
A child’s world was fairly innocent and simple. The originally lively children immediately quietened down when they saw Joy, perhaps attracted to his cuteness. After Joy introduced himself hesitantly, a more active and bold child went forward and took the initiative to hold Joy’s hand.
Joy was initially a bit restrained. But, he was still a child, after all. Soon, he mingled with the children effortlessly.
Zhao Youlin stood under the shade of the tree for more than ten minutes. Seeing Joy slowly mingling around with other children, her face was filled with a smile that was hardly seen at home.
She finally understood what Duan Yarong had meant in the beginning. A child should play around with children about his age.
Although the child was equally happy when playing with them, it was difficult for adults to understand a child’s mind. It was only when the child mingled with children about their age that he could reveal his true nature.
Zhao Youlin felt relieved, and she turned around to leave the kindergarten. While she was about to return to her car and go back to her company. She heard a stranger’s voice from behind and asked, “Are you… Youlin?”
Zhao Youlin froze. She turned back and looked at the person. The next moment, she was greeted by the sight of a noble lady standing not far away from her.
The lady was very beautiful. She maintained a youthful look and it was impossible to tell her exact age. She wore a plain dress that brought out her curvy figure. Her gorgeous curly hair was hanging in front of her chest and adorned with a crystal blue gemstone pin. Her overall appearance was low-key yet luxurious. What attracted Zhao Youlin the most was her light blue eyes which stood out among the rest. The woman’s clear, bright eyes were filled with a hint of glee that Zhao Youlin could not quite figure out.
