“Tan Mo and Qin Muye rushed to the store to buy stationery,” Xu Huaiyan joined, eager to say something. “While they were away, Qin Muxiao warned us not to tell Tan Mo that she was the one who ruined her stationery.”
Wei Zhiqian nodded.
“On Friday, the test paper will be returned and the results will be announced.” Wei Zhiqian finally removed his hands from Tan Mo’s head.
He then playfully pulled a small braid on her head.
Tan Mo hurriedly checked her braids.
“We will pass by your classroom on Friday,” Wei Zhiqian said.
They could look for Wei Zhiqian and Qin Mufeng through the window.
“Wait for my signal. When you see it, that’s your cue to expose Qin Muxiao to the teacher.” Wei Zhiqian’s gaze swept across their faces as he said, “Can you do it?”
How could these five children withstand Wei Zhiqian’s gaze?
Wei Zhiqian’s gaze was brief, yet it was cold and stern. When the five children saw it, their hands and feet felt cold. They didn’t dare to move nor object.
The five children nodded obediently. They were usually headstrong and uncompromising, but in front of Wei Zhiqian, they were well-behaved.
“We can!” all five answered.
Wei Zhiqian nodded with satisfaction.
Even if they couldn’t, he would make them do it on Friday.
“Also, you all have to remember one thing,” Qin Mufeng began seriously. “We will fulfill all of Muye’s promises. If she said that the Qin family would protect you, the Qin family would definitely protect you. You have my word.”
“Yes.” The five children bowed their heads obediently.
“I’m putting the word out for the last time,” Qin Mufeng said coldly. “Qin Muxiao is nothing. I’ve already said this. Whoever gives in to her threats in the future is an idiot.”
The five children didn’t know how to respond.
“If Qin Muxiao threatens you again, you can go and tell Muye. Pay no attention to Qin Muxiao.” Qin Mufeng raised his eyebrows and said, “Understand?”
The five children replied in unison, “Understand.”
After the five children left, Qin Muye turned around, held Qin Mufeng’s waist excitedly, and knelt on the chair. “Brother, why are you here?”
“We saw you guys discussing something back in school. We thought you might need our help,” Qin Mufeng explained. The hot pot ice cream on the table caught his eyes.
Qin Muye: “…”
Qin Muye’s eyes widened as she tried to shield the hot pot ice cream with her small hands.
Qin Mufeng shook his head and smiled. He looked at his sister affectionately and said, “I already saw it. Tell you what, eat more vegetables for dinner, and I won’t tell Mom and Dad.”
“Oh.” Qin Muye looked a little dejected.
‘Why does it have to be vegetables?’ Qin Muye thought.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you home.” Wei Zhiqian lifted Tan Mo from her chair.
Tan Mo quickly waved goodbye to Qin Muye and Ming Yeqing.
“Little Uncle, you are so kind.” In the car, Tan Mo slipped into Wei Zhiqian’s arms and acted like a baby.
For a moment, Wei Zhiqian thought he was holding a little snow fairy in his arms.
“Do you envy Muye?” Wei Zhiqian asked, hugging her.
“Why should I envy Muye?” Tan Mo got confused.
The thought hadn’t crossed Tan Mo’s mind. Seeing her bewildered look, Wei Zhiqian knew that Tan Mo had never envied Qin Muye.
He chuckled.
‘This little girl seems to be able to maintain the purity of her heart no matter what kind of situation or people she is faced with.’
Wei Zhiqian smiled and said, “With Qin Mufeng backing her up, no one dares to bully her. In critical situations, just like the one you witnessed a while ago, she can use the Qin family’s influence. If she didn’t propose to expose Qin Muxiao, would you have resigned yourself to your bad luck?”
“But Muye defended me.” Tan Mo blinked, confused at where Wei Zhiqian was getting at.
Wei Zhiqian sighed and simply said, “If you encounter this kind of problem in the future, you don’t need to ask for Muye’s help.”
Tan Mo looked up and wore a silly expression on her face. Wei Zhiqian smiled and continued, “Just like how Muye can use the influence of the Qin family to back her up and mention her brother, you can just mention my name in the future.”
Wei Zhiqian had never offered this to anyone.
Tan Mo was an exception. She was docile.
Tan Mo had been with him for so long, and he even helped her with homework every day.
Even someone who didn’t know them could tell that the two of them had a good relationship.
Tan Mo had never used his name to intimidate people.
Perhaps she was afraid that doing so would make him dislike her.
Tan Mo didn’t want him to think that she was taking advantage of his generosity. She was just being careful. However, Wei Zhiqian somehow felt a little upset.
To him, Tan Mo didn’t have to be so careful.
“Don’t worry. You call me Little Uncle, so I will support you.” Wei Zhiqian went on, lips pursed, “Otherwise, won’t I be a useless Little Uncle if I can’t help you?”
“If people bully you, others will look down on me for being unable to protect even a little girl.” It was through him that Tan Mo got into Jixia Academy after all.
He knew that with Tan Mo’s family background, her life at Jixia Academy would be difficult. She was an easy target.
If he failed to protect Tan Mo, it would be tantamount to harming her.
“Just like how Qin Mufeng is Muye’s backer and how she can use the Qin family’s influence, I am also your backer,” Wei Zhiqian emphasized. No matter what happens, you can just mention the Wei family. If someone doubts you, tell them I said so. I’ve got your back no matter what.”
“Is it really okay?” Tan Mo was hesitant.
She did not dare to exploit her relationship with Wei Zhiqian.
The two actually had nothing to do with each other.
Wei Zhiqian might have a good impression of her and was willing to take care of her, but she didn’t want to use Wei Zhiqian’s influence to add prestige to herself.
“Of course, you can.” Wei Zhiqian nodded. He then raised his hand to poke Tan Mo’s forehead.
As his finger was close to touching her forehead, he remembered something.
He recalled how Tan Mo’s forehead turned red when he flicked it.
How could Wei Zhiqian dare to do it again? He then reached for Tan Mo’s head and gently pulled a small braid. “You little girl… How could you have so many thoughts? You do what Muye does. There is no need to worry.”
Tan Mo was so touched by Wei Zhiqian’s gesture that tears filled her eyes, and she buried her head into his arms.
Her little head hit Wei Zhiqian’s chest, and he coughed because of the impact.
“Little Uncle, you are so kind!” Tan Mo exclaimed.
Wei Zhiqian couldn’t help but smile.
‘This is probably how raising a child feels like. It’s satisfying.’
*
In a blink of an eye, it was already Friday.
On this day, students had to go to school to find out how they fared in the exam. The test papers would be returned, and they would learn about their scores.
The exam that the students had just taken was for the first semester. However, to find out if they passed or they needed to repeat a grade level, they had to wait for the final exam results next semester and then combine the results with their credits.
