Right Here Waiting For You

“That’s not a good idea. I’m in elementary school, and you are in preschool. They’re quite a distance away…” said Li Yanmo as he continued doing his homework. Sneaking a glance at her, his words trailed off. “Silly girl. Kicking off the blankie even when asleep.”

The little girl sleeping on the bed was breathing evenly, her little tummy rising and falling with every inhale and exhale. Every now and then, she would suck on her fingers.

Li Yanmo walked over to the bed resignedly and made sure that the blanket covered Tiantian. He also laid on the bed, after finishing his homework. In stark contrast to Tiantian, who was soundly asleep, he seemed to have difficulty falling asleep.

Because his mom had been worried that his cold personality would result in him not being able to find a wife, she had ganged up with her bestie and found him a little kiddo. He was practically her babysitter–having to accompany her for meals, play, and sleep. What was odd though, was how he found her to be somewhat endearing, even though he had disliked her from birth.

All these questions were giving him a headache. Ning Tiantian was worse than an Olympiad math problem…

Preschool started the following day.

Mama Li dropped off Tiantian at the preschool, whereas Li Yanmo, being in third grade, rode to school on his bicycle.

“Be good, Tiantian. Don’t cry on your first day of preschool.”

At the entrance of the preschool, when Mama Li saw so many kids grabbing their parents in tears, she couldn’t help but worry about Tiantian. After all, it was Tiantian’s first time at school, and she might need some time to acclimatize.

Ning Tiantian looked up at her and said reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Godma.”

Mama Li pat Tiantian’s head with a smile. After handing her over to the teacher, she bid Tiantian goodbye. “Godma will come to fetch you in the afternoon.”

“Bye, Godma.”

“Come with me to the classroom, all right?” The slender and beautiful teacher held onto Tiantian’s hand cheerily.

Tiantian responded sweetly, “Sure. Thank you, ma’am.”

The look in Miss Mi’s eyes softened. She hadn’t expected a child to be so well-behaved on their first day at preschool.

Today was the first day of preschool, and many parents had gathered at the gate. Even gray-haired grandmas and grandpas showed up. This being the children’s first time attending school in a new environment, many of them had tear-splotched faces and refused to enter the preschool.

The pretty teacher bypassed them as she led Tiantian to the classroom.

Tiantian couldn’t help smirking. What’s there to cry about? What’s so bad about attending school?

Attending school means being with Inky every day!

Yeah, Inky! Speaking of which…

Ning Tiantian looked up at the teacher who was holding her hand, asking sweetly, “Pretty miss, could you bring me to Class 3-1?”

She had asked her godma about Inky’s class previously, in anticipation of looking for him at school.

Miss Mi paused for a bit and halted her footsteps. Looking at Tiantian in bewilderment, she said, “Kiddo, preschool doesn’t have a 3rd grade!”

“Huh?!” exclaimed Ning Tiantian. “That can’t be right! Godma told me Inky was in Class 3-1!”

Miss Mi finally comprehended what it was that the child wanted–to look for her brother. She explained to Tiantian, “In preschool, there’s only the 3s/4s class, the 4s/5s class, and the 5s/6s class. There isn’t a 3rd grade. That belongs to elementary school, so you won’t be able to find your brother here.”