SFBF CH23

Shen Qing knew that after the original owner moved in and was added to the residential community property management group chat by the property staff, he had never spoken in the group.

But that was because he understood this neighborhood was a wealthy district. Even those living in the townhouses had properties worth at least tens of millions. The original owner didn’t quite dare provoke such people and also worried that saying the wrong thing would cause Gu Huaiyu’s displeasure.

After all, Gu Huaiyu was also in the group.

He could see what he said.

However, Shen Qing felt this really wasn’t a big deal. Poor people and rich people were all just people, all living on the same Earth. Where were all these hierarchies coming from?

Besides, he was just normally asking neighbors for advice on something. Where was there any such thing as saying the wrong thing?

So before sending the message, he didn’t hesitate at all.

But Shen Qing never expected that his comment would actually have this kind of effect.

…Who wanted to acquire a tutoring center! Operating one would be very tiring and seriously didn’t align with his original intention of being a slacker.

But on second thought, he didn’t have to acquire it—he could just invest and take a cut later… But although he currently sat on several properties given by the big shot, he was only in a state of collecting rent. He wasn’t lacking money but didn’t have big money either, and had no savings…

But on further thought, he could borrow money from the big shot. That way he could make money from money, get something for nothing…

Wait.

Shen Qing quickly knocked on his own head.

—Why was his brain automatically starting a business venture again?!

If he really wanted to invest, it didn’t necessarily have to be in a tutoring center. This matter could be discussed later. Right now, the most important thing was finding a tutoring center for Young Master Duo!

Shen Qing struggled to pull back his rationality and resolve the matter at hand first.

He continued typing:

[Area 1, Building 3: @5-3-309 Not really, just want to enroll my child in a class ^ ^]

[5-3-309: Wow wow wow! The big shot replied to me!]

Probably because Shen Qing’s smiley face at the end had an effect, people in the group became slightly bolder in their comments:

[Area 2, Building 1: Ah, so there are children living in Area 1. Never seen them before]

[6-2-218: @Area 1 Building 3 Hello, my family runs an educational tutoring center. We have French, with teachers having at least 13 years of teaching experience. Should I add you on WeChat?]

[8-1-124: So children from Area 1 families also enroll in outside classes. I thought they all had tutors air-shipped from France (laugh)]

Shen Qing: “…”

Now he really didn’t dare send messages carelessly!

Right, he hadn’t thought of this—would rich families’ young masters really go to outside tutoring centers??

Shen Qing didn’t understand high society at all. The only connection seemed to be that the original owner came from the Shen family and had a good relationship with the Shen family’s young master.

But carefully combing through memories, although the original owner had started secretly crushing on Shen Yuan very early, he’d never explored where Young Master Shen usually went to school or what books he read. So this was still a knowledge blind spot for Shen Qing.

However, it had to be said, sending out the message to ask was useful. Shen Qing was suddenly awakened…

So why, with their economic conditions, would they still need to find outside tutoring centers?

Sorry, poverty really had limited his imagination.

Shen Qing went to discuss this question with Gu Duo, suggesting they just package up a tutor from France for him.

Of course, Shen Qing didn’t have this channel—he could only ask Gu Huaiyu to handle it.

Shen Qing also believed that although Gu Huaiyu was seriously ill, making a few phone calls to arrange this shouldn’t be a problem.

However, as soon as he raised this suggestion, Gu Duo rejected it.

“Don’t trouble Uncle.”

Gu Duo very calmly shook his head, clearly unmoved by the foreign tutor idea: “An ordinary tutoring center is fine.”

Shen Qing: Good heavens, this child is so young yet already knows to save his uncle and aunt worry. If he continues developing like this, maybe he’ll even provide for me in old age…

But thinking about how Gu Duo said “don’t trouble Uncle,” it seemed to have nothing to do with him…

Shen Qing: “…Alright then.”

At this moment, Gu Duo suddenly looked up: “Will finding me a tutoring center cause you trouble?”

“What?” Shen Qing didn’t understand what he meant.

“If you find it troublesome, I can find one myself.” Gu Duo said seriously.

He thought Shen Qing wanting his uncle to find some foreign tutor was because he was annoyed.

When he used to be at his eldest aunt’s house, she was often like this too.

That time when Gu Duo asked her to help with elementary school enrollment, his eldest aunt said: “Go ask your eldest uncle to handle this. I can’t do it.”

So he went to find his eldest uncle.

And then, although Gu Duo successfully started elementary school, on the first day after school, his eldest uncle sent him and his brother to their second uncle’s place…

Never cared about them again.

Although Gu Duo’s thoughts were keen and he was exceptionally intelligent, he was ultimately still too young and sometimes couldn’t directly express what he meant.

He didn’t mention this matter, just frowned and organized his words for a while, focusing on the tutoring center: “As long as you agree, I can handle everything else myself. On the way home from school, I remember there was a street with a French sign…”

“Not troublesome.” Shen Qing suddenly interrupted him, his tone resolute.

Shen Qing really couldn’t imagine how such a small child as Gu Duo thought of finding a tutoring center himself…

Normally, little beans this age shouldn’t even have a clear concept of what a tutoring center was, right?

He remembered his friend’s child, also just starting elementary school, engaged in tug-of-war with parents every day over not wanting to learn calligraphy, public speaking, or taekwondo.

But Young Master Duo could already find classes for himself…

What exactly had this child experienced in the past?

Previously too busy protecting his own life to think much about it, this was the first time Shen Qing seriously realized that what brought harm to Gu Duo’s young heart and prompted him to become the cold-blooded, ruthless future big boss was actually far more than just the persecution the original owner brought him.

…

Thinking about it, the Gu family brothers were pushed around in the Gu family. When there really was no one to care for them, Gu Huaiyu had only brought them home while supporting his sick body.

When they were at the Gu family, they also suffered plenty of cold treatment and couldn’t get close to Gu Huaiyu, this young uncle.

Perhaps the children no longer knew how to be close to adults.

And if not for this, normally speaking, even if Gu Huaiyu, someone about to die, brought the children home and established feelings with them, it would still be a harm to the children…

Because that meant experiencing yet another separation.

Thinking of this, Shen Qing suddenly understood. Perhaps the reason Gu Huaiyu rarely came to see the cubs and appeared not very close to the two children, besides not knowing how to express himself, was also because of this reason?…

Inexplicably, Shen Qing again felt a heaviness of life and death separation.

Shen Qing subconsciously intensified his tone, his attitude serious and solemn: “Uncle is discussing this question with you only to find you the best teacher and enroll you in the most suitable tutoring center. It’s never been a question of whether it’s troublesome or not.”

Feeling a bit sorry for this little boy who was as thin as a bean sprout, Shen Qing subconsciously touched the child’s head.

Unexpectedly, this time Gu Duo didn’t dodge his hand with disgust.

Shen Qing instantly felt a bit inflated. His fingertips rubbed the child’s soft hair caused by malnutrition, explaining in even more detail and patience: “What did Uncle tell you this morning? We’re family. Family members shouldn’t be afraid to trouble each other. Whatever needs you have, Uncle will try his best to satisfy you. Your uncle is the same.”

“Of course, we also need to consider his health, since Uncle is very tired right now. But you must remember, if there’s something, find aunt first. What aunt can’t do, your uncle will do. After all, we both love you and Ao very much.”

“…Okay.”

Although sometimes he found him verbose, Gu Duo would still carefully listen to every word Shen Qing said.

Then he discovered the other sometimes referred to himself as “uncle,” and sometimes as “aunt.”

…It seemed every time he was mentioned together with Uncle, he would call himself “aunt.”

Gu Duo recalled every sentence Shen Qing said and found it was indeed like this.

…But this man didn’t used to be like this.

What he used to say were all very unpleasant words, and he never called himself their aunt.

The man’s past face had gradually become far too faint. Gu Duo looked at this person’s face before him, feeling they were completely different people.

But regarding this point, he couldn’t think of an answer, and even if he did, it was useless.

Anyway, Gu Duo was very certain—he only wanted aunt to be like this now.

Not dodging the other’s hand that messed up his hair, Gu Duo’s small frame stood very straight and proper: “I understand. Thank you… Aunt.”

Gu Duo thought, since he only wanted this person to maintain this current side, and this current person called himself his aunt

Then from now on, he would always call him Aunt.

.

Later, Gu Duo still insisted on just going to an ordinary tutoring center.

His reason was also quite domineering: People who truly study could learn well regardless of the teaching environment.

Therefore, in Gu Duo’s view, there was really no need to make such a big fuss by specially hiring a foreign tutor.

…

Shen Qing felt that if Gu Duo weren’t only six and a half years old, with a height only reaching his thigh, he would worship this little kid!

Originally he only thought Ao was domineering. Duo Duo should be the type who advanced in curves, overcoming hardness with softness.

Now it seemed Gu Duo was also quite arrogant in his bones.

It was just that he’d been smoothed out early. His various childhood experiences made him hide all his arrogance deep in his bones. He could bow and scrape, could prostrate on the ground. He could be more low-key and more humble than anyone imagined.

But also crazier.

…Young Master Duo, truly worthy of you!

Afterward, he added the principal who ran the tutoring center in the group chat. After a pleasant conversation, Shen Qing felt the other party was decent. Choosing an appropriate time, Shen Qing decisively took Gu Duo to register for classes.

Riding in the car driven by the chauffeur, Shen Qing only then discovered that not far from his home, there were indeed many licensed tutoring institutions, all specifically for children, occupying almost two full streets.

…Was this the scene of wealthy districts!

No wonder these two cubs beside him always required him to be proficient in four languages.

It was really because everyone nearby was like this…

But wasn’t this too much helicopter parenting?

Shen Qing himself only knew one foreign language. Although it was at a professional level eight, after graduation, except for profession-related matters, he’d basically returned everything else to the school.

Yet these kids whose ages hadn’t reached double digits were already this competitive… Was there really no problem?

Moreover, the biggest difference between Young Masters Duo and Ao and his past self was that their money could never be spent in a lifetime!

Probably all the children in this area were like this.

So Shen Qing thought without ambition: Was it necessary to push children this hard??…

Learning knowledge too early would cause children to lose imagination, creativity, and love and interest in life.

Shen Qing himself came from helicopter parenting, so he understood this point most clearly.

He remembered the year-plus after Grandma passed away. Even though he no longer needed money and had no desire to buy property in the city, he could only mechanically work 996.

Looking back on that period of life now, probably because he’d already defined playing games and sleeping as degenerate. He felt rejection from deep in his heart. Besides work, he fundamentally didn’t know what else he could do. Even all entertainment activities made him feel uneasy. He’d rather work himself to death than enjoy a single day of leisure…

Damn.

Maybe they should just move.

Leave this place full of competition!

Hmm, the moment this idea emerged, Shen Qing took out his little notebook and wrote it down.

Even Mencius’s mother moved three times for her child!

For the cubs to have a happy, blissful childhood, what was wrong with them moving once!

Anyway, the children’s uncle, his husband, had lots of houses!

Arriving at the tutoring institution, Shen Qing’s eyes were also opened wide.

What he imagined: A few classrooms in a dark old building, inside packed full of old desks and chairs retired from who knows where. Children sitting tightly packed together, all watching the simple whiteboard in front.

What he actually saw: A bright, spacious reception desk, clean and simple classrooms full of high-tech teaching equipment. Each classroom only had a few children, at most ten, using the most popular child-spine-compatible desks and chairs of the time…

Although the principal had sent him many photos of the school interior on WeChat, Shen Qing defaulted to assuming they were all photoshopped seller’s boasts and didn’t take those photos seriously.

But really arriving here, Shen Qing only then realized that he’d truly been out of touch with society these years and lacked perspective.

His definition and understanding of tutoring centers still remained from when he was little…

“Haha, as long as Mr. Shen is satisfied. My tutoring institution can be considered among the higher quality and stronger ones in the area.”

The speaker was their neighbor from Unit 6, No. 218, also the principal of the tutoring institution Shen Qing had added on WeChat.

After touring the entire facility, Shen Qing couldn’t help but sigh—with this scale, investing less than tens of millions in initial capital simply couldn’t build it…

But such a boss only lived in townhouses in their neighborhood…

And looking at how polite and respectful the other was when receiving him, occasionally scrutinizing him, trying every means to fish for information and build rapport…

Shen Qing felt Gu Huaiyu’s image had grown another level taller in his heart.

Originally, Gu Duo had no requirements for teaching environment or teachers. Now that Shen Qing had looked and felt everything was good, he didn’t waste time and directly registered him, then wanted to leave.

But because Ao said he also wanted to attend classes…

He was only three and a half after all. The tutoring center wasn’t daycare—there weren’t yet any courses for such small children. Ao’s request really made Neighbor 218 a bit troubled too.

So Shen Qing was still invited to the reception room to wait while Neighbor 218 went outside alone to discuss possibilities with the teaching staff.

Shen Qing took the two children to drink a cup of tea in the reception hall. Neighbor 218 came back.

“It’s like this, Mr. Shen. Our teachers temporarily don’t have experience teaching courses to three-year-old children. We could arrange one-on-one tutoring for the young master, but mainly it could only focus on familiarizing with the oral language environment and enlightenment education…”

“Then forget it.” Before the principal finished speaking, Gu Duo had already interrupted him.

He still wasn’t used to making things too difficult for adults: “After going back, I can teach my little brother.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Ao also nodded. His suggestion to attend classes was only because he wanted to be with his brother. Moreover, Ao listened most to his brother. If brother said forget it, then forget it: “Ao listens to Brother!”

Shen Qing originally didn’t want the child to deliberately learn these languages too early, so he said: “Since that’s the case, then Ao won’t come to classes for now.”

Hearing this, the principal breathed a sigh of relief and couldn’t help praising: “The young masters are truly sensible, sensible and motivated. Mr. Shen teaches so well.”

Three and a half year olds weren’t unteachable—they were mainly harder to care for. Language teachers really couldn’t handle this work.

But before coming in, the principal was still quite apprehensive. After all, who knew what temperament top-tier tycoons living in Area 1 had?

But looking at Shen Qing, he seemed like a very easy-going person.

Could be said to be quite approachable.

Besides this, Mr. Shen’s appearance was very extraordinary. The principal had almost never seen a young man with such refined, handsome looks…

It was just that he seemed a bit too young.

Moreover, he remembered when registering and paying just now, the children’s surname entered was “Gu.”

…In Hua City, who with any standing hadn’t heard of the Gu family?

It was normal for Gu family people to live in their neighborhood.

But what was concerning was that there were rumors that the Gu family person living in their neighborhood might be that Gu Huaiyu, Mr. Gu.

…

Gu family people and Gu Huaiyu still had distinctions.

In fact, the principal had already indirectly found out from one of his wealthy friends that the person living in their neighborhood was indeed that Mr. Gu.

It was believed that precisely because of this, everyone in the entire neighborhood both respected and feared Villa No. 3 in Area 1…

Because there were also rumors that all the detached villas in Area 1 belonged to that Mr. Gu.

…

But the current problem was that Mr. Shen’s surname was Shen, not Gu.

Yet watching him lead the two young masters on the tour and the exchanges and interactions between him and the children, he really didn’t seem like a servant or other staff member of the Gu family.

Besides, could staff enter the owner’s group?

To respect other owners in the group, property management would only pull people with owner status into the group and wouldn’t agree to let people with identities like nannies into the group.

Really unable to suppress his curiosity, and indeed intending to curry favor and build connections, after praising the children a few more times, the principal threw out this question: “Mr. Shen is so young. May I ask what relation you have to the young masters?”

The implication being, you shouldn’t be the young masters’ father, right…

Fortunately, with two children present, the principal also successfully fished out information.

Rarely going out and therefore very excited and very fond of chatting with people, Gu Ao directly rushed to answer: “This is our Aunt!”

Gu Ao previously didn’t have a clear concept and didn’t know what to call Shen Qing.

Most of the time he called him bad guy, bad Uncle Su. Sometimes he went with the flow—whatever Shen Qing called himself, he called that, or whatever brother called him, he followed.

But before going out this time, Gu Duo specifically instructed him that from now on, when seeing Shen Qing, call him Aunt.

So Ao remembered.

From now on, call him Aunt.

The three-and-a-half-year-old Ao, because his brother persistently taught him to speak and corrected his pronunciation, said these characters quite clearly—perfectly pronounced.

The principal heard clearly and was also charmed by Ao’s liveliness and cuteness. He couldn’t help but show an auntie smile: “Oh, Aunt… Ah? Aunt??? …Then who is your uncle?…”

This last question had no fishing for information or purpose at all. It was completely because he felt something seemed off and asked subconsciously.

The lively, cute Ao across from him was very cooperative, directly coming with a recitation: “Our uncle is Gu Huaiyu. He now lives at Area 1, Champagne Garden, Wutong Street. Phone number four… mmph mmph mmph!”

“Phone number four what” wasn’t successfully recited.

Long Aotian had already been, under the principal uncle’s practically shocked pupils, firmly covered at the mouth by his Aunt.

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