SFBF CH24

It had to be said — the moment Gu Ao opened his mouth to answer the principal uncle’s question, Shen Qing felt a sudden sense of dread.

But as a mature, reasonable adult guardian, he couldn’t very well go around covering a child’s mouth, even if said child had just called him “auntie” in front of everyone…

Ugh, ugh, ugh!

Shen Qing admitted that at home, in the elite upper-class circles where he needed to borrow authority, and in front of people like Gu Huaixiang, he could freely call himself the children’s auntie and Gu Huaiyù’s wife without a second thought.

But in front of complete strangers who had no idea what kind of household they were — that was a different story entirely!

He was still a straight man, after all! He still had some psychological defenses and a shred of dignity left!

To publicly admit that he, a grown man, had married another man through an arranged union — that kind of novel plotline — how could any normal man just accept that!

Even if he was, in fact, currently living inside a novel.

…

But even so, Shen Qing had endured it.

He’d just chalk it up to children saying whatever comes to mind. He was sure the principal uncle wouldn’t believe it or read too much into it.

Right. He was absolutely not the type of parent to cover a child’s mouth… yeah, sure.

But then he watched Little Long Aotian nearly hand over his uncle’s phone number — and worse, when he caught the principal uncle’s expression across from him: that strange, deeply meaningful look of shock barely concealed behind a composed mask — Shen Qing stopped caring whether this kid was the future villain destined to destroy him or not!

“Mmph!”

He clapped a hand over the child’s mouth, and smoothly used the motion to squish the little bun-face in his palm. Shen Qing gave the principal an awkward smile, then leaned down to explain to Little Long Aotian: “That’s not what the principal uncle was asking, you don’t need to recite that.”

Little Long Aotian blinked his big round eyes, those clear black-and-white pupils full of confusion and curiosity.

— If he wasn’t asking that, then what was he asking?

Shen Qing kept smiling and explained: “The principal uncle was just asking casually.”

The principal uncle, having finally snapped back to his senses, hurriedly nodded along in agreement.

The principal also felt that he had asked something he shouldn’t have — or rather, the child had answered something he really shouldn’t have heard…

Good heavens, how could someone like him deserve to hear the big boss’s phone number?!

No wait, that wasn’t even the point anymore!

“Ahem — so you’re Director Gu’s… partner.”

The principal said it without thinking.

And immediately regretted it.

His tone made it sound like he was on familiar terms with Director Gu…

The principal quickly added: “I had the honor of seeing Director Gu once — three years ago, at an economic summit. I was in the same hall as Director Gu at the time.”

Shen Qing politely nodded. “Oh~”

“What I mean is, Director Gu was representing all of Hua City and gave a report, so that’s why I saw him — but I was just sitting in the back rows. Director Gu wouldn’t know who I am…”

Shen Qing didn’t quite understand why he was explaining all this, but continued to nod along. “Oh, oh, I see.”

The principal grew more and more flustered: “What I mean to say is — meeting you and the little young masters is truly an honor!”

Shen Qing: “…”

Shen Qing was at a complete loss for words, and could only reply, “The honor is ours as well.”

“…”

The principal didn’t know why he’d rambled on so much either, but in any case — having confirmed that Director Gu was truly living in their residential community, and that Director Gu’s young nephews were actually attending his tutoring center — !!

The principal immediately rubbed his hands together with excitement: “How about this — the young master’s tuition will be completely waived! The young master can come learn whatever he likes whenever he wants. We’re all neighbors in the same community after all…”

“No no no,” Shen Qing rushed to stop him. He couldn’t possibly accept that!

Besides, the tuition was being paid by the big boss anyway, and their household wasn’t short on money…

But the principal was insistent: “No no no, I must insist! I’m actually Director Gu’s biggest fan. If you get the chance, just ask him to give me an autograph, that’ll be more than enough…”

Shen Qing: “…?”

Even businesspeople are getting fandom-brained these days?

Of course the principal was only joking and being polite about the autograph. If they were talking about actual signatures, a single one from Director Gu on a contract could be worth hundreds of millions — who would dare actually ask for something like that?

But since he was being polite, Shen Qing played along in kind.

In the end, both parties agreed: Gu Duo’s French class would continue with regular tuition, and if Duozai wanted to learn anything else in the future, he just needed to let the principal uncle know in advance, and the principal would arrange the classes — with a discount applied.

Gu Duo, who had sat silently listening to their entire conversation, couldn’t help the way his eyes quietly lit up when he heard this.

Gu Duo didn’t quite understand what “discount” meant, and that wasn’t why he was excited.

He was excited because he had caught on — auntie seemed to have no objection at all to him learning other subjects.

The two parties exchanged pleasantries for a while longer, then Shen Qing’s phone rang.

He took it as the perfect opportunity to stand up and bid farewell, taking the children with him.

Just before leaving, Aozai clamped his legs together and announced he needed to use the bathroom.

He was still little, he couldn’t hold it — so Shen Qing and Gu Duo rushed him to the restroom.

The principal naturally followed along, but once they reached the restroom door, he couldn’t very well go inside to watch the little young master do his business, and so he waited at the entrance.

At this point, the principal’s assistant came walking over. He had worked alongside his boss for many years, and seeing his boss set aside every task at hand to personally attend to these two guests, the assistant had some reservations.

“Boss, are those two kids really Director Gu’s nephews? And that Mr. Shen — is he really Director Gu’s wife?” The assistant was deeply skeptical.

They had received quite a few ultra-wealthy families at this tutoring center, but three years ago Director Gu, young as he was, had made it onto the Forbes rankings — known to everyone both within the country and abroad. The assistant was naturally aware of this.

Even after Director Gu had mysteriously disappeared from public view — reportedly retreating behind the scenes and keeping the lowest possible profile — word had it that his assets were now even greater than before.

How could someone like that have family members coming to their little tutoring center?

And that Mr. Shen — he had zero airs about him, and seemed remarkably approachable. He was nothing like the wealthy people the assistant had interacted with before…

The assistant didn’t get far in his musings. His boss cut him off directly: “Shut up. Stop making wild guesses.”

Just then, sounds came from inside the restroom, followed by a door opening. The boss and assistant both fell silent immediately.

From inside came the clear, bright voice of that young man called Shen Qing: “Aozai is so amazing! You held it this whole time without wetting your pants!”

What followed was a small voice, soft but brimming with pride: “Hmph. A trivial matter not worth mentioning.”

“Aozai would NEVER wet his pants! That would be way too embarrassing!”

Shen Qing was genuinely surprised that he already knew how to use idioms — but then again, dragon-king bravado was basically a factory setting for this kid, so perhaps it wasn’t so surprising.

“But next time you need the bathroom, tell me earlier, okay? Because just imagine — I’m saying just imagine — wetting your pants. That would be so embarrassing! And holding it in is so uncomfortable! So you have to tell us earlier. Understood?”

Shen Qing coaxed patiently: “Because you were so good just now, I’ll reward you with carrot cake when we get home!”

“Carrot?”

Aozai had wanted to reiterate that he would absolutely never wet his pants — but his attention was immediately snagged by the carrot part.

Gu Ao confirmed again: “Carrot cake?”

Shen Qing: “Mm-hm.”

Auntie Zhang had been making carrot cake before they left, so there should be plenty waiting for them.

But Aozai scrunched his little bun-face up: “But Aozai doesn’t like carrots!”

It didn’t feel like a reward at all!!!

Shen Qing: “I know you don’t like them — but, hear me out, this carrot is not the same kind you usually eat. You’ll definitely like it once you try it.”

Aozai: “Huh?”

Clearly not understanding at all. A carrot was a carrot — how could it possibly be different?

Shen Qing: “Just wait for the surprise.”

He gave a breezy non-answer, gave the child’s fluffy round head an affectionate ruffle, and decided against explaining further — they’d know when they tasted it!

He finished washing his hands and turned off the faucet: “Alright, let’s go home.”

“Auntie.” But Aozai stood rooted to the spot, tilting his big head back to look up at him. “Aozai hasn’t washed his hands yet.”

“…”

Aozai didn’t move. Shen Qing didn’t move either.

They stared at each other. Shen Qing said: “You don’t need to wash yours.”

“Why?”

Aozai switched directly into English, still tilting his head at him, thoroughly confused.

Shen Qing: “Because I washed mine and your brother washed his, so you don’t need to.”

Aozai: “Huh? Why not?”

“…”

Shen Qing took a deep breath and clenched his fist.

He was realizing that although Aozai wasn’t like those troublesome kids who threw tantrums and screamed — this little one was still not exactly easy to look after!

Shen Qing forced a smile through his deep breath and explained with sustained patience: “Because auntie opened the bathroom door for you, and your brother pulled your pants up for you — you didn’t use your hands at all!”

“Why?”

Aozai was still bewildered: “But uncle said — after going potty, you have to wash your hands! You have to develop good habits!”

“…”

Shen Qing was out of arguments. Fine. Your uncle was right too.

Good habits should be formed from a young age.

But which “uncle” was he talking about — Gu Huaiyù?

Shen Qing was deeply skeptical. Given Director Gu’s condition, he could hardly have taken Aozai to the bathroom in person — and he probably wouldn’t have thought to teach a child to wash their hands either…

Fortunately, this was a children’s education center, and there were sinks specifically designed for five or six-year-olds. Gu Duo had used one of those to wash his own hands.

Now seeing that Gu Ao also needed to wash up, Gu Duo simply guided his little brother toward the small sink.

Even though the sink was already quite low, Gu Ao still wasn’t quite tall enough. Just a little short. So Gu Duo simply lifted him up, hoisted him into the air, and let him wash his hands from that height.

Gu Ao seemed to understand exactly what his brother intended, and without needing any instruction, worked the sensor faucet with impressive efficiency, quickly getting his little pudgy paws soaked.

Shen Qing stood watching this scene of brotherly harmony, genuinely moved.

See? Looking after kids is no trouble at all.

Truly so easy!

He just had to be responsible for handing them paper towels!

Everything done, Shen Qing led the children out of the restroom to find the principal and his assistant both waiting outside.

He said his farewells to the principal again, but the principal insisted on personally escorting them — assistant in tow — all the way down to the underground parking garage.

As they stepped out of the elevator, a limited-edition Rolls-Royce was waiting there. The driver saw them coming, immediately stepped out, and opened the car door to receive the madam and the two young masters.

Watching the Rolls-Royce — worth more than this entire tutoring center — pull away, followed by two Range Rovers clearly packed with bodyguards, the boss’s assistant fell silent.

And felt deeply embarrassed about the doubts and speculation he’d indulged in just moments ago.

…Why had he ever looked down on his boss or this tutoring center?

They had just enrolled Director Gu’s own young masters!

Just — that cool!!!

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