Shen Xi playfully pinched her daughter's nose and said, "You did well. But you've forgotten something."
"What?" Yan Yan asked, confused.
Shen Xi's gaze deepened slightly as she reminded her, "You've been sitting on Daddy's lap the whole way. Have you ever thought that Daddy might get tired?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Yan immediately wriggled off Qin Si Ye's lap. "Mommy is right. I'm grown up now. I should sit by myself and not cling to Mommy and Daddy like this anymore."
With that, she quickly scrambled to her own seat and sat down primly.
"Hey, Yan Yan, I'm not tired at all." Qin Si Ye reached out to grab her, but it was too late. He turned to Shen Xi, "Why are you like this? The child was just praised by everyone on the bus, and you had to pour cold water on her."
"Don't indulge her and let her get carried away. Being smart and witty is one thing, but depending on adults is another. Look at all the other children on the bus; she's the only one who kept sitting on an adult's lap. Being so pampered isn't good for her growth." Shen Xi met his gaze, her tone firm.
In her opinion, doting on children was understandable, but not spoiling them or making exceptions.
If other children could do something, Yan Yan should be able to as well.
Qin Si Ye seemed convinced by her words and looked at her in silence for a long time.
But as soon as he turned his head, a bright light flashed in his eyes. A slight smile touched his lips, and he leaned over, whispering into her ear,
"That thing you just said criticizing Yan Yan, can I understand it as you've accepted me, and perhaps even feel a little bit for me?"
Shen Xi couldn't help but shift closer to the window, glancing at him with a frown. "It's just an act. Please, Qin... don't overthink it."
Qin Si Ye's face remained wreathed in a smile, completely unfazed by her words.
An act it may be, but even for just one day, he would play the role well.
Moreover, this time, he was determined to perform brilliantly, not just to bring glory to the children, but more importantly, to win her heart.
Just then, they heard Teacher Li at the front summarizing the riddle-solving segment.
"I asked a total of 10 riddles earlier, and most of the children participated enthusiastically. The person who answered the most correctly was Shen Zi Chen. He answered 4 riddles correctly. Please give him a round of applause."
Immediately, warm applause and cheers erupted in the bus once again.
Teacher Li smiled and gestured for everyone to quiet down, continuing, "Shen Zi Chen, Shen Zi Shuo, and Shen Zi Yan are triplets. Together, they answered a total of 8 riddles. This means only two riddles were answered by other children.
Why is this? How can one family raise three such outstanding and thoughtful children? Would you all like to hear their parents share their experience?"
As soon as this was said, a chorus of voices rose from the bus, "Yes."
"Alright. Then, please welcome Shen Zi Chen's mother to share her parenting experience. Let's give her a big welcome!" Teacher Li said with a smile, handing the microphone to Shen Xi.
Shen Xi was taken aback and unprepared, waving her hands repeatedly. "No, no, Teacher Li, you're too kind! I don't have any experience to talk about; it's all just guesswork."
Teacher Li's microphone remained extended in the air. "Ms. Shen, please don't be so modest. Is everyone's applause not warm enough? Perhaps we should ask everyone to applaud for you again?"
"No, no, no, there's no need, really not," Shen Xi quickly stood up, unsure of what to do.
At this moment, Qin Si Ye took the microphone from Teacher Li, his expression gentle as he persuaded her, "Everyone is so enthusiastic and eager. You should say a few words."
Meeting his encouraging gaze, Shen Xi slowly took the microphone and looked around. "Alright. Then I'll say a few words. In truth, like all the parents here, I am a first-time parent and have no real experience.
If I were to talk about experience, perhaps it's just reading a few more books on parenting. In those books, I learned that a child's growth has its own developmental patterns, and we should guide them in accordance with these patterns, rather than according to our own will and demands.
Also, it's important to respect children, listen to them, and treat them like friends. Even if a child makes a mistake, we shouldn't scold or hit them. Instead, we should communicate, find the real reason behind the mistake, and then work with them to find a solution..."