The office door was not closed, and Duoduo, overhearing the conversation from inside, felt a pang of dread, not expecting the situation to be so serious. She couldn't help but glance sideways at Gu En, who stood a meter away from her, feeling worried for him and for herself.
The downtown school was the best in the capital, and if she were expelled from here, it would be difficult to get into other schools. She would be fine; her parents would likely find another school for her, but given Gu En's family circumstances, it would be tough. Besides, she didn't want either of them to be persuaded to leave.
Gu En also heard what Director Zhang was saying from inside, but his face remained expressionless, as if he didn't care at all about being expelled.
"Aren't you afraid of being expelled?" Duoduo couldn't help but ask in a small voice.
Gu En glanced at her, then looked ahead, remaining silent. Seeing his coldness, Duoduo pouted and muttered, "Even if we can't be friends, we're still classmates. Why be so distant?"
"Not afraid," Gu En finally responded, speaking only two words.
Duoduo: "..."
Inside the office.
"Okay, okay, thank you, Director Liu." Gu Yan immediately nodded in thanks.
"You can go back," Director Liu waved his hand.
After thanking him, Gu Yan came out, gave Duoduo an awkward smile, and then pulled Gu En away.
After reprimanding Gu Yan, Director Liu politely poured a cup of tea for Yu He, "Ms. Yu, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to come."
Yu He put down the tea, "Director Liu, please speak directly."
Director Liu glanced at the door and lowered his voice, saying, "Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just that Duoduo has been getting a little close to Gu En recently. Yesterday evening, I saw them holding hands and playing around in the snack street. I'm a bit worried that Gu En might lead her astray at such a young age, leading to an early romance. I wanted to remind you to pay more attention to your child's matters."
When Yu He saw Duoduo and Gu En standing outside the door, she had already guessed this possibility. Her biggest worry had come true.
"Alright, I will talk to her. Thank you, Director Liu. Is there anything else?" she said, nodding.
Seeing her composure, Director Liu thought to himself that she was indeed a divine doctor; her demeanor was always so calm. He had met many parents who, upon hearing about their child's potential early romance, would either beat or scold their child, then transfer them to another school, or force the other child to transfer. Someone as calm as her was rare.
"It's mainly about this. The children are still so young; they shouldn't get involved in matters of the heart too early," Director Liu said.
Yu He nodded, "Okay, I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Outside the door, Duoduo stood in the hallway, eavesdropping. However, Director Liu, usually loud, had suddenly lowered his voice, making it difficult for her to hear what was being said. Just as she was about to move closer to the door, she saw Yu He come out, followed by Director Liu.
"Mommy," she looked at Yu He with innocent eyes.
"Let's go," Yu He extended her hand to her.
Seeing that her mother wasn't angry, Duoduo breathed a small sigh of relief. She took her mother's hand and bid farewell to Director Liu.
After Yu He left the school with Duoduo, she didn't rush home. Instead, she took her to a dessert shop she liked and ordered her favorite cake and milk tea. Duoduo was touched that her mother wasn't scolding her and was even more moved by the cake and milk tea. Amidst her emotion, she was also a little flustered. Why was her mother suddenly being so good to her?
"Is it delicious?" Yu He leaned on the table, resting her chin on her hand, and asked her with a smile.
Duoduo's hand, holding the spoon to dig into the cake, trembled. Oh no, Mommy was too scary! She immediately put down the spoon, no longer daring to eat, and lowered her head, confessing her mistake. "Mommy, I know I was wrong."
"Oh? What was wrong?" Yu He feigned surprise.
"I shouldn't have lied to you. I didn't come back to the school yesterday to get my practice books," Duoduo said, lowering her head and fiddling with a tissue.
Yu He: "Hmm? Then what were you doing?"
Duoduo hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth. "It was because I heard that classmate Gu En was being pestered by some young delinquents, so I came to help."
Yu He frowned, "Why didn't you call the police?"
"Calling the police is useless. Many students in our school have been pestered by them. They are very cunning. When the police arrive, they just say they were joking. We have no evidence, so we can't do anything about them," Duoduo explained. "Besides, the leader said he has connections in the police station, so even if they get caught, they'll be released soon."
Yu He's eyes narrowed. She took out her phone and immediately sent a message to Chen Hao, asking him to investigate the matter. After dealing with it, she put down her phone and asked, "What about Gu En? I remember he should be a year ahead of you. How did you get to know each other?"
When Gu En was mentioned, Duoduo felt a little guilty. What she feared had come. "I was also pestered by those delinquents before, and Senior Gu saved me. This time, I heard he was being pestered by them, so I had to be brave and repay his kindness."
Yu He was surprised that her daughter had experienced something like this. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"Those delinquents didn't bother me afterward, so I didn't say anything. I didn't want to worry Mommy and Daddy," Duoduo replied truthfully.
Yu He tenderly stroked Duoduo's head. Her daughter was very sensible. "In the future, if you encounter such things, you must tell your parents immediately. Otherwise, we will worry even more about you, understand?"
"Mm-hmm," Duoduo nodded obediently.
"So, what is your relationship with Gu En now?" Yu He suddenly asked.
Before Duoduo's feelings of gratitude could fully manifest, she was caught off guard. "We, we aren't even friends. We're just classmates from the same school."
Yu He nodded, "Mommy believes you. I also hope that you will remain classmates until you are adults, and that your relationship will not go beyond that. Do you understand?"
Duoduo looked up at Yu He, her eyes welling up, her lips trembling. She thought that her mother, knowing this, would scold her severely and then make her transfer schools. She never expected her mother to be so gentle, not only not scolding her but also making an agreement with her in such a kind tone.
"Yes!" she nodded emphatically. Gu En didn't like her, so there was no need for her to be persistent and worry her mother.
"Alright, eat quickly. After you finish, we'll pick up your brother and go home," Yu He said.
Yueyue was smarter than Duoduo. At a young age, he had already skipped several grades and was now in his third year of high school, preparing for the college entrance examination in June, so he got out of school late. Yu He timed it perfectly and took Duoduo back to school to pick up Yueyue after school.
As soon as they returned to the clinic, Ye Qichen, who had finished his business in the capital, arrived and brought over the desserts made by Cheng Lizhu for the children. Yu He invited him to stay for dinner. After dinner, Yu He suddenly remembered Gu Yan and asked Ye Qichen, "Brother, do you remember Gu Yan?"
Ye Qichen paused when he heard the name and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing much. I was called to the school by Duoduo's dean this afternoon. In the office, I ran into her. Her son also attends the downtown school," Yu He said.
"Her son?" Ye Qichen seemed surprised. "Didn't she never get married?" How could she suddenly have a son?