It was Dong Yue.
“Huh? Teacher, why are you here?” Liang Sheng panicked. Her room hadn’t been cleaned up at all.
“Huh?” Teacher Dong Yue was also stunned. “Didn’t I tell you a few days ago that I’d be coming for a home visit today?”
“Huh, huh?” Liang Sheng scratched her head. Damn it, she must have fallen asleep in class again and missed it.
“S-sorry, Teacher. I thought it was tomorrow…” Liang Sheng lied again, but this time she wasn’t afraid of being struck by lightning. Compared to that, she was far more terrified of getting scolded by her teacher—a massive shadow that had lingered from her previous life.
Dong Yue knew her student was a total scatterbrain, so she took Liang Sheng’s words at face value without a shred of doubt.
“Oh, that’s fine. Give your mom and dad a call and ask if they have time. If they do, I’ll wait here at your place. If not, I’ll come back in a few weeks—I’ve got other students to visit too.” Dong Yue remained as gentle as ever.
“Okay, okay, sure!” Liang Sheng hurriedly grabbed her phone. There was still a chance to turn this around. She hoped her old dad and mom would be too busy!
The first to pick up was Liang Sheng’s mother.
“Of course I have time! Tell the teacher to hang on a sec—I’m heading back right now!” Zhong Wen snatched up her bag and rushed home.
It was her daughter’s home visit, after all. As her mom, how could she miss it? This was the first time her little girl had ever gotten one!
All her hopes were dashed… Liang Sheng whined inwardly. It was okay—there was still Dad. Even if just one parent skipped out, the pressure on her heart would lighten a bit.
“I’m heading home right now!” Liang Wengao decided, promptly clocking out for the day.
Liang Sheng panicked. “Dad! You’re the boss! If you don’t work, who’s gonna?”
Liang Wengao’s gaze silently shifted to his secretary standing nearby.
The secretary turned to bolt. “…Um, boss, I…”
Liang Wengao said, “Double your bonus this month.”
“You got it!” The secretary gleefully scooped up a stack of files and scurried off.
Liang Sheng: “…”
“Heading home now! Be there soon!” Liang Wengao trotted off happily too. His daughter was so outstanding—he couldn’t wait to hear how the teacher would praise his little treasure.
Back at the house, Liang Wengao spotted Dong Yue on the sofa and suddenly felt nervous. It was like being a kid facing his teacher all over again: tense, hands fidgeting with nowhere to put them.
“T-Teacher, hello.” This big-shot boss turned utterly reserved in front of Teacher Dong Yue, bowing and scraping as he poured tea and fussed over her.
Zhong Wen watched, stifling a laugh. She tugged her husband’s sleeve, her eyes signaling him to sit down already.
Damn it, more PDA. Liang Sheng covered her face.
It had to be said that this couple took excellent care of themselves—they didn’t look a day over forty.
“Oh? You must be Liang Sheng’s father.” Dong Yue’s smile was sweet. “No need to fuss, parent. Let’s talk about your daughter.”
“S-sure, sure.” Liang Wengao sat down opposite Dong Yue, terrified, rubbing his hands together.
Dong Yue stroked Liang Sheng’s hair as the girl sat beside her. “Liang Sheng here is a very smart child.”
Liang Wengao’s face lit up with pride and smugness. Of course she was! His girl was exceptional—just like him!
Zhong Wen pinched his thigh hard, forcing him to stifle his grin.
“Ahem.” Dong Yue cleared her throat lightly and continued, “Liang Sheng is smart, and her grades are excellent, but she has trouble focusing in class. She often likes to…”
At that moment, Dong Yue caught sight of little Liang Sheng gazing at her with those pitiful, pleading eyes, her small mouth pursed in a pout.
Eh—? Don’t look at her like that! Her heart was melting!
“Gulp.” Dong Yue swallowed hard. Her voice trailed off, and she didn’t finish the thought.
“What’s wrong, Teacher?” Zhong Wen asked, puzzled.
“Oh!” Dong Yue turned her head. “Nothing, nothing! I just meant Liang Sheng is great in every way. She just lacks seriousness sometimes, but overall, her grades make me very satisfied.”
Dong Yue improvised, scrapping her prepared lecture, all because Liang Sheng was just too adorable.
The home visit passed without a hitch. Liang Sheng later planted her hands on her hips, smug as could be. Good thing I’m so outstanding!
“Good girl! My daughter’s the best!” The moment Dong Yue left, Liang Wengao gave Liang Sheng a big thumbs-up.
“Good girl! What do you want to eat tonight? No cooking—we’re going out!” Liang Wengao laughed heartily, slinging an arm around his wife Zhong Wen.
Liang Sheng bounced along behind them. “I want seafood! I want barbecue! I want meatballs!”
“Sure, sure.” Liang Wengao pulled out his phone.
Ding~
Liang Sheng checked hers and saw a transfer of eight thousand yuan.
Aaaah!! Not only had disaster been averted, but there was a bonus surprise too! Liang Sheng hugged her phone to her chest, delighted.
—— —— ——
“Do you know how I feel right now?” Liang Sheng clutched a pink bunny plush, staring at the carousel in front of her.
Zhen Zhu shoved her phone into Liang Sheng’s hands and dashed toward the carousel. “Old hag, take my picture!”
Why had she ended up here babysitting?
One hour earlier.
Dong Yue had pushed Zhen Zhu in front of Liang Sheng, pleading, “I just got called away for a survey in the next city over. This kid’s family asked me to watch her, and I already said yes, but… well, I don’t have any friends except you, who’s always so reliable. So…”
Dong Yue frowned in distress and gave Zhen Zhu another nudge. “Actually, she heard I was going on the survey and couldn’t watch her anymore, so she insisted I drop her off at your place.”
Zhen Zhu’s face turned red, her little tiger teeth flashing. “Hey! You promised not to say that!”
Dong Yue apologized with a smile and pushed Zhen Zhu toward Liang Sheng.
Liang Sheng agreed readily. “Don’t worry, Sister Dong Yue. I’ll take good care of this little brat.”
Ding~ Favorability increased.
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 65”
Zhen Zhu fidgeted awkwardly as Liang Sheng took her hand and led her inside.
“Want some snacks? Soda?” Liang Sheng pulled out the Zhen Zhu Lure.
“Whoa!” Zhen Zhu snatched it up and muttered a stiff thanks.
“Tasty?”
“Super tasty!” Zhen Zhu chomped away like a little pig.
A surge of maternal affection welled up in Liang Sheng. She pulled out a tissue and wiped Zhen Zhu’s mouth. “Slow down—no one’s gonna fight you for it.”
“What TV do you wanna watch?” Liang Sheng grabbed the remote.
Zhen Zhu thought for a second. “Little Dinosaur Penny!”
“You’re how old and still watching baby cartoons?” Liang Sheng held back a laugh.
“I-It’s because no matter how old I get, I keep a childlike heart!”
“Fine, fine~~” Liang Sheng reached to pat Zhen Zhu’s head, but the girl dodged mercilessly.
After Zhen Zhu stuffed herself, watched a bit of Little Dinosaur Penny, and grew bored, she started acting up, coming up with mischief.
