Chapter 263: Chapter 248: Do You Have to Burn Bridges Like This?

Wan Zhenhong stood on his balcony with a heavy expression, his brows furrowed, while the cigarette in his hand flickered dimly in the night.

The weather tonight was rather gloomy, with thick clouds obscuring the moonlight, making the entire sky look dark and oppressive.

It made everything feel even more stifling and depressing!

Honestly, his gloomy mood was purely self-inflicted.

The reason behind it.

At dinner, he tried to discuss in advance with his wife about the “Parent Experience Day” event, which was still in the planning stages — specifically, who would attend.

As for him!

He tactfully expressed his desire.

He hoped to participate in the “Parent Experience Day” himself.

The result?

He was met with a deadly glare from his wife, followed by a smile hiding a dagger’s intent.

She even used the gentlest tone to say the most lethal words: “Sure, honey, since you’re so eager to participate, then you go. But let me remind you, from now on, you have to attend all the big and small events at the kindergarten, including our son’s school meetings and such.”

Listen to that, it’s a blatant threat!

Look at the stance, she was clearly ready to drop everything at any moment!

Look.

He’s always so busy with work, how could he possibly manage all these trivial matters every time?

Despite having a certain status and influence outside, being a top performer in the bureau, respected and recognized by colleagues.

But as soon as he gets home, the situation changes entirely.

Every household matter, from daily necessities to children’s education, is meticulously handled by his wife.

If ever his wife really dropped everything, his world would be in shambles!

So…

He can’t afford to offend her!

He can only back down!

Who says he’s afraid of his wife?

No, no, no!

This isn’t fear of his wife, it’s respect and love for her, right…

A man has to do this, so the family can prosper…

But…

To just give up like this, it really leaves him a bit unwilling!

But even if he’s unwilling, what can he do?

“Sigh!”

He sighed helplessly, took a drag from his cigarette, and slowly exhaled, the smoke swirling in the night sky.

Suddenly.

A brilliant idea flashed through his mind, an idea emerged in his mind.

His eyes lit up, he slapped his thigh, and exclaimed, “Right! Since things don’t work out with my wife, let’s try a different approach! How about contacting Director Liang to see if there’s any flexibility? After all, given my status as deputy director of the education bureau, she might give me some face and grant our family an extra parent slot?!”

No sooner thought than done!

He gently extinguished the cigarette in his hand and placed it in the nearby trash can, then took out his phone and decisively dialed Liang Yinqiu’s number.

“Ring~”

The phone rang, echoing in his ear, but each ring seemed to knock on his heart.

He couldn’t help but happily imagine the reaction of Liang Yinqiu upon receiving the call: Would she be surprised or calm? Willing to help or politely decline?

In any case.

It left him feeling a tad anxious!

Finally, the call was answered.

On the other end, Liang Yinqiu’s enthusiastic voice came through: “Hello, Director Wan, good evening! What brings you to call me at this hour?”

Wan Zhenhong laughed a bit awkwardly, and got straight to the point: “Director Liang, I’m calling to ask about the ’Parent Experience Day’ related matters.”

Hmm?

Why is Director Wan suddenly interested in this?

That’s really unusual?

Liang Yinqiu was somewhat surprised, thinking “there must be something fishy when things are that unusual,” her mind couldn’t help but raise a defensive alert.

She appeared to be smiling, but internally, she was a bit anxious: “Oh dear, Director Wan, your information is really ahead of the curve. Even our ’Parent Experience Day’ date is still undecided, and you already know about it.”

He explained: “I only heard about it from my wife this evening. Is the specific date confirmed yet?”

“The specific date hasn’t been finalized yet. It’s tentatively planned for October 10th. If there are no unexpected circumstances, it should be that day.”

She thought for a moment and then asked: “Director Wan, you didn’t just call to ask about the date, did you?”

It’s nice to deal with smart people!

No need for excessive verbiage!

He pondered for a moment and spoke honestly: “Director Liang, I’m calling to discuss the issue of slots for the ’Parent Experience Day.’”

With those words, the level one defensive alert in Liang Yinqiu’s mind instantly escalated to red alert, flashing a bloody thought—

Uh-oh, this is about requesting an extra ’Parent Experience Day’ slot!

She quickly adjusted her emotions, saying: “Director Wan, you’re not trying to ask me for an extra parent slot, are you?”

Wan Zhenhong candidly replied: “Yes, Director Liang, my situation is a bit special. My wife over there… Sigh, in short, I hope you can add an extra slot for my family so I can participate in this event. You know, I’m usually very busy with work and rarely have the opportunity to be directly involved in my child’s education, so this opportunity is very precious to me. Please consider it and see if you can give me a chance to participate?”

Just what she feared would come true!

Now.

Liang Yinqiu was a bit troubled!

Speaking of which.

Director Wan, do you really just want to participate in your child’s education, or is there another reason?

Are you perhaps still thinking about the delicious food at their school and want to taste it again?

If this ’Parent Experience Day’ event didn’t provide lunch, would you still be so keen to join?

Probably not, right?

No matter what Wan Zhenhong’s true intentions are, since he has already made this request, as the director, she should give it due attention.

After all, Wan Zhenhong’s status and influence in the education bureau are not to be underestimated.

She is just a small kindergarten director, and although she has her own persistence and principles, she also has to consider the long-term development of the school and maintaining relationships with all parties.

But the problem is…

Once this precedent is set, allowing one additional spot, once the news leaks, other parents will surely be dissatisfied, leading to unnecessary disputes.

Liang Yinqiu felt a headache just thinking about the “fighting power” of those parents.

At that time, not only would she be overwhelmed by those parents’ complaints, but Director Wan probably wouldn’t escape unscathed either…

So!

This kind of situation absolutely must not happen, it must be firmly rejected from the beginning, nipping the problem in the bud.

Therefore…

She tactfully refused: “Director Wan, I understand your request, but you know, the spots for ’Parent Experience Day’ have long been fixed, each child is limited to one parent participating. If we temporarily add extra spots, it might create unfairness to other parents. Besides, the event is on a workday, and with your usual busy schedule, it’ll surely be difficult for you to make time to participate, right?”

Made so much sense, leaving him no room to argue.

But…

After thinking for a moment, he still said with a little bit of heart: “It’s fine, I can take a day off that day…”

Liang Yinqiu: “…”

Hey!

Good old Director Wan, acting like you don’t understand, huh?

Since that’s the case!

She had to be blunt: “Director Wan, if this were in the past, asking for an extra spot I would definitely agree instantly, but now things are different. All the parents in the whole kindergarten are watching closely! If I give this spot to you, they’ll surely kick up a fuss, and when that happens, it will certainly affect your reputation, won’t it? So about this extra spot, Director Wan, just… forget about it!”

Wan Zhenhong: “…”

He actually got rejected…

Not even one extra spot…

Speaking of which.

Has his status as deputy director lost its pull?

In the past when asking for favors, people were invited to the school for meals, and now when they’re not needed, people are told to forget about it!

Is this how you burn your bridges?

He really wanted to say to Liang Yinqiu: “Director Liang, you hear that, the Class A kindergarten certificate of Dorami Kindergarten is ripping apart…”

Of course.

There’s no way he’d actually rip it, not in this lifetime, he’s still looking forward to having a meal when delivering the certificate!

Besides, he’s not that petty.

In order to ease the atmosphere, Liang Yinqiu took the initiative to invite: “Director Wan, our kindergarten will hold a National Day event in the morning of September 31, are you interested in coming to watch?”

Wan Zhenhong blurted out: “Will lunch be provided?”

Hey~

The tail of the fox finally revealed itself!

Liang Yinqiu explained: “All the kids will be released right after their performance, so lunch will not be provided.”

Wan Zhenhong: “…”

Ah!

What’s happened to the world?

A dignified deputy director can’t even mooch a meal easily!

“Okay, I understand, I’ll see if I can make time then!”

He nodded and soon took his leave saying, “Director Liang, let’s leave it at that, I won’t disturb your rest any further, goodnight.”

Upon hearing Liang Yinqiu’s “goodnight”, he hung up the phone.

Directly put away the phone.

Pushed open the sliding door of the terrace and stepped into the living room.

Seeing him, Niuniu immediately came over, hugged his waist, and with a small face upturned asked, “Daddy, will you practice singing with me?”

Wan Zhenhong took a look at the time, it was already close to nine o’clock, he couldn’t help but frown and gently advised, “Niuniu, it is late, let’s not practice anymore, we should get ready to wash up and rest, you still have school tomorrow, need to ensure enough sleep to wake up easily.”

But Niuniu held his hand, unwilling to let go, pouting and acting coyly said, “No, no, I still want to practice a bit more, I want to sing better, so I can earn a delicious reward made by Qingqing’s daddy…”

“Delicious reward?”

Wan Zhenhong caught onto the keywords in Niuniu’s words, curiously asked, “Niuniu, what’s that about the delicious reward made by Qingqing’s daddy?”

Niuniu blinked her eyes and excitedly explained: “Qingqing’s daddy said if we perform well in the National Day event and achieve good results, he’ll make us something delicious as a reward!”

Oh!

This sounds interesting!

Wan Zhenhong immediately got excited: “Niuniu, come, daddy will practice with you.”

“Honey, didn’t you just say it’s too late and time to wash up and sleep? Now it’s not late anymore?” teased Liu Jinyan.

Wan Zhenhong touched his nose a bit embarrassedly: “Late? Where’s it late now, look outside, every household still has their lights on, no one’s turned off their lights yet.”

“Come, let’s practice…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep