Chapter 57

【PS: Thanks to Zhang Tianshi for the generous tip~】

While eating, Old Song kept urging Tong Yan to eat more, but how could he eat more? Not only was his mood gloomy today, but even if he were in a good mood, it would be hard for him to swallow the food cooked by Teacher Song.

However, seeing Song RAO eat with such enthusiasm, Tong Yan was very puzzled. Could it be that his taste buds were malfunctioning?

Fortunately, Song RAO clarified for him, "My dad's cooking might only be palatable to me. When I was a kid, if I didn't eat, I would go hungry. Later, I got used to it. Everyone else finds it super hard to eat, but I only think it's somewhat hard to eat."

Tong Yan quickly waved his hands, "It's not hard to eat, not hard to eat. It's actually quite good, this green pepper and meat dish is really nice."

Old Song said awkwardly, "This dish was seasoned by RAO RAO just now. I was only responsible for stir-frying. The rest were all done independently by me." He didn't take any credit for himself.

Tong Yan was speechless.

Song RAO smiled, "Just bear with it this time. Next time, I'll cook personally, and I'll definitely make sure you eat well."

Tong Yan smiled. To be honest, he was quite looking forward to it. Among the girls he knew, his sister Shan Shan was the best at cooking. He wondered how Song RAO's skills compared and who was better.

After hearing this, Song Xiancheng couldn't enjoy his meal anymore. No matter how he ate, it didn't taste good, and he felt very uneasy.

After the meal, it was already past one o'clock. Tong Yan hurriedly got up to take his leave. Song Xiancheng naturally didn't try to keep him, and he even wished he would leave quickly. It was like sending away a pest. Especially when he saw Song RAO give Tong Yan the tomato he hadn't eaten, Song Xiancheng was even more determined not to invite Tong Yan to his home again.

Just two minutes after Tong Yan left, Song RAO tiptoed and was about to sneak out.

"What are you doing?" Old Song's ears were still sharp.

Song RAO, who had been sneaking around, immediately said sternly, "What can I do? After lunch, shouldn't I go to school? I'm definitely going to school."

"Why so early?"

"That's what good students do!" Leaving a string of tinkling laughter, Song RAO escaped from Old Song's sight.

"This kid is too much trouble!" Old Song sighed and walked to the window, watching Song RAO dart out of the building and ride her bike to catch up with Tong Yan.

As the two got closer, his daughter got farther away, and then she was blocked by buildings. Song Xiancheng changed to another window and saw Song RAO pushing her bike and walking alongside Tong Yan. After a while, they were really out of sight.

Even though he couldn't see their expressions or hear what they were saying, any father who saw his teenage daughter riding a bike to catch up with a boy would have a hard time sleeping that afternoon.

Tong Yan didn't expect Song RAO to follow him out. When she called him, he had just finished eating the tomato, with juice sticking to his mouth, looking quite silly. Tong Yan wiped his mouth, feeling quite awkward.

"Let's go together." Song RAO didn't mock him but invited him to go to school together.

"I'll take you." Except for the first time, Tong Yan had always taken Song RAO to school, and this behavior was no longer unfamiliar to them.

"I'll push for a while. If you don't want to upset my dad, wait a bit before riding."

"Your dad?"

"Don't look back, he can see us."

Tong Yan immediately stared straight ahead, not daring to look back, but he still asked, "Your dad is watching us? Why?"

"It's a father's instinct. You'll understand when you have a daughter." Song RAO said with a mature tone.

Tong Yan nodded, half understanding, but he didn't see this instinct in his own father. Shan Shan was a girl too.

"By the way, why did you suddenly come back today? Didn't you usually have lunch at school?"

"Actually, I had a purpose today," Song RAO, feeling that Tong Yan was trustworthy, explained everything to him, "This morning, I went to find my dad, and I heard he left early. Isn't that strange?"

"There's nothing strange about that. He often leaves early if he doesn't have classes, and the school allows it."

"What about before?"

"Before, he usually left after we finished school."

Song RAO clapped her hands, "That's right, that's why I find it strange. His behavior has been very unusual lately. I'm worried he's looking for a stepmom. When I heard he left early again, I came home to see if he brought any woman home!"

Tong Yan felt as if he had been hit by a hammer. So, the girl had come home for this reason at noon. He just didn't expect that she didn't see any woman but saw him.

Hearing her analysis, Tong Yan also found it plausible. He noticed that Old Song had been paying more attention to his appearance lately. He was already handsome, but now he was even more charming. However, he still advised Song RAO, "I don't think you need to be so sensitive. Even if your dad has a girlfriend, it's not a big deal. I think it's quite normal."

Song RAO pinched Tong Yan's waist fiercely, "Do all men like new things and forget the old?"

Pinched by Song RAO, Tong Yan let out a sweet groan, "Ouch, hey, this has nothing to do with liking new things and forgetting the old. Your parents have been divorced for over ten years. Finding someone new isn't a sin."

"How is it not?" Song RAO felt bad and rubbed Tong Yan's waist, "I've been working hard to get my parents back together. Next year, when I get into a university in BJ, my dad will have to go to the capital often. This way, they can see each other more often, and their relationship will definitely improve, and they will get back together. There's less than a year left, I can't let my efforts go to waste."

So, this was Song RAO's effort. It didn't seem like much effort.

This was Song RAO's family matter, and it involved her teacher's personal life, so Tong Yan didn't want to interfere. He just hummed in response and enjoyed Song RAO's comfort.

At school, Tong Yan handed over his sick leave note. The security guard glanced at it, "Tong Yan, right? Coincidentally, I just received a package for you."

Tong Yan took it. The mailing address was from the Magic City. No need to guess, this must be the magazine that Watermelon sent him, "Thanks, sir."

"What is it?" Song RAO asked, pushing her bike.

"It's a magazine, the one where my novel was published." Tong Yan opened the package and looked at the thick magazine titled "Grand Entertainment: Novels," feeling a bit complex.

Song RAO snatched it and flipped to the table of contents, finding "Fate Battle: Cat People vs. Dog People," and then saw the author's name, "Your pen name is Little Shopkeeper?"

"Uh, what's wrong with that?"

"It's a funny name. I thought your pen name would be 'Childish Words,' why did you choose such a name?" Song RAO asked curiously.

"It doesn't have much meaning. Last summer, I helped out in my cousin's bookstore, and I was like a little shopkeeper, so I chose this somewhat quirky name," Tong Yan paused, "But 'Childish Words' sounds pretty good too. I actually like that pen name."

I actually like that pen name? I actually like that pen name? Tong Yan fell into a brief daze. Did I say this to someone before?

---

**[End of Page]**

---