Chapter 131: Chapter 85: Mine Can Be Pinched, Can Yours?
Following the address from memory, Chen Yuan went to Fang Youning’s sister’s house.
On the way, he received a call from Jiang Wanyi.
"A few packages arrived. I checked the last few digits of the phone number, and they’re yours."
"Aren’t we taking pictures for her this weekend? I just bought some props."
"Alright, I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow, then. Is there anything you’d like to eat? I can make it for you."
"Just... braised pork belly, I guess."
"Anything else?"
"Whatever else is fine. I’m not picky."
"Okay."
They chatted for a bit before hanging up. About twenty minutes later, he got out of the car.
As soon as he reached the entrance of the residential complex, he saw Fang Youqing and Zhao Wen Cheng standing there. She was holding a fruit tea and a container of ice cream.
She was wearing a black, hip-hugging skirt that reached her knees, paired with thick black stockings. The outfit not only accentuated the shape of her legs but also provided a little bit of warmth.
Judging by her outfit, she must have just gotten home and come right back out with her son without changing.
"Uncle!"
From a good distance away, upon seeing Chen Yuan, Zhao Wen Cheng came running over, a small soccer ball in his hands.
Fang Youqing had a great sense of style, which was also evident in how Zhao Wen Cheng was dressed.
He was already a handsome little boy to begin with, and with the help of his clothes and hairstyle, he looked even more dashing.
Seeing Chen Yuan, Fang Youqing walked over as well.
"Thank you so much for today. He’s been clamoring to play with you every day, and nothing I said could placate him."
As she spoke, Fang Youqing handed the fruit tea to Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony. It was obviously bought for him, so he accepted it naturally.
"He probably doesn’t interact with many guys. Girls can’t really play with the things he likes, and after I played with him once, he got attached to me."
The two walked side-by-side, leading Zhao Wen Cheng toward the park in the complex.
"That’s what I’m worried about, too. It’s just me and Aunt Liu at home, both women. That probably isn’t good for him in the long run."
"Growing up without a father figure definitely has an impact on a boy. But your family’s situation is a bit unique, so this is how it has to be."
Faced with this kind of problem, Chen Yuan was powerless to help.
After all, every family has its own problems. No family is perfect.
"For now, I can only try to make up for it in other ways."
Fang Youqing felt helpless as well. Things being what they were, she could only pay more attention to it going forward.
’If he really grows up to be a sissy, I’ll kill him myself.’
"You don’t have to get too worked up about it. Having a father figure is best, of course, but it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t. You just have to be more mindful."
"Hearing you say that makes me feel a little better."
They strolled to the park downstairs. Along the way, Fang Youqing’s fashion sense truly stood out.
They were all young mothers, but some were unkempt with disheveled hair. The difference between them and her was huge.
The facilities in the park were more comprehensive than he had imagined.
There was a children’s slide, swings, a climbing wall, and an artificial turf lawn with many small basketball hoops and soccer goals.
Although it was still early and not very crowded, there were already a few children playing on the artificial turf.
"Son, do you see those other kids? Go play with them," Fang Youqing said in a commanding tone.
Zhao Wen Cheng looked at the children playing on the turf, noticed they were all boys, and didn’t seem very interested. He tugged on Chen Yuan’s hand.
"Uncle, let’s go play."
"Uncle has other things to do; he can’t play with you. There are so many other kids here to play with you. You need to learn to make friends with others."
Fang Youqing tried to guide her son to play with the other boys so she wouldn’t have to keep bothering Chen Yuan in the future, but it didn’t seem to be working.
"I don’t want to play with other people. I just want to play with Uncle."
"Come on, Uncle will play with you."
Chen Yuan took Zhao Wen Cheng and found an empty mini-goal. Fang Youqing could only sigh in resignation.
"Let’s play a soccer game. For the first round, you be the goalie, and Uncle will be the shooter. If I score a goal, I get one point. Then, in the next round, you’ll be the shooter. If you score, you also get one point. We’ll see who scores more, okay?"
Zhao Wen Cheng’s comprehension was quite good. After Chen Yuan’s explanation, he quickly understood the rules but didn’t seem to know what to do.
"Here, follow my lead."
Chen Yuan led Zhao Wen Cheng to the front of the goal. "You just stand right here. If the ball comes toward you, you have to grab it."
Zhao Wen Cheng picked up the soccer ball and hugged it tightly.
"Like this?"
"Yes, just like that. Hold it tight."
"I got it!"
"Good. You be the goalie here."
"Okay."
Zhao Wen Cheng stood in front of the goal, which was just over a meter tall. Chen Yuan backed up about two meters, placed the ball at his feet, and kicked it gently.
Seeing the ball move, Zhao Wen Cheng trotted over, scooped it up in his arms, and laughed heartily.
"Great job! I got zero points that round. Now it’s my turn to be the goalie. Let’s see if you can kick the ball in."
Zhao Wen Cheng stood where he was. Chen Yuan placed the ball about a meter away and stood in front of the goal himself.
"Go ahead, kick the ball into the goal."
Zhao Wen Cheng looked at the goal, then at the ball at his feet. He gave it a light kick, but it went wide.
"You didn’t score that round either. Now it’s my turn again."
Fang Youqing, sitting on the side, watched the two of them switch roles again and broke into an understanding smile.
She hadn’t expected Chen Yuan to be so patient. He was nothing like other college students his age, who tended to be restless and impulsive.
Just then, Fang Youqing saw her son fall. She instinctively shot to her feet, but a look from Chen Yuan stopped her.