Awakening Elementary School System in University

About half an hour later, just as Chen Lin finished organizing the appendix for his paper, another set of slightly livelier footsteps, accompanied by a fragrant scent, stopped by his desk.

"Boss~"

Yunqing drew out the last syllable sweetly, holding up a tablet in front of Chen Lin to show him the digital version of a procurement list. She leaned forward slightly, a strand of her hair almost brushing against his shoulder.

"Take a look. This is a list of office supplies I drafted based on Sister Yiyi’s suggestions and everyone’s daily needs. From coffee beans, tea, and snacks to printer paper, sticky notes, and ergonomic mouse pads, I’ve categorized everything."

Her voice held a smile as she blinked her bright eyes, a hint of slyness in them. "See if there’s anything you want to add. If not, I’ll go ahead and place the order?"

Chen Lin was a little exasperated by her playful, quirky demeanor. He leaned back to create some distance and quickly scanned the tablet.

He had to admit, Yunqing was incredibly thorough. The list was extremely detailed, even noting the pros, cons, and reference prices for each brand, making it crystal clear.

"It’s fine. Go ahead and buy what’s on the list," Chen Lin said with a wave of his hand.

"Alrighty!"

Yunqing cheered, having gotten his approval.

Completely satisfied, she returned to her workstation.

And all of this, of course, was taken in by Yaoyao.

The little girl’s mouth formed a small "O." She watched Yunqing’s departing figure, then glanced at Chen Lin beside her, her eyes twinkling with the light of gossip.

After finishing the sumptuous lunch that Yunqing had perfectly arranged, Chen Lin stretched and announced to everyone in the office, "Alright everyone, I’m heading out for the afternoon. I have to take this little one out to play."

"The boss gets to skip out on work with pay. We can only be jealous!" Sun Yu wailed comically from the side.

Huang Yiyi and Yunqing just smiled and waved, while Shen Yan also looked up and gave Yaoyao a gentle smile.

Chen Lin took Yaoyao’s little hand and walked out of the Innovation Space amidst a chorus of good-natured teasing.

The afternoon sun was just right, casting dappled light and shadows on the tree-lined campus path.

The two of them hadn’t gotten far from the Innovation Space Building when Yaoyao, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly tugged hard on Chen Lin’s hand.

"Brother Chen Lin," she said, tilting her little face up, her big eyes sparkling with an immense gossipy glint. In the tone of a little adult, she asked mysteriously, "Do you like Qing more, or Yanyan?"

"PFFT—COUGH! COUGH!"

Chen Lin stumbled, nearly choking to death on his own saliva.

He stopped dead in his tracks and looked down in shock at the utterly innocent-looking little girl, for a moment at a loss for words.

He glanced around guiltily, like a thief caught in the act. Seeing no one nearby, he breathed a sigh of relief and asked in a low voice, "Yaoyao, why would you ask that?"

"Because I can tell!" Yaoyao puffed out her little chest matter-of-factly, like a seasoned relationship expert, and began analyzing on her fingers. "When that Yanyan talks to you, she looks really serious, but the tips of her ears are all red! And when that Qing smiles at you, her eyes sparkle like they have little stars in them!"

The little girl paused, then delivered her closing argument in a very certain tone: "They both like you!"

"..."

Chen Lin completely froze. He could feel cold sweat surely breaking out on his forehead.

’This little girl’s observation skills are terrifying!’

’She’s practically a walking gossip radar!’

Seeing Yaoyao still waiting expectantly for his answer, Chen Lin’s mind raced. In the end, he could only cough awkwardly twice and trot out an incredibly cliché, but currently only usable, excuse.

"Ahem, uh... This is grown-up business. Kids shouldn’t ask so many questions."

Unexpectedly, instead of being fooled by his words, Yaoyao acted like a little adult again. She let out a long, theatrical sigh, her tender little face showing a profoundness that didn’t match her age at all.

"Sigh..."

She said mournfully, "I was originally planning to marry Brother Chen Lin when I grow up, but I never expected... the competition would be so fierce!"

"THWACK!"

A crisp flick landed precisely on Yaoyao’s smooth forehead.

"Ouch!"

Yaoyao cried out in pain and immediately covered her forehead, pouting with dissatisfaction. "Why’d you hit me!" she protested. "I’m so loyal to you, and you still treat me like this!"

Looking at her precocious, devilish appearance, Chen Lin felt a headache coming on. Both exasperated and amused, he said, "I think the one who wants to cause me the most trouble is you, you little rascal!"

Chen Lin had no desire to be a cradle robber.

...

Laughing and chatting along the way, Chen Lin led the little girl to Jinmen Joy Valley.

Summer vacation was nearing its end, with less than a week left before school started.

Although Joy Valley was still bustling with people, it was much better than during the terrifying peak period in July when everyone was packed shoulder to shoulder.

Chen Lin had already made up his mind: today was all about letting Yaoyao have a blast before school started.

He led Yaoyao straight to the areas with the park’s most thrilling rides.

First ride: the Giant Pendulum.

When the giant swinging arm, carrying a ring of visitors, soared dozens of meters into the air in a way that seemed to defy Newton’s laws, then free-fell accompanied by decibel-shattering screams, Yaoyao’s initially excited little face instantly turned pale.

"Brother Chen Lin... maybe we should just go on the carousel?" she asked timidly, tugging at the corner of his shirt.

"We’re already here," Chen Lin said with a kind smile, giving her no room for argument as he pulled her into the line.

A few minutes later, accompanied by Yaoyao’s cloud-piercing screams, Chen Lin felt utterly refreshed.

When she got off the Giant Pendulum, Yaoyao was in a daze, as if her soul had left her body. She was even a bit unsteady on her feet.

However, before she could recover, Chen Lin was already pointing with a grin at a towering iron structure in the distance. "Come on, Yaoyao, let’s go on that drop tower! It’s fun, and you can see the view of the entire Joy Valley!"

"No! I don’t want to!" Yaoyao shook her little head like a rattle drum.

Unfortunately, her protest was useless.

Half an hour later, when the two emerged from the exit of the third ride—the roller coaster—Yaoyao had completely given up resisting.

Her face was ghastly pale, her hair was a windswept mess like a bird’s nest, and her legs were as soft as noodles. She was practically hanging off Chen Lin, muttering weakly, "Brother Chen Lin... I feel like my soul... is still flying up in the sky..."

Seeing her pitiful yet adorable state, Chen Lin finally took pity on her and stopped tormenting her.

He took the still-shaken Yaoyao to a dessert stand on the roadside, bought them each an ice cream cone, and found a bench in the shade to sit down, relax, and cool off.

The cold, sweet cream finally seemed to coax Yaoyao’s soul back into her body.

Watching her adorably licking the cone in small bites, Chen Lin decided to tease her. "Yaoyao, after we finish this, how about we go on the Log Flume? You know, the one where you sit in a boat and go WHOOSH down from a really, really high place. I hear it’s even more thrilling than the roller coaster!"