Chapter 631 - 518: All for Nothing
Liu Jinyan stood to the side, watching the father and daughter’s interaction, a look of happiness in her eyes, gently reminded, "Alright, don’t be so mushy, let’s go quickly. We should be the first to tackle the challenges, or the other families will beat us to it..."
"Yes, yes... let’s hurry, otherwise we won’t have enough time..." Wan Zhenhong suddenly remembered, saying urgently.
"Yeah, yeah, we need to hurry, or we won’t win the ’family meal voucher’!"
Niuniu urged while complaining, "Daddy, it’s all your fault for being so slow. If we can’t win the ’family meal voucher’, I won’t be friends with you anymore."
Wan Zhenhong: "..."
So it’s my fault again?
My dear daughter, aren’t you being a bit unreasonable?
What can I do?
She’s my own, even with tears, I have to keep spoiling her.
He lamented inwardly but maintained a serious look on the outside: "Alright, alright, it’s Daddy’s fault. We’ll go now and certainly win it for you."
Then, the family of three quickened their pace and followed the crowd out of the auditorium.
"Mayor Yang, Director Wei, and all the leaders, please..." Liang Yinqiu said with a smile, graciously extending her hand in an earnest invitation.
"Alright!"
Mayor Yang cheerfully accepted, then led the city officials following behind the parents toward the auditorium’s entrance.
In the back of the group, Wei Guodong and Xin Jinghui inadvertently caught a heartwarming scene of Huang Jun carrying his twin daughters out of the auditorium.
Wei Guodong couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled and whispered to Xin Jinghui, "Old Xin, why does it look like Chef Huang is mixing with the parents?"
"Director Wei, be more confident and drop the ’looks like’. That is indeed Chef Huang and his twin daughters."
Xin Jinghui chuckled softly, responding, "His daughters are in the small class here, so it’s only natural for him to join the children’s activities as a father."
"But isn’t he the chef at the kindergarten?"
Wei Guodong’s brow slightly furrowed, a faint sense of unease surfacing in his heart: "At this time, he should be busy in the kitchen. How does he have time to join the activities?"
Xin Jinghui: "..."
What a valid point, leaving him speechless to refute it...
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Perhaps he made some time to come, planning to head back to the kitchen once the activities end. After all, both family and work need to be balanced."
"But wouldn’t it be almost noon when the activities end? Returning then, would he still have time to prepare lunch?"
Wei Guodong’s concern hadn’t fully dissipated, but instead grew stronger, "Old Xin, do you think the kindergarten won’t provide lunch today due to the New Year’s event?"
Xin Jinghui: "..."
He thought about it and suggested, "Why don’t we find a chance to ask Director Liang about it?"
Wei Guodong nodded in agreement, "Okay, I’ll leave that to you, find the right opportunity to ask her."
Xin Jinghui: "..."
Why is it always me?
Well~
Orders from a superior, have to comply.
He walked straight ahead, seemingly resolved on something, not sparing a glance back at Wei Guodong.
He approached Liang Yinqiu and lowered his voice to politely inquire, "Director Liang, after the New Year’s event, are there any other activities planned at the kindergarten?"
The underlying question being, of course — is there lunch provided at the kindergarten today?
Unfortunately...
Liang Yinqiu’s mind was entirely focused on the departing Mayor Yang and his group, missing the subtle implication in Xin Jinghui’s words.
She responded naturally, "There are no other plans; once the event concludes, parents can take their children home for the festival."
Xin Jinghui felt a pang of realization but still held onto a shred of hope, further asking, "What about the teachers? Do they have any plans after the event?"
"The teachers can also go home and rest."
Liang Yinqiu answered succinctly.
At this moment, noticing Mayor Yang’s group about to walk out of the auditorium, out of courtesy and thoroughness, she quickly told Xin Jinghui, "Director Xin, please wait a moment, I need to attend to the city leaders first to avoid neglect."
Hmm?
What does this mean?
Is there really no lunch arranged at the kindergarten today?
Even for city leaders and education bureau directors?
Director Liang, Director Liang...
This way of hospitality seems a bit inappropriate...
Xin Jinghui watched as Liang Yinqiu followed Mayor Yang’s group, suddenly feeling a chill of disappointment, a speechless chill slapping randomly on his face...
But on second thought, he guessed that the reason Liang Yinqiu didn’t prepare might be because she had heard somewhere that every time Mayor Yang and others visited other kindergartens for New Year’s events, they didn’t stay for lunch, so she didn’t prepare anything special...
But even so, you should have some preparations, at least a token gesture...
After all, this was an opportunity to showcase the kindergarten’s warmth and detailed service, as well as a chance to gain favor...
How could it be squandered so easily?
All his meticulous efforts were wasted...
Xin Jinghui felt a sense of ’disappointment in a missed opportunity’, even more so, feeling sorry for his well-laid plans falling through, unable to enjoy the kindergarten’s meal...
And besides.
Shouldn’t he find a suitable occasion to gently suggest to Director Liang, asking her to prepare lunch for the city leaders?
Wei Guodong cast a gentle gaze at Xin Jinghui’s slightly disappointed face, needing no words to understand the situation implicitly.
At the same time, an indescribable feeling of loss also quietly grew in his heart, creating a subtle resonance with Xin Jinghui’s mood.
In the end.
He shot a questioning look at Xin Jinghui that said "Weren’t we supposed to enjoy Dorami Kindergarten’s lunch? Is this it?"
Understanding, Xin Jinghui gave an awkward smile, "Director Wei, I didn’t foresee this either. If I’d known earlier, I would’ve reported it to you immediately so we could come up with a plan."
"Never mind, you’re not in the inner circle, not knowing the details is natural."
Wei Guodong graciously expressed understanding, then shifted the topic, "But speaking of which, Old Wan that guy..."
Xin Jinghui picked up the thread, analyzing logically, "I guess Old Wan has some insights. His daughter studies here, any news at the kindergarten is promptly shared in the parents’ group by the teachers. He couldn’t have missed it, and knowing him, he might already have some clues and taken actions, seeking confirmed information..."
Wei Guodong listened, pondering Xin Jinghui’s words, and couldn’t help picturing Wan Zhenhong familiarly discussing the New Year’s event at the kindergarten, making him feel that what Xin said was spot on: "Old Wan must know something, but why is he keeping it to himself, not sharing a word with us?"
"Perhaps due to certain concerns!"
Xin Jinghui continued to dissect the situation, "He might worry that speaking up could invite unnecessary trouble, or even fear it would impact his participation in the event, thus missing out on that precious ’family meal voucher’. After all, it’s not just a prize; it’s a rare chance for the whole family to openly enjoy Chef Huang’s culinary skills."
Hearing this, Wei Guodong nodded slightly, feeling somewhat disdainful of Wan Zhenhong’s actions, able to be so concealing and silent for personal gain, which was not the conduct of a gentleman.
So unkind!
Old Wan, Old Wan!
You kept me in the dark for so long...
Old Wan, Old Wan!
We were supposed to share the delights of Dorami Kindergarten, yet you pursued selfish benefits alone. How could such a revolutionary friendship have been so easily disrupted?
Of course.
The pressing matter is not to investigate this now; a solution must be found, or else it might end up like drawing water with a bamboo basket—empty-handed.
"So, Old Xin, in your opinion, how should we tackle this matter?"
Wei Guodong finally threw the question to Xin Jinghui, hoping for more insights from him.
Xin Jinghui pondered for a moment, saying, "Director Wei, direct communication might be the most straightforward method. We could honestly tell Director Liang and see if it’s possible for Chef Huang to prepare something for us, but..."
Wei Guodong: "..."
Suggesting this directly would cast a shadow of gluttony over the image of his role as Director of the Education Bureau?
Where would the dignity be found?