"Good boy, don't listen to your dad's nonsense," Fang Miaomiao said, ruffling Wen Yan'an's hair. "After our last episode of the show, we'll go learn to swim, okay?"
"Okay."
Wen Zhiyan watched the little one not crying and clinging to Miaomiao, his teeth aching with anger. "Your last variety show episode?"
"Mhmm," Fang Miaomiao nodded. "This season of the show was a last-minute thing for Director Chen Tianming. He had to clash with his new film crew in episodes five and six. With his perfectionist nature, this season ending after four episodes is just right."
"And then it leaves me with enough time to work out. By the time An'an starts school, I'll be pretty much ready."
Wen Zhiyan nodded. No wonder Chen Tianming had been intermittently asking him on WeChat if he was busy these days.
Suddenly.
He thought of something. "Does Miaomiao mean you'll also be joining Chen Tianming's next production?"
"Mhmm," Fang Miaomiao nodded. "I'm going to act too."
"Then will I see Mommy on TV?"
"Uh-huh."
Chen Tianming was shooting this film now, likely aiming for the Green Apple Awards in January. The Green Apple Awards were one of the most important domestic film awards. Chen Tianming was preparing to use a post-apocalyptic story with a female antagonist to vie for this award, which was undeniably bold.
"An'an must go see Mommy's movie."
"Okay, Mommy will definitely try her best to act well for An'an, okay?"
"Okay."
Wen Zhiyan's expression was complicated. "Then, for a while, we won't see each other?"
He had finally managed to get the little light bulb sent off to school, only for his Miaomiao to tell him she was going to a film crew.
Would the apartment be empty except for him?
"Miaomiao," Wen Zhiyan said, reluctant and unaccustomed to the thought.
"No causing trouble," Fang Miaomiao said, looking at Wen Zhiyan. "I've seen that film; it's very good. I just want to act in it, okay?"
In her past life, she hadn't been able to act in that drama due to the actor's salary. This time, she didn't want to miss it.
"I know. If Miaomiao wants to go, then go," Wen Zhiyan took a step back. "But on weekends, I'm coming to see you."
"Mommy, and me,"
Wen Zhiyan: "..."
"That's fine."
In the car, they chatted back and forth.
In the evening, the car stopped at the entrance of Yu Garden.
This place was becoming familiar after the second visit.
"Grandpa Chen, we're back."
"Ah, my little young master, Grandpa Chen has been watching you for a long time."
"Really?"
"Really," Butler Chen said with a smile. "Fourth Master, Madam, good evening."
"Good evening."
Butler Chen met Fang Miaomiao's gaze and knew what she was thinking. "Madam, rest assured, there aren't many people inside this time."
Unprecedentedly, the Old Madam also appeared exceptionally amiable, smiling. She must be missing her grandson.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Fang Miaomiao breathed a sigh of relief.
The two were led to the dining room by the butler.
"You're back?"
"Father, Mother."
Ran Lian examined Wen Zhiyan from head to toe before beckoning to Wen Yan'an. "Come, An'an, come here."
"Good evening, Grandma, good evening, Grandpa."
"So good," Ran Lian patted Wen Yan'an's head, then looked up at Fang Miaomiao. "Don't you see the dishes are served? Why are you two just standing there and not sitting down?"
Fang Miaomiao quickly nudged Wen Zhiyan towards the table.
After they sat down.
The rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping was applied to the fullest extent at this moment.
The inexplicably oppressive atmosphere made Fang Miaomiao's appetite shrink.
"An'an is turning six soon, and it's time to send him to kindergarten. I've been looking into kindergartens these past few days," Ran Lian said. "I'm planning to send An'an to an international boarding kindergarten."
Fang Miaomiao hesitated for a moment and asked, "So young, would boarding school be… not so good?"
"Why not? You know, children from families like ours are sent to kindergarten by the age of three or four. An'an is a special case, so sending him at six is not too late."
Last time she attended a gathering, someone had sarcastically implied that their An'an was a mute idiot, not yet sent to kindergarten at five or six years old.
That had angered her to no end.
"Mother, please don't worry about An'an's schooling. I've already found a school for him, and he can start when school opens."
"You've found a school for An'an?" Ran Lian glanced at Fang Miaomiao discreetly. "You work so hard every day, where do you find the time to look for a kindergarten? Don't get tricked by someone. The one I found is good, just listen to me."
Fang Miaomiao, whose gaze had been fixed on An'an, clearly sensed that after Ran Lian finished speaking, his mood had become much lower.
"I said, An'an's school is found. You don't need to worry about it."
Being refuted repeatedly, Ran Lian's smile turned somewhat unpleasant. "Then tell me, what kind of school did you find?"
"Near Mingshan. An'an can walk home by himself after school."
"Nonsense! Are the schools near Mingshan as good as the one I found? Don't you know that education starts from the cradle? If I hadn't forced you to study back then, do you think you could manage such a large group?"
"Ran Lian," Wen Renhe coughed and looked at Ran Lian. "Didn't we agree to discuss things properly and speak calmly? What are you doing?"
"I *want* to speak calmly. Look at these two, neither of them is listening to me!" Ran Lian grabbed Wen Yan'an's hand and said kindly, "An'an, be good. Tell Grandma, where do you want to go to kindergarten?"
Wen Yan'an lowered his head, silent.
"An'an, you know, Grandma loves An'an the most. Everything I do is for An'an's own good."
"Grandma."
"Wen Yan'an, come here."
Wen Yan'an looked up at Fang Miaomiao.
"Fang Miaomiao, can't you lower your voice? What if you scare my precious grandson?" Ran Lian looked at Fang Miaomiao with displeasure. "Don't think you can yell at my An'an just because you married Wen Zhiyan now."
"Mother misunderstands. I am An'an's mother now, and everything I do is for An'an's well-being. You should know that An'an's personality is not suited for boarding school. We have already chosen a kindergarten for Wen Yan'an, so there's no need for Mother to worry about it."
"Wen Yan'an, come here now."
Wen Yan'an, with reddened eyes, walked to Fang Miaomiao's side.
"You! You're rebelling! How dare you yell at me in Yu Garden."
"Don't worry, I haven't wanted to stay here for a long time," Fang Miaomiao pulled Wen Yan'an over. "It's too boring. I, Fang Miaomiao, am not a person who likes boring things. My tolerance of you multiple times was only out of consideration for Father. Since we can't stand each other, it's better if we don't see each other."
"Miaomiao, what are you talking about?"
"Father, you know, I've lived the life of a young lady for over twenty years. I have a spoiled personality," Fang Miaomiao said with a polite smile.