"Mom!"
As soon as school ended that day, Zhan Shiqing happily ran to Wei Yumeng.
"What's wrong?" Perhaps infected by the child's mood, she also felt quite good.
"Today was so much fun, I made a new friend." Zhan Shiqing said, then giggled with joy. "She's in the next class, her name is Liao Yixue. We like the same flavors, and colors, and we like watching the same cartoons."
Zhan Shiqing became more and more excited as she spoke, showing how satisfied she was with this friend.
Wei Yumeng, however, felt that the name Liao Yixue sounded familiar, though she couldn't recall where she had heard it. It was probably nothing important.
"If she's a good friend, you must cherish each other, understand?" Wei Yumeng said.
Zhan Shiqing nodded solemnly, "Of course. I'll always treasure this friend very, very much from now on."
Zhan Jinzhi, standing by, couldn't bear to watch any longer and spoke up, "Mom, actually, there's something else. The school is organizing a family spring outing, and they hope parents can join us for a picnic."
Hearing this, Zhan Shiqing shyly poked her head out. She had actually intended to tell Wei Yumeng about this, but the words had slipped out, and she ended up talking about meeting her good friend first.
She had already told Zhan Jinzhi about these things countless times.
Wei Yumeng thought for a moment before replying, "I understand. Your father and I aren't too busy recently, so we should be able to go."
"That's great!" Zhan Shiqing clapped her hands happily. "I can introduce Little Xue to you then."
Because of this, Wei Yumeng had to wait until Zhan Mohan returned to tell him about it.
"Mmm, a picnic is fine with me," Zhan Mohan said.
Wei Yumeng breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want to see the children's disappointed faces.
"However, this Liao Yixue that Shiqing mentioned, is she the youngest daughter of the Liao family?" Zhan Mohan asked after hearing Wei Yumeng's words, instantly recognizing the name.
"The Liao family?" Wei Yumeng was slightly taken aback. The Liao family had a neutral reputation in business circles, not particularly good or bad, but they hadn't left any particularly good impressions.
However, Wei Yumeng believed that even if the Liao family had some issues, it didn't mean their children were the same.
"In any case, I'll keep an eye on things, don't worry," Wei Yumeng said, then smiled at Zhan Mohan. "You just need to make sure you have time on the day of the outing."
Zhan Mohan kissed her on the forehead. "Okay."
Under the eager anticipation of Zhan Shiqing and Zhan Jinzhi, the day of the spring outing finally arrived.
Depending on each family's preference, they could choose to travel by school bus or by their own cars.
Although Zhan Shiqing could have simply taken Zhan Mohan's car, she chose to ride the school bus specifically to be with Liao Yixue.
However, things took an unexpected turn. Today, Liao Yixue didn't seem to be in high spirits.
"Little Xue, what's wrong? You don't look very happy," Zhan Shiqing asked worriedly.
Liao Yixue merely glanced at her before turning her face away.
Zhan Shiqing was slightly stunned, as she detected a hint of disgust in Liao Yixue's eyes.
The two children didn't speak for the rest of the journey, each lost in their own thoughts.
Upon reaching their destination, Zhan Shiqing, looking dejected, walked over to Wei Yumeng and Zhan Mohan.
"What's wrong?" Wei Yumeng noticed her changed mood and asked with concern.
Zhan Shiqing said with a hint of grievance, "Mom, I don't know what I did wrong, but I think Little Xue dislikes me."
As she spoke, she lowered her head sadly. "But I didn't do anything."
Zhan Jinzhi, however, looked in another direction and said, "I don't think this is your problem."
Wei Yumeng followed Zhan Jinzhi's gaze. Next to their campsite was the Liao family's campsite.
When the other party noticed their gaze, they hurried over to greet them.
"Hello, Mr. Zhan, Mrs. Zhan."
Mr. Liao's face was all smiles, but Wei Yumeng felt uncomfortable. His smile seemed forced, more like deliberate flattery, utterly insincere.
Zhan Mohan sensed Wei Yumeng's discomfort and stepped forward to shield her.
"Hello."
Seeing Zhan Mohan greet him, Mr. Liao's smile widened. "I've heard a lot about Mr. Zhan's reputation. Meeting you today, I see it's indeed extraordinary."
"It's nothing," Zhan Mohan replied in his usual calm tone.
Zhan Shiqing had been watching Liao Yixue, who was with Mr. Liao, but the girl still ignored her.
Just then, Mr. Liao suddenly pushed Liao Yixue. "Aren't you good friends? Go play with them."
While his tone didn't seem off at first glance, it gave off an uncomfortable feeling.
Liao Yixue shuffled her feet as she slowly walked towards Zhan Shiqing, clearly reluctant.
"Little Xue!" Mr. Liao called her name again.
Liao Yixue shivered and then ran towards Zhan Shiqing.
Wei Yumeng found the whole family extremely bizarre. She gave Zhan Mohan a look, and though he didn't speak, he naturally understood Wei Yumeng's message.
He turned to Zhan Jinzhi and said, "Jin Zhi, you mentioned there was a garden nearby. Take them there."
Mr. Liao didn't forget to instruct, "Little Xue, you must play well with them, understand?"
Liao Yixue didn't reply, only nodding.
Then, Zhan Jinzhi led the two girls away.
On the way, Zhan Shiqing and Liao Yixue walked ahead, with Zhan Jinzhi following behind them. The problems in their interactions were evident.
In fact, Zhan Jinzhi had noticed the unnaturalness when Mr. Liao asked Liao Yixue to play with Zhan Shiqing.
Liao Yixue was not willingly with Zhan Shiqing; she even seemed to be somewhat repulsed.
But Liao Yixue couldn't defy Mr. Liao, so she came along.
And Zhan Jinzhi took the two girls away, precisely because he had also noticed something was amiss?
Zhan Jinzhi looked at the two in front of him and pondered...
When they reached the garden, Zhan Shiqing took the initiative to mend their relationship with Liao Yixue.
"Little Xue, I don't know what's making you unhappy, but I'll always be your friend. You can tell me what's bothering you."
As she spoke, she handed Liao Yixue a bouquet of flowers. "I picked these just now. They're all colors we like. I'm giving them to you."
But Liao Yixue didn't reach out to take them. She just lowered her head and said, "I can't be your good friend anymore. I don't like you at all, and I don't like these flowers, or these colors!"
This statement startled Zhan Shiqing. She had no idea what had happened.
Liao Yixue seemed concerned about something. Only when she was sure no one else was nearby, not even Zhan Jinzhi who had disappeared somewhere, did she muster the courage.
"I don't deserve to be your friend at all."