Chapter 253: Chapter 253: The Eve of Separation (Part 1)

But he absolutely couldn’t let Xu Jinzhi discover even the slightest anomaly, otherwise, things would only become more problematic!

He knew Xu Jinzhi would probably be in great pain, but under no circumstances could he come to terms with Xu Jinzhi’s death.

Being alive was the most important thing.

Time would heal everything, just like in their previous lives—whether it was Xu Jinzhi, Tuantuan, and Sui Sui, or others, they would eventually forget their own deaths and continue living.

Xie Yanchuan went to school for he still had a class to teach, Xie Yanchuan felt somewhat heavy-hearted, but he still went to teach.

However, the Professor Xie, who had never been distracted while teaching before, was absent-minded today, to the point where a student even asked if Xie Yanchuan was sick.

Not until the class was over, which typically would just end there, but today, after it ended, Xie Yanchuan solemnly said to the students, “It has been an honor to serve as your mentor.”

“I hope you remember the original purpose of choosing life sciences and continue on this path with steady and far-reaching progress.”

After saying this, Xie Yanchuan bowed slightly, then picked up his teaching materials, turned, and walked out of the lecture hall, leaving behind a group of students in complete bewilderment.

“Wait, what did the professor mean just now?” a student couldn’t help but ask.

In the lecture hall, students whispered amongst themselves, but it seemed no one could answer this question; they didn’t know what had suddenly happened to Professor Xie.

Xie Yanchuan went back to his office and began to seriously think about what he still had left undone.

The video for Xu Jinzhi had already been filmed in advance, and his will had already been discussed with the lawyer.

There was nothing left for him to do at the lab, and as for his classes, he couldn’t make arrangements in advance for those; he just had to wait for the school to schedule them later.

Thinking of the Xie Family, Xie Yanchuan pondered and still couldn’t help calling them. He dared not contact his grandfather, fearing that it would stir up too much emotion in the old man.

So Xie Yanchuan called He Shuying instead, first asking about his grandfather’s condition.

He Shuying said, “He’s quite well, seems to have perked up a bit these past few days, don’t worry too much.”

“That’s good.” Xie Yanchuan replied, then fell silent for a short while, his feelings toward He Shuying, his mother, were quite complex.

But thinking this might be the last call, Xie Yanchuan couldn’t help saying, “There’s been heavy snow these days; take good care of yourself.”

On the other end of the line, He Shuying fell silent for a moment, somewhat unaccustomed to Xie Yanchuan’s sudden concern. Unseen by Xie Yanchuan, He Shuying’s expression was just as complicated.

Finally, a bit at a loss, she said, “Understood.”

The call ended like that, and Xie Yanchuan dialed Xie Suian’s number, using the same excuse.

Xie Suian was also happy that his son had called him, and after discussing Old Master Xie’s condition, he also expressed concern for Xie Yanchuan.

In the end, Xie Yanchuan still used the recent heavy snow as the reason to remind Xie Suian to take good care of himself.

After the phone was hung up again, Xie Yanchuan sat there, unable to think of what he should do next.

Sitting in silence for a very long time, Xie Yanchuan stood up and left A University.

When he arrived at Tuantuan’s kindergarten, it was nap time. Xie Yanchuan found Teacher Xiao Huang and explained why he had come.

Teacher Xiao Huang was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why he wanted to see the child at this time.

Sensing the confusion in Teacher Xiao Huang’s eyes, he explained, “I’ll be going on a business trip later, and it might be for an extended period. I haven’t had the chance to tell Tuantuan yet.”

“I see,” Teacher Xiao Huang nodded, “Then I’ll go call Xie Zhihuai out.”

“Thank you.” Xie Yanchuan said earnestly.

Teacher Xiao Huang quickly left and went to the nap room, waking up Tuantuan, who was already asleep.

Fortunately, Tuantuan was always well-behaved and had no trouble waking up; he didn’t cry or fuss when Teacher Xiao Huang woke him.

Teacher Xiao Huang really adored the child and, holding the still somewhat dazed Tuantuan, said, “Xie Zhihuai, your daddy is waiting for you outside.”

“Daddy?” Tuantuan, groggy, was it already time to go home?

But it seemed too early.

Tuantuan followed Teacher Xiao Huang to the classroom in a daze, and upon seeing his father, let go of Teacher Xiao Huang’s hand and softly called out, “Daddy.”

“Tuantuan.” Xie Yanchuan smiled gently at Tuantuan, then reached out to hold him, “I’m sorry for disturbing Tuantuan’s nap.”

Tuantuan didn’t speak, just quietly nestled into Xie Yanchuan’s embrace, and after a while, he asked in a milky voice, “Why did Daddy come?”

“I missed Tuantuan a bit.” Xie Yanchuan looked at the child in front of him who looked so much like himself, not quite sure what he was feeling deep down.

He wouldn’t be able to watch him grow up.

“I missed Daddy too,” Tuantuan replied, his expression slightly shy.

Tears tinged Xie Yanchuan’s voice as he held Tuantuan tight, “Tuantuan, Daddy really, really loves you.”

The little Tuantuan felt something was strange, yet at that moment, he couldn’t understand why his dad was acting odd, on hearing his daddy say he loved him, he couldn’t help expressing his own thoughts as well.

Xie Yanchuan laughed, then took a deep breath and continued to talk to Tuantuan, “Tuantuan must grow up well, and when you’re grown up, take care of Mom and your little sister, okay?”

Tuantuan nodded, “Mom and Sis are girls, I’m a boy, I have to protect them.”

“Yes.” Xie Yanchuan nodded with satisfaction, “But our Tuantuan also needs to grow up happy and joyful.”

Xie Yanchuan very much wanted Tuantuan to grow up unrestrained, protecting Xu Jin and Sui Sui, and even protecting Tuantuan, that was supposed to be his own responsibility.

But he had no way left, only to place the burden on Tuantuan.

“Mm,” Tuantuan agreed obediently.

Xie Yanchuan had so many things he wanted to say to Tuantuan, but he simply didn’t know where to start, as Tuantuan was still so young.

“Tuantuan, Daddy truly, truly loves you and will always bless you to be safe and smooth-sailing, so Tuantuan must grow up happy.”

“Being Tuantuan’s dad really is a very fortunate thing.”

Despite being a brilliant student from A University, Xie Yanchuan’s words at this moment were so simple, repeating just these two sentiments.

He simply wanted Tuantuan to remember that even if he was no longer there, he still loved him dearly.