CHAPTER 359: EPISODE 33.10 MEETING FRIENDS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

A week slipped by in a blur, and before they knew it, the Monday Yanyan and his family had been eagerly awaiting had finally arrived.

It was the first official Monday of the school year.

Knowing the roads would be congested with families rushing to their own ceremonies, Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng decided to leave early.

At exactly six in the morning, their car rolled through the gates of Qilin Academy.

"There’s still an hour before the opening ceremony, but the car park’s already half-full! The students here are ridiculously disciplined!" Shen Yuan exclaimed as he hopped out of the car.

Yanyan scrambled out right behind him, clutching his small satchel as if it might float away if he let go. His wide eyes flicked around, taking in the tall buildings, the banners, and the sea of uniforms. Despite his nerves, his little hand instinctively grabbed Shen Yuan’s sleeve.

Shen Yuan’s smile widened when he noticed a few tiny toddlers shuffling along, holding tight to their parents. He gave them a cheerful wave. The children squeaked and ducked behind their mothers’ legs.

However, the parents froze mid-step. Recognition dawned, followed by excitement sparking in their eyes. One mother’s hand even twitched as if she wanted to reach for her phone, but her toddler tugged insistently on her skirt. Another father stepped forward, mouth open, only for his daughter to plant herself stubbornly in front of him like a tiny bouncer.

"Oh my! Shen Yuan?!" one of them whispered, voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.

Everyone wanted a photo—everyone. But their children had them effectively shackled in place, wide-eyed and wary of the famous man their parents seemed so eager to approach.

In the eyes of these children, Shen Yuan’s presence was simply too much. They are shy and nervous about coming near the gorgeous and powerful S-class omega.

From the other side of the car came Bai Tingfeng’s dry voice.

"It seems you’re more excited than our son. You even forgot about us."

Shen Yuan looked back just in time to see Bai Tingfeng kneeling before Yanyan. He straightened the boy’s uniform collar with meticulous care.

Shen Yuan’s grin softened at the sight of his mini-me dressed so smartly in Qilin Academy’s uniform.

"I told you to wait for me to open the door. Tsss. So stubborn," Bai Tingfeng nagged as he joined them, his aura subtly shifting. A thin ripple of pheromones and mana spread around his family—territorial, possessive, protective.

It was like watching a predator mark its territory.

The celestial fox spirit puckered his lips, eyes glittering with amusement. He didn’t mind this jealous streak. It only surfaced occasionally, making it rare—and frankly, entertaining.

"They’re just fans, you know?" Shen Yuan nudged Bai Tingfeng’s side.

"I know," Bai Tingfeng muttered, gaze sweeping over the frozen parents. "But I don’t want them swarming you like bees to honey. They don’t know you’re pregnant. What if they crowd you, shove you by accident? I won’t take that risk."

Shen Yuan’s eyes sparkled. He couldn’t help but feel pleased at his husband’s protectiveness. But today wasn’t about them. Today was Yanyan’s day—his very first day of school.

If his classmates got the impression his family was standoffish, it would only make things harder for him.

"Alright, calm down," Shen Yuan said lightly, smacking Bai Tingfeng’s shoulder. "Look at them. Do they look like they’re about to mob me? Their kids have them on lockdown." He gestured at the radish-headed toddlers glued to their parents’ legs. "You’re scaring the little ones. Rein in your presence."

Only then did Bai Tingfeng reluctantly ease his aura back. The people around them started dispersing, avoiding the gaze of the alpha.

A faint blush coloured Bai Tingfeng’s cheeks. He did overreact. He felt guilty.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Shen Yuan clicked his tongue and, with mock seriousness, mimicked a viral meme: "Daddy, chill."

Bai Tingfeng’s face turned crimson. "What the hell?"

And right on cue, Yanyan giggled. "Hehe," the boy covered his mouth, his bright eyes twinkling with the same mischief as his daddy’s.

"You’re laughing at me?" Bai Tingfeng asked, feigning offense. "Aren’t you nervous for your big day?"

Yanyan tilted his head, still clutching his satchel. "I’m nervous... but Daddy said if I smile, my heart won’t pound so hard. So, I’m trying."

"Ummm!" Shen Yuan stood in front of his alpha’s face, looking smug. "He picked that up from my lessons!"

"Yes, yes, you are the best." Bai Tingfeng’s seemingly uninterested reply.

However, if one looked into his eyes, happiness was hidden behind those dark orbs.

His overprotectiveness and jealousy might have been stronger first, but they didn’t eclipse his happiness. It felt unreal that they were sending Yanyan to his first day of school as a complete family when, almost a year ago, they were basically a broken home.

Without this charming celestial fox spirit by his side, Bai Tingfeng could imagine a very different scenario if he had to send Yanyan to school alone.

"But Papa is also the best, too! He helped me create a warm and fluffy speech!" Yanyan’s high-pitched praise pulled Bai Tingfeng back from his sombre thoughts.

Bai Tingfeng’s handsome face broke into a pleased smile. Bai Tingfeng came back from his sombre thoughts.

Bai Tingfeng’s handsome face broke into a pleased smile.

Today is a great day. There is no use in thinking about depressing things that didn’t happen!

He picked up his son and delightfully faced off with his husband. "How about that? Not bad as his first writing teacher, huh?"

Shen Yuan smirked mockingly. They are too eye-catching to remain in the parking lot, so instead of continuing their banter, Shen Yuan pulled his husband and son to the auditorium, where the class opening ceremony was scheduled to take place.

This opening ceremony is exclusive to kindergarteners, as the elementary and high school students have a separate ceremony at another venue. Yet, even with just 200 students, the place looks crowded. Tiny students scurrying about, and their parents, dressed in formal suits and dresses, huddling together to discuss god-knows-what.

It’s crazy to think that the adults are dressed as if they are here to attend a formal party when, in reality, it was just for a school opening. Guess that is the power of a prestigious school.

"Now that we are here, we are supposed to look for Yanyan’s class and fall in line with them. What is the class name again?" Shen Yuan asked. He was looking at the white signage containing the names of the class.

The lower seats of the auditorium were cleared to make space for the children to stand and form a line. Each line has a sign where their class name was written.

"Huli Jing," Bai Tingfeng said, giving Shen Yuan a meaningful look.

Shen Yuan actually felt himself feeling happy and satisfied that his son landed in a class named after his kind. "Director Song listens very well, huh?"

Actually, Shen Yuan is not the only one who is happy for this placement. Yanyan, too! This is the class he said he wanted even way before he took the admission test!

"Yes! Daddy, shall we give Grandpa Song a gift?" Yanyan innocently said, tugging his Dad’s sleeves.

"No, baby. That’s called a bribe," Shen Yuan said quickly, wagging a finger. "Since you’re a student now, you can’t give Grandpa Song fancy gifts. He’s your principal! People will think you’re trying to cheat."

Yanyan pouted his little lips, bummed. "That is not fair..."

Bai Tingfeng gently ruffled his son’s hair. "Don’t be sad. We can always invite him and Chairman Mao over for dinner to thank them properly. That’s the least we can do, considering how well he’s taken care of you."

Shen Yuan caught the subtle meaning in his husband’s tone. His brows lifted in question, but Bai Tingfeng only tilted his head toward the crowd ahead.

Following his gaze, Shen Yuan’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Oh. I see."

Curious, Yanyan glanced between his parents and then toward the crowd they were watching.

"Surprise!"

Xiaolun suddenly broke away from Class Huli Jing’s line, running up to Yanyan with his hand waving excitedly.

Yanyan’s eyes went wide, his face lighting up. "Xiaolun! And—"

Three more figures bounded forward.

"Xiaojin! Tiewa! Haoran! You’re all in Class Huli Jing, too?!"

It had been ages since the friends were together. Their joy was explosive, laughter ringing as they bounced around like little bunnies.

Five hairy children held each other’s hands and jumped around in a circle.

"Yes! We are in the same class!" Xiaolun announced proudly, and he broke away from the circle and placed his hands on his hips.

Bai Tingfeng gave him a bemused look. Why are you acting like you achieved something?

But Yanyan’s eyes sparkled like stars. His nerves vanished, replaced by pure excitement.

He was more than ready to start his school journey.

"Okay, kiddos," Shen Yuan stepped forward, his voice playful. "Let’s not poke holes in the auditorium roof with all your jumping. Your parents worked hard dressing you up. If you wrinkle those clothes, they’ll cry. You don’t want your future classmates to see your parents crying on the first day of school, right?"

The boys look at each other, still looking excited.

"Okay! We will behave now!" the boys chorused, falling into line with beaming smiles.

As the children walked ahead, Bai Tingfeng glanced at his husband. "You’re actually great with kids."

Shen Yuan smirked. "Oh, honey. You don’t know half of what I’m capable of."