A red compact car smoothly parked under the shade of trees along the road at Dorami Kindergarten, with the evening sun’s afterglow filtering through the yellow leaves, casting dappled light on the car’s red body, adding a unique charm to this tranquil evening.
Inside the car, all was quiet, with only the engine’s gentle hum gradually subsiding.
Monts later...
The car window slowly rolled down, revealing half of Deng Manli’s profile.
She lifted her eyes to glance at the direction of the kindergarten gate, hoping to see that familiar figure.
Regrettably...
There were only a few scattered parents at the gate, and the person she longed to see did not appear as expected before her eyes.
"Hmm, ca a bit early, it’s not dismissal ti yet. I’ll just wait..."
She murmured softly, not feeling anxious or impatient, choosing instead to wait calmly.
After all, a talent like Chef Huang was worth her effort.
Moreover, history praises the story of visiting talented people thrice in sincerity, today she, Deng Manli, was willing to follow the ancients, to show her sincerity and patience.
She leaned back on the seat, her gaze peacefully fixed on the kindergarten gate, while the excited calls of Dorami Kindergarten kids reached her ears, occasionally catching a few innocent voices saying, "I want more" and "so tasty," evoking a warm image in her mind of the children gathered around the snack table.
The innocent smiles, satisfied looks, seemingly right before her eyes, making a smile erge on her lips as she softly murmured once more, "Seems like Chef Huang’s snacks are quite popular with the kids!"
Just thinking about the children at her Governnt Kindergarten, always fussy and slow during als or snacks, her heart filled with slight worry.
However, she quickly felt reassured, believing that once she managed to attract Chef Huang over, those picky little ones would surely change.
Oh yes!
They surely would!
Nonetheless, it’s wise to act cautiously for now, to avoid accidentally being spotted by acquaintances like Liang Yinqiu, potentially bringing embarrassnt and even ruining her plans once more.
If Liang Yinqiu learned of her intentions, he’d definitely be enraged, storming over with anger to question, "I kindly agreed for you to co exchange at my kindergarten, and you actually plan to poach my chef, is this how people should act?"
To avoid such conflict, she pressed a button, slowly raising the car window, leaving only a narrow gap to isolate the outside gaze.
She maintained her cautious posture, peering through the window, her gaze unwaveringly fixed on the kindergarten gate, letting ti slip by in her patient waiting.
Finally.
The long-awaited chi for Dorami Kindergarten’s dismissal resounded lodiously.
She instantly straightened her back, her eyes intensely focused on the gate.
As parents and children gathered, the kindergarten entrance gradually bustled with cheerful laughter mingling all around.
Just as she anxiously waited, fearing to miss any clue...
A clear "Bye-bye, Chef Huang" echoed near her ear.
Instantly...
She concentrated her attention, seeing Huang Jun’s figure appearing in sight, wearing a warm smile, as he kindly bid farewell to the kids and teachers.
Originally intending to quickly get out of the car to et Huang Jun, she reconsidered, realizing the gate was full of teachers, parents, and children, appearing now would expose her actions, reveal her intent.
She swiftly weighed her options, deciding to remain patient, awaiting a more suitable mont.
Thus.
Stay calm, don’t hurry!
She planned to greet Huang Jun when he ca toward the parking area, allowing her to avoid unnecessary attention in public.
Just at this mont...
She noticed Huang Jun heading toward the parking area, her spirits instantly lifted, ready to naturally greet him as he approached.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as expected.
Huang Jun didn’t continue towards her, but stopped in front of a Wuling vehicle.
Through the window, she saw Huang Jun open the backseat door, gently lifting his adorable twin daughters into the car.
As she unbuckled her seatbelt, intending to open the door and approach him, Huang Jun had already swiftly entered the driver’s seat.
Then in the next mont...
The anticipated yet unwelco event occurred—Huang Jun started the vehicle, gradually driving out of the parking spot, and thus driving away.
Deng Manli: "..."
Really...
Waiting this long, only to reach this result?
Quite an unlucky start...
She stared blankly at the departing figure of Huang Jun’s car, filled with disappointnt and unwillingness, but quickly her spirit rekindled, reminding herself not to give up.
Therefore...
She quickly started her own car, trailing Huang Jun’s vehicle, hoping to catch up, greet him, and persuade him for a face-to-face conversation.
Following along...
She finally found her opportunity.
Huang Jun parked near the entrance of a marketplace parking area, slowly stopping the vehicle.
Seeing another vacant spot nearby, she quickly drove over, skillfully parked her car.
She rolled down the car window, calling out to Huang Jun: "Chef Huang..."
Chef Huang?
Is soone calling him?
Hearing the call, Huang Jun felt puzzled.
He turned his head toward the sound, looking outside, imdiately spotting a smiling face leaning out from a nearby red compact car.
Upon closer inspection...
Huh?
Isn’t that Director Deng from the Governnt Kindergarten?
How co she’s here?
Could it be she’s here to buy groceries too?
Huang Jun’s face showed a trace of confusion; he didn’t expect to encounter Deng Manli here.
He politely responded, "Director Deng, what a coincidence, are you here to buy groceries too?"
Deng Manli smiled and truthfully said, "Chef Huang, it’s not a coincidence, I specifically ca to find you!"
"Finding ?" Huang Jun was even more puzzled; his eyebrows slightly furrowed with so confusion, "Director Deng, what do you need from ?"
"Indeed, I do have a little matter..." Deng Manli nodded, looked around and noticed the market entrance was quite noisy, then smiled and suggested, "Chef Huang, it seems this place isn’t suitable to talk, why don’t we find sowhere quiet to chat?"
Huang Jun faintly felt that Deng Manli specifically avoided others to find him alone...
Eight or nine tis out of ten, she wanted to poach him.
But he had no such intention and naturally didn’t want to waste ti here, so he politely declined, "Director Deng, it’s getting late, I still have to buy groceries and return ho to cook, whatever it is, let’s talk here!"
Deng Manli: "..."
Ugh...
Not a great start again...
No worries!
Good things take ti!
Must try a different approach.
Her gaze fell upon Qingqing and Weiwei, who were curiously peeking out the car window with both hands, and she said with a smile, "Chef Huang, are these your two daughters? How adorable!"
"Yes!" Huang Jun replied, his gaze turning to the two little ones behind him, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, "Qingqing, Weiwei, this is Director Deng from the Governnt Kindergarten, say hello to Aunt Deng."
Qingqing and Weiwei obediently greeted Deng Manli, "Hello, Aunt Deng!"
"Hello, you are truly beautiful and sensible little girls!"
With that, she retrieved two luxurious Barbie dolls from the car’s back seat.
She had deliberately prepared these on her way here for Huang Jun’s two daughters.
She got off the car and approached Huang Jun’s car, handing the dolls through the half-open window to Qingqing and Weiwei, "This is a little gift from Auntie, I hope you like it."
Faced with the sudden gifts, Qingqing and Weiwei didn’t reach out to accept them; instead, they looked bewilderedly adorable.
But when they saw the exquisite face and luxurious dress of the Barbie dolls, their eyes lit up with joy.
Even though they liked them inside, they rembered their father’s teaching: don’t casually take things from others, even if offered.
They turned their heads, looking at Huang Jun for help, as if asking, "Dad, what should we do?"
Huang Jun chuckled helplessly and said to Deng Manli, "Director Deng, what are you doing? These are too precious, please take them back!"
"This is just a little token for Qingqing and Weiwei,"
Deng Manli turned her gaze towards Huang Jun, responding with a hint of insistence, then she gently directed her eyes towards Qingqing and Weiwei, softly saying, "Qingqing, Weiwei, this is what Auntie bought for you, go on, take them."
Although Qingqing was still young and didn’t quite understand adult matters, she sowhat understood from her father’s words.
Her father asked Auntie to take them back, aning they couldn’t accept the gifts.
She sensibly refused, "Auntie, my sister and I don’t like dolls, take them back please!"
Weiwei saw her sister refuse and promptly chid in, "Yes, we don’t like Barbie dolls, Auntie, please take them back."
Looking at the two little ones’ conduct, Huang Jun felt a surge of warmth in his heart, yet a bit of heartache too.
So sensible that it tugs at the heart!
Must find ti to visit the mall another day, buy a Barbie doll as a small gift, and give them a surprise to make up for today.
Huang Jun smiled and said, "Director Deng, we appreciate your kindness, but please take the gifts back."
Since that’s the case!
Deng Manli couldn’t insist.
To avoid making Huang Jun unhappy, leaving a bad impression, and affecting potential future cooperation and interaction.
But she had to say, Huang Jun teaches his daughters very well, truly comndable!
Deng Manli reluctantly took back the Barbie dolls, but her face remained with a gentle smile, "Qingqing, Weiwei, since you don’t like them, Auntie won’t force you. But Auntie hopes you know, Auntie’s fondness for you is sincere."
Qingqing and Weiwei politely responded, "Thank you, Auntie, we like you too!"
Deng Manli took the opportunity with a hint of expectation and asked, "Really! Do you want to co study at Auntie’s Governnt Kindergarten?"
"No!"
Qingqing and Weiwei shook their little heads like rattles.
Their best friends are all at Dorami Kindergarten; they don’t want to be separated from them.
Moreover, Yang Yuxi and Xie Jianing treat them very well; they are already accustod to the teachers and friends there. To them, Dorami Kindergarten feels like a second ho.
This caused a sense of defeat to stir in Deng Manli’s heart.
Huang Jun looked at Deng Manli with an understanding expression, "Director Deng, just say what you need to say straight, don’t beat around the bush."
Deng Manli no longer beat around the bush and straightforwardly expressed, "Huang Jun, I actually ca today to seriously talk about you potentially joining our Governnt Kindergarten. I wonder if Chef Huang has considered changing kindergartens for work, rest assured, the conditions and environnt we offer are definitely superior to Dorami Kindergarten."
"I’m sorry, Director Deng, I have no intention of leaving Dorami Kindergarten. I like it here, I enjoy the children and colleagues. Thank you for your kind offer, but I must decline." Huang Jun refused with an apologetic smile.
After so back-and-forth, Deng Manli finally accepted this reality with so reluctance.
Though regrettable, she also respected Huang Jun’s determination and loyalty.
She politely bid farewell to Huang Jun’s family and drove away.
Huang Jun, anwhile, took his two precious daughters into the bustling market, beginning a joyful shopping spree...
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