Chapter 123: Feeling Very Low

In the classroom, Lin Yiyang pulled a sketchbook and a set of drawing pencils from his bag.

He turned to a page containing an unfinished drawing. On it was a woman with long hair, but her features were vague and indistinct. The woman was reaching out to hold the hand of a child beside her—the child was drawn quite clearly and was meant to be Yiyang himself. Well, one could assume as much.

In the drawing, Lin Yiyang had a bright smile on his face, both hands raised high. One hand held the vague woman, while the other reached out toward... it seemed unfinished, with only an arm sketched out. Yet, one didn’t need to think twice to know that the incomplete figure was certainly Lin Chuan.

Lin Yiyang picked out a pencil and continued working on his masterpiece.

Just then, a little girl who looked to be about four or five, similar in age to Yiyang, scurried over clutching a Barbie doll. She knitted her brows, studied the drawing, and asked with mild interest, "What are you drawing?"

Lin Yiyang looked up, glanced at the girl, and said coldly, "My dad and my mom."

"That person is your mom? But why didn't you draw her face?" the little girl asked, puzzled.

"I... I don't know what my mom looks like." Yiyang’s mood sank even lower.

The little girl, unaware of the situation, laughed upon hearing this. She covered her mouth and giggled, "Hehe, how could you not know what your mom looks like? Have you never seen her?"

The casual remark inadvertently touched a raw nerve. Yiyang glared at her fiercely, lowered his head, and went back to his drawing in silence.

The little girl was startled, but she didn't give up. After a few seconds, she tried to strike up a conversation again: "What’s your name? I’m Cui Qianqian. You can call me Qianqian."

"I'm Lin Yiyang." Yiyang didn't even look up this time, his pencil moving without pause.

"Lin Yiyang, that’s a pretty name. Why don't you stop drawing and come play games with us?" Cui Qianqian said, reaching out to pull him.

But Yiyang was in no mood for games. Already feeling down, being pestered by the little girl caused his temper to flare. Yet, young as he was, he possessed a certain grace. Despite his annoyance, he didn't use harsh words or act out. He simply looked up with a cold expression and said, "I want to draw. You go play."

The little girl frowned, pouted, and let out a soft "Oh," before reluctantly wandering off.

Yiyang didn't spare her another glance. It seemed that in his world, there was only his pencil, his sketchbook, and the father and mother on the page.

Before long, the classroom door opened. Ms. Zhang returned, glanced toward Yiyang with a lingering look, clapped her hands, and said, "Alright, class time! Today we’re going to learn a new song, but before we do, I’d like to ask—do you all remember the song we learned last time?"

"I can sing it!"

"Teacher, I can too!"

Suddenly, many children raised their hands, with Cui Qianqian being the most enthusiastic.

Ms. Zhang smiled and said, "Qianqian, why don't you sing it for us? I'll provide the accompaniment." She sat down at the electronic keyboard.

Soon, music filled the room. Qianqian sang happily, and the other children listened intently—all except for Lin Yiyang, who remained in his corner, his head bowed over his drawing.

...

The first period ended quickly, and the children, under the supervision of several teachers, headed to the playground. Wang Yue and Ms. Xiaomei were among them, watching the children with smiles on their faces.

"Ms. Wang, Yiyang seems a bit withdrawn today. Look, he’s gone off by himself. I wonder what he’s doing," Ms. Xiaomei remarked.

Wang Yue frowned as she looked over. Indeed, while the other children were busy on the slides or swings, lost in joy, Lin Yiyang had silently walked to an empty patch of ground, staring out at the road, lost in thought.

"Yiyang isn't usually like this. It really is strange today. I’ll go check on him," Wang Yue said, feeling concerned.

It was true; Yiyang was usually very sensible. Back at Beining Kindergarten, he had gotten along famously with the other children and was very well-liked. What was wrong? Not only was he keeping his distance, but he also looked quite unhappy.

Upon reflection, Wang Yue realized something. Yiyang hadn't spent much time with Lin Chuan for several days, and even when they did meet, it was always in a rush. Today was his first day at this school, and he had expected his father to drop him off. When he woke up to find no sign of him, it was no wonder he was upset—he was, after all, only five years old.

In reality, Wang Yue had only guessed half of it. In the past, Lin Chuan had often been too busy to see his son, but Yiyang had always been understanding and had never made such a fuss.

The real reason was... well, that was something only Yiyang knew.

Just as Wang Yue was about to approach him, she saw the little girl walk up to Yiyang again.

"Lin Yiyang, why don't you come play? Let’s go on the swings together, okay?" Qianqian suggested.

Yiyang turned his head, his mood still low. "You go ahead. I don't want to play."

"Then... how about the slide?" Qianqian’s persistence was truly remarkable.

Yiyang frowned. "That’s a game for little kids. I don't want to play that."

"Hehe, aren't you a little kid too? Tell me what you like to play, and I can keep you company," Qianqian laughed.

"I want to..." Just as Yiyang was racking his brain to think of something, two little boys approached.

"Qianqian, what are you doing here? Let’s go to the swings," one chubby boy said.

Cui Qianqian seemed to dislike him. She gave him a glance and said unhappily, "I don't want to play with you. I want to play with Lin Yiyang."

"Who’s Lin Yiyang? Oh, this new kid?" The chubby boy glanced at Yiyang dismissively.

His contemptuous look annoyed Yiyang, and it clearly didn't please Qianqian either. She grabbed Yiyang’s hand and turned to walk away.

But as they brushed past the two boys, the chubby boy grabbed Yiyang’s arm and asked, "Where do you think you're going?"

"Li Dapeng, we don't want to play with you," Qianqian said, her brows furrowed.

"That won't do. I want to play with you today..." The chubby boy began to act unreasonably, relying on his size to try and drag Yiyang aside.

Lin Yiyang possessed his father's temperament and lived by a simple code: if people don't offend me, I won't offend them; but if they do...

Taking advantage of the boy's momentum, Yiyang didn't say a word; he simply gave a forceful shove with both hands. The result... the chubby boy landed hard on his bottom and burst into tears.