Chapter 96: Awards Ceremony
Mayor Shen had already arrived at the entrance of the kindergarten in a Mercedes-Benz car. When he heard Shao An's notice, he paced around anxiously.
"Why the sudden cancellation?"
"All the guests invited by the kindergarten are already here. It won't be good if we cancel now..."
He tried to find a way to mediate the situation, but there was no reply. He looked down at his phone screen.
Beep beep beep—
The call lasted for only two seconds. Shao An did not even wait for his reply before hanging up.
Mayor Shen scratched his head in frustration. Just as he was thinking about how he should explain things to the guests, he looked up and saw a familiar figure.
Mr. Jin Yang?!
Mayor Shen ran over happily and bowed respectfully. "Didn't you say you were returning to the capital? Why are you here now?"
Song Yan happened to be looking for Jin Yang near the kindergarten. He had one hand in his pocket and was about to leave when he bumped into Mayor Shen!
Song Yan raised his eyebrows and paused for a moment. He could tell that this person was here for Jin Yang.
He gave a perfunctory reply and asked in return, "You received the notice?"
Mayor Shen did not suspect this man at all. He hurriedly raised his phone and said, "Mr. Shao An told me that you want to cancel the award ceremony..."
"But Miss Qiu's children have already gotten the news that they will receive the medal. I was worried that they would be disappointed. It's great that you could come."
Song Yan stuck the tip of his tongue between his teeth and smiled. He took the initiative to stride into the kindergarten. "Let's go then."
"Don't let the children wait too long. The award ceremony is an important matter."
Since it was something Jin Yang planned to do, he was interested in taking a look.
When Mayor Shen and Song Yan walked out of the auditorium, the award ceremony was already coming to an end.
Many children had already received the awards from the kindergarten teacher. Some were holding red apples high while others were holding certificates as they handed them to their mothers. The scene was very lively.
Little Jin's mother flaunted the prizes that her child had won and looked proudly at Qiu Tong and the three children, who looked a little dejected.
"Hey, I remember someone bragging about being able to receive an award from Mayor Shen and some big shot."
"Mayor Shen probably doesn't even know that the kindergarten is holding an award ceremony today, right? How dare you brag!"
Qiu Xingyu was so angry that she felt like crying. "Don't spout nonsense!"
Qiu Tong squatted down and hugged her, wiping a few tears off her face with her fingertips. She coaxed her gently, "A girl's tears are the most valuable. You can't just cry because of some random person..."
"The same goes for you two boys. You have to remember that science is the same throughout the world. And it cannot be proven just by winning awards. Even if those people don't come, don't be disappointed."
"Mommy can buy you all these prizes when we get back!"
"As long as you work hard and do the right thing, you will definitely achieve gains. Success at the starting line is not worth celebrating..."
"The most important thing is to be able to stand on the podium after the finish line."
Qiu Xingyu was comforted by her and ran to Qiu Xingyuan's side. She looked up and said clearly, "Mommy is right, Elder Brother. You're the best!"
Qiu Tong stared at Little Jin's mother. The mother understood that Qiu Tong was saying those words for her to hear. Feeling increasingly annoyed, she deliberately put on a mocking tone.
"It's easy to give high-sounding sermons!"
"Children who are already lagging behind at the starting line still wish to catch up with to the rest of us in the future? This is ridiculous!"
"If Mayor Shen and the big shot doesn't come to the award ceremony today, your children are liars and so they are bad children!"
The surrounding parents sized up Qiu Tong and the children.
There were only 10 minutes left until the end of the awards ceremony.
Would Mayor Shen and the big shot really come?
At that moment, Mayor Shen was respectfully escorting Song Yan into the auditorium. They walked straight to the stage.
Mayor Shen tapped on the microphone and said in a very humble tone, "Please settle, everyone. There's still an award to be presented."
Everyone looked up at the stage before gazing in shock at Qiu Tong. Even Little Jin's mother looked in disbelief at Mayor Shen and the man beside him...
"This is... the president?"
"Why would he come to the kindergarten to present an award to a child? What kind of award is it?"
"Don't tell me it's really for Qiu Tong's children?"
The parents' disdain and contempt for Qiu Ying turned to envy at this moment. They wished they could become Qiu Xingyuan's parents and receive such an honor from that esteemed person...
Chapter 97: Failed In Her Duty
"Qiu Xingyuan, please come on stage to receive the award."
The guests at the kindergarten's ceremony stood up and applauded along with the music of the awards ceremony.
Qiu Tong straightened Qiu Xingyuan's suit and bow tie. She patted his shoulder and sent him to the side of the stage with a smile.
Qiu Xingyuan pursed his lips and raised his head. With a calm gaze, he walked to Song Yan's side.
Song Yan opened the red velvet gift box from Mayor Shen's hand and took out the medal that was gleamed with a golden light. He bent over and personally placed it on Qiu Xingyuan's chest.
Thunderous applause rang out from below the stage. Camera lights flashed repeatedly, capturing the current scene. The parents looked at Qiu Tong with endless envy.
"Mommy, Eldest Brother is amazing!"
Little Yu excitedly stamped her feet and clapped her hands as she spoke.
Song Yan followed the voice and saw Qiu Tong. He immediately straightened up and looked at Qiu Xingyuan's face. His movements froze for a moment...
This child's mother... was Qiu Tong?
Qiu Tong was the Miss Qiu that Mayor Shen had mentioned?
Song Yan's pupils quivered, before he concealed his shock.
Qiu Xingyuan's eyes were very similar to Jin Yang's, and his silhouette and aura were also very similar to him!
Therefore...
Jin Yang didn't seem to like women, but he actually had an illegitimate child?
Did Jin Yang know about the child's existence?
Song Yan smirked. This was the best opportunity he had. He wanted to snatch this illegitimate son of Qiu Tong and Jin Yang, and use him to humiliate him.
He could not wait to see Jin Yang's panicked and vexed expression. After thinking about it, he bent over and squatted beside Qiu Xingyuan. He pointed at the kindergarten teacher's camera, indicating for them to take a picture together for remembrance.
He rested his hand on Qiu Xingyuan's shoulder and casually pinched off a strand of Qiu Xingyuan's hair.
Jin Yang and Song Yan were identical twins with identical DNA. With this hair, one could determine whether they were related by blood!
Song Yan gathered the hair into his palm and smiled calmly.
Qiu Xingyuan found it a little strange. He stole a glance at Song Yan and felt that this man seemed rather familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
The kindergarten teacher gestured at him, "Student Qiu, look at me!"
Qiu Xingyuan put on a stiff face and smoothed his hair as he turned to look at the camera. His posture was a little stiff.
Seeing that his elder brother was so outstanding, Qiu Xingqiao glared at Little Jin and his mother with his hands on his hips. He called out in a loud voice. "Did you see that? My elder brother's medal is the awesome one!"
"A stupid certificate can't compare to it! What's so great about an award for computers? If Little Yu were to participate in that competition, she would definitely be better than you!"
Qiu Xingqiao childishly smirked and stuck his tongue out at Little Jin. He wanted to pay back all the grievances he had suffered!
Little Jin had been treated by his mother as a precious treasure since he was young. He was bold to the point of being audacious. At this moment, he was pointing at Song Yan and Qiu Xingyuan, who were taking a picture together on stage. He was speaking loudly such that all the surrounding parents could hear.
"Hmph, what is this science award? It's a sham!"
"The Qiu children look very similar to the award presenter! Especially Qiu Xingyuan and him..."
"Who knows what your relationship is! That award might have been won through connections!"
"Mommy said that as long as you donate money to the kindergarten, you can win awards in exchange. You must have spent more money than us!"
Little Jin bluntly revealed the "dark side" of the kindergarten. Little Jin's mother was so frightened that her legs went limp and she rushed over. She covered his mouth and turned her head to look at Song Yan guiltily.
"Sir... don't listen to his nonsense! Children are ignorant!"
Little Jin's mother was very frightened. How dare this child speak nonsense in front of the president!
Song Yan personally accompanied Qiu Xingyuan to the middle of the crowd. He sized up Little Jin with a meaningful smile on his thin lips and said indifferently.
"It's alright. Children can't tell right from wrong. Everything they say is unintentional."
"However, he's so young, yet he's already speculating and slandering others. It seems like he lacks parental supervision. As his mother, you should pay more attention."
His tone was calm and even gentle, but Little Jin's mother was trembling in fear.
He... he said that she had failed her duty as a parent!
She grabbed Little Jin and roared with a ferocious expression.
"Did you hear that?! Don't spout nonsense! In the future, you must control your mouth and stop slandering others, understand? Otherwise, I won't buy you any more toys!"
Little Jin had never been scolded in public before. Sensing the gazes of the children around him, he felt embarrassed and shielded his eyes with his arms. He immediately broke down and wailed.
Qiu Xingyu was somewhat frightened. She hid behind Qiu Tong's back and covered her eyes with her small hands, peeping through them to see the situation.
She tugged at Qiu Tong's sleeve and said softly, "Auntie is so angry, but she has never scolded Little Jin in the past."
Qiu Tong stroked the top of her head comfortingly, her gaze landing on Song Yan.
Chapter 98: Purchasing The Formula
"Boohoo... I was in the wrong..."
Little Jin had no choice but to apologize to Qiu Tong and the three children.
The gazes of the kindergarten parents changed as they looked at the Qiu family. They turned away and kept silent. How could they dare to spout any more nonsense?
Song Yan lazily raised his finger and rubbed his forehead. He said casually, "Children have to be controlled when they make mistakes, but scolding alone is useless. You have to educate them."
"What would happen if he bears a grudge against other children in the kindergarten in the future?"
Little Jin's mother understood his hint and pulled Little Jin to his feet. She promised him, "Definitely not! Don't worry... I will definitely educate him well!"
Qiu Tong stared at Song Yan. She had a nagging feeling that he was different today.
Furthermore, Chief Officer Fang had clearly said that the guest presenter for the award ceremony did not have the surname Song, but it was still Song Yan who came to the kindergarten. What went wrong?
Qiu Tong could sense an unfamiliar aura from the man before her. Was she being too sensitive?
Song Yan sensed Qiu Tong's probing gaze. He immediately withdrew the mischievous smile on his face and switched to his indifferent expression. He tugged at his tie and pursed his thin lips into a straight line as he looked ahead...
Qiu Tong heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that familiar expression and mannerisms, dispelling her suspicions.
This was obviously the person she was familiar with.
Perhaps the strange environment in the kindergarten had caused him to behave abnormally. Qiu Tong found an explanation for Song Yan's abnormal behavior.
However, Qiu Tong did not know that imitating Jin Yang was very simple for Song Yan. He had often used this trick to cheat his parents and gain more care and concern for him.
Even his biological parents could not differentiate between him and Jin Yang, much less Qiu Tong?
At the thought of this, Song Yan gritted his teeth in self-deprecation. Annoyance pricked his heart. As soon as the award ceremony ended, he looked at Qiu Tong and walked out of the kindergarten.
Mayor Shen personally escorted him out before returning to the auditorium. He looked at Qiu Tong and rubbed his hands together, speaking in an extremely genial tone.
"Miss Qiu, your son's locust pesticide is very successful and we are very interested in it. Can you sell us the formula?"
"We will mass-produce it. If you want, we can pay you a patent fee."
Qiu Tong was a little surprised, but she quickly lowered her eyes to look at Qiu Xingyuan and said, "He was the one who developed the locust pesticide. You should be asking Xingyuan for his opinion, not mine..."
Qiu Xingyuan looked up at Qiu Tong in astonishment.
She was giving him the authority?!
Qiu Tong smiled and nodded encouragingly. "Mommy respects your opinions."
Even though they were young children, they also had the right to decide upon things that belonged to them!
Qiu Tong's respect and support for Qiu Xingyuan made his heart tremble. He clenched his small fists and nodded in agreement.
Mayor Shen nodded and squatted down to say to Qiu Xingyuan, "We have a budget of $15,000 to purchase the locust pesticide formula. What do you think?"
"If you're not satisfied, I can discuss with my superior about increasing the fee..."
The high budget amount exceeded Qiu Tong's expectations. It also shocked the other parents who had stopped to watch the commotion.
They really did not expect the Qiu family children to be so capable. They were able to earn money even though they were still in kindergarten. And it was such a huge sum of money!
They suddenly felt that the certificates in their hands were not good enough!
"Look, compared to this kind of patent fee, what's so great about a computer award?"
"Earlier, Little Jin's family looked down on the children of the Qiu family. If we had children as obedient and adorable as those from the Qiu family, we would be able to smile even in our dreams. Little Jin usually only knows to brag and bully female classmates in kindergarten. He deserves to be scolded!"
Little Jin's mother was utterly embarrassed by the whispers of the other parents. She felt very ashamed and lost all her earlier bluster.
Qiu Xingyuan looked at Qiu Tong hesitantly and saw that she had no objections or opinions. They had reached a verbal deal with Mayor Shen for $15,000.
Mayor Shen found his secretary and signed the check on the spot, before handing it to Qiu Xingyuan.
At the same time, he looked up at Qiu Tong and said, "After the locust pesticide is mass-produced, the Qiu family can also sell it on the market. The profits will be yours..."
"This is part of the official mandate. I'll send you the business contract soon."
As soon as these words were uttered, the surrounding people started discussing like crazy. They all knew how profitable pharmaceuticals were on the market, and how rare it was to have an official mandate to sell.
At the thought of this, the parents looked at Qiu Tong with admiration and envy.
Chapter 99: Send You Home
Under the envious gazes of the parents, Qiu Tong led the three children out of the kindergarten.
Qiu Xingyuan gripped the check tightly. After a moment of hesitation, he awkwardly raised his hand and shoved it into Qiu Tong's hand.
Qiu Tong looked at him in surprise and was about to ask why when she saw him walk to the side of the road. He said with a cold face, "I'm still young and it's very dangerous to hold on to this sum of money. What if I meet someone like Yu Ge who steals my money?"
"I'll let you keep this check for me for the time being. I am not giving it to you!"
"You can use it for the time being, but when the need arises, I'll get it back from you..."
Qiu Xingyuan turned his face away from her.
Qiu Tong suppressed her laughter and rubbed his head. She hugged him and said softly, "Mommy understands. Thank you!"
She understood that he was afraid that she did not have money. It was just that he was not good at expressing his feelings for her.
Qiu Tong could wait. She could wait for the three children to fully trust and depend on her...
She believed that that day would come soon!
Taking advantage of Qiu Xingyuan's daze, she suddenly leaned over and kissed his cheek!
Qiu Xingyuan widened his eyes in shock and wanted to push Qiu Tong away, but he could not. He could only rub his face in disdain, frowning in humiliation.
Qiu Xingyu looked at her mother and brother and rushed over to hug Qiu Tong's neck.
"Little Yu wants a kiss too! Mommy can't be biased!"
Qiu Tong kissed her tenderly and brought Qiu Xingqiao over as well. Everyone was rewarded with a kiss!
The family of four was laughing and playing when Song Yan's black Mercedes slowly stopped in front of them.
Qiu Tong held the three kids warily and assumed a defensive stance. When Song Yan rolled down the car window, she relaxed a little. "You haven't left?"
Song Yan smiled, narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. "I was waiting for you guys. Let me send you home!"
Qiu Tong was very familiar with Song Yan, so she herded the children in.
Song Yan gripped the steering wheel. Qiu Tong was surprised to see no sign of Shao An in the car. She asked in confusion, "You are by yourself? Alone?"
"Yes, Shao An has something to do. It's not convenient to talk about it."
Song Yan replied perfunctorily.
Qiu Tong recalled how those two men usually interacted with each other and nodded. She did not probe further. She rolled down the window and let the warm wind blow against her face. She was very relaxed.
Compared to her, the three children looked at Song Yan as if they were looking at an enemy. Their small faces were scrunched up!
Their mother had not told him their home address, but Song Yan seemed to have no problem with the route. He knew where their home was!
He seemed to be very familiar with their mother?
Mommy would never be so relaxed in front of anyone!
They must have met many times before!
Were they going to have a stepfather soon?
Qiu Xingyu looked at Qiu Xingyuan nervously. Qiu Xingyuan pursed his lips and stole a glance at Qiu Tong's face, feeling rather worried.
If she really found a man outside, would she abandon them?
At the instigation of the triplets, Qiu Xingqiao cleared his throat and said, "Who are you? Why were you waiting for Mommy?"
"What's your relationship with Mommy? How long have you known each other? How did you meet?"
He was an impatient person and did not hold back his curiosity.
Qiu Tong raised an eyebrow and burst out laughing.
Were these children interrogating a criminal?
Song Yan tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he waited for the traffic light to turn green. Through the rearview mirror, he stared at the three children with their different expressions. If he wanted to drive Jin Yang crazy, he could start by capturing these children!
And he was more skilled at strategizing against children than that brother of his!
He raised his eyebrows and replied gently, "I've known your Mommy for a period of time."
"We met by chance."
Song Yan casually omitted several key details, without arousing Qiu Tong's suspicion.
During his time outside, he had already conducted a thorough investigation. Qiu Tong was a single mother and no one around knew who the children's father was.
Even the children themselves did not know.
In other words... Jin Yang did not know of the existence of these children!
"Our relationship..."
At this point, Song Yan turned his head suggestively to look at Qiu Tong and asked, "Do you want to be like other children, having a father who can play football with you on holidays or accompany you to the amusement park?"
Qiu Tong was surprised by his question.
Qiu Xingyuan sneered at Song Yan. He knew that this man was not harboring any good intentions!
Before Qiu Xingqiao and Qiu Xingyu could react, he said coldly, "Our father is already dead! We don't need a father!"
Song Yan stepped on the accelerator and the car drove very steadily. He could tell that the children were very obedient to Qiu Xingyuan. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "What if he's not dead?"
Chapter 100: Looking For A Stepfather
The three children remained silent.
Qiu Xingqiao recalled Little Jin's nonsense in the kindergarten and complicated thoughts surged in his heart.
Little Jin said that they all looked very similar to this uncle.
Qiu Xingqiao stole a glance at Song Yan's face and said in a mocking tone, "Uncle, are you trying to say that you're our biological father?"
Before Song Yan could reply, Qiu Xingyu smartly said, "I know Mommy is very beautiful. We're also very adorable!"
"But I advise Uncle not to go around acknowledging random children!"
"Previously, there was a scumbag called Yu Ge who wanted to be our father and even tried to extort money from us. He's currently locked up in jail!"
"Uncle has such a high status. You don't want to end up like him, right?"
Qiu Xingyu lifted her chin proudly and threatened him. She then secretly high-fived Qiu Xingyuan to celebrate.
"..."
Song Yan was speechless. He sent them home in silence.
At the villa, Qiu Tong went to the bathroom to take a bath.
The three children looked at each other and ran to Qiu Xingyuan's room. They closed the door and their little heads crowded together as they sat cross-legged on the carpet. The thought of Song Yan put them on high alert!
"Mommy really seems to want a boyfriend... she appears to be very close to that uncle today. It's very likely that their relationship will develop further."
"We are already grown up. A beautiful lady like Mommy would definitely have a boyfriend."
Qiu Xingyu said in frustration.
Qiu Xingqiao and Qiu Xingyuan pursed their thin lips and kept silent. They thought of Yu Ge and were afraid that Qiu Tong would fall into the so-called love again and abandon them. Wouldn't they become pitiful children again?
Qiu Xingyuan seemed to have made an important decision. "She wants to find a man, but I don't believe in her taste."
"Why don't we help her find a man instead? We can help her check those men out!"
Qiu Xingqiao nodded vigorously in agreement. The children once again conspired to marry off Qiu Tong. They even managed to come up with a concrete plan and countermeasures. All the way till it was late into night, they were still gathered together in high spirits...
Qiu Tong suddenly sneezed.
She rubbed her nose with her hands, feeling as if someone was plotting against her. Her back felt cold!
...
Over the weekend, Qiu Tong brought the three children and Ye Luan to the market to sell the locust pesticide.
They passed by a shop selling sugarcakes. Little Yu stared at the white and sticky sugarcakes, unable to move. She licked her lips and swallowed hard!
Qiu Tong immediately bought a few for them to share!
Qiu Xingyuan opened his mouth to take a big bite, but then saw that Qiu Tong didn't have any cake. He thought that she didn't buy any for herself because she wanted to save money. He cleared his throat and took a small bite, before awkwardly raising his hand.
"I don't like sweet things. Here, have some!"
Qiu Tong, "?"
She smiled and pushed the sweetcake back. "Only children love sweet things. Mommy doesn't."
Qiu Xingyuan turned his head in a huff and took a big angry bite of the sweetcake, not saying another word.
Humph, so what if she was an adult?
They arranged the stall together and were soon surrounded by a huge crowd.
They were all reporters who had been waiting.
They had received news in advance that Qiu Xingyuan would be coming here to sell locust pesticide. When they saw the family of four, they rushed over with their cameras and microphones to interview Qiu Xingyuan, in order to get first-hand information about this prodigy.
"Little boy, can I interview you? How did you develop the locust pesticide at such a young age?"
"Have you made similar attempts before? Where did you learn this knowledge?"
"Ms. Qiu, do you think your children are considered geniuses?"
Qiu Xingyuan was bombarded by a barrage of questions. He answered them seriously.
Qiu Xingyuan pursed his lips when he thought of the marriage plan for their mother, which he and his siblings came up with yesterday.
Wasn't this the best opportunity?
If a television station helped them to advertise and promote Qiu Tong...
At the thought of this, Qiu Xingyuan took the initiative to hold Qiu Tong's hand so that the camera could focus on her face. He praised her as if his mouth was coated with honey. "The only reason I can have my current accomplishments is because Mommy has always encouraged me and helped me a lot..."
"Yes! Our mommy is very beautiful and can cook. Her character is also very... gentle! Her children are also very obedient!"
Qiu Xingyu chimed in to promote Qiu Tong. Her face was flushed red and adorable.
She highlighted the important points. "Mommy is single now. We welcome eligible bachelors to contact us! However, you have to go through us first!"
The three children announced Qiu Tong's availability for marriage in public. Qiu Tong and the reporters were stunned!
This... this was a live interview!
The live broadcast footage spread to several television stations' afternoon news. Even high-ranking officials in the capital saw it.
The president's secretary saw the faces of Qiu Xingyuan and Qiu Xingqiao in the news interview. He spat out the hot tea he had just drunk and his face turned pale.
"Why do these children look exactly like the president?!"
"This won't do... I have to tell the president immediately!"