At noon break, Little Taotie made her way to the guidance office with heavy steps.
She was all prepared to be scolded.
The guidance director initially had a stern face, but as soon as Little Taotie entered and he closed the door, his expression changed dramatically, becoming pleasant and all smiles, "Come on, lift the cover and take a look."
Little Taotie, filled with confusion, approached the desk and reached out to lift the floral cloth covering it.
A feast of delicious strawberries!
Strawberry yogurt, strawberry cake, pink sticky rice dumplings, strawberries with cream, freeze-dried strawberries, and a platter of fresh strawberries!
"Wow!" Little Taotie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling, her clear pupils reflecting the shape of the strawberries.
The guidance director saw the girl’s eyes brimming with strawberries and joy and proudly curled the corners of his mouth.
What worries couldn’t be resolved by good food?
"Quick, try the strawberry yogurt, I made it myself."
Little Taotie blushed with shyness, nodded obediently, and took a spoonful to her mouth.
The sour yogurt and sweet strawberry blended together, sour and sweet yet fragrant and tasty!
She savored it bite by bite, quickly reaching the bottom of the bowl.
The guidance director pushed the cake towards her, "Try this too, I also made it myself!"
The six-inch cake was adorned with many strawberry slices, and when she scooped into it, the unassuming cake burst with flavor, revealing a strawberry cheese filling!
The guidance director inserted a straw into the cake, and Little Taotie, drinking cake for the first time, was thrilled, her big eyes shining, as if filled with Little Stars swimming around.
When the pre-class bell rang, Little Taotie returned to class, satiated, her little face unable to conceal her happiness and joy.
"Had something tasty?" asked Hua Jinyan.
Little Taotie’s eyes widened in surprise.
The guidance director had told her not to tell anyone!
How did Hua Jinyan know?
Little Taotie became anxious, her little hands restless.
"Even if you didn’t tell me, I would have guessed. She called you to the office by yourself, prepared a feast for you, and before you came back she reminded you not to tell anyone."
"Ah!" Little Taotie looked at him in astonishment.
"How... how did you know?"
Hua Jinyan shrugged, "I guessed."
Hua Jinyan suddenly leaned in close to her lips and smiled, "There’s another reason, you have cream on your mouth!"
Little Taotie hastily wiped her mouth and her hand came away with a smear of cream.
"If you’re going to sneak a treat, at least clean your mouth afterward," said Hua Jinyan with a smile, offering her a tissue.
"Shh!" Little Taotie made a quieting gesture, "Don’t tell anyone, okay?"
Before school let out in the afternoon, Director Hua hurried to the guidance office and, unsurprisingly, was lectured by the guidance director.
Director Hua collected his electronics and stood at the school gate waiting for the children to be dismissed.
Hand in hand, Hua Jinyan and Little Taotie walked out of the school, and from afar, Hua Jinyan spotted his scruffy-looking father, passing by without any acknowledgment.
Director Hua: "..." Does this child not recognize his own father anymore?
Little Taotie whispered, "That man, he’s staring at you."
"Ignore him," Hua Jinyan said, walking on.
Little Taotie whispered, "Is he a bad guy? A kidnapper?"
Hua Jinyan twitched a corner of his mouth, "He’s my dad."
Little Taotie stopped short, looking back at Director Hua several times before sighing, "His beard’s grown out, and he’s turned as black as charcoal; I couldn’t recognize him."
Hua Jinyan held back laughter, "Yeah, who can recognize Black Charcoal."
Director Hua: "..." You’re speaking softly, but I’m right behind you; I heard everything!
He touched his own face and muttered softly, "I’m not that dark..."