novelbin Chapter 280
Chapter 280
Time flowed quietly like water.
In the blink of an eye, little Pei Anchen had reached the age to attend elementary school.
Over the past few years, many changes had taken place.
Shen Nanchu successfully obtained her doctoral degree.
Through the joint efforts of her and her mentor Shen Yuan, they pioneered the deep integration of scientific archaeology with humanistic interpretation, and their research results won national awards multiple times.
She herself had become a well-deserved leading figure among the younger generation in the domestic archaeological community, frequently invited to guide major archaeological projects and participate in international academic exchanges.
Pei Zhengnian performed excellently in the military, received a promotion, and shouldered heavier responsibilities. However, as long as he could squeeze out the time, he would always find a way to go home to accompany his son and wife.
After graduating from university, Pei Yunzhou successfully joined the archaeological team. Together with Zheng Tongwei, he became Shen Nanchu's right-hand man, and their work flourished.
After Pei Zhengnian was able to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the Pei family, Father Pei went into semi-retirement. Together with Pei's Mother, they enjoyed the sweetness of playing with their grandchild and lived a peaceful and tranquil twilight life.
Grandpa Pei and Grandma Pei were secretly fed health-boosting medicine from Shen Nanchu's spatial dimension, making them even more hale and hearty in their old age.
The two elders, along with Father Pei and Pei's Mother, frequently went out on trips. Of course, their most visited destination was still Wangjia Village.
With Shen Nanchu as their advisor, the days in Wangjia Village were booming and prosperous.
After graduation, Pei Yunxi got her marriage certificate with Wang Weimin. The couple moved to the military district, where Pei Yunxi worked as a doctor. They would only return on weekends.
Lei Mingyuan—no, he should now be called Pei Mingyuan—moved back to the Pei family's courtyard house, and furthermore, he was being chased by a feisty young girl.
And that little tot who used to look completely helpless in the courtyard when his great-grandfather dragged him into playing childish games of hide-and-seek, was now a first-grade student in elementary school.
The first day of school brought clear autumn skies and crisp air.
Pei Anchen wore a well-fitted white shirt and blue overalls, carrying a schoolbag hand-sewn by Grandma Pei that featured a small bronze tripod pattern. His little face was a picture of composure, showing none of the nervousness or excitement typical of other children on their first day of school.
Instead, it was Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian who felt a myriad of emotions as they watched their son's small yet perfectly straight back.
There was both the gratification of seeing their son growing up and a faint trace of loss.
Mom, Dad, I'm going in.
Pei Anchen stopped at the school gate, turned around, and spoke to Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian like a little adult.
His voice still carried the soft sweetness of a child, but his tone was incredibly calm.
Alright, listen to your teachers at school and get along well with your classmates.
Shen Nanchu squatted down, adjusted his collar, and instructed him softly.
Pei Anchen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the trace of reluctance hidden in his mother's eyes.
He reached out his small hand and patted Shen Nanchu's shoulder, just as his mother usually did to comfort him, consoling her in a mature tone,
Don't worry, Mom, I know. Go back to work, you don't need to worry about me.
After saying that, he paused and looked at Pei Zhengnian,
Dad, take good care of my mom. When I get home tonight, I'm going to check on how you did your job.
Pei Zhengnian: ...Alright, son.
Shen Nanchu was amused by Pei Anchen's little adult demeanor, and the slight sorrow of parting in her heart faded significantly.
She kissed her son's forehead: Okay, when you come back tonight, make sure to check your dad's work properly.
Watching her son take firm steps into the campus without looking back, blending into the crowd of chirping children, Shen Nanchu slowly stood up, a gentle and proud smile on her face.
Pei Anchen's intelligence quickly became apparent in elementary school.
He grasped the knowledge taught by the teachers almost instantly and could even raise profound questions that surprised them.
His logical thinking, observation, and expression skills far exceeded those of his peers. Especially in history and general knowledge, his reserves rivaled those of upper-grade students.
However, he didn't appear out of place or arrogant because of this. The composure and maturity cultivated in him since childhood allowed him to handle his relationships with classmates very well. Occasionally, he would even act like a little teacher, helping those who were a bit slower to understand.
Of course, this intelligence beyond his years also brought some sweet troubles.
One day after school, Shen Nanchu went to pick him up.
Just as she reached the classroom door, she saw a little girl with pigtails and sparkling eyes stuffing pretty candies she had been reluctant to eat into Pei Anchen's hands, her small face flushed red,
Pei Anchen, these are for you! The story about the Terracotta Warriors you told me yesterday was so good!
Pei Anchen frowned slightly. He didn't take the candy but took a small step back, saying politely yet distantly,
Thank you, Li Xiaohua, but my mom said I can't just take things from others.
If you like listening to history stories, I can tell you another one tomorrow, but there's no need for the candy.
The little girl pouted in disappointment.
Watching from the side, Shen Nanchu couldn't help but smile.
It wasn't the first time she had seen this scene recently.
With his high IQ and the handsome looks inherited from his parents' excellent genes, her son had already shown signs of becoming the class heartthrob and top student shortly after starting school, attracting the affection of quite a few little girls.
It was just that his emotional intelligence was a bit low.
Also, eating too much candy causes cavities. Look, your teeth are so yellow, you definitely have bugs in them.
As soon as Pei Anchen finished speaking, Li Xiaohua burst into tears and ran away.
Standing to the side, Shen Nanchu felt the urge to facepalm.
She didn't know who he took after with this personality!
Great Host, goes without saying, he takes after the male lead!
After all, our Great Host is so beautiful, generous, gentle, cute, and understanding. How could you possibly do something like this?
The system was living an incredibly carefree life right now.
It had even become the object of envy for other Sys.
Hehe~~~
It couldn't be helped. Who told it to have such good luck and such a great host!
...
On the way home, holding her son's hand, Shen Nanchu couldn't help but ask teasingly,
Anchen, it seems that your classmate Li Xiaohua likes you quite a bit, doesn't she?
Pei Anchen looked up at his mother. His little face was expressionless, and his tone was flat,
She doesn't like me; she likes listening to stories. Besides, she always daydreams in class, and yesterday during crafts, she knocked over my glue.
The implication was that this little girl was a bit of a hassle.
Shen Nanchu chuckled helplessly. This kid's rational analysis was truly... hitting the nail on the head.
Then are there any classmates you like? Shen Nanchu asked again.
Pei Anchen thought about it and answered seriously,
Wang Tiezhu, who sits behind me, is alright. He's strong and wipes the blackboard very clean when he's on duty.
And Liu Zhiyuan. His dad is an engineer, and he knows how to make toy cars out of matchboxes. Although the structure isn't entirely rational and it doesn't run far.
Well, these criteria for making friends were also very Pei Anchen, valuing practical utility and skill points.
The mother and son chatted as they walked, the setting sun stretching their shadows long behind them.
...