Chapter 4: The Boss is the Father of Her Child (1)

The heat has subsided, but the name "Song Tan' still lingers at the tail end of the hot search. Everyone has shifted from surprise to speculation about who the father of the child is.

Song Tan is not worried at all. The father of the child doesn't even know he's the father, and anyone who could find out probably crawled under the bed that night.

She just glanced at it and then exited Weibo.

Perhaps because she was too focused on hot searches and trending topics when she was an actress, she now feels repulsed by this app and is disgusted by the gossip that spreads like wildfire.

Moreover, she doesn't have time to care about what others are discussing now; she has more important matters to attend to.

First, find a kindergarten. Song Chuqing was born abroad and has social anxiety due to maladjustment, so an international bilingual kindergarten is preferred. Given her background, privacy and a good educational environment are particularly important.

Zhao Geyun recommended one, saying the environment, resources, and faculty are excellent, and the principal is a renowned international child education expert.

Song Tan took some time to take Song Chuqing to visit. The principal personally received them and, after chatting with Song Chuqing for a few minutes, left her alone, "Miss Song, we have no issues here. Later, you can take a look around our school environment, and then you can try attending for two days before making a decision."

Song Tan was stunned, "Principal, Little Chu..."

The principal seemed to understand what she was about to say, her smile fading, "Does she not have many peers to play with?"

"Yes, there aren't many neighbors in the foreign community. Little Chu grew up by my side and didn't have many opportunities to interact with peers. She has been to two kindergartens abroad, both of which had some bad experiences. The psychologist says she has social anxiety."

The principal then asked, "What about the child's father?"

Song Tan paused, gritted her teeth, and honestly said, "Her father is not around."

The principal nodded in understanding, then smiled slightly, "Don't be nervous. Don't easily use the term "anxiety' on a child. A child under four is still growing; how can she have social anxiety? But we can't ignore it either. Proper guidance and providing a healthy and safe environment for the child to grow up in is very important."

Song Tan had an epiphany. Yes, Song Chuqing's personality itself isn't a big problem. Not being adaptable doesn't mean there's an issue. We can't label her beforehand. Parents' emotions also affect children.

On Monday, Song Chuqing started kindergarten. Song Tan had to accompany her for two days. She didn't enter the classroom or interfere with the teacher's instruction, only meeting Song Chuqing during breaks and gradually reducing the number of meetings.

Song Chuqing performed exceptionally well, not crying or making a fuss. The teachers were very responsible, actively helping her integrate into the class. The other children in the class were also warm and friendly. By the afternoon of the first day, Song Chuqing was already able to play toys with them.

On the second morning, there was an English class. Song Chuqing was in the middle class, learning simple words and short sentences.

During the class, Song Tan watched from outside the classroom. The teacher, aware of Song Chuqing's situation, gave her a chance to perform. The little girl, possibly recalling bad memories, was afraid to speak and instinctively looked out the window. Song Tan immediately stepped away from the window.

The teacher was very patient, walking over to her and gently communicating in English, "Hanna, where did you live before?"

This question was too simple, and Song Chuqing answered softly, "I lived in London."

"Wow, that seems like a beautiful place. Can Hanna introduce it to us?"

Slowly guided, Song Chuqing boldly spoke up, still in English, "Yes, I love going to the museum with my mom. There are many Chinese artifacts there, all very beautiful. My mom said they are our things and should be in a Chinese museum!"

Song Chuqing spoke English very standardly, softly yet powerfully. The other children were amazed.

Under the teacher's lead, the whole class clapped for her, with one little boy loudly saying, "Song Chuqing, you're amazing!"

Song Tan looked at her daughter's shy, reddened face, her eyes gradually reddening.

The principal, who had arrived unnoticed, watched with her and sighed, "Never underestimate the power of a child's growth."

Song Tan wiped the corner of her eye, proudly raising her head. Indeed, her Song Xiaochu is the best!

In the afternoon, she left early to go to the neighboring mall. This mall had her favorite cake from before. She wasn't sure if it was still open, but she wanted to reward Song Chuqing for being especially brave today.

Ten minutes later, Song Tan came out with a small cake worth a thousand yuan, her heart bleeding.

Song Chuqing, this little gold digger!

Returning to the kindergarten to pick her up, Song Tan took off the small backpack behind her, said goodbye to the teacher, and walked forward, one big, one small.

"Mom, what are we eating tonight?"

"We're having dinner with Auntie Ge Yun later." Song Tan raised the small cake in her hand, "Mom bought Little Chu a cake."

"Wow!" Song Chuqing happily waved her hands, overjoyed, "Cake, cake!"

Taking a taxi over, Song Tan looked at the bustling city streets, sighing deeply in her heart. Since returning to the country, expenses have been everywhere: renting, buying a house, Little Chu's tuition, setting up a personal studio, and buying a car. Her pockets are being emptied.

Her income was almost zero for the first three years abroad, with daily expenses like flowing water. The last two years finally balanced income and expenses, but now, upon returning, there's a series of large expenditures. No amount of money can withstand this.

After settling Song Chuqing, she needs to figure out how to make money.

...

The dinner location was at a private Sichuan restaurant they often visited. Zhao Geyun had already ordered the dishes in advance.

Song Chuqing had video-called Zhao Geyun a few times, sweetly calling her Auntie Ge Yun as soon as she arrived.

Song Tan asked the owner for a set of baby utensils, and she sat on her little chair to start eating.

First, she pushed away the green leafy vegetables, then picked off the scallions one by one from the cola chicken wings, and even the ginger shreds from the boiled shrimp, meticulous to the point of not resembling a child under four at all.

Zhao Geyun watched for a while, then raised an eyebrow at Song Tan, who instantly understood.

Yes, Song Chuqing is still a picky eater.

She won't eat plain boiled green leafy vegetables, vegetables with strange flavors, or fish and lamb with a gamey smell. Every time she's coaxed to eat, Song Tan has to resort to threats and bribes.

Song Tan couldn't help but ask, "Have you eaten with that person? Does he have picky eating habits?"

Zhao Geyun, being a manager, had more opportunities to interact with higher-ups, but unfortunately, Song Tan didn't get an answer, "When would I have the chance to eat with him? The only time was that celebration banquet before you went abroad..."

At this point, Zhao Geyun suddenly remembered something, her pupils dilating, "Could it have been that time?"

Song Tan silently lowered her head, then softly said, "Yes."

It was that time.

Zhao Geyun was about to explode. If it weren't for the child being present, swear words would probably have spilled out. She restrained herself, "So that's why I couldn't find you anywhere that night. Well, well, you went to bed with the boss."

"Don't say it..."

"You dare to do it, and I can't say it? And you even ended up with a child!"

Song Tan was on the verge of tears, "I didn't want to end up with a child either..."

The last two sentences were a bit loud, and Song Chuqing, with big curious eyes, asked, "Mom, what's ending up with a child?"

Song Tan quickly patted her head, "Nothing, keep eating."

"Oh, okay."

Seeing this, Zhao Geyun gave Song Tan a look. Some things couldn't be discussed in front of the child, "Shall we go outside?"

The restaurant environment was safe, but the two didn't go far, just to the small garden, where they could still see Song Chuqing by the window with a turn of the head.

Zhao Geyun dropped a bomb, first asking, "Why did you suddenly come back?"

Song Tan didn't hide it from her, "Little Chu is now a bit afraid of socializing with strangers. I want to change her environment."

Zhao Geyun was extremely surprised, not quite believing it. Song Tan helplessly said, "Really, at home she's a tyrant, but outside she's like a porcelain doll, breaking at a touch."

"Okay, you need to be careful now. It doesn't matter what happens to you, but there's still a child."

"I know."

"Don't think it's too simple. People nowadays only care about "traffic," not whether you live or die. "Single unmarried mother," "father unknown," these phrases make you a complete hot topic."

Song Tan wasn't too concerned, "If I cared about these things, I wouldn't have had Little Chu in the first place. They have their morals, and I have mine. No one can impose on anyone."

Having enjoyed the high income from being an actress, naturally, she has to bear the risk of being discussed. But others' opinions are not her standard for living. Being an actress is just a job that makes money for her.

Her only goal now is to protect Song Chuqing.

Zhao Geyun shook her head, indeed, no one can impose on Song Tan. She told her about the investigation results from the past two days, "Mr. Ji is unmarried, has no girlfriend, and has been single these past few years."

The woman opposite seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, "Really?"

"At least that's what a few friends told me. What's with your expression, happy?"

"Happy." If he had a family, Song Xiaochu would have to suffer with her.

Zhao Geyun didn't know the little schemes in her heart, "He really doesn't know?"

"If you don't know, how would he know."

"What about that night?"

Song Tan hesitated, "...I'm not sure."

That night, the lights were dim, barely enough to see people, but the situation was too chaotic, and she slipped away before dawn. She wasn't sure if Ji Fuxi knew it was her.

Zhao Geyun let out a long sigh, "When are you going to find him?"

"After settling Little Chu. She just came back, let her adjust for a while."

"Little Chu, Little Chu, it's all about Little Chu. What about you? What are your plans?"

Before going abroad, she had already applied for the film production major at the London Film Academy. Because of Little Chu, she was delayed for a year, and it took her three years to complete her studies.

From acting to directing, Song Tan has always been a good learner, and this journey was not in vain.

Transitioning from the front to the backstage as a novice, Zhao Geyun thought she was foolish, "Do you really have to earn this hard-earned money? Someone will pay for your acting, but not necessarily for your directing. The first film after the return of a Best Actress, do you know how many people are fighting for it?"

Zhao Geyun has been in the industry for ten years. Song Tan is the most ambitious yet the most indifferent artist she has ever met. After enduring hardships for four years to become famous, she became the most valuable young actress in film history. But this immense wealth, she just gave it up, halfway through learning to be a director, something Zhao Geyun still can't understand.

Song Tan chuckled, "Is it to fight for me or the gimmick of a Best Actress returning to the screen after an unmarried pregnancy?"