Make Her Heart Flutter - Chapter 13

Jiang Qi shook her head. “It’s nothing, just…” She had never been good at making excuses. After hemming and hawing for a while without getting anywhere, she could only stiffly repeat, “It’s nothing.”

Yan Xu didn’t press further. Seeing that she didn’t want to talk about it, she offered a comforting smile. “Alright, if there’s anything, you can tell everyone. We might not be able to solve it, but talking about it can make you feel better.”

Jiang Qi nodded, a warmth flickering in her eyes. “Thank you.”

After speaking, Jiang Qi felt another gaze on her. Following it, she realized it was Chi Shuang.

She was slightly surprised and was about to say something when the other girl flashed her a bright smile.

Ever since the two of them returned together three days ago, the atmosphere had always felt a bit strange.

Chi Shuang seemed to have withdrawn her “special” treatment toward her, becoming more distant. Although Jiang Qi had initially intended to keep her distance from the female lead, now that the other party was actually growing distant, she couldn’t help but feel deeply unsettled.

But unsettled as she was, she still hadn’t taken the initiative to approach Chi Shuang. It was as if the two of them had reached an unspoken understanding.

Jiang Qi mocked herself for being overly sentimental, yet she couldn’t help but think back to the book, where they had once been the most admired couple, the perfect match.

Perhaps things had been too peaceful for them lately, so the production team decided to stir things up.

The loudspeaker blared a lengthy announcement, the gist of which was that the only two teachers at the village’s sole kindergarten had taken a day off, and the cast was to step in as substitute teachers for the day.

At this, Jiang Ran summed it up: “Oh, so we’re babysitting.”

“But we don’t have teaching qualifications,” Yan Xu, who was usually the most meticulous, pointed out.

Jiang Qi quietly thought to herself: Actually, I do have one, just not for kindergarten.

Chi Shuang raised her hand and pointed at the calendar. “Tomorrow is Saturday. The production team has probably coordinated with the parents and the school. Children who are willing to come can come and play tomorrow, and those who aren’t can just enjoy their normal day off.”

Tang Qiluo nodded, looking as if she’d just had an epiphany. “So that’s how it is.”

The director, whose plan had been exposed, muted the microphone, rubbed his nose, and turned to the assistant director beside him. “Is everything ready? About how many kids are coming tomorrow?”

The assistant director replied honestly, “Everything’s ready. Probably around twenty or so. Most of them are left-behind children. Their grandparents are busy farming, so they’d be more than happy to have someone look after the kids on the weekend.”

The director stretched lazily. “They’re all the flowers of our nation. Make sure to send a few more crew members tomorrow.”

Jiang Ran rested her chin on her hand and sighed. “I knew it. Why would kids go to school on a weekend?”

“Then I’ll bring some snacks to school tomorrow to share with the kids!” Shang Chumu happily raised her hand and announced.

Compared to the previous days when they had gone fruit-picking in the orchard, this task of looking after children was clearly more to their liking.

However, the oldest among them was only in her late twenties, and the youngest was just sixteen, none of them had any experience with childcare. Undeterred, Shang Chumu somehow got her hands on a copy of The Complete Guide to Parenting and began studying it earnestly.

After reading it, she insisted that everyone else take a look too.

Jiang Qi, who was forced to read the book, finished it and frowned, lost in thought: Wait a minute, isn’t this an encyclopedia for infants?

She flipped to the title page, where it clearly stated: “Suitable for babies within 24 months.”

Jiang Qi: “…” Well then, goodbye to you.

Seeing Jiang Qi’s stiff expression, Chi Shuang couldn’t hold back a soft laugh.

Jiang Qi cast a resentful glance back, her tone softening slightly as she spoke, “You’re making fun of me.”

“I’m not,” Chi Shuang raised an eyebrow.

Well, for a moment it was hard to tell who was really the alpha here. Shang Chumu thought to himself, then casually made up an excuse and left this troublesome situation.

The next day, everyone got up early. The kindergarten wasn’t far, about a fifteen-minute walk for the group.

Yes, they walked. The ridiculously stingy production team hadn’t provided them with a single vehicle.

At this early hour, the grandparents out for their morning stroll could see six attractive, distinguished-looking men and women, alphas and omegas, heading somewhere under the morning glow.

The early summer sun wasn’t particularly hot, but it was still bright. By the time they arrived at the school, staff were already waiting for them. They were shown around the classrooms, teachers’ office, and cafeteria.

The school wasn’t large, in Jiang Qi’s opinion, it could even be described as cramped.

Of course, the school wouldn’t just let the production team film unsupervised; there were teachers on duty.

After the middle-aged woman finished explaining the general layout, she smiled and bid them farewell: “I’ll be in the lounge next door. If you need anything, just come find me. I won’t disturb your filming.”

After a while, the kindergarten entrance was already bustling with activity. Jiang Qi glanced at her wristwatch, 7:30.

Jiang Qi couldn’t help yawning. She felt like she’d used up a lifetime’s worth of early mornings for this show, grinding away her morning grumpiness through sheer force.

In contrast, the children arriving at kindergarten were all full of energy.

The little kids with their small backpacks streamed in through the gate, curiously examining the six unfamiliar older siblings at the entrance.

An outgoing little girl with pigtail braids asked curiously, “Huh? Why are the teachers different today?”

“Yeah!”

“Right!”

“Where’s Teacher Zhang?”

“Did she abandon us?!”

Once the pigtailed girl started, the questions came one after another. Children have boundless curiosity, and their collective power is formidable, especially when twenty-plus kids all start talking at once.

“Because teachers need rest too. You’ll see Teacher Zhang when she comes back next week,” Chi Shuang, who had somehow produced a megaphone, reassured the children in a gentle voice.

Shang Chumu took the opportunity to bring out snacks and distribute them to the children entering the kindergarten.

Jiang Qi breathed a sigh of relief. It really takes magic to defeat magic.

She couldn’t match the children’s boundless energy. Just as she was yawning repeatedly, she felt something being pressed into her hand.

Turning around, she saw Chi Shuang winking at her. Jiang Qi’s ears grew warm as she looked down and opened her palm to find the familiar blue-and-white wrapped White Rabbit milk candy.

Taking advantage of no one watching, Jiang Qi popped the candy into her mouth. Instantly, the overly sweet flavor spread across her tongue.

She waited until the candy had completely dissolved and the last child had entered before locking the gate and heading to the office.

Besides Chi Shuang who was settling the children in the classroom, the other four were all in the office. Jiang Qi watched them chatting and laughing while popping into their mouths something that looked strikingly familiar to her.

Is this rare treat meant for me alone, or do others have it too?

Jiang Ran looked at Jiang Qi, then at the milk candy in her hand. She generously handed the large family-sized bag to Jiang Qi and said, “Sister Jiang, do you like sweets too?”

“I don’t eat them!”