Chapter 11 — The Kindergarten Class Asked Me to Pay 200,000 Yuan in Tuition Fees, But I Couldn't Have a Son

I nodded.

“No strawberries.”

The little girl added in a low voice. I laughed.

“No strawberries.”

Front row of seats in the hall. A few parents recognized me. The head of the parent committee did not come. It is said that her husband's agency also received a set of anonymous documents. Because she once received the costume deposit that Tham Man transferred. Currently still having to explain. The principal personally announced the performance list.

“Dance performance of the big group, Little Starlight.”

“Lead dancer: Co An Ninh.”

When the stage lights come on. An Ninh stood in the middle of the stage. The baby's movements are very precise. A small body. The white skirt of her dress rotated in the light. Like a small white light. Chu Du Xuyen stood in the last row of the hall. I didn't turn back. An Ninh also did not see him. She just looked at me. When the music ends. The entire auditorium echoed with applause. The girl ran straight towards me. Forehead is covered with sweat.

“Mom, did I dance wrong?”

I sat down. Gently wipe your baby's sweat. The baby's eyes were bright.

“So you can go to a good elementary school, right?”

My throat constricted. It turns out she knew everything. Children do not understand everything adults say. But they know who is trying to squeeze them out. I held my child in my arms.

“That class is yours.”

“No one can get it.”

The little girl asked softly:

“Are you angry, dad?”

“That's dad's business.”

The child thought for a moment.

“So what about grandma?”

“That's also your problem.”

The baby wrapped her arms around my neck.

“So what's your story?”

I gently kissed my baby's soft hair.

“My story…”

“It's growing up.”

After that, Khai Minh Tinh Center was put under investigation. Three issues are required to be corrected: Impersonating a parent's identity. The process of verifying facial recognition codes when picking up children is not strict. Uploading housing information against regulations. The affiliated kindergarten also canceled Chu Tinh Than's eligibility for admission that year. Tham Man took his son and moved him to another place. Before leaving. She once sent me a very long message. Saying that she was also the one deceived by Zhou Yuchuan. Said that for many years without a title, life was very miserable. Say the child is innocent. I read it all. Then answer with only four words: Don't use my name. Then block the number. Chu Du Xuyen was suspended by the company for investigation. He once noted the expenses from the couple's joint account as "company deposits." Although the amount is not large. But since then, several other personal money transfers with the same content have been revealed. My mother-in-law came to find me twice. She scolded me for being so cruel. Second time. She begged to see An Ninh. I don't open the door. Come the third time. She doesn't come anymore. But I happened to meet her in front of another early education center. That day I took An Ninh to try a dance class. Just walked to the front desk. I saw my mother-in-law leading Chu Tinh Than standing there. The receptionist teacher holds the registration form.

“What is the baby's mother's name?”

Mother-in-law just opened her mouth: See me. The last word stuck in my throat. The teacher raised her head.

“Who is Ms. Co?”

The mother-in-law's face turned red. Chu Tinh Than raised his head and asked:

“Grandma, isn't my mother Tham Man?”

Several parents standing nearby all turned to look. The mother-in-law frantically covered her child's mouth little.

“Children just talk nonsense.”

The teacher put down her pen.

"Uncle, mother's name must be correct."

“In the future, the facial recognition code and maturity profile must both be verified.”

Face recognition code. Maturity profile. Those two phrases just rang out. The mother-in-law's whole body immediately stiffened. She still cannot register. When leading Chu Tinh Than to leave. She didn't look at me again. The date An Ninh's name change procedure was completed. I went to the police station to get a new household registration page. The officer in charge pulled out the old page. Give me confirmation. On it was written: Chu Niem Niem. On the new page it says: Co An Ninh. Black lettering. Square and neat. I raised my hand and gently stroked it. The paper surface is very flat. No erasable pen. There are no traces of repair. Not covered by anyone. Nor was it borrowed by anyone. Walk out of the police station. An Ninh held my hand. The child asked:

“Mom, I have a new name now, right?”

“So are the pictures from before still yours?”

I paused a bit.

“Of course.”

The child immediately felt reassured.

“What about the trophies?”

“It's still mine.”

“What about mom?”

I bent down to look at my child. The girl asked very seriously. It's like taking inventory of every item that belongs to you. I squatted down. Look straight into your child's eyes.

“Mom is always mine.”

The baby laughed. The front tooth has just been replaced, causing a small gap in the smile to be missing. The wind blew from the police station gate. I put the new household registration page in the folder. In the clip compartment inside. There is still a notice to freeze Khai Minh Tinh Center's records. The red stamp stands out above the words:

“Without permission from the owner Co Nam Kieu.”

I closed the folder. I no longer have to be a mother for anyone else. I just held my daughter's hand.