Chapter 24: Daddy’s Teachings  

When they arrived home, Lin Zhenzhu inquired about the visit.  

“Yingbao, how was your school visit? Did you like it?”  

“I liked it, I really liked it! Yingbao loves it! And the Principal said I can start school tomorrow!”  

She was overjoyed one moment, but in the next, she lowered her head. Remembering her experience in kindergarten, she suddenly felt dejected. “Great-grandma, do you think the older brothers and sisters at school will dislike Yingbao? Back in kindergarten, the other kids didn’t like me… they didn’t play with me…”  

Since the students in elementary school were older than her, Zhao Jiaying respectfully referred to them as “older brothers” and “older sisters.”  

“How could that be? Our Yingbao is so smart and adorable—everyone who sees you will love you!”  

Lin Zhenzhu believed that being cute and intelligent would naturally make people like her. However, she overlooked the fact that children’s friendships had little to do with appearances.  

Ou Zichen, on the other hand, recognized the real issue. He crouched down to meet Zhao Jiaying’s eyes and asked: “Tell Daddy—why didn’t the kids in kindergarten like you? Why didn’t they play with you?”  

“Because they were all so dumb. The teacher taught them things, but they couldn’t remember anything. But Yingbao only needed to hear it once to remember.”  

With an IQ of 210, Zhao Jiaying learned everything exceptionally fast and retained knowledge with ease. Compared to her, the other children seemed much slower. To make matters worse, she often pointed at their noses and called them dumb.  

Even at a young age, children had their pride. Being called stupid repeatedly was frustrating, and eventually, they all distanced themselves from her.  

“Yingbao.” Ou Zichen said gently: “let me ask you something. If someone kept calling you dumb, would you feel happy? Would you still want to play with that person?”

Zhao Jiaying shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t!”  

Seeing that she understood, Ou Zichen continued teaching her.  

“Exactly. Those children feel the same way. No one likes being called dumb by others.”  

Zhao Jiaying nodded, her childish voice filled with determination. “Daddy, Yingbao understands! Yingbao won’t call other children dumb anymore!”  

Despite her usual playful and mischievous nature, she also wanted friends and longed to play with others. However, when the other kids ignored her, her strong sense of pride prevented her from reaching out to them first.  

After experiencing loneliness in kindergarten, she was now afraid of the same thing happening again. With Ou Zichen’s explanation today, she firmly decided that she would never call her new classmates dumb at her new school. Otherwise, she might end up isolated again, and that feeling was far too painful.  

“Daddy isn’t saying this to scold you.” Ou Zichen said gently. “I just want you to understand that all people are equal. The truth is, no child is truly dumb—Yingbao is simply a bit smarter than them. But we cannot look down on others just because we are more intelligent. If you do, people won’t like you, and they won’t want to be your friend. Do you understand?”  

“Mm! Yingbao understands! From now on, I won’t be arrogant or look down on others. I will be humble!”  

The word humble was something Ou Zichen had taught her before, and now she finally had the chance to use it.  

Ou Zichen patted Zhao Jiaying’s head, feeling deeply gratified. A child who can be taught. She truly was his daughter—she had inherited his excellent genes.  

Later, Zhao Jiaying made a video call to Yang Xiuhua, excitedly telling her that she would be starting school tomorrow. Yang Xiuhua was happy for her and reminded her to be careful at school. Unlike kindergarten, where teachers supervised the children constantly, elementary school had more independence, so Yang Xiuhua was worried that Zhao Jiaying might get hurt.  

“Auntie, don’t worry! Yingbao isn’t a three-year-old anymore. I’ll be careful, so you don’t have to worry about me!”  

She was still fifty days away from turning four, yet she was already declaring that she wasn’t a three-year-old anymore. But since Zhao Jiaying said so confidently, there wasn’t much left for Yang Xiuhua to worry about. Besides, with her daddy around, everything would be well taken care of.  

—

That same day, Sun Dahai reported to work at the food factory for the first time. Early in the morning, the driver, Xiao Wang, arrived to take him to work. The night before, Yang Xiuhua had prepared a variety of pastries for Sun Dahai to bring to the factory and share with his colleagues, hoping to help him leave a good impression.  

Yang Xiuhua was an excellent cook, and everyone praised her pastries. Combined with Sun Dahai’s honest and humble personality, he didn’t put on any airs as a new supervisor, which made it easy for him to get along with his colleagues. The factory workers quickly grew to respect him. For Sun Dahai, this was a good start.  

Su Jianfeng had arranged for a postgraduate student to guide Sun Dahai through the factory’s operations and teach him about management. Sun Dahai was eager to learn, studying humbly and seriously. When he returned home, he even brought back two management books. After dinner, he immediately locked himself in the study and immersed himself in learning, determined to familiarize himself with the factory’s business and master management as quickly as possible.  

—

The Next Day.

It was Zhao Jiaying’s first day attending St. Petersburg Elementary School.

Since the night before, little Yingbao had been particularly excited, and this morning, she got up early. She put on a pink puffy dress, clipped two shiny hairpins in her hair, and carried her favorite little yellow duck backpack as she went downstairs.

When Lin Zhenzhu saw how adorable she looked, her heart nearly melted!

“Good morning, Yingbao! You’re up so early today!”

“Good morning, Great-grandma! Today is Yingbao’s first day of school, so of course, I can’t be late!”

She understood the simple truth that being late would leave a bad impression on her classmates and teacher.

Before long, Ou Zichen and Ou Zilong also came downstairs. When Zhao Jiaying saw them, she ran up to them and said in her sweet, childlike voice: “Daddy, Second Uncle, good morning! Do you think my dress looks pretty? Do you think my classmates will like it?”

Ou Zilong gave her a thumbs-up and praised: “Yingbao, you look absolutely adorable and beautiful today! Second Uncle is completely charmed by you. Your classmates will definitely like you!”

“Really?”

The little one didn’t seem too confident. Because of past experiences, she felt a bit worried.

Ou Zichen patted her head gently and reassured her: “As long as Yingbao sincerely tries to make friends with them, they will definitely like you!”

“Mm! Yingbao will definitely do that!”

Ou Zichen’s words seemed to have a magical effect. After hearing him say that, Zhao Jiaying felt as if she had taken a calming pill, and her confidence grew significantly.

After breakfast, Ou Zichen took Zhao Jiaying to school. As her biological father, it was only natural for him to take her to school on her first day. After dropping her off, he would head to work. Although the school and his company were not on the same route, taking his daughter to school was a priority. Worst case, he would just arrive at the company a little late. After all, he was the CEO—no one would dare to say anything.

Before leaving the house, Zhao Jiaying turned to her little companion, Tangyuan, and said: “Tangyuan, Yingbao is going to school now! Stay home and keep Great-grandma company, okay?”

“Woof woof…” Tangyuan wagged his tail in response.

“Daddy, let’s go!”