Chapter 36: Not a Shred of a Man’s Dignity Left

At 11:45, the school bell rang, signaling the end of classes. When Yu Zhile waved at his mother while holding the baby in his arms, his mother almost doubted her own eyes.

She walked over, puzzled, and asked, “Why are you here? It's freezing out, aren’t you afraid the baby will catch a cold?”

“It’s fine, she’s dressed so warmly! Take this hat off and you’ll see her hair’s all damp from the heat!” Yu Zhile took off the baby’s knitted hat and gently ruffled her slightly damp hair.

His mother gave his hand a light slap and put the hat back on the child, chiding, “Are you being silly? She’ll catch a cold like this!”

Yu Zhile looked at the swarm of elementary students hurrying toward the school gate and asked curiously, “Mom, why do kids get out of school so late these days? It’s nearly noon!”

His mother replied, “You got out at this time when you were in elementary school too!”

“Oh, I forgot.”

He handed the baby to her and said, “By the way, Mom, your precious granddaughter’s made a mess. We need to get home and change her diaper.”

His mother sighed, “Did you bring any diapers with you?”

“Yes, they’re at home.”

“All right then.” She asked, “But why did you suddenly show up today? Where’s your wife? Didn’t she come with you?”

Yu Zhile replied, “She’s recording a show today. I was bored at home, so I decided to come over.”

His mother asked, “So you couldn’t find your dad and came into the school to wait for me instead?”

Yu Zhile grumbled, “I called Dad on my way here, but he has a chess game and didn’t pay me any mind! Mom, you really need to discipline your husband! In his eyes, chess is more important than his own son or granddaughter. Isn’t that infuriating?”

“I can’t be bothered with him!” his mother said, full of disdain. “If he likes chess so much, let him spend his life with Chinese chess and Go!”

They left the school together. On the way, a female teacher wearing glasses spotted them and came over, curious. “Director Pan, who is this?”

His mother introduced them, “This is my son and my granddaughter.”

“How adorable!” The teacher stroked the baby’s cheek. “How old is she?”

“She’s almost eight months.”

His mother remembered, “Oh, Zhao, could you tell Mr. Huang when you go back to the dorm that I’ll swap my first class this afternoon with him?”

“Sure, I’ll remember.” Teacher Zhao played with the baby for a moment, said goodbye, and left.

Yu Zhile followed his mother out of the school and asked, “Mom, are you really planning to teach until retirement? We’re not short on money anymore. Why not just resign, like Dad? Do what you like every day—it’d be great.”

His mother replied, “I’ve taught all these years; two more won’t make a difference. It’d be such a waste to quit now. Two years will pass quickly. By then, I’ll be retired and can help you with the baby—teach her to read and write, so you won’t have to worry about sending her to kindergarten.”

Yu Zhile encouraged her, “Mom, have you ever thought about opening a kindergarten? You’ve been a director for years. Don’t you want to be a principal for once?”

His mother said, “Actually, I have thought about opening a kindergarten after retirement. But it’s too much trouble, and the competition is fierce. Plus, patient, caring teachers are hard to find these days. And with all the news about child abuse and unhygienic cafeterias in kindergartens, many families don’t want to send their kids anymore.”

“It really is a hassle!” Yu Zhile nodded. Since his mother was an elementary school Chinese teacher, he wouldn’t need to send his child to kindergarten after she retired.

Still, kindergarten did benefit children, at least by easing them into school life so they wouldn’t be homesick and cry nonstop when starting elementary school. But with all the current problems, it was no wonder parents worried.

On their way home, they passed a chess club. His mother glanced inside and said, “Go upstairs and tell your father to come home for lunch! Otherwise, he’ll play chess all day and forget to eat.”

“Okay, you go ahead.”

Yu Zhile went upstairs and saw his father playing chess with Old Liu, surrounded by several elderly men watching the game. Perhaps it was because of their good manners, or maybe because his father and Old Liu had warned everyone not to comment, but no one was making a fuss or disturbing their concentration.

Yu Zhile took a look—thanks to years of being roped into chess games by his dad, he could tell his father was probably going to lose this round. He was down a horse and a cannon and was now struggling to fend off Old Liu’s fierce attack.

He called out, “Dad! You’re doomed this round. Mom sent me to tell you to come home for lunch. She said if you don’t hurry back, you’ll be kneeling on chess pieces tonight!”

Old Yu’s face darkened. This brat! What nonsense was he spouting?

Kneeling on chess pieces? As if he’s some henpecked husband!

Old Yu snorted, “Who says I’m going to lose! Even if I can’t win, I’ll force a draw!”

Old Liu chuckled, “Stop bragging! You’re down a horse and a cannon—barely hanging on, and you’re still talking about turning the tables or forcing a draw?”

“All right, all right—just to give you face, I concede. But it’s best of five, and I still beat you today! Go home and practice before you challenge me again!”

Old Yu packed up his chess set—his precious white jade pieces, which he never lent to anyone.

Old Liu protested, “Let’s play again this afternoon! I only lost earlier because I went easy on you. I won’t hold back next time!”

Old Yu sneered, “Liu, your sportsmanship is lacking. Can’t admit a loss, so you claim you let me win? Then I could say I lost on purpose earlier, too!”

Old Liu shot back, “Fine, rematch at two o’clock! Whoever backs out is the grandson!”

Old Yu finished packing up and snorted, “I’m not afraid of you! Two o’clock it is!”

Yu Zhile reminded him, “Dad, Mom switched classes this afternoon, so you might not be able to leave until three.”

Old Yu paused. “Actually, I could use a nap. Let’s make it three, then!”

Old Liu couldn’t help laughing. Old Yu was definitely henpecked—he wouldn’t even come out to play chess unless his wife was at school. Was he even a man?

Just then, a shrill voice echoed down the corridor: “Liu Ming! Get home now! All you do is play chess every day!”

“Coming, coming!” Old Liu’s back stiffened, and he hurried downstairs.

Old Yu laughed, “Look at Liu, whipped into shape—no dignity at all! My wife doesn’t dare shout at me like that. That’s what I call managing your wife well!”

Yu Zhile nearly burst out laughing. He wanted to tease his dad, but with so many people around, he decided to let his father keep a shred of dignity.

Once they left the chess club, Old Yu asked in a low voice, “You didn’t rat me out to your mom, did you?”

Yu Zhile replied, “Dad, how could you suspect me like that? I’d never sell you out!”

Old Yu grinned, “You haven’t gotten me into trouble enough? If you weren’t an only child, and if your mom didn’t always protect you, I’d have given you a good beating growing up!”

Yu Zhile suddenly remembered all the mischief he’d caused over the years—even his mother used to joke about how, as a kid, he’d often pee on his dad’s face.

When they got home, his mother had already washed the baby and changed her diaper.

After lunch, his father couldn’t find an excuse to sneak out to play chess and instead switched into doting grandfather mode, tirelessly entertaining his granddaughter.

At two o’clock in the afternoon, the recording of the second half of “I Am a Singer” finally began. Qin Haiyu sent a pitiful message: “Honey, I’m so unlucky. I drew the first slot to sing in the finals again, wuwuwu~~”