Ye Ziyu didn't hear him, but Kang Kang, standing beside her, did. He was surprised, not by why his mother treated him so well, but by how Ye Ziyu treated him even better than his own mother.
Xingxing offered no further explanation.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed from a distance. Kang Kang's body instantly tensed. He turned and ran behind a large tree, hiding.
Seeing this, Ye Ziyu placed her hand on his shoulder. "Your mother loves you very much too. She was very worried after you left."
Kang Kang didn't believe her.
At home, they never played with him. Their only demand was that he excel in his studies and in everything else, asserting that this was how their precious son should be. When he made mistakes, their words were harsh, as if he were the worst child in the world, unworthy of being their treasured son.
Noticing Kang Kang's strong resistance, Ye Ziyu sent a message to the teacher.
Within seconds, Kang Kang's mother's calling voice disappeared. Nor did they appear before them.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Kang Kang's eyes as he tilted his head, looking towards where the voice had just come from.
"I know you love your mother dearly, but their actions have disappointed you, haven't they?" Ye Ziyu crouched down, looking at the conflicted Kang Kang.
He was about the same age as Xingxing, but less composed by comparison. His entire face was tense, childishly expressing his desire to defy his mother.
Seeing his silence, Ye Ziyu continued, "Actually, you're very happy when you receive praise. You even meticulously plan every day to earn their commendation. So, you just wish Xingxing would let you have first place just once, so your mother could praise you and fulfill your small wish."
Every word struck a chord in Kang Kang's heart. He desperately wanted to win first place in the Math Olympiad class, so his mother would set aside her busy schedule and accompany him to the amusement park.
Kang Kang nodded, softly uttering a "Mm."
Ye Ziyu's brows relaxed. She gently stroked his cheek. "Xingxing not letting you win doesn't mean he dislikes you. He hopes you'll achieve first place through your own efforts, not by having someone yield it to you.
Surely, you'd prefer to win first place honorably, wouldn't you? That way, you can openly enjoy your mother's company. If Xingxing had let you win, and you got what you wanted, would you truly be happy? Or would the joy be overshadowed by fear, worried that the truth of first place might be exposed?"
Each sentence was gentle, yet the underlying logic was profoundly impactful. Kang Kang began to cry. It wasn't out of grievance, but tears of joy from being freed from the shackles that had bound him.
He had always tried to please his parents, but he had never truly made himself happy. He was still just a child. If not for this incident, he might have strayed further, becoming a truly bad child.
Observing Kang Kang's tears, Ye Ziyu picked up her phone and spoke into the receiver, "You can come over now."
In fact, after sending the message, she had already called the teacher. Her intention was for Kang Kang's mother to realize her mistake.
After hanging up, Kang Kang's mother and the teachers from the Math Olympiad class emerged from behind the building.
"Kang Kang." Kang Kang's mother's eyes were teary. She wanted to reach out but feared Kang Kang's aversion.
Ye Ziyu, with Xingxing, walked towards the teachers. Everyone watched with concern, but the two children showed no worry.
A mother loves her child, and a child loves his mother equally. There were simply misunderstandings between them.
Kang Kang reached out, carefully caressing his mother's tears.
Kang Kang's mother froze for a moment, her tears flowing even more profusely. Kang Kang, his heart aching, also shed tears.
No words could offer the warmth of a hug. The mother and son embraced, weeping uncontrollably, as if trying to wash away the rift between them with their tears.