Chapter 442: Chapter 414 Let Me Tell You Chapter 442: Chapter 414 Let Me Tell You Although Zheng Tan knew something was off with Zhuo Xiaomao today–he seemed burdened, despite his young age–he hadn’t expected it to be something like this.

Admittedly, he had not paid much attention to Zhuo Xiaomao and Xiao Zhuo for some time. After all, unlike Little Youzi who used to come over whenever he had free time, Xiao Zhuo would come to pick him up, and if Xiao Zhuo couldn’t make it, his former juniors would help out.

Now that Xiao Zhuo was teaching at the Physics College, Zhuo Xiaomao would head there after school instead of going home. After all, the people at the college had known Zhuo Xiaomao for a long time since he had Buddha backing him. Even the most stern professors would occasionally force a smile for Zhuo Xiaomao. Being there, although he didn’t quite strut around, it wasn’t far off. Moreover, given that Zhuo Xiaomao was precociously clever and full of tricks, Zheng Tan had never been overly worried about him.

But now, hearing this, Zheng Tan didn’t know how to respond.

Was this supposed to be a happy occasion or a cause for concern?

When Zhuo Xiaomao was born, his biological father had abandoned him and his mother. The “father” listed on his family registry was fake, a martyr status arranged by Xiao Zhuo as a protective measure. Regardless, Zhuo Xiaomao had grown up without his father, and his mother had left for several years before returning. Zheng Tan had worried that he might, like other children, be upset about this. However, the boy had always seemed fine, leading Zheng Tan to believe it didn’t bother him. But now, it seemed that indifference was impossible.

According to what Zhuo Xiaomao just said, had Xiao Zhuo finally found someone? Buddha had introduced many people before, but unfortunately, it had never worked out. Was there now progress?

Zheng Tan looked at Zhuo Xiaomao, who after finishing his lamb skewers, looked up at the sky. After saying what he had, Zhuo Xiaomao looked at the two bamboo skewers in his hand, jumped down from the chair, walked to a nearby trash can to dispose of them, and then came back to continue sitting without any intention of leaving.

Zheng Tan couldn’t speak either, making it impossible to communicate with him.

Perhaps, he should secretly check out this person?

“Black,” Zhuo Xiaomao said, looking at Zheng Tan.

Zheng Tan looked at him, nodded his head to show he was listening, and told him to continue.

“I’ll tell you.”

Zheng Tan: “…”

Zhuo Xiaomao then talked for an hour.

This person named Yue Cheng was a new professor at the Physics College this year. Xiao Zhuo had not formally introduced him to Zhuo Xiaomao, but Zhuo Xiaomao had seen him several times at the Physics College. When Xiao Zhuo was not around, Xiao Zhuo’s juniors joked that Yue Cheng might become Zhuo Xiaomao’s dad. Zhuo Xiaomao, after observing, felt it was quite possible. Buddha also approved of them, and those at the Physics College with good relations with Xiao Zhuo humorously suggested a “Zhuo Yue” pairing, sounding quite well-matched.

Anyone would ponder over this, especially someone as precocious as Zhuo Xiaomao. For this stranger who might become family, rejecting him wasn’t absolute, nor was acceptance. Suddenly adding such a person made him somewhat reluctant, bringing a sense of unease as if it were disrupting the rhythm of life.

Zheng Tan had never met Yue Cheng, but since Buddha supported him, his character must be decent. However, he wondered what Yue Cheng thought of Zhuo Xiaomao, and since Xiao Zhuo hadn’t yet spoken, it was probably due to concerns about Zhuo Xiaomao’s feelings.

After expressing his concerns, Zhuo Xiaomao seemed much relieved. His phone in his backpack rang; it was Xiao Zhuo calling.

Xiao Zhuo had called the gatekeeper at the West District, found out Zhuo Xiaomao hadn’t returned home, and directly called him.

“I treated Black to lamb skewers. I’ll be back soon… Mm… okay, goodbye Mom.” After finishing the call in a darling tone, Zhuo Xiaomao hadn’t put the phone back into his backpack when his expression turned distressed, saying to Zheng Tan, “Black, I heard that man’s voice again; he was right next to Mom. Black, do I really need another dad?”

Being in such a dilemma wasn’t helpful at all; they could only take it one step at a time. The only help Zheng Tan could offer was to see what kind of person the other party was. If he turned out to be a hypocrite, saying one thing and doing another, Zheng Tan would definitely intervene. If the person seemed alright, Zheng Tan planned not to get involved.

After dropping Zhuo Xiaomao off at his doorstep, Zheng Tan left and didn’t immediately head home. It wasn’t even six o’clock yet, so he decided to swing by the Physics College.

Several people at the Physics College knew Zheng Tan, especially Buddha’s former graduate students. They greeted him when they saw him. Ignoring them, Zheng Tan jumped onto a tree in front of the Physics College. Xiao Zhuo had been at the college when he called Zhuo Xiaomao, saying he’d be home in half an hour. It hadn’t been half an hour yet, so Zheng Tan waited there, sure to see someone.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Zheng Tan saw Xiao Zhuo come out. However, beside her wasn’t one of the young female teachers or students she usually accompanied, but a man in his early forties, not very tall–just a little over 1.7 meters, barely taller than Xiao Zhuo, and not particularly handsome–he was just passable, rather ordinary. However, the man had a somewhat sickly aura, not very conspicuous, but still noticeable.