582: Chapter 577 Winning First Place, A Similar Experience

Youyou and Anqi cheered simultaneously and rushed over.

In the box were two shining 'Forest Champion' gold medals and a giant teddy bear doll.

The two little girls hugged the teddy bear, which was almost as tall as they were, grinning from ear to ear.

Li Jing looked at Shen Yan, and her eyes held something more than just gratitude.

This man was calm, wise, and frighteningly decisive.

He possessed an irresistible charm.

"Mr. Shen... Today, truly, I don't know how to thank you enough."

She took out her phone, a hint of shyness on her face.

"Could we add each other on WeChat? I absolutely must treat you to this meal."

Shen Yan looked at the teddy bear being hugged separately by his daughter and Anqi, then looked at the satisfied and happy smile on Youyou's face.

A certain corner of his heart seemed to soften slightly.

He took out his phone and opened his QR code.

A crisp 'beep' sounded.

The notification that the friend request was successful popped up on the screen.

Li Jing breathed a long sigh of relief, as if she had accomplished something major, and carefully put her phone back into her pocket.

"It's about time, let's head to the assembly point."

Shen Yan glanced at his watch, his tone flat, as if exchanging contact information had been a trivial matter.

He picked up the giant teddy bear with one hand and held Youyou's hand with the other.

On Youyou's other side was Anqi, equally excited, holding her hand tightly.

Li Jing followed behind them, watching Shen Yan's broad back with complex emotions in her eyes.

This man gave her an indescribable sense of security.

It was three in the afternoon, and the sun was just right.

On the large lawn at the exit of the Forest Park, the families participating in the event were gradually gathering.

Teacher Wang from the kindergarten was holding a megaphone, maintaining order.

"Parents and children, we are about to announce the final results of our 'Forest Adventure' parent-child activity!"

The children let out a cheer.

Shen Yan and Li Jing walked into the crowd with the two children, immediately attracting many glances.

It was mainly because of the teddy bear, which was taller than the children, that it was too eye-catching.

"Isn't that the grand prize? They got it?"

"So fast? I haven't even solved the last riddle yet."

"Who is that man? He doesn't look like a parent from our class, does he?"

Whispers spread among the parents.

Teacher Wang cleared his throat and read from the list in his hand, "Next, I will announce the champion family of this event!"

"They completed all the task challenges perfectly and at an astonishing speed!"

"They are—"

Teacher Wang deliberately drew out his voice.

"The family of little friend Shen Youyou and little friend Anqi!"

As the words fell, applause erupted, mixed with considerable astonishment.

"Wow!"

Youyou and Anqi exchanged glances, jumped up at the same time, and hugged each other tightly.

Their two small bodies shared the purest joy.

"We are first place!"

"Youyou! We won!"

Li Jing also showed a sincere smile. She stepped forward and gently patted the heads of the two children.

Shen Yan stood to the side, watching the brilliant smile on his daughter's face, his eyes softening slightly.

To him, first place meant nothing.

But his daughter's happiness meant a great deal.

The activity ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Li Jing watched the two little ones still clinging to each other and took the initiative to suggest,

"Mr. Shen, to thank you, and to celebrate the children winning the championship, may I treat you to dinner?"

"I know a very nice ocean-themed family restaurant nearby; the children will love it."

Shen Yan was about to refuse.

He disliked unnecessary socializing.

But Youyou tilted her small face up, her big eyes full of longing.

"Daddy, I want to go with Anqi."

Anqi beside her nodded vigorously, her eyes full of anticipation.

He couldn't bring himself to refuse.

"Address."

He said concisely.

Li Jing's eyes lit up, and she immediately stated the restaurant's name and location.

"Azure Wonderland, it's in the commercial plaza at the foot of Cui Feng Mountain."

Half an hour later, at the Azure Wonderland Family Restaurant.

Inside the huge floor-to-ceiling glass walls was a simulated deep-sea world.

Soft blue light filled the entire space, and the shadows of slowly swimming whales were projected onto the ceiling.

Individual booths were designed in the shape of coral or shells.

Waitresses dressed as clownfish shuttled back and forth.

The children were immediately captivated upon entering.

Youyou and Anqi crouched in front of a giant cylindrical fish tank, curiously watching the colorful tropical fish inside.

Shen Yan and Li Jing chose a shell-shaped booth by the window and sat down.

"The environment here is quite nice, isn't it?" Li Jing tried to start a conversation.

"Mm.", Shen Yan's reply was distant.

He took out his phone and was processing several work messages sent by Chen Guangke.

Chen Wu was starting to cause trouble again regarding the newly acquired land.

Li Jing finished ordering the food. Seeing Shen Yan constantly looking at his phone, the atmosphere became somewhat cold.

She picked up the lemon water on the table and took a sip, trying to restart the conversation.

"Mr. Shen... what kind of work do you do?"

She asked somewhat cautiously.

Shen Yan's gaze did not leave the screen, his fingers tapping rapidly on it, as if replying to instructions.

"Software."

One word.

Li Jing's smile froze for a moment.

She felt like she was talking to an iceberg.

"Oh... The software industry, that's very impressive, it's the hottest field right now."

She continued dryly.

Shen Yan finally put down his phone and looked up at her.

His gaze was calm but carried an invisible pressure, as if he could see through people's thoughts.

"It's alright."

Two more words.

The conversation immediately fell into another stalemate.

Li Jing felt somewhat awkward, unconsciously fiddling with the corner of her clothes with both hands.

She couldn't understand why this man, who clearly had such a gentle side when facing children, was so distant and cold toward her.

Perhaps he had seen through her predicament and didn't want to get involved with her.

Thinking of this, a pang of bitterness welled up in Li Jing's heart.

She took a deep breath, as if making a resolution, and forced a self-mocking smile.

"Actually, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me."

Her voice was soft, with a barely perceptible tremor.

"I am now... unemployed."

Shen Yan didn't speak, just looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

His silence, conversely, gave Li Jing the courage to confide.

"I used to be a jewelry designer."

When mentioning her former profession, a spark flashed in her eyes, but it quickly dimmed.

"I had my own studio and was somewhat well-known."

"But just six months ago, my husband... no, my ex-husband, conspired with an outsider and stole a set of blueprints that took me two years of hard work to design."