Chapter Seven: Returning Home

From then on, Xiao Yao’s days were filled with morning exercises and martial arts practice, afternoons devoted to calligraphy, and listening to Xiao Chengru recount historical tales. This fulfilling routine lasted just over two months. Then, one day, with Xiao Siqi’s recovery from his injury and return, Xiao Yao’s life was about to change.

Naturally, Xiao Siqi came to take his son back home. Although Xiao Chengru had enjoyed his time with his grandson immensely during those months and felt reluctant to part with him, he understood that Xiao Siqi, still grieving the loss of his wife, needed Xiao Yao’s company more than he did.

By now, Xiao Yao had mastered the full set of Shaolin Long Fist taught by Liu Zhongwen, and his form was quite respectable. Liu Zhongwen didn’t plan to teach him anything new for the time being, only urging him to practice diligently and absorb the essence slowly. Meanwhile, Xiao Chengru had already taught Xiao Yao to read fluently through foundational texts such as the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, Thousand Character Text, and Thousand Family Poems. Though his calligraphy lacked sophistication and spirit, it had taken shape, and all that remained was steady practice and gradual appreciation. Thus, Xiao Yao’s return with Xiao Siqi wouldn’t hinder his current studies. As long as Xiao Siqi brought him over every ten to fifteen days for a check-in with Liu Zhongwen, his progress would continue uninterrupted.

Though the reunion with his son went smoothly, Xiao Siqi hadn’t seen his father for over two months and naturally couldn’t leave immediately. Spending half a day with him was inevitable. During the meal, Xiao Siqi brought up another matter concerning Xiao Yao.

“Dad, Baiyi is old enough now to attend kindergarten. Our original plan was to find one nearby our residence for him. But now that his mother’s gone, and with my unpredictable work schedule—you know how it is—I’m free some days to be with him all day, but on busy days, I can’t guarantee a set time. Inevitably, I’ll need your help with pick-up, drop-off, and maybe even care. So, I’m thinking of finding a kindergarten roughly midway between our two homes. What do you think?”

Xiao Siqi’s work schedule was indeed erratic. As a singer whose last two albums had flopped, his public appearances were few, mostly staying home writing songs when free. Yet he also worked as a producer. Though he was doing well, he wasn’t yet a top-tier producer with singers lining up to work with him. The company had multiple producers, and his workload depended on scheduling and the cooperation and trust between artists and himself. When he had production work, he’d spend most of his day in the studio, leaving childcare duties to his father.

Xiao Siqi voiced this at the dinner table openly, without shielding Xiao Yao from the conversation. Upon hearing the word “kindergarten,” Xiao Yao shuddered. Playing with a bunch of preschoolers sitting in rows, sharing fruit? No way!

Before Xiao Chengru could respond, Xiao Yao quickly cut in, “I won’t go to kindergarten.”

Xiao Siqi chuckled, looking at his son, “Is that your decision to make?”

Xiao Yao pouted, “Why wouldn’t it be?” Then, turning to his grandfather, he said, “Grandpa, do you think kindergarten suits me? What’s good about spending all day with kids who can’t even dress themselves and are busy picking their noses? I’d rather keep studying and practicing calligraphy with you or learn martial arts from Grandpa Liu than waste time in kindergarten.”

Xiao Siqi teased, “Oh? So you can dress yourself and don’t pick your nose? You really are studying calligraphy with Grandpa and practicing martial arts? Show me a few moves!”

Xiao Yao disdainfully rolled his eyes. Surprised, Xiao Siqi said, “Hey, you’re even giving your dad attitude now?”

After some consideration, Xiao Chengru seriously said, “I think Baiyi makes a good point. This child is too clever; kindergarten would only hold him back. Better for him to stay with me.”

“Dad, you...” Xiao Siqi seemed a bit anxious.

Xiao Chengru waved his hand to stop him. “Listen first. You don’t know how Baiyi has been here with me. From day one, he dresses and washes himself without me helping once. I even tried to get him to wash dishes for me. Wait, I’ll show you something.” With that, he got up and went to the study.

Xiao Siqi watched his father’s retreating figure in puzzlement, then cautiously asked Xiao Yao, “Son, are you really that capable?” Xiao Yao snorted and ignored him.

A moment later, Xiao Chengru returned with a stack of white papers and handed them to Xiao Siqi. “Look here. These are your son’s writings. He can not only write but also recognize and read all these characters. In just over two months, he’s mastered the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, Thousand Character Text, and Thousand Family Poems. Not only that, he memorized the entire Tai Chi form I taught him at once. You know the old man Liu Zhongwen, retired from the national martial arts team who taught your son the Shaolin Long Fist? In just two months, your son’s practiced the whole set until it looks proper. ‘Looks proper’ is Liu’s exact phrase. It’s not easy to impress him; it’s more than just mimicking the movements.”

One revelation after another hit Xiao Siqi like a bombshell. Holding the papers for a long time, he finally came to himself and cautiously asked, “Are you saying my son is a genius?”

Xiao Chengru smiled, “I can’t say genius for sure, but there’s no one his age who can match him. Even older kids may not be better learners. That’s why I say kindergarten would hold him back.”

“It’s been over two months—why didn’t you mention any of this before?” Despite his injury, Xiao Siqi had called often to check on the child’s progress. Xiao Chengru had only said the boy was doing well, never revealing these details.

“That was to surprise you,” Xiao Chengru laughed. “So I think we should respect Baiyi’s opinion and skip kindergarten. If you’re busy, just send him to me. Am I any less capable than those kindergarten teachers?”

“All right, all right, no kindergarten,” Xiao Siqi quickly agreed. With such a capable son, why bother? The initial plan to send Baiyi to kindergarten stemmed from his own inexperience and lack of energy, and his father’s age making solo childcare too taxing. Now it seemed his father’s role was more teacher than babysitter, and that suited him fine.

“Son, since you’re so smart and learn fast, tonight, when we get home, you’ll learn piano from me,” Xiao Siqi said to Xiao Yao.

“Hey, he has to want to learn, you can’t force him,” Xiao Chengru said quickly, seeing Xiao Yao’s enthusiasm. “Baiyi is smart, but he’s still just over three years old and growing. Don’t push him too hard.”

“What do you mean by that?” Xiao Siqi looked at his father helplessly. “So it’s fine for him to learn calligraphy with you and martial arts with Grandpa Liu, but not with me?”

“Am I saying that? I mean, the child has to be willing. He’s still little, and I worry if you teach him too much at once, he won’t keep up and it might strain him,” Xiao Chengru said, narrowing his eyes.

“No problem, I want to learn,” Xiao Yao interrupted his grandfather. “Grandpa, I’ll balance study and rest.”

After dinner, Xiao Siqi didn’t stay long. After a brief rest, he took Xiao Yao back to their own home.

Xiao Siqi’s original car had been wrecked in an accident; the current one was relatively new but unfamiliar. After the crash, Xiao Siqi drove more cautiously and slowly, giving Xiao Yao a chance to enjoy the night view of Yanjing City.

Their home was in Kaiyang Community near the inner side of Yanjing’s South Third Ring Road. Close by was a CBD with comprehensive facilities. Hospitals and schools were nearby, making for a prime location and environment. The residence was a relatively new development, a four-bedroom, two-living-room apartment of about 170 to 180 square meters. Two bedrooms were for Xiao Siqi and his wife, and for Xiao Yao. The other two rooms served as Xiao Siqi’s soundproof music studio and Chen Zilin’s gym.

Though Xiao Yao remembered this house somewhat, he explored it again thoroughly and was extremely satisfied. The bedrooms needed no comment—they were simply for sleep, with no high expectations. Xiao Siqi’s music room looked very professional, equipped with an electronic keyboard, two acoustic guitars, one electric guitar, a bass, a drum set, and various unfamiliar electronic devices. It was clear his father was quite skilled. Chen Zilin’s gym was also impressive, with a treadmill and a multifunctional fitness machine against the wall, leaving ample space for three of them to practice the full Shaolin Long Fist set without any hindrance. Two entire walls of mirrors, a wall-length handrail, and a corner stereo system made it nearly a professional dance studio. Yet the biggest marvel for Xiao Yao was the grand white grand piano near the balcony in the living room.

Xiao Siqi didn’t realize how impressed his son was with the house he had lived in for over three years. His mind was still full of all that Xiao Chengru had told him about Xiao Yao’s accomplishments. Once settled, Xiao Siqi asked the question on his mind, “Baiyi, are you really willing to learn piano from your old man?”

Forced by Xiao Yao’s persistence, Xiao Siqi had resigned himself to calling himself “old man,” though he felt far from it.

“Of course!” Xiao Yao nodded, gazing admiringly at the instruments in the music room. “I don’t just want to learn piano—I want to learn every instrument you play. And I want to learn composition and songwriting from you too.”

“Really? Great! As long as you want to learn and are willing, your old man will teach you everything he knows,” Xiao Siqi said happily.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll surpass you one day and take your job away?” Xiao Yao teased his father.

“Heh, I hope you do surpass me. If you do, even if you leave me with no job, I won’t mind begging on the streets!” Xiao Siqi laughed heartily.

Indeed, to surpass one’s teacher, for a student or child to outshine their parent—that is the cherished hope of every mentor and parent alike.