After the divorce, he took care of his child and sold fried rice; his ex-wife was filled with regret

3:30.

The cheerful school dismissal music rang out from the loudspeaker next to the entrance of the early childhood education center on time.

The tightly closed black iron gate was slowly pulled open from the inside by the security guard.

Teachers from each class held up their class signs and led the lined-up children out of the school building one by one.

"Parents, please take your pick-up cards and pick up your children in class order." The security guard maintained order at the entrance.

Lin Fan and Chu Jianming took two steps forward, their eyes falling on the large group of students who were walking out.

In the group, Chu Chu, wearing a pink down jacket, spotted Chu Jianming at a glance and waved happily, "Grandpa!"

Chu Jianming walked over with a smile, handed the pick-up card to Teacher Zhang who was in charge of the class, and took his granddaughter's hand.

"Say goodbye to the teacher."

"Goodbye, Teacher Zhang." Chu Chu waved obediently.

Lin Fan stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the senior class.

There are none in the first row.

There is nothing in between.

Even after the last child was picked up by their parents and the line dispersed, Lin Fan still couldn't see the figure wearing a yellow down jacket and carrying a small backpack.

Lin Fan's brows furrowed instantly.

He strode up the steps and walked directly to Teacher Zhang.

"Teacher Zhang, where's Tuantuan?" Lin Fan's voice was a little tense.

Ms. Zhang was organizing the pick-up and drop-off records when she heard Lin Fan's question. She looked up, her face full of surprise and confusion.

"Tuantuan's dad? What brings you here?" Teacher Zhang was taken aback. "Didn't you check the class group chat, or contact Tuantuan's mom?"

The temperature in Lin Fan's eyes instantly dropped to freezing point.

"What do you mean?"

"Tuan Tuan's mother came to the kindergarten around 11 a.m. this morning."

Seeing Lin Fan's somber expression, Teacher Zhang also sensed something was wrong and her tone became somewhat cautious.

"She said she had finished her work these past two days and her elderly relatives missed the child, so she came over and picked Tuantuan up early."

Lin Fan clenched his fists tightly at his sides, his knuckles turning white.

"I've had the pick-up and drop-off card the whole time. Without the card, why should the park release people?"

Lin Fan stared at Teacher Zhang, his voice very low.

Teacher Zhang was so frightened by Lin Fan's gaze that she took a half step back and quickly explained.

"Tuantuan's dad, this really isn't my fault. When Tuantuan's mom came this morning, she didn't have a pick-up pass, and I initially followed the rules and didn't let her pick her up. But..."

Teacher Zhang swallowed hard and pointed towards the principal's office on the third floor of the teaching building.

"But she went directly to our kindergarten director. She brought not only the household registration book and the child's birth certificate, but also the original of your marriage certificate."

Teacher Zhang recalled the scene from that morning, her tone filled with helplessness and grievance.

"She told the principal that the two of you had a fight recently, and that you took away her pick-up and drop-off card in a fit of anger, preventing her from seeing the child. The principal checked the marriage certificate and confirmed that you were a legally married couple."

"It's not appropriate for the park to forcefully intervene in such a quarrel between the couple. To avoid any safety issues, the director personally used the park's system to issue her a temporary supplementary card."

At this point, Teacher Zhang sighed, looking at Lin Fan's somber expression, and continued:

"With a temporary pick-up and drop-off card signed by the principal, plus the marriage certificate and birth certificate, the procedures are completely compliant within the kindergarten. In addition, the child recognizes people and is willing to go with them."

"As the teacher in charge of the class, I have absolutely no reason or right to stop a biological mother with all the legal documents from taking her child away."

After listening to Teacher Zhang's words, Lin Fan stood there, feeling as if the blood in his body had instantly dropped to freezing point.

It's perfectly normal for the group to recognize people.

She's only five years old. Even if she's been with me all this time, even if Su Qing was cold and neglectful to her before, she's still her biological mother who carried her for ten months.

Blood ties are innate; how could a child not recognize his own mother?

Su Qing took full advantage of Tuantuan's innocent dependence and the fact that children don't understand the calculations between adults, which is why she dared to come to the kindergarten so brazenly to pick her up.

Just then.

Lin Fan's phone, which was in his jacket pocket, suddenly vibrated.

In the quiet, cold wind, the vibration sounded exceptionally clear.

Lin Fan took out his phone and turned on the screen.

It was a short message. There was no name attached, but Lin Fan knew who had sent it.

"I brought Tuantuan back to the Su family villa. She'll be staying with me for the next few days."

Upon seeing this message, Lin Fan immediately returned the call.

The call was answered very quickly.

"Su Qing, what do you mean?!"

On the other end of the phone came Su Qing's calm, even slightly condescending, chuckle.

"It doesn't mean anything, Lin Fan, you don't need to be so angry."

"I am Tuantuan's biological mother. Is there a problem with me bringing my own daughter home to stay for a few days?"

Lin Fan's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped his phone.

"We are already divorced, and I have custody now. You used an invalid marriage certificate to trick the early childhood education center into taking the child away; that's called kidnapping."

"Kidnapping? Lin Fan, don't try to scare me with these frightening words."

Su Qing didn't care at all, her tone becoming increasingly provocative, "Tuantuan followed me willingly. She's the child I carried for ten months and gave birth to; blood is thicker than water. Do you really think you can sever this bond by cooking her a few meals?"

Su Qing paused for a moment, a hint of cold smugness in her voice.

"I've taken her home now. You can come and see for yourself whether she's happier in your greasy noodle shop or here."

"If you feel resentful, you're welcome to come to my house right now. You know the address very well."

"I'm always at home waiting for you."

After saying that, Su Qing hung up the phone.

The receiver emitted a dial tone.

Lin Fan slowly took the phone away from his ear.

The cold wind of early winter blew in through his collar, and he stood there, his chest rising and falling slightly.

"Lin Fan, what happened?"

Chu Jianming, who was standing nearby, had overheard their conversation and sensed something was amiss. He immediately took his granddaughter and came over.

"It's nothing..."

Lin Fan shook his head, slowly put his phone back in his pocket, and tried to keep his tone calm. "Just some trivial things at home."

Chu Jianming stopped and glanced at him.

Having presided over cases in court for nearly thirty years, Chu Jianming had seen all sorts of people, and he clearly saw the chill in Lin Fan's eyes the moment he answered the phone.

But he didn't investigate further.

"Tuantuan's father," Chu Jianming said, looking at Lin Fan.

"No matter what urgent matter you encounter, remember one thing: impulsiveness will not solve the problem. Everything should be based on reason and evidence. Staying calm is often more useful than rushing to throw a punch."