Chapter 21: Admission Procedures

After stepping off the bus, Lin Chuan had not walked far before he caught sight of a cluster of brightly colored houses standing tall in the distance. Though he had never visited Starlight Kindergarten before, he recognized it instantly. It was one of the largest and most prestigious kindergartens in Beining City, and its architecture was truly distinctive.

Each building was painted in vibrant hues, and a few were fashioned into “candy houses” straight out of a fairy tale. The kindergarten sprawled across a vast area, its lawns dotted with all kinds of play equipment beloved by children. Cartoon statues, as if transported from storybooks, stood scattered about. It was midday; the children were likely eating lunch or napping, so the grounds were quiet.

Lin Chuan approached the entrance and pulled out his phone to call Wang Yue. Not long after, he saw her hurrying out from a three-story building.

“Teacher Xiao Yue, I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting!” Lin Chuan apologized.

“It’s no trouble. The principal is here today—let me take you inside!” Wang Yue replied, nodding.

After greeting the elderly guard at the gate, Lin Chuan followed Wang Yue into the kindergarten, with his son Lin Yiyang in tow.

Contrary to Lin Chuan’s expectations, the principal of such a grand kindergarten was not the stern, unsmiling figure he had imagined. When Wang Yue led Lin Chuan and his son to the cafeteria, they found a woman in her fifties standing in the center, animatedly telling a story to the children.

As they listened, the children ate their lunch with relish. Lin Chuan noticed that the younger ones, unable to feed themselves, were attended by teachers who patiently spooned food for them, occasionally coaxing them with cheerful words.

Lin Chuan secretly admired the principal’s down-to-earth approach. The difference between a reputable kindergarten like this and smaller private ones was enormous in every respect.

The story soon concluded, and after a few words to the children, the principal left the cafeteria. Wang Yue led Lin Chuan and his son to meet her as she stepped outside.

“Principal Li, this is Lin Chuan, whom I mentioned to you, and his son, Lin Yiyang,” Wang Yue introduced.

Principal Li looked the father and son over, smiling and nodding. “Mr. Lin, sorry to have kept you waiting. Let’s talk in my office.”

“Thank you,” Lin Chuan replied politely.

As they walked toward the office, Lin Yiyang’s attention lingered on the cafeteria, clearly fascinated by the place.

Principal Li’s office was not far from the cafeteria, located on the second floor. Lin Chuan and his son followed her inside, while Wang Yue departed to attend to her own duties.

“Please, have a seat, Mr. Lin!” Principal Li said warmly.

Lin Chuan took a seat on the sofa without hesitation, but Lin Yiyang remained shy, sitting close to his father and keeping his head down, not daring to look up.

Principal Li smiled gently. “Young man, what’s your name?”

“I… I’m Lin Yiyang,” the boy replied bashfully, head still lowered.

Lin Chuan was puzzled—his son was not usually so timid. Was it the unfamiliar environment?

He frowned, feeling uneasy.

Principal Li laughed, “Every child is nervous their first time here. They’ll get used to it soon enough!” She reassured him.

“Thank you for your understanding,” Lin Chuan nodded.

“Mr. Lin, did you bring all the required documents?” Principal Li asked directly after a moment.

Lin Chuan was momentarily startled, then quickly produced everything he’d prepared. He had little experience with kindergarten admissions, so he wasn’t entirely sure what was needed, but he brought his own ID card, household registration, the child’s vaccination record, and birth certificate.

Principal Li reviewed them, smiling, “Mr. Lin, I believe you’re already familiar with our kindergarten’s basic situation. The tuition is three thousand a month, paid one month in advance and one as deposit. Is that acceptable?”

“No problem!” Lin Chuan nodded eagerly.

“Good. Here’s a form—please fill it out, and we’ll proceed with the admission formalities,” Principal Li said, handing him a form.

Lin Chuan raised an eyebrow at her efficiency; scarcely a few words had been exchanged, and they were already enrolling his son. Unbeknownst to him, Wang Yue had spoken highly of him behind the scenes, expediting the process.

He glanced over the form—it mostly requested family information, nothing too intrusive. After finishing it, the rest of the process was straightforward. Principal Li explained the kindergarten’s current status and their educational approach.

When it came time to pay, Lin Chuan confirmed the exact amount. The three thousand covered tuition, but he wondered about meal fees and other miscellaneous charges.

Principal Li’s answer surprised him: all costs were included in the three thousand, with no extra fees.

Had the kindergarten changed its policy? Or was Principal Li being considerate, seeing that he wasn’t wealthy? Whatever the reason, Lin Chuan didn’t ask—saving over a thousand was certainly a relief.

Once everything was finalized, Lin Chuan left the office, accompanied by Principal Li.

“Mr. Lin, your child can start attending from Monday!” she said warmly.

Lin Chuan smiled. “Thank you for all your help today!”

“It’s nothing. By the way, Teacher Xiao Yue mentioned you’re a singer?” Principal Li changed the subject.

“Uh… I wouldn’t call myself a singer, just someone who can sing a few songs,” Lin Chuan replied modestly, realizing Principal Li probably didn’t watch much television.

“Our kindergarten holds a parent-child event every month, where parents and children perform together. It’s perfect if you can sing!” Principal Li nodded with a smile.

“Parent-child event?” Lin Chuan murmured, unfamiliar with the concept. He guessed it might be like a social evening, where parents and children prepare a program together.

After a few more words, Lin Chuan and Lin Yiyang took their leave.

“Kid, you really embarrassed me today! Usually you’re so talkative—why were you silent?” Lin Chuan complained.

“Dad, I… I’m scared of teachers!” Lin Yiyang pouted, feeling aggrieved.

“Scared of teachers? Why aren’t you afraid of Teacher Xiao Yue?” Lin Chuan frowned. It was a universal trait among students to fear teachers, as if born with it.

“Big sister Xiao Yue is nice to me…” Lin Yiyang replied innocently, blinking his big eyes.

Lin Chuan was left speechless.

Getting his son admitted to kindergarten had certainly been smoothed by Wang Yue’s help. Large kindergartens like this were not open to just any family. While not exactly elite, their admission requirements were much stricter than others.

To show his gratitude, Lin Chuan felt it necessary to invite Wang Yue to dinner.

He pulled out his phone to call her, only to see she was already waiting nearby.

“Big sister Xiao Yue!” Lin Yiyang’s previously pouty face lit up with sunshine as he broke free from Lin Chuan’s hand and ran over to her.

Lin Chuan frowned and strode after him.

“So, are the admission procedures done?” Wang Yue asked, holding Lin Yiyang’s hand with no expression on her face.

“All finished. Thanks to you! Do you have time this evening? I’d like to treat you to dinner as a token of appreciation,” Lin Chuan said, smiling.

“No need for dinner,” Wang Yue replied, unsurprisingly refusing.

“Big sister, please say yes! I want to go too—I’m craving something delicious…” Before Lin Chuan could speak, Lin Yiyang began to plead.

Wang Yue squatted down, smiling, “So what do you want to eat?”

“Hmm… let me think!” Lin Yiyang frowned, adopting a serious look.

He’d just had a big meal yesterday—how could he be hungry again? Lin Chuan thought to himself, but he was grateful for his son’s help in persuading Wang Yue.

At last, Wang Yue agreed, unable to resist Lin Yiyang’s persistent coaxing. What they would eat was unimportant; it was enough just to dine together.

Since there was still time before Wang Yue finished work, Lin Chuan wandered the kindergarten with his son. With the children napping and Wang Yue free, she became their impromptu guide, showing them around.

Around four in the afternoon, Wang Yue said goodbye to her colleagues and left early, joining Lin Chuan and his son for dinner.

Along the way, Lin Yiyang bounced with joy, sometimes singing a few lines or telling Wang Yue a story about Snow White, delighting both Lin Chuan and Wang Yue and lifting their spirits.