Liu Ming nodded. "Come again when you have time. Remember to be careful on the road, and if anything happens, call me."
"Mhm," the two responded, then left with Xiaoyu and the others.
"All right, now it's your turn. I'll go get the car," Liu Ming said, looking at Teacher Yamamoto and the three children, Xiao Anzu, Xiao Mei, and Xiao Dong.
"Big Brother Liu Ming, what about me? What about me?" Doma Naosumi quickly spoke up.
Liu Ming glanced at him and said indifferently, "Isn't your house right next door? Stay for a night and leave tomorrow."
Doma Naosumi was instantly dumbfounded. He had been nagged by his grandmother all day today. If he stayed another night, what then?
Besides, he still had games to play tonight! How could a gaming fanatic like him live without games?
Was it really worth it to eat these few meals today? He felt a bitter taste in his heart.
Liu Ming ignored him, went to the garage, drove his car to the entrance, and waved for everyone to get in.
After everyone was in the car, Liu Ming waved to Tohru and the others, then started the car.
"Xiao Ming, why didn't you invite me to stay the night at your place?" Xiao Anzu, sitting in the back, said with dissatisfaction.
"Children should go home to sleep," Liu Ming said, annoyed.
"Honestly, Xiao Ming doesn't understand a girl's feelings at all," Xiao Anzu said.
"Xiao Anzu is so bold." Xiao Mei covered her slightly flushed cheeks, looking at Xiao Anzu beside her with admiration.
Along the way, Xiao Anzu would occasionally blurt out some headache-inducing remarks. Liu Ming didn't know how her old classmates taught their children to raise Xiao Anzu like this.
She was still just a child, only just started kindergarten. Was her thinking too mature?
His own Xiao Hina was much better—cute, adorable, obedient, and considerate. As he thought about it, Liu Ming couldn't help but show a relieved smile.
The first to arrive was Xiao Mei's house. When the car pulled up to the entrance downstairs, they found someone already waiting there.
Upon seeing Xiao Mei, the person happily rushed over.
"Brother." Mei also recognized the person and called out happily.
Since he still had to drop off two others, Liu Ming briefly spoke a few words with the person, then left.
Next was Xiao Dong. Her father, an astronomer, picked her up.
Then it was Xiao Anzu. Looking at his former teacher and classmate at her doorstep, Liu Ming couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion, realizing how many years had passed without him noticing.
After a brief catch-up with the two, Liu Ming declined their invitation to come in, as it was already very late, and prepared to take the last person, Teacher Yamamoto, home.
"Mr. Liu, you are truly a wonderful person." Teacher Yamamoto, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly said this.
"Hmm?" Liu Ming responded, puzzled.
"I'm talking about those things with your family. I never imagined you'd be so great.
The Takanashi Sisters go without saying, and there's also Xiao Lingyin, Kyoko, Kanna, and the others."
"You not only provide them with a warm home but also teach them life skills. I'm truly touched."
Teacher Yamamoto looked at Liu Ming with admiration, her entire being radiating maternal glow.
"Uh, where did you hear about these things?" Liu Ming asked, puzzled. Although these matters weren't secrets, they weren't something one could easily inquire about.
"Miyu-chan told me all about it," Teacher Yamamoto explained gently.
"I knew it. Only Miyu would be so mischievous." Liu Ming was speechless. He didn't know if it was because she had grown accustomed to life here, but Miyu had regained her original vitality, occasionally being playful.
Although he didn't dislike it, it was sometimes quite a headache.
On the other side, Miyu let out a big yawn.
"Miyu, are you alright? Are you catching a cold?" Sora asked worriedly.
Miyu sniffed, then waved her hand and said, "I'm fine. Maybe Anko and the others are talking bad about me."
At the same time, she thought to herself, "Big Brother Xiao Ming, I can only help you this much. Gentle beauties like Teacher Yamamoto are rare; you must seize the opportunity."
Then she showed a foxy smile.
"I just happened to encounter it; I'm not as great as you say. Why don't you tell me, Teacher Yamamoto, why did you choose to become a teacher?"
Liu Ming didn't want to discuss these matters, so he spoke up to change the subject.
"Me? The kindergarten I attended when I was little had a very excellent teacher. She was gentle and very cheerful, and being with her felt truly happy."
"I thought, if I could also become an excellent teacher like her in the future, that would be wonderful." Teacher Yamamoto's face shone with a longing smile.
"Moreover, I genuinely love children. Seeing children so lively and adorable brings me great satisfaction."
Liu Ming didn't doubt her words, as she herself perfectly demonstrated all of this. He said, "Actually, Teacher Yamamoto is already an excellent teacher."
"No, I still have a long way to go," Teacher Yamamoto said gently.
The two chatted back and forth, and before they knew it, they arrived at Teacher Yamamoto's house.
Her younger sister, Mayumi Yamamoto, opened the door.
Just as she was about to speak to Teacher Yamamoto, she noticed Liu Ming behind her, and her expression instantly became subtle.
She covered her mouth and chuckled secretly, then cheerfully asked, "Sister, aren't you going to introduce this handsome big brother next to you?"
"Ah~" Teacher Yamamoto was stunned for a moment, then realized, but with her maxed-out natural airhead attribute, she didn't understand the meaning of her sister's subtle expression.
She smiled and said, "You mean Mr. Liu? He's the parent of one of my students, and he specially drove me home."
"Oh-ho~" Mayumi Yamamoto let out a strange laugh, then greeted Liu Ming, "Hello, I'm her sister, Mayumi Yamamoto."
"Hello, I'm Liu Ming. Since you're home, it's time for me to go back." Liu Ming was not a natural airhead; of course, he could tell that Mayumi Yamamoto seemed to have misunderstood something.
However, he didn't intend to explain. Given enough time, the misunderstanding would naturally resolve itself.
"Ah, won't you come in for a bit, Big Brother Liu? It's rare for you to visit," Mayumi Yamamoto quickly said.
"Thank you for your kindness, but no, it's getting a bit late," Liu Ming refused, then nodded to Teacher Yamamoto and turned to leave.