Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Impossible to Refuse

"It seems we owe our good fortune to Yi Roujing and Baozi," Professor Wang chuckled as he glanced at everyone, "Professor Tian really appreciates kids who clean their plates."

After his words, Professor Wang paused briefly before casually continuing his conversation with the students, talking about Professor Tian’s remarkable contributions to agriculture.

Yi Roujing and Baozi listened in as well, learning about Professor Tian’s successful research on increasing crop yields, and the significant impact and contributions he made for the people.

However, in contrast to his successful and beloved career, Professor Tian’s personal issues were indeed heartbreaking.

Professor Tian’s wife and child did not survive the famine over ten years ago, they starved to death. It was from that point that Professor Tian, originally dedicated to chemical research, changed his direction and focused on agriculture, applying his chemistry background to develop fertilizers that aid crop growth.

With the success of the fertilizers, he followed up by collaborating with agriculturists to further refine his skills, which is why he is now the respected and beloved Professor Tian.

Yi Roujing sighed a little, and Baozi felt a bit downcast as well.

After parting ways with Ding Anguo and the others, Baozi still couldn’t lift his spirits and felt dispirited.

"Mom, can we come to visit Professor Tian often?" Baozi looked up and asked Yi Roujing.

"Of course," Yi Roujing supported her son’s decision.

"Sir Tian." As soon as Yi Roujing finished speaking, Baozi suddenly ran forward, and Yi Roujing quickly followed.

Turning the corner and walking another three or four hundred meters, Yi Roujing saw Professor Tian not far away, sitting on a wooden bench carving.

Baozi rushed forward enthusiastically, fascinated by the little object in Professor Tian’s hand, asking, "Is it a puppy?"

Professor Tian was a bit surprised but soon smiled and nodded.

"Wow, Sir Tian, you are amazing," Baozi said and then asked Yi Roujing for the little bird wood carving, "So lifelike."

Upon hearing this, Professor Tian’s smile deepened, "You know what ’lifelike’ means?"

"Yes, mom explained it to me before, it means it’s just like the real thing," Baozi replied, grinning.

"How smart," Professor Tian hadn’t liked a child this much in a long time, "Do you want to see more at Sir Tian’s house? There are many more."

"Really?" Baozi turned to look at Yi Roujing with a hopeful plea.

"Professor Tian, sorry to trouble you," Yi Roujing felt a bit embarrassed, but her son was never unreasonable, so Yi Roujing always tried to satisfy his attainable wishes.

"Just call me Tian," Professor Tian felt closer to Yi Roujing, someone who could teach her child so well, he respected her.

"Alright, Tian," Yi Roujing chuckled as she addressed him.

Mother and son then followed Professor Tian to his residence at the school, a detached single-story house with a courtyard.

Professor Tian opened the gate and invited Yi Roujing and her son inside.

"Wow," Baozi’s eyes seemed unable to take it all in, the left side of the courtyard was a play area made out of wood, with slides, swings, and low wooden ropes for climbing, leading up to a small wooden house built on a large camphor tree.

On the left was simply a rocking chair, a square table, and a narrow flower bed along the corner wall, petunias and portulaca flowers were blooming brightly.

Next to the main entrance was a washing area with a faucet.

Yi Roujing felt it was a tranquil and enjoyable living environment, but as she looked around, she closed her eyes briefly, suppressing the ache in her heart. To create such a paradise by oneself, yet living alone, was so sorrowful.

From the play area could be seen how much the creator liked children, seeing objects evoked thoughts of people; the deepest sorrow comes from a broken heart, Yi Roujing sighed deeply inside.

"Sir Tian, can I play?" Baozi asked with sparkling eyes.

"Of course," Professor Tian’s smile widened, his entire expression softened.

Baozi excitedly went from one thing to another.

"Be careful, Sir Tian will get some milk powder for you," Professor Tian busied himself inside, while Yi Roujing felt a bit awkward.

When Professor Tian returned with a tray, he even placed a bowl in front of himself, making Yi Roujing feel even more embarrassed.

Baozi was having a great time playing, but when Yi Roujing called him to drink milk powder, he obediently came down and gulped down a bowl, which delighted Professor Tian.

After spending an hour at Professor Tian’s house, Yi Roujing decided it was time to leave, as Baozi was starting to feel sleepy.

"If Yi Roujing doesn’t mind, let Baozi stay here with me," Professor Tian said, sounding a bit hopeful. "Ding Anguo is heading back today, he can bring Baozi home then. What do you think, Yi Roujing?"

Yi Roujing really couldn’t bring herself to say no, especially when an elderly man was in front of her with cautious eyes, also bright and shining.

"Then I’ll go talk to Anguo now," Yi Roujing said.

Professor Tian quickly nodded, slowly picking up Baozi and gently soothing him to sleep.

Yi Roujing felt a pang in her heart, as she left for the School of Management again.

"Sister-in-law, you’re still here? What about Baozi?" Ding Anguo was surprised to see Yi Roujing again.

"Anguo, come with me," Yi Roujing led Ding Anguo to Professor Tian’s house, explaining the situation on the way, which made Ding Anguo feel a bit saddened too.

"Actually, everyone at the school knows about Professor Tian’s situation, but he doesn’t usually show such affection for a child. Baozi is really lovable," Ding Anguo commented.

Yi Roujing couldn’t help but smile a little.

When the two arrived, Baozi was already sleeping sweetly in bed, with Professor Tian watching over him.

"Tian, you don’t have to watch him all the time while he sleeps. You can rest as well; when he wakes, he’ll dress himself," Yi Roujing explained, sharing some of Baozi’s habits.

"Professor Tian, I’ll come by at about 5:10 in the afternoon," Ding Anguo said.

"Alright," Professor Tian’s eyes were slightly red-rimmed as he personally saw them out.

"Well then, I’ll head back first," Yi Roujing said, turning back every few steps, feeling a bit reluctant herself, as she had not spent much time with Baozi, a precious time off.

"Don’t worry, sister-in-law, I’ll bring Baozi back tonight," Ding Anguo assured her, escorting Yi Roujing to the bus stop before returning to the school.

At Beiluo Lane, when Feng Lishu opened the door, she looked at Yi Roujing with slight concern, "Why took you so long, is everything alright, how’s Anguo? Where’s Baozi?"

"Baozi stayed at Qing University, Anguo will bring him back tonight," Yi Roujing explained the situation with Professor Tian.

Upon hearing it, Feng Lishu’s eyes welled with tears, "That’s so sad."

"What’s sad?" Li Hongying stepped out of the room, as she had just put the twins to sleep.

After understanding the situation, she too felt moved.

"Why don’t you stay for dinner before heading back," Li Hongying suggested, and Yi Roujing nodded.

"I’ll go to the post office first to make some calls, tell Dad and Ancheng, and call my mom," Yi Roujing said as she got up and went out.