They knew Liu Yifeng had driven, so they all got into his car to save the trouble of taking a taxi!
Seeing them all waiting for him on the first floor, Liu Yifeng quickened his pace. "Tongtong, Daddy is leaving. If you need anything, tell Auntie Xia. Daddy will be back as soon as possible!"
"Daddy, hurry up, don't worry about me!" Tongtong said.
Soon Liu Yifeng arrived on the first floor and saw Mama Tian and Papa Zhou both wearing dark coats with rather heavy expressions.
Liu Yifeng was also wearing a black coat today. After all, he was attending a funeral, and it wouldn't be good to wear anything too bright on such an occasion.
"Daddy Liu, you're here. Let's go quickly. The funeral starts at nine!" Mama Tian urged.
In the car, Papa Zhou looked dejected, clearly troubled.
Even Liu Yifeng, who was driving, noticed this and assumed he was mourning the death of Song Yicheng. So he said, "Papa Zhou, don't be too sad. The dead cannot be revived. Song Yicheng wasn't happy when he was alive. Perhaps his passing will allow him to be reborn into a good family, which is a kind of release for him."
His words, however, only made Papa Zhou more despondent. "Alas, it is indeed a pity that Song Yicheng is gone. That child was quite capable.
But it's not just his matter that's making me upset now!"
Mama Tian's curiosity was piqued. "Then what is it? I felt something was off with you as soon as I saw you, and I thought it was related to attending Song Yicheng's funeral!"
Papa Zhou sighed and then explained his worries. "Actually, you both don't know this, but my son, Zhou Ran, appears outgoing and sensible.
But in reality, his situation is just as bad, if not worse, than Song Yicheng's!"
After hearing Papa Zhou's words, Liu Yifeng and Mama Tian were stunned. "Papa Zhou, you don't seem like an unreasonable person. You're not going to be as pathologically obsessed with forcing your child to study as Song's mother, are you?"
"Mama Tian, you misunderstand. It's not me forcing my son to study all the time; it's my wife. I'm usually away for work, and she manages the household, including the child's studies.
I didn't know before. I thought the child's academic performance was inherited from my good genes, as I graduated from a 985 university and am now a high-ranking executive with a seven-figure annual salary.
When my wife calls, she always says the child is smart and never mentions the heavy burden of his studies.
When I returned home, the child never said his mother forced him to study, so I didn't suspect anything."
"Then how did you find out?" Liu Yifeng asked curiously.
"You might not believe me, but Zhou Ran told me.
That day, during the recording of the program, Song Yicheng said so much, and everyone realized how difficult his life was and how excessive Song's mother's actions were.
I never imagined that my own son was living under such pressure and pain every day, just like Song Yicheng!
Especially after he learned that Song Yicheng had jumped to his death, he became melancholic and listless when spoken to. I'm now terrified that he might do something impulsive like Song Yicheng!"
Hearing this, Liu Yifeng and Mama Song finally understood why Papa Zhou looked so dejected.
"Papa Song, don't worry too much. After all, Zhou Ran is a few years older than Song Yicheng and has a stronger psychological resilience. If he truly intended to do something drastic, he might have already done so.
However, Song Yicheng's death has dealt him a psychological blow. But as long as you counsel him properly, he will be fine.
Most importantly, when you return, you must have a good talk with your wife and ask her not to push him so hard in his studies. Studying isn't everything. I believe that as long as he is mentally and physically healthy, and is sensible and filial, that's what matters most!" Liu Yifeng offered his advice.
Papa Song nodded in agreement. "I think so too. When I'm working away from home and talk to my wife about our son's situation, I always warn her not to put too much psychological pressure on the child. She agreed wholeheartedly, but I didn't expect her to have been deceiving me all along.
When I go back this time, I will apply to the company to be transferred back, even if it means a demotion, as long as I can be by Zhou Ran's side and watch him grow.
No matter what, I can't let his mother take sole responsibility for his care anymore, or Song Yicheng's fate will be his."
Through the incident with Song Yicheng, it served as a wake-up call for Papa Zhou. No matter how carefree he was, he could no longer entrust his child's upbringing solely to his mother.
Just like Song's mother, if she had corrected herself that afternoon when Song Yicheng spoke to her in front of so many people, and truly recognized her mistake.
Instead of receiving endless accusations after chasing after Song Yicheng, he would not have ended up taking his own life.
It could be said that Song Yicheng's death was driven by her, and she was the prime culprit.
Mama Tian also strongly supported Papa Zhou's decision. "Yes, children are the most important. Career can be put aside, but if the child is gone, the whole family falls apart.
If I'm not mistaken, Papa Song will divorce Song's mother when he returns, and then this family will cease to exist."
"Those are their own matters. The most important thing right now is to properly counsel Zhou Ran and ensure he doesn't do anything drastic.
Some children appear very well and cheerful on the surface, but in reality, they are suffering immensely internally.
Once they are pushed by the last straw, they may embark on a path of no return!" Liu Yifeng, also a father, wished for all children in the world to be happy, not to face the tragedy of losing a child at such a young age due to unbearable pressure.
Papa Zhou nodded. "I understand. When I came, I repeatedly urged him not to overthink or do anything rash. In the future, I will be with him and no longer let him be a tool for studying."
"What did he say?"
"He just asked if adults' words could really be trusted, and then refused to say anything more, which is why I'm so worried. This child's trust in adults has plummeted to negative numbers, because Song's mother has caused him to distrust even me, his father." Papa Zhou sighed deeply again.
No parent would be cheerful facing such a situation.
Currently, Zhou Ran was still alright and hadn't reached the point of despair, but who knew what the future held. Until Zhou Ran's inner knot is completely untangled, he couldn't relax, constantly worrying that he might do something impulsive. This thought would severely affect his personal state and life.
"Then let's go back as early as possible. During this time, you must spend a lot of time with Zhou Ran, showing him the difference of living with you, helping him regain his confidence in life. I believe he will definitely emerge from the darkness and see the light again!"
Papa Zhou found Liu Yifeng's words very comforting. "Thank you, Daddy Liu, for your counsel. In fact, among all these contestants, I believe that behind their genius halos, they also live unhappily.
For most of them, today's title of genius must have been earned through hardships and efforts that ordinary people are unaware of.
Now, I no longer expect Zhou Ran to be unique or stand out from others. I only hope he can be happy and grow up healthily every day."