"Forget it, honey, why bother with them so much? We came here to play with our baby today."

It seemed she wanted to compete with Qingyan. The fatty's wife proudly pushed out her chest and magnanimously forgave Xu Fan and Qingyan.

"Hmph, that's right. I, being an adult, won't bother with small minds."

"Teacher Huang, can we start the competition now?"

Visibly annoyed, the fatty grunted and turned his head away, urging them to start.

"Hehe, very soon, very soon. Boss Niu, when I give the signal from the finish line, you can start."

It seemed that this fatty, referred to as Boss Niu, was no ordinary person; at this, Teacher Huang obsequiously came over to explain, then ran towards the finish line.

With not much time left before the event started, Xu Fan said to Qingyan, "Qingyan, I'll call out the steps. On one, we step with the left foot. On two, we step with the right foot."

"Also, for Duoduo, you will be in charge of giving her the hand signals."

Compared to other families, Xu Fan's team was at a natural disadvantage.

Duoduo was different from the other children; she couldn't hear the commands. If they wanted to seize first place, they would need to prepare more.

If their coordination was perfect, they might be able to come first among the twenty-plus families.

Qingyan nodded, immediately explaining the routine to Mu Xiaoduo using sign language.

Mu Xiaoduo was quick and clever; she understood the simple signs very quickly, nodded, and then held onto Xu Fan and Qingyan's waists.

"Qingyan, let's get ready to start," Xu Fan said, as Teacher Huang was already in position and the race was about to begin. He placed his hand on Qingyan's slender waist with a reminder.

Qingyan's cheeks flushed as she felt Xu Fan's large hand on her hips, and it took her a moment to muster the courage to wrap her arms around Xu Fan's sturdy waist.

"Begin!"

Seeing Teacher Huang waving the flag far ahead and announcing the start of the race, Xu Fan began calling out the steps.

He did not call out too quickly because he knew that such family events couldn't be rushed.

Children, unlike adults, might not keep up with the rhythm. Going too fast might lead to falls. Slow and steady was the key until Duoduo adapted to the rhythm, only then could they increase their speed.

As Xu Fan had anticipated, not long after the race began, several families eager for quick success fell over.

Those who fell, including the time it took to get back up, were pretty much out of the running for the top three spots.

However, most of the families who were steady were almost all ahead of Xu Fan and Qingyan at this point.

Xu Fan wasn't worried; firstly, because things like this couldn't be rushed, and secondly, Mu Xiaoduo was having so much fun that winning first place had become a secondary concern.

As they neared the finish line, the families previously leading began to make coordination mistakes and fell over.

But the trio of Xu Fan, who weren't focused on clinching first place, gradually increased their pace steadily and moved to the front.

"Qingyan, Mu Xiaoduo, keep going! The finish line is just ahead."

Now, with only the fatty's family ahead of them and feeling Mu Xiaoduo getting accustomed to the rhythm, Xu Fan gradually increased the pace of the commands.

After adapting, Mu Xiaoduo's disability in hearing was no longer an issue; instead, Boss Niu's family, due to their bulky stature, started slowing down.

In no time at all, the family of Boss Niu, who had been a sure bet for first place, was left behind by Xu Fan and Qingyan!

"Yay! Duoduo, we're first."

After crossing the finish line, Xu Fan and Mu Xiaoduo cheered excitedly.

It wasn't that he was so childish as to be happy about this particular first place—he just wanted, simply, to bring more smiles to the innocent child's face.

Due to her physical disability, Xu Fan could imagine how Duoduo felt at this school.

Because of her physical challenges, she might never have been associated with any first place before. To have made her so happy today and to experience, just once, the triumph of getting first place as a family was a small consolation to offer her.

"Xu Fan, thank you."

Whether it was from exhaustion after the hundred meter dash or the excitement, Qingyan's fair cheeks were tinged with red.

She was genuinely grateful as she looked at Xu Fan. She knew he had no obligation to join her in such a silly game, but here he was, still by her side.

"Qingyan, having fun together is what matters," he replied nonchalantly.

Xu Fan squatted down, shamelessly pointed to his cheek, and said, "Now that Duoduo and I have secured first place, don't I deserve a kiss?"

Perhaps this wasn't the first time he had made such a shameless request. Duoduo seemed to understand, nodded vigorously, and then cupped Xu Fan's face in her little hands and planted a firm kiss on his cheek.

Immediately after, the little girl turned her head and gestured at Qingyan.

Xu Fan, who knew nothing about sign language, saw Qingyan blush deeply and frown slightly.

"Qingyan, why are you blushing?"

"No, it's nothing..."

Qingyan shyly lowered her head, too embarrassed to tell Xu Fan that her silly daughter wanted her to kiss him too...

Before long, all the participating families had crossed the finish line, and everyone gathered together after untying the ropes from their legs.

According to the rules of the parent-child activity, it was now time to present the prize for the three-legged race.

Having finally secured first place, Mu Xiaoduo eagerly awaited the announcement, clutching Xu Fan's hand nervously.

"Silly girl, since we won first place, the prize naturally belongs to you," he said affectionately.

Xu Fan gazed fondly at the little girl beside him. Perhaps even an ordinary prize for first place held extraordinary meaning for her.

"Okay! Today's parent-child activities are almost over, and now it's time to announce the prize for first place!"

"A small gold medal!"

After awarding the second and third place prizes, Teacher Huang stood before everyone and pulled a shiny gold medal from the box.

Xu Fan looked on, rather surprised. The medal was clearly made of real gold—he hadn't expected such a valuable gift from a simple activity.

"President Huang, it's your family who has won first place again; please come and collect your prize," she announced.

Just as he was about to urge Duoduo to go up and receive the prize, suddenly he saw Teacher Huang waving over President Niu's chubby son.

The little boy had just finished the hundred meters, breathing heavily. Hearing that there was a medal to collect, his eyes brightened, and he eagerly rushed toward Teacher Huang, looking as excited as could be.

"..."

Xu Fan watched, frowning.

Was Teacher Huang sure there hadn't been a mistake?

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