Master Bai! This Celestial Fox Spirit Is Asking For Divorce Chapter 357: Episode 33.8 A Speech?!

Just like any renowned, long-standing school in the world, the Qilin Academy has its unique tradition that sets it apart from others.

"Wait. You are saying that Yanyan, an incoming kindergartener, has to deliver a speech at the welco ceremony in the very first day of his school life?" Shen Yuan couldn’t stop himself from raising his voice.

With his long, centuries-spanning life, Shen Yuan had seen countless schools and their quirks. Yet even he was baffled when Qilin Academy asked a five-year-old to deliver a speech before ever setting foot in class.

If it were elentary or middle school, fine—older children could handle a bit of stage fright. But kindergarten?

Surely that was pushing it. Wouldn’t it be nerve-wracking for those tiny, mischievous devils?

The celestial fox spirit had seen plenty of children burst into tears on their first day, overwheld by the noise, the strangers, and the sheer weight of the unfamiliar school. He couldn’t even begin to imagine their faces if, on top of that, they were asked to stand in front of students, parents, and teachers to give a speech.

The thought alone was absurd.

"But you also..." Director Song’s voice faltered on the other end of the line. "Ah, I see. My apologies—I forgot about your amnesia... and pregnancy."

Shen Yuan flinched. Damn it, he forgot about that, too! But what is the connection between his amnesia and pregnancy with the speech? Make it make sense!

"Still," Director Song pressed on, "I hope you understand this is a long-standing tradition. It was done to build up the child’s confidence in speaking effectively. The child who scores highest in the entrance exam is asked to deliver a short, simple welco speech during the ceremony. In fact, both you and Bai Tingfeng once did it. Imagine how aningful it would be if Yanyan followed in your footsteps all these years later."

Shen Yuan fell silent, chewing over the thought. Director Song had a point. But still...

"Then why the hell didn’t Bai Tingfeng ntion this to ?" he blurted.

There was a pause on the line. When Director Song finally spoke, his voice was careful. "The thing is... Yanyan actually tied for first place. The other child’s surna is Ao. By default, he was chosen to give the speech, and he accepted. However, his family recently beca entangled in... certain issues. His parents reached out to , saying he might be too emotionally unstable to go through with it."

"That’s why you and Yanyan were only inford later," Director Song added.

Shen Yuan pinched the bridge of his nose. Well, what could he even say? It wasn’t like he could bla a hapless child who was having family problems.

"Director Song, I’ll talk it over with Yanyan first," he said at last. "I know we’ve only just gotten to know each other and we’re still unfamiliar, but please understand—if my son says yes, then we’ll do it." He let out a long sigh. "Even if I still have... mixed feelings about five-year-olds being pushed into public speeches before they’ve even learned their ABCs properly."

"You are a good man, and Yuqi, too. But your school is weird as fuck for this tradition." Shen Yuan doesn’t know what occurred to him. He just said it without any filter.

Director Song’s laughter rang from the other end. He knew better not to take offense from the words of a hormonal, pregnant oga.

"It is kind of weird. Anyway, inform of whatever Yanyan’s decision is. If he agrees, then keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be a solemn or formal speech. Just a speech that wishes himself and his fellows good luck, or anything that will kickstart the school year in a cheerful note. The point of this exercise was to build up confidence. It will defeat the idea if the speech is too stiff." Director Song reminded Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan scrunched his nose; his eyes landed on his busy son. "Okay. I will keep that in mind. Bye, Director Song."

Director Song said bye, too. With that, he put his phone down.

"Now, all the decision lies to my son."

~~~

"So? What do you think?" Shen Yuan tentatively asked Yanyan after explaining the situation. He left out no details and even went as far as setting up what to expect once he accepted the speech.

"Teacher, parents and students will be there looking up at you on the stage. You will have to speak in front of a microphone, and you will hear your voice echoing inside the auditorium. Will you be able to bear the attention of those unfamiliar faces?" He put emphasis on the question as he was painfully aware of how concerned Yanyan was when facing strangers.

Shen Yuan’s gaze never left Yanyan’s face, watching the emotions as they flashed.

Happiness, worry and fear. Shen Yuan saw these translated in Yanyan’s cute little face.

A part of the celestial fox spirit felt guilty for laying out the harsh truth so bluntly, but in his defense, it was better for Yanyan to hear it from the father he trusted. Far better now—when he still had the chance to think and decide for himself—than later, when he’d already be standing on stage with no escape.

Shen Yuan gave his son the space to think it over in silence. To his surprise, it took barely a minute before Yanyan spoke up.

"Daddy," Yanyan called softly, a hint of hesitation in his voice. Shen Yuan t his gaze, waiting patiently.

"Since you and Papa once did the welco speech when you were students... I want to do it too. But..." Yanyan fidgeted, his brows furrowing. "Thinking about all those people makes nervous. Is there a way not to feel nervous? I don’t like being afraid."

Shen Yuan actually jolted in place at that answer.

He’d half-expected Yanyan to flat-out refuse, considering his usual shyness around strangers. But instead of fear stopping him, it had beco the very reason he wanted to try!

The celestial fox spirit’s eyes glistened with pride. This is his son, people!

"It’s impossible to beat stage fright in just one day," Shen Yuan explained gently. "Even adults need days—sotis years—of practice before they can say they’ve conquered it. And for children, public speaking is rare. Which makes it even difficult for you to achieve results." Then, a smile tugged at his lips as he brushed his son’s hair. "But you’re in luck. You have a very reliable Daddy who knows exactly how to help you. I can help you provide the perfect conditions for you to develop your confidence and practice your public speaking."

Yanyan’s eyes shot beams of delight. As expected of his Daddy!

"What should we do, Daddy? I am willing to do anything!"

Shen Yuan, the celestial fox spirit, smiled a sly smile. "Leave it to , baby. I got this."

~~~

True to his promise, Bai Tingfeng ca ho earlier than usual that day.

And no, it wasn’t because he was eager for sex. He knew Shen Yuan must be pissed at him for not replying to his ssages. He’d turned off his phone to block distractions and plow through his work, but that ant silence—and silence with his pregnant husband was dangerous.

That was why he ca ard with a bouquet of roses and bags of chocolates, hoping they’d be enough to soften Shen Yuan’s mood.

He refused to suffer through a night of cold shoulders... or worse, blue balls.

"Ehem." Bai Tingfeng cleared his throat, forcing away the indecent images that made his legs weak just rembering last night.

The car slowed to a stop, and before his assistant could say a word, Bai Tingfeng jumped out.

"Guild Master! We’re not even at the foyer yet—!" Assistant Su called after him, but the door had already slamd shut. "Wait, there’s a crowd. That’s why I was trying to stop—"

Too late.

Bai Tingfeng froze. From his driveway to the garden, his courtyard was teeming with strangers. People he didn’t recognize milled about like they were strolling through a public park.

His blood spiked. "What the hell is this?!"

"Who let these people in?" He shot the question at Assistant Su, who was already fumbling with his radio to contact the gate guards.

But before an answer ca, a mocking voice cut through the noise.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up. The prodigal husband. Didn’t think you’d co ho since you ignored all my texts."

Bai Tingfeng turned sharply toward the speaker—a balding middle-aged man sneering at him.

"Excuse ? Who the hell are you?"

The man only laughed. Maniacal. Shrill. And disturbingly, the crowd laughed with him.

"Stupid Bai Tingfeng," the man sneered.

Bai Tingfeng’s expression hardened. His aura flared sharp and deadly, condensing at his fingertip as he leveled it at the man’s throat.

"You’re a nobody. I don’t take insults from people I do not know."

But then—

"Even though I’m your husband?"

The words didn’t co from just the man. The entire crowd echoed them in unison.

Bai Tingfeng’s blood ran cold.

The sea of strangers parted, revealing a makeshift stage in the courtyard. And standing there, as if it were a performance, were Shen Yuan and Yanyan.

"You are pretty intense for soone who just ca ho. Do you want to fight with my illusion? I will gladly make them do so. Only after Yanyan is done practicing his public speaking skills." The sly fox said.