“Wife, I truly didn’t do it on purpose.”
Yan Yunning wrinkled her nose. “Xuan Xixi, only Ruirui and Jiaojiao would believe that.”
The man raised his brows. Under the blanket, his foot rested against Yan Yunning’s calf, and his thin lips pressed close to her ear, his voice dropping very low. “Wife, you’re wronging me.”
Yan Yunning said nothing and turned up the volume on her phone.
Xuan Yanyu listened to the video on her phone playing the ten “little tricks” boyfriends use. The corners of his mouth curved. “Mrs. Xuan, which one do you think fits me?”
Yan Yunning couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Hubby, you’re the eleventh type.”
The man kissed her earlobe, his breath falling against the side of her neck. His voice was low and husky. “What’s the eleventh type?”
“The forceful opportunity-creator type.”
Xuan Yanyu gave a few laughs, lowering his voice to tease her. “Wife, I have to object. In the haunted house, it was clearly you who refused to let go of me. I suspect you were looking for an excuse to hold me.”
Yan Yunning: “…”
“You think I’m wrong?”
Xuan Yanyu made a move to get up and get out of bed. Without thinking, Yan Yunning grabbed his arm.
The man’s voice was tinged with laughter at the end. “You see, Wife? I told you — you were looking for an excuse to hold me.”
Yan Yunning dug a finger in her ear, glanced at the sky that had gone dark, and smiled as she looked at Xuan Yanyu. “If you dare leave tonight, don’t come back.”
She let go of Xuan Yanyu’s arm and tapped her fingers twice on the blanket. Before the third tap, the man obediently settled back down on the bed.
“Such a good boy.” Yan Yunning rewarded him with a generous kiss.
Xuan Yanyu laced their fingers together, and did not let the light kiss go to waste.
“Ding-dong.”
“Ding-dong.”
“…”
The intrusive notification sounds rang out again and again. Yan Yunning pushed at Xuan Yanyu. The man’s gaze darkened, and he reluctantly released her.
Yan Yunning felt around for her phone and handed it to Xuan Yanyu, then nestled back against him, breathing softly.
Xuan Yanyu leaned against the headboard, one arm draped over Yan Yunning’s shoulder and the other languidly unlocking the phone. Messages from the contact saved as “Dad” popped up one after another:
[Do you still remember the daughter and sons you have at home? “Expression: smiling face.”]
[When you’ve had enough fun, please come back soon. “Expression: smiling face.” If the work isn’t finished yet, please at least send my daughter-in-law back first. You’ve been gone too long this time. These past two days, Ruirui and Jiaojiao have been constantly asking for Daddy and Mommy.]
Xuan Yanyu replied nonchalantly: [We video-called during the day. If they really miss us that badly, please take our photo and show it to them. Thank you. “Expression: smiling face.”]
The moment the message was sent, a voice call came through. Xuan Yanyu deliberately paused for a few seconds before unhurriedly picking up.
“Xuan Yanyu, I don’t care. Either you or Ningning must come back tomorrow.”
Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow. “Dad, don’t be unreasonable. We’re very busy.”
Yan Yunning rolled her eyes.
Xuan Yanyu laughed and patted her head.
Yan Yunning glared at him.
The man held her tighter.
“Son.” Xuan Shi’an’s voice softened. “Hand the work off to Ye Jian and the others. Bring Ningning home tomorrow — your mother is celebrating her birthday early tomorrow.”
Xuan Yanyu gave a quiet laugh. “Celebrating half a year early?”
Xuan Shi’an didn’t answer. Xuan Yanyu asked curiously, “Dad, why do you want us back? When I video-called Jiaojiao today, she said to let Daddy and Mommy work hard, and that she and her brothers would be good and wait for us to come home.”
Xuan Shi’an said irritably, “Ever since you left, Ruirui has refused to touch a single piece of vegetable. He only eats what he likes, and after meals he won’t eat fruit — he wants ice cream instead. And he made me swear not to tell you. Your mother and I are at our wits’ end.”
Xuan Yanyu pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Isn’t it because you and Mom spoiled him? When Ningning and I are home, he would never dare act that way.”
“All right, enough talk. Come home tomorrow without delay. And when you get back, act as if you don’t know anything.” With that, Xuan Shi’an hung up.
Xuan Yanyu: “…”
——
Because of Xuan Shi’an’s call, Xuan Yanyu and Yan Yunning returned to Chaxi City the next day. It happened to be a Saturday, and both children were home.
Yan Yunning carried Xuan Youyi upstairs for a nap, while Xuan Yanyu hauled Xuan Yunhao over to the sofa and calmly questioned him. “Your grandfather said you haven’t been eating properly…”
Xuan Shi’an panicked. “I said no such thing!”
Xuan Yanyu gave him a slow, sideways glance, then looked back at the indignant little dumpling.
“Daddy, I haven’t missed a single meal.” The little dumpling defended himself.
“Fine!” Xuan Yanyu looked at the tense grandfather and grandchild pair, then pinched Xuan Yunhao’s soft, chubby little cheeks. “There had better not be a next time.”
The little dumpling pouted and held out his small arms to Xuan Shi’an. “Grandpa~”
The latter pretended not to see, took a “phone call,” and walked out of the main hall.
With the one person he could count on gone, the little dumpling tried his luck with Xuan Yanyu instead, latching on coaxingly. “Daddy, you and Mommy worked so hard.”
Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow and said nothing.
“Daddy, I missed you and Mommy way more than Brother and Sister did.” Seeing that Xuan Yanyu wasn’t looking at him, the little dumpling cupped his father’s face with his small hands and asked earnestly, “Daddy, did you and Mommy miss Baby?”
Xuan Yanyu pointed at the hands holding his face and lightly pinched one of his small ears.
The little dumpling tilted his head, not even a little put out. He blinked with his round, chubby little face scrunched into a smile. “Daddy~ Daddy~ Daddy~”
Xuan Yanyu gave a soft laugh, helplessly flicking the tip of his little nose.
“Daddy.” The little dumpling wrapped his arms around Xuan Yanyu’s neck and buried his little head against his shoulder, his voice soft and sticky.
“Daddy, Baby really, really, really missed you and Mommy so much. You came back and questioned Baby straight away. Baby’s heart hurts a little.”
Xuan Yanyu said unhurriedly, “Xuan Yunhao, if you keep performing, I’ll have to bring up a certain matter — the vegetables you refused to eat and the ice cream you ate instead.”
The little dumpling gave a yawn. “Daddy, Baby’s a little sleepy. Baby’s going to take an afternoon nap.”
The corners of Xuan Yanyu’s mouth curved up despite himself.
——
One year later.
Xuanzhao Ran and Jiang Xian were wed.
The wedding was magnificent, and after the ceremony, Xuan Yanyu and Yan Yunning hosted Xie Yan and the others at the hotel on behalf of Jiang Xian and Xuanzhao Ran.
“Yanyu-bro, Sister-in-law, I’m just saying — couldn’t you have let Xiaoxiao take a day off?” Mu Heng looked somewhat exasperated.
The moment the ceremony ended, Ye Jian had already taken the little one off to his interest class.
Yan Yunning explained helplessly, “It wasn’t that we wouldn’t let him off — Xiaoxiao insisted on going himself. He was afraid of falling behind.”
Mu Heng raised an eyebrow, then deliberately teased Xuan Yunhao, who was sitting in a children’s chair and obediently eating biscuits. “Baby, your big brother has already gone off to school. You should be heading there too.”
The little dumpling, displeased at being told he had to go to school, frowned and pushed back, “Brother is at interest class. Interest class!”
The little girl said earnestly, “Uncle, today is Saturday. We don’t have school on Saturdays.”
Pei Shuluo burst out laughing and gave Mu Heng a teasing look. “Interest class — you know what that means, right? You go because you’re interested. And also, today is Saturday.”