Chapter 318 I’m Not in a Hurry, No, You Are

Chapter 318: I'm Not in a Hurry, No, You Are

Chenchen loved roast duck so much. The thin yet chewy spring pancakes wrapped around the rich, slightly meaty duck skin, paired with scallions and cucumber strips, dipped in sweet bean sauce, and rolled into a small bundle—the little one could devour a whole piece in one bite.

The child squinted happily after finishing one, then said to the leisurely strolling White Duck:

"Duoduo, your meat is really delicious! Mama’s cooking is even better than what I had in the capital~~"

"Quack quack~~" Duoduo trembled in fear and scurried away, afraid that his little master might get carried away and decide to roast him too if he wasn’t satisfied.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Everyone had a great time eating together.

"I’m blown away by Taotao’s cooking—I’ve never tasted anything so delicious," someone remarked. No wonder Uncle Mu was always mooching meals off us.

Everyone wholeheartedly agreed.

"What’s the big fuss?" Mo Jiazhe returned from overtime work just as everyone was finishing up.

"There’s food left for you in the kitchen—grab it yourself," Auntie Zhong said.

She’d said to leave him be, but Su Taotao insisted on saving him a plate.

Mo Jiazhe gave a big, goofy grin. "Got it!"

Uncle Mu, seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, sneaked into the kitchen and whispered, "Dude, you were out on another date?"

"Cough cough…" Mo Jiazhe almost choked to death on his soup.

He turned beet red. "What the heck are you talking about?"

Uncle Mu blinked, smugly saying nothing as he stared at Mo Jiazhe.

Mo Jiazhe dragged his pesky little brother aside. "What’s your problem? When did you follow me again?"

Uncle Mu shook his head. "I didn’t! Me and Kang Zi saw you today when we went up the mountain—you were giving someone osmanthus."

"No," Mo Jiazhe explained, "The girl was picking osmanthus, and I just happened to lend a hand. It wasn’t a date."

"Really?" Uncle Mu looked skeptical. "But I clearly saw you all bashful handing it over, her bashfully accepting it, and then running off. I think I’ve seen that girl before."

He scratched his chin, thinking. "Where was it…"

Just then, Auntie Zhong walked in.

Mo Jiazhe quickly covered Uncle Mu’s mouth.

Uncle Mu: "Mmf! Mmf!"

Auntie Zhong rushed over and smacked Mo Jiazhe’s arm. "What are you two doing? Trying to suffocate him? Why are you covering his mouth like that? Let go!"

"Uncle Mu, are you okay?"

Mo Jiazhe gave him a death glare.

Uncle Mu shook his head. "I’m fine, Auntie Zhong. My brother’s just…"

Mo Jiazhe cut in, "Uncle Mu, that comic series you liked the other day—I’ll grab it next time we’re out."

Uncle Mu gave a satisfied nod.

Auntie Zhong got sidetracked and said with a pained expression, "You’re getting him comic books again? Didn’t you just get him some not long ago?"

Uncle Mu spread his hands and sighed, "I just said not to buy them, but my brother insists. What can I do? Guess I’ll just have to take them, then. Thanks, bro—you’re the best!"

With that, Uncle Mu ran off.

Mo Jiazhe: "..." Yeah, real brotherly of you.

Auntie Zhong glared at Mo Jiazhe. "Why do you spoil him like this? If he gets used to splurging, what will he do in the future?"

Mo Jiazhe nudged Auntie Zhong. "It’s fine. Didn’t Uncle Mu come in second in last semester’s final exams? I promised him—just this once."

Auntie Zhong smirked. "You didn’t buy him anything when he came in first every time, but now that he’s second, you do? Besides, with Ah Hang ahead of him, he’ll always be second from now on. Some brother you are."

Mo Jiazhe: "..." Well, I *am* his own brother.

...

Once everyone had eaten their fill, they all pitched in to wash and tidy up. Dishes and cookware were put away, and the courtyard was soon spotless.

By then, the moon shone bright overhead, the scent of mooncakes filled the air, and the gentle breeze carried hints of osmanthus blossoms.

The radio played fun shows, and the laughter of children was endless.

These days, such peace and happiness could only be found in this utopian base, undisturbed by the outside world.

Mo Jiazhe, who had seemed a bit tired earlier, got his energy back after eating. "Movie’s starting soon—who’s in?"

"Me!"

"Me!"

"Me!"

Three children raised their hands at the same time.

Uncle Mu slung an arm over Fu Yuanhang’s shoulder. "Let’s go too."

Fu Yuanhang looked at Su Taotao. "Taotao, Zhengtu, you coming?"

Su Taotao shook her head. "I’ll sit this one out. Let your brother go with you."

"There are too many people today—you keep an eye on Chenchen," Su Taotao said to Fu Zhengtu. The little guy was so tiny—one accidental step could hurt him.

Fu Zhengtu nodded. "Alright."

Fu Zhengtu hated crowds, but for Chenchen’s sake, he could endure it.

Auntie Zhong never missed a chance to join the fun.

Xia Zhiqiu, who had just become pregnant, didn’t want to get squeezed in the crowd either and stayed back with Su Taotao.

Chenchen and his two little friends, perched on their dads’ shoulders, happily headed off to the movie.

"Dad, why can’t you be taller? Chenchen used to be shortest, but now he’s way up high!" Dongdong loved his dad but also complained about him daily.

Zhang Chuncheng just sighed.

He chuckled and said, "Dad was poor back then and couldn’t even eat enough. You’ll have to work harder yourself to grow taller than Chenchen in the future."

"I’m already taller than Chenchen now," Dongdong said.

Chenchen wasn't convinced: "That’s because I’m still small! My dad’s super tall, and I practice kung fu every day, drink milk, and get sunshine. I’ll be as tall as Dad soon~~"

Chubby chimed in: "No fighting! I’m the tallest now, and my dad is tall too. I’ll be the tallest in the future!"

Chenchen and Dongdong disagreed: "I’ll be taller..."

...

The expressions of the three brilliant scientist dads giving piggyback rides were all exasperated.

Old Mo chuckled happily, glad his son was already grown—otherwise, he'd have a headache.

Uncle Mu checked how tall Fu Yuanhang was and was surprised to see Fu Yuanhang had already surpassed him!

He grumbled in frustration: "Old Mo, from tomorrow on, I’m drinking milk too. Look, Ah Hang is taller than me now!"

Old Mo's smile grew even more affectionate—seems his son still hadn’t fully grown up after all.

"Alright, alright, I’ll get your mother to buy you milk powder."

Uncle Mu: "Auntie Zhong is so frugal—will she agree?"

Auntie Zhong was about to scold him again: "When have I ever shortchanged you on food? It’s you who never wanted to drink it! If you’re willing, I’ll buy you all you want."

Uncle Mu narrowed his eyes playfully: "Fine, fine, I’ll drink it. Otherwise, I’ll be too short to even see the movies."

He then slung an arm over Fu Yuanhang's shoulder: "I won’t let you show me up."

Fu Yuanhang smiled but said nothing.

Amid the noisy excitement of the children, the group arrived at the square in front of the auditorium.

The three kids who had ridden their fathers there got jealous looks from the crowd.

It couldn’t be helped—children love excitement, and the square was full of kids.

Even the twins and Guo Guo were there, waving to greet them.

Only then did Chenchen realize something was missing: "Daddy, I don’t have a lantern anymore~~"

Chubby noticed it too—many people were carrying lanterns, but the three of them didn’t have any!

"Dad, I don’t have a lantern either."

Dongdong added: "We don’t have any lanterns."

As it happened, all the adults at home had forgotten to make lanterns for the children.

"Lanterns have fire and are dangerous. You can play with them when you're older," Fu Zhengtu reasoned.

Indeed, none of the kids carrying lanterns in the square were younger than Chenchen.

And so, the children were easily talked out of it.

"Alright, alright, next year I wanna solve lantern riddles and play with lanterns~~"

Fu Zhengtu nodded: "Okay."

In the hearts of Pangpang and Dongdong, Fu Zhengtu was a god-like father, an omnipotent presence—his words must be right.

And so, the three kids really didn’t bring up the lantern matter again. Weirdly enough.

By then, the place was packed. Uncle Mu smacked his forehead: "Dang it, there are no seats left. We forgot our stools. Are we really going to stand for two hours?"

Mo Gong said, "I can’t stand for two hours. I’ll just peek and leave. Wanna run back and grab stools?"

Uncle Mu looked at Fu Yuanhang. ???

Fu Yuanhang shook his head and assumed a horse stance: "I’ll practice my stance."

Uncle Mu: "... Whatever."

"Then I won’t get a stool either. I’ll practice with Ah Hang." Uncle Mu also dropped into a horse stance.

Mo Gong was still chuckling. He was just too full and came out for a stroll to aid digestion: "I’ll head back first. You all enjoy."

"Do you need a stool? Should I bring you one?" Mo Gong asked Auntie Zhong.

Auntie Zhong waved her hand: "No need, no need. I’ll just grab a brick to sit on later. I’m just here for the show anyway—I’ll head back soon too."

Mo Gong nodded: "Alright then. Be careful."

Mo Jiazhe kept glancing around like he was looking for someone.

Uncle Mu nudged his brother’s arm and gave a knowing wink.

Mo Jiazhe lightly cleared his throat and casually shifted his gaze to the screen.

Suddenly, the square’s speakers buzzed to life. The pleasant voice of the announcer gave the Mid-Autumn Festival spiel and reminded everyone to stay safe and maintain order.

Hearing this voice, Mo Jiazhe’s heart did a little flip.

He immediately turned and told Auntie Zhong he had something to attend to and needed to go back.

Auntie Zhong just waved him away. He normally hated crowds—it was strange enough that he was so eager to watch the movie tonight.

Uncle Mu stared at his brother’s retreating back, looking thoughtful, then whispered to Fu Yuanhang: "My brother’s definitely meeting that girl again. He’s been acting shady all night."

Fu Yuanhang shot him a look: "Is it really okay to talk about Brother Jiji like that?"

Uncle Mu stuck his chin out: "Yes, what’s wrong with that?"

Soon enough, Kang Zi, Dongzi, and Yadan also arrived, all toting little orange lanterns.

"Uncle Mu, I saw your brother heading to the broadcasting room," Kang Zi said.

"The broadcasting room? What’s he doing there?" Uncle Mu asked.

Kang Zi shook his head: "Beats me."

Mu’s eyes lit up before he suddenly grabbed Fu Yuanhang’s arm: "Ah Hang, come with me—I gotta pee."

Fu Yuanhang almost ate dirt from the sudden pull: "Go by yourself. I don’t need to go."

Uncle Mu didn’t let go: "Yeah you do."

Fu Yuanhang: "I'm really not in a hurry."

Yadan said timidly, "I'm kinda in a hurry. Want me to come with you, Uncle Mu?"

Uncle Mu: "No, you're not! Just stay put!"

Yadan: "[silence]"

Fu Yuanhang: "[pauses]"

...