Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The following morning.

Wen Cishu practiced Tai Chi in the small garden under his instructor's guidance, listening to the breathing mantras and moving slowly with his eyes closed.

Seeing that he was performing with proper form and appeared to be in much better spirits than last time, the instructor felt reassured.

The biggest worry when coaching wealthy clients was uncooperative behavior or excessive demands. But Mr. Wen lived up to his name—cultured and courteous, never making unreasonable requests.

Forty minutes later, the session ended. Wen Cishu bid farewell to the instructor and had the housekeeper fetch some homemade pastries for him to take home.

Aunt Zhong handed him a warm towel to wipe his hands. "Tired?"

Wen Cishu shook his head.

He’d slept well the night before, so practicing standing for several dozen minutes wasn’t exhausting.

"Where’s my phone?"

Earlier, before the Tai Chi session, he had messaged Bao Tingyuan on WeChat about Yi Ming’s grandfather’s birthday.

Aunt Zhong took it from her pocket and passed it to him.

There was a reply from Bao Tingyuan:

"I’ll come home this afternoon to pick you and Yi Ming up."

Wen Cishu was surprised—had he already planned to go too?

Aunt Zhong noticed him pausing mid-step. "Something urgent?"

"No," Wen Cishu joked. "What kind of urgent matter would come to me? Wouldn't the other party be frantic by then?"

Aunt Zhong chuckled.

Just as they were speaking, his phone screen lit up with an incoming call.

It was from the production team of *Zai Zai the Superman*.

Wen Cishu said in surprise, "Someone really is looking for me?"

He pressed answer. "Hello, this is Yi Ming’s dad."

"Hello, hello!" The staff member sounded inexplicably excited yet restrained. "Yi Ming’s dad, I’m calling today to talk about the show."

After the first episode aired, it had generated considerable attention and become quite trending.

Some viewers left comments on the show’s official platform, hoping for a special episode featuring the whole family together.

After explaining the background, the staff member asked in a friendly, consultative tone, "We’re calling now just to sound things out. Do you think Yi Ming’s other father might consider joining us for an episode?"

Wen Cishu realized they hadn’t made a final decision yet and were still negotiating with the guests.

"Since Yi Ming's other father has such a busy schedule..."

He trailed off, when he suddenly remembered that just days ago, Bao Tingyuan had been in the show's designated parking area the entire time.

Wasn’t this just telling an obvious lie?

He cringed at himself.

Fortunately, the staff member didn’t dwell on it and instead said, "Yes, yes, we understand. So this family-of-three themed segment will likely be scheduled for the fourth installment or as a special episode. Could you please help us communicate with Bao Yiming? Personally, I believe Ming Zai would really want both of his dads to appear on the show together."

It had to be said—the last line was a real killer line.

Wen Cishu replied, "Alright, we’ll discuss it internally and get back to you with an answer."

"Wonderful! Thank you, Yi Ming’s dad! And please send my regards to Ming Zai—I voted for him!" The staff member gushed excitedly before saying, "Goodbye, Yi Ming’s dad!"

Wen Cishu felt as if a barrage of exclamation marks had just rushed at him. He mused that this staff member was like a little monkey—overflowing with energy.

-

In the afternoon,

Wen Cishu took a short nap while the housekeeper washed his hair. When he woke up, he felt blissfully lazy.

Bao Yiming was darting around the walk-in closet, picking out clothes, when he turned and saw his younger dad reclining lazily on the sofa.

Wen Cishu’s eyes were half-lidded, his freshly washed black hair cascading over his shoulders like ink-black strands.

His delicate fingers idly toyed with a white jade beaded bracelet, twirling it lazily between his fingertips.

Sometimes Bao Yiming thought costume dramas weren’t all that impressive—probably because he had grown up watching his younger dad, raising his beauty standards sky-high.

"Hmm?" Wen Cishu opened his phoenix eyes when he didn’t hear any movement, blinking slowly. "Haven’t you picked something out for Dad yet?"

With a flick of his slender fingers, he fastened the bracelet and rose from the sofa with a light push. "Just like you and your big dad, I’ll wear a suit. No need to pick—it’s too much trouble."

Aunt Zhong supported him gently.

Bao Yiming shook his head vigorously. "No way, suits are lame. I like when you dress sharp, Dad."

Wen Cishu walked past him, ruffling his hair. "Then how come you wear suits?"

"I'm the foreign kid," Bao Yiming giggled and bounced around.

People had been calling him that since he started school, but he didn’t mind at all—after all, he clearly had mixed heritage.

Of course, Bao Yiming firmly believed he was the perfect mix of both his dads' good looks—a handsome little foreigner.

Wen Cishu had to laugh. Aunt Zhong laughed too.

"Grandma Zhong, I remember Dad has a super long strand of beads. What kind of outfit would go with that?"

Bao Yiming gestured with his hands to show the shape of the beads.

Aunt Zhong thought for a moment and asked, "A necklace?"

Watching the kid turn around and gesture, Wen Cishu guessed, "You mean the counterweight beads (Beiyun)?"

"Yes! That's the one!" Bao Yiming cheered. "Grandma Zhong, can we go find it?"

Seeing Aunt Zhong actually leading him to search, Wen Cishu sank lazily into the sofa and reminded, "Yi Ming, grab a lighter one for me. The heavy ones press on my shoulders."

Bao Tingyuan seemed to have inherited the family’s antique-collecting hobby from his grandfather, often picking up old treasures at auctions.

Court beads, Beiyun—he had quite a few pieces, some even strung with over a hundred jade beads.

Wen Cishu had never worn them since they were delivered; just looking at them tired him out.

Shortly after, Bao Yiming came out holding two jewelry boxes: "Papa, can you wear that outfit with the golden bird embroidered on it?"

Nanny Zhong said, "That's a white crane."

As Bao Yiming approached and bent down to place the boxes, Wen Cishu lightly booped his nose.

"Today is your grandpa's birthday. Would it be appropriate for Dad to look like some museum exhibit?"

"Grandpa would definitely be even happier if he saw it!"

Bao Yiming turned to Nanny Zhong, "Nanny Zhong, hurry and get Dad that white crane outfit."

Wen Cishu was fed up and grabbed Nanny Zhong’s arm.

"Don't."

He remembered he had a few updated Chinese-inspired outfits that would go well with the Beiyun, so he asked Nanny Zhong to fetch them from another wardrobe room.

A while later.

Wen Cishu changed into a deep blue brocade shirt, paired with loose, flowing trousers in the same hue. The fabric bore a faint peony print, subtly visible, giving him a refined, elegant look.

As he fastened the crescent buttons on the flared sleeves, he stepped out.

"Wow!" Bao Yiming felt like someone had stepped straight out of a historical drama. Still, he was surprised. "Papa, why aren’t you wearing white?"

"You and Big Papa are both in dark suits. If I wore white, wouldn’t that stand out too much?" Wen Cishu glanced down at the two Beiyun strands.

One of them had a dark green jade pendant, rich and dignified.

"This one, then." He pulled up his pant leg and sat on the sofa. "Help Papa put it on."

Bao Yiming picked up the red-beaded Beiyun and put it around his dad’s neck, unable to resist admiring him. "Papa~ I don’t even want you to go out now."

"Why?" Wen Cishu tested the weight of the beads—not too heavy.

Bao Yiming pouted like a little kid. "Someone might steal you away."

Wen Cishu mussed up his hair and chuckled. "Should Papa change again, then?"

"No!" Bao Yiming clutched his papa’s hand, unable to stop staring.

Just then, Old Xu knocked and entered the room, saying he had come to deliver something.

Wen Cishu immediately noticed the small velvet jewelry box in his hand—it looked like it held a ring.

A thought flashed through his mind.

Bao Yiming was the first to ask, "Old Xu, what’s that in your hand?"

Old Xu placed the box on the coffee table. "The eldest young master said the master had asked about the ring, so I went and got it. It’s been stored on the third floor all this time."

The third floor referred to the room where the family kept other jewelry and art collections.

Seated beside his papa, Bao Yiming quickly reached for the box and opened it.

Inside was Wen Cishu’s wedding ring from his wedding.

Wen Cishu smiled at Uncle Xu. "Uncle Xu, was it you who put this ring on the third floor?"

Meeting Mr. Wen’s dark gaze, Uncle Xu gave a hesitant nod.

Mr. Wen was usually excessively good-tempered, but when he got serious, it was hard to guess what he was thinking.

The same went for Bao Tingyuan—why had he asked him to deliver it?

Both were unfathomable.

Like father, like son.

Sweating slightly at the back, Uncle Xu glanced at the innocent little boy, who looked absolutely adorable at that moment.

Wen Cishu wouldn’t give him a hard time—it was just a casual question.

Before leaving, Uncle Xu added, "The eldest son is already waiting downstairs."

"So soon?" Wen Cishu turned to the little monkey engrossed in studying the wedding ring. "Alright, go change your clothes and comb your hair. We need to head to the birthday celebration."

"Oh." Thin Yi Ming took out the ring. "Papa, let me put it on for you."

Wen Cishu smiled and took it from his hand, tucking it gently back into the velvet-lined box.

Bao Yiming’s handsome little face showed a confused look. "Hmm?"

Why did Papa put it away?

Didn’t Uncle Xu delivering it mean it was supposed to be worn?

Wen Cishu leaned in, pinched his son’s cheek, and whispered affectionately, "Silly boy."

Bao Yiming: ? What’s going on? I don’t get it!

Wen Cishu didn’t give him a chance to ask, pushing him toward his room. "Hurry up, or should I and Big Dad go first? You can walk there yourself?"

"No chance!" Bao Yiming jumped up. "Even if I go alone, I’m taking the helicopter!"

But as he reached the door, he peeked back in. "Papa, you can’t go with Big Dad first, okay? You have to wait for me. I’m your adorable little son, after all."

Wen Cishu raised a hand with a smile. "Got it, sweetheart. Go on, hurry up."

He sent a maid to help him get ready.

Meanwhile, Aunt Zhong styled Wen Cishu’s hair, keeping the long strands from covering the luxurious *Beiyun* pendant.

Looking at Aunt Zhong in the mirror, Wen Cishu teased, "Aunt Zhong, you’re ganging up with Yi Ming to tease me?"

Aunt Zhong replied, "Yi Ming isn’t wrong. You look dashing and glowing—everyone will be happy to see you."

She noticed he still held the ring box tightly, as if it were a precious treasure.

—Lately, the Second Young Master had changed dramatically.

-

Wen Cishu went downstairs first but didn’t see Bao Tingyuan in the living room.

Uncle Xu said, "The eldest son went to the back garden—he wants to check on the potatoes you and the little boy planted last night."

Wen Cishu nodded, walking casually down the corridor with his hands behind his back toward the back garden.

The household staff moved busily in and out, and upon seeing Mr. Bao dressed so elegantly, they couldn’t help but pause to admire him as he glided through the corridors and doorways. Paired with the understated luxury of the Bao family mansion, each scene looked like something straight out of a movie.

At the end of the corridor,

Wen Cishu stood behind the stained-glass window, gazing at the tall, straight-backed figure in the small garden.

Bao Tingyuan was standing in front of that charming little ceramic pot, studying it intently.

Wen Cishu found himself lost in contemplation as he watched that figure.

Even when the little monkey got lightly tapped with a small milk pot by his big dad, he only changed his contact name; even when he was frequently shooed out of the room, he just muttered under his breath without truly holding a grudge. Perhaps it was because he clearly knew his big dad loved him.

Lost in his thoughts, Wen Cishu was startled when the man suddenly turned to face him, meeting his gaze from across the garden.

Wen Cishu couldn’t look away in time.

In the long, silent minutes of their locked eyes, Wen Cishu had the absurd illusion that Bao Tingyuan was devouring him with his gaze. He instinctively tightened his grip on the ring box in his palm.

Suddenly, long-forgotten memories came flooding back.

During their honeymoon, the two had held each other in their hotel room.

After removing his glasses, Bao Tingyuan had kissed him over and over, all the while staring at him with those mysterious, abyss-like green eyes—as if trying to pierce his very soul.

Without the barrier of the lenses, Wen Cishu could clearly see the desire and passion burning in his eyes.

“Where’s Yi Ming?”

Bao Tingyuan had already walked up to him, offhandedly asking about their son.

He had already taken in Wen Cishu’s unusually formal and dashing look for the day, not missing even the faint blush on his ears.

Wen Cishu froze, as if the man before him had merged with the one from their honeymoon a decade ago.

He quickly snapped out of it and gestured vaguely, “He’s changing clothes. He’ll be down soon.”

Bao Tingyuan noticed the ring box in his palm and asked nonchalantly, “Found the ring?”

Wen Cishu couldn’t help but think to himself: *What are you pretending for, acting like this with someone you’ve been married to for ten years?!*

He couldn’t resist replying coolly, “Yes, Uncle Xu found it for me.” Then, with a flick of his phoenix-like eyes, he added, “Next holiday season, remember to give the old man a little extra.”

Bao Tingyuan: “Alright, noted.”

He glanced at Wen Cishu’s hands—neither bore the ring, meaning it was still in the box. “Not planning to wear it?”

Wen Cishu clenched his jaw as he turned away, muttering, “Oh, then I’ll go find Uncle Xu right now to put it on for me—”

Before he could finish, his wrist was seized, pulling him backward.

His heart skipped a beat as he looked up into those deep green eyes.

Bao Tingyuan’s fingers firmly pried open his palm and retrieved the ring.

Then, Wen Cishu watched as he lowered his gaze, took his hand, and slowly slid the ring onto his ring finger.

As the hard metal inched into place, a faint shiver ran through him.

Wen Cishu’s fingertips curled slightly, only to be firmly held by Bao Tingyuan’s hand.

From the living room, the little monkey’s cheerful voice calling for his dads could already be heard.

In the corridor, amidst the interplay of light and shadow,

Bao Tingyuan gazed at the breathtakingly beautiful man before him and murmured softly, “Let’s go.”

Wen Cishu, as if spellbound, followed like a ghost…