Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The next morning.

Ms. Zhong had specifically asked the kitchen staff to set up breakfast in the most picturesque sunroom.

A white tablecloth with ornate patterns covered the small walnut round table, and a third chair had been added to the usual two.

Adjusting the table settings and pushing the chairs into place, Ms. Zhong carefully rearranged the already laid-out dishes. She imagined the charming picture of the three of them enjoying their meal bathed in sunlight while admiring the garden view—it would be the coziest scene imaginable.

After finishing his other tasks, Mr. Xu noticed that the dining room hadn’t been prepared yet. When he asked about it, he learned that Ms. Zhong had made alternative arrangements.

When he entered the sunroom and saw the setup, his heart sank.

His professional pride took another hit.

When the family of three came downstairs and found out breakfast was being served in the sunroom today, Bao Yiming skipped ahead excitedly, exclaiming with delight, "Wow, this is so cool~"

Wen Cishu also thought it was lovely, especially since he could sit by the window and look out through the colorful glass—it really was a nice way to start the day.

Once seated, they were spaced perfectly—neither too close nor too far apart.

As Bao Yiming slowly enjoyed his breakfast with his two fathers, he couldn't help looking back and forth between them.

Wen Cishu looked refreshed, with a healthy glow from his sound sleep the night before.

Noticing that the little one was distracted while eating, Wen gently reminded him, "Our little monkey? Is there something you want to tell us?"

"Nah~"

Bao Yiming thought happily to himself—he was just making sure this joyful moment was really happening.

Bao Tingyuan took a sip of coffee. "On the weekend after the show ends, I’ll push back my work schedule so we can all have breakfast together."

"Really?"

Bao Yiming blinked his shining eyes in disbelief, then turned to look at his other dad.

He used to often have breakfast with his dad, but his other father usually ate in his room.

Wen Cishu put down his warm milk cup and smiled softly. "Why would your dad lie to you?"

He had fidgeted in his sleep last night, leaving a few strands of hair curled near his temples.

Now, those strands framed his face, forming a crescent-like curve that softened his features, giving him a gentle, handsome look.

As Wen was speaking to his son, his wrist resting on the table was gently taken hold of.

Bao Tingyuan naturally pulled his hand under the table and held his hand.

Wen glanced at him, noticing that his other hand was still holding the coffee cup.

In the soft morning light, Bao Tingyuan’s expression was unusually relaxed and easygoing. His normally mysterious green eyes now shimmered with a warm golden light, even his cold glasses seeming warmer.

His usual sharp, intimidating aura was completely gone, like a predator at rest, savoring a rare peaceful moment.

Bao Yiming didn’t miss the gesture and let out a quiet giggle. "Heh~" Then he deliberately turned to look outside the large window. "Your favorite son totally didn't see a thing~"

Wen Cishu picked up a pair of silver serving tongs with his right hand and placed a piece of osmanthus glutinous rice cake on his plate. "Alright, now eat."

"I'll have one too."

When Wen Cishu heard Bao Tingyuan's deep voice, he nearly thought he'd misheard.

He picked up a piece and passed it over: "Here, eat it while it’s warm." His gaze briefly dipped to meet Bao Tingyuan's eyes, his long lashes fluttering slightly before shifting back to Bao Yiming.

That glance was like a dragonfly skimming the calm surface of Bao Tingyuan’s heart—its wings, formed by those lashes, stirring gentle ripples.

Wen Cishu propped his chin on his hand, watching his son eat. "You two better fill up now. Later, I’ll be eating all the hotpot myself."

Bao Yiming, his mouth stuffed with sticky-sweet rice cake, hummed in protest.

-

Horseback Riding Club.

The club was closed to the public today—only staff and riding instructors were around.

The manager approached to greet the three men, while other staff took the riding outfit bags from the Bao family’s bodyguards and carried them into the changing rooms.

Bao Yiming dashed off to change into his brand-new riding outfit.

Wen Cishu settled into a sofa by the window and, seeing Bao Tingyuan sit beside him, asked, "Aren’t you changing?"

Bao Tingyuan took his hand and rested it on his lap. "I’ll wait for Yi Ming to come keep you company first."

The manager brought over bottled water, intending to exchange a few polite words with Mr. Bao and Mr. Wen, but at a glance at their clasped hands—and the glint of the ring on Wen’s finger—he quickly scurried away.

From a distance, he signaled the rest of the staff to stay out of sight.

Wen Cishu had a weak heart, not a thick skin. He naturally noticed how eerily quiet it was—no one in sight.

His fingers traced idle circles on the back of Bao Tingyuan’s hand as he murmured, "You’re so scary, you cleared the room."

Bao Tingyuan didn’t reply. He only squeezed Wen Cishu’s hand tighter, as if trying to tuck it against his heart.

Wen Cishu glanced at the silent man beside him, about to speak, when their hyperactive kid came barreling over.

He quickly put on an expression of delight. "You look even sharper in this one! Yi Ming, spin around so I can see."

Tailored white shirt, black vest, and sleek half-chaps paired with dark riding breeches gave the boy a cool, confident look.

Seeing the surprise and pride in his dad’s eyes—and getting more praise than expected—Bao Yiming happily spun in place.

"Grandpa Xu said I should try it first, but I told him I wanted my dads to see me first, hehe."

"Dad! You still haven’t changed yet?"

Bao Tingyuan lifted his gaze slightly, looking at his now five-foot-tall son. "I’m going now. No running off—stick with your dad."

"Okay!"

So that was it—Dad was staying with Little Dad. Bao Yiming got it right away and let it go.

Wen Cishu thought to himself, *This is our club, isn’t it?*

*Like I’d actually get kidnapped here?*

Last time, he’d even come with the kid to film the promo and sat in this very hall for a while.

As soon as Bao Tingyuan’s tall figure disappeared down the hallway, Bao Yiming darted right back to his dad’s side.

He had originally intended to sit on the sofa his Dad had taken, but after a second thought, he squeezed into the armchair next to his Papa.

Though it was a single-seater, the chair was indeed spacious and comfortable.

Wen Cishu shifted slightly, narrowing his almond-shaped eyes teasingly. "Sweetheart, did you have mochi this morning? You're being so clingy."

Bo Yi Ming snuggled up to his Papa. "Dad's the mochi, not me!"

"Oh?" Wen Cishu murmured in response, a faint smile tugging at his lips at the thought of the little rascal describing the stoic Bo Tingyuan that way.

Before long, Bo Tingyuan strode over in tailored black riding attire.

Wen Cishu had only meant to glance over casually to check if he was ready, but the sight of him was utterly breathtaking.

The old-world French elegance in Bo Tingyuan’s demeanor showed in full force.

Paired with his uncommonly relaxed demeanor and unhurried gait, he looked every bit the aristocratic gentleman through and through.

"Wow~~" Bo Yiming exclaimed excitedly—his Dad was even more striking than the professional riders in the club’s promotional photos.

He kept tugging at his Papa’s sleeve.

"Papa, look! Dad looks amazing!"

As Bo Tingyuan approached, Wen Cishu looked away and said softly to his son, "Alright, go on. Haven’t you been looking forward to this for a long time?"

"Yeah!" Bo Yiming jumped up, accepting the helmet and leather gloves handed to him by his Dad.

Seeing him fumble eagerly, Wen Cishu took the gloves and helped fasten them properly.

In the past, he had lived like a zombie, rarely even assisting his child with dressing.

But the more time he spent with the boy lately, the more he realized how these small, everyday gestures brought them closer—so he was more than happy to lend a hand.

Once the gloves were secured, Wen Cishu noticed Bo Tingyuan holding out his hand. He looked up in surprise.

—Did he want him to help too?

Bo Tingyuan said, "Hold them for me. I won’t be wearing them."

Wen Cishu took them, his fair fingertips pressing lightly against the black leather.

Not that he’d mind helping him either…

Bo Tingyuan clasped his hand, his other arm guiding their son forward as he firmly reminded him about riding safety, emphasizing repeatedly that winning wasn’t worth taking chances.

Bo Yiming skipped alongside, as if trying to match his Dad’s height, and insisted just as firmly that his Dad shouldn’t let him win.

Wen Cishu couldn’t help but think—for a child this age, "being taken seriously" truly mattered.

After the manager and coach led them away to select horses, the staff in the hall whispered in surprise, exchanging glances. What kind of day was this, where they got to see Mr. Bo, Mr. Wen, and the young master all at once?

Was the sun rising in the west today?

-

As father and son mounted their horses for warm-up, Wen Cishu stood on the elevated viewing platform.

From horseback, Bo Tingyuan met his gaze, reins in hand.

The wind chose that moment to pick up, sending Wen Cishu’s tied-back hair fluttering behind him.

The hand he raised in greeting was wearing the same pair of black riding gloves he had on earlier.

The father and son ran two laps around the field to warm up before the actual competition began.

Wen Cishu observed his son’s determined little expression and then Bao Tingyuan’s focused demeanor, noticing some noticeable similarities between them.

He took out his phone, aimed it at the figures on the field, slowly zoomed in, and captured their strong, agile figures in a snapshot.

While riding, Bao Yiming couldn’t help but pout in frustration as he watched how effortlessly synchronized his big dad was with the horse.

Even though big dad hadn’t been to the stables in months, Bao Yiming had secretly been greeting and bonding with his horse all this time. Yet today, the horse acted as if it didn’t recognize him at all, obeying only big dad’s commands.

Dumb horse!

No more apples for you ever!

Through his phone’s recording, Wen Cishu saw Bao Tingyuan lean slightly forward, his entire body radiating raw, powerful energy.

The black-clad figure and the brown horse merged into a single force, charging forward with heart-pounding speed.

The Little Monkey, by comparison, still looked somewhat inexperienced, his small frame appearing slightly delicate.

It was clear Bao Tingyuan won effortlessly, without any fancy moves.

But this didn’t upset Bao Yiming—instead, he felt the gap between him and big dad had narrowed a little.

Before even dismounting, he shook the reins excitedly and cheered, “In another year, I’ll definitely beat big dad!”

The coach nearby smiled and nodded. “Absolutely, Young Master. You’ve practiced a lot this year and already surpassed most kids your age.”

“Giggle~” Bao Yiming waved at his approaching little dad. “Little dad, you got all that on video, right?”

He had noticed earlier that little dad had been holding up his phone the whole time.

Wen Cishu waved back. “Of course.”

Bao Yiming asked, “Little dad, do you want to ride too? Let big dad take you for a ride, okay?” He’d wanted to do this before, but he was still too young to protect little dad properly.

Just then, a hand lightly smacked his horse, accompanied by a quiet command.

The horse turned and walked away, leaving Bao Yiming on its back bewildered: “?”

—Whose horse is this anyway?!

Wen Cishu glanced at Bao Tingyuan. “Want to race again?”

Bao Tingyuan stepped forward. “Hop on. Let’s go for a ride.”

“Sure~”

Wen Cishu’s voice immediately brightened at the suggestion.

He handed his phone to an assistant nearby, walked over to the horse, gripped the saddle’s handle, and with a firm boost from Bao Tingyuan, gracefully swung up onto the horse’s back.

-

When Bao Yiming turned around, he saw his little dad’s long legs sweeping in a graceful arc as he settled onto the horse, while big dad adjusted the reins and led the horse forward.

Huh?

Why aren’t both dads riding together?

He patted his beloved foal and declared, "It must be Dad's weight gain!"

Not letting Dad’s arm rest on Papa last time had definitely been the right decision.

Then, Bo Yiming sneaked quietly behind the two fathers from a distance and opened his child’s watch to capture this memorable scene.

He even deliberately stuck his hand into the frame flashing a peace sign, making sure he was in the group photo too.

-

From where he sat on the horse, Wen Cishu could see everything clearly.

He noticed how attentively Bo Tingyuan adjusted the reins.

He couldn’t help but think—Bo Tingyuan had grown much more mature since their first meeting. Even though he had already been very charming back then, he hadn't yet developed the quiet confidence that time had now given him.

If Wen Cishu didn’t know Bo Tingyuan, it would be hard to imagine someone who did everything with such natural ease—so self-assured, so unflappable.

It reminded him of last night…

Bo Tingyuan’s hand rested on his knee, giving it a firm press. “Don’t look at me. Look ahead.”

Wen Cishu: “…Uh.”

Had he really been spacing out while staring at Bo Tingyuan without realizing it?!

Embarrassed, he quickly lifted his head, instinctively trying to break the awkward silence. He pointed ahead and suggested, “How about we go for a walk on that lawn?”

“Mm.”

Bo Tingyuan pushed up his frameless glasses, his eyes the color of pale jade glinting with quiet delight.