Chapter 112

Chapter 112

At Star’s house.

Chu Han stepped out of her room to find Star sitting on the sofa, spaced out. His expression was half-smiling, his eyes full of excitement.

"Star?"

Star quickly stood up. "Mom, I talked to Yi Ming, and he agreed to come over to our place this weekend."

"Mhm." Chu Han had already heard him mention it twice before, so she naturally had no objections. "So Yi Ming agreed, huh? That’s why he’s so happy."

She had never imagined that her introverted son could be such good friends with Yi Ming.

Whenever the two boys were together, they could talk for hours. Yi Ming's cheerful and enthusiastic nature even made Star way more outgoing.

Star looked up and asked, "Mom, can you call Yi Ming's dad?"

"Sure." Chu Han picked up the script from the coffee table, but the child grabbed her wrist suddenly.

Star pushed, "Can you call now?"

"Already? It's just Monday," Chu Han said.

But seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, she immediately gave in. "Alright, I'll call now. I'll tell him our whole family would love to have Yi Ming over. Okay?"

Star nodded happily and obediently plonked back down on the sofa.

Seeing his "I’m-not-moving-till-you-call" face, Chu Han picked up her phone.

Once the call connected, she put it on speaker and exchanged brief greetings with Wen Cishu before getting to the point.

"Cishu, you might have to agree right away—otherwise, our Star will be upset. He's listening right now."

"Star's there?" Wen Cishu chuckled, his voice warm and gentle. "Uncle swears Yi Ming will visit your house, so don’t worry, okay?"

Star quickly added, "Uncle, what about Yi Ming's other dad?"

"I'll talk to him—he’ll definitely agree too." Wen Cishu reassured the child. "We’ll be counting on you and your parents to take good care of Yi Ming then."

"Mhm." Star bit his lip to keep from grinning, but he remembered his manners. "Thank you, Uncle."

As soon as the call ended, Star bolted to his room and began tearing through his closet.

Not finding what he wanted, he came barreling back out. "Mom, I need the new sheet set—the one you bought me last time."

Chu Han smiled and went to help him look. "Keep checking this week to see if anything else is missing, and we’ll buy more. We’ll also get Yi Ming’s favorite snacks and drinks. Your dad has Wednesday afternoon off, so we’ll go shopping then."

"Yay~ Grandma’s coming too." Star hugged the freshly laundered cartoon-themed bedding set and faceplanted into the bed.

He wished he could fast-forward past Tuesday through Friday and land right on the weekend.

That afternoon.

-

Wen Cishu was at a jewelry store, getting something engraved on a platinum collar stay.

Originally, he had planned to practice with an engraving tool first before working on the collar stay, but the store’s master craftsman was too worried he might accidentally hurt himself and wouldn’t hear of it.

"If Mr. Wen comes to my shop and ends up with bleeding fingers, word gets out—how am I supposed to stay in business?"

In the end, with the old craftsman's assistance, Wen Cishu practiced engraving on spare metal pieces of the same material using an electric engraving pen multiple times before finally working on the collar stay.

Once finished, the old craftsman sat back, holding a gem-encrusted magnifying glass to inspect the collar stay closely. "That's French, right?"

"Yes," Wen Cishu replied with a gentle smile, opening the jewelry box.

The old craftsman carefully polished it with a silver cloth before placing it inside the box.

The platinum gleamed brilliantly, the engraving lending it a refined elegance.

While Wen Cishu was admiring it alone, he received a call from Bo Tingyuan.

"Where are you?"

Wen Cishu closed the jewelry box and answered softly, "Oh, I'm out. Just stopped by the charity foundation's office. Heading back now."

To head off more questions from Bo Tingyuan, he mentioned Chu Han's earlier call. "You don’t mind, do you?"

Bo Tingyuan: "For the weekend? Going over on Friday?"

Wen Cishu chuckled. "It's just an invitation for Yiming to spend a day with them. You thought it was some kind of weekend babysitting?"

*He mused—if Xingxing heard that, he’d be thrilled. Earlier, he could already tell Xingxing wished Yiming could come over tonight.*

Bo Tingyuan: "Where are you right now?"

Wen Cishu frowned. How did he circle back to that?

"Heading back to the estate. Is something urgent?"

"You’re not in the car, are you?"

Bo Tingyuan said, "Give me your address. I’ll come pick you up."

Wen Cishu was puzzled. "Huh? Why? Are you off work this early?"

Bo Tingyuan went quiet for a few seconds before laughing lightly. "Were you somewhere off-limits?"

"Not exactly..." Not sure where Bo Tingyuan was going with this, Wen Cishu lied, saying he had stopped by a jewelry store to browse, and gave a specific address.

Bo Tingyuan: "Why suddenly look at jewelry?"

"Quit grilling me. Just tell me what you want."

Wen Cishu realized this father-son duo was equally nosy, always digging for answers. "Are you coming or not?"

"Yeah. Wait there."

After hanging up, Wen Cishu stepped out to the jewelry store’s seating area to wait.

A staff member brought him tea.

As he sipped slowly, a sleek dark-blue coupe appeared on the street outside.

He mused—the car’s color was a tasteful choice, toning down the brand’s typical flashiness and giving the whole car understated elegance.

The dark tinted window of the driver's seat slowly rolled down, faintly revealing a handsome profile with a composed demeanor.

"Bao Tingyuan?"

Wen Cishu nearly stood up.

His gaze shifted backward, and sure enough, the familiar escort cars were trailing behind.

Bao Tingyuan stepped out of the car, hit the lock, and walked toward the jewelry store.

Wen Cishu suddenly recalled that night during the variety show when Bao Tingyuan had recounted how they first met in Paris—it felt like history repeating itself, only with their positions reversed now.

His eyes followed Bao Tingyuan’s figure intently, not daring to blink in case he vanished.

As soon as Bao Tingyuan stepped into the store and steadied himself, a figure flew into his arms.

He automatically spread his arms and embraced the man tightly. "Hmm?"

Wen Cishu realized he was getting carried away—how improper to act this way in public. He quickly straightened up.

Yet Bao Tingyuan kept his arm around him, refusing to let go.

Wen Cishu turned to the store staff with a cheerful, "Let’s go!" His tone carried an indescribable joy.

The staff watched them leave, feeling as if the shop had been lit up that day.

Once seated in the car, Wen Cishu rested his hand on the window frame. "You actually remembered what I casually mentioned yesterday?"

During last night’s casual conversation, he had mentioned having a license but never actually driving on the road—otherwise, he could've driven their child to school today.

Looking back now, he guessed his tone must have been tinged with regret, which Bao Tingyuan had noticed.

At that moment, Bao Tingyuan reached across to buckle him in.

Their faces drew close, and Wen Cishu seized the chance to plant a quick kiss on his cheek before leaning back with a secret smile.

They acted like teenagers sneaking around.

Wen Cishu said quietly, "Thank you for remembering such small things I say and taking them so seriously."

Bao Tingyuan gazed into his sparkling dark eyes and said firmly, "I’m not asking you to drive every day. Let Master Liu do the driving."

Wen Cishu needled, "Then why am I still in the passenger seat?"

Bao Tingyuan started the car, resting one hand on the steering wheel while gently squeezing his wrist. "Traffic's heavy right now. I’ll practice with you at home."

"Oh~" Wen Cishu sank into his seat, deliberately turning to watch him.

Even as the car pulled out and turned the corner, his gaze remained fixed.

Bao Tingyuan kept his eyes on the road ahead. "Don’t recognize me anymore?"

Wen Cishu chuckled under his breath. "Mr. Bao's so resourceful, always finding excuses to leave work early."

Bao Tingyuan gave him a look through his glasses, his green eyes glinting. "Think I’m being nosy?"

Wen Cishu caught his suit sleeve. "How could I? I love every bit of it."

Bao Tingyuan stayed silent.

"Hmm? Ignoring me now?" Wen Cishu chuckled softly, calling out, "Daddy~?"

Bao Tingyuan's tone was stern. "Sit properly."

"So harsh." Wen Cishu let go; he pretended to pout, though he was secretly pleased.

Glancing at the road ahead, he said, "Let’s go get little Bao Yiming from school."

Listening to his cheerful laughter, Bao Tingyuan slowly turned the wheel. "What did you pick out at the jewelry store?"

"Ah?" Wen Cishu shook his head. "Nothing yet, haven’t found anything I like."

Bao Tingyuan asked directly, "What’s in the box in your pocket?"

Wen Cishu instinctively touched his pocket. "Eagle eyes. But I can’t tell you—it’s my secret."

Bao Tingyuan raised an eyebrow, recalling the ring he had ordered.

Suddenly, he longed even more for their tenth anniversary to arrive.

-

At the school gate.

Bao Yiming dashed out with his backpack.

"Bao Yiming! Wait for me!"

A classmate chased after him. "Didn’t you say your grandpa gave you a super cool airplane model? I’ve got a cool one too—wanna trade?"

Bao Yiming didn’t even look back. "Not a chance!"

The classmate, unable to keep up, stomped their foot in frustration, watching from afar as Bao Yiming crouched beside a black car, as if looking for someone.

Another classmate walked over. "What’s Bao Yiming doing? Got the wrong car?"

The two watched, amused.

Outside the car, Bao Yiming was indeed looking for his two dads—only to end up staring at the bodyguard.

"Where are my dads?"

Bao Yiming’s voice was close to despair. "Is my little daddy not here?"

Before the bodyguard could answer, the little master’s lips trembled as he added, "Did my big daddy not come either?"

His tone made it sound like he’d been abandoned.

"Yi Ming?"

A familiar, gentle voice rescued Bao Yiming from his misery.

The bodyguard witnessed the kid’s theatrics and thought to himself: *Last time, the young master wanted to be a pop idol—clearly, he missed his calling. He should’ve been an actor.*

Bao Yiming sobbed and ran to the car ahead, throwing himself into his little daddy’s arms. "Waaahh, I thought you forgot about me, and big daddy abandoned me too!"

Wen Cishu mussed his hair, feeling a bit guilty for teasing the little troublemaker.

He ushered him into the car and climbed in after him. "Your big daddy just got a new car today—taking it for a spin."

Bao Yiming didn’t hold back his blunt opinion. "Such an ugly color—had to be big daddy’s choice!"

Bao Tingyuan, sitting in the front seat, turned his face slightly: "What if your little dad and I agree to let you stay at Xingxing's house this Friday?"

"Wow, you guys are the best~"

Bao Yiming instantly perked up, flashing a smile while leaning into his little dad's arms. "The new car looks so good~"

Wen Cishu put his face in his hands.

–Is this kind of parenting acceptable?! Won’t it actually spoil the kid?!