Chapter 113

Chapter 113

On Thursday evening, Wen Cishu stepped into the kid’s bedroom and saw three large suitcases.

Bao Yiming had his back to the door, stuffing plush toys into the suitcases.

Wen Cishu teased, "Baby, are you going to Xingxing’s house to play, or moving in with them?"

He remembered that even their last trip to the farm wasn’t this much of a production.

Bao Yiming suddenly lifted a panda plush high and waved it.

"I have so many things to give Xingxing!"

Wen Cishu took the soft little panda and checked what else was packed.

Mostly toys, along with a picture book peeking out.

"What’s this?"

Wen Cishu sat down beside him.

Bao Yiming grabbed a cushion for Little Daddy, then clutched a bilingual book to his chest, explained, head bowed: "It’s a book I picked out—perfect for Xingxing to learn languages."

Wen Cishu took it and skimmed through it carefully. Indeed, it was pretty basic dialogue.

The cover also noted, "Suitable for children aged 5-8."

The book was a little worn, not one he’d seen on their shelves before.

"Yi Ming, was this given by your school? Or did someone buy it for you?"

"Big Dad did."

Whenever Bao Yiming was near his little dad, he never sat or stood straight, always cuddling up close. "Once I was old enough, he took me to the bookstore and let me pick them out myself."

Wen Cishu imagined the stern Bao Tingyuan holding a young Yi Ming in his arms, picking out books together in the store.

Perhaps Bao Tingyuan would stand at a distance, gazing at the little boy fondly.

And little Yi Ming would surely bounce around excitedly in front of the shelves, picking out books...

"Little Daddy?" Bao Yiming noticed his little dad seemed zoned out, staring at him. He tilted his head, eyes growing wide. "Little Daddy? Why are your eyes suddenly wet?"

Alarmed, he scrambled to his knees and hugged Wen Cishu. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. My eyes just hurt a little."

Wen Cishu hadn’t realized he’d lost composure in front of the child and lowered his head, scrubbing at his eyes.

"Should we get a doctor to come over?"

Bao Yiming asked nervously, "Or maybe I shouldn’t go to Xingxing’s—wait—"

Wen Cishu covered his mouth. "I’m fine."

"Oh." Just like that, Yi Ming calmed down.

Wen Cishu hugged the little one who cared so much about him and planted a firm kiss on his forehead.

He tried his best to suppress any emotions that might confuse or worry the child, smiling as he said, "Our Yi Ming has such a great friend now. Papa is so happy for you."

"Yeah!" Bao Yiming put the picture book back and tidied it up.

Seeing the tall figure entering the room, he called out, "Daddy, come quick! Papa’s eyes were bothering him a little earlier."

Wen Cishu pushed himself up from the couch. "I’m fine!" He ruffled his son’s hair. "Really, it’s fine."

Bao Tingyuan stepped forward and, noticing his slightly reddened eyes, asked quietly, "Was it the wind from your driving lesson earlier? Did it bother you?"

Wen Cishu blinked at him, signaling not to join their son in jumping to conclusions. "Do you need to talk to Yi Ming? I’ll head back first."

"No." Bao Tingyuan took his hand and turned to their younger son. "Yi Ming, you have class tomorrow morning as usual. Don’t stay up too late."

"Got it!"

Bao Yiming kept his head down, still organizing, and didn’t look up. "Night, Dad!"

Once they were out of the room,

Wen Cishu glanced up at the man who had been staring at him. Seeing his furrowed brow, he could only explain honestly, "Earlier, Yi Ming said you got him picture books. And I just thought… all these years I’ve been sick, I never got to be there for him like I should, so I—"

Before he could finish, Bao Tingyuan turned his face and quickly kissed him. "Don’t talk like that."

"Dad—"

Both dads turned at the same time.

Bao Yiming’s eyes darted around, dragging out a "Hmm…" as he slid sideways behind the door.

Did he just see that? Daddy kissed Papa?

Bao Tingyuan held Wen Cishu’s hand and asked first, "Yi Ming, anything else?"

The kid, now peeking with just one eye from behind the door, looked goofily at his two dads.

"Can Papa drive me to Xingxing’s place?"

"Of course~"

"Not yet."

Two voices answered at the same time.

On this matter, Wen Cishu also thought caution was best and nodded. "Right, not yet. Let Daddy take you, okay?"

Bao Yiming pouted, asking sweetly. "But Papa has to ride in the passenger seat with me."

"Of course." Wen Cishu agreed immediately.

Only then did Bao Yiming light up and reach for the doorknob.

As the door was almost shut, he grinned and said, "Okay, Daddy can keep kissing Papa now!"

With a soft click, the door closed.

Wen Cishu muttered, "See? Mr. Bao, behave. Hey—"

Suddenly scooped up, he quickly glanced back at the door, worried their little troublemaker might come back.

Luckily, the door stayed shut.

Bao Tingyuan carried him back to their room, making a point to say, “After you’ve practiced a bit more, I’ll accompany you on the roads outside.”

“Mm.” Wen Cishu knew he was worried. “Got it, I’ll go easy.”

On the way back to their room, Bao Tingyuan recalled the conversation that had been interrupted by their son earlier and said softly, “Cishu.”

“Hm?” Wen Cishu suddenly hearing his name took a moment to react. “Why so serious all of a sudden? Do I need to answer something?”

Bao Tingyuan steadily descended the stairs, speaking slowly and clearly, “Don’t dwell on the past. Dr. Lin has mentioned several times—overthinking isn’t good for your health. Don’t let it stir up unnecessary worries.”

“I know.” Wen Cishu had heard Dr. Lin say it before, but it seemed he’d also reminded others in the family. “It’s just that I…”

“No ‘just.’” Bao Tingyuan stepped off the final stair and stopped facing their bedroom. “Look forward.”

As Wen Cishu glanced down the hallway ahead, he got the message.

“Mm, we’ll look forward together, walk forward together.”

He rubbed his cheek against Bao Tingyuan’s shoulder, slowly pressing into the crook of his neck, then naturally planted a soft kiss to the skin there and murmured, “But I also want to know about your lives. When I was stuck in bed, you and Yi Ming, or other things at home—my parents, your parents, and…”

Bao Tingyuan pushed the door open, set him down at the foot of the bed, and leaned in to gaze into his dark, soft eyes. “And who else?”

Wen Cishu looked up, meeting his green eyes, thinking this man was playing dumb.

His voice took on a teasing tone as he counted on his fingers, “Aunt Zhong, Uncle Xu, Master Liu the driver…”

Before he could finish, his earlobe was given a playful pinch, making him laugh as he reached out to hug him, stealing a kiss first. “Of course, it’s about you. You better spill every detail!”

Bao Tingyuan raised an eyebrow as he carried him onto the bed. “So curious?”

“Absolutely.” Wen Cishu snuggled against his chest, poking his cheek. “What if you’re still hiding secrets from me?”

“There is one,” Bao Tingyuan said calmly.

“Huh?” Wen Cishu lifted his head. “Really?”

He’d only said it as a joke. “What is it?”

Bao Tingyuan’s lips brushed his ear as he whispered a secret.

After hearing it clearly, Wen Cishu buried his face in his neck and muttered, “My ears are dirty now.”

With that, the two laughed and snuggled together.

-

The next afternoon.

Xingxing was going through his checklist with his little notebook.

Since Monday, he’d asked his dad for a wooden clipboard, clipped with several lined A4 papers, with everything neatly listed.

His dad had clipped a pen to it for easy note-taking.

Except when sleeping or using the bathroom, he carried the clipboard everywhere, jotting things down and doodling.

For the first time, his dad thought this kid might actually turn out to be doctor material—despite Xingxing’s previous strong dislike for the field.

The adults at home had all seen the clipboard’s contents, a mix of Chinese, English, and cute little doodles as reminders.

The adults unanimously agreed that Xingxing truly regarded Yiming as his big brother.

At this moment, Xingxing double-checked everything was ready and hurried to the balcony, eagerly looking out for his brother's car.

Grandma, sitting in the living room, saw this and said to Chu Han, "When Mingming arrives, ask him if he wants to become like brothers with our Xingxing?"

"Sworn brothers?"

Chu Han understood the old lady's meaning, but the idea sounded funny to her.

Grandma glanced at her little grandson's back: "If our Xingxing were a girl, or if Yiming were a girl, I think we could even arrange them to be childhood sweethearts."

"Mom, what century are we living in?"

Chu Han quickly stopped the old lady, "Are you still stuck in those old-fashioned arranged marriages?"

Grandma raised her hand and waved toward the opposite side: "That's what they always show on TV."

Chu Han simply said, "As long as the two kids are happy playing together, there's no need to make it official."

Balcony.

Xingxing finally received his brother's call and learned he would arrive in five minutes.

He took off running.

Grandma anxiously asked, "Xingxing, where are you going?"

"I'm going downstairs to pick up my brother!"

Xingxing hurried to put on his shoes, yanked the door open, and ran out.

Chu Han went over to the balcony to look.

Grandma knew she didn’t like hearing it, but still couldn’t help muttering, "When Xingxing grows up and goes to meet his girlfriend, it’ll probably be just like this."

As she spoke, her kindly face lit up with particular joy.

Chu Han couldn't do anything about grandma and shook her head.

-

Downstairs.

Bao Yiming was barely out of the car when Xingxing hugged him tightly.

The two boys were super excited, like they'd been apart for ages.

In reality, though, they talked on the phone every day.

Both dads got out of the car and greeted Xingxing.

Xingxing politely invited the uncles to come upstairs.

Wen Cishu said, "We won't go up and disturb you."

He patted Xingxing’s head, "Say hi to everyone for us, Xingxing."

Xingxing held his brother’s hand and gave an obedient nod.

Bao Tingyuan took the suitcase pushed over by the bodyguard and placed it in front of his son: "You gonna take this up yourself?"

In the car earlier, Bao Yiming had insisted on handling the luggage himself without help from either of his dads or the bodyguard uncle.

He nodded firmly and gripped the handle of one suitcase.

Xingxing immediately grabbed another suitcase, looking up seriously and saying, "Uncle, I'll help Brother carry them."

"Alright." Bao Tingyuan lifted the handle to make it easier for him to pull.

"Bye, Dad!" Bao Yiming skipped happily, pushing two suitcases alongside Xingxing as they entered the lobby.

Finally inside the elevator,

Bao Yiming excitedly hugged Xingxing again, whining playfully, "Xingxing~ Why don’t you go to the same school as me? I miss you so much."

Though Xingxing heard this every day, hearing it again still made him happy.

"Brother, I miss you too. Tonight, we can watch cartoons together—whatever you like! I asked Dad to prepare a small projector, and the picture is super clear."

Bao Yiming dramatically exclaimed, "Xingxing is the best~"

Xingxing: "And there’s fruit you love too."

"Aww~~" Bao Yiming hugged him and mussed up his hair.

As the elevator doors opened, Chu Han and Grandma were just in time to see the scene.

Grandma glanced at Chu Han, her eyes seeming to say: See? Shouldn’t they become official brothers?

Chu Han couldn't suppress a smile and reached out to help with the luggage.

"Welcome, Yiming, to our home."

Bao Yiming held Xingxing’s hand and bowed respectfully to the elders. "Thank you for having Grandma and Auntie. Thank you for taking care of me."

With his handsome biracial features and impeccable manners, he was absolutely charming, winning over both women.

Grandma chuckled while helping with the luggage. "Having Mingming visit makes Grandma so happy."

Bao Yiming shared a grin with Xingxing.

The two squirmed excitedly together.