Chapter 53: Preparing for the infant care certificate

Chapter 53: Studying for the Infant Care Specialist License

Before leaving, Fu Jingyi still felt uneasy about the relationship between his father and little sister.

Watching his father, who was seated in a wheelchair, childishly making funny faces to coax his sister, Fu Jingyi adjusted his tie and sighed before turning to leave.

Dad had always enjoyed teasing his three sons, and now that he had a daughter, it was his turn to get a taste of his own medicine.

At this thought, Fu Jingyi’s lips curved into a smile, and his steps quickened as he walked out.

The kitchen staff had everything ready.

It was still early, and Zhi Zhi was nestled in her second brother’s arms, clutching her milk bottle and shaking her little head from side to side.

Fu Cheng made silly faces, and when his daughter turned her head away, he followed suit, moving his head to stay in her line of sight.

The little one was proving difficult to coax. Fu Cheng, having just woken up, quickly ran out of energy sitting in his wheelchair.

Slumping back in his wheelchair, the grown man was nearly in tears. "Little Zhi Zhi, what do I have to do for you to forgive Daddy?"

Reaching out to grasp her tiny hand, Fu Cheng gently squeezed her soft palm and spoke in a low voice, "Daddy was wrong. Our Zhi Zhi isn’t chubby at all—she’s perfectly slender!"

"Look, Daddy can feel how tiny your hand is when he holds it. Is your milk enough? Should Daddy get you more milk?"

Seeing his daughter hum softly but still refuse to acknowledge him—though she allowed him to hold her hand—Fu Cheng sighed in relief and seized the opportunity.

"Zhi Zhi’s little dress today is so pretty! Did big brother buy it? Big brother has such good taste, buying Zhi Zhi such a lovely dress."

The little one, wearing a white frilly dress, turned around and wrinkled her nose, showing her father the big bow on her back.

Fu Cheng immediately praised, "Wow, what a beautiful bow! Zhi Zhi isn’t just a little princess—she’s a little fairy!"

"Come, let Daddy hold you. Let Daddy get a good look—whose little fairy is this?"

No longer upset, the little one turned back around. She pointed at the milk bottle in her hand and said, "This was bought by third brother for Zhi Zhi."

Then she pointed at her little dress. "This was bought by big brother for Zhi Zhi."

"Second brother also bought Zhi Zhi books."

"Daddy, Zhi Zhi loves brothers!"

If Fu Cheng still didn’t understand what his daughter was implying, then he’d be the most clueless dad in all of Beijing.

The little one was clearly speaking up for her brothers. As for calling her chubby, she had probably only been upset for a short while and was no longer angry.

He couldn't help but smile, yet Fu Cheng’s heart ached.

He had only just woken up, yet his daughter had already said so much in her brothers’ favor—every word praising them.

Taking his daughter from his second son’s arms into his own, Fu Cheng held her milk bottle for her and smiled. "Zhi Zhi loves her brothers so much?"

"Mm-hmm, super duper love them~"

Even with the bottle’s nipple in her mouth, the little one still managed to gurgle her affection for her brothers.

Fu Yuchen, sitting in a nearby wheelchair, watched the scene, a small smile appearing behind his glasses.

"I meant to ask earlier—what happened to your foot?"

When Fu Cheng had woken up and seen his second son in a wheelchair with a bandaged ankle, he’d planned to ask. But the moment he noticed his daughter was awake, that thought was instantly forgotten.

Fu Yuchen was used to being treated as invisible.

Now that his father was asking about his condition, he felt strange but still nodded anyway. "Just twisted it playing basketball with Fu Siyuan. It’s fine."

Fu Cheng nodded. "Oh, then be more careful next time you play."

Fu Yuchen pressed his lips together and nodded again, having nothing else to say.

An uncomfortable silence filled the living room.

Fu Cheng had been too busy working when they were young and didn’t know how to care for children, so he left his three sons in the care of nannies and servants.

At first, he would still come back to check on them, occasionally having meals together and telling them to mind the butler and tutors.

His sons had always been well-behaved—whether in academics or other aspects, they had never disappointed him.

The eldest, Fu Jingyi, had been like a second father since childhood, managing his younger brothers.

The youngest was more easygoing and would at least vent his frustrations.

But Fu Cheng had always been concerned about his second son’s emotional well-being. Over the years, Fu Yuchen had often kept to himself, quiet and keeping a low profile.

But Fu Cheng knew—he wasn’t uncaring. He just hadn’t found anything that interested him.

If he ever did, he would stop at nothing to get it.

Such a personality could easily develop antisocial tendencies. Fu Cheng had considered taking his son to a psychologist but feared it might backfire, pushing him further astray.

Now, at sixteen and nearing adulthood, Fu Yuchen had become even quieter and more withdrawn.

Concerned but unsure what to do as his son drifted further away, Fu Cheng sighed to himself.

Just as he was about to look down and check on his daughter’s milk, he heard his second son speak.

"During this time... don’t overexert yourself. It’s... not good for your health."

The boy’s voice carried the refreshing clarity of youth, warm and gentle.

Fu Cheng looked up, surprised, to see his son’s ears reddening as he turned his head toward the door.

Warmth spread through Fu Cheng’s chest. Smiling, he lowered his head and replied, "Mm-hmm. You don’t run around either—stay with me and we'll both get better."

"Once Daddy and second brother are better, we can take Zhi Zhi to the basketball court again, right?"

Zhi Zhi was still holding onto her milk bottle when her father suddenly lifted her into the air.

The bottle slipped from her grasp and landed with a soft thud on the carpet.

Her eyes widened as she watched it fall, about to cry again.

Since Fu Cheng had lifted her from behind, he couldn’t see her expression.

But Fu Yuchen saw everything clearly.

Seeing his little sister about to cry from fright, he quickly reached out and took her into his arms.

"Dad, don't just spring that on her to scare Zhi Zhi. Little kids can't handle it—they scare easily."

His warm palm gently patted his sister’s back. Having studied child development extensively, Fu Yuchen was practically a childcare expert. He even knew exactly how to soothe a child’s emotions in the fastest and most effective way.

"Zhi Zhi, don’t be scared. Daddy is just really happy to be with you, so he gave you an airplane ride. Don’t be afraid, okay? Second brother is here."

The second son, usually quiet and barely noticeable, could actually comfort someone in such a gentle tone.

Fu Cheng watched in astonishment as his frightened daughter gradually calmed down in his second son’s arms. His eyes widened, disbelief flashing in his gaze.

"Good heavens, Yu Chen, where did you learn this?"

Fu Cheng assumed his second son had picked up these skills from the household staff to take care of his sister.

But what his son said next almost made him topple from his wheelchair.

"I’ve been preparing for the infant care specialist certification exam recently. I’m almost ready and about to register."

Fu Cheng’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. "You? The infant care specialist certification?"

Fu Yuchen nodded. "Zhi Zhi is still so young, and the house is full of men. I’m worried about her emotional and physical growth, so I also plan to get a series of childcare and psychology certifications."

He lifted his head, meeting his father’s completely dumbfounded stare. "Dad, is there a problem?"