Chapter 123 Extra I Miss You So Much

Chapter 123 Extra: I Miss You So Much

When Xiao Qiu first opened his flower shop, he approached it with a "let's give it a try" attitude, never imagining it would become so successful. He even received an invitation to a flower exhibition in another city. Always having a keen interest in flowers, he happily accepted.

Xie Yan had initially planned to postpone his surgeries for those days to accompany Xiao Qiu to B City. However, Xiao Qiu, ever thoughtful, urged him to focus on his work, asking only to be dropped off at the airport the day before.

The flight was scheduled for noon. Xie Yan, carrying a bag in one hand and holding his wife's hand in the other, walked with their two little ones trailing beside them.

"Your ID, flight tickets, and invitation are all in this bag. Call me when you land. I’ve arranged a driver to pick you up and take you to the hotel. It’s just for one night. After the exhibition tomorrow, the driver will take you straight back to the airport, and you’ll come directly home."

Xie Yan rattled off instructions, then wrapped an arm around the fair-skinned, handsome young man beside him. He pressed a flurry of soft kisses onto Xiao Qiu’s pale cheek, his deep gray eyes brimming with profound reluctance.

"Staying an extra night would allow you to rest better, but I truly can't bear the thought of you being alone in another city. Please, be good. Bear with the busy day tomorrow and come home early to be with me and the babies, okay?"

People bustled through the airport, but the striking good looks of the family of four drew involuntary glances. Xiao Qiu, feeling a little self-conscious, his ear tips flushing pink, gently rubbed his cheek against the man’s broad shoulder and mumbled, "I know, stop kissing me so much in public."

A low chuckle rumbled from above him, followed by cool fingertips playfully pinching Feng Jiuyue’s nose. "Feng Jiuyue, you’re truly heartless."

After a long moment of affectionate lingering, Xiao Qiu finally knelt down and kissed each of the two rosy-cheeked little faces. Softly, he said, "Daddy’s only gone for one day. I’ll be back tomorrow to see you, my darlings. Be good and listen to Father, okay?"

Huan Huan and Xiao Yu weren’t yet speaking clearly. Bundled up like little balls against the winter chill, Huan Huan wore a colorful knit cap with two vibrant pom-poms dangling beside his rosy cheeks. He blinked his big gray eyes, stretched out his tiny arms, his expression filled with reluctance. "Dada, dada pao."

He still struggled with words, often saying "dada" for daddy and "pao" for hug. Xiao Qiu’s heart melted at the sight. Then he turned to see his older son, lips pursed, wearing a "I'm a cool guy, I'm strong, I must not cry" expression, and his heart ached even more.

This was his first time leaving home.

With that thought, Xiao Qiu knelt down again, pulling both little ones into a tight embrace. "Next time Daddy travels, I’ll take you and Father with me. Daddy will be back tomorrow."

"Passengers for flight A3045, please proceed to boarding."

"Passengers for flight A3045, please proceed to boarding."

"Passengers for flight A3045, please proceed to boarding."

As the airport announcements urged them on, Xie Yan handed the bag to Feng Jiuyue, then comfortingly scooped up a child in each arm, watching his wife walk into the cabin, turning back to look at them every few steps.

As soon as the plane landed, Xiao Qiu was met by the driver Xie Yan had arranged and taken to the hotel. The driver carried his luggage, led him to the front desk for check-in, and then escorted him to his room door before considering his task complete. With a smile, he said,

"Mr. Xie truly spoils you. The room was specially cleaned by an outside service, and the bedding was replaced with the type you usually prefer. After the exhibition tomorrow, you’ll see my car right outside the entrance, and we’ll go directly to the airport."

"Okay, thank you," Xiao Qiu replied, still feeling a little awkward interacting with strangers.

After the driver left, Xiao Qiu took a moment to examine the guest room. The bedding carried a faint, familiar scent—their usual laundry detergent. Not a speck of dust could be found in the closet’s crevices. Warm yellow light spilled from the ceiling lamp. Despite the cozy, tranquil setting, he was suddenly overcome with a profound longing for home, for Xie Yan and the babies.

But his low spirits lasted no more than three seconds before his phone rang. When he answered, Xie Yan’s voice, like a flowing river, washed away the anxiety and gloom in his heart. "The driver just called me. How are you? Tired? Why not take a shower first?"

"Yan," Xiao Qiu clutched the phone tightly, his voice a little hoarse. "I miss you so much."

"Mm, me too," Xie Yan replied without a moment's hesitation. "If Xiao Qiu misses me, I can fly over right now. Xie Xing can look after the two babies."

Xie Yan’s tone was utterly serious. He never lied. Xiao Qiu knew that with just a nod, this man would immediately fly from City A, canceling surgeries both major and minor, all for his small moment of sadness.

At that moment, he suddenly felt incredibly fortunate, so lucky. Heaven had truly been too kind to him. With that thought, his spirits lifted again, his voice carrying a hint of unconscious indulgence.

"No need, husband. I’ll be fine. I’ll take a shower first. I’ll be back tomorrow—don’t worry about me. Husband, you mustn’t cancel your surgeries for me. Absolutely not."

A brief silence followed on the other end of the line, then a sharp, quick intake of breath. Xie Yan gritted his teeth, muttering, "Just wait until you get back. I’ll deal with you then."

Xiao Qiu rarely called him "husband" on his own; usually, it was only when Xie Yan pushed him to the brink that he’d reluctantly murmur it. Unless he was truly happy and deeply fond of him.

Those sweet, honeyed "husbands" had truly ignited a fire within him.

After lingering affectionately on the phone for a while, Xiao Qiu went to shower. By the time he finished and was drying his hair, Xie Yan had sent several strings of garbled text via WeChat. Puzzled, Xiao Qiu replied, "Have you finished showering too?"

The moment he sent his reply, a video call invitation popped up. What? A video call right after showering? But after a moment of hesitation, he answered, his ears turning red.

Two adorable little faces immediately filled the phone screen, their chubby cheeks pressed together. Two pairs of big gray eyes blinked repeatedly. Huan Huan’s pink little mouth kissed the screen, and Xiao Yu copied him. The two little ones probably left Xie Yan’s phone all wet.

"Dada, dada."

"Dada, pao pao."

Feng Jiuyue’s heart melted. Just as he was about to say something, Huan Huan picked up the phone and started walking with it, seemingly toward the playroom. But halfway there, the little one was caught by his father, who had just finished showering. Xie Yan’s hair was still damp, dripping water. His upper body was bare, revealing defined collarbones and smooth muscle lines.

"Was it Huan Huan who video-called you?" Xie Yan asked the person on the screen, a little one tucked under each arm, his sharp eyebrows slightly raised.

"Mm," Xiao Qiu found it amusing and laughed. "They even knew to text first to check if I was available, and only called after I replied."

After Xie Yan put both sons to sleep, he video-called his wife again. His long brows slightly furrowed as he let out a soft sigh. "Sweetheart, I miss you so much. Come back soon."

[Author's Note]

Something happy happened today, so here’s an extra sweet chapter.