Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Give It to Me, Please, Please~…

Chapter 3 "Give it to me, give it to me, please~..."

Chi Chen gazed at the baby's chubby face for two seconds, then gently and carefully cradled his neck with one hand and his bottom with the other, lifting him into his arms. He held him upright, the back of his head resting against his chest, one arm encircling his little belly.

As his other hand descended, it seemed to brush Lu Zhishi's plump cheeks a couple of times, as if by accident.

Fair, tender, and tinged with pink, round and full, like Crayon Shin-chan's peach-chubby face.

Lu Zhishi pretended not to notice, leaning comfortably against Chi Chen with wide eyes, listening to SpongeBob. He occasionally chuckled, his small hands clutching Chi Chen's arm.

They watched until eight o'clock when Song Qinian finished his work and took all three children upstairs for a bath.

Chi Chen had his own room here, decorated by Lu Tingan in a style he liked.

Sometimes Chi Chen was pulled by Lu Zhiyu to sleep in his room, and other times Lu Zhiyu would bring his own small pillow to Chi Chen's room, wanting to sleep together.

"Let's sleep together, sleep together! Then we can play games together!"

After Song Qinian finished bathing him, Lu Zhiyu immediately grabbed his little pillow and headed to Chi Chen's room. He skillfully tossed the pillow onto the bed, took off his shoes, sat cross-legged on the carpet, turned on the large-screen TV, got the game controller ready, and was eager to start.

Everything was set, just waiting for Chi Chen.

Lu Zhishi touched Song Qinian's arm; he wanted to go too.

"Wait until after your bath, okay?"

In the nursery, Song Qinian filled the bathtub with hot water, pressed a few buttons on the side to adjust the temperature, put a swim ring around Lu Zhishi's neck, and placed him in the water. "Swim by yourself for a bit, okay? Daddy's going to get something."

Lu Zhishi's round head bobbed above the water, his arms and legs splashing beneath the surface. The tiny toddler drifted along with the waves in the large bathtub.

The little chubby one pressed his lips together, trying to hold back, but he couldn't help it. He grinned, showing a toothless smile. "Hehe..."

So fun! I love it!

Song Qinian didn't stop him from playing after getting what he needed. He pulled up a small chair and sat beside the tub, one hand making little waves for him while sending voice messages to his husband.

—"Honey, just 20 hours, 36 minutes, and 7 seconds until I see you. I'm missing you so much today too."

Lu Zhishi nearby was all smiles.

They were so sweet together, like a honey jar, just soaked in sweetness.

Perhaps because he hadn't finished work yet, Lu Tingan didn't reply. Song Qinian sent a bunch more voice messages one after another. Putting down his phone, he turned to see a little gossipmonger floating in front of him, eyes curved in a smile.

Song Qinian was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled, shoulders shaking. "You little gossipmonger, eavesdropping on us, huh?"

Lu Zhishi grinned back. "Eh..."

Seeing him admit it, Song Qinian couldn't stop laughing. He picked up his phone again and sent another voice message to Lu Tingan, his tone laced with amusement. "Ge, your son is eavesdropping on us..." After saying a couple of sentences, he burst out laughing again. "I'm getting all embarrassed—my face is burning up."

After that, seeing the little one laugh even harder, Song Qinian moved the phone to his mouth. "Say something to Daddy."

Lu Zhishi cooperated fully, babbling away into the phone for a long time. Song Qinian had only sent 23 voice messages, but this little one babbled and cooed even more than him. When Song Qinian took the phone away to stop him, he wasn't happy about it.

Before this was over, another child rushed over, clinging to Song Qinian's leg and asking, "Is that Daddy? Did Daddy call on video? I want to talk to Daddy too."

Lu Tingan was often away filming. He had only taken a break when Lu Zhishi was born, but he flew to S City again just last month after being discharged from the hospital—no one could stop him. He usually only found time to call them after finishing work in the evening.

Seeing that it wasn't a call from Daddy, Lu Zhiyu was a little disappointed. Song Qinian hugged him with his dry hand. "It's okay, Daddy will be done with work soon. Do you want to say a few words to him now?"

Growing up surrounded by love, he was a lively and cheerful child. Hearing Song Qinian's words, Lu Zhiyu immediately bounced back. Happy again, he held the phone, sat on Song Qinian's lap, and sent voice messages to Lu Tingan, every sentence in his little voice calling "Daddy, Daddy."

Song Qinian held him, looking down with a smile.

Lu Zhishi saw nothing but love and admiration for his child in his eyes.

It struck him then, feeling for the first time the real difference between being loved and not being loved, and seeing love given and received right in front of him.

Kids who grow up loved are like sturdy saplings, full of life, stretching their branches freely, soaking up sun and rain, growing strong and tall.

Optimistic, confident, clear, gentle—all are children who are loved, like Lu Zhiyu, like Chi Chen, and like Song Qinian and Lu Tingan too...

His cheek was gently pinched. Lu Zhishi snapped out of it and saw Song Qinian leaning down, saying softly, "Chubby baby, what are you daydreaming about? Do you still want to play in the water?"

Lu Zhishi blinked, looking into those beautiful, smiling peach-blossom eyes. He felt like crying.

Now he was too—he was also a loved child.

The little one's eyes turned red. Song Qinian got worried, and Lu Zhiyu got worried too, even forgetting about the phone. He leaned over the edge of the tub to comfort his brother. "What's wrong! Don't cry, don't cry. After your bath, I'll play games with you."

Song Qinian felt the water—the temperature was still right. He worried the child might be uncomfortable somewhere.

"If you don't like soaking, we don't have to. Let's take a bath, okay? Afterward, you'll be a sweet-smelling chubby baby."

Lu Zhishi kicked his feet, drifting toward him, waving his hands underwater, wanting Daddy to hold him.

The small chair was given to Lu Zhiyu to continue sitting on, so Song Qinian brought another one.

He spread a small towel over his lap, gently lifted Lu Zhishi out of the water, removed the swim ring, and covered the little one's belly with a towel to protect his navel.

Squeezing out some baby shampoo, he gently massaged it into the round head. Lu Zhishi quietly tilted his face up to look at him and suddenly smiled.

Song Qinian's lips curved too, his eyes brimming with laughter.

Lu Zhiyu, worried about his brother, stayed sitting nearby without leaving.

Since Lu Zhiyu hadn't returned, Chi Chen came to check.

After watching for a while, he stood quietly by their side, blocking some of the light to keep it from shining in Lu Zhishi's eyes.

After the bath and being rubbed with lotion, Lu Zhishi's face was pink. Dressed in a onesie, he was carried by Lu Zhiyu to Chi Chen's room.

Kissing his forehead, Lu Zhiyu softly comforted him, probably remembering how Lu Zhishi's eyes had reddened earlier.

Lu Zhishi just smiled, resting his face on his shoulder and nuzzling. "Ah~~"

Song Qinian went to prepare milk, returning with a thermometer gun and a regular thermometer.

Two cups of warm milk for Lu Zhiyu and Chi Chen, and a bottle for Lu Zhishi.

Song Qinian took him from Lu Zhiyu, held him in his arms, and fed him with the bottle.

He used the thermometer gun at various spots and also placed a thermometer under his arm. Finally, confirming his temperature was normal, Song Qinian felt relieved.

Lu Zhiyu wanted to hold his brother while playing games, and Lu Zhishi liked being with his gege too. After feeding him, Song Qinian placed the soft little bundle into Lu Zhiyu's arms, took the items, and left the room, gently closing the door.

Watching Daddy leave, Lu Zhishi sucked on his pacifier instinctively, leaning against Lu Zhiyu as he watched them play.

His chubby feet swayed occasionally, but after a long while, they swayed no more.

Chi Chen tilted his head to look at the little tyke sleeping soundly against Lu Zhiyu's chest, then glanced at Lu Zhiyu, who was holding still to avoid waking his brother. He stood up and carefully helped move the sleeping baby to the bed, covering his round little belly with a blanket.

Lu Zhishi drowsily opened his eyes for a moment before closing them again and falling back asleep.

Lu Zhiyu stretched his slightly sore arm and climbed out of bed to go find his dad.

Song Qinian was urgently tugged by his pajamas and hurriedly pulled into the room. Seeing Tubby fast asleep, he understood the situation.

Smoothing out his wrinkled pajamas, Song Qinian bent down and gently picked up the child. Before leaving, he turned back and said softly to the two kids, "Don’t stay up too late. Remember to brush your teeth and go to bed on time."

The two little ones stood there and nodded obediently.

Lu Tingan must have encountered some tricky work—he didn’t call in the evening, only sent two messages back saying he was busy and wouldn’t be able to call that day.

Lu Zhiyu felt a bit disappointed but understood.

Lu Zhishi slept soundly, completely unaware, and didn’t wake until the next morning.

At least, that’s what he thought—he even forgot about Song Qinian changing his diaper and feeding him during the night.

The next day, the weather was beautiful—clear skies without a cloud, a golden sun hanging on the horizon, and a gentle breeze carrying the scent of fresh grass.

A new day brought new anticipation: his actor dad was coming home!

Lu Zhishi was excited all day, specifically shown by drinking two extra bottles of milk in the morning and at noon!

He missed Lu Tingan so much—it had been a month since they last saw each other, and he really missed him.

In the afternoon, Bai Yansheng finished work on time and drove to the kindergarten to pick up Chi Chen and Lu Zhiyu.

Knowing that Lu Tingan was returning that day and the family would want to catch up, Bai Yansheng didn’t invite Song Qinian and the kids over for dinner. After dropping Lu Zhiyu off at Song Qinian’s office and gently holding Lu Zhishi for a while, Bai Yansheng took Chi Chen home.

Song Qinian hurried to finish his work, got everything ready, and took the two children to the private airport in the suburbs to pick up Lu Tingan.

Before heading to the airport, Song Qinian drove to their usual flower shop to pick up the flowers they ordered—three bouquets in total.

One large, one small, and one mini bouquet.

At first, Lu Zhishi didn’t quite understand why they needed three bouquets, but seeing Lu Zhiyu’s reaction, it seemed like a normal thing.

"Later, we’ll give Dad a surprise…" Song Qinian said with a smile.

Lu Zhishi suddenly understood—so that was why.

It was quite romantic and very ceremonial.

Song Qinian handed out the bouquets: he placed the large one in the passenger seat, gave the small one to Lu Zhiyu to hold, and as for the mini bouquet…

Lu Zhishi reached out with both little hands, eyes shining brightly, ready to take it. But Song Qinian hesitated and pulled the bouquet back.

The little one was too small, and Song Qinian was afraid he might try to nibble on the petals, even though he had no teeth yet.

Lu Zhishi puffed out his chubby cheeks, waving his hands indignantly and babbling insistently to his dad: "Ah ya… da ah…"

—I want to give flowers to Dad too, I won’t nibble on them, give them to me, please, please~

The little one looked up at him with wide, pitiful eyes. Song Qinian couldn’t help but laugh. He placed the mini bouquet in Lu Zhishi’s arms and said, "You have to keep your word—no nibbling on the flowers. We’ll have your milk when we get home."

Holding the bouquet, Lu Zhishi grinned and responded, "Mmm…"

They drove all the way to the airport. Song Qinian stood with the two children at the exit of the tarmac, waiting eagerly, occasionally checking his wristwatch.

"Dad! It’s our family’s plane!" Lu Zhiyu exclaimed excitedly, tugging at Song Qinian’s clothes and pointing toward the sky.

This was the private airport belonging to the Song and Lu families—large and only for their use.

And the only person flying recently was Lu Tingan.

Song Qinian waited patiently, his hands clutching the bouquet behind his back, his heart racing.

Even after years of marriage, he still felt nervous every time they reunited.

Lu Tingan descended the steps, holding a large bouquet of flowers. Dressed simply in a white shirt and trousers, he looked poised and elegant—broad-shouldered with a slim waist, exuding an extraordinary presence.

Lu Tingan’s features were sharp and refined, with a cool elegance. His narrow, beautiful phoenix eyes were slightly downturned, long lashes casting a distant aura, but the semi-rimmed gold-framed glasses softened that aloofness.

As fans often described him: "Elegant as jade, a scion of a noble family."

With his striking looks, privileged background, and outstanding achievements, Lu Tingan’s success only enhanced his charm. He stood out uniquely in the entertainment industry, captivating attention wherever he went.

When he married Song Qinian, fans were heartbroken—wishing him happiness while secretly venting their frustrations toward Song Qinian.

Back then, Song Qinian would often be met with resentful stares whenever he went out, as if people were barely holding back from gritting their handkerchiefs in his face.