Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Miss You, Brother Xiao Chen!!

Chapter 13: Missing You, Brother Xiaochen!!

After finally coaxing the excited little one to sleep, he woke up again not long after. He didn’t cry or fuss, just lay quietly in bed playing with his fingers, waiting for his grandparents to wake up from their nap.

In the afternoon, Father Song had ingredients delivered and cooked with Mother Song. They even called Father Lu and Mother Lu to ask if they’d come for dinner. As the snow grew heavier, Father Lu and Mother Lu decided not to come, only video-chatting to see their grandson.

Lu Zhishi sat by the large window, quietly gazing outside. He knew if Song Qinian were returning, the car headlights would soon appear.

"Sweetie, are you hungry? Have something to eat first. Dad will be here soon."

Kids often get hungry in the afternoon, so it’s best to give them a snack. Worried he might be hungry, Mother Song cooked some pumpkin porridge and asked Father Song to feed him.

Lu Zhishi touched his belly; he didn’t have much of an appetite, but he was still hungry.

"Ah-woo..." He absentmindedly ate spoonfuls, occasionally turning to look out the window. Seeing no headlights, he turned back.

By the time it was completely dark, the sound of a car finally came from the driveway. Headlights shone into the house, and Lu Zhishi quickly held onto Father Song’s arm to stand up.

Since it was cold outside, Father Song didn’t take him out, instead bundling him in a thick blanket and waiting by the door.

Lu Zhiyu got out of the car and rushed over with a large bag in hand, his cheeks flushed and full of smiles. "Little brother! Grandpa!"

"Ge!" Lu Zhishi excitedly stretched his chubby hands out from the blanket, waving them. "Ge-ya~"

After entering the house and taking off his snow-covered coat, Lu Zhiyu hugged his cuddly little brother and gave him a kiss. "Did you miss me?"

"Ang~" Wrapping his arms around Lu Zhiyu’s neck, Lu Zhishi grinned happily. He had missed his brother too.

Lu Zhiyu carried him back to the living room and opened the large bag. "This is the teddy bear Dad got you, and the little hat Uncle Xiao Xi knitted."

Lu Zhishi leaned against his chest, holding a teddy bear bigger than himself, wearing the wool hat from his uncle. His eyes sparkled as he babbled cheerfully, regaining his usual liveliness.

Song Qinian was the last to come in, carrying several bags with snowflakes still dusting his hair.

Lu Zhishi’s dark, bright eyes fixed on the snowflakes on his head. He patted Lu Zhiyu’s arm and pointed at Song Qinian.

Noticing this, Song Qinian smiled warmly.

He quickly took off his cold coat, brushed the snow off his hair, and reached out to hold his precious little one, kissing his cheek.

Lu Zhishi tilted his head back, stretching his short, chubby hands to touch Song Qinian’s hair.

"What’s wrong? Is Dad’s hair dirty?"

"Ang-ya~" Lu Zhishi looked down at the snow on his fingers, squeezing it until it melted.

It was a beautiful four-pointed snowflake, but the room was too warm, and it melted quickly, leaving only half behind.

Lu Zhiyu peeked at his chubby fingers. "Little brother is looking for snow."

Song Qinian brushed the snow off his hair again and, seeing the snowflake in Lu Zhishi’s hand had melted, wiped the icy water from his fingers with a tissue.

Patting his little head, Song Qinian comforted him, "You can play with snow when you’re older."

Bending down to pick up his other child, Song Qinian carried both toward the living room. "You have to be as big as your brother to play with snow."

He told Lu Zhishi, "Your brother didn’t play with snow until he was four. You should learn from him."

Lu Zhishi seemed to understand vaguely. Since Daddy knew more than he did, maybe children really had to wait until four or five to play with snow.

Lost in thought, he didn’t notice Lu Zhiyu rubbing his nose guiltily on the side.

Song Qinian paused mid-step and looked down.

Big eyes met little eyes.

Lu Zhiyu: "...Daddy."

Song Qinian: "..." You little rascal.

Dinner was hearty, thanks to Father Song and Mother Song’s great cooking. After the family ate their fill, they noticed the snow had lightened outside and began packing up to leave.

Waving goodbye to his grandparents, Lu Zhishi’s dark eyes shone brightly. "Bei-ya~"

Father Song and Mother Song chuckled happily, tucking his hands back into the blanket and hugging their grandson. "Come again next time. Grandma and Grandpa will make delicious food for you."

"Okay~" Lu Zhiyu held Song Qinian’s hand, waving goodbye. "Goodbye, Grandma and Grandpa! Night-night~"

Since it was cold outside, Song Qinian didn’t let the elderly couple come out, taking the children straight to the car.

The snow had lightened but was still falling. As soon as they stepped out, tiny snowflakes landed on their hair and faces. Lu Zhishi tilted his head back and opened his mouth.

Song Qinian: "..."

Song Qinian gently closed his mouth and scolded softly, "No eating snow."

Lu Zhishi moved his lips, blinked his big eyes at his father, tilted his head, and nuzzled Song Qinian’s cheek. "Puh-ya~"

Song Qinian tapped his round head gently and quickly led Lu Zhiyu into the car, worried the little rascal might try to eat snow again.

He regretted not parking in the garage and taking the shorter route by parking in the yard.

Lu Zhiyu laughed the whole way. "I’ll get you some ice cream when we get home. Snow isn’t tasty, but ice cream is delicious."

Lu Zhishi grinned and replied, "Ang-ya~"

Song Qinian, driving ahead, spoke without turning around, "Do you both want a spanking?"

Lu Zhiyu immediately covered his mouth and also covered Lu Zhishi’s giggling mouth.

"And you, Lu Zhiyu, you’ve really eaten snow before, haven’t you? Go face the wall and reflect when we get home, you little rascal."

"It wasn’t me, Dad!" Lu Zhiyu hurriedly explained.

Lu Zhishi thought he would deny eating snow, but instead, Lu Zhiyu said, "The snow just flew into my mouth by itself."

Song Qinian chuckled exasperatedly. "If you hadn’t opened your mouth, could the snow have flown in?"

Lu Zhiyu mumbled and fell silent.

When they got home, Song Qinian made him face the wall for time-out—along with Lu Zhishi.

"Both of you, face the wall and reflect. You little rascals."

Lu Zhishi sat in his high chair, facing a plain white wall, with his older brother beside him.

He couldn't help but laugh: "Hah—"

Lu Zhiyu also smiled with curved eyes: "I used to face the wall by myself, but now you're here with me."

Lu Zhishi tugged his hand and looked up at his brother: "Hai ya~"

Truth be told, it was also his first time having his brother accompany him to do so many things.

They didn’t have to reflect on their behavior for long before Song Qinian finished tidying up and took them upstairs for a bath.

"Time to sleep, it’s cozy to sleep on snowy days."

Song Qinian methodically washed their hair, bathed them, and dried their hair, then bundled them both into bed.

Lu Zhiyu popped his head out from under the covers, his curly hair tousled: "Dad, we haven’t called Little Dad tonight."

Song Qinian was gathering his pajamas to head to the shower and replied, "Little Dad said since we just got back today, we should rest well and go to bed early."

Lu Zhiyu slumped back into the bed dejectedly: "Alright, we’ll call tomorrow then."

Lu Zhishi also sighed like a little adult.

Song Qinian went over to tuck them in, kissed their foreheads, and said, "Sleep well, good night."

"Good night, Dad."

"Ang da~" Good night~

Outside the window, the cold wind howled and light snow fell, bringing a night of sweet dreams.

...

They had been at Grandma and Grandpa’s house these past few days, so Lu Zhishi hadn’t seen Chi Chen.

Now that Chi Chen came over with his homework, Lu Zhishi’s eyes lit up, and he waved his chubby little hands excitedly.

"Hai ya~~"

A day apart feels like three years—I’ve missed you so much, Brother Xiaochen!!

In contrast to his cheerfulness was Lu Zhiyu beside him.

He forced a smile: "You didn't need to bring homework when you visit."

Chi Chen set down his homework, bent to pick up the happily babbling chubby baby from the carpet, and turned to Lu Zhiyu: "Uncle Song said you haven’t done your homework. I’m here to supervise you."

Lu Zhiyu looked miserable, Chi Chen was expressionless, and Lu Zhishi was beaming.

Lu Zhishi snuggled in Chi Chen’s arms, reading a book with him, while Lu Zhiyu did his homework nearby.

Song Qinian was on annual leave starting today and was also in the living room reviewing documents.

One adult and three children, each doing their own thing—a picture of peaceful tranquility, except for Lu Zhiyu.

Patiently finishing one workbook before lunch, Lu Zhiyu sighed in relief: "Finally finished one."

He turned to Chi Chen and asked, "How many workbooks have you finished?"

Chi Chen turned a page of the picture puzzle storybook for Lu Zhishi and replied calmly, "All of them."

Lu Zhiyu was suddenly crushed.

After eating two bowls of rice at lunch, Lu Zhiyu hauled all his homework into the small study, determined to finish everything before the day after tomorrow so he could enjoy the New Year happily.

Chi Chen was used to this and simply said, "You can do it," before carrying Lu Zhishi back to his room for a nap.

"Today, you’ll nap with Brother Xiaochen."

"Ya en~"

Skillfully pulling out a small blanket and a big plush rabbit, Chi Chen patted his back like an adult, his cool voice gentle: "Sleep."

Lu Zhishi snuggled closer, grabbed a corner of Chi Chen’s clothes with his little hand, hugged the big rabbit toy, and closed his eyes.

Chi Chen, still awake, quietly watched the little one’s chubby cheeks and gently touched them.

He then glanced at the toy in Lu Zhishi’s arms, sizing it up with his eyes.

Chi Chen knew children grow fast. By late spring next year, he would make a slightly bigger toy for Lu Zhishi to sleep with.

...

Chi Chen came over for several days in a row, and Lu Zhiyu’s homework was almost done.

The New Year was approaching soon.

Lu Tingan was busy filming and wouldn’t be back until New Year’s Eve.

Bai Yansheng was also busy, especially as the Spring Festival drew closer, and hadn’t been home for days, staying at the hospital instead.

They could have just ordered New Year’s goods online and had them delivered, but with the endless snow lately, Chi Yuehang invited Song Qinian to go to the supermarket in a couple of days to shop for New Year’s supplies and let the kids get some fresh air.

Song Qinian was hesitant at first—it was too cold outside, and Lu Zhishi was still young, so he worried he might get chilled.

But when he looked down and met the little one’s eager eyes, his heart softened.

The little one had been cooped up at home for days without fuss, well-behaved and quiet, so Song Qinian also wanted to take him out for a walk.

When Lu Zhishi heard Song Qinian agree, his eyes sparkling, he thought: New Year’s shopping, snacks, snacks!

Even though he couldn’t eat them, it’d be fun to just look, and the supermarket would be lively during the New Year season.

People love excitement during the New Year, and Lu Zhishi was no exception.

A couple of days later, when the snow let up, Song Qinian packed up, bundled the two children warmly to keep them from freezing, and took them out.

After calling Chi Yuehang, the two families drove separately to their usual supermarket.