Chapter 27: Chapter 27 “New Backpack~”

Chapter 27 "New Schoolbag~"

On one side of the room, Song Qinian, who was folding his pajamas, couldn't hold back and chuckled aloud.

He turned to Lu Tingan, who had just come out of the bathroom, and said with a smile, "This Tubby, he really has a talent for acting. He can become an actor like his brother in the future."

Lu Tingan replied, "More like a talent for mischief."

Lu Zhishi scooted his bottom, turning his chubby back toward them.

"C-come back?"

Chi Chen said, "We'll come home early, next month." Realizing that the little one might not understand the concept of time, he added, "Just after a few more naps, and we'll be back."

Lu Zhishi nodded vigorously: "Okay~"

They chatted for a long time before hanging up.

Lu Tingan took the phone and set it aside. "Come here for your moisturizer."

Lu Zhishi scampered over excitedly and lay on his back beside Lu Tingan.

Taking out the baby cream from the cabinet, Lu Tingan dabbed a little onto the plump cheeks and smoothed it in.

He also gave the child a gentle face massage.

Lu Zhishi half-closed his eyes, comfortably enjoying his father's massage technique.

When Lu Tingan's hand slid down to his neck, the little one would close his eyes, shrink his neck, and giggle—it was quite amusing.

Perhaps because he had played too much during the day, the little one fell asleep before the massage was finished, his round belly rising and falling.

Meanwhile, Song Qinian took out the several stuffed toys he had brought back and began cleaning and disinfecting them.

Even after the toys were cleaned, they would have to wait until Lu Zhiyu and Chi Chen returned before they could be given away.

This year's summer was turning out pretty boring...

As the weather grew hotter, Lu Zhishi refused to go outside; he’d just sprawl on the sofa like a little round blob.

It was so hot that even Zhao Xiaoxing stopped coming over to play. Last week, he went with his father to the south to visit his grandparents and escape the heat.

This made things even more boring.

The little lazybones disliked going out in the heat, so the cabbages and flowers planted in the yard were left for Song Qinian to take care of.

"Lu Zhishi, your cabbages are wilting."

"Daddy, you go~"

Song Qinian said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, and dutifully watered the cabbages. "I'm going to eat all your cabbages. Tonight, we'll have cabbage and meatball soup and stewed cabbage with tofu."

After some rustling, a round head with messy hair popped up from the sofa.

Lu Zhishi leaned against the back of the sofa and said, "For brother, s-save some~"

It was fine if they were eaten, but he had to remember to save some for his big brother—after all, he had worked hard to grow those cabbages.

"Alright, I'll save one cabbage for him."

Song Qinian watered each one, washed his hands, and called from the door, "Do you want to play with water in the yard?"

Lu Zhishi perked up from the couch: "Yes!"

Upstairs in the study, Lu Tingan frowned, pushed up his glasses, and stepped out onto the balcony to look down at the lively father and son.

"Song Qinian, you're at it again with the water play."

The splashing sounds stopped, and two pairs of identical almond-shaped eyes looked up pitifully.

Lu Tingan remained unmoved, standing quietly on the balcony as he watched them.

Song Qinian scooped his kid close, both squatting there. "It's too hot, just for a little while."

Lu Zhishi also nodded earnestly: "Yeah!"

Lu Tingan looked down at them, silent for a moment before saying, "Just half an hour, then it's time for a bath."

Their water play time was reduced from an hour to half an hour, but neither Song Qinian nor Lu Zhishi dared to argue—being allowed to play at all was already a win.

The small pool held cool water. Song Qinian tested the temperature before letting the excited little guy step in.

Song Qinian asked, "Do you want the swim rings this time?"

Before Lu Zhishi could answer, two coughs came from upstairs. Song Qinian immediately backtracked: "Better to use the swim rings. We'll practice swimming when you're a bit older."

Lu Zhishi: "Okay~"

Since his Dad had spoken, of course, they had to listen. Otherwise, they’d be in trouble later—only bad outcomes, no good ones.

Just as he was happily floating in the water, when time was up, Lu Zhishi was plucked out.

Song Qinian wrapped the little one in a large towel and carried him upstairs for a bath. "We need to be quick, so you don’t catch a cold."

Like washing a radish, Lu Zhishi was scrubbed and rinsed under his hands, quickly finished bathing, dressed, and moisturized.

Song Qinian gave the task: "Alright, sweet-smelling buddy, go find your Dad and tell him to give his eyes a break and come down for some fruit."

After his bottom was patted, Lu Zhishi excitedly ran to the study door and politely knocked.

A calm voice came from the study: "Please come in."

Lu Zhishi reached out but was too short to reach the doorknob.

Soon, Lu Tingan seemed to realize this, and the study door opened. He bent down and picked up Lu Zhishi.

"Finished your bath?" Lu Tingan reached out to tidy the little one’s tousled hair.

"Yeah!" Lu Zhishi held onto his father’s shoulder. "Daddy, eat fruit."

"Okay, Daddy will come soon. Will you stay with me?"

"Yes~" Lu Zhishi tilted his head and nuzzled against Lu Tingan’s neck.

Lu Tingan kissed the little one’s forehead and carried him back to the study to continue working.

Although Lu Zhishi was usually playful and sometimes a chatterbox, when his fathers were working, he would sit quietly beside them, keeping them company.

The computer screen was crowded with text, and the desk was piled with various files. Lu Zhishi took one look and quickly averted his eyes; it made his head hurt.

Noticing the movement, Lu Tingan didn’t look up but reached into the drawer, pulled out a cotton candy, unwrapped it, and brought it to Lu Zhishi’s mouth.

Lu Zhishi instinctively opened his mouth and took a bite of the sweet, soft cotton candy.

"Thank you~"

Lu Tingan patted his hair and continued focusing on his work.

Downstairs, Song Qinian, who had been searching for a while without finding anyone, came back upstairs.

"Fat Cheese, didn’t I ask you to call your Xiao Baba to come down and have some fruit?"

Little traitor—he was supposed to call Lu Tingan downstairs to rest and eat fruit, but instead, he ended up staying in the study with his Xiao Baba, eating cotton candy.

With two cotton candies stuffed in his mouth, his cheeks puffed out, Lu Zhishi felt guilty and silently turned his head away.

He tugged at Lu Tingan’s sleeve.

Lu Tingan met Song Qinian’s eyes, and after two seconds, set down his pen, stood up to tidy some documents, and picked up Fat Cheese.

"We’re coming down now."

Song Qinian followed behind them, watching as they went downstairs and settled on the living room sofa to eat fruit before heading back to the kitchen to continue cooking.

Before leaving, he made a detour and snatched the banana Lu Zhishi was munching on.

Lu Zhishi: "…"

His big, round eyes gradually welled up with tears, and the poor little one started wailing angrily: "Dad!"

Lu Tingan: "…"

Lu Tingan: "Song Qinian, give the banana back to him!"

The head of household had spoken, and Song Qinian didn’t dare disobey. He circled around the sofa and stuffed the remaining half of the banana back into the little crybaby’s hand.

Lu Zhishi looked at the small piece of banana left in his hand, pouted, and tilted his head tearfully toward Lu Tingan.

Lu Tingan was both annoyed and amused. He pulled the little crybaby onto his lap and wiped his cheeks with his thumb.

"No more crying."

For a week straight, Song Qinian slept in the guest room.

Every night after his bath, Lu Zhishi, wearing his little lamb pajamas, would dutifully carry his small cloud pillow and slowly wander around the guest room—once, then again.

After circling in front of Song Qinian a few times, he would drag his pillow back to the bedroom to listen to Lu Tingan’s bedtime stories.

Song Qinian found it quite amusing.

Don’t be fooled by the little rascal’s slow, leisurely stroll—if Song Qinian ever called out, "Fat Cheese, sleep with me tonight," Fat Cheese would definitely dash off faster than a rabbit.

By the end of August, the temperature had dropped slightly. With the autumn breeze blowing, it felt both warm and cool.

Lu Zhiyu and Chi Chen had finally returned home after completing their study tour for the year.

"Chubby, your brother’s back!"

A clear, loud voice rang out, echoing straight into the villa.

Curled up in the corner of the sofa, drowsy Lu Zhishi was startled. He lifted his head and pricked up his ears to listen.

It was his stinky brother!

Rolling off the sofa and landing on the carpet, Lu Zhishi excitedly ran out, pushing the door open with effort.

After his time away, Lu Zhiyu had grown taller and stronger, his skin a bit darker, his beautiful peach-blossom eyes sparkling with light and laughter.

Pulling his suitcase up the steps, Lu Zhiyu bent down and grinned at the dazed little one. "What, don’t recognize your brother anymore?"

Lu Zhishi pouted, his eyes glistening, then leaped forward and clung to his stinky brother’s leg. "You… just came back…"

Lu Zhiyu picked him up, patted his chubby back, and gently comforted him. "I came back as fast as I could. I brought you a gift, you know."

Lu Zhishi murmured, "I… have one too."

He had prepared a gift for his brother as well.

Lu Zhiyu laughed. "A teddy bear, ish that right, Fat Cheese?"

Perched on Lu Zhiyu’s shoulder, Fat Cheese lifted his head, pinched Lu Zhiyu’s cheek with a soft little hand, and said unhappily, "Yes… it is, stinky brother…"

Lu Zhiyu burst out laughing, kissed his chubby cheek, and turned to Chi Chen in the neighboring yard. "If your uncles aren’t home, come over to my place for a meal to fill your stomach first."

Lu Zhishi leaned to the side, eyes shining brightly, and waved at Chi Chen. "Little Chen gege!"

Chi Chen’s pursed lips relaxed, and the corners of his mouth curved upward. "I’ll take a shower first."

Watching Chi Chen enter the house, Lu Zhiyu carried his chubby brother home while the bodyguard behind them helped bring several suitcases inside.

"Dad!"

Lu Zhiyu put Lu Zhishi down, went into the kitchen, and wrapped his arms around Lu Tingan's waist, looking up.

Lu Tingan patted his head. "You’ve grown quite a bit. Eat first or shower first?"

"I’ll shower first and eat with Chi Chen later."

After staying close to his dad for a while, Lu Zhiyu went upstairs to wash up. Lu Zhishi didn’t follow but circled the suitcases in the living room a couple of times.

Just how many gifts did he bring? Two suitcases went out, seven came back.

The wait for his brother to finish showering dragged on—Lu Zhishi had already circled the living room eight times already!

He actually wanted to go see Little Chen gege, but his dad was busy, his brother was showering, and he couldn’t manage the stairs alone.

"Sigh~"

Just as he sighed for the third time, Lu Zhiyu came downstairs.

"What's with all the sighing?"

Ruffling Lu Zhishi’s adorable curly hair, Lu Zhiyu opened the suitcase and said, "These are all for you. Come see if you like them."

Lu Zhishi’s eyes lit up, and he excitedly rushed over, plopping down on Lu Zhiyu’s lap.

Lu Zhiyu laughed and helped him sit properly while pulling items out of the suitcase and introducing them.

A wind chime to hang by the bed, a photo frame decorated with seashells, a thick photo album, a large carrot plushie—which he won in a competition…

The luggage was full, all gifts exclusively for the little kid.

Lu Zhishi hugged the big carrot plush, his eyes shining brightly, looking up with a sweet smile: "Thank you, brother!"

Lu Zhiyu took out a seashell, pale blue ombré, palm-sized, and placed it perfectly in Lu Zhishi's hand.

He said: "Last time I saw how much you liked the seashell Xiao Chen gave you, so I got you one too."

Lu Zhishi was so touched his eyes welled up with tears, "You’re the best, brother!"

When Chi Chen came over for dinner, he also brought a bag, similar to Lu Zhiyu's, filled with toys and accessories and trinkets for the kids.

The most special item was a photo album, containing scenery, little animals, and things he’d seen Chi Chen had captured himself with his camera.

Lu Zhishi was still too young, so he wasn’t old enough for some gifts yet.

But with so many presents, Lu Zhishi was so happy he ate two full bowls of rice that evening.

Lu Zhiyu said: "When you start elementary school, you can go abroad for a study abroad program."

Only elementary school students could go; kindergarten kids weren't allowed.

Lu Zhishi counted on his fingers—how long will that be? He hadn't even started kindergarten yet.

With both hands cupping his cheeks, two-year-old Lu Zhishi sat on the doorstep, watching his two older brothers leave for school, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "Aww～"

When would he finally grow up?

...

Autumn turned to winter, spring to summer, and a whole year crept by.

"Little birdie says, early, early, early, I’m gonna wear my little backpack～"

Early in the morning, a soft, little voice rang out on time in the Lu family's yard.

Chi Yuehang, heading out early for work, called out to Tubby over there: "You’re like a little alarm clock, do you like school that much?"

"Uncle～ Good morning～"

Lu Zhishi turned his head, grinning sweetly, and did a little twirl to show off his new backpack.

"Uncle, look～"

Chi Yuehang chuckled: "I see it, it's a cute little lamb backpack."

Lu Zhishi then put down his backpack and pulled out a small water bottle: "This is pwetty too... I mean, pretty."

A small, round, white kid’s water bottle, gifted by Chi Yuehang, complete with a little lamb pendant.

Chi Yuehang's dad instincts kicked in again—such an adorable, well-behaved child, a thoughtful little guy.

Like a sneaky fox, Chi Yuehang leaned over the wooden fence to coax the child: "Sweetie, come with uncle to work today, okay?"

"Uncle has really fun toys, really yummy snacks, and fun cartoons～"

Lu Zhishi shook his head and stepped back: "No, no～"

Uncle Chi’s a workaholic—if he went to his company to play, he’d forget lunchtime.

Chi Yuehang sighed, looking disappointed, "Alright then, Fat Cheese."

Lu Zhishi waved: "Bye-bye～"

Chi Yuehang glanced at his watch, "Goodbye, Fat Cheese."

Watching him leave, Lu Zhishi ran around the yard a bit before turning and running back home to find his brother.

"Brother, brother～"

Hesitantly testing the step, the stairs were too high, and Lu Zhishi didn't dare go up alone. He turned and dashed into the kitchen to get help.

"Daddy, help me～" He tugged on Song Qinian's pant leg, pointing toward the door.

Song Qinian moved the breakfast off the stove and said helplessly: "Please wait a minute, the eggs are still cooking."

Lu Zhishi hung onto his leg, nodding obediently: "Okay～"

He skillfully plated a few heart-shaped fried eggs, Song Qinian took off his apron and washed his hands.

Picking up his little son, he carried him upstairs and dropped him off in Lu Zhiyu's room, then went to the bedroom to check on Lu Tingan.

Lu Zhishi walked to the bedside, tiptoeing to look at the lump on the bed, "Brother?"

Lu Zhiyu didn't respond, eyes closed, fast asleep.

Lu Zhishi dragged over a small stool, took off his shoes, stepped onto it, and clambered onto the big bed.

"Brother, time to eat～" Giving his nose a pinch, Lu Zhiyu drowsily opened his eyes.

In response, he pulled his little brother into the blankets and hugged him, sleepily pulling the blanket over him: "Fat Cheese, let's sleep a bit more..."

Lu Zhishi: "..."

Lu Zhishi: "Eat～"

Lu Zhiyu curved his lips: "No food… sleep…"

Lu Zhishi raised his little eyebrows, whispering in his ear:

"If you don't eat, Dad’ll spank you～"

"Daddy’s right outside～"

"Brother, eat～"

Lu Zhiyu: "..."

You little chatterbox, why bring up Dad for no reason? Lu Zhiyu was suddenly wide awake.

Pulling the child out of the blankets, Lu Zhiyu, barely able to keep his eyes open, struggled to get up and wash up and get dressed.

While he was washing up, Lu Zhishi, bending over, neatly arranged Lu Zhiyu's blankets and fluffed his pillow.

Going downstairs for breakfast, after finishing a custard bun, Lu Zhishi asked around a mouthful to Song Qinian: "Where's little Daddy?"

Song Qinian replied without batting an eye: "Daddy worked overtime last night and is very tired. Let him sleep a bit more."

Lu Zhiyu and Lu Zhishi nodded in unison—if little Daddy didn't finish his work during the day, he would always complete it working overtime at night.

Lu Zhiyu bent down to wipe the custard bun stains from Lu Zhishi's mouth and said to Song Qinian, "Tell Dad not to work so late—it's not good for his health."

Lu Tingan was away filming and never used a stunt double, so he always had countless big and small injuries all over his body.

Song Qinian felt a warmth in his heart: "I'll tell Little Dad."

It was still summer break, so Lu Zhiyu didn’t have to go to school. He and Chi Chen had just returned from a study abroad trip yesterday and hadn’t adjusted their sleep schedule yet. After breakfast, he planned to go upstairs and catch some more sleep.

Since Lu Tingan was home and Lu Zhiyu had returned, Lu Zhishi didn’t follow Song Qinian to the office.

Holding Lu Zhishi’s chubby little hand, Lu Zhiyu stood at the door to see Song Qinian off to work.

Lu Zhishi waved: "Bye-bye, Dad~"

Song Qinian bent down to kiss both children’s foreheads and said gently, "Dad’s going to work now. I’ll bring back something tasty when I get off. Make sure to eat on time with Little Dad at home."

Lu Zhiyu’s cheeks flushed slightly, his expression both shy and happy but trying to hide it. He scratched his head and said, "Okay, Dad."

Watching him drive away, Lu Zhiyu closed the door and carried Lu Zhishi upstairs.

When he set the solid little guy down on the second floor, Lu Zhiyu quietly sighed in relief and stretched his arms where Lu Zhishi couldn’t see.

Lu Zhishi glanced at him. Lu Zhiyu put his hands behind his back, looking relaxed with a faint smile on his face.

"I’m going to check on Dad. Do you want to come?"

Lu Zhishi immediately raised his hand: "Me too."

Lu Zhiyu took his hand again and whispered, "We have to be quiet."

"Mm-hmm~" Lu Zhishi nodded obediently.

The room was dim, curtains drawn tight, with little light. Lu Zhiyu carefully led Lu Zhishi inside.

Approaching the bed, Lu Tingan’s delicate, handsome face was barely visible in the gloom. Lu Zhiyu couldn’t tell if he looked pale or uncomfortable, only that he was sleeping deeply.

Lu Zhiyu reached out and gently pressed the back of his hand against Lu Tingan’s forehead to check his temperature.

Warm—no fever.

Lu Zhiyu carefully pulled the blanket up for him, turned up the thermostat a bit, and led Lu Zhishi out.

"Brother, is Dad not feeling well?"

Outside the room, Lu Zhishi frowned, looking up seriously at Lu Zhiyu.

Lu Zhiyu: "Dad’s okay. He’s just tired from work. He’ll probably wake up around nine."

Thinking his little brother might not understand what "nine o’clock" meant, he rephrased: "That’s when Uncle Lin gets up to walk the dogs. Dad will get up and eat then."

Their neighbor’s neighbor’s neighbor was Uncle Lin, who loved keeping a pack of Huskies. Every morning at nine sharp, he’d take them out for a walk.

Rain or shine, snow or wind, he never missed his dog-walking routine, as regular as clockwork.

Lu Zhishi pretended to understand and nodded.

Lying flat in bed, Lu Zhishi couldn’t fall asleep at first. He kept turning to look at Lu Zhiyu, who was sound asleep beside him, or lying on his stomach counting sheep.

Before he knew it, the sheep drifted away, and Lu Zhishi had no idea when he dozed off. When he woke, Lu Zhiyu had his back to him, doing test papers.

Hearing movement, Lu Zhiyu turned around: "Awake? Want to sleep more?"

Lu Zhishi mumbled sleepily, rolled over, stuck his little bottom in the air, and blinked drowsily as if about to fall back asleep.

Lu Zhiyu didn’t rush him. While waiting, he corrected the test answers and smiled at the perfect score, feeling pleased, planning to show it to Lu Tingan later for praise.

"Still not up? I’ve already finished correcting the test."

"Get up for lunch. There’s creamy mushroom soup today—your favorite."

"Fat Cheese, can you hear me?"

The little lump under the covers shifted, rustling for a moment before a head popped out.

With tousled little curls and bleary eyes, Fat Cheese mumbled drowsily, "I hear you…"

"Then get up and eat, okay?"

The room fell silent again, with no response.

Lu Zhiyu: "…"

He glanced over—the little one was already dozing off again.

Helpless, Lu Zhiyu went over, picked him up, and carried him to the bathroom to wash his face and wake up.

Lu Zhishi whined and complained for a long time but was no match for his brother. When a cool towel wiped his face, Lu Zhishi was wide awake.

Combing his little curls, Lu Zhiyu took him downstairs. Lu Tingan was relaxing in a lounge chair on the first-floor balcony, basking in the sun while reading a book.

As soon as Lu Zhishi’s feet touched the ground, he hurried over to him and climbed into his lap.

"Dad~"

Lu Tingan freed a hand to pat his head: "Yeah, awake?"

"Mm~" Lu Zhishi looked at the book in Lu Tingan’s hands and, sure enough, it was just what he’d thought.

Not a book—a script.

After resting for so long, and with Lu Zhishi about to start kindergarten, it was time for Lu Tingan to go back to filming.

He hadn’t planned to quit acting yet.

Family was important, but so were dreams. He could take breaks, but he wouldn’t give up his pursuits for anyone.

Lu Zhishi wasn’t really a child. Even if he missed Lu Tingan, he wouldn’t make a fuss to stop him.

Lu Tingan put the script aside, leaned down to pick him up, and nuzzled his chubby cheek.

He asked softly, "Why so glum all of a sudden?"

Lu Zhishi nestled against his dad’s neck, shook his head, and pouted where Lu Tingan couldn't see him.

Then he rubbed his face, looked up, and said, "Because I didn’t sleep enough…"

Lu Tingan tapped him lightly on the head: "If you sleep more now, you won’t be able to sleep tonight."

Carrying the little guy to the dining room and putting him in his high chair, Lu Tingan turned and patted Lu Zhiyu’s hair: "If you’re tired, get some more rest. Don't worry about homework right now."

Lu Zhiyu: "I'm not tired, Dad."

Lu Tingan raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Then who was the one who slept so long?"

Lu Zhiyu grinned. Though he had peach-blossom eyes, he looked like a sly little fox. "It was Fat Cheese."

Lu Zhishi, who had been struggling to scoop food with his spoon nearby, paused and lifted his face. He widened his eyes, glancing first at Lu Tingan, then at Lu Zhiyu.

Meeting Lu Tingan's thoughtful gaze, Lu Zhishi protested anxiously, "It wasn't me!"

Lu Zhiyu put on a stern expression. "Dad, it really was Fat Cheese. He slept from last night until just now and didn't even eat breakfast."

"I did eat!" The chubby toddler hurriedly explained to Lu Tingan, waving his little arms frantically. "It wasn't me, it was... it was Brother!"

Look at this Fat Cheese—usually he speaks perfectly fine, but now, in his panic, he’s stumbling over his words.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Lu Zhiyu burst into laughter, delighted, laughing until tears nearly came to his eyes.

Lu Zhishi, slow to catch on, puffed up his cheeks and glared at him. *Stinky brother.*

Lu Tingan pressed his lips together, suppressing a smirk, then quickly composed himself before Lu Zhishi could notice.

He patted Lu Zhiyu, telling him not to laugh too much, or Fat Cheese would get angry.

Lu Zhiyu clamped a hand over his mouth, trying hard to stifle his laughter, though mirth still sparkled in his eyes.

Lu Zhishi reached out, grabbed the big chicken drumstick from his stinky brother’s bowl, and opened his mouth wide, taking big bites all over it.

Lu Zhiyu: "..."

Annoyed yet amused, he pinched Lu Zhishi’s chubby cheeks. "You have your own, yet you steal mine."

Even with his face being pinched, Lu Zhishi didn’t let go of the drumstick. His eyes shone brightly as he mumbled, "So good..."

Food from someone else’s bowl always tastes better than your own.

After a lively lunch, Lu Zhishi, refusing to take a nap, trudged out under the blazing sun to go next door and play with Chi Chen.

Lu Zhiyu quickly grabbed him. "Brother Xiao Chen isn’t home."

"Where is Brother Xiao Chen?"

"He went to his grandparents’ house."

Lu Zhishi thought for a moment. "Then I’ll go play with Xing Xing."

"Brother Xiaoyun said his family is going to visit their grandparents today."

Lu Zhishi sighed. "Okay~"

"Hehehe~" Lu Zhiyu grinned, raising both hands and wiggling his fingers, looking like a complete villain. "Looks like Fat Cheese will be studying with me today~"

Lu Zhishi looked horrified. Dad, there’s a bad guy!

Lu Tingan lowered his head, scribbling on his script, the corners of his lips slightly upturned.

Carrying a reluctant Lu Zhishi back to the room, Lu Zhiyu pulled out a bilingual picture book and, like a little teacher, began teaching his younger brother to recognize words and learn some foreign language.

"It’s okay if you don’t know a foreign language yet. When you start elementary school, Dad will arrange for you to study abroad." Lu Zhiyu patted his little head. "After a few months overseas, you’ll naturally pick it up, so don’t worry too much about learning it now."

Lu Zhishi’s eyes widened slightly, and he couldn’t help but glance up at him, murmuring.

"Oh my goodness~"

"What are you mumbling? Focus on studying." Lu Zhiyu turned back and pointed to the words in the picture book. "Repeat after me..."

During the quiet afternoon, the children’s room on the second floor occasionally echoed with mixed Chinese and foreign pronunciations—a clear adolescent voice leading, followed by a tender toddler’s voice.

"Apple, apple."

"Apple, ah-po~"

"..." Lu Zhiyu pinched the bridge of his nose. Well, it’s understandable—toddler language skills aren’t fully developed yet.

Lu Tingan listened quietly at the door for a while, smiled to himself, recorded a short clip for Song Qinian, then turned and headed to his study for a meeting.

They studied until 2:30 in the afternoon. Lu Zhishi’s eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and he eventually fell asleep in Lu Zhiyu’s arms.

His eyes were barely open, but he kept mumbling, "Boo-nana," "Boo-nana," "banana..."

"What are you saying?"

Chi Chen had to ask.

Ever since the little one arrived, he’d been muttering softly nonstop. Chi Chen couldn’t make out what he was saying.

Lu Zhishi: "Boo-nana, banana~"

He even shaped his hands like a banana, then drew a circle and said, "Ah-po, apple~"

Chi Chen: "..."

Chi Chen: "Who taught you that?"

Who taught you such inaccurate pronunciation?

Lu Zhishi’s eyes curved into a smile. "Brother~"

Chi Chen recalled Lu Zhiyu’s foreign language exam score: A+.

He glanced down at the chubby kid beside him, frowned, and a flash of confusion crossed his eyes.

Chi Chen: "You can come to my house tonight. I’ll help you with your lessons."

Lu Zhishi: "?" Was tutoring already starting this soon?

He looked up at Chi Chen, met his calm gaze, and instinctively nodded eagerly. "Okay~"

Patting his head, Chi Chen pulled out his old kindergarten books, spread them open in front of Lu Zhishi, and said plainly, "School starts next week. I’ll go over what you’ll learn in kindergarten with you."

Lu Zhishi: "...Okay, Brother Xiao Chen."

Thus began his early academic life. Lu Zhishi was miserable but happy—studying with Lu Zhiyu during the day and with Chi Chen at night. Sometimes, both of them even taught him together.

The kindergarten material was easy for him. Lu Zhishi hinted to Lu Zhiyu that he wanted to learn more challenging things.

But Lu Zhiyu simply patted his little head and said, "You’re still young. This is enough for now."

"Childhood is short, so enjoy it well. The path of growth is long—there's no need to rush." Song Qinian remarked during dinner.

These words were meant not only for Lu Zhishi but also for Lu Zhiyu.

"Make sure to rest well at night and don’t study too late, okay, Pang Xiaoyu?"

Hearing his name called out suddenly, Lu Zhiyu’s cheeks flushed red. "I understand, Dad."

Lu Zhishi, who was eating nearby, glanced at Song Qinian and then at Lu Zhiyu, his face full of curiosity and surprise.

A grind king brother!

Song Qinian picked up some vegetables and placed them in Lu Zhishi’s bowl, then turned to Lu Zhiyu and said, "If I see your light on again tonight, I’ll have to move your textbooks and homework to the study first."

Lu Zhiyu nodded hurriedly. "The light won’t be on tonight."

"And don’t hide under the covers reading with a flashlight."

The vegetables Lu Zhishi was about to pick up suddenly dropped mid-air as he stared wide-eyed at Lu Zhiyu.

Seeing Lu Zhiyu’s evasive gaze and slightly guilty expression, Lu Zhishi couldn’t help but feel a sense of being outdone by a grind king.

Lu Zhiyu promised again.

After a while, Lu Zhiyu couldn’t hold back any longer and asked Song Qinian, "Dad, how did you know?"

Song Qinian glanced at Lu Tingan, who was eating calmly, and gently curved his lips into a smile. "All these tricks and routines of yours are things your little dad and I tried back in the day."

Lu Zhiyu exclaimed, "?"

Lu Zhishi exclaimed, "?!"

Never would they have imagined that their family was full of grind kings.

Song Qinian placed a piece of spare ribs in Lu Zhiyu’s bowl and said, "When you have time, you can play with the robot AI models. Start with the old ones—the latest model will arrive next week."

Lu Zhiyu’s eyes lit up. "Okay, I’ll do as you say, Dad."

After dinner, Lu Zhishi took a bath, dried his hair, applied some scented lotion, and headed to the Chi family's home with a large drawing book to study with Brother Xiao Chen.

During a break after studying, Lu Zhishi asked Chi Chen, "Brother Xiao Chen, do you also stay up late reading?"

Chi Chen paused while flipping through his book, stopped, and turned to look at him. "Not too late. Why do you ask?"

Lu Zhishi: "My brother reads until very late."

Since Lu Zhiyu studies so late, Chi Chen, who was even more of a grind king, might stay up even later. Lu Zhishi wanted to encourage him to sleep early and not pull all-nighters.

Chi Chen’s eyebrow twitched. He asked softly, "How late does your brother read?"

Lu Zhishi: "Dad said my brother doesn’t sleep and stays up reading."

Lu Zhiyu and Chi Chen had similar schedules, usually going to bed at 9 p.m., with occasional late nights until 11 p.m., though that was rare.

Based on that, Lu Zhiyu wasn’t going to bed at bedtime but was still studying.

Chi Chen: "..."

He heard Chi Chen mutter under his breath, "Liar, Pinocchio."

Lu Zhishi: "?" Did I mess up?

Chi Chen turned to him and said, "Don't pick up his habits."

Lu Zhishi nodded guiltily.

Wringing his hands, he silently apologized in his heart: Sorry, stinky brother, turns out you're the only one cramming. I spilled the beans.

...

In the following days, Lu Zhiyu noticed that Chi Chen kept staring at him with this weird look, as if he had deceived him.

Lu Zhiyu asked, "What are you doing?"

Chi Chen coldly flipped a page of his book: "Nothing."

Lu Zhiyu frowned, leaned closer, and asked again, "Then why do you keep giving me that weird look?"

Chi Chen forcefully turned another page: "Nothing, Pinocchio man."

Lu Zhiyu: "?"

Lu Zhiyu was totally confused, but being someone who couldn't handle not knowing, he kept bugging Chi Chen, chattering away in his ear. Finally, Chi Chen couldn’t take it anymore and said, "Didn’t you say you go to bed at nine every night?"

Lu Zhiyu: "I do go to bed at nine."

Chi Chen looked at him coldly: "You study at night."

"..." Lu Zhiyu suddenly felt guilty, started sweating bullets.

His mind racing, he suddenly thought of something and quickly turned his gaze to the corner, where Lu Zhishi was trying to make himself as small as possible to avoid attention.

The accusing looks felt like a hailstorm of needles. Lu Zhishi felt as if his back had been pierced through and couldn’t help but regret it.

See, this is what you get for hanging around after studying instead of going home. You’re about to get spanked.

Chi Chen went over, picked up the little chubby guy, straightened his clothes, and confronted Lu Zhiyu: "Why are you looking at him? Don’t scare him."

He said coldly, "Your hair is curly enough, and now you’re cramming too."

Lu Zhiyu unconsciously touched his little curly hair, turned bright red, opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words.

After a long while, he finally said like he'd given up, "It’s because I can’t keep up with your progress, so I have to study at night. If I don’t, I’ll fall behind the next day..."

Chi Chen looked at him: "I offered to help you study, but you said no."

Lu Zhiyu embarrassedly lowered his head and touched his face: "I was too embarrassed to bother you."

Chi Chen: "..."

Chi Chen: "...Don't use that tone."

Ten minutes later, Lu Zhishi was snacking on fruit off to the side, watching his brother receive tutoring.

He suddenly felt like he had done a good deed and silently gave himself a thumbs-up.

Before he could lower his hand, he spotted Lu Zhiyu making a spanking gesture with his hand at his side. Lu Zhishi: "Oh no!"

Zhao Xiaoxing had been staying away because of the heat these past few days and hadn’t come to play with Lu Zhishi.

Early that morning, taking advantage of the cool weather, he hurriedly gathered a pile of toys and hurried over to find Lu Zhishi.

Knocking on the Lu family's door, he discovered the oldest brother wasn't home.

Song Qinian opened the door, and upon seeing him, said with a light laugh, pointing toward the Chi family's house:

"Fat Cheese is next door. After you go inside, don't try to climb the stairs by yourself. Just call for Brother Xiao Yu or Brother Xiao Chen from downstairs to carry you upstairs."

"Okay, bye uncle~" The roly-poly Zhao Xiaoxing, hugging his toy airplane, ran off to the Chi family's house.

Song Qinian, worried, followed him and saw that he obediently stopped at the foot of the stairs and called out.

"Brother Xiao Yu!" Zhao Xiaoxing shouted at the top of his lungs: "Brother Xiao Chen!"

After calling out twice, someone came downstairs to get him.

Lu Zhiyu bent down and patted his round head: "Big-eyed mushroom head, what brings you here?"

"I'm not~" Zhao Xiaoxing puffed out his cheeks in protest, then added: "I'm here to play with Six Cheese~"

"Hahahahahaha" Lu Zhiyu was utterly delighted, laughing so hard tears nearly came out: "Six Cheese, that's weirdly cute, big-eyed mushroom."

"I really am not!" Zhao Xiaoxing sniffed, his eyes slightly reddening.

Lu Zhiyu immediately raised his hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, I won't say it anymore."

He picked him up and carried him upstairs, wiping his eyes along the way: "Then can I call you crybaby mushroom?"

Little Fatty Zhao: "No~"

Lu Zhiyu burst out laughing.

Hearing them come in, Chi Chen turned to look and noticed Zhao Xiaoxing's red eyes. He gave him a disapproving look: "I asked you to pick up a child, and you managed to make him cry."

Lu Zhishi climbed down from his chair, ran over to pat his little brother's hair, and brought some fruit for him to eat: "Don't cry, don't cry."

Then, hands on hips, he glared at Lu Zhiyu: "Stinky brother, I'm telling Dad."

Lu Zhiyu raised his hands in surrender: "Don't tell Dad."

As an apology, Lu Zhiyu personally taught Zhao Xiaoxing: "To make it up to you, I'll teach you how to read."

Zhao Xiaoxing hugged his airplane model, furrowed his little brow, looked at the book placed in front of him, then tilted his head up puzzledly at Lu Zhiyu.

He didn't understand why, when he had clearly come to play with Lu Zhishi, he ended up studying instead.

Lu Zhishi patted his shoulder and grinned at him: "Let's do our best together~"

After being forced to study along for two days, Zhao Xiaoxing stopped coming to play with Lu Zhishi.

It wasn't until kindergarten started that Lu Zhishi saw Zhao Xiaoxing again.