Chapter 74 Wang Wang, the Little Know-It-All

Chapter 74: Wang Wang, the Little Smart Aleck

After a two-hour nap, Shi Zai felt clear-headed and refreshed, almost as lively as Shu Yangkuo.

His voice, though, was truly a bit awkward. But as long as he wasn't embarrassed, it was everyone else who would be, hehe.

However, halfway through dinner, Wang Wang, from his high chair, slapped the table and suddenly piped up:

"Ge... big Ge..."

All four adults froze.

The little one tilted his head back and giggled. Seeing their reactions, he grew even more excited, pounding his tiny fists on the tabletop with a loud clatter. This was so much fun! Daddy, whom he hadn't seen all day, hadn't changed much, but Dad seemed a bit different—how interesting! He bounced a little, and once he had the adults' attention, he repeated "Ge... Ge..." deliberately using a small, hoarse voice, mimicking while watching their expressions.

The four exchanged glances, and this time, they all understood. Immediately, they burst into laughter—even Shu Yangkuo chuckled softly.

The little guy was imitating Dad's hoarse voice calling "Ge" and "Big Ge."

Seeing his wife's rare blush, Shu Yangkuo lowered his head and smiled again, quickly suppressing it as he pulled her closer:

"Don't be upset, honey. Wang Wang is just trying to cheer you up."

"...I'm already plenty happy, okay?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Wang waved his little fist and responded in a tiny, hoarse voice, "Okay!" Once again, everyone burst into laughter.

Shi Zai couldn't hold back anymore and laughed out loud too—this little rascal! Of all things to imitate! He shot a glare at that damn man—what had he been teaching him at home during the day? Shu Yangkuo, still smiling, coaxed, "Ge told you, Wang Wang has started learning to talk recently—you should be more careful..." Shi Zai pinched the man's ear. "Is that something I can control?! Is it my fault?!"

The two younger brothers were in stitches—one nearly falling over laughing, the other unable to look. Shu Yangkuo kissed his wife's forehead and whispered:

"My fault, honey. Punish me however you want—I'll take it."

"...Hmph, stop tempting me! Come here and kiss me again!"

Shu Yangkuo chuckled and kissed her on the lips:

"Be good. Let's act properly in front of those two."

"...Hehe, I'm just setting an example for Yun Bao and letting Han Bao learn what it means to be trained!"

His words made the other three flustered to varying degrees.

Shi Zai, now in high spirits and feeling bold again, threw his head back with a loud "Haha!" Before he could laugh twice, the little rascal mimicked him, tilting his head back and deliberately pitching his voice high and hoarse: "Ha, ha!" Shi Zai covered his eyes, laughing. It seemed he really had to be more careful from now on—absolutely no intimacy in front of Wang Wang. Otherwise... yikes, everything would be spilled. He'd already laughed at Yan Wei and Zheng Yuan because of Xiang Xiang before...

The little guy's voice remained hoarse like Dad's until bedtime. Even though he hadn't seen Dad and Daddy during the day, he had so much fun in the evening! Daddy actively cuddled and held him, and Dad was even more adorable than before. Today was a truly wonderful day.

After Wang Wang fell asleep, Shi Zai nestled in Shu Yangkuo's arms, chattering nonstop. Having slept for two hours in the evening, he wasn't sleepy at all. Hanging onto the man's neck, he kept pestering him: "Ge, how do you feel today?" "Was that the best time ever?" He forced him to say "great," then forgot all about the earlier embarrassment with the little one. Nuzzling against him, he pretended to be surprised: "Ge, why are you so energetic again?" pretending he hadn't been squirming intentionally. Finally, he dragged the man into the open-door bathroom for a quick romp. Hehe, when you're out having fun, you might as well enjoy it to the fullest—and even more.

Of course, when you're out having fun, you should be happy—Yang Yun thought the same way.

In the room diagonally opposite, Yang Yun lounged on the master bedroom's sofa, chattering excitedly to Qin Xihan, who was lying on the big bed. But Qin Xihan only responded to one or two out of every ten sentences. Whether Yang Yun suggested going out for a walk or playing games, he was rejected.

Slumping back on the sofa—now taller, his legs stretched out—he sighed loudly on purpose:

"Ah, I really miss the days when certain people couldn't wait to talk to me."

"..."

"Still remember that little note? 'Don't be afraid, I'll keep you company.' Ah, times have changed."

"..."

In the darkness, only the moonlight from outside illuminated the room, making it hard to see the expression on the person lying on the bed. Yang Yun pouted:

"Still keeping me company? Now you can't even stand hearing me talk. If you're annoyed, then I—"

"I'm not."

"Hehe, I knew it—I was just teasing you. Han Ge has the biggest heart!"

Qin Xihan tilted his head slightly and curled his lips. Caring... as if he were some little kitten or bird!

He pulled the blanket up, but the person on the sofa started chattering again:

"Aren't you hot? The AC is set too high—don't cover up too much. Be careful, or you'll end up with a red bottom like Wang Wang. I wonder if he still has any baby powder left. I'll ask for you tomorrow—"

"If you have nothing to say, get out."

Hey—lately, Han Ge has been in a bit of a mood.

Yang Yun secretly snorted. How could he have nothing to say? He'd said so much, yet none of it seemed to please. He could only drawl, "Han Ge..." and scratch his head, unsure whether to stay a bit longer. Qin Xihan seemed a bit down after returning to the hotel tonight.

Even acting cute didn't work. Yang Yun sniffled:

"Han Ge, keep me company and talk to me. Or... tell me what your first impression of me was."

"..."

He'd said it many times before—that he was cute, pitiful, and made people want to protect and take care of him... Time flies. He was still cute, but no longer truly pitiful. He'd also started learning to protect and care for others, like Wang Wang.

Qin Xihan sighed softly and whispered into the night:

"A little... envious of you, I guess."

"...Han Ge—"

"Mm."

Somehow, he'd said it—a sentence once buried deep in his heart.

Yang Yun's eyes were already red. He lowered his head, shuffled to the bedside, sat on the floor, and patted the edge of the bed—a substitute for a hug. He had Big Brother and Little Brother, but Qin Xihan had no one. The three of them had already found their footing, and Qin Xihan was getting there too, but... He rubbed his eyes:

"Han Ge—'Don't be afraid, I'll keep you company.' I'm giving those words back to you. Back then, I threw away that note because... because I was really scared. Everything was so chaotic back then—I was afraid of betraying Little Brother's kindness, afraid of failing Big Brother's lifelong care, afraid I couldn't live independently, afraid I was too young... So many fears. I was... also afraid of you—afraid you'd take me away from Little Brother..."

"..."

"Don't laugh! You... you know what I mean, Han Ge. I—"

"Silly."

Qin Xihan softly uttered those two words and turned over on the other side. Once a little fool, now a big fool.

Yang Yun chuckled and rested his chin on the edge of the bed:

"Fools grow up. They become smarter and understand Han Ge's thoughts better."

"...I have no thoughts."

"Don't say that! You can't have no thoughts—some thoughts are worth having."

“……Go learn something proper from Little Brother!”

“Wow—Qin Xihan, what are you thinking about? I’m talking about your feelings for me! Ah! Don’t hit me, heehee, you said you’d wait for me, you can’t go back on your word!”

He got hit in the head with a pillow. Yang Yun grabbed it, squeezed it, and handed it back, but took the opportunity to steal a spot on the edge of the bed, propping himself up on his elbow so he could get a better look at Qin Xihan’s expression—just as he’d imagined.

Seeing that he wasn’t being kicked out, Yang Yun rested one knee on the edge of the bed:

“Han-ge—have you noticed?”

“Hmm?”

“Actually, I’ve matured a lot now. I understand what you’re thinking—did Little Brother say something to you? Ah, how should I put it... Around them, at home, especially in front of Little Brother, he likes to treat me like a big baby, so I’ve gotten used to it. But I’m not really a ‘brother-dependent.’ Little Brother encourages me to mature quickly, to take on responsibility, to be able to shoulder... family responsibilities someday.”

Under the moonlight, Qin Xihan’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he averted his gaze.

Just as he was thinking of what to say, Yang Yun continued:

“...I—I don’t know.”

“Han-ge, not every family ends up like... the one you had before.”

After saying this, Yang Yun couldn’t help but his eyes turned red again. He knew what Qin Xihan was afraid of—afraid that happiness might eventually... Until he was six, Qin Xihan had a happy family, but that all changed, and now it’s like this.

“It’s okay, take it slow. One day you’ll understand—Eldest Brother and Little Brother will always be there, and we... will be too.”

He gently raised his arm, and at that moment, the person on the bed lifted his eyes. Yang Yun hesitantly asked, “Han-ge, can I give you a hug?” There was no response. Yang Yun took a soft breath and said, “I won’t try anything, I—I won’t. Besides, Little Brother said that before I turn twenty, I can’t do those things, or he’ll think it’s unfair...”

Before he could finish, Qin Xihan pointed at the door and said, “Get out.”

Yang Yun chuckled, finally having cheered him up a little. He shook his head and asked, “Really don’t want a hug?” Just as he was about to leave, the person on the bed shifted slightly. Yang Yun immediately brightened, launching himself at the bedside and leaning over. “Han-ge, how do you want me to hug you?”

This got him another “Get out.”

Yang Yun hummed softly, “I won’t.” Though he said no, in his heart... He lifted himself up, smiled into the other’s eyes, and Qin Xihan turned his head slightly to look out the window. Gathering his courage, Yang Yun moved to the center of the bed, getting a clearer view. A small section of Qin Xihan’s neck, usually pale, was now slightly flushed. He swallowed and whispered, “Han-ge,” before pouncing.

Qin Xihan groaned as if a large dog had suddenly landed on him—so heavy!

But he couldn’t push him off. Bright, sparkling eyes were right in front of him—now a sad puppy, as if others had something he didn’t. Qin Xihan took a soft breath. Suddenly, their heartbeats synchronized. He licked his lips slightly, feeling warm. Glancing sideways, he noticed the hot breath hitting his neck rhythmically.

Yang Yun struggled to control his breathing, his voice low and hoarse:

“Han-ge, you actually want me to kiss you, don’t you? What a move... Ah! Don’t break it.”

“...”

“But I—I’m not very good at it. Maybe I should ask Little Brother... Ah!!!”

The big idiot got kicked right off the bed.