Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Grandma was busy in the kitchen.

Brother Zhou told them to sit down first.

This was the first time they'd brought the baby to Grandma's house.

They were a bit worried the baby might not take to the unfamiliar surroundings.

But the baby was looking all around with his little eyes, seeming really curious.

His face was all chubby, puffing out from the side, and felt super squishy.

Cheng Yuan couldn't resist touching it over and over, and the baby started babbling.

"The baby's happy, isn't he?"

Soon, the kitchen range hood went quiet, and then the door slid open.

Xiao Ling came in from the kitchen carrying dishes and greeted them.

"Brother An, Brother Pei!"

"Why isn't our Xiao Ling all over Brother An like before?" Brother Zhou raised an eyebrow on purpose, teasing her.

Xiao Ling got a little embarrassed, her ears turning red as she spoke.

"Brother An is with Brother Pei now, and I'm scared Brother Pei might get jealous."

She hesitated for a while before finally speaking up.

"Brother Pei, don't listen to what people online are saying—I've got your back."

Besides, she was a fan of his too, so she naturally knew how much he loved music.

Now that he'd taken the initiative to come out publicly, even though most of the internet was against them being together.

But she wasn't a fan who wanted to marry him—she just thought Brother Pei's voice was nice and his songs were awesome.

"You two should stay together, and I'll always support you!"

Xiao Ling said, sounding really sincere.

Pei Qingji said, "Thanks."

That should make him feel a lot better, Cheng Yuan thought.

Not long after, Grandma came out of the kitchen too, carrying the dishes and setting them on the table.

It was salt-and-pepper shrimp and sweet-and-sour pork.

They'd smelled it when they first walked in, and now it smelled even better.

Grandma washed her hands and then walked over to the baby.

She bent down and saw the baby reaching out, babbling, like he was interested in the food on the table.

"Oh dear, the baby can't eat this. Are you hungry, little one? Grandma will get you something yummy, okay?"

She just scooped the baby out of Cheng Yuan's arms.

"I've got this, you all eat first."

"Look at this—what is it?"

She held the baby up and showed him something on the table.

The baby seemed hooked, his eyes glued to the thing.

Pei Qingji said, "Grandma, you should eat too."

"It's fine, you all eat first. I want to spend more time with the little guy. Does the baby want to hang out with Grandma more?"

Cheng Yuan said, "Then sit down and hold him while you eat, or the food'll get cold."

Only then did Grandma sit down with the baby, but she barely ate, spending most of her time fussing over him.

It seemed like all the elders had this habit—even Pei's mom would barely eat while holding the baby.

When the baby saw others using chopsticks, he got all antsy and started babbling.

Grandma was sitting next to Xiao Ling, and Xiao Ling looked at the adorable baby, then up at Cheng Yuan, and asked excitedly.

"Brother An, can I take a picture of the baby? To show my roommates."

"Haha, they don't have one, so they'll totally be jealous of me."

Cheng Yuan nodded and said sure.

She snapped a photo of the baby and quickly sent it to her roommates.

The roommates replied super fast, all jealous.

"Whose kid is this? So cute."

"He's mine!"

"Is he an alpha or an omega?"

"He hasn't presented yet. They say he might be an alpha? With a face like that, he'll definitely charm tons of omegas later."

"Is this your brother's kid?"

"Your actual brother? He got married? How come we've never seen him?"

Since her biological brother often brought her meals, her roommates had seen him before.

"No, it's my other brother's kid."

"Is it the guy who brought you food last time?"

Xiao Ling nodded.

"Why do I feel like that brother of yours looks familiar? He kinda looks like Cheng Yuan?"

"Then wouldn't this baby be Pei Qingji's kid?"

"No way—I actually get to see Brother Pei's kid before any other media outlet in my lifetime?"

Even though they were fans of Pei Qingji too, they weren't against it at all; if anything, they thought the two of them made a good match.

"So is Brother Pei there with you right now? We won't tell anyone or spread it around, we promise."

"Xiao Ling, could you put in a word for us? Just say that whatever decision they make, we've got his back no matter what."

Xiao Ling nodded and said she'd tell Brother Pei once she finished eating.

After they finished eating.

Grandma draped a red cloth over the baby's head, then grabbed a peach branch to ward off evil spirits, and dabbed a little black on his nose to keep bad stuff away.

The peach branches were decorated with copper coins, red strings, and red peanuts, symbolizing protection from evil and a long, healthy life.

The baby had no clue what was going on and just kept giggling.

"Oh man, he's laughing so hard he's drooling."

Grandma grabbed a cloth and wiped the drool off his chin.

She could feel how soft his little lips were, and since the baby didn't have any teeth yet, he could only have formula—not even soup.

The baby's stomach was really sensitive; soup always had some oil or stuff that was hard to digest, so formula was the safest bet.

"May this baby live a long, safe life."

"Why's he crying again? Is he hungry?"

Pei Qingji got up, grabbed a bottle from the bag, and mixed some formula, then cradled the baby, carefully supporting his head, and fed him.

He did it all like a pro.

Xiao Ling's eyes went wide on the sidelines, her heart pounding with excitement.

She really never imagined that Pei Qingji, so wild and rebellious on stage, could have such a soft side.

He was even super patient.

Every time the baby drooled or spit up, he'd patiently wipe it off with a tissue.

Cheng Yuan's heart clenched: "Is he still crying?"

"Let me check if the baby pooped."

Pei Qingji peeled back a corner of the diaper—yep, he had.

He set the baby on the sofa and changed him into a fresh diaper.

That's when the baby finally stopped crying and started giggling again.

"What's this? He's got a rash?" Grandma sounded a little worried.

Pei Qingji said apologetically, "My bad. I didn't change his diaper soon enough."

Cheng Yuan was a little caught off guard and looked up.

Grandma frowned, her tone a bit scolding.

"You gotta change diapers often—at least a few times a day."

"Babies have sensitive skin; you gotta keep his bottom dry."

"And if it feels damp, the baby gets uncomfortable too, that's why he was fussing."

Pei Qingji didn't get upset at the scolding; he just nodded and said seriously.

"Okay, got it, Grandma."

"Alright, let's eat now."

"I made you some black fish soup so your wound heals faster." Grandma scooped out the soup for Cheng Yuan and set it in front of him.

Cheng Yuan stared at the bowl of fish soup, his nose tingling a little.

Even though he'd lived at the villa for years and was used to it, it never felt as safe and comforting as home.

Every New Year, Xiao Ling, Brother Zhou, and Grandma would put up spring couplets, set off firecrackers, have a reunion dinner, and watch the Spring Festival Gala.

Brother Zhou grabbed the biggest shrimp and dropped it in his bowl.

"Eat up—you've gotten so skinny."

Cheng Yuan went quiet.

He'd actually put on a lot of weight, because at the Pei house it was pigeon soup or fancy tonics every day, so he'd naturally filled out.

The evening was super lively, and they stayed until it got dark before getting in the car to say goodbye.

It was a bit hot out, and Assistant Lin had already cranked up the AC in the car.

Under the dim streetlights, a cool breeze blew by.

"You're tired, huh? Sleep if you need to—I've got the baby."

Pei Qingji noticed he was dozing off and frowned a little.

Cheng Yuan shook his head, forcing his eyes to stay open.

"I've got it."

"Let me." Seeing how exhausted he was, Pei Qingji took the baby and held him.

But then he noticed something bulging in the baby's outfit.

He reached in and pulled out a few hundred bucks.

"Grandma must've put this in here."

Cheng Yuan looked over, his eyes suddenly getting misty: "Keep it."

Every time he went back, Grandma would secretly slip a few hundred yuan into his bag.

He always knew, but acted like he didn't.

Once they got back, they stayed at the villa for a few more days, and soon it was time for the one-month celebration.

Pei Qingji and Cheng Yuan headed back to the Pei family's main house the day before the celebration.

They noticed the place looked different from a month ago, with baby's one-month celebration stuff scattered all over.

Tomorrow's bound to be even livelier.

They slept in Pei Qingji's room that night.

The next day came.

Cheng Yuan hadn't even opened his eyes before he heard the racket of guests downstairs.

Pei Qingji had apparently gotten up early—by the time Cheng Yuan opened his eyes, the spot next to him was empty.

Soon, he heard footsteps approaching.

Pei Qingji pushed the door open and, seeing he was awake, asked worriedly, "Still tired? Want to sleep a little longer?"

Sleep longer and make the other guests wait?

Since all the guests were elders, Cheng Yuan felt embarrassed and shook his head.

He got up and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

His toothbrush, toothpaste, washbasin, and towel were all laid out, so he didn't have to prep anything himself.

Cheng Yuan turned his head and asked without thinking, "Where's the baby?"

Pei Qingji answered, "He's awake, playing in the crib."

"Has he had his formula yet?"

Pei Qingji nodded. "Yeah, he's been fed."

After washing up, Cheng Yuan went to the crib and played with the baby in it.

"When should we head downstairs?"

"We just need to take the baby down before the meal..."

They'd bought the baby a new outfit for the full-month banquet, perfect for this occasion.

Cheng Yuan was also wearing new clothes—bought by Pei's mother.

His outfit matched Pei Qingji's, looking festive and just right for the special day.

Thanks to being well looked after, Cheng Yuan had a healthy glow, rosy cheeks, and radiant skin.

The clothes made his eyes look even brighter.

Pei Qingji's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Pei's mom and dad were at the door greeting guests.

"Oh, Mr. Wang from the real estate company! Long time no see. Welcome, welcome!"

These were all people who often showed up on TV.

Watching this from upstairs, Cheng Yuan couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

Author's note:

None.