MSFLC Ch10

Seeing the little baby happily charging straight toward him, Chi Yueheng was both flattered and startled. He quickly set down what he was holding and opened his arms to catch him.

“Our little Zhishi really likes Uncle Chi, doesn’t he? Uncle Chi likes you very, very much too.”

Chi Yueheng lifted him up happily, lowering his head to gently nuzzle the top of his small head with his chin.

“Ah!” Lu Zhishi’s eyes sparkled as he wrapped both little arms around Chi Yueheng’s neck and cuddled close.

“Guess what Uncle Chi brought back today?”

“Ah-da…” The little bundle babbled a whole stream of sounds, none of which made any sense.

“Yes, yes, that’s right,” Chi Yueheng nodded seriously. “A very pretty shell wind chime, and a dreamcatcher too. They’re really beautiful.”

“Come inside and wash your hands and disinfect,” Bai Yansheng said as he came out to help carry some things. Chi Yueheng covered Lu Zhishi’s eyes and leaned down to kiss Bai Yansheng on the lips.

Bai Yansheng grabbed the back of his neck and pushed him away, lifting a hand to wipe the corner of his mouth as he scolded softly, “The kids are still here.”

“They can’t see. I covered his eyes.”

“Go away, clingy pest…”

Lu Zhishi froze briefly, then, as if used to it by now, obediently let his eyes stay covered while nestling in Chi Yueheng’s arms.

“Perfect timing that you’re back-” Bai Yansheng said. “I’ve got a few surgeries today and will be heading out soon. Remember to cook for the kids later.”

“I’ll drive you to the hospital, ”

“No need. I’ll drive myself.” Bai Yansheng set things down, went upstairs to change, grabbed his work bag, and headed out. “You watch the kids.”

Chi Yueheng stood at the door watching him leave, sighed after a long moment, then led the three children inside.

“Go open your presents,” he said, tying on an apron. Standing in the kitchen doorway with a spatula, he asked, “Any kids want to place an order?”

Lu Zhiyu raised his hand immediately. “Me! I want to order!”

“Alright then, what would Lu Xiaoyu like to eat?”

After thinking for a moment, Lu Zhiyu said, “Sweet-and-sour pineapple pork, and filet steak. French herb flavor.”

His Dad Ting’an liked French herb steak, especially filet, so Lu Zhiyu had inherited his taste.

“No problem.” Chi Yueheng pulled out his phone. “I’ll have the ingredients delivered now.”

After Lu Zhiyu finished, Chi Chen spoke calmly, “I want French herb steak too. And mushroom soup. And herb cheese-baked lobster.”

“Got it, sweetheart. Want some pasta too?”

Chi Chen nodded.

Chi Yueheng was giving instructions over the phone when someone politely tugged at his pant leg.

“…?”

He looked down and met a pair of bright, expectant eyes.

A round little face tilted up at him, looking perfectly well-behaved, as if asking: What about me?

Chi Yueheng blinked, smiled, and squatted down. “Then what does our little Zhishi baby want to eat?”

“Ah-ya-da-du-ah-ai…”

The soft baby babble was completely unintelligible. Without reacting, Chi Yueheng glanced at Lu Zhiyu.

Lu Zhiyu lifted his tablet, showing a list he’d typed: steamed egg custard, meat puree, tomato cod mash, shrimp puree, fruit puree.

Chi Yueheng looked away. Seems like the little guy’s appetite has grown, he eats quite well.

“No problem. Uncle Chi will prepare it.”

He patted the chubby little cheek and added a few more baby foods to the order.

Then he made another call. “Don’t cook, come eat here.”

While waiting for the delivery, Chi Yueheng finally had time to watch the kids open their gifts.

He often brought things home after work, sometimes cakes and milk tea, sometimes flowers and candy, sometimes small snacks or toys.

This time, he’d brought milk tea and toys for the kids, plus a bouquet of Earl Grey roses for Bai Yansheng. Unfortunately, Bai Yansheng had rushed off to work before he could give them.

The two older kids each got a cup of milk tea, and all three received toys.

Chi Chen picked up a Rubik’s cube, tested the feel casually, it wasn’t bad.

Lu Zhiyu’s eyes shone as he examined his little robot model. “It’s the newest model! Thank you, Uncle Chi!”

Lu Zhishi held onto his shell wind chime and dreamcatcher, his big eyes shimmering.

They were truly beautiful, decorated with gemstones and pearls, soft in color yet eye-catching. Perfect for a child, and obviously expensive.

He scooted over in his little wheeled chair and rolled up to Chi Yueheng.

Chi Yueheng looked away from his phone, squatted down, wrapped an arm around the child’s back, and smiled warmly.

“What is it?”

The little one didn’t speak. He leaned in and rubbed his face against Chi Yueheng’s chest.

“Ah~”

“You’re welcome. Next time Uncle Chi will buy you more, okay?”

“Mm!”

Receiving a kiss from a tiny toddler made Chi Yueheng’s heart melt. He couldn’t help laughing softly.

Such a lovable baby. A chubby little gas canister.

Song Qinian arrived later after finishing work. By then, it was already getting late.

He ruffled the hair of the kid watching TV, then hugged his own chubby baby and kissed him before rolling up his sleeves and heading to the kitchen.

Chi Yueheng laughed when he saw him. “Perfect timing.”

He stepped aside. “Wash the vegetables.”

Song Qinian was half-annoyed, half-amused as he put on an apron and started washing greens and mushrooms. “Didn’t you say to come eat? You didn’t say I had to work.”

“Oh? I never said that. You must’ve misheard.”

Lu Zhishi rolled his little wheeled chair back and forth at the kitchen door, hugging the baby bottle Chi Chen had just prepared.

Song Qinian poked his head out. “Fat Can, do you need Daddy’s help with something?”

Lu Zhishi tugged at his pants leg, humming without speaking, blinking pitifully with flushed cheeks.

Song Qinian understood immediately. He washed his hands, picked him up, and carried him upstairs to Lu Zhiyu’s usual room.

Leaning close to his ear, he chuckled softly. “Looks like our fragrant canister turned into a stinky canister.”

Lu Zhishi tried to hold it in, but failed.

His lips trembled, eyes instantly filling with tears as he buried his face in Song Qinian’s shoulder, tears dripping down.

Song Qinian hurried to soothe him. “Daddy said the wrong thing, our baby is a fragrant canister.”

Lu Zhishi bit his bottle, refusing to cry out loud. That would be embarrassing.

Seeing him teary-eyed with little snot bubbles popping, stubbornly silent, Song Qinian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Little chubby baby… you really take after your Dad Ting’an.”