MSFLC Ch26

The shark boat creaked as it rocked back and forth, cheerful children’s music playing all around, mixed with the tender laughter of little ones.

Lu Ting’an stood at the edge of the pool, quietly watching the two rascals bouncing around in their shark boats. Beneath his mask, the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.

“Beep beep beep—”

Lu Zhishi skillfully gripped the steering wheel, expertly maneuvering his boat in little circles as he drove toward Zhao Xing.

Ripples spread out in rings wherever the boat passed.

“Look at me~”

His “spaceship” charged valiantly toward Zhao Xing’s pink shark—

Well… charged was an exaggeration. The boat was too slow. It was more like it bobbed its way over.

Zhao Xing’s big eyes sparkled. He clutched the steering wheel tightly, using both hands and feet. “Coming~”

“Vroom vroom~ vroom vroom~” The little fool even added his own sound effects.

Off to the side, Lu Ting’an recorded a video while covering his face with one hand, shoulders shaking with laughter.

Nearby visitors couldn’t help smiling. “Those chubby dumplings are so cute.”

“Charge, ducky~”

“Quack quack quack~”

“?”

“Charge, ducky~”

Lu Zhishi turned to look at the round little dumpling beside him. “Huh?”

Bro… what’s going on? Why are we quacking now?

Receiving what he assumed was his big brother’s approving look, Zhao Xing puffed out his chest proudly and quacked even louder.

Two minutes later—

“Charge, ducky~ quaaack—”

“Charge charge~ quack quack—”

Two round-headed, round-brained chubby dumplings bounced around in a blue and a pink shark boat, yet from their mouths came soft, milky little duck sounds.

Lu Ting’an couldn’t bear to look directly at them. Helplessness and indulgence flickered in his eyes.

A tourist laughed and leaned over to ask him, “Are those two little ducklings yours?”

“Ah, yes. Both of them.” Lu Ting’an coughed lightly, tugged at his mask, smiling through his eyes.

“So adorable.”

The shark boats were too much fun. Lu Zhishi and Zhao Xing played for two whole hours before reluctantly getting off. Lu Ting’an carried them to the rest area, wiping their sweat and giving them water.

Lu Zhishi gulped down water from his cup, exhausted, and plopped himself right onto Lu Ting’an’s foot.

“Tired~”

Zhao Xing tried to lie flat on the ground, but Lu Ting’an quickly pulled him up.

Seeing Lu Zhishi sitting, Zhao Xing shuffled over too and settled onto Lu Ting’an’s foot, leaning comfortably against his leg while gulping water.

After drinking, he sighed deeply. “Hoo~”

Lu Ting’an bent down, pulled out two more tissues, and gently dabbed at his forehead and neck, wiping away sweat.

He slipped a hand down the chubby little back—warm, slightly damp with a thin layer of sweat.

Carefully tending to the two completely worn-out rascals, Lu Ting’an ruffled their hair.

“Let’s go eat something and rest.”

The moment Lu Zhishi heard that, he instantly brightened up, grabbing Lu Ting’an’s pant leg. “Okay!!”

Lu Ting’an laughed helplessly. “Little foodie.”

Zhao Xing rolled over, hugged Lu Ting’an’s thigh, and pointed forward. “SuSu! Eat!”

“Looks like you’re a foodie too.” Lu Ting’an lightly tapped his chubby head.

“Go—”

“Quick—”

Each of them tugged one of his legs, forcing Lu Ting’an to shuffle forward in tiny steps, feet stretched awkwardly, both amused and helpless.

There were plenty of restaurants in the amusement park. Given how recognizable his face was, Lu Ting’an chose one with private rooms.

“You can’t have ice cream.” After ordering, he turned and refused the two little ones who were staring at him expectantly.

Lu Zhishi lay flat on the table, squishing out a triple chin and two plump cheeks, pouting. “Okay~”

Zhao Xing, though younger, sighed like a little adult. “Ai~~~”

Lu Ting’an remained unmoved.

At home they secretly stole ice cream every day, then cried their eyes out after stomachaches. Two little rascals who never learned.

Kids forget easily. The moment the food arrived, they forgot all about the ice cream.

Originally, Lu Ting’an had planned to let them play all morning and head home after lunch for a nap. Who knew they would spend the entire morning just on the carousel and shark boats?

In the end, they stayed the entire afternoon too.

They saw a beautiful princess, strolled through a lively flower street, entered a magnificent castle, and finally ended with claw machines.

Lu Zhishi tugged at his father’s leg. “More~ for Geges~” Catch more to bring home for his older brothers.

“Alright, we’ll catch more.”

Zhao Xing grabbed Lu Ting’an’s clothes. “SuSu, want bunny~”

“Okay, let’s get a big white bunny.”

They started off full of confidence and ended in total defeat.

By the eighth try, Lu Ting’an stared silently at the adorable plush inside the claw machine.

He lowered his head and met two pairs of sparkling eyes.

“I’m… having some difficulty.”

Lu Ting’an took out his phone. “Let’s ask if your Papa Song is off work yet.”

As he sent a message, he added, “He’s really good at claw machines.”

Half an hour later, Song Qinian rushed over from the company at lightning speed and won a pile of cute plushies for the two little ones who were gazing at him eagerly.

Lu Zhishi hugged a teddy bear bigger than himself, struggling to peek out at his two dads.

Song Qinian wrapped an arm around Lu Ting’an, bending slightly and lowering his voice to coax him:

“…It’s just a lack of experience and technique. It doesn’t mean anything. We’ll put two claw machines at home and practice more.”

Lu Ting’an tugged at his mask, lowered his gaze without speaking, and nudged Song Qinian in the waist with his elbow.

Don’t sulk over something like claw machines.

Lu Zhishi hurriedly squeezed between them with his giant teddy bear, tilting his head up with a flattering smile. “Papa~”

Lu Ting’an bent down and picked him up, then scooped Zhao Xing into his arms too. “You carry the stuff.”

That was clearly directed at Song Qinian.

Song Qinian chuckled and followed leisurely behind them with two big bags of plush toys. “Serving you is my honor.”

“Hehe~”

“Hehe~”

Good. As long as they weren’t fighting. Kids were always most afraid of their parents arguing.

After strapping the two little ones into their safety seats, Lu Ting’an opened the passenger door—

—and was greeted with a bouquet of champagne tulips.

The silver Rolls-Royce drove away quietly.

Though they kept a low profile, fans had already recognized them.

Like idol, like fans—Ting’an’s fans were always steady and respectful. They didn’t disturb his family day out and even helped cover for him.

But Lu Ting’an surely knew it was them—who else could have paid for lunch and cold drinks?

Not long after he returned home that evening, limited-edition amusement park souvenirs and complimentary tickets were delivered.

“Let me absorb my Gege’s wealth luck!”

“Lu Ting’an, bless me to get rich! Just one percent of your wealth is enough!”

“Does Lu Ge only have one two-year-old chubby cheese? Who’s the other one?”

“Probably a friend’s kid. So round…”

“Song Qinian is so blessed—beautiful wife and adorable kids…”

“Another day of envying him…”

***

Lu Zhishi brought home a fluffy teddy bear. Chubby Zhishi carried back two big white bunnies he had longed for. The remaining plush toys were piled up in Lu Zhishi’s room.

Looking at the heap of toys, Lu Zhishi hesitated.

He knew which plush to give to his two older brothers.

“Mmm…”

He stroked the brown fluffy bear in his arms, thinking hard.

That night after dinner, he couldn’t wait to video call Lu Zhiyu.

The moment the call connected, Lu Zhishi’s chubby face filled the screen. “Gege! Look~~~”

“I see it. Chubby Zhishi got rounder again.”

Lu Zhiyu leaned closer to the camera, pretending to pinch his round cheeks through the screen.

“So much cheek meat.”

Lu Zhishi puffed his lips angrily. “No!”

He wasn’t round! Papa even said he’d slimmed down recently!

“Okay okay, not round.” Lu Zhiyu held back his laughter.

Lu Zhishi got even more upset. Stinky brother, even copying how he talked.

Tears quickly welled up in his eyes.

“I—I want Chen-gege…”

Realizing he’d made him cry, Lu Zhiyu hurried off the bed. “Okay okay, I’ll get Chen-gege.”

He knocked loudly on the bathroom door. “Chi Chen! Come comfort the kid!”

After some rustling sounds, the door opened. Chi Chen, hair still wet, took the phone.

One look at the pitiful little dumpling on the screen and he knew Lu Zhiyu had said something again.

“You’re not round. Same as before.”

Lu Zhishi shook his head and complained, “Gege copied how I talk…”

Chi Chen lowered his lashes, a faint smile curving where the camera couldn’t see, then looked up again like a dependable big brother.

“I’ll teach him a lesson later.”

Lu Zhishi froze and shook his head. “No need…”

Soft snickering came from the other end—it was definitely his stinky brother.

Lu Zhiyu whispered to Chi Chen, “Very cute, right?”

Chi Chen’s lips curved briefly.

He went back to the bathroom to grab a towel and dry his hair, asking calmly, “Did you eat properly today?”

“Ate~ two bowls~”

Temporarily forgiving his brother, Lu Zhishi held up the fluffy bear to the camera.

“Look~”

Chi Chen raised an eyebrow. “Bought it? For me?”

Lu Zhishi shook his head, then nodded. “Claw… machine… for Gege…”

Lu Zhiyu leaned into the frame. “What about mine?”

Lu Zhishi shifted the phone. “This one.”

Chi Chen asked, “You caught it?”

Lu Zhishi lifted his chin proudly. “I—”

Chi Chen looked surprised, eyes filled with pride.

Lu Zhiyu was about to praise him—

But the round little dumpling finished slowly:

“Papa… caught it.”

Chi Chen: “……”

Lu Zhiyu: “……”