"It’s already late, you should go home to sleep, and Auntie should go home to rest too. We’ll come again next time, okay?"
"There’s a next time?"
Xiao Xiaoang raised his chin, his eyes wide open, looking at Su Xiaomeng with a face full of surprise.
No matter how rebellious a child may be by nature, they are still just a child—innocent and silly in a way that makes adults yearn for simplicity.
"Of course, Auntie has already considered you as a... um... small friend!"
"Small... friend..."
Xiao Ang mulled over these awkward words that inexplicably excited him.
"Yes, so let’s go home, okay?"
"Okay!"
Xiao Ang quickly turned to Xiao Yan, "Xiao Yan, have you eaten enough? Let’s go home!"
Xiao Yan was somewhat at a loss with his son.
The three of them said goodbye in the parking lot outside Gui Street, a night market that was bustling with activity just past nine o’clock—a peak time for night market festivities. Even the chilling Beijing weather couldn’t dampen the vibrant hustle and bustle.
Behind Xiao Meng was Gui Street with its long row of hanging red lanterns, casting a soft glow that became her backdrop.
Xiao Yan never thought he’d fall for someone again in this lifetime, especially after having Xiao Ang. He had never imagined this.
But he thought, perhaps being human means having a capricious nature.
Su Xiaomeng, panting heavily and sweating profusely, ran into the kindergarten, and the moment she reached him and Xiao Xiaoang, even the most beautiful sunset paled beside her.
He had to admit, his opinion of this seemingly accident-prone socialite wife had changed considerably.
Xiao Meng drove off first. Xiao Yan and Xiao Xiaoang watched her car merge into the bustling traffic. The street lights shone brightly, yet for this father and son, the lights only seemed to illuminate one car.
"Hehe..."
Suddenly, a sneaky laugh pulled Xiao Yan back to reality.
He looked down at Xiao Xiaoang, "Why are you laughing?"
"Xiao Yan, do you like Su Xiaomeng?" Xiao Xiaoang looked at Xiao Yan with a smug expression.
Xiao Yan reached out and lightly tapped Xiao Xiaoang’s forehead bangs, "Stop talking nonsense. But really, what’s your agenda being so sneaky all day long?"
"Nothing much."
Xiao Xiaoang shrugged, climbed into the back seat of the car, and obediently nestled into the safety seat, fastening the seatbelt tightly.
"So well-behaved?" Xiao Yan was a little skeptical of his eyes.
"Yeah, Su Xiaomeng said sitting in a child seat is safer, and adults feel more at ease. Although it’s not very comfortable, but I’ll settle for it," Xiao Ang said.
"Pft..."
Xiao Yan thought, if he recorded Xiao Xiaoang’s words, it might amuse many people!
He sat in the driver’s seat and drove home. As soon as the spirited Xiao Xiaoang got into the car, he fell asleep within minutes, and his chest-hugging ’little gangsta’ posture turned into a pliable little bundle ready to be carried.
"Su Xiaomeng... don’t go home..."
As Xiao Yan carried him in his arms, he heard the little guy mumbling.
His steps became considerably heavier as he moved towards the house.
"Back already?"
Xiao Anhe hadn’t gone to bed yet. He was sitting on the couch in the living room, and upon hearing the noise, he turned awake. Xiao Yan saw his tired expression and couldn’t help but say,
"Why are you up so late? Why not go to your room to sleep?"
"I stayed up late reading, noticed you hadn’t come back, so just kept reading, and ended up asleep here. Really taking a toll on this old body..."
"Xiao Ang asleep?"
Xiao Anhe spoke while tapping his back, noticing Xiao Ang sleeping soundly in Xiao Yan’s arms.
"Yeah, played hard, and ate a lot. I’ll clean him up and you go to sleep first."
"Xiao Yan, put Xiao Ang to bed and come to my study afterward."
"Okay, sure."
After Xiao Yan finished, he went to Xiao Anhe’s study, finding him slumped in the leather chair, sleeping ungracefully.
Xiao Yan knocked lightly on the door, but Xiao Anhe didn’t wake up.
Feeling resigned, Xiao Yan walked over to Xiao Anhe and softly called his name a few times, still to no avail...
"Xiao Anhe!"
"Ah! Oh gosh!"
Xiao Yan stood up straight, looking coldly at the startled awake Xiao Anhe.
Xiao Anhe rubbed his eyes and looked at Xiao Yan saying, "Sorry, sorry, fell asleep... But why are you so loud? I’m your dad! Can’t you call me more gently?"
"If I did it gently, would you have woken up? If I hadn’t raised my voice, I might have thought you’d kicked the bucket!"
"Pft pft pft! The things you say! Are you cursing your dad?"
"With my little cursing power, you’d crush me with your overwhelming yang energy." Xiao Yan bantered a bit before returning to the main topic, "What’s this about? Can’t we talk tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow is okay, but with this on my mind, I won’t be able to sleep tonight."
"..."
Xiao Yan quietly stared at Xiao Anhe. The air suddenly felt still, making Xiao Anhe feel awkward after speaking.
"Alright, just say it, really giving in to you."
"Ah Yan, what’s your plan with that second miss of the Pu Family? Today Pu Jin called and scolded me fiercely. My god, has that old man gone mad because of you? Even scolding me?" Xiao Anhe said, incredulous.
"He scolded you?"
"Yeah! He did."
"Well, then he did."
Xiao Anhe reached out and grabbed Xiao Yan, "You rascal, explain clearly, what’s going on! He scolded me and then hung up the phone!"
"Pu Yang severed her father-daughter relationship with him."
Xiao Yan didn’t keep him guessing, knowing it would come to light eventually.
"..."
"So, Pu Yang and I plan to get married soon."
"..."
"You can stop worrying about my lifelong matters," Xiao Yan said, patting Xiao Anhe’s shoulder, "Sleep peacefully. If Pu Jin calls you again, just hang up, or tell him to talk to me. I call the shots in this house, talking to you is useless."
Xiao Yan finished and smiled widely at Xiao Anhe before swaggering out of the study.
Xiao Anhe blinked, still seated, but now truly wide awake.
Staring at the study door now closed, he blinked again, feeling somewhat dazed—his son was undeniably decisive.
But...
What does he mean by... he calls the shots in this house?!
"Xiao Yan, you little rascal, your old dad isn’t dead yet, how can you call the shots?" Xiao Anhe immediately chased out, only to see Xiao Yan staring coldly at him, "Do you want to wake Xiao Ang? If he wakes up, neither of us will sleep!"
"..."
Xiao Yan’s words successfully silenced Xiao Anhe, who sneakily glanced towards Xiao Ang’s bedroom...