Qi Du pinched his cheek. “Kid… you’re really laying out the logic, aren’t you?”
Qi Lan was genuinely confused. “Little Uncle, what exactly are you worried about? What is all this even about?”
“Are you worried I’ll go play with that little girl from the Xia family and leave Xiaxia out?”
“What kind of strange worry is that? I already find that girl annoying. How could I possibly ignore Xiaxia for her?”
Qi Du sat on the sofa, looking a little up to no good. “I’m worried, that’s all. My Little Treasure already has such a pitiful background. He depends on you a lot, brother.”
“If your attitude toward him changes, say it early. Don’t keep him hanging. Otherwise Little Uncle will beat you to death.”
Qi Lan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “What’s wrong with you?”
“How could I possibly not want Xiaxia…? I like him a lot, okay?”
Qi Du laughed again. “You’re not just caring about your little brother because of me, are you?”
“When Little Uncle gets old and gone, will you still take care of your little brother?”
Qi Lan nodded. “Of course. I feel so deeply for my little brother. Of course I’ll keep taking care of him forever.”
Qi Du smiled too, but didn’t continue the question. It was only a promise from a boy still full of youthful spirit; naturally he couldn’t put all his chips on Qi Lan.
The two children were still young. They’d wait and see as they grew up.
The appearance of the male second lead and female second lead didn’t cause much of a stir, because Qi Lan completely ignored Xia Die, and Xu Yangxia wasn’t the sensitive, insecure child from the original plot who desperately wanted care and affection.
He was generous and confident now, and under Qi Lan’s influence, his temperament had grown even more mature than his peers. In his eyes, the male second lead was still somewhat childish.
During final exams, Xu Yangxia took first place in the grade, thoroughly trampling Gao Xinyuan’s pride into the dirt.
At the parent-teacher conference, with Qi Du and 0617 backing Xu Yangxia, the little male lead became even more confident.
『Target character happiness index +1, current value 45』
The Xia family and the Gao family were originally eager to curry favor with the big shot Qi Du, so they kept urging their own children to build a good relationship with Xu Yangxia.
Unfortunately, Xia Die and Xu Yangxia didn’t get along. She preferred Qi Lan. If she was going to curry favor with someone, why not Qi Lan instead of Xu Yangxia?
When her parents pushed her over to say hello, she did so unwillingly and even muttered under her breath, “Xu Yangxia, isn’t your father Mr. Qi? Why don’t you have his surname?”
As soon as she said that, everyone present changed expression. Xia Die’s parents kept smiling apologetically and quickly pinched her. “Mr. Qi, we’re sorry, we’re sorry. We don’t know where this child picked up all this nonsense. We’ve neglected her education and don’t know what to do.”
“Children speak innocently. Xia Die didn’t mean it. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Qi Du and 0617 just smiled without saying anything.
After realizing what was going on, Xu Yangxia answered Xia Die openly, “Because I’m not Daddy’s biological son. I have my own biological parents. I’m a child adopted by Daddy and Qiqi.”
“Didn’t you already know that after transferring schools? You’re asking it again in front of so many people… did you suddenly forget, or are you just stupid?”
Xia Die’s face reddened. Xu Yangxia’s counter-question left her speechless.
All the parents present were shrewd, and the children weren’t stupid either. At that moment, the way they looked at that family carried more contempt and mockery.
Xia Die was a young lady who had grown up as the center of everyone’s attention. She had never experienced a scene like this before; grievance filled her eyes and they turned red.
Qi Du, however, had no intention of letting it slide. With a half-smile, he looked at the Xia family parents. “Mr. Xia, Mrs. Xia, what wonderful upbringing. I never knew Miss Xia’s concern at school wasn’t her studies, but whether my son is someone else’s biological child.”
“After all, you’ve made your way in the entertainment industry. So young, and already with the talent of a paparazzo.”
“I thought the whole world already knew I have a son. Looks like I still haven’t worked hard enough… there are still people questioning my Little Treasure’s place in this family.”
After just a few sentences, the Xia family members were burning with embarrassment. Qi Du gave them a cold look, then raised a hand to pat Xu Yangxia’s head.
“Good baby, looks like Daddy hasn’t done enough. Tell Daddy, are you often subjected to this kind of gossip at school?”
“I need to have a proper talk with your teacher and principal, and ask whether this is a school problem or a family and personal problem?”
He stressed the last few words heavily, clearly with an implied meaning.
Quite a few guardians in the class began to panic. A perceptive child quickly stood up to explain, “Of course not, Uncle Qi! We all get along really well with Xiaxia!”
“Xiaxia is amazing. He always gets first place in the grade!”
“Right, right! Xiaxia often explains problems to us, and he’s really good at sports too!”
“Xiaxia can play the violin!”
“Xiaxia has won awards for his paintings too!”
“…”
Amid the noisy praise, Xu Yangxia was practically grinning from ear to ear. He reached out, wrapped his arms around Qi Du’s neck, and kissed him. “Daddy’s not bad at all. I like you and Qiqi the most~”
Only then did a genuinely warm smile appear on Qi Du’s face. His gaze softened, and he started chatting with other familiar guardians.
『Target character happiness index +2, current value 47』
This really gave the little male lead solid backing.
0617 quietly gave him a thumbs-up from the side. Qi Du was delighted too, so he took his husband’s hand and openly showed off their affection.
After that, he even leaned in to ask for praise. “I did pretty well today, right? You’ll reward me when we get home, won’t you?”
0617 smiled and tapped his forehead. “You’re practically grown already. How are you still acting like a child~”
Qi Du leaned against his husband’s shoulder. “I don’t act like this with anyone else. It’s only different with you.”
“I like you so much. Don’t take your blessings for granted~”
0617 wore a smile, clearly indulging Qi Du.
When the parents have a good relationship, the child can feel enough love. Xu Yangxia now especially liked it when the family of three appeared together, because it made him feel that his family was complete.
Over the years, Qi Du and 0617 had treated him as their own. The two men wouldn’t have any other children, so Xu Yangxia got all of their love in full.
He didn’t feel like a child nobody wanted; instead, he was proud. He had two excellent sets of parents.
What happened at the parent-teacher conference later spread. I don’t know how other guardians raised their children, but after that, far fewer people had any dealings with the Xia Die family.
Once summer break arrived, the male second lead and female second lead could no longer make trouble for Xu Yangxia.
Qi Du also happened to take them out traveling to relax.
That Little Treasure Xu Yangxia had pestered Qi Lan for a long time before he agreed.
On the day he came over with his luggage, Qi Du stood at the doorway with a look that saw right through him. “Kid, you’re still playing games with your little brother now?”
Qi Lan said calmly, “Little Uncle~ You have to understand, Xiaxia and I don’t have any blood relation.”
“He’s at such an adorable age right now. If I get the chance, I definitely have to tease him more.”