“Why are you still awake, staring with those big eyes? Waiting to light my way?”
Fu Xuanlang said with exaggerated flair, “Uncle, we missed you so much. We missed you so much we couldn’t eat or sleep.”
He ran forward, wanting a hug.
Fu Chengyan pressed a hand on the little boy’s head. “Butler Liu, what did these two eat just now?”
Butler Liu paused, then answered truthfully, “The young master and young miss each had two small cakes, a mini beef burger, and a cup of warm milk.”
Fu Chengyan nodded, a faint, knowing smile on his lips. “Couldn’t eat, huh?”
Little brat, not being honest.
Fu Xuanyue seized the chance for a sneak attack, successfully latching onto Fu Chengyan’s leg. “Uncle, uncle, why are you back so late? Can you take us to the amusement park tomorrow?”
Fu Xuanlang struggled a couple of times but couldn’t break free. He pouted unhappily. “Why can sister hug you?”
“You’re a little man now, no more hugging and clinging. Too mushy. Take your sister and go to bed.” Fu Chengyan bent down to speak to Fu Xuanyue. “Uncle is busy tomorrow, how about the day after?”
Fu Xuanyue nodded obediently. “Okay, uncle.”
“Good girl. Let Auntie take you back to your room to sleep, alright?” As soon as Fu Chengyan finished speaking, a nanny walked over and led the little girl upstairs to rest.
Fu Chengyan fixed his gaze on Fu Xuanlang. “Are you going to sleep or not, you little rascal?”
It’s already nine o’clock. Will you even be able to get up for breakfast tomorrow morning?
“Uncle, you’re biased.”
“How am I biased?”
“Why are you so gentle with sister and let her hug you, but you won’t let me hug you?”
Fu Chengyan shot him a glance. “Oh? When she starts crying later, will you be the one to comfort her, or will I?”
Fu Xuanlang shut his mouth. His sister was too hard to soothe when she cried; he had no way of calming her down.
“Then, uncle, I want to sleep with you.”
“Not allowed.” He had let Fu Xuanlang sleep with him a few times before, and each time he’d been kicked awake.
The kid slept especially restlessly.
It left a deep psychological scar on Fu Chengyan.
“I want to, I want to! Uncle, don’t you love me anymore?”
“……” Fu Chengyan picked up the little rascal and headed upstairs. “I really don’t know if I’m your dad, or if Fu Chengli is your dad.”
Fu Xuanlang kicked his legs a few times, his expression serious. “Uncle, do you want to be my daddy?”
“……Not particularly.”
Eats a lot, sleeps a lot, cries a lot—a mischievous little imp. If this were really his own son, Fu Chengyan would have a massive headache.
The little boy’s eyes were clear and innocent. “Why not?”
He giggled foolishly. “Actually, I’m willing. Tomorrow I’ll ask sister if she’s willing too.”
Anyway, Mom and Dad were rarely home. Staying with Uncle would probably be really happy.
He needed to convince his sister to stay with Uncle too.
Fu Chengyan’s expression was complicated. “Your parents would come after me with everything they’ve got, wouldn’t they?”
“They won’t, uncle, uncle, please say yes?”
Fu Chengyan dumped the kid into the bathroom. “Take your own clothes off.”
“Uncle, I’m not dirty.” He dragged out the words but quickly stripped off his clothes and pants. “Uncle, I want to use the nice-smelling shower gel.”
“Got it.”
Fu Xuanlang climbed into the bathtub and made another request. “I also want a little ducky.”
Fu Chengyan gave him a sidelong look. “Where would I have a little ducky here?”
“Then you have to remember to buy one.”
“How many times are you planning to bathe here?” he said. “You sure have a lot of demands.”
“Live with uncle forever.”
So clingy.
“……Lift your arms. I’ll make some bubbles for you to play with.”
Fu Xuanlang pouted his lips. “Whoosh~” The freshly made bubbles immediately scattered.
“Uncle, blow more.”
“Two more blows, then wash up and go to sleep.”
“Mhm, Uncle is the best.”
Fu Chengyan went to bed at night, and in the middle of the night, a little fireball rolled into his arms, squirming around under his blanket.
“Fu Xuanlang, what are you trying to do if you’re not sleeping?”
Fu Xuanlang whimpered, “Uncle, I need to use the bathroom.”
Fu Chengyan immediately opened his eyes, scooped up the little one, and got out of bed to head to the bathroom.
He didn’t want to sleep on a waterbed again.
“Uncle, I couldn’t find the light switch in your room. I didn’t mean to wake you up,” he mumbled.
Fu Chengyan ruffled his short hair. “You didn’t wake me. Wash your hands and get back to bed.”
Fu Xuanlang let out an “oh,” obediently washed his hands, dried them, and climbed back into bed.
As the lights dimmed, he snuggled closer to Fu Chengyan. “Uncle.”
Fu Chengyan’s drowsiness faded a bit. “What?”
“Can I sleep with you again tomorrow?”
In the darkness, the man paused for a long moment. “Tomorrow, I’ll have Butler Liu find the remote control for the lights and give it to you.”
Fu Xuanlang took a moment to process this, then burst with joy. “Uncle, Uncle, you’re so good!”
“I know I’m good. Now go to sleep.”
“Uncle, do you need a son?”
Fu Chengyan thought of the girl’s slender waist. “No.”
“Why not? I’m so cute and sensible. And it’s buy one, get one free—I’ll throw in my sister.”
“…Go to sleep now!”
Fu Xuanlang whispered softly, “Okay.”
Fu Chengyan thought about it and decided to call Fu Chengli tomorrow. If they didn’t come back soon, their son and daughter might not even recognize them anymore.
Early in the morning, Fu Chengyan had breakfast with the two children and packed an extra portion to take with him when he left.
Fu Xuanlang’s eyes darted around. “Grandpa Liu, did Uncle not eat enough?”
Butler Liu didn’t dare comment on the master’s affairs. “Young Master, I’m not sure about that.”
Waking Fu Xuanlang up in the morning had taken a bit of extra time, so Fu Chengyan tossed the car keys to Wen Li. Wen Li was pleasantly surprised. “Master, didn’t you say that if I drove again, you’d send me to fly fighter jets?”
“You seem quite eager.”
“I’d rather drive for you, Master.”
“Enough nonsense.” Fu Chengyan took a moment to call Fu Chengli, but the call didn’t go through. He chuckled lightly, his slender fingers typing out a message.
Xu Zhizhi hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. Last night, Fu Chengyan had tempted her with delicious food, causing her to dream about it all night. In her dream, she could see the crab roe soup dumplings but couldn’t eat them, making her drool with longing.
When she woke up in the morning and felt the damp spot on her pillow, she stiffly tossed the pillowcase into the washing machine.
Then she leaned on the balcony, watching for when her crab roe soup dumplings would arrive.
Fu Chengyan didn’t arrive until eight o’clock. He had already eaten at home, but the sugar-oil pancakes were freshly made.
“I’ll make you some porridge. Do you want it sweet or savory?”
“Sweet, with millet and egg drop soup.”
“Alright.”
He simmered the millet over low heat, then whisked the egg whites and poured them into the boiling pot, adding sugar and honey.
After the porridge was done in the clay pot, Fu Chengyan served her a bowl. “Eat first, but be careful—it’s hot.”
Xu Zhizhi noticed there was only one bowl on the table and asked curiously, “Aren’t you eating?”
“I’ve already eaten. I have to go to the office.”
“Okay then.” She waved her little hand. “Bye-bye.”
“There’s food in your fridge. I’ll come at noon to cook for you,” Fu Chengyan said. “How about a fish hotpot today, tomato-flavored?”
Fish hotpot—sounds delicious—
Xu Zhizhi nodded, “Mm-hmm,” thinking it was a bit inappropriate that she always ate the meals he prepared. Lin Xitang had also said that friendships last longer when there’s give and take between friends. “Tonight, I’ll cook.”
Fu Chengyan was slightly surprised and nodded. “Alright.”