“Perfect timing—come play games with us.”
“Why don’t you ask my brother to play with you?” He’d been gaming with Zhou Yi all afternoon and was about to throw up from it.
Mrs. Zhou didn’t even look up. “Fine then, you go cook dinner and call your brother over.”
Hmph, she knew how to handle him.
“No need, my brother’s busy. I’ll do it.” The moment Wen Moci heard that, he whipped out his phone. He’d do anything—anything except cook.
When he was little, he’d messed around in the kitchen and nearly blown himself up. From that day on, he’d never touched a pot or pan again.
After dinner, Mrs. Zhou dragged Ning Weiying out, refusing to let the boys tag along no matter what they said.
“Mom, why are we out here?” Ning Weiying looked at Mrs. Zhou with confusion.
“Why, to have fun, of course.” Staying home was way too boring.
She wouldn’t let them follow because she was tired of their nagging—don’t eat this, don’t eat that.
Mrs. Zhou first took her to the snack street and bought all kinds of street food: jianbing, takoyaki, barbecue skewers, fried treats, fruit bowls—she bought a bit of everything.
After that, she took her to the plaza, where there was all sorts of activity—people dancing, singing, playing guitar, filming videos, and little stalls with ring-tossing games and such.
Ning Weiying looked around curiously. She didn’t often go out at night. She lived alone, and even when she went out, she went alone. She’d been living by herself since high school, spending her nights at home alone—finishing homework and going to sleep. Going out at night didn’t feel safe anyway.
“Sweetie, can you dance?” Mrs. Zhou looked toward the center of the plaza.
Ning Weiying glanced over and shook her head. “No.”
It looked like some kind of event—a random dance. Anyone there could join if they knew the moves, and even if they didn’t, they could still go.
What Mrs. Zhou was watching was the younger crowd’s thing. She didn’t know the older folks’ dances either. Besides, she was still young—only 45, and she looked just over 30.
Ning Weiying couldn’t just study all weekend at home. She knew the importance of balancing work and rest, so she’d bought a dance mat for her apartment and would dance on it for fun in her spare time.
But dancing in front of all these people? That was a bit too much to ask of her.
“It’s fine, just stay behind Mom.” Mrs. Zhou could tell she was shy in social situations. She just assumed all girls her age were reserved, so she deliberately positioned them at the back.
Ning Weiying’s voice was soft, the kind that made people’s hearts ache. “Mom, I don’t want to go. I’ll just sit here and wait for you.”
Seeing this, Mrs. Zhou didn’t push her. She just patted her head. “Alright then, you stay here and be good. Mom will be right back.”
Wen Yu had assumed they’d be back after a short stroll, but it had been two hours already—why weren’t they back yet? Growing anxious, he went out with Father Wen to look for them. Father Wen glanced at his phone. “No need to drive. We can walk.” It was close by.
“Dad, where are you going? I’m coming too!” Wen Moci ran downstairs to catch up with them.
Yep, wherever there was excitement, he’d be there.
The three men headed toward the plaza. The further they walked, the deeper Wen Yu’s brow furrowed.
“Hey, I see Mom!” Wen Moci ran over and stood beside Mrs. Zhou, dancing along with her.
“Wow, Mom, I never knew you could dance to this!” Wen Moci wore an expression of utter disbelief.
“You think your mom just eats and plays around at home all day?” She went online too, you know.
Wasn’t that exactly the case? Ever since he could remember, Mom stayed home playing. When he and his brother went to school, she’d go to the company to hang out with Dad, or go shopping with her girlfriends.
“You dance pretty well. Do you come here often?” Mrs. Zhou noticed how smoothly he moved—clearly not his first time.
“No, just occasionally.” He’d come a few times with Zhou Yi—he danced while Zhou Yi played music.
Wen Yu spotted the little girl sitting on the chair at a glance and quickly walked over to check on her, worry written all over his face.
Ning Weiying had been quietly nibbling on her snacks when she sensed someone approaching. She whipped her head around, and Wen Yu’s handsome face filled her vision, staring at her with the intensity of a wolf king locking onto its prey—utterly determined.
Wen Yu looked at the little sticky-rice dumpling of a girl staring blankly at him, his heart brimming with joy.
By the time Ning Weiying snapped out of it, she was already in Wen Yu’s arms. Good, good—she’d thought another bad guy was coming.
“Why didn’t you go play with them?” Wen Yu bounced the soft little bundle in his arms.
Ning Weiying leaned limply against his chest, her voice muffled. “I’m tired. I don’t want to.”
“Still, you shouldn’t sit here by yourself. What if a bad guy comes and takes you away? From now on, you have to tell your husband when you go out, got it?” His little darling was so pretty—if someone got ideas about her, that would be trouble.
“Mom, did you buy any food?” Wen Moci couldn’t possibly come out empty-mouthed.
“Bought it. It’s over there—go grab it.” Mrs. Zhou pointed at the stone table nearby, then fanned herself with her hand. She’d already worked up a sweat from dancing.
“Damn, you two went and threw money at them—bought this much?” Wen Moci stared at the table full of snacks, not knowing what to say.
“Oh, it’s fine. Perfect timing that you’re here—we’ll finish eating before heading back, or else your father will lecture me again.” She’d been worried the two of them couldn’t finish it all.
“Uh, that…” My dad’s right there watching. Wen Moci’s gaze shifted to Father Wen. Mrs. Zhou followed his look, rolled her eyes, and marched over with the food, full of fighting spirit.
So what if I eat? What are you gonna do, hit me? Hmph.
She sat down across from him and started eating.
Ning Weiying and Wen Moci carried the rest over and joined her.
Wen Yu fanned her with a couple of flyers he’d grabbed from someone handing them out earlier. The kid had barely played and was already sweating this much.
Father Wen fanned Mrs. Zhou. No rush—he’d deal with her after she finished eating.
“Bro, got another one? Give me one.” Wen Yu handed him one, and Wen Moci fanned himself while eating. Ah, delicious.
Ning Weiying yawned and rubbed her eyes. Wen Yu glanced at his watch—it was already eleven. Time for bed.
“Alright, let’s head home.” Mrs. Zhou clapped her hands and blinked. “Honey~, carry me. My feet hurt.”
Mrs. Zhou sweetly coquetted at her husband. Father Wen knew exactly what she was up to—he was just playing along. He had the time; tomorrow would be soon enough to lecture her.
“Xiao Ci, grab Mom’s shoes for her.” Father Wen helped her take them off, and Wen Moci naturally took them. He’d done this plenty as a kid.
Ning Weiying was already in Wen Yu’s arms, barely awake, yet still clutching her cup and sipping milk tea.
“Sweetheart, don’t fall asleep yet. Wait until we get home.” What if she caught a chill sleeping outside? She’d just gotten over her fever today, and he’d rushed out without grabbing a jacket.
Wen Yu picked her up. Mrs. Zhou was dozing against Father Wen, on the verge of sleep—she had to sleep, or she’d have to listen to him drone on and get a headache.
Ning Weiying mumbled something and went back to her milk tea, forcing herself to stay awake.
The square was not far from home—a five-minute walk from the front gate.
Wen Moci followed behind them, holding the shoes in one hand and eating the snacks his mother had bought with the other. Good thing he didn’t have a wife—otherwise, he’d be the one carrying the shoes, and still the one carrying the person.
Wen Yu quickened his pace and reached home shortly after.
He didn’t even bother changing his shoes before grabbing the thermometer, setting Ning Weiying down on the sofa.
Her mind was hazy; she kicked off her shoes and curled up to sleep, so drowsy.
Wen Yu took her temperature—fortunately, no fever.
“Mmm… sleep…” Ning Weiying opened her eyes in protest, too exhausted.
“Baby can sleep. Hubby will give baby a bath, and then you can sleep,” came the sultry voice from behind. Wen Yu kissed her cheek gently, soothing her.
With all that sweat, she wouldn’t sleep comfortably without a bath.