Barely a few minutes had passed, yet Yuanbao was already growing restless.
He slid off his big dad’s lap and tiptoed toward the bathroom door, tilting his head to listen carefully.
All he could hear was the steady sound of running water.
Nie Shenyuan, watching the little one’s round cheeks puff up as he pressed his ear against the door, couldn’t help but smile faintly. His voice was low and patient. “It won’t be that quick. Come back and sit down.”
Yuanbao pouted, his lips forming a perfect circle of discontent.
The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the heater. Then, suddenly, a buzzing sound came from the coffee table, “bzz, bzz, bzz.”
“Little Dad’s phone!”
Yuanbao’s eyes brightened. He bolted toward the table, his short legs pattering against the floor.
Nie Shenyuan shifted slightly and called out calmly, “Yuanbao, wait for your big brother to answer it.”
“Oh.”
The little one obediently picked up the vibrating phone, clutching it carefully in both hands before climbing back onto Nie Shenyuan’s knee.
Nie Shenyuan raised his other leg, letting Yuanbao rest comfortably against it like a small backrest. His gaze swept over the phone’s glowing screen.
“Deputy Director Chen.”
The small circular icon on the display flashed insistently, jumping up and down like a little green frog desperate to be noticed.
Yuanbao blinked and looked up at his big dad. “Is the person calling very important? Maybe they have something really important to tell Little Dad. Should Yuanbao answer it?”
Nie Shenyuan’s voice remained even and composed. “No need. When Little Dad comes out, he’ll call them back. It’s not urgent.”
If they answered on Pei Jingyuan’s behalf, he’d only have to spend more time explaining later. Better to let him handle it himself.
Less trouble that way.
Yuanbao scratched his small ear, waiting until the phone finally stopped vibrating before relaxing a little. He turned it curiously in his hands, his eyes catching the elegant calligraphy etched across the back case. He poked the characters with his finger. “Big Dad, what does this mean?”
Nie Shenyuan lowered his gaze. “It says ‘Never fall from the ambition of the blue clouds.’ It’s a line from an old text,” he explained, his tone patient and unhurried. “It means a person shouldn’t give up their dreams just because they face a little difficulty.”
Yuanbao tilted his head, his soft hair swaying as he thought about it. He didn’t quite understand what “dreams” were, but he still showed a sudden look of comprehension. “So if there are lots and lots of difficulties, then it’s okay to give up?”
Nie Shenyuan leaned back against the wall, a rare amused smile tugging at his lips. He reached out and ruffled the little one’s hair.
“Mm!”
Yuanbao hugged his head with one arm and pressed Little Dad’s phone against his chest with the other, pouting. “If my hair’s messy, I won’t look cute anymore.”
He had to look his very best when Little Dad came out. That was very important.
Inside the bathroom, Pei Jingyuan was finishing a quick shower. It was the kind of shower one took after a battle, efficient, hurried, and a little clumsy.
He braced one hand against the washing machine for balance as he pulled on his clothes with the other. His right hand, not yet fully used to moving again, tried to help but tugged the injured wrist instead, sending a sharp jolt of pain up his arm.
He hissed quietly through his teeth. If Teacher hadn’t stopped him earlier, he might have been crushed by the falling prop and ended up half-paralyzed.
There was a reason every film crew in the entertainment industry started shooting with a prayer ceremony. He understood that now.
Once dressed in a loose vest and shorts, Pei Jingyuan opened the small window to let the steam drift out. Cool air rushed in, brushing against his damp skin.
What was Yuanbao doing outside?
He hesitated, curiosity getting the better of him, and tiptoed toward the door.
The outside was eerily quiet.
Had Mr. Nie taken Yuanbao home to rest?
In his own house, Pei Jingyuan felt like a thief. He carefully gripped the doorknob, slowly pressing it down, making sure it didn’t make a sound.
He pulled the door open just a crack and peered through with one eye.
And instantly, his gaze collided with two pairs of eyes on the other side, Nie Shenyuan and Yuanbao, both looking straight at him.
For a heartbeat, everyone froze.
Ah… this was awkward.
Pei Jingyuan’s face stiffened.
Yuanbao quickly covered his mouth, his eyes sparkling with laughter.
He tugged at the sleeve of Nie Shenyuan’s white shirt, whispering in excitement, “Look, look! Little Dad is so funny!”
Pei Jingyuan had a towel draped over his head, blue and white stripes still damp from the shower. One corner of it slipped down near his ear, outlining the clean curve of his jaw.
He was wearing only a loose white tank top, revealing pale, smooth skin. The faint pink flush from the hot shower made him look even younger.
To Nie Shenyuan, who was watching quietly from the sofa, he hardly looked like an adult at all, more like a student.
He picked Yuanbao up, noticing that the child’s bandaged hand was now uncovered. “How’s your hand?” he asked softly.
“Thanks to Mr. Nie’s wrapping, it didn’t get wet at all.”
Pei Jingyuan smiled, then noticed how Nie Shenyuan had been sitting earlier, one long leg stretched across the narrow hallway.
He blinked in disbelief. That hallway was at least a meter and a half wide. Was that even physically possible?
Nie Shenyuan stood up smoothly, bent down to pick up his black suit jacket, and brushed it off casually.
Pei Jingyuan hurried to say, “You could’ve just waited on the sofa.”
Yuanbao puffed his cheeks and tugged at his Little Dad’s shirt. “Little Dad, talk to Yuanbao.”
“Oh, oh, right.”
Pei Jingyuan crouched down immediately, rubbing his chin gently against Yuanbao’s soft hair. “Sorry for ignoring you, little one. You waited a long time, didn’t you? Are you sleepy?”
Yuanbao shook his head happily and clung to his Little Dad’s hand as they went back to the sofa together.
Nie Shenyuan reminded him about the missed call and took out a small medical ice pack that Chen Xu had sent over earlier. He shook it to activate it, then wrapped it carefully in a white towel.
Yuanbao watched with serious eyes, not daring to blink, carefully supervising Big Dad’s every move to make sure Little Dad wouldn’t feel any pain.
When Pei Jingyuan finally checked his phone, he realized that his arm had been gently lifted. Turning his head, he saw Nie Shenyuan placing the wrapped ice pack beneath his arm and positioning it with quiet precision.
Their eyes met. Nie Shenyuan’s tone was steady and composed. “You can return the call now.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Pei Jingyuan looked away quickly and dialed the number.
Deputy Director Chen picked up almost immediately. “The director says you can take a full day to rest tomorrow.”
Pei Jingyuan frowned slightly. “Won’t that delay the shooting schedule?”
He glanced at his injured hand. “My scene tomorrow doesn’t really need much hand movement. If I keep it hidden under the costume, it shouldn’t be noticeable.”
Even Yuanbao could tell his Little Dad sounded worried. The boy looked up at Nie Shenyuan, confused.
Nie Shenyuan simply gathered him into his lap again.
Chen’s voice came from the phone. “You don’t have many scenes. We can adjust. Just come the day after tomorrow.”
Pei Jingyuan finally nodded. “Alright. Thank you, Director Chen.”
When the call ended, he tapped Yuanbao’s forehead gently. “Guess what? Brother gets to rest at home tomorrow.”
“Hmm?” Yuanbao blinked, then looked at his Little Dad’s hand with concern. “Only one day?”
Shouldn’t he rest until it’s all better?
Pei Jingyuan laughed. “Filming is important too.”
He hesitated, then turned to Nie Shenyuan. “Mr. Nie, may I hold Yuanbao for a bit?”
Yuanbao perked up at once. “Yuanbao wants to hug Little Dad!”
Nie Shenyuan smiled faintly and passed the child over.
Yuanbao, however, didn’t press down on him. Instead, he climbed up carefully and sat beside him on the sofa.
Once he was settled, he leaned sideways until his soft little body rested against Pei Jingyuan’s legs.
Pei Jingyuan’s heart melted completely. He wrapped an arm around the little one, happiness flooding his expression.
Yuanbao grasped his Little Dad’s left hand gently. “Little Dad, Yuanbao will tell you a story, okay? You can sleep now~”
When you wake up, your hand will definitely be all better again.
Pei Jingyuan looked a little embarrassed. “But Yuanbao, Your brother has never put a baby to sleep before. What if I accidentally roll over and squish you?”
A dozen awful images flashed through his mind in an instant.
Yuanbao didn’t even hesitate. He pressed his cheek against Pei Jingyuan’s leg and shook his head furiously. “No, no! Little Dad never squishes Yuanbao. Never ever~”
The little head shook from side to side, so adorably that one couldn’t help but laugh.
Pei Jingyuan’s lips curved up before he could stop himself, his whole face softening with amusement.
Then, quite suddenly, Yuanbao hooked a tiny finger around a slender red string and tugged. The movement lifted the hem of Pei Jingyuan’s undershirt slightly. “What’s this?” the child asked curiously.
The fabric rose just an inch, revealing a vivid red thread tied snugly around that narrow waist.
Because Yuanbao’s little hand was still pulling on it, the string pressed deeper into the soft, pale skin, outlining a faint mark that made the color seem even brighter by contrast.
Pei Jingyuan reacted at once, quickly pressing a hand down to cover the exposed hem. “That’s… that’s my protective charm,” he explained hurriedly, trying to sound calm.
“Yuanbao,” Nie Shenyuan’s voice came from the side, low and even. He cast a quick glance at the red string before reminding softly, “Let go first.”
“Oh.” Yuanbao released his grip, though confusion lingered in his round eyes. “How come I’ve never seen it before?”
He turned to look at his big dad, blinking, as if silently asking, Have you seen it?
Pei Jingyuan straightened his clothes a little and smiled gently. “It was something my grandmother prepared for me,” he said. “It’s supposed to protect my health.”
“Grandmother?” Yuanbao echoed the word in surprise. He remembered that his little dad hadn’t had a grandmother before. He was about to ask more when big dad scooped him up into his arms.
Nie Shenyuan hugged the little cub firmly. “Alright,” he said, “let’s let your little dad rest for tonight.”
Yuanbao’s small legs kicked in mild protest, but it was half-hearted.
Nie Shenyuan turned back to Pei Jingyuan and gave a few last instructions. “Keep the ice pack on for another five minutes. If it still hurts in half an hour, use a fresh one.”
Pei Jingyuan glanced at the small medical box beside him and nodded.
“Your hand might swell a little tomorrow,” Nie Shenyuan continued, ever thorough. “I’ll stop by in the morning. If it gets worse, I’ll take you to the hospital myself.”
He paused, his tone steady but attentive. “If anything happens tonight, call me directly on WeChat.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “I go to bed early, but I’ll hear the phone.”
Pei Jingyuan couldn’t help but chuckle, his eyes full of warmth and gratitude. “Mr. Nie is too kind,” he said softly.
He bent down toward Yuanbao and rubbed the little one’s cheek affectionately. “Be good, okay? Tomorrow we’ll play together.”
Yuanbao looked at him with reluctance but still nodded obediently.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
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☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · YaunBao in wrong Time lineChapter 2 · Finding Big DaddyChapter 3 · DNA ProofChapter 4 · Hospital visitChapter 5 · New RoleChapter 6 · Meeting Daddy SoonChapter 7 · New NeighbourChapter 8 · Moving inChapter 9 · Meeting Little Daddy again!Chapter 10 · WhiteChapter 11 · Car for Little DaddyChapter 12 · Live StreamChapter 13 · KittyChapter 14 · Bonding Time~Chapter 15 · White CatChapter 16 · Yuanbao, your dad is terrifying!Chapter 17 · Will Dad blow up the kitchen?Chapter 18 Part 1 · Little Dad, let’s get New Big Dad!Chapter 18 Part 2 · Little Dad, let’s get new Big Dad!Chapter 19 · Yuanbao doesn’t have a loving big dadChapter 20 Part 1 · Dad never holds back Yuanbao~ No, no~Chapter 20 Part 2 · Dad never holds back Yuanbao~ No, no~Chapter 21 · Little Dad’s friendChapter 22 · Our Child from future!Chapter 23 · Little Daddy Knows!Chapter 24 · How did the two fathers meet?Chapter 25 · They really treat him like a gold ingot!Chapter 26 · Big Daddy really likes little daddyChapter 27 · Hehe, Yuanbao’s dad is such a humorous personChapter 28 · This name sounds like some kind of unspoken codeChapter 29 · Don’t you dare steal Yuanbao’s little dad!Chapter 30 · You’re so smart, it’s only natural that our child is clever too.Chapter 31 · That’s definitely a hickey!Chapter 32 · We simply can’t compete!Chapter 33 · Big Dad, you’re not allowed to bully Little DadChapter 34 · Amusement ParkChapter 35 · Big Dad, you have to protect Little DadChapter 36 · Go eat friesChapter 37 · These fries are so deliciousChapter 38 · Yuanbao imitated his dad’s tone: “No, no~”Chapter 39 · Did you hurt Daddy’s hand?Chapter 40 · Were the father and son plotting something behind my back?Chapter 41 · They really went a little too far in the future.Chapter 42 · Sudden feeling of being “needed”Chapter 43 · The little guy tells his dad everythingChapter 44 · Why was Dad secretly observing him?Chapter 45 · I’ll introduce you to these two adorable peopleChapter 46 · According to family hierarchyChapter 47 · Yuanbao is mine and Jingyuan’s childChapter 48 · Little Yuanbao, you sound just like your dad talking right now!Chapter 49 · Are you happy today?Chapter 50 · Waaah, how could Daddy say such bad things about Yuanbao to Little Daddy?!Chapter 51 · Dad, will Yuanbao have a younger brother or sister?Chapter 52 · Let him handle the whole “conquering” thing!Chapter 53 · Dad, do you miss dad?Chapter 54 · Yuanbao’s Dad, how about we start dating?Chapter 55 · Did the two fathers talk for two days before telling Yuanbao?Chapter 56 · I’d like a different birthday presentChapter 57 · I love playing like this with my two dadsChapter 58 · Dad, come home soonChapter 59 · Jingyuan, let me hold you for a whileChapter 60 · Big Dad and Little Dad are just like Yuanbao’s left and right feetChapter 61 · Yuanbao, how about letting your father sleep in the middle?Chapter 62 · Waiting for your goodnight kissChapter 63 · Philodendron, McDowellChapter 64 · Little Dad is so badChapter 65 · Yuanbao wants to stay home and play every dayChapter 66 · Where’s my little Yuanbao?Chapter 67 · He’s my childChapter 68 · Two fathers?Chapter 69 · Does French Fries taste the same?Chapter 70 · Teacher AnnieChapter 71 · You’re bullying meChapter 72 · Big Dad asked Little Dad to kiss you for himChapter 73 · I think what’s missing is a formal confessionChapter 74 · If the ingot is an inward square, thenChapter 75 · Little Potato Ball and Daddy PotatoChapter 76 · That must be some other silly kidChapter 77 · In the future, how about I help you pluck out your white hairs?Chapter 78 · Little Dad already tried his best to help you!Chapter 79 · You can only blame the prize for being too temptingChapter 80 · Little Dad will hold a personal art exhibition just for youChapter 81 · Shall I make it up to you?Chapter 82 · Little Dad, kiss kiss~ Help Yuanbao give Big Dad a kiss tooChapter 83 · You’ll just say he’s a relative’s childChapter 84 · #PeiJingyuanMalePregnancy#Chapter 85 · Family GatheringChapter 86 · Yuanbao will work hard and make lots of money!Chapter 86 · Extra 1Chapter 87 · Who’s he messaging?Chapter 87 · Extra 2Chapter 88 · Why are you blushing?Chapter 88 · Extra 3Chapter 89 · Let’s get marriedChapter 89 · Extra 4Chapter 90 · Hair CutChapter 90 · Extra 5Chapter 91 · They’re willing to accept you as part of the familyChapter 92 · A Family DinnerChapter 93 · This is Yuanbao’s… very, very tall Big Dad, Nie ShenyuanChapter 94 · The wedding