Chapter 916: Chapter 896: Almost Opening a Kindergarten in the Villa
"What do you mean by this? Are you saying that Little Doubao is in a bad mood and can’t relax when he’s with me?" Su Yan widened her eyes, looking extremely aggrieved. "Fine, I’ll bring Little Doubao over and say everything clearly in front of the old man. Let’s see exactly how I’ve treated him wrongly."
Wasn’t it obvious that Little Doubao didn’t want to talk?
Jiayi frowned.
Huo Tianpei, annoyed by the commotion, waved his hand impatiently and said to Su Yan, "Alright, no one’s saying you’ve treated Little Doubao badly."
Jiayi spoke calmly, "It’s just a few days. If Little Doubao is in a good mood, it might even help with his autism."
Su Yan bit down firmly and retorted, "You’re thinking of what’s best for Little Doubao, but don’t I also have his well-being in mind? Little Doubao only recently came back to the Huo Family. He isn’t even familiar with Tianpei and me yet; it’s not suitable for him to keep moving back and forth. Maybe we can consider it later."
Huo Tianpei thought for a moment and seemed inclined to agree with Su Yan, but just as he was about to speak, Jiayi threw a glance at Zaizai.
Zaizai eagerly stepped forward, hugging Huo Tianpei’s neck. "Grandpa, I want to play with cousin Dou Shabao. I promise I won’t bully him, okay? Just let cousin Dou Shabao stay with me for a few days."
Gan Xinxin chimed in sweetly, tilting her adorable little face upwards. "Grandpa Huo, I’ll make sure to take care of Dou Shabao with Zaizai too!"
Huo Tianpei was amused by the two little ones, their antics melting the trace of gloom in his heart.
Seeing the old man waver, Su Yan clenched her teeth, worried he might succumb to their sugary persuasion. "Tianpei, we’ve just spent a few days with Little Doubao, barely bonding with him. How could you send him to live at Disheng now?"
But Huo Tianpei had already made up his mind. He patted Zaizai’s head and said, "Zaizai, your cousin is a little different from other kids. He’s just come back, and everything is still new to him. Let’s wait until he adjusts, then you can play with him later, okay—"
Before he finished speaking, they heard the astonished voice of an assistant at the door, "L-Little Young Master is out here—"
Huo Tianpei was taken aback. "Little Doubao? He’s here? Let him in."
A few seconds later, the assistant walked in, surprisingly with Little Doubao right behind him.
Quietly, Little Doubao stepped forward to face everyone. He still didn’t speak but cast a glance at Jiayi.
Su Yan was startled and rushed toward him. "Little Doubao, why are you here? Are you hungry?"
But Little Doubao didn’t even look at Su Yan. He subtly avoided her touch and kept his gaze fixed on Huo Tianpei.
Huo Tianpei quickly asked, "Is there something you want to say to Grandpa?"
Given Huo Tianpei’s permission, Little Doubao turned, walked over to Jiayi, and surprisingly grabbed her hand, clutching it tightly.
A warm rush spread from Jiayi’s fingertips to her heart. Firm in her resolve, she decided to fulfill Little Doubao’s wish today. She glanced at Su Yan before turning to Huo Tianpei. "It seems Little Doubao does want to go to Disheng."
Huo Tianpei’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Little Doubao. "Is that right, Little Doubao?"
Little Doubao stared at his grandfather with hope in his eyes, and even though he didn’t speak, his expression said it all.
Huo Tianpei’s heart softened.
For days, Little Doubao hadn’t spoken a word to him. Right now, this was the first time he had silently pleaded to him.
As his grandfather, how could he not grant his grandson this wish, just this once?
Huo Tianpei finally sighed. "Jiayi, take Little Doubao to stay for a few days."
Zaizai and Gan Xinxin immediately cheered.
Su Yan’s expression changed. "Tianpei—"
"What’s the harm in a cousin visiting another cousin’s house for a few days?" Huo Tianpei dismissed her concerns. "Enough, Su Yan. Jiayi has a child, so she probably understands kids better than you. Letting Little Doubao stay with her might be a good thing."
Su Yan clenched her fists tightly, feeling bitter. Wasn’t this just implying that she couldn’t have children?
Of course she wanted kids, but that was up to Huo Tianpei giving her one!
In the end, she could only begrudgingly give instructions. "Pack some clothes for Little Doubao."
————
When they left the hotel with Little Doubao, Jiayi noticed a newfound brightness in his previously dim gaze. She couldn’t help but smile.
On their way back, Jiayi drove while the three little ones sat in the back.
Laughter from Zaizai and Gan Xinxin occasionally floated forward.
Although Little Doubao still didn’t speak, he leaned against the window, watching the scenery outside. He seemed much happier.
Arriving at Disheng, Jiayi drove into the courtyard, stopped the car, and turned to the three kids in the back. "Alright, we’re home! Time to unbuckle your seatbelts."
Auntie Li had been waiting on the steps for a long while. As soon as she saw them return, she came down to greet them. Her gaze landed on Little Doubao inside the car, and although slightly startled, she wasn’t too surprised—it was as if she’d already known. She motioned toward the main house and spoke softly, "The Master is back."
The smile on Jiayi’s face immediately disappeared. Sticking out her tongue, she muttered, "He knows I brought Little Doubao back already?"
"Yes."
Jiayi’s heart instantly tensed.
Bringing Little Doubao home had been a last-minute decision; she hadn’t had a chance to inform him.
Originally, she had planned to settle Little Doubao first and then call to explain. Now that he knew, she wasn’t sure if he’d be angry.
From Auntie Li’s expression, it seemed he wasn’t very pleased.
Jiayi led the three kids into the villa and helped Little Doubao change his shoes at the entrance.
Never having visited such a large villa before, Little Doubao stared at the crystal chandelier, columns, TV wall, coffee table, and house staff in the living room without blinking, filled with curiosity and nervousness.
Jiayi brought the three of them inside, but stopped in her tracks when she spotted a figure on the sofa. There was no dodging now. Awkwardly, she laughed, "Oh, you’re home early today."
Huo Zhenyang’s piercing gaze felt like arrows. He glanced at her and then at the group of little ones surrounding her. With a sarcastic snort, he said, "Looks like you’re planning to open a daycare at my villa. Should I not come back?"
Little Doubao looked at the man in front of him—the handsome face, the commanding presence, and the palpable coldness radiating from him. His hands trembled slightly.
Jiayi crouched down and reassured Little Doubao softly, "Don’t be scared. He’s your uncle. Even though he looks fierce, he won’t eat kids." She lowered her voice to encourage him further, "Come on, call him Uncle."
"Chu Jiayi, what nonsense are you spouting?" Huo Zhenyang’s sharp ears caught everything, and his expression darkened.
She quickly stuck out her tongue and stood straight, feigning innocence. "Nothing at all." Trying to smooth things over, she gently pushed Little Doubao closer to him, speaking in a soft tone, "Little Doubao, call him Uncle, okay?"
She hadn’t expected him to say anything. Before leaving the hotel, she had asked the assistant about Little Doubao’s situation. He would occasionally speak while at his foster family’s house, but after being sent to the orphanage, he rarely spoke anymore.
Sure enough, Little Doubao stared nervously at his uncle for a long moment. His gaze was filled with tension and unease, and he clung tightly to Jiayi’s hand without uttering a word.
Huo Zhenyang silently studied his nephew, seemingly lost in thought, saying nothing for a while.
Watching the two of them caught in a silent standoff, Jiayi pursed her lips and couldn’t help but tease, "Hey, are you two having a contest to see who’s cooler?"
