Chapter 409: Chapter 405: Affection
"Got it," Wen Ran clapped her hands, grinning, "So, can I hold Minmin now?"
"Here!"
The little one isn’t big, but gosh, she’s solid.
Like a little weight, heavy enough to feel.
Wen Ran played with Minmin for a while, got enough of her cuteness, returned the child to her mother, and went to find her own kid and played for a bit.
While playing, she got tired.
She lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep.
Mrs. Xiao watched Wen Ran sleeping, tiptoed closer, cautiously covered her with a blanket, and then turned to leave.
Took the opportunity to quietly take the child away.
Afraid the child would wake up, start crying, and disturb Wen Ran.
At the door, she sat holding the child, and Mr. Xiao, who was out doing carpentry work, also returned.
Seeing his wife’s happy face, he immediately guessed, "Ranran’s back?"
"Yes," Mrs. Xiao happily smiled, "You came just in time, take care of the kids.
I’ll go inside and whip up a couple of specialty dishes, we’ll have a gathering tonight."
"Alright."
Though Mr. Xiao doesn’t usually have a strong presence, he’s well-trained in handling kids.
No choice, since Da Bao and Xiao Bao ended up with a mom who’s off to school, clumsy and seemingly unreliable.
They, as the old couple, naturally had to show extra care.
Skillfully holding the child, Xiao Chenyue teased, "Dad, will you look after Minmin too? I’ll go help Mom."
Mr. Xiao: "Are you sure?"
He was skeptical, "Dad doesn’t have three heads and six arms, can’t manage so many kids."
Afraid of disappointing Xiao Chenyue, Mr. Xiao tried negotiating, "How about this, once things calm down, Dad will look after the kids, you and Gula go out for a stroll."
Xiao Chenyue laughed, "No worries, I’m just playing with you.
You’re the main earner at home now, can’t disrupt this."
Ever since reaching Capital City, Mr. Xiao’s hands were always occupied.
He hadn’t expected his craftsmanship could one day contribute to the household, making him very excited, "Taking care of kids isn’t a disruption."
"Just teasing," Xiao Chenyue whispered, "Honestly, even my crafts Mom doesn’t fancy."
She shook her head cheerfully, "Hey, I’m not going in because I don’t want to annoy her, alright!"
"Fine, fine," Mr. Xiao helplessly shook his head, "After all, this is what you think."
"Hehe," Xiao Chenyue curiously asked, "By the way, when is the project scheduled until?"
"Until spring comes," mentioning work that can generate income for the family, Mr. Xiao’s face couldn’t help but wear a continuous smile.
Proudly, "Back at home, earning meager work points, but out here, earning real money—that’s when you realize life is truly lively."
At this time, transactions were made secretly.
On the surface, a distant relative might bring something, make it seem normal, but secretly, a price was set.
This gave Mr. Xiao a chance to start working.
Watching her father full of energy, Xiao Chenyue’s smile was equally dazzling.
"If you’re happy, then it’s all worth it."
"Happy? Of course, I’m happy."
Doing what he loves and earning money, he couldn’t be happier.
Chatting intermittently with his daughter, Mr. Xiao was more spirited.
Until Xiao Chenye and Gula came back.
"Dad, why are you sitting here?"
Mr. Xiao: "???"
He glanced sidelong at his son, grumbling, "Hey kid, listen to your nonsense.
What, do you think your father can no longer sit down, must stand holding kids for you to be happy?"
Xiao Chenye looked innocent, unable to believe a simple comment could provoke such reaction.
"Dad, check your temper, I just said it casually, why are you getting mad?"
"Hmph!"
Mr. Xiao turned arrogantly, "I thought you couldn’t stand me idling."
Xiao Chenyue chuckled on the side, Xiao Chenye helplessly, "Dad, I truly didn’t mean it, how about this, let me apologize, okay?"
"Get lost," Mr. Xiao shooed him off, "I really don’t care to see you."
"Haha, don’t care to see me? No problem, as long as you’re content, whatever you want to do, I’m fine with it."
With that, Xiao Chenye took off his gloves and walked inside.
"Stop!"
Xiao Chenye stopped bewildered, unsure, "Dad, do I not even have the right to return home now?"
Mr. Xiao: "..."
Xiao Chenyue, having had enough fun, grinned, "Silly boy, wasn’t Dad’s intention.
He’s trying to tell you, Ranran is sleeping inside. Don’t go in and make noise waking her up, that would be a loss."
"What?"
Xiao Chenye’s eyes immediately brightened.
"Ranran’s back?"
"Yes, just finished military training today and I..."
Before finishing the sentence, Xiao Chenye dashed inside like a monkey.
Xiao Chenyue: "Sigh, no."
She speechlessly looked at Mr. Xiao, "Do you think he’ll get scolded?"
"Scolded for what? You think this brat dares to wake Ranran? I bet even if he went in, he’d obediently pretend to be a grandson."
Indeed, who knows someone’s child like their parent.
After entering, Xiao Chenye really behaved like an obedient grandson.
Although he slowed his steps, as he gradually approached, Wen Ran still opened her eyes slightly in her haze.
Seeing it’s Xiao Chenye, she instinctively smiled, with a blurred, sleepy voice whispered, "Hmm, you’re back."
"Yes," just one word made Xiao Chenye’s heart melt, "I’m back, you’ve worked hard."
"Not really," Wen Ran still confused, instinctively turned, raised her arm to embrace his shoulder, "Just sleepy."
Xiao Chenye complied, lying down, patting her back, "Do you want to sleep a bit more?"
"Hmm?"
The two chatted softly, feeling each other’s breath, time seemed to slow and stretch.
"Where’s the child?"
Wen Ran completely awoke, tilted her head, checking her baby, only to find an empty spot.
No wonder, she thought it was quiet, figured the child slept, turns out they weren’t nearby.
"Dad and Sister are holding them, playing at the door."
"Oh," Wen Ran yawned, "When did Dad come back?"
"Not sure, but probably slightly before me."
They chatted a bit of useless talk.
Only then got up, prepared to find something to eat.
