In families like theirs, children usually grow up together from a young age, forming a social circle that helps each other when they grow up.
Wei Yutang's meaning has always been very clear. Even before he was with Chu Qing, his public stance was that Xia Xia should be his successor.
The children brought by their parents today are basically being raised to be heirs; you can tell they've been very well-educated just by looking at them sitting on the sofa.
Wei Yutang told them to go play in the backyard, and then went to the study with them to discuss business. Chu Qing happened to be drawing design drawings on the other side of the study.
Although given Wei Yutang's circumstances, he could have easily stayed at home doing nothing, he really enjoyed designing.
Having come this far, it would be a pity to give up, and he didn't want to tie his entire life to Wei Yutang.
After Wei Yutang finished discussing the collaboration with these people, he happened to see Chu Qing put down his paintbrush and tidy up the table. He went over to help him tidy up, and after they were done, he turned to the side and asked:
"Shall we go see Xiaxia together?"
"good."
Several parents went into the toy room, and the three children sat on the carpet playing with modeling clay, sculpting the clay while bragging to their new friends.
"My dad is amazing! He manages a company with thousands of employees!"
"My dad has so many sports cars in his garage, he could drive a different one every day for a whole month!"
Xiaxia frowned and gave a disdainful snort, which successfully drew the displeasure of the other two children.
Where is your father?
"My father...he dares to wash his hair while doing a handstand!!"
Author's Note:
Wei Yutang: ? I dare not
Chapter 33
Xiaxia spoke with absolute certainty, successfully fooling the two children, who exclaimed in surprise.
Xiaxia was feeling quite smug, enjoying the praise from her peers, until she heard laughter coming from the side. Only then did she suddenly turn her head to look.
Upon realizing that the person standing there was the uncle I had met earlier that day, I stiffly turned my head to look to the side, and sure enough, I saw my father standing there.
Xiaxia instinctively reached out and covered her bottom. With her father around, she probably wouldn't get a beating for bragging... right?
The other two parents were very familiar with Wei Yutang's personality, and waved to their children, saying that they could play together again when they had time.
Children also have pride, and it's inconvenient for them to stay here to teach them things.
After they left, Wei Yutang went inside.
Xiaxia, who was sitting there, saw her father come in and instinctively tried to hide behind him. She took a step back for every step her father took.
"How come I didn't know I would dare to do that?"
Wei Yutang questioned in a low voice, which made Xia Xia tremble with fear.
He had always been treated like a little emperor in front of his father because he knew very well that his father wouldn't do anything to him unless he made a mistake.
But today he made a mistake by bragging, and even if his father were here, he might not be able to protect him.
"I, Father, I was wrong."
Xiaxia put her hands behind her back, thought for a moment, and then decided to obediently admit her mistake.
Realizing her father had no intention of softening his stance, she stepped forward, hugged his leg, and looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"I really know I was wrong."
"Um?"
Looking at the resemblance between Xia Xia's features and Chu Qing's, Wei Yutang, even though he had just been so angry that his head ached, couldn't bear to say another harsh word. After a long while, he compromised and said:
"You can't do that again next time."
"good."
Chu Qing didn't interfere with Wei Yutang teaching Xia Xia. If it were him, Xia Xia could have easily gotten over it by acting cute, but some things really do need to be taught properly and not tolerated.
After the father and son finished their discussion and came out, Chu Qing reached out to Xia Xia.
Xiaxia used to stay in her father's arms. Knowing that she had made a mistake, and afraid that her father would be angry with her because of it, she hung her head and pretended to be pitiful.
"Daddy... I know I was wrong, I won't do it again next time, boohoo, Daddy, hug me."
Chu Qing gently patted his back and hugged him in her arms, her clear and gentle voice full of tenderness.
"Yes, it's good that you know you were wrong. Don't be sad."
Based on Xiaxia's interaction with those two children today, Wei Yutang felt that they were quite compatible, and coincidentally, the kindergarten he chose for Xiaxia was the same one as theirs.
Chu Qing was also concerned about Xia Xia's friends. When asked, Xia Xia clutched her father's clothes and answered in a somewhat awkward tone:
"They could barely be considered my friends."
They were much better than the children he had met before who only knew how to cry. Of course, most importantly, they watched the same cartoon and liked the same character!
That evening, Xiaxia appeared on her father's bed right on time, carrying her pillow. She even covered herself with the blanket, leaving only her fluffy head sticking out.
The little guy, grinning as he waited for his father, immediately lost his smile when he saw his father appear at the door. He let out a soft hum and asked:
What are you doing here?
Wei Yutang had already taken a shower. Wearing pajamas, he lifted the covers and lay down next to Xia Xia, poking his puffed-out cheeks.
"If I go back to the bedroom, it must be to sleep."
"I'll let you sleep in the middle."
The child, who was a little unhappy after seeing his father, thought it was quite a good deal after hearing what Wei Yutang said.
Deep down, I had already accepted it, but I still felt I couldn't show it too obviously on my face, so I pretended to be somewhat unwilling and said:
"Okay then."
Lying between her father and father, Xiaxia slept very contentedly, but poor Wei Yutang next to her suffered.
I don't know if it's because Xiaxia is a restless sleeper, or because Xiaxia still has some complaints about him even when she's asleep.
He kicked Wei Yutang awake in the middle of the night.
After opening his eyes, Wei Yutang lifted the blanket and watched as those small feet kicked in the air, looking very strong.
Chu Qing was a light sleeper, and woke up when she heard his voice. She rubbed her eyes and asked what was wrong in a slightly hoarse voice.
Following Wei Yutang's gaze, I glanced at the sleeping little guy. He was completely unaware that he was being watched by his father and was still clenching his little fists and kicking at the air.
"Did I kick you? Xiaxia has never been a very good sleeper."
It was fine when she slept with Chu Qing, since the bed was spacious, and Xia Xia herself had developed a habit of kicking the other side.
Normally kicking air is no problem, but today, Wei Yutang is lying in a place that is usually empty.
"No, you've been very good. Go to sleep."
Wei Yutang pulled the blanket up for him. Chu Qing was so tired at night that he mumbled a reply and fell asleep.
Even if you keep getting kicked, it's still a kind of sweetness to have your lover and a child who looks three times like your lover lying next to you.
In addition to attending kindergarten, Xiaxia was also arranged to learn martial arts from a coach.
Wei Yutang did not want his child to be a bad guy who would bully others just because he was powerful, but he hoped that Xiaxia would have the ability to protect herself if she encountered any danger.
After Xiaxia officially started learning martial arts, she didn't have as much time and energy to cling to Chu Qing.
Chu Qing did not feel any sense of loss because of this. It was he and Wei Yutang who held Xia Xia's hand together and brought him from their side to a wider world.
The children in these families are generally precocious, partly because Xiaxia is indeed likable, and partly because he is the heir of the Wei family. The three children quickly became friends.
Moreover, they often invite each other to their homes.
Xiaxia remembered the lesson she almost got a spanking last time, so she stopped bragging and instead told them how amazing her father was and how many awards he had won.
Boasting about your father will get you a beating, but boasting about your dad will get you praised! All things considered, the latter is more worthwhile.
Chu Qing once went to the rented room where Wei Yutang had gone when he was drunk, by accident. After getting what she needed, her eyes were drawn to a book on the bookshelf.
The person who was supposed to take their things and leave ended up staying in the rented room for the entire afternoon.
It wasn't until Wei Yutang called to ask where he was that Xiaxia, after returning home from school, kept pestering him for her, and only then did he put everything back in its original place.
Xiaxia was holding his schoolbag in the living room because his father hadn't come home for a long time and had a long face.
Hearing the car stop, Xiao Hong put down his schoolbag, stood up, and ran out. He was so fast that even Wei Yutang, who was sitting opposite him, didn't react in time.
"Daddy, Daddy!!!"
Xiaxia received an award at kindergarten today. The winning piece was completed with her father, and she couldn't wait to share her joy with him.
Before meeting his father, he hadn't revealed a single word about him to his father.
Chu Qing had a lot on her mind, but when she saw Xia Xia's excited face, she forced herself to suppress all her emotions, put on a smile, and started praising him.
He had previously read a book on parenting that said parents should give positive feedback when their children achieve something, as this is the best form of praise.
Xiaxia, who was almost floating on air from the praise, waved her hand and replied with a chuckle:
"Dad deserves the most credit! It's all thanks to Dad being there for me!"
"It's our Xiaxia who's amazing."
Wei Yutang stood at the door, urging them to come in quickly. The kindergarten would be on winter break next week, and his company was quite busy at the end of the year, with the Chinese New Year just around the corner.
This is the first real family reunion he has with Chu Qing and Xia Xia.
Xiaxia returned to the living room and quickly ran to the sofa, wanting to find her certificates and prizes to show her father.
Wei Yutang walked over, helped Chu Qing take off his scarf, and then asked him to take off his coat. He held Chu Qing's cold hands in his palms and said with concern:
"Why are you back so late? Are you very busy with work?"
"It won't happen again next time."
Chu Qing's slightly numb fingertips, warmed by Wei Yutang's body heat, gradually returned to normal. The well-heated room made Chu Qing even more clear-headed and rational.
He subconsciously didn't want to tell Wei Yutang about his discovery, and the certificate of merit that Xia Xia handed him became the best way to divert attention.