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Chapter 18
Editor: Princess
Qin Huanxi lowered his head, watching Mo Siyuan quietly practicing his handwriting. His heart softened at the sight. He reached out and tapped the phone screen lying on the table. It was already 9 PM. His baby was still growing, so it was time for bed. No matter how reluctant he was to leave, he had to go.
He patted Mo Siyuan’s little head gently and said softly, “Xiao Yuan, that’s enough practice for today. It’s time to sleep.”
Mo Siyuan lifted his little face and stared straight at Qin Huanxi. Then, suddenly, he pouted, his expression full of reluctance. “Big brother Huanxi, are you leaving already? Tomorrow is Saturday. I don’t have school, so I can sleep later. Can you stay a little longer tonight? I still want to hear you play the violin.”
Qin Huanxi chuckled, however he couldn’t let Mo Siyuan develop the bad habit of staying up late. Children were smart and knew how to act cute to get what they wanted. If he gave in today just because there was no school tomorrow, Mo Siyuan would find more excuses next time, pushing him to compromise again and again.
That wouldn’t do. He wasn’t about to let his baby pick up bad habits. He spoke a little more seriously, “Xiao Yuan, be good. Sleeping early and waking up early is good for your health. You’re still growing, so you need to rest on time. Remember, whether you’re a child or an adult, staying up late is bad for your body. So, not only do you have to sleep early, but Daddy and I have to sleep early too. Okay?”
Mo Siyuan nodded half-understanding, tilted his head, and thought for a moment before saying, “But Daddy stays up late all the time. He stays in the study for a really, really long time. I don’t even know what he’s doing.”
Qin Huanxi was speechless for a moment then subconsciously turned to look at Mo Shaoheng.
Mo Shaoheng gave a light cough, looking slightly awkward but trying to maintain a calm expression.
Qin Huanxi held back his laughter. “How do you know Daddy stays up late?”
“Uncle Fengyu told me! And I’ve seen it too. One night, I got up to go to the bathroom. After that, I was a little thirsty, so I wanted to ask the housekeeper auntie for a glass of water. But then I saw Daddy’s study light was still on.” Mo Siyuan blinked his big eyes, completely exposing Qi Fengyu as the tattletale.
“Daddy works really hard. Even at night, he has to handle business matters. But if Daddy doesn’t take care of his health and keeps staying up late, Xiao Yuan should remind him to go to bed early. That’s what a good son would do.” Qin Huanxi smiled and rubbed Mo Siyuan’s head.
Hearing this, Mo Siyuan’s face lit up with a big, bright smile. “Okay! I understand!”
Then he turned around and ran toward Mo Shaoheng, throwing himself onto his lap. With a serious expression, he said, “Daddy, you have to sleep early from now on. Big brother Huanxi said staying up late will make you sick. I don’t want Daddy to get sick.”
Mo Shaoheng caught his little body, looked up at Qin Huanxi, who was turning away to hide his laughter, and for the first time, his usually cold and stern face showed a helpless expression. But the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He patted the small child’s back and said, “Alright, Daddy promises you.”
“Yay!” Mo Siyuan cheered, satisfied with the answer. Then he slipped off Mo Shaoheng’s lap and ran back to Qin Huanxi, hugging his leg and acting spoiled. “Big brother Huanxi, can you not go home tonight? Xiao Yuan’s bed is really, really big…”
“It’s this big!” The little guy stretched out his arms wide, making a “super huge” gesture. “Big brother Huanxi can sleep with me! You won’t fall off the bed, I promise!”
Qin Huanxi was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Mo Shaoheng. Mo Shaoheng just stood there, staring at him. Qin Huanxi withdrew his gaze and looked down at his little baby who was clinging to his leg, rubbing against him like a spoiled kitten and a strong urge to agree surged in his heart. How could he bear to disappoint his baby? That bright, happy smile was the most precious thing to him.
It had only been half a month since he had agreed to be Mo Siyuan’s tutor. But in just these short two weeks, this was the most fulfilling time he had experienced since his rebirth.
During the day, he stayed home reviewing his studies and practicing the violin. In the evenings, he had his baby by his side, helping with homework, doing crafts, and teaching him the violin.
Qin Huanxi had never expected to be able to return to his baby’s side so soon. Even though his baby didn’t recognize him as his father and saw him as just a dependable big brother, he had no complaints. Who he was didn’t matter. What mattered was that he could be here, protecting his baby.
“Uncle Mo, I hope I won’t be a bother tonight.” In the end, he gave in.
Mo Shaoheng walked over to the two of them, patted the little one’s head, and said to Qin Huanxi, “You can stay anytime.”
Qin Huanxi nodded with a smile. It felt like ever since that day when they went for a walk together, the distance between him and Mo Shaoheng had been shrinking bit by bit.
He knew Mo Shaoheng wasn’t a talkative person and was a little cold towards others. But that day, Mo Shaoheng had told him many things.
Qin Huanxi had even wondered, was Mo Shaoheng deliberately telling him about Mo Siyuan so he could take care of him wholeheartedly? Or was there another reason?
However one thing was certain: Mo Shaoheng had been very sincere when talking about those things. And that sincerity made him feel closer to him.
“Big brother Huanxi, let’s call Grandpa Qin and Auntie Li! We have to tell them you’re staying over tonight!” Mo Siyuan was so excited he spun around in circles, then sprinted over to the table, tiptoed to grab Qin Huanxi’s phone, and held it up to him.
“You little rascal.” Qin Huanxi took the phone, tapping Mo Siyuan’s little head with his finger, half amused and half exasperated. Then under his baby’s expectant gaze, he walked aside to call his grandfather and Auntie Li.
For such a little child, he sure had a sharp memory and a quick mind. After just a few visits to the Qin house, he had already gotten familiar with his grandfather and Auntie Li, and now even knew to call them.
“Little Uncle, Huanxi.” Before Mo Shanshan even came downstairs, she could already hear Mo Siyuan running in circles around Qin Huanxi happily. She smiled and said, “I heard Xiao Yuan’s voice the moment I stepped out of my studio. Huanxi, you’re not going home tonight?”
“Sister Shanshan…” Mo Siyuan dragged out her name, then threw himself at her. “Big brother Huanxi is sleeping with me tonight!”
Mo Shanshan bent down and patted his little head. This child was clearly overexcited—his big eyes were shining, and his little face was flushed. She sighed with a smile, “Alright, alright. Big brother Huanxi is staying with you tonight. But are you hungry? Do you want some porridge?”
“Big brother Huanxi, do you want some?” Mo Siyuan immediately turned and asked Qin Huanxi first.
However before Qin Huanxi could answer, Mo Shaoheng walked forward and said, “Ask the kitchen to prepare some. I’m a little hungry too.”
“Alright.” Mo Shanshan nodded and looked down at Mo Siyuan. “Xiao Yuan, what kind of porridge do you want?”
Qin Huanxi walked over and picked his little one up. “Tell Sister Shanshan, what kind of porridge do you want?”
Mo Siyuan wrapped his little arms around Qin Huanxi’s neck, thought for a moment, then said, “I want corn and lean meat porridge! Big brother Huanxi, it’s really yummy. Do you want to have some with me?”
“Alright, we’ll go with what Xiao Yuan wants.” Qin Huanxi smiled warmly. This little guy was still a foodie.
“Xiao Yuan’s got good taste. Little Uncle’s chef makes really great porridge. Let’s have corn and lean meat porridge tonight, and tomorrow morning we can try a different flavor.” Mo Shanshan said as she turned to Mo Shaoheng for confirmation, then left the lounge to call the butler and instruct the kitchen to prepare the porridge.
Qin Huanxi sat on the sofa with Mo Siyuan in his arms. “After we finish eating, we’ll take a bath and go to bed right away. Then tomorrow, we won’t do homework or practice the violin. Big brother Huanxi will take you to the amusement park. How does that sound?”
Mo Siyuan’s eyes widened in excitement. “Really?!”
“Of course. When has big brother Huanxi ever lied to you?” Qin Huanxi laughed, gently tapping his baby’s nose. “Saturdays are for resting, so we’ll take a break. That’s called balancing work and rest. Understand? We’ll do homework and violin practice again on Sunday.”
Mo Siyuan’s little face turned red with excitement. He turned to Mo Shaoheng and Mo Shanshan eagerly. “Daddy, Sister Shanshan, are you coming too?”
“Sounds good to me. It’s been a while since I last went out to play. My painting is almost done, it just needs some final touches. I should take a break too.” Mo Shanshan had no objections. She turned to Mo Shaoheng. “Little Uncle, do you want to come with us?”
Mo Shaoheng stared at Qin Huanxi for a moment, however Qin Huanxi looked calm as usual, making him nod unconsciously.
“Yay, yay! We’re going to the amusement park tomorrow!” Mo Siyuan was so excited he nearly jumped up.
It had been a long time since he last went to an amusement park. Sometimes, Sister Shanshan would take him out, but she was usually busy with her paintings, so they didn’t go often. Daddy was even busier—sometimes, he wouldn’t come home for several days. But ever since big brother Huanxi arrived, Daddy had been coming home every day for dinner. Sometimes, he even took him to big brother Huanxi’s house to eat.
The three adults watched the little one laughing so happily, and without saying anything, they all smiled at each other.
Mo Shanshan sat down, resting her chin on one hand. “Ever since Huanxi came, Xiao Yuan has become even more cheerful. I’ve never seen him get attached to someone so quickly. It’s kind of unfair! He used to always stick to me, but now, all he thinks about is his dear big brother Huanxi. I’ve totally lost my spot as his favorite. Even Little Uncle has been pushed to second place.”
“I like Sister Shanshan the most!” Mo Siyuan, as if he understood what she meant, immediately ran over and threw himself into her lap, acting all cute.
“Hah! This morning, you said big brother Huanxi was your favorite. And now you’re saying it’s me? I don’t believe you!” Mo Shanshan pretended to turn away in disappointment. “You clearly love big brother Huanxi the most. Sister Shanshan is sad now.”
“I like big brother Huanxi and Sister Shanshan! And I like Daddy too! I like Daddy, Sister Shanshan, and big brother Huanxi the most!” The little guy was learning fast, because he made sure to include everyone so nobody felt left out.
Mo Shanshan burst out laughing and scooped him up, giving him a big kiss on the cheek.
Qin Huanxi rubbed his nose and let out a soft chuckle. His baby was becoming more and more lively around them, and it made them all feel at ease.
Both Mo Shaoheng and Mo Shanshan had told him before that Xiao Yuan was a little shy. And that when he was outside, he acted very differently compared to when he was at home.
Luckily, he was still young. As long as he was guided properly, spent more time playing with other children at school, and went out more often, he would naturally become more outgoing and less afraid of strangers.