TL: Moonlit
As Yu Bai said, Xing Xing is indeed an easy child to handle.
Xing Xing is very quiet when sleeping, and his sleeping position is also very standard.
When Yu Bai left, Xing Xing’s little hands and legs were neatly tucked under the blanket. Even after Ji Rongyu entered the bedroom several times, Xing Xing’s little hands and legs remained obediently tucked under the blanket, hardly changing at all.
The setting sun outside the window gradually descended, replaced by the silky nightfall. The silver moonlight spilled into the dimly lit room, providing a faint glow to the bedroom.
Lying on the bed, Xing Xing pursed his soft, jelly-like, pink mouth.
He seemed to have tasted something delicious in his dream, and his chubby cheeks trembled lightly, resembling a quivering pudding.
The well-behaved child was sleeping on the bed, and even the most stone-hearted person would melt upon seeing this scene.
Of course, Ji Rongyu would never admit that he was charmed by the cub’s sleeping position.
Ji Rongyu’s gaze lingered on the plump cheek of Xing Xing for two or three seconds.
He remembered that when he saw Yu Bai pinching Xing Xing’s cheek back then, the chubby cheeks of Xing Xing would quiver.
Ji Rongyu’s eyes discreetly surveyed the surroundings.
In the bedroom, it was now only him and the sleeping child.
If he were to touch the child’s cheek, it shouldn’t be noticed, right?
Even if it was noticed, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
He was just curious about the chubby face of the child.
With these thoughts in mind, Ji Rongyu extended his right index finger toward Xing Xing’s cheek.
As an adult, Ji Rongyu’s index finger was obviously rougher and coarser compared to the tender face of the child. His fingertip gently touched the soft cheek of the child, applying a slight pressure.
The child’s cheek formed a small indentation from his poke.
The soft sensation reminded Ji Rongyu of the big fat dog named “Duo Duo” raised by his nephew, with its jiggly and puffy appearance, creating dents with each poke.
The corner of Ji Rongyu’s lips slightly curved upward for a moment, as he suddenly met a pair of bright and round ink-black eyes.
Ji Rongyu’s smile froze, and he immediately retracted his finger.
In his dream, Xing Xing could feel a warm and coarse finger poking his soft and tender cheek.
Forgetting that he had a “babysitter” at home, he thought it was Yu Bai touching his face. So even though Xing Xing was poked awake, he didn’t make a sound but allowed the finger to poke left and right on his cheek.
However, as he was being poked, Xing Xing sensed that something was off.
His dad’s fingers were softer and finer, not so rough.
This wasn’t his dad’s hand! Has a stranger taken advantage of Xing Xing?!
Xing Xing immediately opened his eyes.
Sure enough, he didn’t see his dad’s figure by the bedside, but instead saw that mean babysitter who was gobbling up his salted beef shank!
This mean babysitter was actually poking his cheek?!
Xing Xing’s round ink-black eyes turned into a fierce half-moon shape.
Only Dad can touch Xing Xing’s cheeks and pinch them!
When Ji Rongyu retracted his finger, Xing Xing immediately tucked his little head under the blanket, only revealing a pair of half-moon-shaped ink-black eyes.
Although Ji Rongyu was the youngest among his siblings in the Ji family, his brothers and sisters had already gotten married and had children.
So Ji Rongyu had occasional interactions with his nephews and nieces, who were like children.
The education in the Ji family was somewhat “wolf-like.”
When the Ji family’s children reached the age of one to three, they were no longer coddled but made to experience various setbacks and hardships, quickly growing up.
Ji Rongyu’s nephews and nieces have long passed the age of three, so once they provoke Ji Rongyu at a family gathering, he would never go easy on them.
As a result, Ji Rongyu and his siblings’ offspring seemed to be naturally incompatible. Every child that came into contact with him would eventually end up crying.
Apart from Ji Rongyu’s siblings’ offspring, he had never interacted with other children before.
Xing Xing, on the other hand, was the first child he accidentally came into contact with, who had no blood relation to him.
However… well, whether it was the children at home or those outside, it seemed that they didn’t get along well with him.
Ji Rongyu still remembered how this little child, who glared at him fiercely while huddled in the blanket, was like a wolf child. When his dad was present, he would transform into a wagging-tailed little dog, using a soft voice and small hands to encircle Yu Bai’s legs.
Ji Rongyu: “…Are you awake?”
He asked a pointless question.
“Yeah.” Xing Xing’s attitude was very indifferent. “Where’s Dad?”
“Your dad went out for something.” Ji Rongyu said, “I reckon he’ll be back soon…”
Before Ji Rongyu finished speaking, the sound of the door lock turning came from the entrance.
Xing Xing’s half-moon-shaped eyes immediately widened, and his round ink-black eyes lit up like morning stars.
His little milky voice sounded lively and loud: “Dad’s back!”
Xing Xing jumped off the mattress, put on his soft little shoes, and hopped and skipped toward the direction of the front door.
Ji Rongyu in the bedroom: “…”
As expected, when Yu Bai returned, this little wolf child instantly transformed into a little dog child.
Ji Rongyu crossed his arms in front of his chest, took long strides, and walked leisurely towards the living room.
Yu Bai was changing his shoes at the entrance, and when he heard Xing Xing’s voice, he immediately stopped.
He saw Xing Xing rushing into his arms like a small cannonball.
The big and small collided into an embrace.
The faint scent of milk lingered around Yu Bai’s nostrils from the child’s body.
Yu Bai squinted his almond-shaped eyes, his lips curved upward.
Xing Xing’s little milky voice was sweet like candy.
“Dad’s back?”
“Yeah, I’m back! I bought strawberry tanghulu for Xing Xing. After Xing Xing finishes dinner and takes his medicine tonight, he can have three pieces of strawberry tanghulu. How about that?”
“Good, good, good! Xing Xing loves strawberry tanghulu the most!”
Yu Bai raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
Xing Xing blinked his round eyes and quickly added.
“But Xing Xing loves Dad even more!”
A gentle smile appeared on Yu Bai’s face. “Hmm, hmm, I love Xing Xing too.”
He lowered his head and kissed Xing Xing’s soft and tender left cheek.
Xing Xing immediately presented his right cheek. “Kiss this side too!”
Watching the affectionate interaction between father and son, Ji Rongyu on the side: “…”
He recalled that he only poked the child’s cheeks a few times, and the child glared at him.
Compared to now, where the child wanted kisses from Yu Bai on both sides…
Xing Xing lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Ji Rongyu.
Hmph!
He wouldn’t give the opportunity for kisses to that bad babysitter who ate several pieces of his salted beef tendon!
Xing Xing’s round eyes turned into flying daggers.
Ji Rongyu pursed his lips.
Hmph.
He didn’t care about being close and cuddly with a little child.
Author’s Note:
Xing Xing: Thank you all for subscribing~ Here’s a rare flying kiss from Xing Xing~ Mwah!