VFGRC Chapter 28

TL: Moonlit

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Yu Bai had bought many toys for Xing Xing before, but among all the toys, Xing Xing’s favorite was building blocks.

Compared to other toys, building blocks challenged the imagination, dexterity, and spatial thinking of a young child.

However, Xing Xing was still a young toddler and didn’t understand all of that. He only knew that building blocks required thinking and the process of thinking was fun! It was fun to successfully build something with his imagination!

Therefore, Ji Rongyu bought a limited edition set of building blocks for Xing Xing. It included circular blocks, square blocks, triangular blocks, and more. Each type of block came in multiple pieces, allowing Xing Xing to freely combine them.

The small building blocks, priced at one yuan each, may seem cheap, but to build a complete object, it would require dozens or even hundreds of blocks. Therefore, a set of building blocks is quite expensive.

Yu Bai was not familiar with building blocks, and Ji Rongyu had intentionally replaced the simple packaging, so Yu Bai thought that Ji Rongyu had given Xing Xing a regular set of building blocks. If Yu Bai knew how expensive the set was, he would definitely not have allowed Xing Xing to accept it.

Ji Rongyu shook the building blocks in his hand in front of Xing Xing. Xing Xing’s round eyes instantly lit up. It was building blocks! There were more colors and types than the ones Yu Bai had bought for him!

Xing Xing’s little heart raced with excitement. With so many building blocks, he could build so many things! He really wanted them!

Xing Xing’s longing for the building blocks was about to transform into two hearts, shining through his sparkling ink eyes.

Ji Rongyu shook the building blocks and asked, “Do you want them?”

Xing Xing couldn’t help but nod his little head, his gaze following the building blocks in Ji Rongyu’s hand, swaying left and right.

With his chubby hands holding onto the edge of the sofa, Xing Xing poked his head out, resembling a little puppy waiting to be fed treats.

“Then come here.”

Ji Rongyu beckoned to Xing Xing.

However, Xing Xing, who was crouching behind the sofa, didn’t move.

“Uncle Rongyu got you the building blocks. Take them.” Yu Bai walked into the living room with breakfast and said to Xing Xing, “Remember to thank Uncle Rongyu after taking them.”

Only then did Xing Xing emerge from behind the sofa and walked up to Ji Rongyu.

Instead of directly giving the building blocks to Xing Xing, Ji Rongyu deliberately asked, “What did you want to say to me?”

Xing Xing mumbled, “Thank you, Uncle…” his voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.

Ji Rongyu raised an eyebrow and didn’t press Xing Xing further. He handed the building blocks to Xing Xing.

“Let’s eat first.” Yu Bai said, “Xing Xing, put the building blocks inside and play with them when you have free time.”

“Okay!”

Xing Xing restrained his temptation for the new building blocks and put them down.

He moved a small stool next to the coffee table and sat on it.

His watery round eyes blinked at Yu Bai, as if saying, ‘I’m being well-behaved! Let’s eat together!’

Eating a heavy breakfast and then sitting in a car early in the morning would easily cause motion sickness. So the breakfast that Yu Bai prepared in the morning wasn’t much.

Xing Xing’s breakfast consisted of a small portion of shredded potato pancake, a tea egg, and a glass of soy milk.

As for Yu Bai and Ji Rongyu, the two adults, they had a large portion of shredded potato pancake, two tea eggs, and a glass of soy milk.

Yu Bai had accidentally bought too many potatoes a couple of days ago, and since he hadn’t gone out to set up his stall these days, he needed to eat up the excess potatoes quickly, or they would sprout and become inedible.

So these days, Yu Bai had been cooking various dishes with potatoes.

Xing Xing didn’t have any aversion to potatoes because they were delicious whether they were fried, roasted, stewed, or stir-fried. He never got tired of eating them every day.

The shredded potato pancake was prepared by Yu Bai early in the morning. After frying the shredded potatoes, he let them cool for a while before starting to make the pancake.

Therefore, the shredded potatoes in the pancake were slightly cool, but it actually enhanced the flavor of the dish.

Yu Bai made a spicy and sour shredded potato pancake. However, considering that Xingxing couldn’t eat spicy food, Yu Bai reduced the spiciness and highlighted the mild sourness of the shredded potatoes.

The cooled shredded potatoes were crisp and refreshing, and the aroma of white vinegar blended with the natural sweetness of the potatoes. The stomachs of the three of them woke up.

The pancake, made by Yu Bai himself, was chewy and fragrant.

Biting into the hot and freshly made pancake, along with the slightly cool shredded potatoes, was simply delightful!

When they felt a bit choked from eating a few bites of the pancake, they took a sip of the hot and slightly sweetened soy milk, warming their hearts and stomachs.

Xing Xing liked to save his favorite food for last.

And the tea eggs were one of his favorite breakfast items!

The tea eggs sold in the market were similar in taste, with no special characteristics.

But… how could the tea eggs made by Yu Bai taste the same as the ones sold outside?

“Ouch, it’s hot!”

After finishing the shredded potato pancake and drinking most of the soy milk, Xing Xing’s little hands were scalded when he touched the tea egg.

Xing Xing immediately retracted his hands and pouted, blowing air onto his fingers non-stop.

The tea eggs made by Dad were deliciously hot, but they were just too hot when they were taken out of the pot. He would always get burned.

Oh no! His fingertips were reddened by the tea egg again!

Xing Xing waited for a while before slowly approaching the tea egg with his fingertips.

The tea egg had been left to cool for a while, and its temperature had decreased slightly.

Xing Xing carefully peeled the eggshell of the tea egg.

Being smart, he had long learned the efficient way to peel a boiled egg.

There was a thin membrane between the eggshell and the egg white, and as long as he tore open that thin membrane, the eggshell would peel off along with it.

Soon, Xingxing peeled the tea egg cleanly.

After boiling the eggs, cracking the eggshells, and then placing them back into the seasoning for the tea egg to continue simmering, the surface of the tea egg would develop a beautiful pattern resembling a spiderweb.

Xing Xing wasn’t in a rush to eat the tea egg. He placed it under his nose and took a gentle sniff.

Nowadays, life at home was getting better and better, and when Yu Bai cooked, he was willing to spend money on good seasonings.

After a long soaking in the seasoning, the original egg smell of the boiled egg had disappeared, replaced by a subtle tea fragrance.

The egg white had a slight brownish hue and carried the aroma of tea and the seasoning. Yu Bai had perfectly controlled the flavor, with the seasoning’s aroma not overpowering, allowing the tea fragrance to circulate between the lips and teeth.

The egg white was soft and tender, and the fully cooked egg yolk had also absorbed a hint of tea fragrance. If he could lightly dip the egg yolk into a small amount of the tea egg seasoning, the taste would definitely be even better.

Reluctantly, Xing Xing finished the whole tea egg, leaving nothing behind.

He looked at Ji Rongyu and Yu Bai with envy in his round eyes.

Being an adult was really nice! Xing Xing was just a child, so he could only eat one tea egg, but adults could eat two!

Xing Xing really wanted to grow up!

Yu Bai asked, “Is it delicious?”

Xing Xing enthusiastically replied, “It’s delicious, so delicious!”

After Xing Xing finished speaking, Yu Bai turned his gaze to Ji Rongyu.

Xing Xing also looked at Ji Rongyu.

The father and son sat together, their round eyes identical, both with messy and fluffy hair, staring at Ji Rongyu…

They looked quite cute.

Ji Rongyu’s lips curled up, and he smiled, “It’s very delicious.”

He could tell that the potato roll and tea egg, aside from the soy milk, were probably made by Yu Bai himself.

Ji Rongyu knew that with Yu Bai’s economic situation and abilities, he definitely couldn’t afford the best ingredients. However, Yu Bai had done his best within his means to make these two breakfast items taste the best. The difference and flaws between high-end and mid-range ingredients could be overlooked by Ji Rongyu.

In this world, there was no homemaker who could make dishes to perfection.

They all had some flaws in the process of making food.

But these flaws had another name—

Called the taste of home.

—

After Yu Bai and Xing Xing changed their clothes in the bedroom, Yu Bai gathered all the tools and utensils for the picnic and brought them along.

He didn’t realize how much stuff he was bringing until he tidied up. Yu Bai had almost filled Ji Rongyu’s empty trunk with their belongings.

The car could only be parked in the parking lot outside the park, but fortunately, there was a shuttle bus inside the park, and the round trip fare wasn’t too expensive.

While playing in the park, Yu Bai and the others didn’t bring the picnic equipment. It would be too cumbersome to carry heavy tools while playing.

Yu Bai planned to wait until noon or afternoon when everyone was tired and hungry before taking the shuttle bus back to the parking lot to retrieve the picnic equipment.

During the New Year holiday, many parents in City J brought their children out to play, so this newly opened park was particularly lively.

The park was filled with parents and children everywhere. Perhaps seeing many children of the same age, Xing Xing gradually let go and started playing and laughing.

For young children, although the exotic flowers and plants in the park were beautiful, the amusement facilities were what interested them the most.

Many of the amusement facilities had height and age restrictions, so as a three-year-old toddler, Xing Xing had very few options for rides.

“Wow!”

“Ah—”

In the distance, the screams from a speeding roller coaster could be heard.

Some timid children covered their ears in fear.

But the brave ones eagerly watched the roller coaster and said, “Dad, I want to ride that too!”

Xing Xing was also attracted by the screams. He looked at the roller coaster, his expression somewhat serious.

Yu Bai thought Xing Xing was interested in the roller coaster, so he quickly advised, “Xing Xing, you’re still young and can’t ride such a dangerous ride, you know? You can only play safe rides for now, like the carousel we just rode…”

“I know!” Xing Xing grabbed Yu Bai’s wrist with his chubby hand. “Dad, let’s go ride the carousel again!”

Xing Xing’s back figure running ahead seemed a bit impatient.

Yu Bai followed behind Xing Xing, confused.

Did his son actually enjoy riding the carousel? He didn’t seem very happy when they rode it earlier.

Xing Xing ran while his little heart pounded.

Although the carousel was a little boring, it was much more fun than the roller coaster.

That roller coaster was so high and scary, and the people sitting on it were screaming. It was almost going to scare him to death!

Xing Xing didn’t like the roller coaster at all!

After taking a couple of steps, Yu Bai turned to look at Ji Rongyu.

Seeing Ji Rongyu staring at the roller coaster, Yu Bai asked, “What? Do you want to ride the roller coaster too?”

Ji Rongyu replied, “…No.”

He didn’t have the slightest interest in torturing himself with thrilling rides.

“Just tell me if you want to play,” Yu Bai smiled. “Since we’re here to have fun, it doesn’t matter what we do. You enjoy yourself, and I’ll take care of Xing Xing.”

Ji Rongyu said, “I’m not interested in the roller coaster.”

He wouldn’t tell Yu Bai that he had a slight fear of heights.

“I know,” Yu Bai said. “Apart from the roller coaster, you’ll surely find other rides you like. Just let me know what you want to play…”

“Okay.”

As an almost thirty-year-old adult, he couldn’t muster any interest in the rides that these young children liked.

One hour later…

Near the ring toss stall in the amusement park.

Xing Xing clenched his chubby hand into a fist, his round eyes fixed on the variety of toys displayed on the stall.

Ji Rongyu stood beside him, holding five plastic rings with a serious expression.

“Which one do you want?”

Xing Xing exclaimed, “Uncle Rongyu! I want the biggest, biggest cat plushie!”

“Okay! I’ll get it for you!”

As Yu Bai had expected, Ji Rongyu threw the five rings but missed the target.

Earlier, when they passed by this ring toss stall, Xing Xing was fascinated by the wide array of toys and plushies on display.

Xing Xing was Yu Bai’s precious treasure, and Yu Bai would do his best to fulfill Xing Xing’s desires. So he bought five rings, hoping to land one on the largest and most prominent toy car that Xing Xing liked.

Yu Bai didn’t manage to land a single ring on any toy despite it being easy. On the other hand, Ji Rongyu, who was watching on the side, became interested and also bought five rings. In one try, he successfully landed a ring on the toy car. Xing Xing, overjoyed, held the toy car and casually said, “Thank you, Uncle!”

Xing Xing’s expression of gratitude seemed to unlock a Pandora’s box. Ji Rongyu couldn’t help but be intrigued by the admiring and envious gazes Xing Xing used to look at him, which were different from before.

Ji Rongyu’s mind heated up, and he said to the ring-toss stall owner, “Give me five more rings! Xing Xing, tell Uncle what you want, and Uncle will land it for you!”

Apart from the toy car, Xing Xing didn’t have many preferences for toys and dolls. In addition to the car, he also liked the remote-controlled airplane in the back row and the largest cat doll, which stood as tall as half an adult.

The last two toys were not easy to land, and Ji Rongyu bought several rounds of rings before finally managing to land the remote-controlled airplane.

Yu Bai initially wanted to leave with Ji Rongyu and Xing Xing, but Ji Rongyu, who was now addicted to the ring-toss game, didn’t want to leave at all.

To make matters worse, Xing Xing, who had been swayed by the toy car and remote-controlled airplane, ended up joining forces with Ji Rongyu.

Xing Xing’s playful request made Yu Bai immediately surrender. Yu Bai thought, “Good! The young and old have united against me! Just you wait!”

Although Ji Rongyu claimed to have no interest in the amusement park’s attractions for children, he ended up spending a lot of effort… and still couldn’t land the largest cat doll.

Finally, the stall owner couldn’t bear to see Ji Rongyu being deceived anymore, so he directly gave the largest cat doll to Ji Rongyu, who then passed it on to Xing Xing.

Holding the cat doll, Xing Xing was content, but when he turned around, he saw his father’s darkened face.

Xing Xing immediately hid his little head behind the cat doll.

He was scared of his dad’s stern expression.

In Yu Bai’s eyes, Xing Xing was just an “accomplice.” If it weren’t for Ji Rongyu’s deliberate enticement with the “toys at the ring-toss stall,” Xing Xing, who loved his dad and always listened to him, wouldn’t have “betrayed” him!

Ji Rongyu was the “mastermind”!

Yu Bai’s gaze turned cold as he looked at Ji Rongyu.

Ji Rongyu, who had snapped out of the “temptation of the ring toss,” immediately noticed the fierce look in Yu Bai’s eyes.

Warning bells rang loudly in Ji Rongyu’s mind.

Uh-oh!

“Why don’t you continue?” Yu Bai said with a stern face.

Unfortunately, Yu Bai had a baby face. Even when he looked serious, he didn’t have any intimidating power—instead, he appeared cute.

Yu Bai was like a cute kitten pretending to be a fierce tiger.

Ji Rongyu struggled to restrain his lips from curling upwards as he quickly walked up to Yu Bai.

“You said… if I come across something I want to play, you’ll let me, right?” Ji Rongyu lowered his gaze, his voice tinged with a hint of dejection. “I enjoy playing the ring toss. Is that not allowed?”

Help!

Yu Bai called for help in his heart.

He seemed to see Ji Rongyu’s invisible drooping tail and ears again!

“Why are you so far away?” Ji Rongyu approached Yu Bai, cupping his arm with both hands and subtly closing the distance between them.

“Why are you so far away?” Ji Rongyu asked puzzledly. “Yu Bai…”

“Ji Rongyu, please keep your distance from me.” Yu Bai’s round almond-shaped eyes carried a serious emotion. “Don’t think you can deceive me by acting cute…”

Anyone familiar with Yu Bai knew that although he was susceptible to softness and not resistance, he wasn’t easily manipulated.

Usually, when encountering minor matters, if the other person acted coquettish, Yu Bai might turn a blind eye and let it go.

However, if it was something that couldn’t be ignored, Yu Bai could also be firm and not easily let the other person off the hook.

But…

Yu Bai glanced up slightly and saw Ji Rongyu’s excessively handsome and charming face. He didn’t feel the slightest bit of anger.

It was as if Ji Rongyu could bewitch him and confuse his heart just with this face.

Yu Bai was scared and immediately withdrew his arm from Ji Rongyu’s grasp, quickly creating distance between them.

Yu Bai’s mind, which had been in a state of chaos, finally regained clarity.

He, he wasn’t someone who could be easily fooled by others.

Ji Rongyu was just someone with a good-looking face, unable to easily deceive him!

With a cold expression on his face, Yu Bai turned around and took Xing Xing’s little hand, leading him forward, while Ji Rongyu followed behind him.

Yu Bai’s footsteps halted, and he quickly turned his head to look at Ji Rongyu, who was getting closer and closer to him.

“Maintain an arm’s length distance from me,” Yu Bai said sternly. “Otherwise… be careful, I might fire you.”

Ji Rongyu: !!!

No, he couldn’t allow that!

He hadn’t eaten all the delicious food Yu Bai made for him yet! Yu Bai couldn’t drive him away!

Ji Rongyu knew that when Yu Bai said he would “fire him,” it was probably just a way to vent his frustration. But Ji Rongyu obediently followed behind Yu Bai, maintaining the arm’s length distance exactly.

Walking ahead, Xing Xing, whose little hand was held by Yu Bai, secretly turned his head. When he saw Ji Rongyu looking downcast, a smug smile appeared on his face, revealing his two dimples as if to say, ‘You’re experiencing this now too!’

Xing Xing thought that although they had played at the ring-toss stall for a long time together, his dad only scolded him lightly and didn’t say much. He even held his little hand and strolled in the park together.

This was enough to prove his dad’s love for him!

Humph! His dad only loved and favored Xing Xing! As for others… they had no chance to compete with Xing Xing for his dad’s love!

Seeing Xing Xing’s triumphant expression, Ji Rongyu thought, ‘Damn brat! It would have been fine if he didn’t speak up for me in front of Yu Bai, but now he’s even laughing at me? Do you know that the toys you’re holding were landed for you at the risk of me getting scolded? Little brat, do you know?!’

Unfortunately, Xing Xing had already turned his head back and couldn’t see Ji Rongyu’s angry expression at all.

The three of them continued strolling in the park for a while, enjoying the warm and comfortable afternoon sun.

Yu Bai glanced at the time—it was 1 PM.

They arrived at the largest picnic lawn in the park. It wasn’t mealtime yet, so there weren’t many visitors on the picnic lawn.

Yu Bai found a sunny spot.

Ji Rongyu, who had made a mistake earlier, smartly took the shuttle bus to the parking lot and brought the picnic utensils from the trunk. Although the picnic utensils weren’t numerous and heavy, Ji Rongyu was panting when he handed the toolbox to Yu Bai. Seeing this, Yu Bai’s expression softened slightly, and he no longer insisted on maintaining distance between them.

Yu Bai spread out the picnic utensils, while Xing Xing and Ji Rongyu laid out the mats and tablecloths on the grass.

There was still a lingering aroma of barbecue in the air—several groups of visitors had been grilling here, and now they had almost finished eating.

Coincidentally, Yu Bai was also preparing barbecue.

 

Author’s Note:

PS:

This is today’s update. Tomorrow, I’ll probably update around the same time!