Swallowing their drool, the two dumplings watched Wen Mingyu eat with hungry eyes during his meal. They were always interested in looking in the bowls of others, but with only two rice grain-sized front teeth each, they couldn’t eat adult food at all and could only sigh in frustration at the food.
Mu Zhan used toys to divert their attention. In the hands of the dumplings was a toy car in the shape of a golden tiger, looking majestic and mighty. The foot was equipped with two small wheels, and by holding the tiger’s back and pressing it on the ground, you can push the toy back and forth. Even after releasing it, the tiger car would continue to drive out a short distance before stopping.
The tiger cart could be said to be the most popular toy. Boys and girls alike, children would be drawn to play it. Next to them was also a delicate, small hand-clapping drum. And so, giggling with glee, one would clap the drum while the other pushed the toy car, creating their own background effects.
Little Rice Cake was sitting as he played with the tiger car. He accidentally let go, and the car ran to Mu Zhan and crashed into his leg.
Little Rice Cake’s sight followed it. He stretched out his hand and exclaimedow, ah, ah, ahloudy, wanting his father emperor to hand the car back.
But Mu Zhan remained still. He tapped his finger on the tiger car, expressionless, and said faintly, “If you want it, come get it yourself.”
Little Rice Cake didn’t understand, but after waiting for a moment with no sign of the car returning, he grunted and crawled over with effort, reaching out to grab it. Just as he was about to touch the car, Mu Zhan suddenly retracted his hand back and stared at the little dumpling. He placed his hand on his head and whispered sternly, “Be independent and strong. Understand?”
Little Rice Cake was at a loss. Next to him, Little Chilli, who was drumming happily, also stopped. Eager to join in the fun and never one to miss a bit of melons, she crawled over quickly with both hands and feet, tilting her head to look at her imperial father with curiosity.
Two dumplings, both small and soft, still carrying the scent of milk—anyone who saw them would instinctively want to scoop them up and give them a kiss.
But Mu Zhan remained unmoved and added coldly again, “Don’t be so clingy.”
Saying something like that made the intention pretty evident, but unfortunately, the two little dumplings were still too young. They had only just learnt to stand up by holding onto things for stability, with their little chubby legs trembling. How could they possibly understand.
They just blinked their big, round eyes in confusion, looking at him innocently. Then, they grinned foolishly, showing their tiny rice grain-sized baby teeth.
Mu Zhan did not move again, letting Little Rice Cake take back the toy tiger car. He quietly watched them play. Occasionally, Little Rice Cake and Little Chilli would look up and smile at him, babbling their tenth-grade baby language. He would just softly respond with a “hmm,” and the two little dumplings would be delighted.
Wen Mingyu was halfway through eating absent-mindedly. He called Mu Zhan over to eat as well. The two dumplings, clutching their precious toys, also eagerly crawled along after him.
Little Chilli crawled under the table, tugged at Wen Mingyu’s leg, looked up with a face of hunger, and drooled in anticipation.
Wen Mingyu scooped a spoonful of minced meat and handed it over. She chomped onto the spoon with a cry. Not wanting to be left out, Little Rice Cake crawled over too, calling out in a babyish voice, and was also fed a spoonful of minced meat.
After feeding them some meat, Wen Mingyu also gave them small chunks of soft fruit. By the end, his hands were covered in drool from all the nibbling.
Wen Mingyu was a bit amused. Once he coaxed them to the side to play again, he looked up at Mu Zhan and said with a smile, “It’s no fun for me to eat alone. I still want you to eat with me.”
Mu Zhan’s tense expression relaxed slightly. He said, “I want to eat venison.”
Wen Mingyu was slightly taken aback. He originally thought it was out of reach, but when he looked over, he saw the venison was actually not far from Mu Zhan, and he could easily clip it.
So… was he acting spoiled?
Wen Mingyu smiled a little and clamped a piece of venison, but instead of putting it in Mu Zhan’s bowl, he held it up to his lips.
Mu Zhan naturally accepted it without a beat.
After that, the two continued sitting close together, sticking together to finish their evening meal.
sI yfqCm AJLL, mCJe gNmCJz mOqJmCJt Nyz RtJRNtJz AOt gJz.
He wasn’t sleeping alone. On the inner side, there was a small figure with its back to him, someone who felt inexplicably familiar.
In the dream, he didn’t know at all that he was dreaming. Because everything felt so real, as if it had truly happened before.
He reached out and poked the small figure. He said something. The other responded but still didn’t turn around.
So he tucked the quilt over the other, covering them both tightly, not letting a single cold breeze come in from outside.
The bed was a bit small, so he scooted closer. Their bodies touched, and it felt warmer that way.
The other person suddenly stiffened.
But he was already very sleepy. Curling up, he rested his forehead against the other’s back, yawned, and just closed his eyes…
Outside the dream, Wen Mingyu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. He slowly opened his eyes, his vision gradually sharpening until he saw the broad and sturdy spine.
He could not recall what he dreamed about, but his emotions were a tangled mix. Joy, satisfaction, and a strange, lingering sense of yearning.
Without thinking, he reached out and wrapped his arm around Mu Zhan’s waist, pressing his cheek against his back.
Because he didn’t want to wake someone, Mu Zhan, who had been carefully turning over and was about to get up for a drink of water, froze instantly. He asked softly, “…You’re awake?”
Wen Mingyu answered vaguely, his face still buried in his back. His voice was a bit muffled, still with the slight hoarseness of someone just waking up.
Wen Mingyu rubbed his head against his back and murmured, “Somehow, seeing your back, I suddenly really wanted to hug you.”
Mu Zhan didn’t respond immediately, but he turned around to face him. He also reached out and wrapped his arms around Wen Mingyu.
When Wen Mingyu saw him, his eyes curved with a smile. “This is better. I like being able to see your face.”
Then, he tilted his head up and kissed Mu Zhan’s Adam’s apple, then moved up to kiss his lips.
Every word and every gesture. They were all infused with joy and affection.
“I had a dream just now,” Wen Mingyu began, as if trying to recall something, but whatever it was slipped away. What came to mind instead felt more important. He gazed at Mu Zhan and asked quietly, “In the past two days, have you not been in a good mood?”
Something flickered in Mu Zhan’s eyes, but his expression stayed taut and unreadable.
He was indeed a little upset, but looking into the reason, he couldn’t really say it.
Therefore, he kept his voice even. “It’s okay.”
But Wen Mingyu didn’t believe it at all. He stared at him unblinkingly and said slowly, enunciating each word. “You once said that if I’m unhappy about something, I should say so, so that you can comfort me. Shouldn’t that go both ways? You don’t want me to comfort you?”
Mu Zhan was silent for a moment. Then he gave a small nod. The arm around Wen Mingyu’s waist tightened, and he rubbed his chin on his head, murmuring in a low voice, “…. You comfort.”
Wen Mingyu had to admit. He was absolutely charmed.
It was a different kind of charm compared to the soft, cinnamon roll adorableness of the two little dumplings. Mu Zhan’s charm was more reserved, subtle, and even a little twisted, but that just made him even more endearing, to the point that he felt that he was more adorable than the dumplings.
Wen Mingyu couldn’t help but hug him hard, burying his face against him and nudging affectionately, then started comforting him softly.
“You are the best, the most patient, kind, and beautiful. I like you so much. My favorite is you.”
It was not flowery or elaborate, just plain and straightforward, but it was just enough to pierce Mu Zhan right in the heart.
“Favorite?”
Mu Zhan’s deep voice came from above his head, then his fingers cupped his chin, making him look up at himself.
“Really?”
Wen Mingyu nodded his head without even thinking and even asked back, “Of course. Who else can there be besides you?”
Mu Zhan stared at him for a moment, then smiled. He leaned down and kissed him.
The two of them embraced and had a peaceful, restful night.
The next day, when Wen Mingyu woke up, Mu Zhan had already gotten up. He sat up, still hugging the quilt, and yawned, waking up a bit before getting out of bed to wash and dress.
Mu Zhan happened to walk in just then. The moment their eyes met, a small, unconscious smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and the whole person seemed to become gentle.
But in the very next second, Wen Mingyu asked, “Where’s Little Chilli and Little Rice Cake?”
Mu Zhan’s steps stumbled. The smile vanished from his face, but he still had someone carry the two little dumplings over.
Today was a day off, and Wen Mingyu thought about how he always had to work during the week, so he planned to dedicate today to accompanying the little ones to play.
When Mu Zhan heard this, he responded somewhat coldly.
But at this time, Wen Mingyu didn’t notice. Because Little Rice Cake opened his mouth and vaguely called out, “Da…Daddy.”
The voice was soft and milky. The pronunciation was not standard, but it was enough to be excited about.
Wen Mingyu’s eyes lit up as he turned to Mu Zhan. “Did you hear that? Little Rice Cake spoke!”
He lightly squeezed Little Rice Cake’s small hand and pointed at Mu Zhan. “That’s your Father Emperor.Father—Emperor.”
Little Rice Cake followed suit and tried to mimic him. “Hoo-hoo—”
Wen Mingyu chuckled. “It’s Father Emperor.Fa—ther.”
Little Rice Cake earnestly repeated, “Hoo.”
Wen Mingyu snorted a laugh.
Little Chilli scooted over too and proudly repeated, “Fang-fangg!”
Wen Mingyu nearly passed out from the cuteness. He laughed so much he nearly toppled over. The little dumplings were at that age where they loved to imitate. They also learnt to sit on the carpet with their hands bracing their chubby feet while their small bodies swayed from left to right while giggling and squealing, just like a pair of roly-polies.
“What they said adds up to exactly Father Emperor, so they have kind of learnt to call you. Are you happy?” Wen Mingyu asked with a smile.
It must be said that Mu Zhan’s heart was a little touched. The feeling of being affirmed as a father by a child stirred something in him. But at the same time, there was still an uncontrollable annoyance and dissatisfaction in his heart.
There was some helplessness in his eyes. “What Father Emperor? It’s obviouslyHoo-Fang.”
As soon as his words fell, Wen Mingyu looked like he had been poked at an itchy spot.Hahahaha. He almost didn’t go crazy with laughter.
Mu Zhan: “…”
While they played, Mu Zhan stayed nearby. Although he was not very active, he could also be considered involved. If the little dumplings climbed on him, he would pick them up and set them down, hand out toys to divert attention, and even support them as they practiced walking a few steps along a low table.
But as Mu Zhan watched Wen Mingyu play with them, almost all of his attention poured into it, his eyes only on them, his irritation deepened. It couldn’t be suppressed anymore, and he barely managed to maintain a facade of calm.
Finally in the afternoon, Mu Zhan seemed to no longer be able to hold back. He directly threw the two dumplings to the palace servants. Then, with a sullen face, he pulled Wen Mingyu into the inner chamber. Without allowing any resistance, he pushed him down onto the bed.
His hands propped up on the side of Wen Mingyu’s face. He loomed over him, eyes locked onto him with burning intensity. Due to overwhelming emotion, his eyes were tinged red, laced with faint bloodshot veins. His violent pheromones were like tidal waves, engulfing the entire person.
He said in a deep voice, “Look at me. You’re only looking at me.”
The almost commanding tone was forceful and filled with possessiveness, yet strangely seemed to have a hint of grievance to it.
Wen Mingyu was stunned.
The Author has something to say:
Mu Zhan: Does my wife not love me anymore? Pitiful.jpg
PS: Babies have probably noticed. This story is wrapping up the stage. After writing out the last major plot point, it will be complete. If there are any extras you want to see, you can say a word, and I will pick a few to write ah! Big hugs and kisses to my lovely darlings~!
ChiFu: ChiFu is on fire these days ! summer is really the best lmao
Dragon is in rut, hence his irritated behavior ~ I corrected the title already, thank you so much! I checked every dictionary for the meaning, and realized it’s gibberish. It’s just baby talk haha why did I take it seriously TT