SC Chapter23

The task of picking Xiao Yuan up from the academy still fell to Xiao Ning.

Shen Yunjie hurried out of the room and gave an umbrella to Xiao Ning. “Young Master, the weather outside has changed.”

The sky was overcast and heavily clouded, a big rain seemed imminent. Xiao Ning took the umbrella and said, “Go back inside, don’t come out. I’ll be back soon.”

At the academy at this time, Xiao Yuan was neatly stacking his books into his satchel. The teacher had gone to the latrine, leaving a room full of children there. Xiao Yuan was new, naturally attracting the other children to crowd around him curiously.

Seeing his round, white, and soft face, a child couldn’t help but reach out and pinch it, saying straightforwardly, “Why do you look like a little girl?”

Xiao Yuan was stunned by the pinch with two red finger marks were left on his face. For a moment, he didn’t know how to reply.

Seeing that he didn’t speak, the other children also reached out to pinch one after another. Xiao Yuan shielded his face with his satchel, thought for a long time, and then said, “Don’t…”

The more he resisted, the more excited the other children became. They pulled his satchel away together, clamoring to pinch his cheeks. Xiao Yuan was frightened. He retreated to the corner while holding back tears, and said, “I’m going to tell Father…”

A little chubby kid interjected, “Tattletale! Your father won’t care.”

Xiao Yuan rubbed his damp eyes and whispered, “I’ll tell Uncle.” Uncle is super fierce.

“Uncle Xiao Ning won’t care about you either. You’re not Uncle Xiao Ning’s son,” the chubby kid scraped his nose as he said, “My mother said that your father is a concubine who secretly ran away from another family, who saw that Uncle Xiao Ning was handsome and capable, and shamelessly clung to his home.”

Xiao Yuan’s eyes turned completely red with grievance, like a little rabbit.

The chubby kid took the chance to pinch his cheeks twice and said proudly, “My mother said you have a father who gave birth to you but no father to raise you… no…” Before he could finish his little rhyme, the chubby kid’s feet left the ground. He shrieked, flailing his little fat legs a couple of times, spun around, and then clearly saw who had picked him up.

“U-Uncle Xiao Ning…” The chubby kid swallowed hard.

Xiao Ning narrowed his eyes and pulled up the corner of his lips, scaring the chubby kid into a shiver. Xiao Yuan rushed to grab Xiao Ning’s outer robe corner as if he had seen a savior, saying, “Uncle!”

Xiao Ning put the chubby kid down then lifted Xiao Yuan with one arm, picked up the satchel from the floor and slung it over his shoulder, and said sternly, “How many times have I told you not to call me uncle?”

Xiao Yuan knew Xiao Ning didn’t like being called uncle, but Xiao Ning never said what he should call him. But this time, Xiao Ning pressed his little head and said seriously, “Call me Big Father¹Xiao Yuan called Shen Yunjie “Die Die”, and Xiao Ning “Die” (it’s a pinyin, not the English “die” btw xD). Both mean “father, daddy, dad”, but daddy’s gonna sound too modern, so I’ll use “Big Father” for Xiao Ning.”

Xiao Yuan looked up blankly. Only after Xiao Ning repeated himself carefully did he hesitantly say, “Big Father?”

The corner of Xiao Ning’s lips curled up. He glanced at the room full of little kids, raised his hand and easily smashed a table, and said in a gentle tone, “You should play with my son nicely in the future, and don’t bully him.”

The children were so scared they dared not speak and nodded repeatedly.

The teacher returned from outside and was puzzled to see the children huddled together and trembling: “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Ning held Xiao Yuan and said to the teacher, “It’s nothing, Master. The children were playing and broke a table. I’ll have Old Zhou come over one day when he’s free; he’s best at fixing things. The weather has changed outside, so I’ll take Xiao Yuan and leave first.”

Xiao Yuan clung to Xiao Ning’s neck, thought for a long time, and then said, “Uncle…”

“Call me Big Father. You must call me Big Father from now on, remember?” Xiao Ning corrected him.

Xiao Yuan nodded: “Big Father, what is a concubine?”

Xiao Ning rubbed Xiao Yuan’s head: “Don’t listen to nonsense. Your father was formally and rightfully married to me.”

Xiao Yuan understood vaguely, stopped asking, and hugged Xiao Ning’s neck even tighter with his arms.

The sky grew darker, and a moment later, a strong wind picked up. Shen Yunjie hastily brought the stall inwards. The wind whipped his clothes and sent sand and dust into his eyes. As he rubbed them, the two baskets were blown far away right before him.

Shen Yunjie held his waist to retrieve the baskets. The wind made him stagger, as if it wanted to blow him away completely. He had just managed to hold down one rolling basket, and before he could stand up to retrieve the other, someone handed the basket to him. Shen Yunjie looked up. The person who helped him pick up the basket was his neighbor, Zhao Sheng.

“Thank you.” Shen Yunjie took the basket. As soon as the words left his mouth, large raindrops started to fall.

“It’s raining, hurry inside.” Zhao Sheng said as he reached out to support him, but Shen Yunjie subconsciously shifted to avoid the touch. Zhao Sheng awkwardly rubbed his hands, took two steps to the stall, and helped Shen Yunjie pack it away.

By the time Zhao Sheng finished packing up the stall, he was already quite wet. He stood under the eaves and smiled apologetically at Shen Yunjie. Shen Yunjie moved aside to allow him in and handed him a handkerchief.

Zhao Sheng took the handkerchief and wiped his face, stuttering, “I-I’ll wash it and return it to you.”

“There’s no need, it’s just a handkerchief.” Shen Yunjie kept his eyes fixed on the outside. Xiao Ning and Xiao Yuan had not returned yet.

Zhao Sheng couldn’t help but move closer. The handkerchief in his hand seemed to carry a faint, cool fragrance when he wiped his face. It was the scent that seemed to belong to Shen Yunjie, pure and refined like jade, carrying the chill of frost and snow. Although nearly four months pregnant, Shen Yunjie’s figure was still slender. The butterfly bones on his back were subtly visible beneath his light clothing, and his waist still looked slim from behind. It felt like holding him would let one touch finely carved bone, and embracing him would meet a soft, warm belly.

Zhao Sheng’s heart pounded. Aside from his heavy breathing, the only sound was the rolling of his adam apple as he swallowed. His trembling fingers slowly stretched out…

“Young Master!” Shen Yunjie took two steps forward. Xiao Ning, who was holding the umbrella, and Xiao Yuan had returned through the rain.

Xiao Yuan jumped out of Xiao Ning’s arms, intending to rush into his father’s embrace, but Xiao Ning reached out and lifted him aside. Shen Yunjie helped Xiao Ning take off his slightly damp outer robe and hung it nearby.

“Why is he here?” Xiao Ning saw Zhao Sheng in the room and couldn’t help but frown.

Shen Yunjie said, “Brother Zhao just came over to help pack up the stall.”

Xiao Ning’s expression softened slightly. He handed the umbrella in his hand to Zhao Sheng: “Thanks. It’s getting dark, hurry back early.” Zhao Sheng hastily took the umbrella, said a quick farewell, and walked next door with the umbrella.

Shen Yunjie gently wiped the rainwater accidentally splashed on Xiao Ning’s cheek with his sleeve, rubbed Xiao Yuan’s head, and said softly, “Go wash your hands, dinner is ready…”

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  Xiao Yuan called Shen Yunjie “Die Die”, and Xiao Ning “Die” (it’s a pinyin, not the English “die” btw xD). Both mean “father, daddy, dad”, but daddy’s gonna sound too modern, so I’ll use “Big Father” for Xiao Ning