The two didn’t even wear slippers. Qin Kun carried Su Siwen out of the room on his back. As soon as they were out, Shen Minyan immediately closed the door.
“Is Youyou asleep?” Shen Minyan asked curiously.
The two nodded. “Asleep. When he’s sleeping more deeply, we’ll go in and turn off the light.”
“So smooth?” Shen Lin was a bit surprised. He had seen how afraid Youyou was of sleeping alone.
The whole family, in pajamas, gathered at the door listening for sounds, speaking very, very quietly. Shen Yan sent Tang Dou an OK, telling him everything was going smoothly. Tang Dou’s suggestion was that after the little guy fell asleep, it was best to leave someone in the room with him. Sleeping on the floor was fine; sleeping on the sofa was fine. Children could easily wake up at night.
Everyone gathered to discuss who should complete this task. Su Siwen and Chu Ying were eliminated first due to health reasons. The rest played rock-paper-scissors. In the end, Shen Yan won. The eldest young master’s mouth curled up, proudly making a scissors gesture beside his face. Shen Lin was full of unwillingness. On such a cold day, he really wanted to hold his fragrant, warm little brother to sleep. Even sleeping in the same room without holding him would be good. Shen Yan waved his hand, telling the others to step back, and gave Shen Lin a look to help open the door.
Click. Very soft.
But it sounded especially obvious on this night. The people gathered at the door were already feeling guilty and immediately shrank back, carefully looking inside. The light in the children’s room was still on. When the door slowly opened, everyone was stunned. A pretty child sat on the bed, his little face fair and tender, wearing cute shark pajamas, his big eyes watery, clear as black grapes. The little guy held his little pillow on top of his head. When he saw the door open, he tilted his face and giggled.
When he saw Shen Yan, he immediately closed his eyes. His long eyelashes cast a shadow in the light. The adults at the door who had done something “bad” and felt guilty were melted by how sweet he was. The little guy was a smart baby. He had long noticed Dad was acting strange. Tonight, Dad had taken way too long to wash up.
They must be playing a game with him. The little guy found it fun. He hugged the rabbit and crawled under the covers, closing his little mouth. Sure enough, not long after he closed his eyes, Kun Kun carried Little Dad out of the room. They must be secretly eating something delicious behind his back, the little guy thought. He sat up from the covers. Although very sleepy, he still insisted on waiting for Dad to come back. Maybe, maybe Dad would bring him something delicious. Who would have thought that the one who came wasn’t Dad, but Big Brother. Big Brother looked so funny, bending over cautiously, reminding him of the “thief” in the “cops and robbers” game he played with the kids at kindergarten.
The little guy couldn’t help laughing and obediently called out, “Big Brother, do you want to play a game with me?”
The little guy had already gotten out of the covers, bounced a few times on the bed, and threw himself into Shen Yan’s arms.
Shen Yan held the little guy and looked back, his gaze deep, meeting the eyes of everyone at the door.
Everyone: “…”
“Youyou, your birthday is in a few days, right?”
There was no other way. The child was too smart. Su Siwen decided to have an honest talk with the little guy. Su Youli was really looking forward to his birthday. He nodded hard with curved eyes.
“After your birthday, you’ll be four.”
Right. After his birthday, he would be four. The little guy tilted his face, waiting for Dad to continue.
“A four-year-old baby should sleep by himself. Can Youyou do that?”
The little guy subconsciously wanted to raise his hand high and say he could. But, but…
“A little bit can’t.” The little guy on the bed was a bit discouraged.
Brother Xiao Tang had taught him how to sleep by himself, but every time the curtains were closed and no one was beside him, he felt a little scared. He was not a brave baby anymore.
The little guy’s unhappy, downcast look made Shen Minyan’s heart ache. He sat over and hugged the little guy. “If you’re scared, we won’t sleep alone. Dad will stay with you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he got a slap on the back. “Don’t disrupt the morale here. Youyou, Mom, Dad, your brothers, and Brother Xiao Tang will all help you. Don’t be afraid.”
Su Youli grabbed Dad Shen’s hand as if grabbing a lifeline. After Mom finished speaking, his mouth pouted. He hugged Dad Shen’s arm and pressed his cheek against the firm muscle of Dad’s arm. Shen Minyan turned to look at Chu Ying, got glared at by Chu Ying, and then sheepishly turned back to hug the little cub in his arms tightly. Su Siwen and Qin Kun clearly had more experience in educating children. They gently coaxed the little guy into the covers.
“Baby, you’re the best baby, right?”
The little guy looked at Dad and nodded. “Mm. I got a little certificate.”
Su Siwen smiled. “Then can you show Dad tomorrow?”
The little cub in the covers nodded shyly. “Yes.”
The surroundings gradually settled. Under Dad’s guidance, the little guy, who had been a bit emotional just now, calmed down and yawned a few times as Dad told him a story. Seeing this, the others in the room knowingly withdrew and waited at the door.
“You go to sleep first.” Shen Minyan turned to Chu Ying.
Since returning to the Shen house, Chu Ying’s health had recovered very well. Her spirits were much better than before, no longer as thin as when she first came back.
“It’s no trouble.”
She had missed many stages of Youyou’s life. His first word, his first steps, his first time eating by himself…
So, Youyou’s first time sleeping alone, she wouldn’t miss it no matter what.
Shen Lin hugged her arm and talked. “I asked my classmate. His sister still sleeps with his mom in elementary school. Youyou is so small. Isn’t it too cruel to let him sleep alone?”
A lonely bed, a lonely cub. Just thinking about it made him seem pitiful.
“Qiqi could sleep alone when he was two. I think Qiqi being so strong must have something to do with this.” Shen Yan analyzed seriously.
Thinking of their little neighbor, everyone fell silent. Indeed, if an ordinary child went through something like that, getting sick or going crazy was possible. Youyou had grown up in the safe zone his two dads built for him, loved and doted on. After returning to Beicheng, Shen Minyan and his two brothers doted on him even more. Su Youli was a great kid, but his personality was a bit soft. He should learn from Qiqi. Shen Minyan, who had been wavering just now, finally firmed up his determination to let Youyou sleep alone. Not long after, Su Siwen and Qin Kun came out.
“How is it, how is it?”
Su Siwen showed a gratified smile. “Asleep. I think we should just let him sleep alone. Don’t send anyone in to keep him company either. I saw the room has surveillance.”
Shen Minyan was uneasy, his brows furrowed. “Let’s still check on him every half hour.”
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liu On ARLQLCC chapter 45