Chapter 396: Thank You, Sister

Chapter 396: Chapter 396: Thank You, Sister

After Shi Lan left, Yan Huoshui came in to help as well.

With their children being looked after by others, they were free from the fuss of the demanding little ones and could finally enjoy some peace and quiet in the kitchen.

Yan Huoshui started on another pot. As he worked, he couldn’t help but comment, "Yi Yi has so much energy. Lately, he’s been going to bed later and later, and he absolutely insists on me telling him a bedtime story."

"They’re definitely cutest when they can’t walk yet."

He Hanshi let out a low chuckle. "Is that so? I haven’t had the chance to experience that yet. Er Er was only born a week ago, so I don’t have that problem for now."

"It’s not really a problem, though. The little guy is still adorable, and he even gives goodnight kisses. He’s just a cunning little devil, always full of tricks. No wonder he’s my kid."

He Hanshi glanced over at him. Although Yan Huoshui was complaining, the deep smile on his lips made it clear how much he loved his child.

’But who wouldn’t? I love Er Er very much, too.’

When he held the soft, tiny bundle in his arms, an irrepressible joy, a deep connection of blood, would surge through his heart.

After finding his wife, he was lucky enough to have gained another family member.

The two men stood in the kitchen, each lost in thought about their own child. Since He Hanshi’s son had just been born, all his parenting knowledge came from the internet. With Yan Huoshui right there, it was the perfect opportunity to ask for advice.

As one asked and the other answered, their hands never stopped moving.

Outside, Ye Ming took his daughter back from the Dean. The Dean was reluctant to let the baby go, but seeing her son’s outstretched arms, she handed her over.

Perhaps overcome with happiness, Ye Ming couldn’t help but say, "Mother, if you want to see the baby, you can come over anytime."

The moment the words were out, they both froze. Not far away, Shi Lan, who was brewing tea, discreetly perked up her ears.

Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng, who appeared to be busy playing with the kids, also let their attention drift toward the conversation.

The Dean’s lips trembled slightly. She wanted to ask if he had forgiven her, but the words caught in her throat.

’He must hate me,’ she had always thought. After all, she hadn’t exactly been a model mother.

After blurting out the word, Ye Ming pressed his lips together. The tips of his ears, visible beneath his short black hair, turned a little red, but he didn’t correct himself.

’I don’t actually blame her,’ he thought. ’Everyone has their own responsibilities. The higher your station, the more you can understand the position she was in back then.’

’Especially with the divorce. Faced with a partner like my father, she had no reason to hesitate.’

The air grew still for a moment, until San San let out a yawn, her little hands flailing in the air, drawing everyone’s attention back to her.

Ye Ming spoke up. "San San must be getting tired. I’ll take her to her room to rest."

"Alright."

The Dean smiled and met his gaze. Ye Ming curved his lips in return. It was as if a silent block of ice between them had melted away; everything was understood without a word.

Sometimes, adults don’t need to spell everything out.

Jiang Xia shot a confused look at Mu Tangfeng, his eye twitching as if to ask, ’What was all that about?’

Mu Tangfeng shook his head and went back to lifting Yi Yi up into the air.

’Don’t ask me, I have no idea either.’

Shi Lan and Mr. Lu Sr., however, understood perfectly. Mr. Lu Sr. sat beside her, took a sip of hot tea, and said contentedly, "Ah, this is a truly delightful tea."

"It is."

"Mother, would you like to try some?"

Shi Lan said, responding to Mr. Lu Sr. but looking at the Dean with a beaming smile as she spoke.

The Dean nodded with a gentle smile.

...

When Er Er and San San were first born, their personalities weren’t very distinct. It wasn’t until a few months later, when both children could walk in their human forms, that their temperaments became clear.

Er Er was a male. Around forty days after his birth, once he passed the unstable Beastification period, he could transform into a little White Lion cub.

During this time, He Hanshi took full responsibility for raising and teaching him.

Er Er’s personality was very different from Yi Yi’s. Yi Yi was lively and impishly clever, while Er Er was a bit of a natural airhead.

He was slow to act, always unhurried and quiet, but he was also sharp-witted with a strong ability to learn. When He Hanshi taught him to walk, he mastered it almost completely after just two or three tries, giving his father little to worry about.

A lion cub is different from a full-grown lion. Being so young, he hadn’t grown a mane yet. He had inherited his father’s clean, pure white fur, and his ears were a pair of lovely semicircles. With his round head and chubby face, he was absolutely adorable.

When he was first learning to walk, he wasn’t very steady. Whenever he tumbled, he would flick his short, round little tail. His ears would twitch, and if he noticed Shi Lan and the others watching him, he would shyly flop onto the ground and pretend to be resting. A few minutes later, when he felt the coast was clear, he would slowly get back up and continue on his way.

All the while, his big ears would twitch nonstop, giving him a soft, cuddly look that was almost criminally cute.

Every time she saw him, Shi Lan had to give his ears and fluffy little head a stroke before she was satisfied.

Er Er’s tail was very different from Yi Yi’s. Er Er’s had very little fur, making it look quite thin, while Yi Yi’s big red tail was fluffy and soft, with a pleasant weightiness to it.

On several occasions, Yi Yi would curiously hook his little brother’s tail to play with it, perhaps wondering why it was so small.

Er Er was very good-natured and would simply watch him with his big, round blue eyes. Occasionally, his tail would even flick back and forth to match Yi Yi’s movements, as if he were teasing him, but his expression remained pure and gentle. It was all just instinct.

Having been born so recently, Er Er didn’t have Yi Yi’s stamina. After playing for a little while, he would stand up, arch his neck in a big stretch, and then slowly toddle over to Shi Lan, gently draping his tail over her ankle.

Without him needing to do anything more, Shi Lan would eagerly scoop the little cub into her arms and rock him to sleep.

Er Er’s ears would droop contentedly as he obediently snuggled into his mother’s embrace and fell asleep.

Sleepiness is contagious. Watching them, Yi Yi also padded over to Shi Lan, and she scooped up the Little Red Fox as well.

She gazed down at the Little Red Fox and the tiny White Lion cub in her arms, listening to their even, steady breathing, a contented smile gracing her lips.

Since Yi Yi and Er Er were both males, they could transform and thus started walking earlier. San San, being female, had to wait until she could walk in her human form.

Regardless, all three children could walk and talk by the time they were just over four months old.

Once San San started walking, the little girl’s personality began to emerge more clearly.

She was a bit of a little tyrant. For example, when it was time for their toddler growth liquid, if she saw that Er Er’s and Yi Yi’s servings were also being warmed up, she would decide she wanted them all. As soon as everyone had their bottle, she would wiggle her little bottom over and snatch the other two right out of their hands.

Er Er, never one to fight, would immediately give his up to his little sister.

Yi Yi would be unwilling to let go, but San San would just pretend to pout. Afraid his little sister would cry, he’d have no choice but to give it to her.

However, San San was the type who responded to soft tactics, not force. Since they gave in so easily, she wouldn’t actually bully them and would take the initiative to give the bottles back.

Er Er would take his back and continue drinking, even offering a quiet smile. "Thank you, little sister."

Yi Yi shot him a look, muttering ’Dummy’ under his breath. But when he noticed San San glancing at him, he quickly followed suit. "Thank you, little sister."