Chapter 25: Don’t Make Mom Angry

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Don’t Make Mom Angry

When Shu Yao returned to the hospital, she was surprised to see Xiao Juzi awake and lying obediently in the medical pod.

"You don’t even cry or make a fuss when Mommy’s away anymore. Xiao Juzi is getting to be such a big boy now!"

However, Xiao Juzi didn’t appreciate the compliment at all.

The moment the door to his room opened, Zaizai expertly scrambled out of the medical pod and leaped into his mother’s arms. He nuzzled and snuggled against her, acting as clingy as could be, using his actions to declare that he was still a baby who couldn’t be away from his mommy!

The next second, he felt a pinch on the scruff of his neck and was lifted clean off the ground. Before he could even react, he was dropped back inside the medical pod.

Seeing it was Qin Shiwei, he started whining like a little engine, glaring with his bright, clear eyes while puffing his cheeks out in resentment.

"Are you starting again?" Shu Yao warned. When she saw him hold back a little, she only doubled down. "Are you looking for a spanking?!"

Xiao Juzi dropped his hostile act and curled into a small, pitiful ball.

"Xiao Juzi."

He heard the man call his name but ignored him.

Shu Yao put her hands on her hips, adopting the pose of a stern mother. "Prick up your ears and listen carefully to what your father has to say."

Xiao Juzi cooperatively pricked up... one ear.

The other one remained drooped limply.

"I..." Qin Shiwei began, a little awkwardly. "I want to apologize to you. I didn’t do my research and chose a terrible restaurant, which made you sick. I’m sorry."

"Mommy is sorry, too."

Xiao Juzi pricked up his other ear and looked up at Shu Yao, his big, watery eyes filled with confusion.

"Why is Mommy apologizing to me?"

Shu Yao gently stroked his little head. "Mommy didn’t realize soon enough that there was something wrong with the fish, and I still fed you so much of it. It’s my fault."

THUMP. Xiao Juzi bumped his head against her palm and snuggled into its warmth.

Shu Yao’s tone softened. "Mommy and Daddy have both apologized. Aren’t you going to say something, hmm?"

"Hee hee!" Xiao Juzi let out a childish giggle, his eyes crinkling into crescent moons. "I would never blame Mommy!"

Shu Yao gave his chin a rewarding scratch.

"What about your father?"

Happiness, however, is always fleeting.

Xiao Juzi glanced unhappily at the expressionless Qin Shiwei, gave a haughty huff, and turned his head away, putting on an air of being difficult to please.

"If you forgive your father, then you can shake hands and make up." Shu Yao crossed her arms, giving Zaizai two options. "If you don’t forgive him, then I won’t take you with me on my dates with him anymore."

Xiao Juzi pouted resentfully.

He snuck a glance over and noticed the jerk looked strange. ’It’s almost like he wants me to stay stubborn and hold my ground, so we don’t have to make up...’

After a few seconds, Xiao Juzi declared fiercely, "I forgive you! Let’s shake hands and make up!"

Seeing him take the initiative to extend a small paw, Qin Shiwei paused, slightly stunned.

’The little brat forgave me that easily?’

’It was a little hard to believe.’

After a moment’s hesitation, he decisively extended his hand.

Just as his hand was about to touch the man’s, the furry little paw suddenly splayed open, revealing sharp claws.

If Qin Shiwei hadn’t been on his guard and pulled his hand back in time, the little brat’s claws would have absolutely left at least two bloody scratches on him!

"Shu! Ju!" Shu Yao was furious with her son. "Was that little stunt fun for you?!"

At his mother’s sharp tone, Xiao Juzi’s tears began to flow uncontrollably. He sobbed and whimpered, his little body trembling.

Seeing that things had taken a turn, Shu Xin rushed into the hospital room, wanting nothing more than to pull Xiao Juzi into her arms. But even though he was upset, Xiao Juzi still showed hostility as she approached.

"Yaoyao, don’t be so harsh! He’s just a child!"

Shu Yao kept a stern face as she glared at the now-defended Xiao Juzi. ’He’s still young, but he’s old enough to know better!’

Shu Chao Yu came in as well. He rubbed his nose awkwardly, then gave Qin Shiwei a little nudge and made a leading comment, hinting that he should say something.

"Yaoyao, just let it go. It’s not like Ah Bao got hurt."

Qin Shiwei looked at Xiao Juzi, now being defended by his grandmother and grand-uncle. His dark green eyes narrowed, and his voice was icy as he said:

"You are not to make your mother angry."

Xiao Juzi flinched as if blasted by a sudden wave of arctic air, and he instinctively shuffled deeper into the medical pod.

Facing his mother’s angry expression, his tears started falling like rain again. He snuggled up to her side and choked out, "Mommy, I’m sorry... *sob*... Don’t be angry, Mommy... *sob*... HIC!"

"Alright, alright! The boy knows he was wrong!" Seeing Zaizai crying so heartbrokenly, Shu Xin’s eyes couldn’t help but redden.

Shu Yao pulled out a wet wipe and roughly wiped away Xiao Juzi’s tears and snot.

Shu Chao Yu couldn’t stand to watch. "Here, let me."

But Xiao Juzi stubbornly refused to let him touch him.

"Ah Bao, why don’t you head home for now," Shu Xin said, needing to get rid of the man who was ruining the mother-son atmosphere.

Qin Shiwei looked at Shu Yao, reluctant to leave.

"I’ll walk you out." Shu Yao took his hand, then turned to Xiao Juzi with a stern expression. "Your father is leaving. What do you say?"

Xiao Juzi managed to suppress his sobs and said in a stuffy voice:

"...Goodbye..."

The corner of Qin Shiwei’s mouth twitched slightly. "Goodbye."

Just as he and Shu Yao reached the door, Xiao Juzi suddenly shouted, "Hurry up and leave, you jerk! I never want to see you again!"

After saying his piece, he hid behind Shu Chao Yu, not even peeking his head out.

Shu Yao stopped at the door and turned back to snap, "Shu Ju, you’re asking for it!"

Qin Shiwei didn’t seem to mind, but as he passed the glass wall of the room, he saw the little brat making faces and sticking his tongue out at him repeatedly. The corner of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

’I have to win this little brat over!’