Chapter 84: Extra Chapter 4

“I want to put it on myself,” a childish voice declared with unwavering determination.

Huo Ci sighed, watching the little one’s head get stuck in the sweater, unable to pull it down. Ever since this little fellow returned from his grandpa’s house, he had been rigorously asserting his identity as a “little man,” refusing anyone’s help to dress himself.

But time was ticking, and they were about to be late. Huo Ci dared not delay, so she negotiated, “Qiuqiu, how about Mama helps you pull down your clothes?”

Huo Ci, usually aloof, rarely spoke to others. Yet, for this little lord, she had no temper and no complaints.

“No!” a loud refusal.

Huo Ci simply stopped urging him and sat down by the bed, watching the little thing on the bed struggling against the sweater.

Not until half of his head emerged, those large eyes, like washed purple grapes, looked at her triumphantly. His mouth was still inside the sweater, but he had already begun to say, “Mama, look, I’m dressed.”

This time, she truly laughed. Both his little arms were still sticking out; was that considered dressed?

Huo Ci reached out to help him. Thankfully, Yi Chengqi had already gotten his head through, so he didn’t resist help anymore. After Huo Ci helped him put on his sweater, she carried the little one off the bed. Mother and son went to wash up, and the housekeeper had already prepared breakfast.

Before Yi Chengqi was born, Yi Zechen had borrowed an auntie from the Xu family to help out at home. After the little one was born, this auntie simply stayed to help. Because their previous house was a bit small, the family of three moved to a new place.

So Qiuqiu now had his own room and toy room.

When Yi Zechen was usually home, Huo Ci would let him sleep in his own room. He was a good little one, not bothering anyone at night. But with Yi Zechen away for the past few days, he whined a bit, and Huo Ci just let him sleep with her.

“Mama, when are we going to Grandpa’s house?” the little one asked impatiently while sitting at the dining table.

There were many children in the compound, unlike their residential area, which was private enough but had fewer playmates for children. The little one naturally preferred the compound more.

Huo Ci, seeing his expectant look, deliberately asked, “Do you miss Grandpa?”

Qiuqiu nodded, a tiny spoon clutched in his hand, looking exceptionally well-behaved. But that was just on the surface. Her little devil was like a tiny king in kindergarten, and the same in the compound. Even though there were older brothers than him, he was still formidable.

Even Liu Ruhan had secretly asked her if Yi Zechen was mischievous when he was little.

After all, Liu Ruhan knew perfectly well what Huo Ci was like as a child—a little princess, quiet, and utterly adorable and well-behaved. Since he didn’t resemble his mother, he must resemble his father.

However, Yi Zechen, upon hearing this, refused to take the blame.

In his words, he was corrupted by people like Xiao Cheng and his gang when he was a child. If left to his own devices, he was quiet, spoke little, and was known as a good child in the compound.

When Jiang Jingcheng and Han Jingyang were scolded by their parents, they would often hear, “Look at Zechen...”

Thus, neither parent could take the blame.

Huo Ci snorted and asked him, “Did you take someone to pull out Grandpa Jiang’s flowers the other day?”

After speaking, he lowered his head and drank his porridge with a spoon, looking quite pleased with himself.

“Didn’t Mama tell you not to be mischievous?” Huo Ci looked down at him with lowered eyes. The little one didn’t speak, just looked up at her eagerly, his dark, bright eyes conveying a hint of pitifulness.

This little darling of hers, even when just pretending to be pitiful, was determined, and she couldn’t bear to scold him.

After breakfast, she took the little one’s hand and led him into the elevator. Mother and son arrived at the parking lot, and the little one automatically sat in the child seat in the back. As Huo Ci buckled him in, he said again, “Mama, I miss Grandpa and Grandma.”

If his grandparents heard this, they would truly be overjoyed.

However, Huo Ci knew that what her little star-devil truly missed were the children in the compound.

She stroked Yi Chengqi’s little head and said with a smile, “We’ll go see Grandpa and Grandma when Daddy comes back.”

Yi Chengqi was genuinely happy and asked, “When is Daddy coming back?”

That really stumped Huo Ci. She had already gotten into the car. Ever since she had a child, she rarely drove SUVs, opting for cars with the highest safety ratings.

“Daddy won’t be back for a few more days,” Huo Ci replied, and sure enough, an unhappy grumble came from behind her.

After dropping the child off at school, Huo Ci went to the studio. Today was a magazine shoot for V’s September issue. For this occasion, they had specially invited the most prominent actresses in the country. With several major actresses together, intrigue was inevitable. So even the magazine’s editor-in-chief came to personally oversee the shoot.

Huo Ci was adjusting the camera. She had taken a few months off while pregnant.

However, after giving birth to Yi Chengqi, she returned to work within three months. Fortunately, Yi Zechen always indulged her; whatever she liked, he was willing to accept.

Huo Ci’s work schedule wasn’t as packed as before, and she tried to minimize opportunities to leave Beijing.

Because there were so many celebrities, the shooting time was very long, starting at 10 AM and continuing until 3 PM, with only half the process completed. When Huo Ci received a call from the driver, she heard him say with some difficulty, “Qiuqiu refuses to go home today; he says he wants to come find you.”

Because Huo Ci’s work was flexible, she sometimes brought the little one with her.

With so many people on set, her assistant could help look after him, and besides, he wouldn’t make a fuss when he saw his mother working.

But today’s work was truly important, and Huo Ci worried she wouldn’t be able to focus on taking care of him. She said softly, “You coax him a bit more, or send him back to the compound and let Mama help look after him.”

No sooner had she spoken than the little one on the other end anxiously called out, “Is that Mama’s call? I want to talk to Mama.”

The driver handed him the phone, and he sniffled, saying plaintively, “Mama, I miss you.”

Huo Ci couldn’t stand it when he whined to her in that baby voice; hearing it, her heart melted. She asked softly, “Didn’t you say you missed Grandpa today? Mama will let Uncle Driver take you to Grandpa’s house.”

“I want Mama, I want Mama,” but to her surprise, Yi Chengqi was unusually clingy today.

Seeing him like this, Huo Ci thought for a moment and had no choice but to have him hand the phone back to the driver, instructing the driver to bring him over.

After a set of shots was finished, the driver brought Yi Chengqi over. He was still wearing his school uniform, a blue small suit and shorts, shiny little leather shoes, and even carried his own backpack.

Because both of their jobs were busy, after Yi Chengqi started school, Yi Zechen arranged for a dedicated driver to pick him up.

However, he didn’t allow the driver to carry his backpack; the little one was slowly learning to do his own things.

“Mama,” Huo Ci was leaning on the table, looking down at photos on the computer, when she looked up and saw him standing at the doorway.

Since it was break time, everyone was immediately drawn to the sudden appearance of the handsome little boy.

Even the Best Actress, who was looking at photos, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Huo Ci, is this your son?”

“Yes,” Huo Ci said with an apologetic smile, then went to pick him up.

She stroked Yi Chengqi’s little head and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Why are you so unhappy?”

The little one was quite lively and cheerful, not someone who struggled with school, and he had always loved going to school. Every day, he came back from school happy, so it was truly rare to see him with a pouting little mouth and a wronged expression.

Yi Chengqi rubbed his eyes. Perhaps seeing his mother made him even more upset. He leaned on her shoulder and hugged Huo Ci’s neck, not letting go.

Huo Ci carried him to the side, and as they walked, she whispered, “Did you get picked on at school?”

But he just wouldn’t say, only whimpering again, “Mama.”

The little star-devil rarely turned into a little aggrieved ball. Huo Ci was both amused and helpless and could only hold him and coax him for a while.

Fortunately, Bai Yu, knowing he was coming, had someone buy snacks and even specially bought him some pastries. Huo Ci carried him over and watched him obediently sitting on the chair, digging into a cake with his little spoon.

When she had a moment, Huo Ci called the teacher.

“Miss Huo, please don’t worry. I think Qiuqiu wet the bed during nap time today,” the teacher said gently.

Huo Ci was stunned. She looked back at the little one and whispered, “He wet the bed today?”

“Yes, but our duty teacher quickly found out and even changed him into a new set of clothes. His wet clothes can be taken back tomorrow,” the teacher continued gently.

Huo Ci immediately said, “Thank you for your trouble, teacher.”

No sooner had she hung up with the teacher than Yi Zechen’s call came in again. She was a little surprised and asked, “It’s so late, why aren’t you resting yet?”

“I miss you and Qiuqiu,” Mr. Yi realized what it meant to have restless nights without his wife by his side.

This feeling was truly unpleasant.

Huo Ci couldn’t help but laugh this time. Just now, it was the younger one whining, but now it was the older one. These father and son were truly a pair, even their whining times were so consistent.

She chuckled, “Since you miss us, then don’t you work hard.”

“Come home early,” she said softly, leaning against the wall, watching the little one obediently sitting on the chair.

Seeing the smile in her voice, Yi Zechen couldn’t help but ask, “What’s making you so happy?”

“Your son was so upset today, he insisted on coming to my workplace,” Huo Ci couldn’t help but laugh when she thought that the little one was embarrassed because he wet the bed and insisted on finding his mother.

Huo Ci quietly told Yi Zechen about Yi Chengqi’s “good deed” today. After she finished, she couldn’t help but laugh again.

However, his biological father, Yi Zechen, cleared his throat and lectured her, “Don’t laugh at my son like that.”

He said it so seriously, but Huo Ci wanted to laugh even more.

Especially thinking about how Yi Chengqi clung tightly to her neck as soon as he came in. Huo Ci had originally thought he had been wronged at school, but she never expected it was because he wet the bed.

“Your precious son has been talking about going to Grandpa’s house all day today. Last time he went to the compound, not even the flowers in the yard escaped his grasp, so you should come back quickly,” Huo Ci said softly, holding the phone.

There was silence on the other end for a long time before he finally asked softly, “Did you miss me?”

Always saying the son missed me, but what about you, did you miss me?

Yi Zechen’s voice was consistently clear and cold, his tone deep. When it brushed past her ear, it made people want to immerse themselves in it. Perhaps no matter how much time passed, Huo Ci would always love his voice.

She reached up and tucked the long hair that had fallen over her forehead behind her ear, then said softly, “I miss you too, even more than Yi Chengqi.”

A satisfied chuckle came from the other end, and then the call was disconnected.

Although they already had Yi Chengqi, Huo Ci never neglected Yi Zechen.

He was the only man she had ever loved since childhood. Even with such an adorable little one, he still had to come after Mr. Yi.

“Mama, I want more,” Yi Chengqi saw her return and immediately showed her his plate; a small piece of cake had already been eaten clean.

Huo Ci shook her head, looking at him: “You can’t eat any more. Look at your little belly.”

Actually, all young children have a small belly. Huo Ci was just teasing him. However, the little one who had just experienced wetting the bed seemed very afraid of being talked about. He whimpered twice and then obediently said no more.

Soon after, Huo Ci went to take photos. She asked her assistant to find a small stool for him, and he sat beside her, waiting.

At this time, several A-list actresses returned, and everyone noticed a little one had joined the set. Although the staff had seen him before, they didn’t dare to come up and tease him. But these big stars were different; the few who were previously caught up in their own intrigues now all gathered around Yi Chengqi by mutual agreement.

The little one truly inherited his parents’ good looks, especially those dark, bright eyes. When he blinked and looked at others, his long, curled eyelashes could almost make someone faint.

“So cute, I really want to take him home,” a new Best Actress couldn’t help but say. This actress was in her thirties and, having focused on her career, was not yet married. Now, seeing such a beautiful little boy, she truly wanted to hold him and cuddle him.

An older, married Best Actress who had children also exclaimed, “He’s really so well-behaved, just sitting there quietly, so adorable.”

The on-site staff, seeing them all gathered around the little one, didn’t dare to rush them.

Finally, Huo Ci came over to remind them, but then Huo Ci herself was surrounded, everyone asking her how she managed to raise such a cute child.

Huo Ci looked at Yi Chengqi, her head aching. Well-behaved?

Honestly, “a three-year-old shows what an adult will be like.” She highly doubted her son’s cunning personality; he would probably be extraordinary when he grew up. He was no well-behaved child; he was a little star-devil. Yet, when in public, he always behaved exceptionally well.

If you gave him a small chair to sit beside her, he truly could sit quietly and watch Huo Ci work.

He wouldn’t cry or make a fuss.

However, when he truly wanted to be mischievous, even Huo Ci wondered if she had given birth to two sons, as his personality change was just too drastic.

By the end of the photoshoot, Yi Chengqi had fallen asleep playing.

Since the driver hadn’t left, Huo Ci simply had the studio staff drive her car home. She carried her son and went straight home.

After bathing Yi Chengqi, mother and son always fell asleep together.

When she woke up again, she felt a heavy weight on her waist. She thought it was Yi Chengqi again, resting his chubby little leg on her waist. But when she reached out to feel, it was actually a hand resting on her waist.

“Awake,” a faint voice, still tinged with sleepiness, came from behind her.

Huo Ci immediately turned around, buried her head in his chest, wrapped her arms around him, and said softly, “You’re back.”

“You missed me so much, how could I not come home?” Yi Zechen said with a smile, his voice soft.

Huo Ci then remembered and asked him, “So when you called me yesterday, you were already on your way back?”

“Mm,” he responded softly, his hand already moving up her waist.

Huo Ci immediately pressed his hand, whispering, “Qiuqiu is here.”

“That kid has already been moved to his own room,” Yi Zechen said. As soon as he got home, he saw the little one sleeping in his wife’s arms, so he carried him back to his own room.

Huo Ci then released his hand and glanced behind her; indeed, only the two of them were in the bed.

Yi Zechen looked down, chuckling softly. They had just embraced when suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and a crying voice called out, “Mama, Mama.”

Yi Chengqi woke up and found himself not in his mother’s bed. Without even putting on his shoes, he ran over.

But he didn’t expect the bedroom door to be closed again. As he pounded on the door, he was almost in tears. Hearing his voice, Huo Ci quickly pushed Yi Zechen away. He sighed, resignedly getting out of bed to open the door for his son.

Yi Chengqi didn’t expect his father to open the door. Tears were still in his eyes, but he already started smiling.

“Daddy,” the little one was truly happy, immediately hugging his leg.

Yi Zechen’s “little tent” was still pitched, but there was nothing he could do; after all, this was his own son. He picked up the little one, kissed him on the cheek, and whispered, “Did you miss Daddy?”

“Yes,” the little one was truly happy, hugging his neck and kissing his cheek. But right after, he asked in his baby voice, “Daddy, did you bring me a present?”

Yi Zechen: “...” It seemed he wasn’t missed; his presents were.

Huo Ci, lying in bed, was rolling around laughing.

In the evening, the family of three went to the compound for dinner. When they arrived, Yi Huaize hadn’t gotten off work yet. Liu Ruhan was overjoyed to see Yi Chengqi, peeling fruit for him and getting him snacks.

In the compound, he was treated like a living ancestor.

However, when Yi Huaize arrived home from work, he had just entered and hadn’t even had time to change his shoes when Yi Chengqi held a toy gun to him, shouting, “Grandpa, surrender!”

Yi Huaize laughed, reached out, scooped him up, and lectured, “Grandpa is a general. A general can die in battle but cannot surrender.”

Xu Di, hearing him say these things to the child, chided, “Why are you telling him this? He’s still a child.”

But Yi Huaize was displeased. He glanced at the little one and said happily, “Yi Chengqi, tell your grandma what you want to be when you grow up?”

“I want to be a general, like Grandpa!” the little one shouted clearly, full of pride.

Yi Huaize laughed with satisfaction. As for his biological son, Yi Zechen, he had already disappeared from Yi Huaize’s sight.

Huo Ci, seeing his silence, whispered with a laugh, “Are you jealous?”

Yi Zechen glanced at her faintly and said softly, “What do you think?”

Huo Ci burst into laughter. He was jealous.

So, Yi Zechen reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, whispering, “We can’t let this kid get away with being so smug anymore.”

Huo Ci was helpless; this biological father was actually jealous.

Then she heard him say, “Huo Ci, let’s have another daughter.”

Huo Ci turned to look at him, her amber-like eyes soft as water, “A little girl just like you.”

She chuckled softly, her fingers already tightly clasped by Yi Zechen.

In this life, she was truly blessed.

-----The End-----