CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 288: DAILY LIFE WITH A KID

Assistant Chen had been stretched thin for a while, working as if she was two people. Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore, and knowing that her situation was improving, she made a direct call here.

The only issue was her request for him to persuade Xu Jinzhi to spend just a little more time on work.

But with Sui Sui still crying in his arms, and now struggling to get away upon seeing Xu Jinzhi, Xie Yanchuan couldn’t attend to Assistant Chen’s request.

Xie Yanchuan also felt a bit guilty; although his intentions were good, Sui Sui’s sobbing was just too pitiable. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had gone too far?

Sui Sui had already struggled free and then stumbled toward Xu Jinzhi.

Cradling Sui Sui, Xu Jinzhi asked gently, "Why is Sui Sui crying?"

With her arms around Xu Jinzhi’s neck, Sui Sui’s already feeble crying grew louder as if she had suffered the greatest injustice.

Xu Jinzhi understood none of the words Sui Sui was uttering between sobs, except for "Dad."

Xu Jinzhi looked at Xie Yanchuan with a puzzled expression, as if she hoped he could clear up her confusion and explain what had happened.

With a sigh of resignation, Xie Yanchuan said, "I had just finished cooking and was carrying out the soup when she ran straight at me. Thankfully, I kept my footing."

"I disciplined her lightly just now. My tone was a bit stern, which might have scared her."

Even now, Xie Yanchuan still had a look of lingering fear. He found it hard to imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t kept his balance.

Hearing this, Xu Jinzhi frowned. She was usually tolerant with children but didn’t believe in indulgence.

Clearly, this was Sui Sui’s fault, and proper discipline was necessary. Should they wait for an accident before regretting it?

"Sui Sui, didn’t Mom tell you to play in safe places?" Xu Jinzhi looked seriously at Sui Sui.

Xie Yanchuan wanted her to stop, considering he had already reprimanded the child. If she continued, he wasn’t sure how he’d manage to console Sui Sui afterward.

But Xu Jinzhi had already spoken, and it wasn’t Xie Yanchuan’s place to interrupt.

So, after being disciplined by her dad, Xu Yanxi was also educated by her mom.

Sui Sui remembered and, after waking from her afternoon nap, refused to sit with her parents, sulking alone.

Xie Yanchuan wanted to console Sui Sui, but he was stopped by Xu Jinzhi, who said, "She needs to remember."

With no other choice, Xie Yanchuan had to let it go.

Only when Tuantuan returned from kindergarten did Sui Sui immediately recount to her brother the scolding she received from their parents.

Sui Sui was young and her words disjointed. Tuantuan somewhat struggled to understand, but his annoyed expression was subtly prominent.

Especially when glowering at Xu Jinzhi and Xie Yanchuan, it was clear to anyone with eyes that they had angered Sui Sui.

Xu Jinzhi, in a not-so-good mood, explained the situation to Tuantuan, who then looked reproachfully at Sui Sui.

She had sought sympathy from her brother but never expected to end up being lectured by him.

Feeling upset, Sui Sui finally called her beloved grandfather but struggled to articulate her situation.

Even though Sui Sui didn’t clarify, Xu Zhen still promised to give Xu Jinzhi a talking-to.

Only then did Sui Sui hand the phone to Xu Jinzhi, a triumphant expression on her face.

Xu Jinzhi sneered on the phone as he explained what had happened to Xu Zhen, then handed the phone back to Sui Sui.

Sui Sui took it, and after a short while, her previously haughty expression vanished, pouting unhappily.

As expected, Xu Zhen also chastised Sui Sui. The little girl had been scolded in succession, and now she was truly unhappy.

But this taught Sui Sui to remember that running around the house was not acceptable and that no one would side with her.

She couldn’t do that anymore.

~

A day in mid-June was Father’s Day.

Actually, little children couldn’t really remember such holidays, but Tuantuan was already in kindergarten. Even if Tuantuan didn’t know, the kindergarten teachers would remind them.

The kindergarten even had the children prepare gifts for Father’s Day.

It was a drawing that the children could freely decide what they wanted to draw.

Tuantuan had never had professional drawing lessons, only art classes in kindergarten. Her drawing ability was not outstanding, but it wasn’t abstract either.

"Xie Zhihuai, how is your drawing coming along?" Teacher Xiao Huang approached Xie Zhihuai, bending down slightly to look at his drawing.

Tuantuan did not shy away, allowing Teacher Xiao Huang to look.

Teacher Huang was very pleased with what she saw, didn’t say much, and simply patted Xie Zhihuai’s head before going to check on the other children’s drawings.

When school was dismissed, Teacher Xiao Huang, worrying the children might forget, specifically reminded them once again to give their drawings to their fathers and wish them a happy holiday.

The children all agreed in their baby voices.

So, when Tuantuan got home, the first thing he said to Xie Yanchuan was, "Daddy, happy Father’s Day."

Xie Yanchuan was taken aback but not surprised. He smiled gently and said, "Thank you, Tuantuan."

Tuantuan was now five and a half years old. Of course, this was not Xie Yanchuan’s first Father’s Day. He knew today was Father’s Day since he had even sent messages to the two elders in the family.

But hearing it from his own child always felt different.

Tuantuan then handed his prepared gift to Xie Yanchuan, "This is the gift."

Xie Yanchuan took it, opened the scroll, and saw a somewhat childish but pleasant drawing.

The drawing’s house should be their current home, and it also featured their family of four.

Xie Yanchuan looked carefully; it seemed to be a scene of their family building a snowman in the yard.

Then Xie Yanchuan quickly remembered: two years ago, he and Tuantuan built a snowman in the yard while Xu Jinzhi watched with little Sui Sui by her side.

For a moment, Xie Yanchuan felt as if he had returned to that time, but it was only for a moment, and he soon came back to reality, realizing that it was already a memory from two years ago.

Xie Yanchuan took a deep breath and tenderly said to Tuantuan, "Thank you, Tuantuan. I really like the gift."

Tuantuan smiled somewhat shyly.

What truly moved Xie Yanchuan, enough to bring tears to his eyes, was when he was preparing to find a frame to properly display the drawing.