"Si Yu!"
Tang Yue covered her kissed lips and instinctively pushed him away. There were already sounds outside, and Zaozao and Chenchen would be back soon. It would be so embarrassing if the kids saw them.
"Let’s deepen our feelings tonight," Si Yu said with a satisfied look, savoring even the sweet kiss.
As Tang Yue hurried to open the door, Si Yu’s lips curled up. He stepped out into the yard just as Zaozao and Chenchen came in with their school bags.
"Dad."
Chenchen, carrying a small backpack and with her head drooped, brightened up instantly upon seeing Si Yu. Her big round eyes sparkled, and her little face was full of excitement. She opened her arms and ran toward Si Yu: "Dad."
Even without seeing her expression, just from her excited voice, you could feel her joy and happiness.
"Slow down."
Si Yu took big steps forward and opened his arms, embracing Chenchen fully. Seeing her joyful little face, the smile in his eyes deepened. He asked, "Did you miss Dad?"
"Yes."
Chenchen clung tightly to Si Yu, showing her longing through her actions.
"Did you listen to your mom and grandma?" Si Yu asked.
"Yes," Chenchen replied without hesitation.
Beside them, Zaozao lowered his gaze and silently closed his mouth. Who was it that messed with grandma’s chickens recently, causing the family to eat chicken every day until he was sick of it?
Moreover, to make specimens, she even shook all the leaves off the tree.
It’s just the beginning of autumn, yet the trees are already bare, as if winter had come early.
Chenchen’s smile beamed, and as she grew, she looked more and more like Tang Yue. Her big, round eyes and her beautiful oval face were a spitting image.
Whenever Si Yu saw Chenchen smile, he always felt a nostalgic sense of seeing young Tang Yue.
"Go inside and see what gift Dad brought for you." Si Yu patted her little face and watched as she happily went back to her room.
Then Si Yu turned to Zaozao and asked, "Zaozao."
"Dad, Chenchen is very obedient." Zaozao went into the room right after saying this. To Chenchen, Si Yu was a loving father, but to Zaozao, he was a strict one.
As for complaining about Chenchen?
No way, if he ever did, Si Yu would grab him by the ear and say, "You’re the brother, you should protect your sister and care for her. How can you complain about her?"
Zaozao understood this truth very early on.
"Mom, you’ve worked hard these days." Si Yu always respected Zhang Hualian.
"We’re family, no need to worry about it," Zhang Hualian said when she saw her son-in-law had returned. She quickly added, "Xiao Yue, I’ll head home then, your dad’s been busy at the store these days."
"Mom, stay for dinner tonight?" Tang Yue suggested.
On her way out, Zhang Hualian declined, "No need, you all have dinner yourselves. We’ll enjoy a few quiet days."
"A girl shouldn’t be too timid, or she’ll be bullied, right?" Si Yu, smiling, placated Tang Yue. "What shall we have for dinner? How about hot pot?"
Your girl’s fine as long as she doesn’t bully others.
Tang Yue thought to herself, and when she heard hot pot, her eyes lit up. It hadn’t been enjoyed yet this autumn.
With smooth teamwork, the couple quickly bought ingredients and prepared the lamb hot pot. As darkness fell outside, the steaming lamb hot pot was ready on the table indoors.
The family of four sat around the lamb hot pot. Under the light, smiles were shared. Even without hearing them speak, just observing their smiling faces, one could feel a warm and simple happiness.
"Eat more." Si Yu served ample lamb, one moment sharing with Tang Yue, the next with Chenchen, and then adding more vegetables to the pot, busy and delighted.
Zaozao watched this scene, long accustomed to it. In their family, Mom and sister were the ones most in need of protection.
"Zaozao, you eat more too. Have you lost some weight recently?" Tang Yue looked after Zaozao. In her family, unlike others who favored boys over girls, girls were prioritized. Chenchen got far more attention than Zaozao.
Sometimes Tang Yue felt guilty toward their son.
"Mom, I’m not skinny, you eat more." Zaozao was very sensible, gently taught by Si Yu, he had a natural awareness of being a man.
"Brother, eat this."
Chenchen passed a big piece of meat to Zaozao, beaming at him, grateful he didn’t expose her.
"See, how harmonious they are as siblings." Si Yu was full of pride, with a beautiful wife and well-behaved children. Yet, thinking of soon going to the Meng Family, his expression darkened slightly.
Si Yu took the initiative to clear the dishes. He said, "Xiao Yue, tomorrow, Dad and Mom want us to join them for lunch."

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