Chapter 713: A Hint of Earnestness Flas.h.i.+ng in His Eyes as He Tried to Appear Unfl.u.s.tered
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Fu Tianci’s gaze turned back onto Tuan Tuan. Seeing Tuan Tuan’s clear gaze and that the boy’s increasingly obvious Adam’s apple had rolled a little, a subtle and warm wave ran through his heart.
Lin Nuan changed her clothes and got a set of home clothes for Fu Tianci, leaving them in the guest room. When she came down, she saw Fu Huai’an lowering his head and looking furiously at Fu Tianci. Lin Nuan didn’t know what Fu Huai’an was saying to Fu Tianci, but she saw Fu Tianci turning his head to the side with reddened eyes.
Seeing Lin Nuan coming down, Fu Huai’an looked up and asked, “Can we set off now?”
Lin Nuan nodded, tidied her collar, and said to Fu Tianci, “I’ve left a set of clothes in the guest room. Remember to have lunch. If you don’t want to order food, there are ingredients in the fridge. You can cook for yourself.”
Fu Tianci’s fists tightened slightly, and he replied a little impatiently, “I got it, I got it!”
Seeing Fu Tianci acting like this, Fu Huai’an frowned. His alluring voice came out slowly, but it contained a hint of obvious fury that unconsciously pressed down on one’s nerves…
“Fu Tianci, you aren’t a kid who is the same age as Tuan Tuan. Is it hard to say thank you in return to someone’s kind intentions?” Fu Huai’an’s deep voice spoke out slowly.
Fu Tianci’s eyes reddened from the reprimand, and his eyes lowered even more. He stuck his hands into his pockets and said, “Thank you…”
Lin Nuan knew that this was what Fu Tianci’s character was like, and she wasn’t too concerned to begin with. She looked toward Fu Huai’an, whose hands were in his pocket and whose suit was unb.u.t.toned. She then said, “You’re welcome!”
Fu Tianci stood between the dining hall and the entryway, watching as Lin Nuan smiled and squatted down to help Tuan Tuan put on his down jacket. He felt a little envious.
Fu Tianci had no idea why his life turned out like this. In the past, his mother had also doted on him. He remembered when he was young, only slightly older than Tuan Tuan. Although they weren’t living a good life, when they headed out during the winter, if it was snowing, his mother would also do the same—squat down in front of him and gently help him put on his down jacket.
Ever since Lu Tianyu became Fu Tianci, his mother’s gentle smiles were all directed to his father.
Seeing that Fu Huai’an was holding up Lin Nuan’s down jacket and letting her insert her arms, Fu Tianci’s fists clenched up. He said, feeling a little embarra.s.sed, “Can I go along?”
Fu Huai’an and Lin Nuan’s gazes both turned toward Fu Tianci, and his ears turned red. “It’s fine if I can’t. I just feel that it’s a little boring to be staying in Tianfu Bay by myself!”
Fu Tianci’s hands, which were stuck in his pockets, tightened. Although he appeared very calm, he was still feeling a little nervous. In fact, he was terrified of being rejected.
Fu Huai’an took a look at his watch and felt that there was still enough time. He said, “Is ten minutes enough time for you to take a shower?”
Upon hearing that, Fu Tianci’s fists immediately loosened up. There was already a faint layer of sweat on his palms.
“It’s enough!” Fu Tianci’s voice sounded very cheerful, and he turned to head upstairs.
“I’ll go and get Fu Tianci a set of your sportswear…”
“Some of Fu Tianci’s clothes are in the guest room!” Fu Huai’an smiled and said to Lin Nuan.
Lin Nuan was rendered speechless.
Why didn’t he say that earlier? She had gone through so much effort before she found a set of clothes that she felt Fu Tianci could wear.
Fu Tianci took his shower very quickly. Within ten minutes, he had already changed his clothes and returned downstairs.
Right now, Fu Tianci was that refreshed and handsome young man, clean and good-looking.
Tuan Tuan, who had taken off his down jacket, leaned his soft body against Lin Nuan, appearing as if he was going to fall asleep.
Tuan Tuan was a child, after all. He had woken up too early that morning, excited that they were going to Jincheng to look for Grandpa Blessing and Grandma Blessing. Now, his eyelids were drooping down heavily, and his head kept on nodding like a chicken pecking grains.
Lin Nuan gently put Tuan Tuan’s down jacket onto him, and the child’s chubby hands rubbed his eyes. A faint layer of tears moistened his eyelashes. “Setting off?”
Lin Nuan squatted in front of the sofa and b.u.t.toned up Tuan Tuan’s jacket, smiling. Her gaze was filled with gentleness. “En! We’ll be setting off! If Tuan Tuan is tired, you can rest on Mama’s shoulder and have a nap. Mama will wake you up when we’ve reached Grandpa Blessing and Grandma Blessing’s house in Jincheng! Our Tuan Tuan will then be energized and can play with Grandpa Blessing and Grandma Blessing!”
Tuan Tuan nodded, appearing very sleepy.
Originally, there would have been just enough s.p.a.ce for them to pick up Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing if Fu Huai’an were to drive there.
Since Fu Tianci was going, Fu Huai’an asked Little Lu to drive as well, following behind them.
Little Lu had thought that Fu Tianci was going to ride in the car he drove. He hadn’t expected that after Lin Nuan and Tuan Tuan got into the car, Fu Tianci naturally opened the door to the front pa.s.senger seat of Fu Huai’an’s car and entered.
Left alone, Little Lu was rendered speechless.
In the car, Lin Nuan held the sleepy Tuan Tuan in her arms. It was only when the temperature in the car rose that she slowly removed his jacket.
Lin Nuan was well-prepared for the trip. She brought along a small blanket for Tuan Tuan. Now that he was asleep, she placed him in the child safety seat, adjusted the angle, and covered him with the blanket.
Fu Huai’an looked in the rearview mirror and intentionally lowered his volume as he said, “He’s asleep…”
“En!” Lin Nuan’s arms were a little sore from carrying Tuan Tuan. She rubbed them, then brought out a water bottle from the bag she had with her, asking, “Do the two of you want to drink hot water?”
Fu Tianci didn’t say a word and glanced in Fu Huai’an’s direction. Fu Huai’an smiled and asked him, “Do you want a drink?”
Fu Tianci turned and looked back to the front, but then couldn’t hold back the urge to look at Lin Nuan through the rearview mirror and nod. After a moment of silence, he recalled Fu Huai’an’s words at the entryway, the words about saying thank you to people’s kind intentions. Therefore, his lips moved a little, and he said in a very soft voice, “Thank you…”
Lin Nuan smiled. Fearing that the car’s movements would spill the water, she filled a cup halfway with hot water and handed it to Fu Tianci.
Fu Tianci had no idea why he suddenly wanted to follow Fu Huai’an and Lin Nuan to Jincheng. It was as if… he felt more at ease with them around.
“Have you informed Secretary Song?” Fu Huai’an suddenly asked Fu Tianci.
Fu Tianci held onto the cup of hot water and nodded. “I gave Secretary Song a call when I headed upstairs to take a shower. I also told him that I was going to go to Jincheng with the two of you. After we come back, I plan on staying at Tianfu Bay until your wedding is over.”
Fu Huai’an nodded.
Secretary Song was an intelligent man, so he should know how to explain things to Fu Qingquan.
They drove all the way to Jincheng, and Fu Tianci fell asleep in the front pa.s.senger seat.
Lin Nuan had wanted to swap with Fu Huai’an and drive, but Fu Huai’an had only swapped with her after they had entered Jincheng’s city area.
Just before they arrived in Jincheng, it had already started to snow. When they arrived in Jincheng… the snow was already falling heavily.
Jincheng had been through a few days of heavy snow, and the place was now covered in snow. All the streets and display windows were decorated with red Christmas decor, and the streets were filled with the joyful sounds of pa.s.sersby with kids.
The Christmas atmosphere had gotten stronger as Christmas Day got closer. There were the sounds of Christmas songs and jingling bells everywhere.
There were even shops that let their employees dress up as Santa Claus to take photos with pa.s.sersby in the sleighs placed outside. Many people queued up while carrying their children to have their pictures taken with Santa Claus in the snow. They would also be able to get a Christmas gift.
Due to the snow, the cars on the road were moving very slowly, and Lin Nuan was also very cautious when she drove.
Fu Tianci’s neck was aching from sleeping in the front pa.s.senger seat. When he rubbed his neck and opened his eyes, he saw that the one in the driver’s seat was now Lin Nuan. He turned and saw Fu Huai’an sitting in the back. He had one hand resting on Tuan Tuan and patting him gently, while the other hand was holding his phone and checking through his emails.
Fu Tianci moved his neck around a little and then turned to look out of the car window. “We’re already in Jincheng!”
Although Lin Nuan was unfamiliar with the way to the Osmanthus Dock, everything went quite smoothly with her following the GPS. It might have been because it was snowing and there were fewer cars on the road.
Lin Nuan drove slowly to the Osmanthus Dock, but she wasn’t able to drive into the small alleyway to the place where Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing were staying.
It wasn’t because her driving skills were bad, but because there was a car parked outside the entryway to the Osmanthus Dock. The entryway wasn’t big to begin with, and it wasn’t possible for Lin Nuan to drive over with the car parked there.
“D*mn, who’s so inconsiderate to park their car here?” Fu Tianci couldn’t help but roll his eyes at that car.
Little Lu parked at the side, then ran over to check out the situation. He a.s.sessed the car that was blocking the entryway, then knocked on the car window and said to Lin Nuan, “Madam, our cars probably won’t be able to pa.s.s through with this Bentley Mulsanne parked here. Why don’t we park our cars outside and walk in?”
Bentley Mulsanne?
Why would such an expensive car appear at the Osmanthus Dock at this season?
Lin Nuan turned and looked toward Fu Huai’an, who glanced at the car and said, “Let’s walk over!”
Lin Nuan parked the car while Fu Huai’an woke Tuan Tuan up and helped him put on his down jacket. He also pulled up the jacket’s hood before carrying him out of the car.
A snowflake landed on Tuan Tuan’s nose, causing him to sneeze uncontrollably.
Little Lu and Lin Nuan carried the things they brought for Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing. Seeing this, Fu Tianci took the stuff from Lin Nuan’s hands without saying a word, then headed inside.
After closing the trunk, Little Lu called out, “Tianci, do you know which way to go?”
“It’s definitely right to head in first…” Fu Tianci was unwilling to admit that he was embarra.s.sed. He held the things in one hand and had the other hand in his pocket, acting cool.
Tuan Tuan’s large and bright eyes looked at Fu Tianci’s back view, although the snow quickly attracted his attention. He put out his small hand and wanted to catch a snowflake, but it immediately melted upon reaching his hand.
“Let’s go!” Lin Nuan hooked her arm around Fu Huai’an’s, tiptoed to tidy Tuan Tuan’s hood, then smiled.
Lin Nuan and Fu Huai’an would never have expected that they would see Fu Huai’an’s biological father, Jiang Chengyuan, at Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing’s place.
Fu Huai’an carried Tuan Tuan, with Lin Nuan and Fu Tianci, who was carrying things, standing alongside him. Little Lu stood behind them with things in his hands as well.
Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing knew that Tuan Tuan would be coming today. When they heard the sound of the doorbell, they ran over to the door.
The moment the door opened, Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing quickly put out their hands to carry the cute Tuan Tuan, who was in Fu Huai’an’s arms. Lin Nuan saw Jiang Chengyuan coming out at first glance.
Lin Nuan was stunned.
How did Fu Huai’an’s biological father know that Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing were there?
While they were walking there, Lin Nuan had already told Tuan Tuan that if Grandpa Blessing and Grandma Blessing wanted to carry him, he must be good and let them. It was because the two of them really liked Tuan Tuan.
Tuan Tuan was very good, and since Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing wanted to carry him, he put out his arms and let them.
Lin Nuan turned to look at Fu Huai’an. She saw that after Fu Huai’an pa.s.sed Tuan Tuan to Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing, his gaze also looked in Jiang Chengyuan’s direction.
Jiang Chengyuan’s gaze seemed to be glued on Tuan Tuan, and his two hands were clenched into fists by his sides. He looked at Tuan Tuan without blinking, eyes reddened, but he was still restraining himself and didn’t dare to get close.
“Uncle Blessing… you have guests?” Fu Huai’an drew back his gaze and smiled at Uncle Blessing, his deep voice sounding gentle.
Aunt Blessing, who was carrying Tuan Tuan, was stunned and felt a little perplexed. Wasn’t that Fu Huai’an’s father? Why did he appear as if he didn’t know him?
Uncle Blessing and Aunt Blessing turned to glance at Jiang Chengyuan…
Tuan Tuan, who was in Aunt Blessing’s arms, wrapped one arm around her neck. He straightened his body and also turned to look at Jiang Chengyuan. The down jacket’s hood was overly big, and it hid Tuan Tuan’s small face, covering up half of his vision as well.
When Jiang Chengyuan saw that the small figure in Aunt Blessing’s arms had turned over, he couldn’t help but walk over. However, he met Fu Huai’an’s gaze and was afraid that Fu Huai’an would mind, so he stopped. He just stood there in the courtyard, not moving.
Fu Tianci’s brows raised. He felt that Jiang Chengyuan’s gaze seemed a little weird when he looked at Tuan Tuan.
“Why don’t I see Little Blessing?” Lin Nuan smiled and broke the awkward atmosphere.
“With Tuan Tuan coming today, I sent Little Blessing to the pet shop for a bath! It’s just at the alley’s entrance… Little Blessing will come back by itself when it has had its bath!” Uncle Blessing smiled and said.
“Who is this lad? He’s so handsome!” Uncle Blessing looked at Fu Tianci, who was standing next to Lin Nuan, and asked, smiling, “Is this Lin Nuan’s younger brother?”
Uncle Blessing had met Little Lu before and thus knew him. However, this was the first time Fu Tianci had visited, and since neither Fu Huai’an nor Lin Nuan had taken the initiative to introduce him, Uncle Blessing would naturally ask.
Upon hearing this, Fu Tianci’s ears instantly flushed, and he turned to look at the plants in the courtyard, not saying a word.
Lin Nuan was at a loss for how she should introduce Fu Tianci. Based on their seniority… Fu Tianci was Fu Huai’an’s uncle, so he was also considered her uncle.
“Let’s go in first! We’ll talk after going in! Don’t just stand at the door!” Aunt Blessing carried Tuan Tuan and said to Uncle Blessing, “It’s so cold outside! The child can warm up after entering! I’ve cooked some fermented rice with eggs and have it warming up on the stove. Let the kids come in, have a bowl of it, and warm up before we talk!”
“Alright, alright, alright! Let’s go in first, let’s go in first!” Uncle Blessing quickly said to them.
Lin Nuan smiled and nodded. “Alright!”
Aunt Blessing walked in, carrying Tuan Tuan, while saying, “Our little precious must be freezing!”
Tuan Tuan’s small face was hidden in the down jacket’s oversized hood, his eyes appearing big and bright. He looked even more beautiful than the drawing Jiang Chengyuan had seen on the variety show! He looked so tender and adorable that it made one want to hug him tightly and kiss him.
Jiang Chengyuan’s throat rolled, and he saw the child’s eyes, which were like black grapes, looking toward him. He almost couldn’t hold back his tears and wanted to head up to hug the child.
Tuan Tuan looked really cute. His features inherited all the strong points of Lu Xiangsi and Jiang Ming’an…
He looked very much like Lu Xiangsi when she was young, as well as Jiang Ming’an when he was young!
Jiang Chengyuan was about to follow behind Aunt Blessing when he saw Fu Huai’an and the others entering. He stopped in his steps and looked toward Fu Huai’an, a hint of earnestness flas.h.i.+ng in his eyes as he tried to appear unfl.u.s.tered.