Two o’clock in the morning, in the south-facing bedroom on the second floor of the villa.
Lu Yu was fast asleep when he suddenly felt his breathing become a bit labored. He woke up in a daze, turned on the nightlight, and saw a little figure sprawled across his chest.
Yesterday, Lu Xun had insisted on sleeping with him. Unable to refuse the boy, Lu Yu had finally relented. Fortunately, Lu Xun was a relatively well-behaved sleeper. Lu Yu had watched him for over an hour without seeing him toss or turn before finally feeling at ease enough to fall asleep himself.
He hadn't expected to be woken up in the middle of the night by the boy's weight.
Lu Yu gently moved the little one back to his side of the bed. Just as he was settling back down and trying to drift off again, Lu Xun pressed close once more.
Lu Yu moved him again, but as his palm accidentally brushed against Lu Xun’s bottom, he felt a sudden dampness.
He immediately realized something was wrong. Moving Lu Xun aside, he saw that the bedding was indeed soaked.
He sighed helplessly.
It wasn't a good time to call the nanny to change the sheets, and he didn't feel like making a fuss. He found a pair of clean pants for Lu Xun, changed him, and simply decided to sleep in Lu Xun's own room for the rest of the night.
At six-thirty in the morning, Lu Xun’s biological clock woke him up right on time.
He rubbed his eyes and looked at his familiar bed, feeling a bit dazed.
Hadn't he slept with his big brother yesterday? Why was he back in his own room?
While he was wondering, he turned his head and saw his brother sleeping beside him, and he smiled again.
He leaned down and gave his brother a big smooch on the cheek, then slid out of bed and instinctively went to find his mother.
He reached her bedroom door and was about to knock when he remembered something. Mommy had said he was a big boy now, that he should take care of himself when he woke up, and that he couldn't come and wake her up in the morning.
After a few seconds of internal struggle, he pulled his hand back.
He had to do what he promised Mommy, otherwise, she would be angry.
Lu Xun turned and went to the bathroom. Stepping onto his little stool, he brushed his teeth and washed his face, then drove his toy car out to the garden.
At seven in the morning, Lu Yu was woken up by his alarm.
Looking at the unfamiliar room, he was confused for a moment before remembering what had happened last night. He gave a helpless smile and got up to wash.
When he went downstairs, he happened to run into Shu Qingqing.
"Huh? Weren't you two sleeping in your room yesterday?" Shu Qingqing asked.
Lu Yu pointed toward his room. "There was a bed-wetting incident last night."
Shu Qingqing: ...
"You've had a hard time." Shu Qingqing patted his shoulder in a show of sympathy. After a moment of thought, she added, "I'll have the nanny change your bedding in a bit. Don't keep the dirty ones. Oh, and—"
The second-floor window offered a perfect view of the garden. Lu Xun was currently operating his little toy excavator, diligently helping the gardener dig up soil.
Shu Qingqing pointed toward the window. "Don't mention this to Lu Xun. I'll have the nanny change the sheets quietly. The little brat is growing up; he cares about his dignity."
Recalling how Lu Xun had refused to follow Shu Qingqing into the women's restroom at the amusement park yesterday, Lu Yu curled his lips into a smile. "I know."
Lu Bochuang watched the two of them chatting as they came downstairs, his eyes flickering slightly.
The breakfast table was the same as usual. The three adults occasionally exchanged a few words, while Lu Xun focused intently on his food, barely speaking.
Normally, he would have another breakfast after arriving at kindergarten, so Lu Xun only ate until he was about half-full at home. Seeing that he was almost finished, Shu Qingqing urged him as usual to go get his backpack.
Lu Xun put down his spoon with lingering desire and went to find his little backpack.
Seeing him grab the bag, Shu Qingqing stood up to leave, only to see Lu Bochuang stand up as well.
"I'll drop you off today," Lu Bochuang said, then looked at the other side of the table. "Lu Yu, hurry up. You’re coming with us."
Shu Qingqing watched in silence.
Was Lu Bochuang suddenly realizing his negligence because of what happened yesterday and planning to make up for it with some fatherly love?
That was fine; it was a good thing.
Shu Qingqing accepted it easily, and Lu Yu was only surprised for a fleeting moment before standing up to get his own bag.
The happiest person was undoubtedly Lu Xun. Knowing that three people were going to see him off to kindergarten today, he was dancing with joy the entire way.
Lu Bochuang drove personally. Shu Qingqing originally intended to sit in the back with Lu Xun, but Lu Xun insisted on sitting with his brother, so she had to take the passenger seat.
Lu Xun’s kindergarten was very close, only a five-minute drive, so Lu Bochuang dropped him off first.
When the car pulled up to the kindergarten, the teachers on duty were already at the gate greeting the children.
But Lu Xun was in no hurry to go inside.
He held Lu Yu’s hand and greeted every child passing by. "Good morning, Tiantian! My Daddy, Mommy, and brother all came to drop me off at kindergarten today."
"Pangpang, this is my brother. My whole family came to drop me off today."
"Xiaoting, why did your grandma bring you? Today my Daddy, Mommy, and brother all came to drop me off."
Shu Qingqing found it funny, but she also felt a twinge of heartache.
A child’s world was very simple. He just wanted his family to be together happily and to drop him off at school every day.
Lu Xun was busy as a bee and drew quite a bit of attention. Soon, some parents noticed Lu Bochuang. They hurriedly handed their children over to the teachers and jogged over to exchange pleasantries.
To their surprise, Lu Bochuang didn't give them any face. "I'm sorry, I'm just here to drop my child off at school today. I'm not talking about work."
The crowd had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
After finally getting Lu Xun inside, the two of them continued on to drop off Lu Yu.
Without Lu Xun’s constant chatter, the ride was quiet. No one spoke until they reached the school gate.
Lu Yu grabbed his backpack and said his goodbyes, ready to leave.
Shu Qingqing got out of the car and tucked a candy into his backpack. "Behave yourself at school and don't fight with your classmates."
These were clearly the same words she had just said to Lu Xun. He wasn't a little kid anymore.
Lu Yu turned his face away awkwardly, but his eyes felt warm.
He had never known his mother since he was a child, and his father was always busy with work. Most of the time, it was the driver who took him to school.
So this was what it felt like to have both parents drop you off.
Lu Yu gave a muffled grunt of agreement and nodded.
Shu Qingqing poked Lu Bochuang. "You say something too."
Lu Bochuang looked over hesitantly and leaned in, whispering to her, "...I'm not very good at this."
"Just say anything."
Lu Bochuang sighed helplessly. In the end, he walked over and patted Lu Yu on the head. "Study hard."
The two of them stood at the school gate, watching Lu Yu's silhouette grow smaller.
"Xiao Shu, thank you."
"I accept the thanks, but can you change how you address me?"
"Change the... address?" Lu Bochuang was debating between "Qingqing" and "Wife," but then he heard Shu Qingqing speak.
"Xiao Shu, Xiao Shu... every time I hear you call me that, I feel like there's a generational gap. It's really jarring. Are you old-fashioned men all so incapable of being flexible? If you can't think of anything else, why don't you try calling me Xiao Qing?"
Old-fashioned... old man?
Lu Bochuang was silent for a few seconds. "Do you think... I'm a bit old?"
Of course you're old, you're ten years older than me. When I was still babbling in kindergarten, you were practically starting university.
"Not old, not at all... I mean, you're more mature and steady, not like you're some calculating old... no..."
Seeing that the more she spoke, the worse it got, Shu Qingqing simply let it rip. "What I mean is, you don't need to care about age. Besides, even though you're thirty-eight, you look like you're only in your early thirties. Be good, we don't need to compare ourselves to those 'fresh meat' idols."
Lu Bochuang didn't say another word and silently pulled out his phone.
A few seconds later, Zhou Zheng, who had just arrived at the office, received a message—
[Boss: Prepare a set of gym equipment in the lounge.]
