Adopted and Moving into a New Home

Fu Yanzhi and Bo Qing had just returned to the hospital when they saw several children gathered on the bed, looking at Wen Shiming's phone. Only when the ward door opened did the little ones turn toward it. Seeing that their eldest and second brothers had come in, Huanhuan and Xingxing immediately jumped off the bed and ran toward Fu Yanzhi and Bo Qing.

Fu Yanzhi and Bo Qing caught one child each. When Kong Fanyue turned around, the younger brothers beside him had both run into their older brothers' arms. Seeing Yueyue's disappointed little expression, Wen Shiming gathered him into his arms.

Li Huanhuan, whom Fu Yanzhi had picked up, said, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, where did you go? When I woke up, you were gone."

Fu Yanzhi smiled and replied, "Second Brother and I went to look at a house. We'll have a home from now on. Get dressed in a little while, and I'll take you all out for something delicious."

When Kong Fanxing heard they were going out for good food, he wriggled back and forth in Bo Qing's arms. "Hooray, we're getting something delicious!"

Bo Qing said sternly, "Xingxing, if you keep moving, you'll fall."

Hearing that he might fall, Kong Fanxing immediately grabbed Bo Qing around the neck and said pitifully, "Second Brother, don't drop Xingxing. My bottom will hurt if I fall."

Bo Qing smiled. "Xingxing, are you afraid of pain? Then hold still. All right, go get dressed."

Fu Yanzhi and Bo Qing set Xingxing and Huanhuan down and told them to change. Meanwhile, Wen Shiming helped Yueyue get dressed, then went to change his own clothes.

Fu Yanzhi looked at Kong Fanyue. The boy wore blue jeans that tapered slightly around his slender ankles, with a loosely fastened belt curving across the back of his waist. He looked like a handsome young boy who had just stepped out of a comic, with an aloof air like a little domineering CEO.

Fu Yanzhi teased, "Wow, whose handsome little boy is this? So handsome!"

Kong Fanyue thought he must be talking about someone else. He wasn't as cute and lively as his two younger brothers, so Eldest Brother had rarely paid him much attention before.

When Kong Fanyue didn't respond, Fu Yanzhi thought he might be angry because he hadn't hugged him when he came back. Fu Yanzhi walked over and picked him up. Before Kong Fanyue had recovered from suddenly being lifted into the air, a kiss landed on his cheek.

Looking at Yueyue in his arms, Fu Yanzhi said, "Yueyue, are you angry with me because I didn't hug you when I came back? I'm sorry."

Kong Fanyue looked at his eldest brother in surprise. "No, Eldest Brother, I'm not angry with you."

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "That's great. Since you're not angry, how about I hug you first whenever I come home from now on?"

Kong Fanyue brightened at Fu Yanzhi's words. "Really?" But after a moment's thought, he said, "Actually, don't. Hug Xingxing and Huanhuan first. They're still little."

Fu Yanzhi remembered that, in the original owner's memories, Kong Fanyue always gave the good things to his younger brothers and wanted nothing for himself. His heart ached as he said, "But you're a child too, Yueyue. With me, you don't have to learn things like 'the older ones must always give way to the younger ones.' I won't force you to do anything. You're still little, so you should be playing happily. Leave the rest to me."

Kong Fanyue thought about his eldest brother's words. They were different from what Grandma at the orphanage had taught him. So I can play happily like my younger brothers when I'm with Eldest Brother too. After thinking for a while, Yueyue buried his head in Fu Yanzhi's chest.

Fu Yanzhi looked at Yueyue, who stayed silent in his arms. Before long, he felt his chest growing damp, and he patted Kong Fanyue's back.

Fu Yanzhi comforted him. "There, Yueyue, don't cry. If you keep crying, you'll turn ugly. I'm extremely picky about looks, you know. I don't like ugly children."

After crying in Fu Yanzhi's arms for a while, Kong Fanyue wiped his eyes and looked up at him.

Kong Fanyue said aggrievedly, "Eldest Brother, I wasn't crying just now. I just got sand in my eyes. I won't turn ugly."

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "Mm, you won't. My little brothers are the best-looking."

After that little interlude, everyone else had finished getting dressed. Kong Fanxing and Kong Fanyue wore matching outfits, but the two gave off different impressions in them. Kong Fanxing looked a little more lively and cute.

Just then, Wen Shiming came out from the inner room, having changed his clothes. Seeing Fu Yanzhi holding Kong Fanyue, he teased, "Oh, you're really spoiling Yueyue, aren't you?"

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "Of course. We have to spoil all our little brothers."

Once everyone was ready, the group left the ward in a lively bustle. At the hospital entrance, Fu Yanzhi hailed two taxis, and they went to the restaurant he had booked earlier with Qiao Shuyan.

When they arrived, Qiao Shuyan was already waiting at the entrance. He saw them and came over with a smile. "Xiaozhi, you're here! Come on in."

The private dining room was cozy and elegantly decorated. Dish after dish was brought out, all foods children loved. Kong Fanxing's eyes sparkled, and he cheered, "So much yummy food!" He couldn't wait to pick up his chopsticks.

Li Huanhuan ate with his cheeks puffed out like a cute little hamster. Kong Fanyue was a little reserved at first, but after Fu Yanzhi coaxed him, he tucked in freely too. Bo Qing carefully peeled shrimp and removed fish bones for the children, while Wen Shiming ate silently at the side.

Watching the happy scene, Qiao Shuyan smiled and said to Fu Yanzhi, "Look how happily they're eating. Your little brothers are so cute."

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "I think my little brothers are very cute too. Oh, Sister Yan, why didn't Grandpa come?"

Qiao Shuyan replied, "My dad was originally clamoring to come today, but my uncle and the others came over, so he didn't make it. But it's all right. We live in the house right next door to yours. You'll see us when you move in tomorrow."

Fu Yanzhi nodded. "Oh, I see. I was wondering why Grandpa didn't come. My brothers and I have decided to move in tomorrow. We don't have much at the hospital, so it'll be a quick move."

Qiao Shuyan asked, "Xiaozhi, if you need any help tomorrow, just tell me. There's no need to be polite with me."

Fu Yanzhi raised his glass to Qiao Shuyan. "Thank you, Sister Yan. You've already helped us so much. I'm too young to drink, so let me toast you with this water."

Qiao Shuyan smiled and picked up the glass beside her. "Why are you being so polite with me?"

After they clinked glasses, Qiao Shuyan asked, "By the way, Xiaozhi, your brothers aren't so little anymore. Are they in school?"

Fu Yanzhi replied, "None of my brothers are in school right now. We met while we were with human traffickers, so I don't have their household registrations. And my brothers are orphans, but I'm not eighteen yet, so I can't adopt them. We don't want to be separated either, so I'm trying to find a way to get their household registrations."

Qiao Shuyan thought for a moment. "I have an idea, Xiaozhi, but I don't know if you'd agree."

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "It's all right, Sister Yan. Let's hear it."

Qiao Shuyan smiled and said, "Xiaozhi, I could adopt you all and be your adoptive parent. Once you're an adult, we can transfer your household registrations out. What do you think?"

After hearing her out, Fu Yanzhi fell into thought. He wanted to ask his younger brothers what they thought. He looked first at Bo Qing, who gave a slight nod.

Fu Yanzhi then looked at the children, who were eating happily, and cleared his throat. "Everyone, this sister says she can adopt us. I'm not old enough to adopt you yet, but once I'm an adult, we can transfer our household registrations out, and then I can adopt you. What do you think? If we don't do this, we won't have household registrations, and I won't be able to send you to school."

Li Huanhuan was the first to put down his chopsticks. His eyes sparkled as he said, "Eldest Brother, as long as I can stay with you all, I'm fine with anything."

Kong Fanxing nodded vigorously. "Eldest Brother, I'll do what you all decide too."

Kong Fanyue hesitated, then said quietly, "Eldest Brother, will this cause trouble for Sister?"

Qiao Shuyan smiled and patted Kong Fanyue's head. "No, it won't. I like you all very much."

Wen Shiming spoke up too. "I think it's a good idea. It'll solve the household registration problem and let us go to school."

Seeing that no one objected, Fu Yanzhi said gratefully to Qiao Shuyan, "Sister Yan, sorry to trouble you, then. We already troubled you so much with the house. I didn't expect to trouble you again tonight."

Qiao Shuyan waved a hand. "Why be so polite with me? We'll be one family from now on. I really like you all. My dad will be delighted when he finds out."

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "Sister Yan, if you're busy in the future, you can leave Grandpa with me. I can take care of him."

Qiao Shuyan looked at Fu Yanzhi. "That would be great. My dad doesn't want to be around a caregiver, so I've been worried about how to look after him."

Fu Yanzhi said, "It's all right, Sister Yan. If you're busy, just leave Grandpa with me."

After they ate a while longer, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, and the children were getting sleepy. They arranged a time with Qiao Shuyan, then said goodbye to her.

Fu Yanzhi picked up Kong Fanyue, had Bo Qing carry Kong Fanxing, and Wen Shiming carried Li Huanhuan. The group took taxis back to the hospital. On the way, the children gradually drifted off to sleep in their older brothers' arms.

Back at the hospital, Fu Yanzhi and the others quietly laid the children on the bed. Looking at their cute little faces as they slept, Fu Yanzhi felt warmth fill his heart. Life was getting better and better.

Early the next morning, Fu Yanzhi and the others began packing. There really wasn't much, and they were done in no time. Qiao Shuyan had a meeting that morning, so she sent her assistant with a car to help. Everyone loaded their things into the car and set off for their new home in a lively bustle.

When they arrived, the children grew excited at once and ran from room to room. Kong Fanxing pointed at a room on the second floor and shouted, "I want this one!"

Not to be outdone, Li Huanhuan said, "Then I want the one next to it!" Kong Fanyue quietly followed Fu Yanzhi, his eyes full of anticipation for their new life.

Watching Xingxing and Huanhuan compete over the rooms, Fu Yanzhi smiled. "Don't fight over them. Your second brother and I have already worked it out. There are five rooms altogether. Xingxing and Yueyue can have the biggest one on the second floor, Huanhuan can have the one on the left, and Second Brother can have the one on the right. Third Brother and I will stay on the third floor. How does that sound?"

Everyone looked at their eldest brother and nodded. "That's fine, Eldest Brother," they said in unison.

Meanwhile, the assistant helped everyone get their things settled, then smiled at Fu Yanzhi. "The boss said you can come to her anytime if you have a problem."

Fu Yanzhi nodded gratefully. "Then please thank Sister Yan for me, and thank you for your help today too. If you're not busy, I'll make lunch and we can eat together."

The assistant waved a hand. "No, thanks. I have other work to do, so I have to leave now that we're done here."

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "All right, then. I'll let you try my cooking when you have a chance."

The assistant nodded. "All right. I'll definitely try your cooking when I get the chance."

After the assistant left, Fu Yanzhi began showing his younger brothers around their new home. Wen Shiming took on the task of cleaning the rooms, while Bo Qing and Fu Yanzhi went to buy food and daily necessities. Kong Fanxing, Kong Fanyue, and Li Huanhuan cleaned the living room.

At noon, Fu Yanzhi tied on an apron and went into the kitchen to show off his skills. Before long, the table was laden with dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful. He had made four dishes: crispy sweet-and-sour pork, fish-fragrant shredded pork, cola chicken wings, and candied sweet potatoes. The children sat around the table, their eyes full of anticipation.

"Time to eat!" At Fu Yanzhi's call, everyone picked up their chopsticks. Li Huanhuan gave him a thumbs-up as he ate. "Eldest Brother, your cooking is so delicious!"

Bo Qing exclaimed, "I think your cooking is good enough to open a restaurant, Eldest Brother. It's already better than what you get at a lot of places."

After saying it was delicious, Wen Shiming ate in great mouthfuls.

Fu Yanzhi smiled, his eyes curving. "If you like it, eat plenty. Whenever you want it, I'll cook for you every day."

Kong Fanxing shouted, "Really? Long live Eldest Brother!"

Fu Yanzhi put a piece of red-braised pork in Kong Fanxing's bowl. "All right, Little Xingxing, eat up."

After the meal, everyone rested for a while, and Fu Yanzhi began considering his brothers' schooling. He spoke with System 127 for a while and had it search for suitable schools nearby. He planned to look into their admission requirements first.

Just then, Kong Fanyue came up to him and asked softly, "Eldest Brother, can Xingxing, Huanhuan, and I go to the same school and be in the same class?"

Fu Yanzhi thought for a moment. "Yes. I'll do my best to keep you together. Since none of you have been to school before, you'll start in first grade."

Just as Fu Yanzhi was about to contact the schools, his phone rang. It was Qiao Shuyan.

"Xiaozhi, I've already arranged the adoption," Qiao Shuyan said happily, her voice coming through the phone.

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "That's wonderful. Thank you, Sister Yan. Are you free tonight? I'd like you and Grandpa to try my cooking."

Qiao Shuyan laughed. "Hahaha, all right, Xiaozhi. I'll bring my dad over around eight tonight."

Fu Yanzhi replied, "All right, Sister Yan. We'll be waiting for you tonight."

After hanging up, Fu Yanzhi told his brothers the good news. The children all cheered when they heard it.

Fu Yanzhi then returned to contacting schools. He carefully screened the schools System 127 had given him, trying to find the most suitable one, and took careful notes on the documents needed for enrollment.

That afternoon, Bo Qing and Wen Shiming took the children to play around the residential compound and get familiar with their surroundings. Fu Yanzhi stayed home, making a list of ingredients for the evening meal with Qiao Shuyan and her father. Toward evening, Fu Yanzhi went back into the kitchen and carefully prepared new dishes.

At eight that evening, Qiao Shuyan and her father arrived on time. As soon as they came in, the children greeted them.

Qiao Jingxing was drawn to the children's cute faces. He tugged on Qiao Shuyan's hand and said, "Yanyan, there are so many children! Are they all my grandsons? That's wonderful!"

Qiao Shuyan smiled. "Mm, they're all your grandsons. You're a grandpa now. Are you happy?"

Qiao Jingxing nodded. "Happy! Where's my son, then? Where is he? Weren't you taking me to find him?"

Just then, Fu Yanzhi came out of the kitchen carrying a dish. The moment Qiao Jingxing saw him, he let go of Qiao Shuyan's hand and ran over. Before Qiao Shuyan could stop him, Qiao Jingxing grabbed Fu Yanzhi's arm.

Qiao Jingxing clung tightly to Fu Yanzhi's hand. "Son, I finally found you."

The children were at a loss at Qiao Jingxing's behavior. After setting the dish on the table, Fu Yanzhi took Qiao Jingxing's hand and said, "All right, Dad, shall we eat first?"

Qiao Jingxing nodded. "All right. I'll listen to my son. Let's eat."

Fu Yanzhi had made a table full of dishes. Sitting beside him, Qiao Jingxing took a bite of the food Fu Yanzhi had picked out for him and praised it endlessly. "Son, you're such a good cook. It's so delicious!"

After trying a meatball, Qiao Shuyan praised him too. "It's delicious! I didn't expect your cooking to be this good, Xiaozhi. Whoever ends up with you will be so happy they could die."

When the children heard Qiao Shuyan mention their eldest brother having a partner, they all turned to look at Fu Yanzhi, wanting to see what he would say.

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "Sister Yan, don't tease me. All I want is to take good care of my younger brothers. I don't plan on having a partner."

The children were deeply moved by their eldest brother's answer. Everyone sat together and finished the meal in a warm, lively atmosphere. They all ate a great deal, and Huanhuan's and Xingxing's little bellies were round and full.

After dinner, Qiao Shuyan discussed the next steps for the younger brothers' schooling with Fu Yanzhi, while Qiao Jingxing chatted happily with the children. The whole house was filled with happiness.