Bai Le told Xi Yan about it, and the two discussed it and decided to take Mu Mu to get tested. The final test results were indeed similar to what the teacher had expected. The doctor suggested that Mu Mu could attend kindergarten for a while first to observe whether he could adapt to the new environment before deciding on the next steps.
After Mu Mu transferred to the senior class, he looked forward to going to school even more than before. He's grown up and doesn't cling to people as much anymore. On the contrary, Xixi can't live without people and always cries whenever she's separated from them.
Bai Le felt a pang of sadness as he recalled how Mu Mu used to cling to him when she was little.
As winter deepened and temperatures began to drop, Mu Mu officially turned four. The family of four decided to go out to celebrate her birthday. Bai Le didn't want to celebrate his own birthday; he only planned to celebrate for Mu Mu.
Instead of throwing a grand banquet for their guests, they planned to stay at a restaurant. It wasn't a fancy, expensive place, but rather a typical mid-range roadside restaurant that was packed with people. Because it was peak dining time, there weren't any private rooms available when they arrived.
However, this restaurant had Mu Mu's favorite dishes, so Xi Yan and Bai Le didn't say much.
Mu Mu was wearing a light blue sweatshirt and a panda hat. Her face was round and chubby, fair and tender, and her eyes were very beautiful. She was so adorable that it was impossible not to feel happy at first glance.
"So cute." Several female students nearby couldn't help but tease him when they saw him.
Mu Mu then flashed his signature smile at them. Seeing how bright and unfazed he was, the female students liked him even more, and one of them even took out her phone.
"Can I take a picture with the children?" she asked the parent next to her.
Xi Yan remained indifferent and did not answer her, but Bai Le replied with a smile, "Sure, if Mu Mu is willing."
Mu Mu was naturally willing, and despite being squeezed in the middle by several female students, her smile was radiant.
The female students lingered after taking photos, and one of them took a bag of candy from her bag and gave it to Mu Mu. Mu Mu wanted to refuse, but for some reason, she accepted it with a smile.
"Little sister, here's some candy."
Bai Le, who was holding Xixi, was taken aback when he heard this. He looked at Mu Mu with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "If your little sister can't eat the candy, Mu Mu can eat it herself."
Mu Mu lowered her eyes in disappointment. "Oh, I guess I won't eat it then."
Xi Yan ruffled his hair. "Xixi is still little. When she grows up, she can eat the candy you give her, and she'll call you 'brother'."
Mu Mu perked up again, and upon hearing the second half of his sentence, she clenched her little fists with joy.
"I'm a big brother now!"
After the food was served, Xi Yan answered a phone call. Bai Le asked curiously, "Whose call was it?"
Xi Yan looked up at him. "My grandfather."
He frowned slightly after answering the phone. The noise of the surrounding crowd made it impossible for him to hear what was being said on the other end. So he gestured and walked outside.
Mu Mu had only been eating for a short while when she tugged at Bai Le's sleeve, saying she needed to go to the restroom. Xixi couldn't be left alone; she would cry if he let go. So Bai Le had no choice but to leave with the two of them. Afraid that Xi Yan wouldn't know, he sent him another message.
After coming out of the restroom, Bai Le immediately spotted Xi Yan in the lobby. He was still sitting in the same spot, and his appearance and attire made him stand out in the room.
When Bai Le walked over, he found that the girls who had been sitting at the back of the table had been replaced by several young women dressed in a mature and sophisticated manner, who were excitedly whispering about something.
"So handsome! Who wants to get his contact information?"
"But he can't possibly come out to eat alone, can he? Look, there are other bowls and chopsticks on the table. What if he's with his girlfriend?"
"Don't worry. I counted, there's more than one set of chopsticks and a bowl on the table besides him, so it definitely can't be his girlfriend. He's probably meeting up with his friends."
The reasoning seemed reasonable. Bai Le raised the corners of his mouth, then brushed past them and sat down directly in front of Xi Yan.
"Have you been waiting long?"
The female voices behind him stopped abruptly. Bai Le turned around and met their flustered gazes, then winked at them.
Xi Yan took in the whole scene and found it somewhat amusing, but seeing Bai Le's happiness, she didn't say anything more.
"Drink this, that's cold." Xi Yan poured Bai Le a cup of hot tea and pushed it in front of him.
Bai Le picked up the glass, took a sip, then leaned closer and whispered, "Not bad, you're even more charming than me."
He felt uneasy, though he didn't know why.
Xi Yan paused for a moment, then narrowed his eyes slightly and calmly assessed, "You're jealous."
Bai Le pursed his lips, snorted, and said nothing.
A faint smile appeared in Xi Yan's eyes, "I like it when you're jealous of me."
Bai Le blushed slightly, but still snorted and didn't look at him.
After finishing their meal and leaving the restaurant, Bai Le carried Xixi while Xi Yan held Mu Mu. The family of four walked along the embankment. On the lawn not far away, several children were setting off fireworks, creating a festive atmosphere for the New Year.
Xixi was sleeping soundly, her cheeks were rosy, and she was sucking on her pacifier with drool dripping from her mouth.
Bai Le noticed and carefully wiped it for her.
Xi Yan's gaze fell on the fireworks people were setting off on the lawn. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his dark eyes reflected the dancing fireworks in the children's hands. It was unclear what he was thinking.
"It was the same that year."
"Which year?" Bai Le asked, puzzled.
Xi Yan turned her head and her gaze fell on him, her eyes filled with deep emotions.
"At the fireworks display."
Bai Le paused, recalling that it was when they went to Japan that year that they participated in a local festival, where he gave Xi Yan. If he remembered correctly, it was after that that Xi Yan's attitude towards him began to change.
It feels like just yesterday, but now it feels like a lifetime ago. I never imagined he would be with Xi Yan and have a child with her.