Every word and action of Fu Jingfan was an attempt to erase the barrier between him and Su Huaiming, and to draw the man to his side.
In front of Song Hanyu, Su Huaiming felt embarrassed to refuse and could only give a vague smile.
Song Hanyu personally led the way and took them to the best suite.
Su Huaiming and Fu Jingfan a room, with a view of the mountains from the window. A lounge separated them, and the butler and Fu Xiaoxiao's room was next to it.
While Su Huaiming wasn't paying attention, Song Hanyu winked at Fu Jingfan, her desire for praise quite obvious.
Fu Jingfan ignored him again, his mind and eyes were full of Su Huaiming, and he only gave him a warning look, telling him to restrain himself.
Although Song Hanyu and Fu Jingfan have been friends for many years, their levels of influence are too different. Song Hanyu is a little afraid of Fu Jingfan. Now, taking advantage of Su Huaiming's presence, Song Hanyu is acting recklessly, wishing she could take revenge for all the grievances she has suffered from Fu Jingfan over the years.
He deliberately moved closer to Su Huaiming and said, "You must be tired after the long drive, Su Huaiming. Why don't we go soak in the hot springs first, and then we'll have dinner?"
Su Huaiming nodded.
Song Hanyu handed them the keys and deliberately raised her voice, saying, "I've arranged an open-air private hot spring for you; no one will disturb you."
Song Hanyu played a trick, not giving Fu Jingfan a chance to get close to Su Huaiming. He originally thought he could annoy Fu Jingfan, but unexpectedly, it was exactly what he wanted.
Fu Jingfan has an abnormally high level of self-discipline and likes to be in control of things, but when facing Su Huaiming, he always can't help but do certain things.
Thanks to Song Hanyu forcibly separating them, otherwise, if he and Su Huaiming were alone in that kind of environment, he couldn't guarantee what he might have done.
Fu Xiaoxiao's understanding of hot springs was still just playing in the water. Compared to the mature and steady Fu Jingfan, he got along better with Su Huaiming. He clung to Su Huaiming like a leech, wanting to soak in the hot springs with him.
Having no other choice, Su Huaiming took Fu Xiaoxiao's belongings from the butler and took him to the hot spring pool.
As expected of the owner, Song Hanyu had a great sense of style. She said, "Our sake is specially brewed by our master craftsman. It has a smooth taste and won't make you feel tipsy. You can serve it on a wooden tray and enjoy it while soaking in the hot spring. It's a unique experience."
Su Huaiming: "..."
He recalled his embarrassing past of drinking alcohol and getting so drunk that he lost consciousness, and his smile froze.
Fu Jingfan offered an excuse for him, saying, "He's with Xiao Xiao; it's not appropriate for him to drink."
For some reason, Fu Xiaoxiao was incredibly excited. She raised her hand and sidled up to Su Huaiming and Fu Jingfan, her eyes sparkling as she said, "I want it, I want it!"
Su Huaiming patted Fu Xiaoxiao's head, pondering how to dissuade him from this idea.
Song Hanyu's eyes darted around. "It's okay, if we don't drink sake, we can have fruit milk."
As he spoke, he squatted down and discussed with Fu Xiaoxiao, "I'll put a bottle of fruit milk on the wooden tray so Xiao Xiao can drink some too."
Fu Xiaoxiao licked her lips and said politely to Song Hanyu, "Thank you, Uncle."
Su Huaiming imagined the scene and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Once Fu Xiaoxiao arrived at the hot spring, she immediately stripped naked and jumped into the water, splashing around with her chubby little hands and feet.
Su Huaiming smiled helplessly. Seeing that Fu Xiaoxiao was so happy, he let him go. He sat on the other side of the hot spring, keeping a close eye on Fu Xiaoxiao, afraid that he might accidentally choke on the water when he came down the steps.
Su Huaiming had a special kind of romanticized view of hot springs, and the surrounding environment was quite artistic, but in reality, Fu Xiaoxiao was splashing around like a little duck, forcing Su Huaiming to get soaked, his nose surrounded by a cloyingly sweet milky scent—the scene was truly bizarre.
He was silent for a few seconds, then lay down on the bluestone next to him and laughed non-stop for a long time before finally stopping.
Perhaps noticing that Su Huaiming was a little tired, Fu Xiaoxiao didn't disturb Su Huaiming. Instead, she had a great time by herself, tilting her head back and chugging cup after cup of fruit milk. After finishing, she would touch her lips and let out a very soulful "ha".
After soaking in the hot spring for a while, Su Huaiming felt very warm inside his body, all his fatigue disappeared, and his hands and feet felt weak, as if he were melting into the hot spring.
Although Fu Xiaoxiao ruined the atmosphere, Su Huaiming still enjoyed the feeling of soaking in the hot spring and planned to come every day.
They hadn't eaten yet, Su Huaiming was worried that soaking in the hot spring any longer would cause low blood sugar, so he quickly led Fu Xiaoxiao out of the hot spring.
Su Huaiming wanted to dress Fu Xiaoxiao in a bathrobe, but Fu Xiaoxiao stopped him very seriously.
Su Huaiming was stunned, watching as Fu Xiaoxiao tiptoed, picked up a bath towel from the side, and wrapped it around her waist in a very professional manner.
Su Huaiming, wrapped in a bathrobe, looked at him with great confusion, "Why are you dressed like this?"
I always see it like this on TV: Fu Xiaoxiao spreads her legs, pats her stomach with one hand, strikes a very cool pose, and deliberately lowers her voice. "That's very manly!"
Fu Xiaoxiao still had a lot of baby fat, his belly was round and bulging, and his belly jiggled in waves with his movements, looking particularly soft.
Su Huaiming pursed his lips tightly, using a great deal of effort to keep from laughing out loud.
Fu Xiaoxiao walked with a swaying gait, striking a pose like a big brother for a while, then looked up at Su Huaiming and asked in confusion, "Why don't you dress like that?"
Su Huaiming felt that as an adult, he should give way to the child, but he couldn't help but slap his sword. "Because I don't want to be manly."
Upon hearing this, Fu Xiaoxiao wrinkled her nose, completely baffled by Su Huaiming's words.
The changing room was very warm, Su Huaiming wouldn't catch a cold in a short time. Not wanting to shatter Fu Xiaoxiao's sweet dream, he changed his clothes first before taking his bathrobe to find Fu Xiaoxiao.
Just then, the housekeeper and Song Hanyu came to invite them to dinner. Upon hearing the knock on the door, Su Huaiming casually told them to come in.
Fu Xiaoxiao, with a bath towel wrapped around her waist, was about to show off her masculinity to her two uncles when she accidentally walked too far, causing the towel to come loose and fall to the ground.
Song Hanyu and the housekeeper stood at the door, staring blankly at the scene, unable to react for a moment.
Fu Xiaoxiao was still engrossed in walking forward with her head held high and her nostrils pointing to the sky, completely oblivious to the cold sensation below. Only then did she lower her head in bewilderment.
!!!!!!
Fu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, her expression froze, and she remained motionless, as if she couldn't bear such a huge blow and her soul left her body.
Su Huaiming was the first to react. Afraid that Fu Xiaoxiao would catch a cold, he went over and put a coat on him.
Fu Xiaoxiao remained motionless as he manipulated her. Only after Su Huaiming fastened his belt did she finally come to her senses, her face visibly flushed, as if still radiating heat.
Fu Xiaoxiao bit her lip, her eyes reddened, and she buried her face in Su Huaiming's arms, tears streaming down her face from shame.
The two adults standing at the door finally came to their senses and came over to comfort Fu Xiaoxiao, both amused and exasperated.
"I didn't see anything, really, and it was just a small mistake, don't worry about it."
"Why do you care about these things at such a young age? When I visited you as a child, you peed on me. I was the one who changed your pants back then. I saw it a long time ago."
As soon as Song Hanyu finished speaking, Fu Xiaoxiao froze and burst into tears.
Song Hanyu was startled and looked at Su Huaiming helplessly, feeling guilty as if she had done something wrong.
Su Huaiming hadn't expected Fu Xiaoxiao to be so protective of her privacy. Caught off guard, he could only pat her back and comfort her for a long time.
Song Hanyu and the housekeeper also kept saying soft words, trying to ease Fu Xiaoxiao's emotions.
After crying for a while, Fu Xiaoxiao suddenly realized that it was embarrassing to cry in her father's arms. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, pursed her lips tightly, and stood up from Su Huaiming's embrace.
Just as Song Hanyu was about to praise Fu Xiaoxiao for her strength in order to make up for her mistake, she saw that Fu Xiaoxiao was still sobbing uncontrollably, with large tears falling down her face.
"..." How can a little kid have such a strong idol image to maintain!
Song Hanyu, who has no experience interacting with children, expressed her complete incomprehension.
The three adults then frantically comforted Fu Xiaoxiao for a long time before she finally stopped crying.
Thanks to Fu Xiaoxiao, Su Huaiming's chest was soaked with tears, so he had to change into another bathrobe.
Only then did he take Fu Xiaoxiao's hand and go to the restaurant with the housekeeper and the others.
Fu Xiaoxiao was still immersed in the shadow of what had just happened, and her posture was particularly awkward. When she saw someone passing by, she blushed and hid behind Su Huaiming, carefully pulling on her belt, as if afraid that she would accidentally walk her bird in public again.
The three adults exchanged a glance, all trying hard to suppress their laughter and pretending not to have seen anything.
After walking a few more steps, their figures finally came into view of Fu Jingfan.
Fu Jingfan waited alone for a long time, and just as he was about to ask a question, Su Huaiming made a shushing gesture to him.
Fu Jingfan understood immediately and didn't ask any further questions.
Children's emotions come and go quickly. Fu Xiaoxiao gradually relaxed. Upon seeing the delicious food, this little glutton couldn't care about anything else. Her mouth was stuffed full, and her whole body was filled with happiness.
Su Huaiming and Fu Xiaoxiao ate differently, but their styles were remarkably consistent—they both showed immense respect for food, and just looking at them made one's mouth water.
To be a good host, Song Hanyu used the freshest ingredients and prepared a very sumptuous dinner.
After everyone had eaten about half their fill, they started chatting. Song Hanyu said, "There's a grassy area behind the hotel. There are fireflies there right now. You can go there tonight."
Upon hearing this, Fu Xiaoxiao immediately became excited, almost standing on her chair. "Are they flying stars?!"
Su Huaiming found the metaphor beautiful and nodded, "Yes, you can get a flying star."
Fu Xiaoxiao was full of curiosity about everything, and upon hearing this, she pestered Su Huaiming to go catch fireflies.
Su Huaiming, who had never seen fireflies in person, immediately agreed to Fu Xiaoxiao.
As night deepened, after finishing their meal, the group didn't leave immediately but instead sat in the nearby lounge, enjoying the green tea that Song Hanyu had specially prepared.
Fu Xiaoxiao, who was full of energy before, was now sitting on the sofa, her eyelids drooping with sleep. Her chubby body swayed back and forth, and finally she leaned against Su Huaiming and drifted off to sleep.
As he was about to leave, Su Huaiming patted Fu Xiaoxiao, trying to wake him up, but Fu Xiaoxiao was sleeping too soundly. After muttering something softly, he drifted back to sleep.
Seeing this, the butler said, "I'll take the young master to rest for a while. I'll bring him to see Mr. Su when he wakes up."
Su Huaiming nodded.
After Fu Xiaoxiao and the housekeeper left, only Su Huaiming and Fu Jingfan remained in the room.
Su Huaiming was initially relaxed, but after realizing this, his body tensed up, and he deliberately stared at the floor, not wanting to meet Fu Jingfan's gaze.
Fu Jingfan looked at Su Huaiming and suggested, "Why don't we go to the back and catch a firefly for Xiao Xiao?"
Su Huaiming thought the suggestion was good and immediately nodded.
Fu Xiaoxiao will be very happy to see fireflies after she wakes up, and she will also feel much more relaxed since she won't have to stay in the room alone with Fu Jingfan.
Fireflies are also a selling point here. After Fu Jingfan explained his purpose to the waiter, the waiter immediately brought them the equipment and thoughtfully delivered it to them.
The night was foggy, Su Huaiming, standing on the edge, could faintly see scattered lights inside, constantly shifting.
Although it's a meadow, the grass blades are waist-high, and the edges are neat so they won't cut you.
Su Huaiming, full of enthusiasm, took his tools and walked into the bushes, wanting to catch a firefly himself.
When he stood by the roadside and looked inside, he felt that the distance was very close. But after walking a long way, he was surrounded by wisps of mist, and the fireflies were still ahead, out of his reach.
Su Huaiming had just finished eating and was looking forward to stretching his legs. He wasn't tired at all, so he took a few more steps forward and finally saw twinkling lights surrounding him. He held his breath and carefully picked up his tools, afraid of scaring the fireflies away.
But this was his first time catching fireflies, so he was hesitant and clumsy, and missed.
Su Huaiming was not discouraged. He tried for a long time with the net, but he couldn't catch a single firefly.
The night air was cool, but Su Huaiming was covered in a thin layer of sweat, his body hot and his eyes exceptionally bright, as if he had been washed.
Just as Su Huaiming was getting nowhere, Fu Jingfan walked over, his shirt damp with dew, leaving dark stains.
Fu Jingfan stood in front of Su Huaiming, looking at him intently without saying a word, but simply extended his clasped hands.