Carrying the lively little dumpling downstairs, Shen Xubai looked up and discovered that his father, who had been sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, had somehow slipped over to sit beside his mother, Lin Yujing.
Seeing his son return, Shen Changgeng showed no embarrassment over his display of affection. Instead, he smiled at a certain sturdy little boy. "School's barely started, and you're already refusing to get up. Shen Xiaoyu, you're getting more impressive by the day."
"Daddy's a big meanie."
Held aloft by his older brother, the little dumpling couldn't touch the floor, but his short legs churned furiously. At Shen Changgeng's words, his face scrunched up even more, and he waved his little fists, wanting to hit him.
"Tsk, tsk. This kid's held grudges since he was tiny." Shen Changgeng pressed against his wife with a sigh. "What kind of kid opens his eyes and starts yelling about hitting his dad?"
Used to the father and son going head-to-head, Lin Yujing remained unmoved by her husband's wounded tone and pretended not to hear, keeping herself out of it.
Shen Xubai, however, raised an eyebrow slightly at the words "held grudges." He looked at his father with a beauty in his arms, then down at his younger brother's churning legs, and set Shen Xiaoyu down without hesitation.
Showing a rare, carefree smile befitting his age, Ji Cიცen curled his lips and silently patted his younger brother's bottom.
Receiving his instructions, the solid little boy charged straight at his father. When he saw Shen Changgeng stretch out an arm to intercept him, he slammed on the brakes, and his whole pudgy body landed on his father's feet with a thump.
Worried that his son might get hurt, Shen Changgeng could only bear the solid weight, helplessly pinching Little