Chapter 007

No one in his family had ever seen Xu Qingyan drunk. Because of his high position, no one dared to force him to drink, and he himself was extremely self-disciplined, neither smoking nor drinking.

Xu Niancheng's cerebellum was almost atrophied. If her older brother wasn't drunk, why would he suddenly start dancing? Could it be... he was possessed by a ghost?

Xu Niancheng shivered, and a slight, eerie breeze seemed to sweep through the area as if to suit the occasion.

"Xiao Bao!"

Xu Yirou suddenly saw her youngest daughter and excitedly called out, then ran towards her with her short legs.

Xu Qingyan and He Nianzhu stopped at the same time. The two brothers met their sister Xu Niancheng's teasing gaze from a distance and remained silent in embarrassment.

Xu Qingyan's temple twitched slightly.

Xu Yirou appeared in front of her youngest daughter in a flash, jumping and waving her chubby little hands like lotus roots: "Little Bao, Little Bao! You're finally back."

Xu Niancheng was still secretly laughing when she heard this, and she was stunned for a moment. She looked down and met a pair of big, watery eyes.

The little dumpling, wearing a pink strawberry nightgown, has a round face, almond-shaped eyes that curve into crescents, and sweet, soft dimples on her cheeks.

Xu Niancheng raised an eyebrow in surprise. This little dumpling seemed to know her. Had they met before?

She looks somewhat familiar, like a Fuwa doll meticulously drawn in fine brushwork, very endearing, and somewhat like her when she was a child.

A strange sense of déjà vu made Xu Niancheng feel a natural fondness for the little pink dumpling. She squatted down with a smile and ruffled the little dumpling's soft hair.

"Hello, little friend. Have we met somewhere before?"

"Yes, yes, we've known each other for twenty years! You're my little treasure, and I'm your mom!"

Xu Yirou gestured with her short, chubby fingers, and then uttered something surprising that left Xu Niancheng speechless.

"Really, really, I'm not lying to you!" The little dumpling puffed out her chest and said in a clear voice, "When you were in kindergarten, you wrote a love letter to the boy you liked, and you even showed it to me to correct the typos and ask me if it was well written! Do you remember? I remember it all!"

Xu Niancheng was taken aback. She had only told her mother about writing love letters, so how could this little baby know?

"Did...did my mom tell you this?"

She would rather believe that Xu Yirou had leaked the information than believe that the little dumpling in front of her was just her mother's nonsense.

Seeing that her youngest daughter did not believe her, Xu Yirou scratched her head and paced anxiously, a thin layer of sweat appearing on the tip of her nose.

"Chengcheng, she is our mother."

Xu Qingyan strode leisurely with his long legs, glanced at Xu Niancheng, then squatted down and said softly, "Mom, don't worry, I'm here for you."

Xu Niancheng stared wide-eyed as she looked back and forth between the two of them. This... I... ah?

Is she having some weird dream right now? She's completely dizzy.

“Mom turned back into a four-year-old overnight. It sounds absurd, but it really happened.” Xu Qingyan looked up and said solemnly, “Chengcheng, no matter what Mom becomes, she will always be our mom.”

"Turns back into a four-year-old cub overnight?" Xu Niancheng murmured in shock.

Unlike her somewhat simplistic and harsh attitude towards her two sons, Xu Yirou, even when anxious, obediently pursed her lips and waited to the side, her little hands nervously clutching the hem of her skirt, watching expectantly.

Xu Niancheng calmly approached He Nianzhu and said, "Second brother, can I borrow your hand?"

He Nianzhu raised her thick eyebrows slightly, her eyes darting around, and chuckled lightly, as if she were enjoying the drama: "Your brain isn't working properly, is it?"

Despite saying that, he still generously spread his arms, ready to give his silly little sister a hug.

Xu Niancheng was very touched, then grabbed He Nianzhu's arm and kissed her.

He Nianzhu: !!!

Holy crap!

"Crazy girl, what are you doing?" He was so startled that he almost jumped up.

He Nianzhu's scream of splitting into two was like an axe piercing through the fog. Xu Niancheng instantly regained her senses and felt refreshed, completely free from the hazy feeling that had been shrouding her mind.

She wasn't dreaming.

Xu Niancheng opened her mouth, spat twice, then smiled broadly and hugged the pretty little dumpling: "Are you really my mom?"

Xu Yirou's doe eyes lit up instantly, and she gently stroked Xu Niancheng's cheek with her small, tender hand, saying in a soft, babyish voice, "My darling, it's me, I really am your mother."

Xu Niancheng's heart was melting.

Help! Her mom is so cute and cuddly, I want to eat her up!

She said sweetly, "Mommy, I want to get a sticker."

"Let's snuggle together!" Xu Yirou smiled sweetly, tiptoed into Xu Niancheng's arms, and rubbed her soft white face against her.

He Nianzhu's eyes widened, and she pouted sourly.

He has never even had a physical relationship with his mother. They are both born to the same mother, but their interactions are worlds apart.

The moment the soft, sweet voice rang out, it subtly overlapped with the gentle, pure female voice from my memory, across time and space.

Xu Niancheng's clear eyes reflected Xu Yirou's features, and through the small child in front of her, she saw her mother's gentle and powerful soul.

Xu Niancheng was stunned, her mouth slightly open: "Mom, are you cured?"

"Mmm! The pain and dizziness are gone!"

Xu Niancheng's fingertips trembled slightly as she cautiously looked at her two older brothers, Xu Qingyan and He Nianzhu, who both nodded slightly in unison.

Xu Niancheng was startled.

She was so stunned by the sudden and enormous surprise that she was speechless.

After the initial elation, Xu Niancheng felt a lump in her throat. Her mother had recovered her health, and she no longer had to suffer or look out the window with envy.

—She will not become a child who loses both parents.

Xu Niancheng's eyes reddened with emotion, her soft black eyelashes glistening with tears.

Seeing this, Xu Yirou puffed out her cheeks, puckered her lips like a goldfish, and blew on them, saying, "Little Bao, don't cry, don't cry."

"Mom." Xu Nianrou was both touched and amused, and pinched her smooth cheek. "My eyes don't hurt. I'm crying because I'm happy."

“It breaks my heart when Xiaobao cries.”

As time went on, Xu Yirou's words and actions became more and more like those of a real four-year-old child. She would laugh when she was happy and cry when she was sad. Her emotions changed very quickly, but they all came from her most genuine feelings.

Even after becoming a real cub, she will never forget her children who love her.

Xu Niancheng drove back overnight without having breakfast. Her emotions were extremely draining, and she soon felt hungry.

Worried about food safety issues with takeout, Xu Qingyan went back to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, leaving Xu Yirou and the other two in the living room.

Xu Niancheng played Lego with Xu Yirou, and the mother and daughter had a great time.

Noticing Xu Yirou's occasional gesture of brushing a stray hair behind her ear, Xu Niancheng rested her chin on her hand and suggested, "Mom, how about we tie our hair up?"

"Okay, okay."

Xu Yirou was already dissatisfied with her messy, bird's nest-like hair. She got up, ran barefoot into the bedroom, and then ran out again.

He held a black rubber band in his left hand and a small comb in his right.

Xu Niancheng took it and gently ran her fingers through the girl's hair. The little girl had a cute, chubby face and a pleasant, faint milky scent. Even her hair exuded a sweet fragrance.

Xu Niancheng's nimble and slender fingers quickly tied a round flower bud into her hair.

"Okay, Mom, look in the mirror and see if you like it or not."

The expected scalp-pulling pain did not occur, which surprised Xu Yirou greatly. She raised her hand to touch the little bud on the back of her head and was overjoyed.

She rushed into the bathroom, stepped onto a stool, and stood in front of the mirror, admiring herself from left to right.

"It's beautiful, I love it!"

"Xiao Bao, could you braid my hair every day?"

She tilted her head expectantly, her face flushed, and murmured, "My hair gets itchy on my face, and it even falls into my food."

Xu Niancheng frowned: "Has Mom not tied her hair up these past few days?"

Xu Yirou bit her finger and shook her head shyly. After shrinking, her fingers were short and soft, and she couldn't grasp the slippery hair at all.

Xu Niancheng couldn't help but complain under her breath that two grown men couldn't even handle such a small thing.

"Mom, don't worry about me. I'll make sure you look beautiful every day."

*

Today is the day Xu Yirou and her two children, Da Bao and Er Bao, have agreed to go to the amusement park together. She started looking forward to it last night.

However, just before leaving, she, the one who was most looking forward to it, suddenly changed her mind.

"I don't want to go today, let's go tomorrow."

"What's wrong, Mom? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xu Qingyan immediately asked, knowing that his mother's health was hard-won and he couldn't help but feel nervous.

"We can't leave Xiaobao at home."

Xu Yirou sat obediently on the small stool, looking well-behaved and sensible, and said, "Xiao Bao is tired from driving, he needs to rest well."

She has simply shrunk, not become stupid, and she understands the hardship her youngest daughter endured driving back overnight.

Xu Qingyan: Okay, then let's go tomorrow.

He happens to have an important meeting today.

After lunch, while Xu Yirou was taking a nap, the three siblings held a family meeting in the living room.

As the initiator of the meeting, Xu Qingyan succinctly and clearly explained the theme of the meeting:

"There are two main questions. First, should we seek expert help if the mother shrinks overnight? Second, how can we better care for the mother whose mindset and behavior gradually regress to that of a four-year-old child after shrinking?"

He Nianzhu raised her hand: "Brother, let me state my position first. I do not agree to reveal that Mom has shrunk to others. I have already explained the reasons before, so I will not repeat them here. Secondly, I think it is more appropriate for us to take care of Mom ourselves. Mom is no different from a real cub now."

Xu Niancheng: "My second brother and I share the same thoughts."

Xu Qingyan's expression was solemn: "Then let's discuss the second issue first. I also agree with the plan that we should take care of Mom ourselves, and we can take turns taking care of her for a period of time, how about that?"

Taking turns caring for them is the best outcome. The three of them each have their own careers, and when they get busy, they're like spinning tops that won't stop for a while.

The three siblings reached a consensus.

Xu Niancheng: "Who wants to go first?"

Xu Qingyan volunteered: "Me."

He Nianzhu, who had been beaten to it, raised an eyebrow: "Brother, aren't you quite busy lately? Are you sure you'll have time to take care of Mom?"

"certainly."

Xu Qingyan glanced at her indifferently and said calmly, "Don't forget, I've been taking care of Mom these past two days while you were away."

He Nianzhu had nothing to say: "Alright, then you can start."

Xu Niancheng suddenly remembered that incident and complained with a look of disgust: "You two should start by taking care of Mom by tying her hair. Learn more about braiding. Girls love to be pretty. We girls are not as rough as you two big men."

"My dear brothers, you can't not do it, right?"

Two rough men: ...

He Nianzhu's gaze darted away, and he scratched his chin: "It's no big deal, a piece of cake."

Xu Qingyan: "...Understood."

The matter was settled, and after the meeting, the three of them went about their own business.

*

Xu Yirou woke up sleepily after a nap of more than an hour. Her hair buds drooped loosely behind her head, and the little strawberry on her collar was wrinkled. The whole little cub exuded a bit of cuteness.

She had just taken a nap and dreamt that she was lying inside a giant cotton candy, her nasal cavity filled with a sweet and fragrant smell, making her mouth water.

She put on her little yellow duck slippers and walked out, still half asleep.

Slurp, I really want to eat cotton candy.

Xu Yirou strolled slowly through the living room, familiar with the way, and arrived at the study door. She tiptoed and gently pushed the door open, slipping inside.

"Dabao, I want to eat cotton candy and French fries!"

A tender, childlike voice suddenly rang out.

Xu Qingyan paused slightly behind the computer desk, quickly moved the mouse a few times, and then got up from her seat: "Mom, did you just wake up?"

"Mmm." Xu Yirou looked at him expectantly, "Dabao, I'm hungry."

Didn't you eat enough for lunch?

"I'm full."

Xu Qingyan glanced at his watch. It had only been two hours since he finished lunch. He couldn't help but wonder if the cubs' digestive systems were stronger than adults', which was why their mothers got hungry so quickly.

He decided to consult a professional children's nutritionist later: "Mom, wait a moment, I'll go cook you a bowl of noodles."

"No need, no need." Xu Yirou tilted her head up. "I'll just have some cotton candy and French fries."

"Mom, I'm afraid that won't work." Xu Qingyan said seriously, "You've been eating too many snacks these past few days."

Yogurt, ice cream, popcorn, potato chips, cookies, and chocolate—they had it all.

Upon hearing that she wouldn't get any snacks, Xu Yirou's face fell, and she hurriedly protested, "No, I only ate a tiny bit, just a tiny bit."

Xu Qingyan remained expressionless as she recited the names of the dishes as if she were reciting a string of snacks she had eaten in the past few days.

Xu Yirou: "..."

"Mom, you taught us to eat less junk food and more rice when we were little, don't you remember?"

"I...I..." Xu Yirou stammered, feeling guilty. "I ate a lot of rice, so what's wrong with having some snacks? I ate two bowls of rice at noon!"

A thought suddenly struck her, and she gained confidence. With her hands on her hips, she spoke eloquently: "When you were little, I would reward you for eating a few extra bites of food. It's not unreasonable for Mom to ask for a reward now, is it?"

Xu Qingyan choked.

Xu Yirou's eyebrows flew up triumphantly: "Quick, I want to eat cotton candy and French fries, get them for me!"

Even when a mother shrinks, her intimidating presence remains strong.

Xu Qingyan sighed silently, then helplessly took out her phone and opened the food delivery app: "Wait a moment, Mom."

While the mother and son were interacting, the CEO suddenly ran away halfway through the meeting. Behind the screen, the subordinates looked at each other in bewilderment, their imaginations running wild, filled with both surprise and excitement.

They seemed to hear a child's voice, a sweet, childish voice asking their CEO for cotton candy.

Good heavens, the CEO has a child at home!

My goodness, which stubborn woman managed to win over this unattainable beauty?

Could it be that she was pregnant before marriage and ran away with the baby?

Or... a secret marriage?!

The subordinates were secretly imagining all sorts of melodramatic scenarios. "Ah, is there anyone kind enough or with inside information to spill the beans? They're itching to know what's going on!"