Chapter 15

The four cubs played role-playing games with great skill, each fulfilling their role and demonstrating excellent training.

The prince, who didn't want to be a dog, became a cat, obediently curling up on the ground, meowing as if he were sick. His sturdy body immediately reminded people of a chubby orange cat on the roadside.

Guoguo, the youngest of the group but entrusted with the important task of being a doctor, pried open the prince's eyelids with a serious expression, touched his forehead with the back of her hand, and nodded solemnly: "The cat has a fever. It must be because it was sleeping poorly and kicked off the blanket. It needs a shot."

"Nurse, take the cat downstairs for its shot."

Bubble: "Yay, I'm here for my shot!"

Bubble picked up a small stick from somewhere and stabbed the prince in the butt.

prince:! ! !

Caught off guard, the prince jumped up, clutching his bottom. His chubby little face trembled, and he turned his head, blushing, asking, "What are you doing?"

Bubble was startled and stammered, "I'm giving you a shot."

The prince was still rubbing his bottom: "My mother said that men and women shouldn't touch each other! You can't spank me!"

(⊙o⊙)…

What does it mean when men and women don't kiss?

All she heard were the clear, bewildered eyes of the young cubs. Guoguo hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but whisper, "Prince, Bubble didn't kiss you."

"Exactly, you wish! I'm not going to kiss you."

Bubble gave me a knowing look, its eyes darting around, and then happily ran to Xu Yirou's side. "If I have to kiss someone, I'll kiss Rou Rou!"

In Bubble's heart, her friend Rou Rou is like a real princess. She wears a cute tutu every day, has long, shiny black hair, always smells nice, and is sweet and adorable!

She loves playing with the meatballs the most.

"Sweetie, may I kiss you?"

Xu Yirou also liked her friends very much, and her sweet voice rose: "Sure."

Bubble happily gave Xu Yi a kiss; Xu Yi's soft, tender face smelled sweet and milky, making Bubble feel intoxicated by the fragrance.

Seeing this, Guoguo was extremely envious and hurriedly stood on tiptoe: "Rourou, I want to kiss you too."

Xu Yirou confidently stuck her face out and said, "Okay."

Smack! Another wet bite.

The prince's eyes widened in disbelief. Weren't they playing a game? Why were they lining up to kiss? No way, he wanted to kiss too!

"Sweetie, I want to kiss you too!"

Xu Yirou hesitated: "But—"

"No way." He Nianzhu, fiercely protective of her mother, refused without hesitation.

The chubby boy shrank back, clenching his little fists, his expression a mixture of resentment and grievance: "W-why?"

He Nianzhu smiled: "Men and women should not touch each other."

The boomerang pierced his own body, and the prince, unsure how to react, groaned, "...Ouch!"

His mother had explained to him the meaning of "men and women should not touch each other," but at that time he was only thinking about playing and only listened to a little bit of what she said.

I just thought it was so cool to say things that other kids couldn't understand. I wish I hadn't said it! Waaaaaah!

The group of cubs played until sunset before reluctantly parting ways. Before parting, Bubble shyly said to her friends:

"Tomorrow is my birthday! Can you come over to my house? My mom is a great cook, and she can even make sweet strawberry cake!"

Do you have cherry cake?

"Do you have mango cake? I love mangoes!"

Bubble patted her little chest and said, "Yes, yes, my mom is amazing! You can have whatever you want to eat."

Xu Yirou took the lead: "Okay, Bubble, I'll definitely come."

Other cubs: "Me too!"

i人贺念竹's inner monologue: It's all over, it's all over.

The little figure on his head is rolling around with tears as wide as noodles. Can't he just not go?

On the way back, Xu Yirou walked briskly, happily thinking about the gift she had prepared for her good friend.

"Erbao, what gift do you think I should give him?"

"Toys, clothes, bags, shoes, anything is fine." Not all girls like these things.

Xu Yirou: "But I don't know what size shoes and clothes Bubble wears, so I'll give him toys and bags instead."

“Sure, I think that little girl will like anything you send.” He Nianzhu could tell that those cubs were definitely her mother’s little fans.

Xu Yirou was overjoyed: "Then let's go pick out a gift tomorrow morning!"

"Oh, right, Erbao, you're not allowed to sleep in tomorrow, okay?" She looked up, her little face puffed out in a threatening gesture, "Otherwise, I won't talk to you!"

The little dumpling is so cute and harmless.

He Nianzhu smiled and cooperated: "No way, if Mom ignores me, I won't be able to eat or drink, and I won't be able to sleep well at night. Don't worry, I will definitely get up early tomorrow and not stay in bed."

Given his behavior these past few days, Xu Yirou is still not entirely at ease.

After a moment of thought, she held out her finger: "Pinky promise."

"OK."

The boy's long, slender fingers with distinct knuckles hooked together with the cub's soft, delicate fingers.

Two shadows, one large and one small, are reflected on the ground. The large shadow that once sheltered the small shadow ten years ago has now become the small shadow that needs protection.

He Nianzhu grew to like this cub's mother more and more. Although she no longer pampered and indulged him as much, she was more vibrant and lively, with her own little temper, and did whatever she wanted.

He wanted to spoil his mother like a carefree little girl.

*

The mall wasn't crowded on a weekday, so there was no need to worry about overcrowding. However, for safety reasons, He Nianzhu still brought two bodyguards with her.

He Nianzhu was full of energy as she took her baby to the mall for the first time.

Xu Yirou came from a poor family and suffered a lot when she was young. Even though her family's economic conditions have improved, she still adheres to the principle of thrift and is reluctant to spend money on herself.

The expensive bags and jewelry in her walk-in closet were all bought for her by her three siblings.

Before coming, He Nianzhu had already decided to take her mother on a big shopping spree. She was not allowed to ask about prices or look at the tags, and she would buy anything that her mother even glanced at.

The moment the two children entered the luxury goods section of the mall, messages in the sales associates' group chat started popping up like crazy.

Saleswomen from different children's brands lined up at the entrance, their warm smiles welcoming the little money-makers.

He Nianzhu held the cub's mother's hand with one hand and carried the mother's lace-embroidered handbag with the other.

He was tall with long legs, and had slightly curly black hair. He wore a white Chinese-style ink-painted suit, and his gait was languid yet exuded an air of nobility.

Wherever she went, she was met with excited and eager gazes from the saleswomen. He Nianzhu raised her hand and pulled her mask up, revealing her long, narrow, light brown eyes looking elsewhere.

Hmm, are there paparazzi?

Did they get advance notice? Why are they all waiting?

His identity was exposed much earlier than he had expected, which surprised He Nianzhu, who then held Xu Yirou's hand even tighter.

"Hey little sister, hello there! We've got some new arrivals in the store, wanna come in and take a look?"

"No, no, I'm not buying clothes today." Xu Yirou waved her soft little hand. "I'll come back next time."

He Nianzhu was taken aback, her brows furrowing slightly. What was going on?

My mother seemed to know the sales assistants very well, and the sales assistants seemed to be paying attention to my mother.

Little did she know that her last big shopping spree with her eldest son, Xu Qingyan, made a substantial and outstanding contribution to the sales performance of the saleswomen, making her an instant celebrity and a rising star in the saleswomen's circle.

They were all eagerly anticipating the second visit of this mysterious young lady from Beijing's elite social circle.

After a month, they finally got to see it today. How could they not be excited? They didn't even notice that Xu Yirou was next to someone else.

After the mother and son had walked away, the two saleswomen belatedly looked at each other and hesitantly whispered to each other.

"Is the person accompanying the young lady this time not the same abstinent big shot from last time?"

"I don't think so either, but he's definitely a handsome guy. Look at his height, he's almost 1.9 meters tall."

Last time it was Dad, could it be my brother this time?

Whose daughter is this?! She's eating so well!

The two saleswomen stared blankly at the gradually disappearing white figure, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

Xu Yirou couldn't find anything she liked after looking at various items. Remembering that Bubble had once said he liked watching SpongeBob SquarePants, she simply went to a SpongeBob SquarePants themed store and bought a whole bunch of related merchandise.

As the bodyguard emerged from the store, his hands were filled with three bags of cushions, Lego sets, and figurines.

He Nianzhu glanced around and said softly, "Mom, let's go to other stores and buy you some more things."

"Okay, okay."

The little girl's skirt fluttered, and before she knew it, she had flown away like a light butterfly.

He Nianzhu's palms were instantly empty: !

"Grandma, wait for me!"

To everyone's surprise, he chased after the cubs and ran incredibly fast, letting out a string of happy, childish laughs: "Hahaha, come and chase me! You can't catch me!"

He Nianzhu: "..."

Now I finally know where he inherited that smug, irresponsible attitude.

"This is a matching diamond bracelet for parents and children," the sales assistant enthusiastically introduced. "The design on the bracelet was personally created by a renowned Chinese-style designer, making it a unique piece, and the forging process is also extremely special..."

Of course, the price is also quite attractive, at 250,000.

The chicks outside the transparent glass case stared intently, pecking at the rice and nodding. They didn't understand the craftsmanship or materials, but they loved shiny things!

He Nianzhu could tell without asking that his mother liked it very much, but he just wanted to tease her.

"Do you want it?"

"Mmm! I want it!" the little girl said excitedly.

He Nianzhu bent down: "Then kiss me."

Last time he saw his younger sister Xu Niancheng hugging and kissing the cub's mother, he was so jealous that his eyes almost bled. He also wanted a kiss from the cub's mother.

His desire was so direct that it was impossible to ignore.

"Oh dear, I just can't do anything with you." Xu Yirou pouted and blew on his face: "Okay, okay."

He Nianzhu felt a slight tickling sensation on her forehead, as if a tiny feather had brushed against it; it was warm and very comfortable.

"Is that all?" He Nianzhu said pitifully, "You've kissed Niancheng so many times already."

Xu Yirou, however, didn't take the bait at all. With her arms crossed, she said in a serious tone, "Erbao, you're such a greedy little devil. Have you tricked a lot of girls into kissing you?"

"I didn't." He hurriedly covered the cub's mother's mouth, his ears turning red as he explained, "I'm not a scumbag."

"Oh." Xu Yirou asked doubtfully, "Really?"

"real!"

"Oh well."

No, what's with that reluctant tone? Does he have the face of a scumbag?

He Nianzhu was annoyed for two seconds, then remembered the important matter and looked up at the saleswoman, saying, "Wrap it up, wait a minute, let me try the other one first."

This matching bracelet is adjustable in size, suitable for both men and women, and is simple and versatile.

"No need, no need, here, swipe my card!"

A small hand deftly pulled out a black gold card.

He Nianzhu blinked in surprise: "Mom...Grandma, when did you bring this card?"

"Aunt, great-aunt?" The saleswoman was surprised by Xu Yirou's high seniority.

Holding a black card with unlimited spending, it turns out this guy is the one in charge! The saleswoman immediately switched her attention.

"It's always been in my pocket." Xu Yirou patted the small pocket of her shirt and urged in a childish voice, "Swish!"

The saleswoman quickly took the card from Xu Yirou with a smile, and He Nianzhu tapped it with her knuckles: "Let me try on the size."

The little one, who had walked to the counter, turned back and said, "Don't worry, it fits Xiaobao perfectly, it's not too small."

He Nianzhu took two seconds to react: "...Wasn't the other one for me? Wasn't it? Huh?"

Hearing her son's three probing questions, Xu Yirou felt embarrassed and looked away, scratching her head and pretending to be clueless.

He Nianzhu was very hurt that he really didn't get a share!

Xu Yirou glanced at the black card in her hand, bit her lip in hesitation, and said softly, "Erbao, why don't you pick one too?"

Tsk, look at that heartbroken and reluctant face, little miser, He Nianzhu found it amusing.

He leisurely circled around and stopped in front of a standing glass cabinet: "Alright, then I won't be polite, Grandma."

That was the store's prized possession, worth seven figures! The saleswoman's heart skipped a beat with excitement.

With a beaming smile, she introduced the watch: "Sir, you have excellent taste. This men's watch is a limited edition launched to commemorate the 100th anniversary of our brand. It is set with 216 diamonds, including black diamonds and blue diamonds..."

That watch was clearly bigger and shinier than the bracelet Xu Yirou bought.

Xu Yirou liked it at first sight and ran over with her short legs: "Okay, wrap it up."

Saleswoman: !! Heavenly voice QAQ

Just as the little hand holding the black card reached out, she suddenly asked, "How much is this?"

"8.88 million. You can become our member first. You can enjoy member discounts when you deposit 2 million for the first time."

Xu Yirou's clear, doe-like eyes widened in an instant.

How many?

She stared blankly at the card, her chubby face trembling, completely in disbelief.

"Grandma, you won't refuse to buy it for me because it's too expensive, right? If my sister has it, my brother will definitely have it too. Grandma will treat everyone equally and won't favor my sister, right?" He Nianzhu's eyes were full of expectation and longing.

The mother of the baby, who was being held high, blushed and was caught in a dilemma, her little chubby body tensing up.

Just as she was frowning in distress, a soft laugh reached her ears.

Xu Yirou peeked out like a sapling, caught sight of those smiling eyes, and immediately understood. She huffed and said, "Then you might as well sell me off."

“I am the little baby, the second baby, you can’t spend the little baby’s money.”

She carefully put the black card back into her pocket, clutching it tightly: "This is my baby's hard-earned money."

He Nianzhu couldn't help but chuckle: "Alright, alright." He took out his card. "Then I'll pay with my card, and you can swipe the money, is that alright?"

"Sure!" The little girl's almond-shaped eyes sparkled as she held her son's card, her voice loud and clear: "Swipe!"

It's not that Xu Yirou doesn't care about spending her own money; she swipes her card with unparalleled ease, never asking the price if she likes something, just writing one word—

brush!

With absolutely no room to maneuver, He Nianzhu was completely relegated to the background as the cub's mother.

At that moment, a saleswoman from a certain brand clutched her chest, staring intently at her phone, and let out a gasp.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Hearing the commotion, the girls gathered around.

The saleswoman took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly: "I...I think I know who the man who accompanied the little money-maker is!"

"Oh, really? Who is it?"

Under the intense gaze of the women, the saleswoman turned her phone upside down, revealing the entire screen.

A flash of white light streaked past the back of their heads, and the saleswomen, their faces clearing, looked at each other in disbelief: it was him.

Wow, they actually ran into He Nianzhu! They should have asked for a photo together!

*

The thought of accompanying her mother to a friend's birthday party tomorrow afternoon made He Nianzhu so nervous that she couldn't sit still.

He can be calm and composed in front of cameras and on stage, but when he is alone with a few people, his personalities are brought out.

Hesitating and agonizing until midnight, he finally couldn't sit still any longer and quietly sought help from his older brother, Xu Qingyan.

"Brother, do you have time to take care of Mom tomorrow?"

"I'm going on a business trip tomorrow."

He Nianzhu mustered her courage and asked, "Could we postpone it for a day?"

Xu Qingyan stopped what she was doing, turned her head and raised her eyebrows, "What's wrong?"

He Nianzhu told her that he was taking Xu Yirou to visit his friend's house the next day, and then clasped his hands together and pleaded, "Brother, please help me this once, okay?"

Xu Qingyan looked at her younger brother's unambitious appearance and remained unmoved: "It can't be postponed. There's an important project to keep an eye on. I have to go to Canada on a business trip for half a month."

He Nianzhu's first reaction was: "Then I'll have to take care of my mother alone for half a month?"

"Hmm." Xu Qingyan remained noncommittal, delivering a chilling warning: "Take good care of Mom, and don't let anything go wrong."

Although He Nianzhu took care of and accompanied Xu Yirou during her time at home, her older brother Xu Qingyan was like a pillar of strength. With her older brother around, she felt safe. As soon as her older brother left, He Nianzhu was afraid that she would make a mistake.

The burden on my shoulders suddenly became heavy.

Xu Qingyan understood her younger brother's temperament, so she gently comforted him, "Mom is a sensible and easy-to-please little one, so don't worry."

Heh, He Nianzhu said expressionlessly, showing his hands: "Mom is indeed quite easy to coax."

Ten brightly colored, golden fingers left Xu Qingyan speechless.

"Brother, I asked Mom. Did you buy that set of tools, or did she buy it the day before I came back?" He Nianzhu looked at her brother's clean hands with a hint of resentment. "Brother, you've made your little brother suffer so much by lying to you."

It turns out he was the only one who turned into a spotted rooster from beginning to end!

Xu Qingyan: "..."

After a long silence, he coughed lightly and said, "I'll be back as soon as possible."

That's more like it," He Nianzhu said, barely satisfied, and patted his behind before leaving.

The next morning, Xu Qingyan took a plane abroad. He Nianzhu got up early to remove her nail polish, made a loving breakfast, and then woke up Xu Yirou.

The mother and son leisurely finished their breakfast and stood in the dressing room carefully selecting their outfits for the day.

"Mom, if you wear this dress and that red cape, you'll look like a real-life Little Red Riding Hood. You'll definitely charm everyone."

Xu Yirou shook her head.

"Then this queen's battle robe?"

Xu Yirou sighed, beckoned, and He Nianzhu squatted down, not understanding why.

She patted her son on the shoulder and said in a mature tone, "Erbao, you're still too young."

“If I dress up as a princess at Bubble’s birthday party, everyone will only look at me, which is not good.”

In short, it's a case of the guest overshadowing the host.

He Nianzhu was speechless. Having been in the entertainment industry for so long, he was used to attending grand banquets and dominating the scene, and hadn't considered anything else.

Children's birthday parties are just gatherings for kids; it's obviously inappropriate to apply adult concepts to them.

He humbly accepted Xu Yirou's teachings: "Thank you, Mom, I understand."

He Nianzhu received the address from Paopao's parents half a day in advance. Paopao had moved to a new house, and the birthday party was being held there. It wasn't too far from the Xu family's house; it would only take half an hour to drive there.

As soon as she got out of the car, Xu Yirou saw her friends waiting at the door, and she instantly lit up like a light bulb that had been turned on.

She ran and waved her little hand, shouting, "Bubble, Fruit, Prince!"

"Meat!"

The cubs, whom they hadn't seen for only a day, happily huddled together.

Xu Yirou looked at Bubble, covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Bubble, you look so beautiful today! You're like a little princess!"

The birthday girl, Bubble, wore a pink and white tutu dress with small pearls adorning the cuffs and waist, and the hem was covered with snowflake-like shimmer. Her curly hair was carefully styled, making her even more playful and adorable. The whole little one was as light and agile as a little elf.

Hearing her best friend's praise, Bubble was both shy and proud: "Thank you, Rou Rou, this is a dress my mom bought for me."

"Let's go inside first, my mom has already made the cake." A group of toddlers rushed into the house.

Bubble's family also lives in a large villa, but perhaps because they just moved in, the villa is quite empty and not as luxurious as one might imagine.

But this doesn't matter to the children; as long as they have food and fun, that's enough.

While Mom and her friends were playing, He Nianzhu, being an adult, couldn't easily join in. After exchanging brief greetings with the other parents of the toddlers, she found a spot nearby to hide, her body practically screaming "Keep Out!"

On the long table in the restaurant was a five-tiered fruit cake, each tier filled with different fruits: cherries, mangoes, and strawberries.

The chubby little prince drooled, "They're all my favorite foods!"

Bubble smiled happily: "Today is my fifth birthday, so Mom specially made a five-tiered cake! My mom's cake is the most delicious cake in the world, Prince, you must eat more of it later."

The sweet aroma of the cake, mixed with the fresh scent of fruit, wafted into the air, making all the children present swallow hard.

"Bubble, your mom is amazing! My mom can't even make a cake."

No little cub can resist cake. The prince rubbed his chubby little hands together and said, "When can we eat it? Can we eat it now? I'll just have a little bit."

Guoguo raised her hand: "I know that we can only eat cake after we finish eating, and we have to blow out the candles and make a wish before we eat cake."

The prince, being a cub with poor self-control, became quite unhappy upon hearing that he couldn't eat immediately.

Xu Yirou had a sudden inspiration: "How about we play some games first? What would you like to play?"

I didn't bring my sand shovel today, so I can't play my favorite sand shovel game.

After thinking for a while, Bubble had a flash of inspiration and suggested, "Let's play house. Meatball is the mother, I'm the father, Prince is the goose, and Guoguo is the goose."

"No, that won't work."

Why not?

Xu Yirou said in a childish voice, "I have a son and a daughter."

Bubble asked innocently, "Huh? Who is it?"

“My son is right there,” Xu Yirou pointed with her little hand. “He’s my son!”

He Nianzhu, forced to become the center of attention for the cubs once again: "..."

Feeling mocked, the prince huffed, "Meatball, how could he be your son? He's so big, and you're so small. Don't talk nonsense."

Guoguo: "Yes, yes, Mom said that lying is not being a good child."

Xu Yirou: "I'm not lying, he is my son, and I am his mom!"

Guoguo had only been learning arithmetic for a few days. She looked down and counted on her fingers: "Rourou, you're only four years old. That older brother looks much, much older than you."

"Let's go ask the older brother how old he is first."

Facing the eager gazes of the cubs, He Nianzhu remained calm and composed: "I'm three years old."

The cubs: "..."

"Liar!"

“See? He’s my son. And I’m not four years old, I’m forty-five!” Xu Yirou said, hands on her hips.

"Liar!"

The cubs almost questioned their existence, but the prince, not to be outdone, shouted, "If Rou Rou is forty-five, then I'm fifty!"

"I am five hundred years old!"

"I am five thousand years old!"

Guoguo, who couldn't even recognize all the numbers, yelled, "I...I can't count how many years I've lived!"

He Nianzhu & Xu Yirou: ...