Chapter 37 (Combined with Thirty-Seven)

Thirty-seven:

The kitten in my arms raised its front paws and kneaded back and forth, eventually relaxing and kneading its paws.

Its claws opened and closed, like petals tightening and then unfolding.

Qin Cheng felt the soft touch of the kitten's paw pads, and his mood was even softer than the kitten's paw pads.

On this day, he finally realized for sure that his grandfather liked him.

He didn't like him before, simply because he wasn't his grandson.

Just like his classmate's grandfather.

Qin Cheng wouldn't expect his classmate's grandfather to like him.

Therefore, he felt that he shouldn't expect Mu Feng, who wasn't his biological grandfather, to like him as well.

It's enough to like him now.

Now, he is his grandson.

So, he likes him now, and that's enough.

Qin Cheng looked at the adorable kitten in his arms and reached out to stroke its head.

The kitten, kneading, tilted its head back, its eyes, still showing signs of blue tinge, round and clear, incredibly adorable.

This was the first time he had received a gift from an elder of Mu Feng's age.

Qin Cheng looked at it and couldn't help but laugh.

He looked up at Mu Feng and said, "Thank you, Grandpa."

"You're welcome." Mu Feng patted his head.

The two sat down on the bench again.

The sunlight shone through, making the lake water in front of me even more sparkling and shimmering.

The white swan swam a little closer to them.

Looking at the quiet swans, Mu Feng recalled his earlier statement about loving someone because of their love for them. His grandson was never a crow perched on the eaves, but a swan swimming in the lake of his heart.

A beautiful little swan with a pure heart.

"Do your maternal grandparents like you?" Mu Feng suddenly asked.

Qin Cheng was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Mu Feng to ask him this question.

He looked at Mu Feng, lowered his eyelashes, stroked the kitten in his arms, and didn't know what to say.

Seeing his expression, Mu Feng knew exactly what else he might not know.

Just as he guessed, just as he expected.

Mu Feng recalled the scene when he first met Qin Cheng.

It wasn't at the Mu family's old house, nor after the formal wedding ceremony began.

Instead, it happened before the wedding began, just as the bride and groom had finished their makeup and were busy taking photos with relatives and friends.

The scene was chaotic, and it was in this setting that he met his in-laws and Qin Cheng.

That was not only the first time he met Qin Cheng, but also the first time he met his in-laws.

He did not approve of the marriage, so Mu Zheng was responsible for all the arrangements, procedures, and guest list for the wedding.

The wedding arrangements that should have been discussed by both sets of parents did not happen to him.

He thought his in-laws would be very angry and dissatisfied with him when he showed up at the wedding.

However, that wasn't the case. His in-laws came to greet him from afar, their faces full of smiles.

Mu Feng simply ignored them.

He let them exchange polite words in his ear, and looked around the wedding venue in front of him. During his look around, he saw Qin Cheng.

A small, handsome little boy was standing in front of the snack bar in the main hall, slowly eating a small cake.

He thought, this is his son's adopted son.

As he was looking, Qin Cheng's maternal grandparents noticed his gaze, their faces showing panic. They quickly said, "Really, I told you not to let this child attend the wedding, but Xiao Zheng insisted on bringing him. I'll take him away now so as not to disturb your peace."

As she spoke, she prepared to walk towards Qin Cheng.

Her eyes held a hidden dissatisfaction and annoyance. Mu Feng looked at her and found it amusing. The dissatisfaction he expected hadn't manifested in him, but rather in a child.

It happened to her own grandson.

That's ridiculous.

He said indifferently, "No need."

Qin Cheng's maternal grandmother was somewhat surprised and turned her head in confusion.

Mu Feng said, "Since my son wants him to participate, then let him participate."

After he finished speaking, he ignored the person in front of him and went to Mu Zheng's side.

At that time, Mu Feng didn't take the matter too seriously. After all, this was Qin's grandson, not his own grandson.

But that night, after Mu Zheng told him that Qin Cheng was his grandson, Mu Feng suddenly remembered this matter for some reason.

By observing small details, one can often discern the whole picture from just a glimpse of the iceberg.

That's why he asked Qin Cheng, "Do your maternal grandparents like you?"

Now he knows the answer.

“It’s alright.” Mu Feng said calmly, “People don’t necessarily need grandparents to grow up. Many people don’t have grandparents, like Xiao Xi. He doesn’t have grandparents, but he can still grow up very well.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Cheng looked up at him and asked, "Aren't his maternal grandparents gone?"

His father only told him that Ye Qingxi's father and grandfather had died, and that her mother had married someone else; he never mentioned her maternal grandparents.

"More or less," Mu Feng said.

Qin Cheng couldn't help but feel sorry for Ye Qingxi.

Since Ye Qingxi was mentioned, Mu Feng simply explained a few words to him, "Although Xiaoxi is not my biological grandson, his grandfather is my good friend. As I told you, I love my friends. So when my friend passed away, he hoped that I would help him take care of his grandson, and of course I agreed and will take good care of him."

Qin Cheng nodded. Although he didn't have any close friends, that didn't stop him from feeling that Ye Qingxi needed someone to take care of her.

How can a child be without an adult by their side?

Ye Qingxi has no parents or other relatives. What will he do if his grandfather doesn't take care of him?

“I will take good care of him too,” he said softly.

Mu Feng raised an eyebrow, "You?"

Qin Cheng looked up at him and said, "Mm."

He said, "I am his brother."

Mu Feng laughed. In this respect, he was indeed just like Mu Zheng, worthy of being his son.

"Okay." Mu Feng patted the back of his head. "Then we'll take care of him together."

"Mm," Qin Cheng replied.

After sitting for a while, Mu Feng stood up and led Qin Cheng back.

Qin Cheng, holding the cat in his arms, was walking along when he suddenly remembered something and looked up at Mu Feng, "Does Xiao Xi have a cat?"

"Of course." Mu Feng looked at him. "You two are both my grandsons, so naturally you'll have them too."

That's good, Qin Cheng thought.

"He'll be very happy when he wakes up."

Just as he thought.

Ye Qingxi was awakened by being licked.

At first, it wasn't licking, but something stepped over his leg, making uneven stomping noises.

Then he felt something getting closer to him.

When the warm touch came, Ye Qingxi reluctantly opened her eyes and saw the white kitten in front of her.

A kitten? Ye Qingxi was a little confused.

The kitten in front of him stretched its neck, moved closer to him again, and sniffed his face.

Ye Qingxi: ...

Ye Qingxi carefully raised her hand and stroked the kitten's head.

The kitten immediately closed its eyes in enjoyment, raised its chin, and gestured for him to scratch its chin.

Ye Qingxi scratched it cooperatively, sat up, and hugged it to her chest.

It was so small and soft that he didn't dare to use any force, afraid of hurting it.

"Meow~" the kitten meowed.

Ye Qingxi affectionately patted him again and happily squeezed his little paws.

He looked up, saw that no one was in the room, and called out towards the small study attached to the bedroom, "Dad, where did this kitten come from?"

"She's awake." Mu Shaowu stood up and walked out.

Ye Qingxi smiled at him and asked, "Did you buy this for me?"

Mu Shaowu shook his head, "It's your grandfather. He bought one for you and one for Xiao Cheng."

"My brother has one too!" Ye Qingxi exclaimed curiously. "Is his a Golden Point too?"

"No, his is golden, it's a golden shaded dog."

Ye Qingxi got out of bed with her kitten in her arms. "I'm going to check on him."

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Qin Cheng was in his bedroom, excitedly showing off his kitten to Mu Zheng and Qin Luan.

“My grandfather gave it to me,” he said.

Mu Zheng was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected his father to give Qin Cheng a kitten.

Why did he suddenly give you a kitten?

"Because he likes me," Qin Cheng said somewhat shyly.

Upon hearing this, Mu Zheng was slightly taken aback.

At that moment, he understood what his father had said earlier: that he had something to teach him.

He wasn't trying to teach him, but rather to let him know that he liked him.

Mu Zheng couldn't help but feel a little moved.

He stroked Qin Cheng's hair and said to him, "Dad likes you too."

Qin Cheng: ?

Qin Cheng didn't quite understand why he suddenly said that.

He knows.

But he was still very happy to hear Mu Zheng say that, so he whispered, "I like Dad too."

Mu Zheng laughed and flicked his nose.

As they were talking, there was a knock on the door.

The next second, Mu Shaowu pushed open the door, and Ye Qingxi appeared before Qin Cheng's eyes.

Qin Cheng spotted the white kitten in Ye Qingxi's arms at a glance.

Ye Qingxi also saw the cat in his arms.

The two quickly walked towards each other, their eyes fixed on each other's cats.

"So cute," Ye Qingxi said.

"Yours is cute too."

"Brother, have you named the kitten yet?"

Qin Cheng shook his head. "What about you?"

"I don't have any either. But..."

Ye Qingxi looked at the white ball in her arms and said, "I think it looks like a cotton candy, so let's call it cotton candy."

Upon hearing this, Qin Cheng looked at the golden kitten in his arms.

"Then I'll call mine 'Donut,' because it looks like a freshly fried donut."

Mu Shaowu couldn't help but chuckle, finding both names quite delicious.

"I want to take the cat to Grandpa Fang to see," Ye Qingxi said. "To tell him that we have a cat now."

Qin Cheng had no objection. "We'll take him out to see it when we go for our evening walk."

"Okay," Ye Qingxi said happily.

After speaking with Qin Cheng, he couldn't wait to go find Mu Feng and thank him.

Looking at his joyful expression, Mu Feng said calmly, "It's nothing."

"Grandpa, did you buy these for me and my brother because you think I like Jinbao and Yuanbao?"

"Yes and no," Mu Feng said.

From the beginning, he wanted to use Jinbao, Yuanbao, and Qin Cheng's own kitten to explain what he wanted to say to Qin Cheng.

Unexpectedly, Ye Qingxi liked Jinbao and Yuanbao so much after meeting them, which is why she asked for Jinbao and Yuanbao's grandson.

Otherwise, he could have sent them a different breed of cat.

It's simpler and more convenient, and also less impersonal.

"I'm glad you like it."

"I love it," Ye Qingxi said quickly. "I love it so much."

Looking at the smile on his face, Mu Feng thought to himself: Then it was worth it.

Mu Shaoting and Mu Shaoyan were both shocked to hear that their father had given their nephew a cat each.

Why don't they receive this kind of treatment!

As expected! Are sons (daughters) really inferior to grandsons?!

In an instant, the two of them surrounded Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng, curiously teasing the kitten in their arms.

After dinner was ready, Ye Qingxi reluctantly put the cat on the ground to play by itself, and then went downstairs to eat with Qin Cheng.

Although Grandpa Mu had prepared cat food, canned cat food, cat litter, and cat toys for them, Ye Qingxi felt it was far from enough.

He pulled Qin Cheng aside and discussed with him, "We also need to buy a cat bed, a scratching post, a cat tree, freeze-dried food, and other toys."

Qin Cheng had no idea what he was talking about, but since it all contained the word "cat," it must be related to cats, so he didn't hesitate and said, "Buy it."

"After we finish eating, I'll search online and then ask my dad to buy it."

“Then I’ll ask my dad to buy it too,” Qin Cheng said.

After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but feel a little happy.

He can say this freely now.

Like everyone else, you can tell your dad what you need and ask him to buy it for you.

He wasn't Mu Zheng's biological son before. Although Mu Zheng treated him very well and always bought him things, he was still too embarrassed to say so.

He was afraid that if he spoke up, Mu Zheng would find him troublesome.

But not anymore.

He is Mu Zheng's biological son.

A father will never find his own son troublesome.

very nice.

Qin Cheng couldn't help but laugh.

Ye Qingxi poked the corner of his mouth, "What are you laughing at?"

Qin Cheng was embarrassed to say it and denied it, saying, "It's nothing."

"Then laugh."

Qin Cheng: ...

Qin Cheng quickened his pace, pulling him along as they hurried downstairs. "I'm hungry, let's walk faster."

Ye Qingxi: ? ? ?

Ye Qingxi had no choice but to follow him and enter the restaurant with him.

Tonight's dinner is steak.

Perhaps worried that the children would have trouble cutting it, Aunt Zhang had already cut Qin Cheng and Ye Qingxi's steaks into small pieces beforehand.

Ye Qingxi ate it and found it very delicious.

"Tomorrow night, Xiao Xi, my older brother Xiao Cheng, and I won't be coming back for dinner," Mu Shaowu said.

Mu Shaoyan immediately became curious, "Why?"

"Xiao Cheng invited us to go to the water park."

“Then I’ll go too.” Mu Shaoyan’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Me too," Mu Shaoting added.

Mu Shaowu: ? ? ?

"No, what's it to you? This is a parent-child activity between our two father-son pairs, don't you understand?"

Mu Shaoting didn't understand; she just knew that the decision-making power in this matter did not lie with her brother.

So she looked directly at Ye Qingxi and asked, "Xiaoxi, can Auntie go?"

Ye Qingxi certainly thought it was possible, but the person who initiated it had to be Qin Cheng!

So he replied, "You'll have to ask Brother Qin Cheng about that."

Mu Shaoting turned her head and looked at Qin Cheng expectantly, "Is it okay, Xiao Cheng?"

Qin Cheng: ...

Qin Cheng didn't expect that she would also want to go.

However, he had never played with his aunt and uncle before, so he nodded almost without hesitation.

"Can."

"Then I should be able to too," Mu Shaoyan said.

"Yes," Qin Cheng replied generously.

Mu Shaoting was delighted, "Great! Let's set off together tomorrow!"

Seeing that it was no longer him and his father who had gone, Qin Cheng said to Qin Luan, "Mom, you should come too."

"Okay," Qin Luan said with a smile.

She had initially thought Qin Cheng wanted to go out with his father alone, which was why she hadn't mentioned going along. Now that was clearly not the case, it wouldn't make a difference if she joined them.

Does that mean his grandfather isn't going? Ye Qingxi suddenly realized.

This won't do!

So Ye Qingxi immediately said, "Grandpa, why don't you come with us too?"

Mu Shaoting: ? ? ?

Mu Shaoyan: !!!

Mu Shaowu: ...

Mu Feng refused, saying, "You guys play by yourselves, I'm too lazy to go."

Mu Shaowu: He knew this would happen.

If his dad agreed to go to a place like that with them, would he still be his dad?!

But the next second he heard his son plead, "Come on, come on! I've never been to a water park with Grandpa before, I want to go with you, Grandpa."

Upon hearing this, Mu Feng subconsciously thought of Ye Min.

I thought he was regretting not having gone with Ye Min before, which is why he wanted to go with him.

Mu Feng softened slightly and agreed.

Mu Shaowu: ? ? ? !!!

Looking at his son, Mu Shaowu thought he was really something, actually managing to get his father to agree!

Sure enough, grandsons are really lethal!

When Ye Qingxi heard him agree, she couldn't help but cheer in her heart.

"If we go out as a family, should we wear our family clothes?"

Mu Feng: ...

Ye Qingxi quickly added, "Of course, Grandpa doesn't need to."

Mu Feng's expression softened somewhat.

Mu Shaowu lowered his head, wiped his sweat, and was terrified. He thought his dad was really going to wear a cat-patterned short-sleeved shirt.

That scene must be very exciting.

The group agreed to set off after lunch the next day.

Ye Qingxi looked at the identical kittens on their bodies and couldn't help but feel happy.

"Let's go!" he said happily.

Mu Shaowu picked him up and stepped out of the house first.

Qin Cheng followed closely behind.

He glanced at his own short-sleeved shirt, then at his parents', and finally couldn't help but laugh.

This is the first time they've ever dressed like this!

They look like a family!

While sitting in the car, Ye Qingxi discussed with Mu Shaowu, "Dad, can we order some family clothes next year?"

Mu Shaowu asked curiously, "What kind do you want to order?"

"Just change the kitten pattern to a marshmallow and a donut pattern."

He no longer feels ashamed of wearing a cute kitten t-shirt at the age of eighteen; he only feels happy when the kitten on the t-shirt is replaced by his own kitten.

"We'll make one for Marshmallow and Donut too, so they can wear it too."

Mu Shaowu chuckled, "I think their fur coats are quite warm, they don't need to wear them."

"When they're both a year old, we can take photos and they can wear them."

"Are you still planning to take pictures?"

Ye Qingxi nodded and said sweetly, "Dad, you should go too, and Grandpa should go too, we'll film together."

"Okay." Mu Shaowu pinched his cheek, thinking his son was just too cute.

After a half-hour drive, we finally arrived at the water park that Mu Shaowu had booked in advance.

The group got out of the car and went inside.

Qin Cheng, Qin Luan, and Mu Shaoting cannot swim, so they rented three swimming rings.

Mu Shaoyan looked at Ye Qingxi in surprise, "Xiao Xi, you actually know how?!"

Ye Qingxi nodded.

He's a veteran in the entertainment industry with 13 years of experience and has acted in nearly 100 films. How could he not encounter scenes that require him to go into the water?

And for safety when going into the water, of course you need to learn to swim.

Mu Shaowu smiled and said, "I've already told you my son is a genius. Do you even know what a genius is?"

Mu Shaoyan nodded. "Now I understand."

Ye Qingxi: ...

Ye Qingxi turned around to look at Qin Cheng's swimming ring.

When Mu Shaowu contacted the person in charge, he booked the entire water park. As a result, at this time, there was no one else in the water park except for his family.

Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng held hands and went into the water, where they had a great time playing.

They swam to the slide entrance not far away, stood up, walked up, and slid down from the top.

With a "splash," water splashed out.

Ye Qingxi laughed, and Qin Cheng couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips as well.

"Again, again!" Ye Qingxi said happily.

Qin Cheng cooperated with him and played on the slide several times in a row.

After playing on the slide, Ye Qingxi wanted to play on the spinning ball, the Ferris wheel, and the small boats.

Qin Cheng played with him in every single activity.

Mu Feng sat on the shore, watching his children in the pool.

At this moment, Ye Qingxi was teaching Qin Cheng to swim, Mu Shaoyan and Mu Shaoting were chasing and playing, and Mu Shaowu and Mu Zheng were talking while keeping an eye on their children.

They all had smiles on their faces, some laughing loudly, some smiling gently; everyone seemed to be having a good time.

This summer was brighter and more beautiful than he had imagined.

After their trip to the water park ended and they returned to the Mu family's old house, Qin Cheng and the others prepared to go home.

Before Mu Zheng left, Mu Feng spoke to him privately, "Could you arrange a meeting with your parents-in-law for 2 PM tomorrow? I have something to say to them."

Mu Zheng was puzzled. His father had never liked to have contact with Qin Luan's parents, so why would he suddenly take the initiative to ask to see them?

Is something the matter?

“Of course,” Mu Feng said, “but it’s not convenient for you, as the son-in-law, to say this, so I’ll say it for you.”

Now Mu Zheng was even more puzzled. "What is it?"

"You don't need to know. Knowing will only make things difficult for you. So just go and make the appointment. Go ahead."

Looking at his father's calm face, Mu Zheng finally nodded.

Qin Luan's parents were shocked to hear their son-in-law say that his father wanted to see them.

After all, their in-laws have always seemed to look down on them.

Qin's parents could understand. They knew what kind of family the Mu family was, and what kind of family they were. It was normal that Old Master Mu looked down on them.

But, if that's the case, then...

"Why would your father suddenly want to see us?" Qin's mother couldn't help but ask.

"I don't know either," Mu Zheng said. "You'll know when you see them at 2 PM tomorrow."

“Okay,” Qin’s mother replied.

Mu Zheng hung up the phone and continued working.

Qin's parents then started discussing, "Is this meeting at this time related to Xiao Cheng?"

They only learned a few days ago from their own son that Qin Cheng was actually Mu Zheng's biological son!

This is truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple; even family members don't recognize each other.

Qin's mother immediately called and scolded Qin Luan, then thanked God, feeling that God had been kind to their family.

Qin Cheng is Mu Zheng's biological son, so the two families are even more closely tied together!

When Qin Cheng grows up and becomes the head of the Mu Group, their status will naturally rise accordingly, something they can hardly even imagine.

The more they analyzed it, the more likely it seemed.

Why did they have to meet now of all times? It must be related to their grandson!

"This really is his grandson. Mu Feng was so arrogant before, he wouldn't even acknowledge us when he saw us, but now he's taking the initiative to ask us out!"

"Of course, this is the Mu family's first grandson, how could he not care?"

"Indeed, if it were me, I would also need to contact my in-laws."

The two were happily busy preparing for their meeting the next day.

They carefully selected their clothes and got their hair done before arriving at the hotel private room that Mu Feng had arranged the next afternoon.

"Father-in-law, it's been a long time." Qin's parents greeted Mu Feng warmly as soon as they saw him.

Mu Feng said in a calm tone, "It has been a long time."

"Xiao Zheng said you want to see us. Is there something you want to tell us?" Qin's mother asked him.

As she spoke, she and her husband sat down on the chairs together.

"There is something."

"What?" Qin's mother asked with a smile.

"You should already know that Xiao Cheng is Mu Zheng's child, right?"

Qin's mother nodded repeatedly, "I know, you know. This whole thing is like a flood washing away the Dragon King's temple. It's all Qin Luan's fault for being so stubborn. But thankfully, the heavens are on their side, and the two of them are destined to be together, which is how this family of three was able to reunite."

Looking at the smile on her face, Mu Feng knew he hadn't come to talk about this.

"Let's have a meal together in a few days to celebrate for the family of three, what do you think?" Qin's mother suggested.

"No need," Mu Feng said.

Qin's mother was stunned for a moment, thinking she might be hallucinating.

What did he say, "No need"? How can it be no need?

Wasn't his purpose in meeting with them today to get to know them better and build a closer relationship?

"I've come to see you all today for only one thing, and that is—"

Mu Feng looked at the people in front of him and said, "From now on, unless Xiao Cheng takes the initiative to ask to see you, I hope you will not go to him, appear in front of him, or contact him."

Mr. and Mrs. Qin were shocked: "What did you say?!"

“I said, unless Xiao Cheng wants to see you, none of you are allowed to see him.”

"Why?!" Qin's mother exclaimed, "We are his maternal grandparents, why won't you let us see him!"

Mu Feng laughed as if he had heard a joke. "Grandparents? You know you're his grandparents? I thought you were like me before, unaware."