Chapter 114: Daily Life (3)
The cries of newborns could be heard from the nursery from time to time. Although Zhou Baoxuan was a little weak, her eyes still shone with a gentle light.
"Sister Baoxuan, does the baby look more like you or Inspector Weng?"
“Her nose and eyes are like mine, and her mouth—” Zhou Baoxuan sighed softly, “is like her father.”
“It’s alright, Sister Baoxuan, don’t worry,” Zeng Yongshan comforted softly. “The child hasn’t fully grown yet; he won’t look like Mr. Weng when he grows up.”
Within the entire CID, no one is better at sweet-talking than Shan Tsang.
Therefore, everyone immediately stopped thinking and echoed her.
"Exactly! You can't tell yet."
"They change when they grow up."
"Don't worry...it won't be like Inspector Weng's!"
Weng Zhaolin listened intently in the nursery.
What do these people mean?
He strode out carrying the child, saying, "What are you saying? Isn't it better if he looks like his father?"
The children's attention was always on the baby's wrinkled face.
I watched the whole thing closely, and the more I watched, the more disheartened I became.
My niece is incredibly talented; she put on a spectacular show of crying her eyes out the moment we met. Weng Zhaolin carried her back and forth until we reached the living room.
When everyone finally saw the new baby, even their exclamations of surprise became genuine.
Wow, so cute!
"You're so small, yet you're already so beautiful!"
The aroma of braised pig's feet with ginger wafted from the dining table. Everyone sat around, and the conversation turned to the baby's name.
"Have you chosen a name yet?"
The new father looked at his daughter, a smile spreading across his eyes: "Because my surname is Weng, I gave her a nickname."
"Buzzing?"
Weng Zhaolin shook his head good-naturedly: "How can a little girl be named like that? But there is indeed a connection. My surname is Weng, and 'wengwengweng' sounds like that—"
"Little bee!" Haozai answered quickly.
Zhou Baoxuan smiled and replied, "Her name is Tian Tian."
"Bees collect nectar, and nectar is sweet. Since there are too many people named 'sweet,' we took a homonym and named her 'tiantian'."
The logic behind this name is so convoluted and circuitous.
Sheng Fang was completely confused. She rested her chin on her hands and looked at her niece, who was as small as a model in Mr. Weng's arms.
This Tian Tian is no fun at all.
Shengfang had been looking forward to getting a new toy soon, but his wish has now been dashed. Last night, Qingzai had just read him an idiom story, and now he used the newly learned idiom, which is "things don't go as planned".
Zhu Qing rubbed Fangfang's little head and told him that there was another phrase, "there's plenty of time in the future."
Tian Tian will grow up eventually.
When the time comes, he, as her uncle, will take her to see all the Transformers, Ultraman, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Shengfang clenched her fist and nudged the newborn baby's little fist: "It's a deal!"
...
The wish Fangfang made on her birthday is long forgotten. After all, children's minds are filled with many novel ideas every day, and these whimsical thoughts embellish her wonderful childhood. Even if old wishes are replaced by new ones, Fangfang doesn't feel regretful, because moving forward always leads to more exciting adventures.
But Zhu Qing always remembered.
My niece's promises are never just empty words. Since she promised Shengfang, she must help him fulfill his wish.
Therefore, after the case was finally closed, she put Fangfang's wish list on her agenda.
The child's first birthday wish was to have a water gun fight.
Zhu Qing had carefully prepared two cool water guns, and the uncle and nephew met in the courtyard.
Preparing children for the event involves simple tasks like pinching their short legs and rotating their wrists—just warm-up exercises—but there are many elaborate steps involved.
“It’s so hot,” Sheng Peirong said, sitting in the air-conditioned living room, looking at the older and younger children in the courtyard through the floor-to-ceiling windows, shaking her head helplessly. “Their faces are all red from the sun, aren’t they afraid of getting heatstroke?”
"Can we begin?"
"Let's begin the battle!"
Aunt Ping has acquired new equipment: a whistle specially made for her by Qingqing. With a whistle, Aunt Ping slips into the house to enjoy the air conditioning, while the two of them, one big and one small, remain in the courtyard to begin their grand operation.
Zhu Qing and Sheng Fang, the children, are not afraid of the scorching sun; the cool water spray from their water guns can cool them down!
The courtyard was spacious, and even the ball pit had been moved to the basement. There was no space to hide, so the children took off running with their chubby little legs, but Zhu Qing always managed to hit them accurately in the back.
"Qingzai! You cheated!" Shengfang turned around angrily, her soft hair already wet, dripping down her little face.
It's like a drowned rat.
"I didn't." Zhu Qing held the gun in one hand. "Is someone a sore loser?"
Madam Ching is a brave and capable detective; how could she be no match for a mere junior officer like Little Fang Sir?
I always give in to him, and the kid really thinks he's become a speedster. Now he's hiding and running but he can never outrun me, and he's so angry he's about to explode.
"But you're an adult!" Sheng Fang said angrily, stopping as he held the water gun.
Shengfang's round little face was rosy from the sun.
Zhu Qing approached, her tone softening: "Uncle, am I an 'adult' again now?"
The next second, she took the opportunity to raise the water gun, and the water jet hit Fangfang's forehead directly.
"A sharpshooter!" Madam exclaimed proudly.
"Ah—" Sheng Fang was so angry that she ran around in circles until her eyes fell on the small bicycle leaning against the porch and her eyes lit up.
He rushed over in a few quick steps and jumped onto his "police bicycle".
With the aid of a private vehicle, the tide of battle turned instantly. Shengfang, carrying a water gun on her back and holding onto the handlebars of her bicycle with both hands, moved as fast as the wind. When she stopped, she nimbly raised the water gun to fire and then disappeared in an instant.
Zhu Qing pretended to be flustered and dodged, which made Sheng Fang laugh until her eyes crinkled.
"Qingzai, Qingzai, are you going to admit defeat?"
"Of course—I don't admit it!"
And so a new round of fierce fighting began.
Sheng Peirong stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching.
Hearty laughter, the clear ringing of bicycle bells, and the chirping of cicadas mingled together, even easing the summer heat somewhat.
"Qingqing, young master..." Aunt Ping stepped forward with a watermelon in hand. "This watermelon was just chilled. It's sweet and crisp. Come and have a taste!"
The uncle and nephew temporarily ceased hostilities, but still remained wary of each other. They each grabbed a piece of watermelon, stuffed it into their mouths, and turned to run away.
"Bloom! Continue!"
"Who! Afraid of! Who!"
...
The child's second birthday wish was to start a morning run.
This wish was not difficult to fulfill. It was still summer, and at six o'clock in the morning, Zhu Qing appeared in front of Sheng Fang's bed.
Last night, my uncle was so determined to get up early, but now he's clinging tightly to "Uncle Bear," pouting and muttering, "I don't want to get up..."
"Please, I want to sleep a little longer."
In the past, Shengfang would crawl to Zhu Qing's side using both hands and feet, cupping her little hands into a megaphone to wake her up.
This time, the tables have turned, and it's the niece's turn to "take revenge" without any mercy.
"Time to get up."
"Fangfang, wake up!"
"That's morning jogging, it's a lot of fun."
Qingzai kept nagging in my ear, and after what seemed like an eternity, the little girl finally got up and sat blankly in the middle of the bed.
Before he could even speak, with his hair sticking up in a mess from sleeping, he spread his hands and fell back into the soft blankets with a "thump."
She still had that sleepy little expression.
"Blooming, I want to run!"
"Go ask Aunt Ping to go with you!"
Aunt Ping carried the young master's sports equipment upstairs and laughed, "My little darling, please spare me, this old bone of mine can't run more than a few steps."
Fangfang buried her face in the blankets, and finally, there was no sound around her.
However, as time went by, his hair was soaked with sweat on his forehead, and he kicked his little feet in protest under the covers: "Air conditioning!"
Zhu Qing turned off the air conditioning and waited leisurely on the side, casually pulling back the curtains and opening the window to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the mountain path in the early morning.
Shengfang finally sat up again.
Qingzai is a bad guy, he shouldn't have released her from Fangfang Prison last time!
At 6:30, the uncle and nephew finally went out.
Along the mountain path, Zhu Qing stopped frequently to wait.
Fangfang had a towel around her neck, but forgot to wipe her sweat. Her chubby little face trembled with each step she took as she ran.
Shengfang's childhood dream was to join the Wong Chuk Hang Police Academy. But now, the plan has suddenly been brought forward, and it's like he's participating in special training at a preschool police academy, with the slogan "Don't give up" echoing in his ears, gritting his teeth and persevering.
The reward after my morning exercise was sticky rice chicken from a roadside breakfast shop.
People come and go at the street corner. An old man at the newsstand spreads out the morning newspapers, office workers hurry by with their briefcases, and old neighbors haggle at the market entrance, creating the lively atmosphere of the streets and alleys in the early morning.
The aroma of glutinous rice chicken is irresistible; peel back the fragrant lotus leaves and a wave of steam will hit you.
The children ate with great relish, rice grains sticking to the corners of their mouths, and the little ones were filled with great ambition.
"Qingzai, Qingzai, we're coming again tomorrow!"
"Can you get up?"
Shengfang exclaimed excitedly, "I can do it!"
The future Inspector Fang will begin his special training now.
If you can't run fast, how will you catch bad guys in the future?
...
Shengfang's third wish is to raise a little snail.
Cheng Xinglang helped him realize this wish.
It was an evening when the rain had just stopped, and two figures, one tall and one short, were squatting by the flower bed.
Holding a small pair of binoculars, Sheng Fang asked in a low voice with a serious expression, "Dr. Cheng, is it really here?"
Why isn't it coming out yet?
"I didn't see it..."
"Dr. Cheng, say something!"
Cheng Xinglang turned around: "What?"
"Keep your voice down!" Sheng Fang continued in a whisper, "If you hear me, you'll run away—"
"Kid, snails don't have a hearing system."
Fangfang tilted her little head and shouted, "We're coming to catch you!"
“There’s one over there,” Cheng Xinglang suddenly said.
Shengfang looked in the direction he pointed, instantly holding her breath, but her lips curled into a wide grin.
And so, on this day, Fangfang got a little pet.
In the days that followed, Sheng Peirong would see her younger brother talking to his new friend in a daze every day.
"Snail Cowboy, did you eat your fill today? Don't be picky about food."
"I'm going to my tennis lesson now. Be a good girl and wait for me at home. See you tonight."
"If you're bored, you can ask Aunt Ping to turn on the TV for you and watch an animal documentary."
"Big sister, big sister, do you want to say good morning to it?"
Sheng Peirong got goosebumps looking at the sticky little creature. What gave her even more of a headache was that the child actually said he wanted to take a family photo next year while holding the snail.
Until one morning, Shengfang, a little girl, walked around the house barefoot, bending over and crawling on the floor, searching every inch of the house.
"What's wrong?"
"Big sister," Sheng Fang said with a tearful face, "my snail has run away from home."
"That's great!" Sheng Peirong's eyes lit up and she blurted out, then coughed lightly, "What did you say? This is a really bad thing."
The little girl looked sadly at her older sister and asked, "Why is the corner of your mouth turned up?"
“Although I’m reluctant to part with it,” Sheng Peirong said seriously, “the snail belongs to nature, and we should be happy for it.”
Take a deep breath and make a new wish.
He hopes that after Snail Cowboy leaves home, he can grow up safely, happily, and joyfully.
...
Days passed by one by one.
Now that it's summer vacation, Sheng Fang is naturally going to the Yau Ma Tei Police Station more often. In the CID office, although Ong Siu-lun, who has just finished his paternity leave, is back at the CID, he is still thinking about his daughter and wife at home.
Weng Zhaolin now loves sharing his parenting experiences with his colleagues. No one would have imagined that the stingy boss who used to refuse even afternoon tea would now generously have a bunch of delicious food and drinks delivered from the Li Kee Tea Restaurant downstairs, and sit with his subordinates at their desks, talking non-stop about his daughter.
"I didn't sleep a wink last night, it was like a battle," said Weng Zhaolin. "Baoxuan and I were in a frenzy, taking turns to hold her, it was just chaotic."
"He cries as soon as I put him down, but laughs when I pick him up." He gestured as he held the baby. "He finally fell asleep on my stomach!"
The family has many helpers, but the new parents still want to do everything themselves for their precious daughter.
Weng Zhaolin vividly described the scene of raising children as chaotic and disorderly.
The couple worked day and night to overcome the challenges, but they enjoyed it immensely.
The colleagues in the office burst into laughter.
Shengfang listened intently, her little face tilted upwards, realizing she could no longer teach John. He couldn't offer any advice. She never imagined a newborn baby would be like this!
As Weng Zhaolin sipped his coffee, he remarked, "Actually, it's good to have children later in life."
In their youth, the couple were not childless by choice. However, Weng Zhaolin happened to come from a poor background and was frugal by nature, while his wife Zhou Baoxuan was focused on her career, and neither of them had ever thought about having children.
Now that their careers are stable and their relationship is deep, it's the perfect time for them to gradually shift their focus to their family.
"Now we have the ability to give Tian Tian the best, and we also have more time to accompany her as she grows up."
"Of course, we were a little late. The older mother suffered a lot. Baoxuan said last night that she should have waited until she was at the advanced maternal age," Weng Zhaolin said with a smile.
The colleagues nodded immediately.
The relatives all kept saying "the sooner the better," but Mr. Weng conveyed such a clear and insightful view, which is truly rare.
Weng Zhaolin is like a different person now. He brings home piles and piles of the most expensive toys from baby stores. But the baby is still too small to even grasp them properly, so in the end, all these toys become gifts that John gives to his little friend.
"I wonder if Baoxuan is alright at home..." Weng Zhaolin couldn't help but check his watch again.
“Qingzai is off tomorrow!” Shengfang suddenly raised her hand.
Zhu Qing would look at old case files whenever she had free time.
At that moment, she casually twirled her pen, looked up from the case file, and said, "Yes—"
"We can help you take care of the kids!" Sheng Fang patted her chest and promised.
With a "thud," the pen, which had been halfway through its rotation, fell back onto the desk at the workstation.
"..." Zhu Qing slowly turned to the enthusiastic child and said tactfully, "Ah?"
...
Although the baby himself wasn't fun, taking care of the child with Zhu Qing was like playing house—it was so much fun!
The little girl, Shengfang, was quick to act. The next morning, she appeared in the living room of Mr. Weng's house in Repulse Bay to be a temporary babysitter for the newborn.
Zhou Baoxuan invited them in as if they were her saviors.
With this composed madam present, she could finally relax for a while and didn't have to be on high alert all the time.
In the nursery, Zhu Qing was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, studying the instruction manual.
There was a pile of newly delivered stroller parts in front of her. She slowly assembled them, flipped the parts over, and with a "click," she put the wheels into the grooves.
The tiny baby can only sleep soundly and cry loudly.
After a long wait, when she finally opened her eyes, the little girl, Shengfang, imitated the childcare worker and carefully poked her little hand.
"My dear niece, can you speak now?"
Can you call me Uncle Fang?
The baby waved its little hands and blinked at him.
"It's been so many days, and you still haven't learned to speak," Sheng Fang said disappointedly. "You need to try harder."
The nanny standing nearby couldn't help but chuckle.
"Little one, she's only a month old, of course she can't talk yet."
“Now Tian Tian can’t even roll over, let alone sit, crawl, or walk…”
"So, being a parent is really hard work."
Fangfang pouted and started playing with the rattle by her bedside.
"Ring ring—"
Tian Tian turned her big, bright eyes, curiously searching for the source of the sound. Seeing this, Zhu Qing also picked up a rattle and gently shook it to attract the baby's attention.
“She likes this voice.” Zhu Qing’s eyes softened.
The baby turned its little head with all its might, following the sound, and reached for the rattle with its little hand.
She has only just arrived in this world, and there are countless new things waiting to be explored.
Shengfang, being a young elder, was determined to introduce her great-niece to this wonderful world.
"Qingzai, when will you get your next day off?"
Zhu Qing squatted down and placed her hands on his shoulders: "I won't tell you."
...
On the day the limited edition Transformers were released, Cheng Xinglang, as promised to Sheng Fang, appeared at the child's doorstep on time.
Before dawn, even the cicadas of summer were fast asleep.
Fangfang is a mature and composed child in front of her great-niece, but when she returns to Qingzai and Dr. Cheng, she becomes a carefree baby again.
He dressed neatly, slung his little schoolbag over his shoulder, and rushed forward, shouting, "I can walk now!"
Zhu Qing followed behind, still half asleep, rubbing her eyes and protesting, "I don't want to go."
Sheng Peirong smiled and put her arm around Coco's shoulder: "Go have some fun, Coco."
Zhu Qing really couldn't figure out what was so fun about it.
Even though her house is full of models, she's not interested in them. Now she's actually going to queue up before dawn?
When did these two people accumulate so many little secrets that she didn't know?
Zhu Qing's left hand was held by Cheng Xinglang, and her right hand was pulled by Sheng Fang as they were led out of the house.
The two, one big and one small, are of the same opinion.
Life is about experiencing endless new things!
A long line had already formed at the mall entrance, so they found a spot to sit down.
Sheng Fang and Cheng Xinglang were fully equipped with items such as folding stools, small fans, pineapple buns to fill their stomachs, and his most beloved old limited edition Transformers.
Zhu Qing was about to ask what was the point of bringing Transformers when she turned around and saw Sheng Fang excitedly sharing with her fellow enthusiasts.
"Is yours also a limited edition?"
"yes!"
"This is very hard to buy, how did you manage to get it?"
"I don't know," Sheng Fang shook her head. "My older sister had someone order it for her."
In fact, Sheng Peirong could have ordered directly this time, but how can the significance of queuing up in person be the same?
In the group, Cheng Xinglang sat on a folding stool, while Sheng Fang, a little girl, nestled in his arms.
Both of them were completely focused, their slender fingers and chubby little hands flying back and forth across the buttons on the handheld console, the game emitting crisp notification sounds.
As dawn broke, staff began handing out stickers.
Shengfang raised her little face, and with a "smack," a shiny Transformers logo appeared on her right cheek.
The same stickers were also placed on the backs of Zhu Qing and Cheng Xinglang's hands.
She lowered her head, studying the character, trying hard to recall its name. What was it called? She vaguely remembered learning it last time.
This lesson is about waiting and companionship.
The three chatted and laughed as the sun rose higher, and the blossoming flowers brought a new experience. Finally, the mall opened, and everyone rushed in.
The line stretched all the way to the street corner; they were clearly too late.
True collectors had already pitched tents and waited all night. But the summer night was sweltering, and a whole night was too long for a four-year-old to endure.
“There are so many people,” Zhu Qing said to Cheng Xinglang in a low voice as she looked at the crowd, “It seems like we won’t be able to get a turn.”
Cheng Xinglang seemed to have also learned magic tricks, taking out the mall reservation voucher he had prepared beforehand and shaking it gently.
The adults were carefully preparing a surprise for Fangfang, but he was completely unaware and happily rushed in with the crowd.
A heat wave swept in, and under the scorching sun, Zhu Qing was about to become "baked sunshine".
This familiar heat reminded her of the scene when she recognized Shengfang at this time last year.
The young master of the Sheng family, who used to drive go-karts with an air of superiority, became the family member she cared about most. Later, everything changed. She took the pampered young master on a crowded minibus, made wavy noises at the electric fan, and rushed to the police academy's shower room to queue for a shower…
“Cheng Xinglang,” Zhu Qing said, “Summer is the season for reunions.”
"Are you going to bring me good luck again?" Cheng Xinglang asked with a smile, opening his palm.
Zhu Qing gave a gentle tap.
The fleeting touch was just like the one on the police station rooftop in early spring.
“Me too!” Sheng Fang placed her chubby little hands on top of him.
At this moment, they believed that the combined good fortune of the three of them was boundless luck!
"You can go in now..."
"hurry up!"
As the three rushed toward the exhibition area, Fangfang shouted in a childish voice from behind, "Qingzai, Qingzai, if you see the metal-plated steel lock, you must grab it!"
"I don't recognize it!"
"He's the most handsome one!"
"None of them are handsome—"
These words drew sidelong glances from the surrounding veteran players, who frowned in displeasure.
Fangfang's uncle shrugged and said, "Please forgive me, my child is just being immature."
The aisle was packed with customers, and Zhu Qing rushed into the dazzling array of goods to make her selection.
The noisy sounds echoed in my ears, yet they were so warm that I didn't find them annoying at all.
This is what it means to accompany Fangfang as she grows up.
Trivial daily life, ordinary yet precious.
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