As they were talking, a series of steady footsteps approached. Xiao Chengjing, dressed in a casual dark brocade robe, walked in. His brows furrowed with the ease of having finished his official duties, and his gaze immediately locked onto Shen Yuewei on the soft couch, a natural smile playing on his lips. However, when he saw Ningning and Yan Ge'er clinging to Shen Yuewei, and his wife talking to their eldest daughter, the corners of his lips turned down almost imperceptibly.
"Father!" the children greeted him.
Xiao Chengjing responded and walked to Shen Yuewei's side, naturally intending to sit down next to her. Yan Ge'er, however, squeezed between the two, holding up his crookedly woven foxtail grass ring: "Daddy, Daddy! Look! I wove this! For Mommy to wear!"
Xiao Chengjing: "..."
Shen Yuewei couldn't help but chuckle and obediently extended her finger: "Okay, Mother will wear it."
Ningning wasn't going to be outdone, and shoved the grass cage over: "Daddy, you can play with my bugs!"
Xiao Chengjing looked at the hopping insect, then at his son who had taken his place, his wife and eldest daughter chatting and laughing beside him, and Kang Kang quietly reading a book not far away... The little flame in his heart that wanted to "have some alone time with his wife" was extinguished by this lively scene, leaving only a wisp of smoke.
He sighed helplessly, resignedly sat down on the chair next to him, and casually scooped Yan Ge'er up to sit on his lap, pinching his little nose: "You, all you know how to do is cling to your mother."
Yan Ge'er giggled and twisted his body to snuggle into his father's arms.
Xiao Chengjing looked at Shen Yuewei with a hint of resentment in his eyes. He lowered his voice and complained in a volume that only the two of them could hear, "Madam... what about the music we were supposed to listen to on the pleasure boat this afternoon? This..." He glanced at the children, his meaning clear.
Upon receiving her husband's "accusation," Shen Yuewei smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She lowered her voice, her tone reassuring: "The children are all here, it's so lively. How about some music... another day? I've asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite sweet osmanthus lotus root?"
Looking at his wife's gentle, smiling face, then at his restless young son on his lap, Ningning discussing the smell of herbs with An'an, and the quiet and docile Kang Kang... his lingering resentment eventually transformed into warmth and contentment in his heart. He resignedly patted An'an's head and gave Shen Yuewei an indulgent smile that said, "Okay, whatever you say."
"Alright, alright," he laughed loudly, as if his little grudge from before had never existed. "The spring sunshine is beautiful today. Kang Kang, go and get the chessboard, and play a game with your father? An An, brew your father a cup of your refreshing and eye-brightening tea, so your mother won't say I don't know anything about health."
"Yes, Father." An'an replied with a smile, and gracefully went to fetch the tea set and herbs.
"Alright!" Kang Kang put down his book and got up to get the chessboard.
Seeing that their father, brother, and sister all had things to do, Ningning and Yan Ge'er temporarily let go of Shen Yuewei and surrounded An'an to watch her prepare the herbs, sniffing the various strange and wonderful medicinal scents with their little noses.
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