"Dad, my bunny ears are out," Little Lu Ci shook his head, and the bunny ears on top of his head swayed along.
The little one was wearing overalls, with a pair of fluffy white bunny ears on his head, looking absolutely adorable.
Lu Zhe put his son down and crouched to meet his gaze. "Do you know why your bunny ears came out?"
Little Lu Ci looked very much like Lu Zhe, almost a miniature version of him. He pouted and shook his head again, his bunny ears drooping softly. "I donât know."
"Because you ate chocolate," Lu Zhe explained, looking at his young son. "The chocolate had alcohol in it, and itâs not suitable for you."
Little Lu Ciâs small mouth opened in surprise. "Mom said I canât drink alcohol."
He remembered his motherâs words: before he grew up, he couldnât drink alcohol, or his long ears would come back. If others found out, they might take him away from his parents.
So, besides his parents, no one else could know about his bunny ears.
"Thatâs right," Lu Zhe sighed, reaching out to pat his sonâs head and gently stroking his soft bunny ears. "If you had eaten that chocolate outside and your bunny ears came out, what would you have done?"
Little Lu Ciâs big, bright eyes were moist, and his bunny ears drooped pitifully.
Even the cool little Lu Ci was just a three-year-old child. His small voice trembled, "I would have been taken away by bad people."
Lu Zhe asked, "Will you eat random things again?"
"No," Little Lu Ci quickly shook his head, his bunny ears swaying cutely.
Lu Zhe wasnât a strict father, nor did he scold his children. He and Su Ci preferred to reason with their kids, guiding them and even listening to their thoughts. "Youâre still young and canât tell what you shouldnât eat. If youâre not sure about something, always ask Mom and Dad first."
Little Lu Ci had always been clever. He nodded obediently, "When I grow up, Iâll be able to decide for myself."
Lu Zhe patted his head. "Thatâs right."
At that moment, the door opened, and Su Ci walked in.
Seeing the little bunny standing in front of Lu Zhe, her eyes lit up. "I heard from the maid that you brought our son upstairs. Why did Lu Ciâs bunny ears suddenly come out?"
"He took some chocolate with alcohol from the fridge."
Su Ci closed the door and walked over to her son, reaching out to rub his soft bunny ears. "Little Lu Ci is so cute."
Her son looked just like Lu Zhe, a perfect mini version of him, with a pair of soft, fluffy bunny ears. She couldnât help but find him utterly adorable.
"My ears are itchy, Mom. Donât rub them. Youâre so mean," Little Lu Ci pouted, his small face filled with a hint of grievance as he tried to hide behind his father.
Su Ci held her sonâs small head and gave his ears a good rub before letting go. No wonder Lu Zhe loved playing with her bunny ears so muchârubbing their sonâs ears was just as fun.
"Tuan Tuan," Lu Zhe looked at his son, whose bunny ears were drooping, his small eyes filled with grievance. He took his wife's hand. "Have you had breakfast yet?"
"No," she replied. She had rushed over, thinking their son might be feeling unwell.
"Letâs go downstairs and eat together," Lu Zhe said, holding her hand to prevent her from teasing their son again.
"What about Little Lu Ci?"
"Heâll stay in the room for a while until his ears go back. Then he can come downstairs," Lu Zhe looked down at his small son. "You can read a book in the room, and Dad will come check on you later."
Little Lu Ci nodded obediently, his bunny ears, softened by his motherâs rubbing, drooping cutely on either side.
Today was Lu Chenâs birthday, and the celebration was being held at the Lu family home. Lu Zhe and Su Ci needed to take the children to offer their blessings.
After breakfast, Su Ci went upstairs to change.
When she came back down, she was pleased to see the look of admiration in Lu Zheâs eyes.
She was wearing a qipao, custom-made for her by Su Ciâs mother.
The plain white qipao had dark green buttons and perfectly outlined her slender figure. The high slit revealed glimpses of her long legs as she walked.
Su Ciâs hair was tied up, with a few strands framing her face. Her delicate neckline was elegant, and her eyes sparkled, a small beauty mark adding to her charm. Every movement she made was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Do I look good?" Su Ci asked Lu Zhe directly.
"Mommy is pretty."
"Mommy is the most beautiful."
Before Lu Zhe could answer, Little Lu Ci and Little Lu Xi were already competing to compliment her.
Su Ci happily patted her son and daughterâs heads, then glanced at Lu Zhe.
The manâs dark eyes were deep with emotion. His hand naturally rested on her slender waist. "You look beautiful."
By the time they left the house, Little Lu Ciâs bunny ears had already disappeared.
He walked coolly beside Lu Zhe, his hands in the pockets of his overalls, his small legs striding confidently.
Little Lu Xi was carried in her fatherâs arms.
She had inherited the best genes from both Su Ci and Lu Zhe. She was as beautiful as a little fairy, with big, sparkling almond-shaped eyes. Her gentle and quiet personality made her utterly endearing, the kind of child youâd want to give the stars and moon to.
The entrance of the Lu family home was already filled with luxury cars.
Lu Chen didnât want a grand celebration, so the guest list for todayâs banquet was small.
Wen Yaâs face lit up with joy when she saw Lu Zhe and Su Ci arriving with their two grandchildren.
Little Lu Ci greeted politely, "Grandma, hello."
"Grandma," Little Lu Xi slid down from her fatherâs arms and ran over, her small voice sweet and tender. "I missed you so much."
Wen Yaâs heart melted. She quickly picked her up and kissed her fragrant little cheeks several times. "Grandma missed you too, Xi Xi."
After showering her granddaughter with affection, Wen Ya lovingly patted her grandsonâs head. "Grandma prepared lots of your favorite snacks. Iâll take you to eat them later, okay?"
The two little onesâ big, bright eyes sparkled. "Okay."
Lu Zhe and Su Ci went to offer their birthday wishes to Lu Chen, while Wen Ya took the two children away.
Su Ciâs parents were also present at the banquet. Not long after, Boss Fang arrived with Fang Kuaile.
Over the years, the small company Boss Fang and Lu Zhe had started had not only stabilized but also expanded with two branches. Now, Boss Fang was known as "Boss Fang," and even Fang Kuaile was referred to as "Young Master Fang."
"Uncle Fang, youâre here too," Lu Zhe and Su Ci greeted Boss Fang.
"Itâs been a while since I last saw Fang Kuaile. Heâs grown so tall," Su Ci remarked, surprised. Children really grew up so fast, changing every day.
"Heâs been growing a lot lately, eating more and shooting up in height," Boss Fang said, his voice filled with pride and joy.
Though Fang Kuaile didnât have legs, his prosthetic limbs were adjusted regularly to match his growth.
Fang Kuaile didnât look much like Boss Fang. Instead, he resembled his late mother, with delicate features and a gentle, moon-like face that made him look like a refined young man despite his age.
"Brother Kuaile," suddenly, a small, chubby hand tugged at Fang Kuaileâs pants.
He looked down and met the big, bright eyes of a little girl. He smiled gently. "Xi Xi."
"Xi Xi, you canât run around like that. You might get taken by bad people," Little Lu Ci said sternly, catching up with a serious expression.
"Brother, itâs Brother Kuaile," Little Lu Xi held onto Fang Kuaileâs pants, her eyes curving into happy crescents.
"There are a lot of people here. Little Lu Ci and Xi Xi shouldnât run around," Su Ci said, trying to pick up her daughter.
"Mommy, I want to play with Brother Kuaile," Little Lu Xi refused to be carried.
Su Ci was surprised. Her daughter had only met Fang Kuaile once before, but she still remembered him. "You might bother Brother Kuaile."
"Miss Su Ci, itâs fine. Xi Xi is adorable. I can play with her for a while," Fang Kuaile said softly. He was wearing a white shirt, and his quiet, gentle demeanor made him look even more refined and handsome.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"Brother Kuaile, carry me," Little Lu Xi wasnât shy at all. She reached out her arms, asking to be held.
Fang Kuaile bent down and picked up the small girl. The sweet scent of a child immediately filled his senses, and his arms stiffened slightlyâchildrenâs bodies were so soft.
"Where do you want to play?" Fang Kuaile asked her softly.
Lu Xi stretched out her little finger, pointing toward the lounge area. "I want to eat cake."
"Alright."
"Lu Ci, you have to stay with me and Dad. Don't run off," Su Ci called out to her son.
Lu Ci pouted, his little lips forming a small frown. "Mom, I want to go play with my sister too." With that, the little boy chased after Fang Kuaile.
Inside the lounge, the coffee table was filled with an array of delicate and delicious cakes.
Lu Ci gobbled them up one by one, his mouth full as he watched his sister being held by Fang Kuaile. In his childish voice, he lectured her, "Xi Xi, you're a big girl now. You can't let others carry you anymore."
"But I want Fang Kuaile to carry me. I'm still a little kid," Lu Xi replied obediently, nestled comfortably in Fang Kuaile's arms.
"Do you want to try this one?" Fang Kuaile picked up a strawberry cake and brought it to Lu Xi's lips.
"Yes!" Lu Xi took a bite, her big eyes narrowing with delight. "Brother, why is your leg so hard?"
Her tiny hand brushed against Fang Kuaile's knee, feeling the unusual hardness. Her little face was full of curiosity.
Fang Kuaile paused for a moment, then grabbed a tissue to gently wipe the cream from her mouth. His voice was soft and tender. "Because my leg is sick, so it feels different from yours."
"Oh," Lu Xi gasped, her little mouth opening in surprise.
She had seen her brother sick before. She knew it meant taking medicine and getting shotsâit was scary. "Then I'll touch it and make the sickness go away," she declared.
With that, Lu Xi gently stroked his knee, as if trying to chase away the pain.
Her hand happened to touch the spot where his prosthetic leg began. Fang Kuaile couldn't feel it, but his gaze fell on her small hand, and his expression grew even gentler. "Thank you, Xi Xi."
Nearby, Lu Ci watched his sister's eyes crinkle with laughter. He let out a soft snort. Silly sister, this brother doesn't have a real leg.