Chapter 405 - Terrifying But Beautiful

"Why are you standing here all alone?" Xiamu looked up to see his brother-in-law walking up to his side. "Shouldn’t you be out there? It’s a party for you and Zelie."

Xiamu was rubbing his hands strangely as he avoided looking at Jie and said, "I know. But it’s a little..."

"Overwhelming," Jie finished his sentence for him. And Xiamu nodded his head in response.

"Everyone’s been congratulating since the time I came. I don’t know how to say this..." he sighed in exasperation.

"You aren’t happy?" inquired Jie softly.

Xiamu instantly shook his head. "No way. I’m very happy. I’m so happy I can’t even tell you in words. But... Being a father is not an easy job. I think you’d know it better than me." Xiamu looked towards the garden through the window and smiled softly, "Everybody also seems very happy for me. You know seeing you all doing an amazing job at being a father, I’m a little scared if I’d be able to be like you or not."

His eyes were looking at the place his sister was standing. All her friends were circled around her. Sun Ju was holding her two-year-old son, Lin Yitian in her arms while her husband Lin Shen and Xu Mey were trying to make the little boy laugh. Wu Wang was busy taking care of his son, Wu Niu since his wife Yang Ziyi had yet to come from the hospital.

Li Qian and Yu Kim were silently just standing there watching Ah-Niu annoying his father. Obviously, Li Qian was more than happy to see Wu Wang in trouble. As for Li Qian’s son, Li Shaofeng, Xiamu couldn’t see him there. Neither did he saw Lin Song. But then again, Lin Song was always found where Zhu Bao was and Li Shaofeng was always found where Lin Song was.

The little He Mimi was perched on Jun Li Na’s lap while her own mother, Zhao Mi’er, or her father He Jian was nowhere to been seen.

"No one is good at it though," said Jie after a long moment of silence. "You think all of us make a good father? But who is the judge here? Because trust me, I’m still clueless about this being-a-father thing."

"You have such amazing kids, brother-in-law. I don’t believe a word you say."

Jie smiled at him. "Kade, as you just said, I have amazing kids. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing with them." Xiamu frowned at his reply. "Parenting doesn’t come with a manual and even if there is a manual, trust me every kid is different." He looked around at pointed at someone saying, "Now, look at Ah-Niu. He loves to create trouble for his father. Wang has a tough time just dealing with his hyperactive nature. As for Shaofeng, I think Li Qian has to put extra effort to get him out of his shell."

He patted Xiamu’s shoulder as he went on, "Every kid is different and unique. You can’t deal with them the same way. I have twins whose personality has a striking contrast. Do you think it’s easy to deal with them?"

"But you somehow make it seem like it’s all very easy," Xiamu persisted with his theory. As he had said, he had been very jealous of the bond Jie shared with the twins. It was so satisfying to see how he was able to deal with the twins’ strange personalities without much effort.

"It’s not easy though," Jie replied softly. "But it’s simple. I love observing them. Maybe that allows me to feel more connected to them."

Xiamu looked at Jie anxiously, "That’s what I’m worried about. Will I be able to build that kind of connection?" He took a deep breath. "Maybe I’m overthinking. Maybe I’m just jittery because it’s all so new. Once I hold the baby in my hands, everything will get clear."

"Pffft!" Xiamu was gaping at Jie’s reaction who was laughing heartily now. "I’m sorry. But whoever told you that everything will get clear once you hold the baby. That’s utter bullshit!" Xiamu frowned at him. "I was also a fool like that once. I also thought I’ll feel better once the baby comes to life. But the first time I held my twins, it scared the hell out me."

Xiamu was really confused now. "I was happy. No doubt. I was over the moon but it was damn scary as well. Because I didn’t know what I was gonna do. I wanted to be a good father but I really had no idea how. In fact, when you take that new life into your hands, that’s when it hits you. ’Ah! Now, I have the responsibility of this new, innocent life as well.’ Not only that, when the twins clutched my finger tightly, my heart felt like it’s gonna explode. It’s weird but I still feel the same way whenever they hold my hand. It’s like they’re silently depending on me. Asking me to stay by their side."

Seeing Xiamu’s expression, he messed up his hair, "Don’t look so down. It’s actually the most beautiful feeling. Terrifying but equally beautiful." He smiled on his own as he went on, "No one can teach you how to be a good father. It comes naturally in my opinion. I just have one piece of advice for you now, cherish these days."

"Huh?"

"Also, take care of my sister," his voice was stern now as he warned.

"When have I not?" Xiamu retorted cowering back a little. Jie narrowed his eyes at him but didn’t say anything. Xiamu finally relaxed a bit and asked, "So, where are my niece and nephew? I didn’t see them at the party." Jie didn’t even open his mouth when he went on, "Oh, what are they doing with my wife?"

Jie widened his eyes and looked over where he was pointing at. "Shit! Zelie is in trouble!" Xiamu didn’t understand his meaning but Jie had to run over to save his one and only sister now. Knowing his twins, he was certain that Azalea was having it tough on her own.