âEr... It hurts to play the harmonica!â
Jing Xi racked her brain and gave an awkward excuse.
âOh.â Little Grape asked nothing further.
Having spent quite a while on the cruise, Huo Yunshen asked the children, âCherry, Hengheng, are you hungry? Shall we go for a picnic?â
âDaddy, letâs eat here!â
Little Grape saw that his Auntie Xiaoxi had brought baskets of yummy food and could not wait any longer.
âFine.â Huo Yunshen spared a glance at Jin Xiaoxi.
Jing Xi realized and proposed, âSure. Everything is here. Your Highness can eat on the boat.â
She opened the baskets and placed the dishes on the table one after another, and handed forks and knives to the children.
She handed some to the King as well. But Huo Yunshen did not take any. âThank you. Iâm not hungry.â
He was as cold and indifferent as always, not being grateful at all.
Since he refused to eat anything, Jing Xi said nothing further and went to take care of the two children.
âSister, I bet no one has picnicked on a boat like we are. Itâs so awesome!â Little Grape said proudly while indulging himself in the yummy food.
Ying Bao turned to her brother and said indifferently, âWhatâs the big deal! I used to picnic in the sky!â
Upon hearing that, Little Grape pictured his sister sitting on a bit of cloud and enjoying her picnic. He was annoyed. âWhen did you go? Why didnât you take me?â
âYou werenât born yet. It was mommy who took me there.â
Ying Bao said that unintentionally. She was actually thinking of the meal she had with her mother on a flight.
Little Grape envied her so much for being able to picnic with their mother in the sky. He claimed, âIâm going there too! Iâm going to picnic with mommy!â
âNo way!â
âWhy?â
âBecause...â
Sigh...
Ying Bao realized that she should not have mentioned their mother. She sighed and lowered her head. Instead of telling him the reason, she tried to distract him. âWhy are you full of questions?â
âIâm just asking about mommy. Youâve all seen her. But I havenât! Itâs not fair! Humph!â
Little Grape was pissed off. He turned away angrily.
Since he could remember, he had never seen his own mother. When he grew older, he asked around and was told that she went to a faraway place.
Little as he was, he could never understand why his mother had to leave for so long and never returned.
What kept her so busy?
He took it as their mother having abandoned them.
On one hand, he wished that his mother could come back. And on the other, he hated her for leaving him alone.
A joyful picnic was ruined by the talk of their mother. Ying Bao was upset too and put aside the food.
Little Grape was too mad at his sister to eat any more.
In the end, Huo Yunshen had to bring them ashore. Jing Xi followed.
A huge castle was inflated and erected on the lawn.
Yao Zheng had been waiting. Seeing the king, the prince, and the princess coming she rushed to welcome them. âYour Majesty, weâve got tea, fresh juices and various drinks ready. Would you like some?â
âNo. Tell everyone we are heading back.â Huo Yunshen ordered while he brought the two children into the car.
...