Chapter 185

Tangtang gave Guoguo a light push. Guoguo walked over to Zhao Chen and comforted, “Uncle Zhao, don’t be sad. I will teach you how to play chess. You will definitely become very strong in playing it.”

Looking at Guoguo’s lovely appearance, Zhao Chen felt his displeasure vanished and he just wanted to hug Guoguo in his arms.

Lin Hua had been staring at them. After Guoguo finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Tangtang. His meaning was obvious: ‘What about me?’

Tangtang seemed a little helpless. He touched Lin Hua’s head as if he was coaxing a child. Then he said seriously, “Uncle Lin, I will teach you, too.”

Lin Hua was speechless. He thought to himself, ‘ I’m very happy to hear that! But what does your action mean?’

Before he could figure it out how to respond, both Xu Ran and Zhao Chen were already laughing there.

Lin Hua rolled his eyes. He knew what they were laughing at. He just held Tangtang in his arms and retorted, “Let you envy there! To you, this is your pipe dream, you know?”

Xu Ran smiled and replied, “I’m the child’s dad. I really don’t want it. If you still want to continue the comfort, I can let Guoguo touch you too.”

“Come on then!” Lin Hua affected not to care.

Xu Ran gently pushed Guoguo behind him, “Guoguo, go and touch Uncle Lin’s head. He has a bump there.”

Guoguo went over him. He comforted him while touching his head, “Let Guoguo help you, it won’t hurt.”

This time,  Lin Hua could say nothing any more.

There both Xu Ran and Zhao Chen laughed more happily.

Although the two children did not know what was really going on, they were happy to see the two adults laughing.

“What are you talking about? You are so happy. Come. Dinner is ready. You guys can talk later!” Liu Tong suddenly appeared at the door and said to them.

Xu Ran replied, “Well, let’s eat first. We can discuss about it later.”

With that, he held Guoguo in his arms and went out. Lin Hua and Zhao Chen followed behind, while Tangtang was also held by Lin Hua.

The dishes in the evening were much richer than that at lunchtime. For that lunch, Liu Tong and Shao Yu didn’t cook much because they hoped to let Lin Hua and the others quickly have a rest after eating. This dinner was different. There were more people and they had prepared more dishes. Needless to say, this was a hearty meal.

It seems that their family had nothing more than potatoes and sausages, so Xu Ran asked them to make potatoes in various ways. As for sausages, there were also plenty on the table.

Both Lin Hua and Zhao Chen were really fond of their family. They were unstinting in their praise while enjoying their dinner there.

Lin Hua told them, “I’ve eaten in all the restaurants in He Shui Town, but Xu Ran, the dishes on your family table are better than any of those restaurants.”

Xu Ran smiled and responded, “Can’t the food stop your mouth? Don’t you see who prepared the dishes today?”

“Who?” Lin Hua asked.

Xu Ran glanced at the people at the table. Lin Hua understood it at once. He stopped talking and began to eat obediently. He knew with so many people preparing the dinner together, it was not good to praise anyone present. Besides, Xu Ran’s spouse was present, which was even worse for him to say too much.

Lin Hua was aware that although he had neither learning nor skill, he still knew this common sense and basic rules of etiquette.

After supper, Wu Mei and the others went home, leaving the kitchen work to Liu Tong and Shao Yu.

Lin Hua and Zhao Chen went on pestering Tangtang and Guoguo. As for Lin Xi, his presence was often neglected. At the moment, however, he was seen chatting with Gao Quan.

In the end, only Xu Ran and Qin Shuwen were left in the living room. At the moment, each of them was holding a baby in his arms.

Both of them did not feel too embarrassed. After all, they two families were in close relationship.

Xu Ran, who was amusing Baozi, suddenly heard Qin Shuwen ask, “Xu Ran, do you know where Yun is now? Why haven’t I heard from him yet?”

Confronted with these questions, Xu Ran started to feel headache because he couldn’t give him a proper answer. He knew that Qin Shuwen must be worried about Zhuo Yun, just like how he had been worried about his family during those days being away from home. He understood this kind of feeling very well, but he really couldn’t give him any help for this problem.

Before Xu Ran could say anything, Qin Shuwen sighed, “Well, you don’t have to worry about me. Actually, I know you don’t know anything like me. I just ask about it casually.”

Seeing this, Xu Ran felt sorry too. Still, he tried to comfort him, “Shuwen, I know you’re worried but I am not good at comforting others. I think you should believe Zhuo Yun. He has been on business many times and he is a very experienced businessman. Besides, he’s smart. As for leaving home doing business outside, we’ve long shared the common view that nothing is more important than our being able to return home safely. What’s more, he’s clear that you and Qingshu are waiting for him at home, so he won’t do anything bad outside.”

Qin Shuwen replied, “I understand what you mean, and I believe you should understand me too. I am fine. I just ask about it casually. Of Course I trust him. Maybe he will be back by the end of the month.”

As if he really saw that Zhuo Yun was really on the way back, Qin Shuwen even had a slight smile on his face.

Upon seeing this scene, Xu Ran could say nothing further.

The present atmosphere around them became a little oppressive and neither of them spoke. Fortunately, Liu Tong and Shao Yu came in after finishing the cleaning in the kitchen.

Xu Ran handed the child to Liu Tong as if he had seen his savior. He quickly left after saying, “I’ll go upstairs to see Tangtang and Guoguo.”

Liu Tong felt a little strange. He asked Qin Shuwen, “Shuwen, why is Ran so anxious? What were you talking just now?

Qin Shuwen replied, “He is probably trying to hide from me. I just asked him why Yun didn’t write to me. He didn’t know how to give me a proper answer. Thus, he ran away.”

Liu Tong smiled after hearing this. He said to Qin Shuwen, “Shuwen, don’t worry. It is not the first time that Zhuo Yun went to a business.”

Qin Shuwen nodded. “I know, but I still can’t help but miss him, so I asked about it. I know Xu Ran doesn’t know about him either. I didn’t ask him to give me an answer. However, I didn’t expect him to run so quickly.”

Liu Tong said, “He is probably afraid of your being sad.”

Qin Shuwen smiled. “I’m not that weak.”

After saying that, she laughed again.

Seeing that he was laughing, Liu Tong felt relieved that he had come round to the idea.

Liu Tong then discussed with Qin Shuwen, “Shuwen, it is getting hot. The children’s clothes should be changed too. Tell me what kind of cloth you like. When Ran goes shopping, I’ll ask him to buy some back.”

It was March now. The adults had taken off their thick cotton clothes and changed into the thin ones. Although the children were young, they would feel hot too.

Qin Shuwen said, “Just buy the same cloth as yours. Qingshu is older than Baozi. He can also wear that kind of clothes that Baozi wears.”

Liu Tong nodded, “All right, I’ll ask Ran to buy more of the cloth. Maybe these two children will look like twins just like Tangtang and Guoguo when they are dressed up. ”

Hearing this, both Shao Yu and Qin Shuwen laughed. It was naturally beautiful to imagine the scene.

After talking about the clothes, they began to talk about tomorrow’s hundredth day celebration party.

Liu Tong said to Qin Shuwen, “Tomorrow Sworn Dad and the others may come . Ran and I hope to keep them to stay for the night. If they disagree, you will have to help us to persuade them.”

“Then my dad and daddy will criticize me for it. He will say that I have regarded myself as a member of your family,” Qin Shuwen said with a smile.

“Aren’t you a member of our family? Don’t forget that you have just celebrated the Spring Festival here. ” Liu Tong laughed.

Shao Yu nodded in agreement.

The three of them were chatting in the living room happily.

On the other side of the house, Xu Ran was going upstairs into Tangtang and Guoguo’s room.

Since there were others staying at home these few days, it was not convenient for Tangtang and Guoguo to take the medicated bath. Xu Ran thus discussed with Gao Quan and let them stop it for a few days.

In the room at the moment, Tangtang and Guoguo were quietly writing something. Lin Hua and Zhao Chen were watching them nearby. Occasionally, they would whisper or even argue something with each other, not as concentrated as the two little children.

Xu Ran entered the room, “What are you two doing? Don’t you see them practicing? Why are you guys still focused on arguing like this?!”

As a response, Xu Ran received a rebuttal right away from his children, “Dad, we’re fine. We can take it as if we didn’t hear anything.”

And immediately Xu Ran saw the proud look on the faces of both Lin Hua and Zhao Chen.

The feeling of being slapped in the face by his own children was very bad. Xu Ran was quite embarrassed.

Lin Hua and Zhao Chen covered their mouths and sneered. Xu Ran pulled the two of them out of the room in the name of not letting them disturb his two children in studying.

After coming out, Xu Ran said, “I say you two are really boring! The two children didn’t pay attention to you because they were doing practice. How come you could stay there for so long?”

Lin Hua spread his hands, “We were bored to begin with! We’ve just slept during the day and we can’t sleep now. In your family, there are many Ge’ers. Thus besides having fun with children , who else can I find?

Xu Ran thought about it and agreed, “That’s true, but it’s late at night now. I can’t find anything else for you to enjoy. Why not just go back to your room and enjoy yourselves there? The soundproofing in my house is very good.”

Upon hearing this, both Lin Hua and Zhao Chen blushed scarlet. Well, they were both adults anyway. They knew this kind of things well. However, they didn’t expect Xu Ran would mention it so flatly. It’s just like asking them to have supper.

Lin Hua patted Xu Ran on the back, “How could you say something like that? You’re still a scholar.”

Xu Ran shrugged while thinking, ‘Isn’t this normal? You both are pretending that you’ve never done that kind of things.’

While Xu Ran was looking at them, Lin Hua pulled Zhao Chen and they both fled away.

Seeing their leaving backs, Xu Ran laughed and snorted to himself, ‘Humph, who asked you two to laugh at me just now?’

After enjoying himself, he went into Tangtang and Guoguo’s room to educate them. He should let the kids know they should never shame their Dad in front of any outsiders.

Tangtang deeply understood his mistake and promised that he would never make the same mistake again. Guoguo also expressed his determination. Thus Xu Ran felt satisfied and went back to his bedroom.

In fact, he decided that he could also hug Liu Tong and enjoyed their intimate night. Their house was indeed soundproof.