Chapter 19
Lin Huaixi shook his little head, covered his ears with his hands to block out the noisy sounds around him, and tried very hard to think the matter through.
And he really did figure it out.
Thinking this tactic was working, Sun Baiyi kept pleading with Lin Huaixi. But when Lin Huaixi opened his eyes and looked at him again, the confusion was already gone from his gaze. “That’s not how it works.”
Sun Baiyi froze on the spot and muttered blankly, “How is it not?”
Holding up his little face, Lin Huaixi said very seriously, “What the teacher said was that after making a mistake, everyone gets a chance to correct it, and if you correct it, then you’re a good child.”
Sun Baiyi nodded like a chick pecking at rice, as if he had already become that “good child.”
But Lin Huaixi raised one short, stubby finger and wagged it in front of Sun Baiyi’s eyes. “You have the chance to correct yourself, and I have the chance to refuse. I don’t have to forgive you, and I don’t have to be good friends with you!”
Sun Baiyi stood there with his mouth open, looking silly and vacant. Lin Huaixi’s perfect logic had left him completely speechless.
The other children, after hearing this, also sank into thought. Wang Xiaohu was the first to recover, his eyes shining as he looked at Lin Huaixi.
Even though he did not really understand, Lin Huaixi sounded amazing!
“Xixi, how did you figure that out? Teach me too.” Wang Xiaohu looked genuinely eager to learn.
The other children also crowded over, pressing their soft little faces close to Lin Huaixi and staring at him with bright, intent eyes.
“I don’t know either…” Lin Huaixi only managed to hold out for a few seconds before he could not keep it together anymore. He squinted into a smile, and his little bottom began swaying on its own. The invisible tail behind him might as well have shot up to the sky.
He thought he was pretty amazing too.
Sun Baiyi was squeezed away by the other children and stood not far off, quietly watching Lin Huaixi.
After Wang Xiaohu finished showering Lin Huaixi with praise, he turned and caught sight of Sun Baiyi’s expression. Thinking back to what had happened before, alarm bells immediately rang in his heart, and even his brows stood up. “What are you trying to do? Are you going to bully Xixi again?!”
That drew Lin Huaixi’s and the other children’s attention, and they all turned to look at him together.
Sun Baiyi blinked, but instead of showing angry frustration at being rejected, the corners of his mouth slowly lifted, almost reaching his ears, and he looked at Lin Huaixi with shining eyes.
As expected of the person who had defeated his mom, that “great hero.” He was way too powerful!
Before, Sun Baiyi had only admired Lin Huaixi a little and wanted to be friends with someone impressive. But now he had completely turned into a little fanboy, almost wanting to trail after Lin Huaixi like a little tail.
But before he could step forward, Qi Wang forcibly inserted himself between them and grabbed Lin Huaixi’s wrist right in front of him.
“Are you all still playing house?” Qi Wang asked.
To little children, nothing was more important than games. Lin Huaixi forgot all about the earlier interruption and immediately raised his hand in response.
They were not deliberately excluding Sun Baiyi either. Even though he did not get to be the father, he was still given a role and became part of this big family as… Qi Wang’s grandson.
?!!
Sun Baiyi was unhappy inside, but he really wanted to play with Lin Huaixi and the others, so he could only grit his teeth and endure it.
Wanting to leave a good impression on Lin Huaixi, Sun Baiyi took the initiative to carry over a “meal” made of pebbles and leaves, then slowly went to call Qi Wang, “Grandpa, it’s time to eat.”
His thoughts were written all over his face. He was hoping Qi Wang would not answer him, so he could run to Lin Huaixi and complain.
But things did not go as he imagined. Qi Wang glanced at him and said very politely, “Thank you, Grandson.”
Sun Baiyi: “…”
Sun Baiyi: “…”
Sun Baiyi: “…”
He could not take it anymore. He was done playing!
Round one: Sun Baiyi was utterly defeated.
He became completely withdrawn, squatting to one side like a gloomy little mushroom drawing circles.
Lin Huaixi was having too much fun to notice him at first, until he sensed the gloomy aura radiating off Sun Baiyi and got startled.
What is this thing.jpg
He took two steps back, and only after seeing Sun Baiyi’s fluffy hair did he recognize who it was. “What are you doing here?”
The moment Sun Baiyi heard Lin Huaixi’s voice, he stopped being withdrawn and immediately turned into a happy puppy, looking up at him eagerly. “I-I was thinking about what you said earlier.”
Lin Huaixi tilted his head, his soft pretty face full of confusion. “What thing I said?”
“The thing where you said you don’t have to forgive me and don’t have to be good friends with me,” Sun Baiyi edged a little closer and asked carefully, “If I behave well for the next week, can you give me a chance?”
Lin Huaixi frowned so hard his cheeks puffed up. He really had no idea what to do with Sun Baiyi. “Why do you have to be friends with me?”
Sun Baiyi had a whole pile of reasons, but when he looked into Lin Huaixi’s eyes, he suddenly could not say any of them. Pressing his lips together, his thick lashes trembled lightly, hiding the disappointment in his eyes. “Can’t I?”
Lin Huaixi puffed out his lips.
Bad people bullied others, so he could not be friends with bad people. But Mommy and Teacher had both said that problems could be corrected. Once Sun Baiyi turned into a “good egg,” and if Qi Wang forgave him too, then they could become good friends after all.
“All right then.” Lin Huaixi held out his little finger. “You have to promise me that you won’t bully Qi Wang anymore, and that you’ll fix your other problems too.”
Sun Baiyi had finally gotten hold of that “piece of meat bone” he had been chasing after. He shot up from the ground in one leap, with the invisible ears on top of his head practically flapping with joy. “Okay, okay, okay! I definitely won’t bully Qi Wang anymore!”
Lin Huaixi felt that he had successfully protected Qi Wang and was full of accomplishment. He puffed out his chest even more.
The two little boys linked pinkies, both looking very satisfied.
Except for Qi Wang.
Over the next week, he realized that Sun Baiyi had only gotten worse, sticking to them every single moment:
Racing to help Lin Huaixi fetch water.
Giving Lin Huaixi a milk candy every day.
Saying all sorts of strange and extremely childish things.
He looked exactly like that little yellow dog the neighbors kept, always staring at Lin Huaixi with bright shining eyes, rubbing and crawling around at his feet without the slightest sense of boundaries, wagging his tail and letting out spoiled little whining noises while begging to be petted.
Qi Wang did not like this kind of shedding creature that rolled around in the dirt, so by association, he did not like Sun Baiyi either. And he liked even less the sight of Sun Baiyi standing beside Lin Huaixi.
Qi Wang lowered his head and looked at the left side of his chest, confused by the emotions churning there, his brows drawing together slightly.
Lin Huaixi noticed something was wrong and asked worriedly, “Does it feel bad here?”
Qi Wang looked up at him. Weakness did not come naturally to him at all, but he still turned his head slightly aside, the tips of his ears reddening. “Mm. A little.”
Not knowing what else to do, Lin Huaixi crouched down a little and blew on Qi Wang’s chest. He blew until he was practically oxygen-deprived, then finally looked up at Qi Wang in a daze. “Do you feel better now?”
The two little boys were standing very close. Seeing that Lin Huaixi’s clear eyes reflected only his own figure, the discomfort in Qi Wang’s chest instantly vanished. With reserved dignity, he gave a tiny nod. “Much better.”
Only then did Lin Huaixi breathe out in relief. Like a serious and responsible little doctor, he muttered instructions, “If you feel uncomfortable, you have to tell me. You can tell Teacher and Auntie too. You absolutely mustn’t just keep enduring it by yourself.”
Qi Wang gave another quiet response. Looking at Lin Huaixi’s back, he suddenly said for some inexplicable reason, “Xixi, can I stay at your house tonight?”
During the day at school, Sun Baiyi was always clinging to them, but after school, only the two of them would be left.
Lin Huaixi had no idea about Qi Wang’s little thoughts. His eyes went round with surprise, and with the slight upturn at the corners, he looked pure and harmless. “Okay! That’s great!”
His whole face lit up with happiness, and he grabbed Qi Wang’s hand and bounced along.
In the past, whenever he wanted Qi Wang to come stay at his house, Qi Wang had always refused. This was the first time Qi Wang had ever asked on his own!
If they slept in the same little bed, their relationship would become even closer. Maybe very soon they could become real brothers!!
Lin Huaixi’s little wishful plan was clicking away in his heart. Tugging Qi Wang along, he hurried home as fast as he could.
Grandma had practically come to treat Qi Wang as her own grandson. Hearing the two children’s request, she smiled and agreed.
After dinner, it was time to do homework. Lin Yunmi finally remembered her duties as a parent and sat nearby intending to supervise them.
But the two children were too capable, and the homework was very simple too. It took them less than half an hour to finish everything.
Looking at the careful, neatly written characters on the handwriting practice sheet, Lin Yunmi suddenly felt a little guilty.
They wrote more seriously than she ever did. There was no need to check their work at all.
She suddenly felt a bit unnecessary. Raising her head, she looked at Lin Huaixi and said helplessly, “Xixi, why are you so amazing?”
Lin Huaixi did not understand the hidden meaning. Blinking his bright watery eyes twice, he said without the slightest modesty, “Because I really am amazing!”
Lin Yunmi did not know whether to laugh or cry and reached out to tap his nose lightly.
“You said before that Sun Baiyi transferred back. Then how has he been behaving at school? Has he been bullying you two again?”
Lin Huaixi shook his head. “It feels like Sun Baiyi is seriously trying to change. He’s completely different from before…”
Before he could finish, a glass of milk was placed heavily on the table with a thump.
Lin Huaixi turned his head blankly and saw Qi Wang with his little face stiff, lips pressed tightly together, looking very unhappy.
“Why are you bringing him up again?” Qi Wang had thought they had finally escaped from Sun Baiyi, but it turned out Lin Huaixi cared so much about him that even after coming home, his mouth was still full of Sun Baiyi’s name.
Lin Huaixi let out a soft little “Ah?” and said carelessly, “But Mommy asked.”
Qi Wang’s expression went blank for a moment. He instinctively looked toward Lin Yunmi and met the smile on her face, full of knowing meaning.
“…” Only then did he realize he had misunderstood. Thinking of the little fit he had just thrown, he felt embarrassed and annoyed, turned around in a huff, and left.
Watching his back, Lin Huaixi scratched his head in confusion. “Mommy, why is Qi Wang angry?”
Lin Yunmi really could not hold it in anymore. She pinched her son’s soft cheek and nearly burst out laughing.
“Oh my, my Xixi is just too adorable. No wonder you’re so popular. At school, do people all fight over playing with you?”
Lin Huaixi shook his head. “No. Everyone just plays together. But Sun Baiyi is a little annoying. He’s always following me.”
Lin Yunmi raised a brow in amusement. Thinking of her own experiences, she suddenly became self-absorbed. “Back then I was the school beauty. Everyone said I was pretty. My genes are just too strong, too superior. Truly a blessing for humanity!”
Lin Huaixi did not understand the second half of that at all. He opened his soft little arms and hugged Mommy, his eyes full of adoration. “Mm. Mommy is the prettiest. You’re a fairy!”
When other people said things like that, it sounded like flattery. But a child’s heart had not yet been tainted; it was full of sincerity and not a trace of falsehood.
Lin Yunmi liked to think her skin was thick, but being looked at like that by her son made her embarrassed. She rubbed her warm ear and coughed lightly. “I-it’s not that pretty. Stay low-key, stay low-key.”
Lin Huaixi did not know this was modesty. He pouted unhappily. “You are very pretty. Xixi thinks Mommy is the prettiest person in the whole world.”
“…”
Lin Yunmi felt as if an arrow made of love had struck straight through her chest. Her heart turned soft and melty, and the corners of her mouth almost flew up to the sky in pure delight.
“Xixi, Mommy loves you so much!” Lin Yunmi could not control herself anymore. She wrapped her arms around her son’s soft little body, the faint milky scent of body wash lingering at the tip of her nose.
Overcome with motherly love, Lin Yunmi suddenly proposed, “Xixi, tonight let Mommy hold you while we sleep!”
Lin Huaixi blinked and said a little apologetically, “No, I promised Qi Wang that tonight I’d sleep with him. Sorry, Mommy.”
Lin Yunmi: “…”
Her expression froze. The scene from just now flashed through her mind, and she glanced awkwardly in the direction Qi Wang had left.
Why had she teased Qi Wang just now? Wasn’t she exactly the same?
Sigh. A son being too popular was not great either. Even his real mother had to line up at the back of the queue.
