Ling Qi made dinner today, but Ningning’s absence made him feel like it was a bit of a waste. At the moment, his mood was similar to that of Zhan Xi. However, Ling Qi insisted, “Ningning should participate in the winter camp to train himself; it’s a valuable experience. Don’t always hold him back. If Ningning relies on you too much, it won’t be good for his growth.”
Ling Qi, having read many parenting books, speaks confidently to Zhan Xi, “If Ningning becomes overly dependent on you, there’s a high chance he’ll be a ‘daddy’s boy,’ and girls generally don’t like that.”
Zhan Xi responded, frowning, “Is it wrong to be a daddy’s boy? He’s my precious child, even when he grows up.”
Ling Qi fell silent. After a while, he casually tossed a mobile device to Zhan Xi, suggesting that he looked up the meaning of “daddy’s boy.”
The two of them, now in disagreement, exchanged glances, not entirely pleased with each other.
After a moment of mutual contemplation, Ling Qi suddenly sat up. “An Nuo and Ningning have both left, and the room next door is empty now. You should sleep here by yourself; I won’t share the bed with you.”
Ling Qi was about to leave when his wrist was grabbed, and Zhan Xi said, “Ningning just left today. If I sleep alone, I’m sure to overthink things. Don’t go.”
Zhan Xi insisted on keeping Ling Qi in the room, not letting him leave.
***
The little child, who was awakened by Lele’s crying, looked dazed. Sitting up, he watched Lele cry multiple times in the night, appearing too tired to even express his frustration.
Wagner soothed Lele until he fell asleep from exhaustion.
When the little child sat up, Wagner was snoring, completely undisturbed.
“Sigh.”
The litttle child rubbed his chubby face and, the next moment, shook Wagner awake.
Everyone was on the same bed; Lele woke up, the noise awakened him, and Wagner had to wake up too.
All three children had opened their eyes, and mechanically, the little child patted Lele’s back to comfort him. He reflected on what his dad told him about his own crying habits and the images he carried from his memories.
“Raising children... is really tough.” The little child murmured, having only experienced one night and already finding it challenging.
His father raised him. It must have been very, very hard.
Thinking about his father, the little child sniffed, and his eyes were a bit red.
This night seemed endless for the little child.
As dawn broke, Lele finally settled down.
The little child lay back on the bed in a sprawled position, looking as if all the exhaustion had dissipated.
Wagner wasn’t doing much better.
“Ningning, do you still want to raise children in the future?”
“No, I don’t want to anymore.”
The little child, who never really wanted to raise little children, now firmly decided. He had never been a quiet and obedient little child, and if his little children were like him, he wouldn’t be able to survive.
After lying on the bed for a while, the teacher came to wake them up.
Lele cried all night, but when the teacher called him to wake up, he seemed more spirited than Ningning and Wagner.
“Ningning, Wagner, Savi, you three need to cheer up.”
The teacher looked at the three dispirited little children and encouraged them.
Savi was the explosive-head little child who stayed with them. He looked extremely grumpy, his gaze even more tired than yesterday.
Ningning yawned, temporarily not paying attention to others’ expressions.
The teacher took them to a small planet near the ancient Earth ruins: “There’s a tourist spot here. After eating, I’ll take you there.”
The little children were enthusiastic about visiting the place before, but now they just wanted to eat and rest.
At the breakfast stand, while others used small bowls, the Ningning brought a large bowl used by the boss for soup.
Wagner looked at the bowl, then at the somewhat listless little child. “Ningning, are you going to eat with this?”
The leading teacher had noticed the bowl long ago and, seeing Wagner bring it up, immediately added, “Ningning, do you want to change the bowl? This one is too—”
“This bowl is too small.”
Wagner spoke before the teacher, expressing concern. “Are you feeling unwell? You’re eating so little.”
The little child rubbed his sleepy eyes and said with a pout, “I didn’t sleep well, and my tummy doesn’t feel good. I’m going to eat less today.”
The leading teacher: “...”
Children at the adjacent tables: “...”
After breakfast, everyone remembered the “uncomfortable tummy,” and the child who had said that ended up eating the portions of three people.
The little child could sense everyone’s gaze, but he just wanted to be inconspicuous, as Dad had advised him to be low key when outside.
Trying to be low key, he attempted to blend into the group activities but only managed for a short while. When other children discussed the final exams, he couldn’t contain himself. His childish voice burst out energetically, proclaiming that he would score 100 on several exams.
Eating the most and excelling in grades, this outstanding child quickly stood out among the others. Even the leading teacher visibly appreciated him.
Wagner looked at the adoring eyes of the children focused on Ningning, opened his mouth, wanting to say something. However, fearing it might strain his relationship with Ningning, he struggled and chose to lower his head for the sake of friendship, refraining from giving those cautionary words.
Due to the first night’s experience of taking care of Lele, the other completely attached himself to Ningning and Wagner. Even during nap time, Lele insisted on having them both by his side.
The children lay on the bed, with Lele in the middle, and this time, his eyes turned red due to emotion. Using the Empire’s language not very fluently, he confessed to Ningning and Wagner, “Lele doesn’t have a dad, but you guys are like Lele’s dad.”
It was said that, besides mothers, it’s the fathers who could soothe children like this.
Listening to Lele’s words, Ningning also felt that he now seemed like a dad.
Although he didn’t want a child, seeing Lele, such a pitiful young one, he thought he could reluctantly accept it.
Having an additional child was indeed a big deal.
With a calm expression on his chubby face, Ningning lowered his head, looked at Lele for a few seconds, then took out the Star Device placed by the bedside.
This time, the Star Device he took when going out was given by his big brother.
In the Star Device were Dad and many adults’ contact numbers, along with several group chats.
The topmost group chat was a family group, including Dad, Uncle Ling Qi, Uncle Lulu, Auntie Ai Wei, and even big brother, and Uncle and Aunt, and others...
This time, the little child entered the group chat with a mysterious air. He made some mental preparations. Since he didn’t know how to type, he could only send voice messages.
“Ningning has exciting news to announce to you all!”
As soon as the little child’s voice message was sent, the previously quiet group chat became lively.
Ludwig: “?”
Caesar: “Ningning, what do you want to announce?”
Zhan Xi: “Ningning, are you feeling uncomfortable? Should Daddy come pick you up?”
A group of adults knew that the little child couldn’t read, so they intentionally sent voice messages.
After listening to a few messages, the little child took a deep breath and continued to announce—
“Ningning is going to be a dad, Dad, you’re going to be a grandpa!”
