Pei Rong gave a faint smile. He had recently lost a little weight, but he didn’t look frail at all. Instead, he carried a touch of youthful innocence, reminiscent of a college student. Even in a loose hoodie, his slender waistline could be outlined with just a glance.
Lu Qin wanted to keep him by his side and feed him well, reminiscing about how he had been slightly rounder in the early stages of pregnancy. Though, at this point, he wasn’t entirely sure if Pei Rong had actually gained weight back then or if it had just been pregnancy-induced swelling.
Pei Rong pondered for a moment before saying, “I’ll give you the answer when the time comes.”
Lu Qin’s voice was hoarse as he responded, “I’ll wait.”
He figured he wouldn’t need to hear another answer—because at this moment, Pei Rong hadn’t rejected him.
Pei Rong added, “Don’t have people follow me. It’s suffocating.”
Lu Qin’s response was firm: “Impossible. Unless you hire bodyguards yourself.”
Pei Rong’s face was unforgettable—even after stepping away from the industry for a few years, he still shone like a star in public.
After considering the hassle of personally hiring and vetting bodyguards, Pei Rong compromised: “Fine, but they’re not allowed to report my location or do anything unnecessary.”
After dropping off his child, Pei Rong was ready to leave. Lu Qin was reluctant to see him go, but he held back his words. Compared to last time, when Pei Rong had simply left their son in the elevator and walked away, at least this was progress—this time, he had willingly stepped into the place he had once left with displeasure.
Pei Rong beckoned to the little boy outside, who was playing with clay. “Daddy has to go back home for a bit. I’ll bring you my favorite childhood pastries, Dundun.”
Before coming, he had already discussed this with Pei Dundun. The child was a reasonable boy—otherwise, he would have been scolded countless times by now.
Pei Dundun hugged his leg and obediently said goodbye, “Goodbye, Daddy.”
Lu Qin, who had been hoping his son would say something more—perhaps even convince Pei Rong to stay for a meal—was speechless.
Something felt off.
Logically speaking, Dundun had just lost his grandmother and should have been clingier to Pei Rong, unwilling to part with his father so soon.
Why was he saying goodbye so easily?
Son, Daddy is very disappointed in you.
Pei Rong winked at Pei Dundun, who grinned in return—
Daddy had promised that after his trip, he would consider moving next door to Daddy Lu’s place, only returning to the estate on weekends. That way, Dundun wouldn’t have to constantly go back and forth between his parents anymore.
For Dundun, there was no greater temptation. He wanted his family to be together!
And Uncle Jiang would be close by too!
Since his son was unreliable, Lu Qin took matters into his own hands. “I just finished setting up a 20-square-meter ocean ball pool for Dundun in the upstairs gym. It was completed yesterday. Want to go check it out together?”
He often encountered situations where he couldn't bring his child to the company temporarily. Worried that others wouldn't be able to handle it, he simply converted part of his gym into a small playground, adjusting the facilities as Dundun grew.
Right now, it was an ocean ball pit filled with blue and white balls, along with slides and other play equipment.
"This is Dundun’s first time playing here. Aren’t you going to check the quality?"
Pei Dundun tugged at his dad’s pants, his eyes sparkling. "Daddy…"
Pei Rong said, "President Lu, please lead the way."
Lu Qin gestured professionally, more diligent than the front desk staff.
Pei Rong fell a step behind, pulling a marker from a pen holder and holding it in his palm.
The three of them didn’t take the elevator but instead led Pei Ge up the stairs. The first thing they saw was a row of fitness equipment, open for the regular employees of the Lu Corporation.
After working for two hours, employees could exercise in the gym for fifteen minutes to improve blood circulation and boost their energy.
Right now was peak gym time.
Everyone saw the family of three walking in hand-in-hand. First, they marveled at how the soon-to-be boss's wife looked a hundred times more stunning in person than on TV. Then, they admired the little young master a hundred times more—he was so adorable! And he even called me "Uncle Sun"!
As for the boss… well, a winner in life was beyond words.
Pei Dundun greeted every familiar uncle, as if he had an extreme talent for socializing. When he had returned to Greenwood Manor on the second day, he had already gotten to know all the neighbors within a kilometer. Left hand holding a chicken leg, right hand carrying a bag of goose eggs—who else would the geese chase if not him?
Pei Rong walked ahead without a sideways glance, shielded from most curious gazes by Lu Qin.
The CEO’s private gym had now become Dundun’s playground, which meant he’d have to compete with employees for a treadmill in the future.
The pristine white walls were now decorated with children's drawings, and the ocean ball pit’s balls reached Dundun’s navel. Excited, he ran through them, sending waves of balls rippling in every direction.
“Daddy, come play with me!” Pei Dundun eagerly invited.
He was looking at Lu Qin.
President Lu usually didn’t mind lowering himself for parent-child bonding activities. But in this critical moment, before the beautiful person in front of him nodded, he wanted to maintain his calm, composed, and sophisticated elite image.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, and the ocean ball pit’s balls wouldn’t even reach his calves—totally unimpressive. Playing in this would look outright ridiculous.
So, he heartlessly rejected the little one’s invitation.
Pei Dundun let out a disappointed "Hmm"—but Daddy even rode a motorcycle with him!
Lu Qin didn’t want to disappoint Pei Dundun in front of Pei Rong, as if he couldn’t take good care of a child.
He crouched by the pool and improvised a fairy tale about how only children were allowed to play in the ocean ball pit on the first day.
Pei Rong, without saying a word, picked up a ball, uncapped a marker, and swiftly wrote a few words on it with the same speed he used to sign autographs on bizarre fan souvenirs.
The handwriting was small, the way he held the pen was elegant, and the thick, chubby marker looked like an artistic tool in his hands.
After finishing, Pei Rong raised his hand and tossed two balls into the pit.
"Dundun, run a lap."
Pei Dundun obeyed the command, dashing around the play area at full speed. The balls tumbled and mixed together, blending the two he had thrown in.
Lu Qin asked, "What did you write?"
A game before leaving—finding a marked ball? Did they have a prize written on them that Dundun could redeem if he found them?
Not a bad way to distract him. Kids loved games like this, just like a dog chasing a frisbee.
Pei Rong calmly capped the marker and tucked it into the pocket on Lu Qin’s chest.
"Time and place for our date."
"President Lu, don’t be late."
Lu Qin: "…"
So he was the dog chasing the frisbee after all.
And he didn’t mind.
Dignity couldn’t be eaten for dinner. In front of such a stunning beauty, Lu Qin took off his shoes and stepped into the ocean ball pit. The balls he had just looked down on now seemed completely out of reach.
They were constantly shifting—it was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
He picked up a ball, then put it down, over and over. But with every lap Pei Dundun ran, the balls got shuffled again.
