Qiu Yu counted the days three days in advance, looking forward to his little cub’s vacation. On the actual day, He Zifeng went to pick him up even earlier. The first time he went to pick up the child, he went late and was complained about by the little guy several times.
As soon as He Zifeng arrived at the private school entrance, he heard pattering footsteps. With a casual scoop, he caught a grinning Ranran.
“Daddy.” Little He Ran hadn’t seen him for a long time and was extremely excited to see him. He was truly worthy of being a ger – he loved acting spoiled, pressing his head against his chest.
He Zifeng said: “Go say goodbye to Teacher Lin.”
Little He Ran said: “Teacher Lin, I’m going home with daddy!”
Teacher Lin also really liked this youngest little clever sprite and smiled: “Go home then.”
He Zifeng still needed to pick up Gouzi, but who would have thought Gouzi’s father came even earlier than him.
He Zifeng said to his son: “Then why didn’t you leave with him?”
Little He Ran said: “I waited for daddy.” His face was full of pride: “Dad, I can already recite so many poems!”
When He Zifeng heard this, he couldn’t help but kiss his son: “Really great! You take after your little daddy – so smart.”
Just for this kiss today, he had gotten up early to shave his stubble, so the cub wouldn’t push him away with his hands and refuse the kiss.
Little He Ran was somewhat embarrassed after being kissed and like playing hide-and-seek, hid his whole person in He Zifeng’s arms. Then he said softly: “I’m already a big child, you can’t kiss me!”
He Zifeng said: “Alright, our Ranran has grown up from now on. Daddy won’t kiss you anymore.”
These words were clearly said to go along with the child’s wishes, but when little He Ran heard his words, he became somewhat anxious: “It’s still okay to kiss at home.”
He Zifeng gently scratched his nose with his hand. The little guy had been carried for a while before he stuck his little head out and secretly lay on He Zifeng’s shoulder to look around.
He Zifeng said: “What are you looking for?”
“Where’s my little daddy?” Ranran’s big eyes flashed with confusion.
He Zifeng said: “He’s at home making delicious food for you.”
Little He Ran immediately pouted. He Zifeng said: “You have quite a few demands, even picking who comes to get you.”
Little He Ran said very seriously: “I want both of you to pick me up together.”
He Zifeng said: “Who said he was a four-year-old big child? Big children don’t need picking up – they can find their way home by themselves.”
Little He Ran didn’t know how to argue back, so he just leaned in his arms acting spoiled and unreasonable, whimpering and humming. This made He Zifeng unable to deal with such a precious son, and he couldn’t bear to disappoint him either. He said to little He Ran in his arms: “How about you close your eyes and I’ll make your little daddy appear.”
Little He Ran immediately closed his eyes. Who knows who he learned from, but his two little hands were even clasped together, looking very devout. He really thought He Zifeng would make his little daddy appear.
He Zifeng quickly beckoned to Qiu Yu who was secretly following them from behind. Ever since last time when they hid on the roof to secretly peek at their son, Qiu Yu said it wasn’t good with his mouth, but had also become childish, insisting on seeing their son’s reaction and saying he’d only come out when the son looked for him.
Soon Qiu Yu stood in front of them. He Zifeng saw little He Ran still seriously making wishes there – so cute it made him want to kiss him. Children were really too fun. Such a rough man like him actually had such a mischievous and clever child like Ranran – it was truly heaven’s reward.
He Zifeng said: “Open your eyes.”
Little He Ran then opened his eyes and immediately called out in surprise: “Little daddy!” Then he wanted a hug.
He Zifeng wouldn’t let him. The child hadn’t been seen for over a month, had grown much taller, and was heavier too. He said: “Daddy holding you is fine.”
Little He Ran’s eyes were full of worship: “Daddy, you’re so amazing! You made him appear just like that.”
He Zifeng wasn’t proud when managing ten people at the county office, but when worshipped by his son, he immediately swelled with pride.
He Zifeng then went to lead their horse and they all went home together.
Little He Ran said: “Didn’t grandmother come?”
Qiu Yu said: “Grandmother’s things sold out. She hasn’t set up a stall for several days. You’ll see grandmother when we get home.”
Getting on the horse cart, He Zifeng drove while Qiu Yu was in the carriage with his son. They just opened the soft curtains of the carriage for better ventilation and comfort. After all, no one could see them.
Little He Ran kept wanting to hug and hold Qiu Yu, constantly wanting to snuggle. Where was the big child who studied? He was clearly a little spoiled darling.
Qiu Yu had been missing his son to begin with, and now being acted spoiled to by his son, he didn’t know which way was up.
The carriage soon arrived home. He Zifeng sent the horse back to the stable and added a handful of hay and a few carrots. The horse also ate happily. He Zifeng unloaded the old things from the cart, including the large basin for making braised vegetarian dishes.
Qiu Yu carried his son down from the cart. The little guy was eager to show Qiu Yu the new poems he’d learned in class, afraid he’d forget them in a while.
Qiu Yu went into the house with his son. Before long, the sound of Ranran reciting could be heard from inside the house, still carrying some baby voice.
He Zifeng cleaned up. Since making vegetarian dishes, they could earn two or three taels of silver a day, but it wasn’t tiring anymore.
After the child finished reciting poetry, He Zifeng entered the room and heard his precious one laughing as he burrowed into the quilt.
Qiu Yu was holding small clothes in his hands and said to He Zifeng: “Why did you come in at this time? Our son was just about to change clothes.”
Before he came in, little He Ran was still bare-bottomed. Seeing him come in, he burrowed into the bedding.
Children grew fast – it had only been a month, but the pants were already much too small. Fortunately Qiu Yu had prepared in advance and had already prepared larger clothes for the child.
He Zifeng watched the little cub hide himself in the bedding and laughed: “Alright, the child has grown up and knows to be shy now.” Then he said: “Then Ranran should sleep in his own little room tonight.”
Village children mostly squeezed together with several children. Being able to get a separate room was luxury, but when He Zifeng built the house, he had all the rooms built properly. He Ran’s little room even had a small study specially arranged, but unfortunately he never went to sleep there and just squeezed into their room.
Ranran immediately poked his head out from under the quilt, revealing his little head. His shirt was still on, his cheeks red as he said: “Little daddy will sleep with me tonight.”
He Zifeng said: “No.” He domineeringly refused.
Little He Ran’s almond eyes held disbelief: “Why?”
He Zifeng said: “Because he sleeps with me.”
Little He Ran was shocked: “He’s little daddy.” After saying this, he hugged Qiu Yu’s neck with his hands, as if afraid of being snatched away.
Qiu Yu was embarrassed by these two people. He said: “Ranran, you’re already a big child.”
Little He Ran said: “No, no.”
He Zifeng flicked his forehead, and the little guy immediately covered his forehead.
Qiu Yu said: “You don’t need to go back today.” Usually after the morning market he’d pack up and go home, and He Zifeng would still need to go to the government office for duty. Today, picking up the child, they came straight home from the county town.
He Zifeng said: “No need, I told them in advance.” Then he said: “You two play. I’ll go help with the autumn harvest.”
Now that the grain was ripe, everyone was doing autumn harvest. He Zifeng’s land hadn’t planted anything this year, so he could go help others work. Village people were like this – you help me, I help you, everyone had to lend each other a hand.
He Zifeng then went out. Only then did little He Ran come out from under the covers to change his pants properly, then said to Qiu Yu: “Little daddy, I missed you so much. I just want to share a bed with you. Will you stay with me tonight?”
How could Qiu Yu resist his son’s pleading? His heart softened and he agreed.
Before long, Gouzi came with several children to find He Ran, wanting to take him to pick wheat ears. All the children liked doing this. Usually adults didn’t let them go to the fields, and only at times like this were they allowed to go play.
Little He Ran said: “Alright.” Then he was about to run outside but was called back by Qiu Yu.
These new pants were to be saved for wearing to school. If they got dirty, washing them now, who knew if they’d dry in time. He only let him wear his old pants from before.
Little He Ran changed and went out to play wildly with Gouzi and the others. Qiu Yu never interfered. Little He Ran had rarely had the chance to run wild all over the mountains and fields like this. Before, the He family was strict, and later he went to county school to study. It was better for children to be lively.
Little He Ran went out to play, He Zifeng was outside helping. Qiu Yu planned to make all the things the child loved to eat, so they wouldn’t shout about being hungry as soon as they got home.
Before long, wisps of cooking smoke were already rising from the courtyard, and fragrant smells spread. Fortunately their new house was built in a remote location, so the smell couldn’t travel far. Not like the house they rented before, where neighbors knew whenever they made something delicious.
This time He Zifeng also specifically found the village chief and said: “Tax collection is very strict this time. It must be paid early, otherwise the higher-ups will punish us.”
Every year their taxes had shortfalls. This newly appointed county magistrate had career aspirations and wanted to do well in all aspects so he could be transferred away when his three-year term was up. He had told them in advance about the importance of this time.
Village Chief Liuzi smiled and said: “Got it. This year’s good harvest definitely won’t have any problems.” Then he also said: “That piece of land of yours, it rained at just the right time a few days ago, and all the fertility went down. After one more winter it’ll definitely be good farmland. When your son passes the child scholar exam in the future, this land won’t need to pay taxes.”
He Zifeng laughed: “He only knows a few characters. It’ll be years before he’s ready to take the proper exam.”
Village Chief Liuzi told some more gossip related to the He family. He Zifeng now completely didn’t pay attention to He family matters, plus living far away, he had no contact with them at all. But Village Chief Liuzi was talking about Xu Li’s father – the two were old rivals, so naturally he paid more attention.
He said Xu Li had returned to the village once with bruises on his body. Xu Li’s father was so angry he kept cursing. But Xu Li said he had fallen, and came back to the village to borrow money. Xu Li’s father of course wouldn’t lend it. He had a loud voice and told everyone about how the Gong family in the county didn’t acknowledge them as relatives. All the neighbors heard it clearly.
Xu Li finally went back. Everyone sighed for a long time. Xu Li and Wan Hai were the village’s fairy tale love story. How many people had envied the two of them. They had clearly become phoenixes flying out of the mountain nest, so how was it still such a mess?
He Zifeng said: “If He Dabao and the others could pass the exams, maybe they could still turn things around.”
Families like that really valued imperial examinations. Whether they could get ahead depended on pinning their hopes on their children. But He Zifeng looked down on this approach. He believed in parents paving the road for their children, letting the children live comfortably for their whole lives – only then would the father-son relationship of one lifetime not be wasted.
He Zifeng didn’t say much more and went out to work. In the evening he came home to a sumptuous meal. When it was time to sleep, the little cub indeed coaxed Qiu Yu away.
He Zifeng slept alone on the big bed. He had originally thought that since the child rarely came home, let him be clingy. But instead he couldn’t fall asleep, tossing and turning for a long time.
Even when it was the middle of the night, he still hadn’t fallen asleep. So having one person missing from the bed was this uncomfortable.
But before long, there were rustling sounds. He Zifeng said: “Who?”
It turned out to be Qiu Yu coming back after coaxing the child to sleep. He Zifeng pulled hard with his big hand, then held Qiu Yu in his arms: “Next time, don’t listen to that little rascal. You sleep here.”
Qiu Yu smiled. He Zifeng was somewhat embarrassed and kissed him, making him go soft, then carried him to bed.
Only when Qiu Yu was sleeping beside him did He Zifeng’s surging drowsiness come like a tide.
R : Father and child fighting for little daddy !
