Chapter 027
Ming Huai was lost in thought, surprised that Ji Tingqian had arrived so early, and for a moment simply stood frozen in place. With the host remaining silent, Ji Tingqian, as the guest, felt it inappropriate to make any other move; thus, the two of them just stood there awkwardly, staring at each other.
After a long pause, Ming Huai finally snapped back to reality, his gaze colliding with Ji Tingqian’s dark, heavy eyes. Flustered, he quickly stepped aside and said, “Brother Ji, good morning! Please come in first.”
“Good morning,” Ji Tingqian replied.
After Ji Tingqian entered, he stood still once more. He scanned the entryway but failed to locate his target, then shifted his gaze back to Ming Huai, who was standing there dumbfounded. “Excuse me, where are the slippers?”
“Huh?!” Ming Huai instantly straightened up, the tips of his ears turning crimson. What kind of host behaved like this? Actually staring blankly at his guest! He rubbed his hair in a mix of frustration and embarrassment, then bent down to quickly retrieve a fresh pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and placed them before Ji Tingqian.
“Thank you,” Ji Tingqian said to Ming Huai, then handed him the large paper bag he was carrying. “This is a small gift for Dudu; I hope he likes it,” he explained.
Ming Huai instinctively took the paper bag, glancing down at it with a blink. It felt surprisingly heavy in his hands. How could Dudu possibly not like it? Ming Huai wondered.
Next, Ming Huai led Ji Tingqian into the inner room. Ji Tingqian looked around at the decor with mild surprise, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense. Although Ming Huai was single, he had a child; no wonder the interior was arranged so warmly and cozily.
Unaware of Ji Tingqian’s thoughts, Ming Huai nudged his arm with his shoulder, winking playfully. “Dudu is going to be absolutely delighted later. Besides, you should give the gift to him personally. Having his favorite Uncle Ji hand it over will surely make him even happier.”
Without another word, Ming Huai took Ji Tingqian’s hand and pressed the paper bag into his palm. The moment those soft fingertips brushed against his skin, Ji Tingqian’s heart gave an inexplicable flutter, as if tickled by a kitten’s tiny claws—a strange, itching sensation that sent an eerie tingle coursing through him.
“Alright,” Ji Tingqian replied with a nod, suppressing the peculiar feeling stirring within him.
Once they passed the living room, they reached an area covered in plush rugs. Ji Tingqian’s gaze immediately landed on a small figure sitting cross-legged on the floor, completely absorbed in building with his toys. The child’s little brows were unconsciously furrowed, his lips pursed in deep concentration.
A surge of unnamed emotion instantly overwhelmed Ji Tingqian, rushing straight to the crown of his head. An irresistible impulse seized him—he wanted to scoop the child up into his arms right then and there. For a rare moment, Ji Tingqian found himself dazed; this was Dudu, that adorable little boy.
Soon, Ji Tingqian’s thoughts were pulled back by the pleasant voice beside him. “Dudu, look who’s here!”
Upon hearing Ming Huai’s voice, Dudu immediately turned around. His eyes suddenly widened, sparkling as if filled with stars. He scrambled up on all fours, then hurried over to Ji Tingqian and Ming Huai on his short little legs.
Initially excited, he suddenly became shy upon reaching Ji Tingqian. Dudu leaned slightly toward Ming Huai, yet his gaze remained fixed unblinkingly on Ji Tingqian. Feeling a surge of tenderness under Dudu’s stare, Ji Tingqian instinctively glanced at Ming Huai, only to find Ming Huai already looking at him. Ming Huai smiled, his eyes curving into gentle arcs, and nodded at Ji Tingqian, though a hint of nervousness lingered in his gaze.
Ji Tingqian slowly crouched down to meet Dudu at eye level. He forced a smile he had practiced countless times, aiming for warmth. Gently ruffling Dudu’s hair, he spoke in a low, magnetic voice, “Hello, Dudu. I’m Uncle Ji.”
Dudu rubbed the hem of Ming Huai’s shirt. Ming Huai gently held his son’s small hand in return, then crouched down just as Ji Tingqian had. He gave Dudu a little shake and teased, “Weren’t you the one constantly shouting that you wanted to see Uncle Ji? Why so shy now?”
Ji Tingqian showed unusual patience. He handed the gift to Dudu. “A little present for you. Take a look—do you like it, hmm?”
Dudu was simply overcome with shyness. Though his playful nature was strong and the gift tempted him, he still hesitated. Yet, a flicker of courage sparked within him: Uncle Ji was so kind; he would surely, surely like him!
“Hello, Uncle Ji. I’m Dudu,” the child chirped, his voice soft and milky. But immediately after speaking, shyness washed over him again; without even taking the gift, he burrowed straight into Ming Huai’s embrace.
Ming Huai couldn’t help but burst out laughing, and then a sudden idea popped into his mind. He scooped Dudu up in his arms and, without any warning or forewarning whatsoever, tossed the boy straight into Ji Tingqian’s embrace.
Dudu immediately started crying, glancing anxiously at his own father before turning a bewildered look toward Uncle Ji. Ji Tingqian could do nothing but take the child into his arms, standing rigidly in place, not daring to move a muscle.
Ming Huai, thoroughly pleased, took the bag from Ji Tingqian without hesitation. He turned to Dudu and said, “I’ll hold onto your gift for now, but you must thank Uncle Ji yourself. Have fun with him; Daddy’s going upstairs for a little while.”
Then he turned to Ji Tingqian with a bright smile and said, “Brother Ji, thanks for your help.”
Having said that, Ming Huai indeed ascended the stairs with cold indifference, paying no heed to Ji Tingqian’s frozen expression, his rigid posture, or Dudu’s pitiful, pleading gaze. He was utterly determined to leave Ji Tingqian and Dudu alone together.
As it turned out, Ming Huai’s instincts were right. When he came downstairs fifteen minutes later, he was greeted by a scene of perfect harmony: Dudu wore a broad, beaming smile, while Ji Tingqian’s expression was unusually soft and gentle. The two were huddled over a pile of LEGO bricks, deep in discussion, with Dudu’s enthusiastic cries of “Uncle Ji!” echoing clearly from across the room.
Ming Huai looked to be in high spirits; without saying a word, he took out his phone and secretly captured the moment.
When Aunt Chen returned, it was just past eleven ten. Seeing Ji Tingqian there, she appeared quite composed, warmly greeting him and even asking for an autograph.
Auntie Chen cheerfully tucked away the autograph and smiled, saying, “We’ll start dinner at twelve o’clock.”
As she turned to head to the kitchen, Aunt Chen had barely taken a step before Ji Tingqian followed right after her. “Let me help,” he offered.
Ji Tingqian had arrived so early today precisely because he wanted to lend a hand with something.
“Oh, that won’t do! Absolutely not!” Aunt Chen quickly shook her head in refusal. Shifting her gaze to Ming Huai, she added, “Aiya, Xiao Huai, please keep Mr. Ji company properly. I’ll go to the kitchen.”
In the end, Ming Huai managed to hold Ji Tingqian back. Glancing at him, Ming Huai suddenly reached out and gently pressed on the bandage near the corner of Ji Tingqian’s mouth, causing Ji Tingqian’s brows to immediately knit tightly together.
“Did you apply any medicine?” Ming Huai asked skeptically. Based on his understanding of Ji Tingqian, the man rarely took care of himself; minor injuries meant nothing to him.
Sure enough, a moment later, Ji Tingqian shook his head.
“Ah!” Dudu suddenly exclaimed from the side, “Uncle Ji, you can let Daddy blow on it, and then it won’t hurt anymore!”