In February, the Imperial City was still draped in a dull gray, but as the Maybach traveled south, the gray outside the window gradually lightened, turning into shades of green. The scenery started to beco more pleasing.
From dawn until sunset, the Maybach moved along, stopping intermittently.
Xiao Bao finally realized that this was a spontaneous trip.
But occasionally, his gaze outside the window revealed a fleeting flash of fear.
Ye Li took one look and instantly understood why.
His first birthday was never celebrated.
On his second birthday, he was taken back to the Fu Mansion. The little one, though unaware of what a birthday ant, had mories engulfed by the trauma of being kept in a cage. That day—Lantern Festival—beca an untouchable fear buried in his heart.
In the past two years, because of Xiao Bao, not to ntion birthdays, even Lantern Festival celebrations at the mansion had been subdued, with everyone simply eating a bowl of tangyuan quietly in the morning.
"Brother Mu, the day after tomorrow’s your birthday. Do you know what kind of gift you’d like?"
Ye Li spoke, catching Xiao Bao off guard.
His expression shouted plainly: Isn’t... it today?
Even Fu Yanci, who was in the driver’s seat, glanced at Ye Li through the rearview mirror.
Then, belatedly, he realized the truth.
Today was the Lantern Festival—Xiao Bao’s lunar birthday.
But, according to the solar calendar, his birthday was the day after tomorrow.
The date on the household registration book.
Xiao Bao shook his head—it was unclear if he didn’t want anything or just hadn’t thought of anything yet.
He simply clung tightly to Ye Li’s arm, his eyes sparkling as he looked out the window.
At noon, the car entered an ancient, quaint little town.
Paths paved with blue-gray cobblestones.
Stores lined every street corner.
Above the store doors, colorful flags swayed in the wind.
Due to the Lantern Festival, the alleyways were adorned with countless lanterns.
Taking a stroll forward revealed a central square on the street, where the town elder hamred on a gong to announce tonight’s lantern festivities.
Ye Li lowered her head and asked Xiao Bao, "Should we co here tonight?"
Xiao Bao nodded.
Beside them, Fu Yanci responded, "Alright, then we’ll stay here tonight."
Lunch was at a restaurant claiming to have existed for a century.
From afar, they could already see its large and ancient flag sign. Xiao Bao eagerly pulled Ye Li, racing toward it.
But upon closer inspection, when he noticed the smaller text flanking the flag, Xiao Bao was taken aback.
"Ninety-six years to go before becoming a century-old restaurant..."
Fu Yanci read aloud with a chuckle, casting Xiao Bao a smiling glance before walking through the door.
Just outside the entrance, the little one puffed up his cheeks and glared at Ye Li: Ye Xiaoli, report this! Isn’t this false advertising?
"Sure!"
Ye Li nodded decisively.
Xiao Bao froze.
She grasped his tiny hand and led him past the tall threshold, "Let’s eat first and then judge. If it’s tasty, we’ll let them off! If not, we’ll report them imdiately!"
Though he knew she was teasing him.
Just hearing her resolute "Sure," it felt like no matter how wild his antics were, she would always stand by his side.
When Ye Li asked if he wanted tangyuan and whether he preferred sesa filling or peanut filling, Xiao Bao hesitated briefly over the nu before pointing at each option.
The plump, snow-white tangyuan were soft and sticky.
One bite felt like it could glue his teeth together.
But beyond the clingy texture was a rich sweetness that was even more delectable.
As a child, he didn’t understand.
But now, at five years old, adept with tablets, Xiao Bao was more aware than anyone why, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month each year, the Imperial City roared with drumbeats. If not for the lantern festival being held here, it’d be stores over there offering Lantern Festival sales. Yet, the enormous Fu Mansion remained eerily quiet, as if it were simply an ordinary workday.
Now, he understood!
It was all because of him!
Because they loved him!
The tangyuan were identical, yet when divided among bowls, they tasted different.
Xiao Bao fished out one from his own bowl and placed it joyfully into Ye Li’s bowl.
Then, he carefully scooped another and looked toward Fu Yanci.
Seeing Fu Yanci nod, Xiao Bao happily placed it in his bowl.
Fu Yanci gazed at the tangyuan in his bowl, letting out a barely audible sigh.
Three years—it was Xiao Bao’s first ti serving him food.
Sharing a glance, Ye Li and Fu Yanci each scooped a tangyuan from their own bowls and gave them to Xiao Bao.
The phone chid with a notification. Glancing at the new ssage, Fu Yanci instinctively raised his eyes toward the bathroom.
Ye Li was waiting at the door.
Xiao Bao hadn’t wandered off.
Displayed on the screen was a ssage from the little boy himself: [Uncle, I’ve decided what gift I want!]
[What is it?]
[I want to go to school, is that okay?]
Staring blankly at the words, Fu Yanci’s heart stirred slightly.
The psychologist had said: So far, there’s no truly effective dical solution. The only advice is to remain patient, even more patient—like nurturing flowers, giving them ti to bloom quietly.
And now, within the soil, a tender, tiny sprout had erged.
Afraid that delaying might cause the child to retreat back into his snail shell, Fu Yanci imdiately responded: [Okay!]
The afternoon was spent wandering the ancient town, listening to Fu Yanci’s deep, magnetic voice narrating its historical changes and fascinating legends passed down throughout generations.
By evening, they returned to their lodging to rest briefly.
As night descended, fireworks and drumbeats erupted outside.
Solving riddles.
Releasing lanterns.
Eating candied hawthorn skewers.
Watching brothers and sisters in traditional ethnic costus perform acrobatics and tricks.
Everything they’d never done before was accomplished tonight.
Back in the room, as Xiao Bao yawned and declared his intention to sleep, he turned to Fu Yanci’s concerned gaze with a beaming smile.
When Ye Li finished washing up and erged, she saw the man still seated on the sofa by the door, quietly waiting.
Tilting her head to listen—besides the occasional fireworks outside—it was all peaceful, without any unusual sounds.
Ye Li stepped forward. "What’s wrong?"
Fu Yanci pointed at Xiao Bao’s room across the hallway. "On this day in the past, Xiao Bao would wake up screaming from nightmares at night."
But Xiao Bao wouldn’t allow anyone to stay in his room.
This was the only way he could watch over and protect him.
"You should sleep."
"No, I’ll stay with you!"
Saying so, Ye Li didn’t even realize when she fell asleep in his arms.
When a weight pressed down on her, awakening her as the man’s kisses landed, Ye Li instinctively pushed him away. "Brother Mu is just across the hall."
"He’s asleep."
Fu Yanci’s voice was thick with joy. "Ah Li, he’s sleeping..."
Cautiously, step by step, Fu Yanci probed for any sign of alertness.
But even when he gently pushed the door open, no sudden shrieking erged.
At the bedside, the boy sprawled like a starfish, his sweat-soaked hair showing his deep sleep.
Fu Yanci couldn’t tell how long he had sat by the bed, but one thing he knew—on this Lantern Festival, Xiao Bao’s nightmares wouldn’t return, nor would this day remain a taboo unspoken by the Fu Family.
And all of this was thanks to his Ah Li.
"Ah Li, how are you so wonderful?"
The recklessness of his kisses lacked order.
The tiny joys in his heart amplified into an overwhelming black fervor, boiling over in a passionate drive to share everything with Ah Li.
"Fu Yanci, be gentle... ah..."
Away from the city’s chaos, the ancient town’s tranquil night seed so quiet, Ye Li could hear Fu Yanci’s heartbeat clearly.
A gasp punctured the silence—worried that Xiao Bao and the other guests might wake.
Ye Li tilted her head back and bit down hard on Fu Yanci’s shoulder.
Hiss...
The man inhaled sharply but seed oddly encouraged.
Lost in the rush and pull, their fervor grew more unrestrained.
Through the boundless night...
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