Exile. Exile Chapter 52-55

“Cough, cough, cough!” Zhang Su almost choked on the water. “Qing-Qingbai, are you kidding?”

Man? His brother (not related by blood) had a fiancée and then had a baby not long ago. How could it not be long before he got a man?

“Of course it’s not a joke.” Having said it already, Su Qingbai became more frank once again. “I’m with him. Since Sun Zhe came here, and I’ve been staying with him for several days.”

“Impossible.” Zhang Su still didn’t believe it. “Will Teacher agree with this?”

Teacher was most family-oriented. He did not believe that Teacher would agree to Qingbai being with a man for a lifetime, nor did he believe that Teacher would allow Qingbai to live in that man’s home.

“Why not? My Dad agreed.”

“How is it possible?”

“Why not?” Turning the topic around, Su Qingbai cautiously asked him, “You won’t look down on me for that, will you?” Su Qingbai looked at him nervously. He and Zhang Su were childhood friends. Being together with Jiang Mao, he was eager to get the blessing from his childhood friend.

After digesting the news, Zhang Su hurriedly waved, “I won’t, I won’t.” Although he was quite surprised, but since Teacher agreed, it showed that the man was fine. How could he not bless them?

Su Qingbai calmed down. “However, I’m not scared if you guys can’t accept it.” Putting down the cup, Su Qingbai looked at Zhang Su and Xu Qian, smiling with a deep meaning. “I saw you hugging Xu Qian at my house.”

Xu Qian rarely blushed. “You-you-you, don’t talk nonsense.”

Zhang Su actually did say anything?

What did he have to say? That he had to do with Xu Qian? But Xu Qian was really interested in him.

As for himself?

Originally, he thought it was against human relations for men to be together, but when Xu Qian shyly looked at him with a blush and a slightly humble expression, he couldn’t say anything to deny it for a moment.

Su Qingbai waved to Xu Qian, “Look at you being upset! I’m not saying that.”

Seeing Xu Qian’s face blushed by Su Qingbai’s teasing, Zhang Su empathized with him and went to say goodbye to Su Qingbai. “Teacher is almost done with school. Xu Qian and I will go to see him first, and then come back to you after we finish. And in pa.s.sing… to meet the one in your house.”

Hearing him saying that, Su Qingbai didn’t delay them much longer and he sent them out.

Su Lingchuan was very happy to meet Zhang Su. Zhang Su was very talkative that with only few words, he also made Madam Su happy. She made several dishes specially and added a meat dish. It was a fish that Su Qingbai gave them and the method of preparation was also taught by Su Qingbai. Once it was done, there was no fishy smell.

Madam Su unb.u.t.toned her ap.r.o.n and said, “You wait. I’ll get you some wine.”

Madam Su quickly took a pot of wine and poured it for them. Zhang Su couldn’t let his elder pour it for them personally, so he took it over and poured for Su Lingchuan and Xu Qian.

“Good wine!” Zhang Su easily took a mouthful and sighed with feeling, “This is a rare good wine in the capital.”

In this small mountain village, Su Lingchuan did not pay much attention to those etiquettes, so he let Madam Su seated with them for meals. Madam Su said, “This is made by Xiao Jiang himself.”

“Xiao Jiang?” Zhang Su looked at Madam Su and Su Lingchuan.

“Come, let’s eat.” Su Lingchuan invited them with no intention of explaining. Although he acquiesced in the matter between his son and Jiang Mao, he would not say it to anyone.

Zhang Su guessed a few points, but he did not say, and continued to drink with Su Lingchuan.

Teacher and student, uncle and nephew here were enjoying a lively meal, and the wine fragrance drifted to the next door not far away.

“This is too much!” Despite Sun Zhong knew that he had let Su Lingchuan down and was willing to accept Su Lingchuan’s cold face, but now he couldn’t help being angry.

Su Lingchuan did not take him seriously; this old friend for many years was worse than two younger generations.

At the side, Sun Zhe also looked grave. “It seems that I have to make it clear to Uncle Su as soon as possible, delaying it will give birth to changes.” Zhang Su’s arrival was so sudden, and he also never liked him. If he dragged it on, he was afraid there would be some changes.

Intoxicated by wine, Zhang Su was thinking and he couldn’t help saying, “Teacher, about Qingbai, he’s already told me about it.”

Su Lingchuan paused. Just when Zhang Su thought he was going to be angry, Su Lingchuan suddenly laughed and nodded, “Hn! Him being like that is good too. It’s better than being out drunk all day and dreaming too much.”

“Teacher, what about that man?” Listening to the teacher’s words, Zhang Su could safely talk about it with him.

“Very honest, not bad.” Su Lingchuan commented on Jiang Mao.

“Oh?” Zhang Su was surprised. That man took Teacher’s son away, but also get Teacher’s to evaluate him like that. “Let me meet him when it’s convenient.”

Su Lingchuan laughed. “You eat first. I’ll take you there after you eat. Just at the right time that I’m going to teach in the afternoon, let Qingbai entertain you.”

That side over there had finished eating, but at Su Qingbai’s side hadn’t finished yet.

Jiang Mao filled Su Caicai with a large bowl of fish and spent a long time picking the fish bones. Su Qingbai didn’t know what to say.

Su Caicai didn’t like fish at all, but Jiang Mao experimented in the kitchen for a long time in order to let him eat it. Finally, he developed a fish meal that suited Su Caicai’s taste. Su Qingbai said he was too upset, but Jiang Mao said that children who eat fish were smart.

In this way, cooking was prepared in a long time, and it was already afternoon when the meal was served.

When Su Lingchuan brought Zhang Su to come, they had just started eating.

Because it was time for lunch, everyone was eating, and there was nothing to refrain. Su Lingchuan went straight into Jiang Mao’s house entrance without greetings. Su Lingchuan knocked at the door of their house.

“Who?”

“Qingbai, it’s me.”

“Dad?” Su Qingbai stood up to welcome the guest, and heard his Dad’s voice, “Dad, come in quickly.”

As for Jiang Mao and Su Caicai, they hadn’t reacted yet. At this time, Jiang Mao took a dish clipped between his chopsticks and sent it to Su Caicai’s mouth. Su Caicai’s small mouth chewed one at a time, eating very slowly.

Following Su Lingchuan in, Zhang Su instantly saw Su Qingbai at the side and a man was feeding Su Caicai for lunch. He was feeding fish and was careful not to get the child choke on bones.

Looking at the man holding the child carefully, even if Zhang Su had not met the man face to face, he still could not help but sigh with feeling. This looked like the man treated Caicai better than any blood related father and son.

Only when Su Caicai finished eating that chopstick of dish that the man picked up the chubby cheeks Su Caicai to welcome Su Lingchuan. “Uncle came.”

Su Lingchuan nodded and said a few words.

At this moment, Zhang Su also saw the face of the person in front of him. He was stunned at once. The next moment, he knelt on the ground in a panic. “This lowly official bows to pay respect to His Highness Yue w.a.n.g.”

Zhang Su called himself a lowly official because he was once a palace graduate. Currently, because of family’s affairs, he temporarily had no proper working t.i.tle. Although it was like that, he was still regarded as an official body.

The room suddenly turned silence. Su Lingchuan, who had always been calm and self-restrained, could not help staring. He looked at Zhang Su, who was kneeling on the ground, and Jiang Mao. He looked at Jiang Mao for a long time before finally stopping his angry eyes on Su Qingbai.

His Dad’s att.i.tude towards Yue w.a.n.g could not be any clearer to Su Qingbai’s. Su Qingbai bowed his head and dared not look at his Dad.

As soon as he saw Zhang Su, Su Qingbai knew something bad would happen. He knew that his Dad was not impressed with Jiang Mao, so he never dared to say Jiang Mao’s ident.i.ty.

Su Qingbai thought his Dad would beat him up, but Su Lingchuan suppressed his anger. He just turned to Zhang Su and said, “Suddenly I think something needs to be solved. I can’t entertain you today. You go back first.”

Zhang Su blankly retreated, and realization came slowly to him: Qingbai was with a man, and the man was Yue w.a.n.g, which Qingbai had been hiding this matter from Teacher.

It was known that not long ago, Teacher had expressed some dissatisfaction with Yue w.a.n.g. At this point, it was impossible for Teacher to agree Qingbai be with this person, let alone be satisfied with him. Unless… Teacher didn’t know that this man was Yue w.a.n.g.

“Dad, we’re not trying to hide it from you. We’re going to pick a time to tell you.” After Zhang Su left, Su Qingbai explained quickly.

“Now I know.” Su Lingchuan grabbed Su Qingbai’s hand. “My decision is that I don’t agree with you two anymore. Go and follow me back.”

“Uncle, I’m sorry, I know it’s wrong to hide from you, but I’m sincere with Qingbai, and I invite you to…”

Su Lingchuan raised his hand and interrupted Jiang Mao. “It’s no longer a matter of sincerity.”

All eyes could see that they, the Su Family was framed by Third Prince. Jiang Mao and his son had been together for so long, why had he been standing unswervingly on the side of Third Prince, his opposite side? Of course, Jiang Mao had a special ident.i.ty and had his own considerations. But how embarra.s.sing was his son’s ident.i.ty when he was still sandwiched between them?

Su Lingchuan was very concerned about that.

In addition, Su Lingchuan felt that this man was very insincere. In addition, his ident.i.ty was complex, at that (future) time he would certainly have to consider taking concubines. When that happened, what would his son do then?

Su Lingchuan made up his mind not to let his son mix with that man.

“Dad…”

“Shut up!” Su Qingbai had opened his mouth to explain, but Su Lingchuan turned around and glared at him with hatred. Then he pulled him away.

Jiang Mao and Su Caicai were left behind.

“Dad, ne?” Where was he going?

Jiang Mao touched his little head and sighed helplessly, “Your Dad will stay with your grandpa for a few days. In a few days… Father will pick up your Dad.”

Everything happened so suddenly. Jiang Mao could understand Elder Su could not comprehend. After a few days when Elder Su’s anger calmed, he would go to apologize again.

As soon as Su Qingbai entered the door, Sun Zhe, who had been waiting there, came up and cupped his hands in obeisance at him. “Uncle Su.”

Su Lingchuan let go of Su Qingbai and frowned, “What’s the matter?”

Su Lingchuan’s att.i.tude was not very good, but Sun Zhe was used to it. He didn’t care at all. He started to talk about business. “Uncle Su, let’s sit down and talk over tea.”

“No, I have something else to do. Just say it.” Right now, Su Lingchuan didn’t have the patience to be perfunctory with him.

Sun Zhe pursed his lips and after a thought, said, “Then I’ll come straight to the point and say it to you.”

Su Lingchuan did not speak and looked at him waiting for his follow-up story. Su Qingbai was also behind his Lao Zi.

“Uncle, now you have a chance to be excused.” Sun Zhe leaned over and whispered.

Su Lingchuan looked at him in doubt.

“It’s very simple,” Sun Zhe continued, satisfied with his reaction. “As long as you are willing to write a letter to your student Bai Cangning, persuade him to join Third Prince. By then, you will be able to leave this poor land of mountains and rivers; don’t need to drink weak tea and eat scanty meals every day; don’t need to teach at an old age to get a living; your sons will also have a good future, and they will therefore respect you more. If Third Prince succeeds in ascending the throne in the future, you will still be prime minister.” After that, he asked, “What do you think?”

Sun Zhe promised him a lot of benefits. As for whether these things could be realized by then, it was not his (Sun Zhe’s) business. He just needed to coax Su Lingchuan now.

Su Lingchuan was listening carefully, but as he listened more, the originally serious expressions of his turned into mockery. After listening, he refused without thinking, and said, “No way!” He looked at Sun Zhe. “If that’s the case, then you don’t think about it. I’ll tell you now; it’s impossible.”

“Uncle Su, don’t you think about it more? Even if it’s not for your own sake, think about your sons.”

Su Lingchuan laughed. “Don’t think about it anymore. That’s my decision.”

Sun Zhe’s pleasant smiling face turned cold. “Uncle Su, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit[1].”

[1: to hesitate to do sth until forced to do even more]

“Sun Zhe, who do you want to force to drink a forfeit?” At last Su Qingbai could not help rolling up his sleeves.

Su Lingchuan grabbed Su Qingbai, who wanted to fight with Sun Zhe, and turned around. “There is something else, you say it straight.”

“Uncle Su, as far as I know, Xu Qian is the son of a criminal minister. A great number of arrest doc.u.ments have already arrived in this town. You dare to shelter him, that’s a capital felony.” Sun Zhe sneered. “Believe it or not, I just need to say a word to the county magistrate here, and you will be finished immediately?”

“艹!” Su Qingbai couldn’t bear it anymore and kicked Sun Zhe to the ground. This (Sunzi) grandson wanted to end his Lao Zi?

Sun Zhe was not a person who was willing to suffer losses. He had to fight back when he got up.

Su Qingbai saw Sun Zhe getting up and he went to him again.

Su Lingchuan’s old arms and legs were too late to stop Su Qingbai. The two men were already tearing up at each other.

“Su Qingbai? You dare beat people.” This was Sun Zhong. He was angry, forget that Su Family gave them the cold shoulder, but now they were even fighting his son. This could be considered as their family like to bully?

Fighting two people alone, Su Qingbai had no advantage. Su Lingchuan was so worried. He was about to throw his old arms and legs to persuade them to end the fight when suddenly, there was a roar outside. “Stop!”

The incoming person was Su Huai.

…

Not long after Su Qingbai and Su Lingchuan left, Liu Yuqing came. He came to read Su Qingbai’s pulse on time every day.

Su Qingbai was pregnant with child. According to Su Qingbai, Su Lingchuan had a bad temper and used to beat him. Jiang Mao was sitting and his imagination ran wild.

The more Jiang Mao thought about it, the less rea.s.sured he was. After thinking about it, he carried Su Caicai in his arms and took Liu Yuqing with him. “Let’s go and see Su Family.” Just to take a look at Qingbai’s body.

Hu Hong followed.

Soon, the three arrived at Su House.

Never did they expected, no sooner had they arrived at Su House than they saw a tall man and a middle-aged man tearing at Su Qingbai and Su Huai.

Su Huai came and saw Little Uncle being beaten around by the two men. He flew into a rage and went to tear them.

He was much stronger than Su Qingbai. He stood in front of the thin Su Qingbai, blocking him, then grabbed Sun Zhe’s collar and pulled him over. He raised his fist and hit him several times in the face.

“Su Qingbai, Su Huai!” Enraged by being humiliated like that, Sun Zhe struggled to get away, then picked up a stool and smashed it at Su Qingbai and Su Huai.

The two men dodged off in a hurry.

When it failed, Sun Zhe pulled up the stool and pressed forward.

Jiang Mao turned white when he saw the scene. He did not care to shout for his men. He took the lead in running over.

Jiang Mao stood in front of Su Qingbai and took him into his arms to protect him. The next moment, Sun Zhe lifted the stool and smashed it again. Su Huai flew away but Jiang Mao and Su Qingbai could not hide because they were cornered.

Without other way, Jiang Mao reached out and blocked it.

“Gongzi!” Hu Hong, who came one step late, kicked Sun Zhe away from behind with one foot.

“Gongzi! How are you doing?” Liu Yuqing rushed over to check Jiang Mao’s hand. “Let this subordinate check it for you.”

Jiang Mao waved his hand. “I’m all right. Let’s see if Qingbai and the child are all right first.”

“Don’t worry about me. Sun Zhe didn’t hit me. Hurry up! Hurry up! Let’s see Jiang Mao first.” Su Qingbai was close, and it was clear that Jiang Mao’s forehead was sweating in pain.

Knowing that Su Qingbai was fine, Jiang Mao immediately relieved himself, and Liu Yuqing helped him checked his hand injuries.

…

Fortunately, the stool didn’t hit Jiang Mao’s hand in the right direction. Instead, it was smashed from the side of the stool, so that his hand was not so badly injured.

When everything calmed down, Jiang Mao let Su Qingbai go and he went to the Sun father and son.

Hu Hong had already restrained them. Seeing the face of the person coming towards them, the Sun father and son felt chill in their hearts. They knew that they were in big trouble.

“Yue? Yue w.a.n.g?” The coming person was actually Yue w.a.n.g.

Jiang Mao went up and kicked him to the ground.

“Tie them up.” Jiang Mao’s bad temper was too good to let go of the people who almost hurt Qingbai and his child.

Sun Zhe sweated all over. “Yue-Yue w.a.n.g, you can’t touch me.”

“Can’t touch you?” Jiang Mao smiled.

Sun Zhe strengthened his courage to nod his head and introduced himself, “This lowly official was sent by Third Prince to do important things.”

He thought about it carefully. What about Yue w.a.n.g being Lord w.a.n.g? In the end, he was not qualified to compete for the throne. Ultimately, was he (JM) not the same as them, working together for the Third Prince and the subjects of the Third Prince?

Thinking of this point, Sun Zhe put on a brave face to shift out the topic to Third Prince, “Your Highness Yue w.a.n.g, we could not afford to delay the Third Prince’s major political event?”

“Third Prince?” Jiang Mao gave a cold snort, frowned with disgust when he heard that name, and ignored Sun Zhe’s threat. He told Hu Hong, “Break their leg and throw them out.”

“No!” Su Qingbai stopped him in a hurry. “If you really beat him up, what would you do if you provoked Third Prince?” Although he was ignorant, but these days, he had listened to his Dad and Zhang Su talked about the capital city’s breaking stories. It was natural to know that Jiang Mao, although he had a w.a.n.g t.i.tle and a little money, but he actually had little influence, small feudal territory, small military strength, and even the emperor did not like him. Jiang Mao had no acquaintance in the capital, how could Jiang Mao be an enemy of the powerful Third Prince?

“No fear, it’s not worth Third Prince’s efforts to deal with me because of these small subordinates[1].” Seeing Su Qingbai still had a worried face, he laughed and consoled, “Even if Third Prince did come, I would not be afraid.” Seeing Su Qingbai still had a worried face, Jiang Mao pinched his hand. “Don’t you believe your husband?”

[1: xiǎo lóulóu is a subordinate of a bandit gang]

Su Qingbai had to leave it to him.

On one side, Su Lingchuan, holding Su Caicai, suddenly uttered, “What was the child, you just talking about?”

Su Qingbai did not look at his Lao Zi. “Dad, I, I, I… am with child.”

Su Lingchuan’s breath caught on his chest. When Su Qingbai went to stay at Jiang Mao, he didn’t think they could purely sleep under the same quilts. But neither did he think that this man would make his son pregnant again so soon.

Su Lingchuan suddenly felt not good.

He let out a long sigh. This was also his fault. How could he have thought that his son had grown up properly? After knowing (SQB) his own const.i.tution, he did not pay more attention to it?

…

The spring wind blew the willows, Jiang Mao and a group of his men erected a row of fences by the river under the swaying willows.

Su Caicai’s small calves were getting more and more nimble. It was too dangerous for children to always play by the river. Jiang Mao was not confident and spent several days enclosing the surrounding river banks.

Not far away, Su Qingbai sat surrounded by children. More precisely, Su Qingbai was surrounded by a circle of children around Su Caicai.

Su Caicai, this boy liked to show off his good looks shamelessly. If a girl wore a wreath on her head, he would ask Su Qingbai to do it for him too.

Su Qingbai was clumsy. It took him a long time to tie up one wreath. He made the wreath with willow branches. After that, he grabbed a few wild flowers on the ground and inserted them, and then it became a wreath.

Jiang Mao kept an eye on the father and son not far away. Su Caicai took his toys and played with his friends, leaving Su Qingbai sitting there alone. Nevertheless, he was not idle. He took a small knife and carved there for half a day.

When Jiang Mao was finished and came over, he had put the small knife away. He looked at Su House’s direction from afar with a look of melancholy.

Jiang Mao knew what was going on in his mind, so he sat beside him and took him into his arms. “Why not… we go back and have a look.”

Su Qingbai shook his head almost without thinking, “Never mind.”

With such a scene happened few days ago, was enough to make his Lao Zi angered. His angry Lao Zi directly said that he would not care about him. Several times he went to his Dad, but his Dad didn’t even look at him, which seemed that he was really angry.

In addition to this, there was the matter of Sun Zhe and his son. After all, Sun father and son were Ersao’s family. Jiang Mao ordered people to break Sun Zhe’s leg. Su Ersao was crying with ErGe all day at home these days. He had to give her and his elder brother an account of the event.

When Su Qingbai thought of this pile of things, he got a severe headache.

Jiang Mao knew his worries, went to gather him in and kissed him as a consolation. Su Qingbai was fidgeting. When Jiang Mao kissed him, he kissed back voluntarily, which was rare for him to do.

“… Qingbai.” Knowing that her son was pregnant, Madam Su could not rest a.s.sured and went to see him. When she was coming, she saw this scene. Her old face was burning badly and she turned around as she called out to him.

Su Qingbai was shocked. He immediately removed his lips from Jiang Mao’s lips and jumped up. He saw his mother standing there. “Niang, why are you here?”

Madam Su looked a glance at Jiang Mao and hastily pulled Su Qingbai over. “Come here, Niang has something to say to you.”

Su Qingbai nodded to Madam Su. Then turned his head and pulled Jiang Mao’s hand, motioned him to wait. They were unexpectedly seen by Madam Su. Madam Su’s face was black. She just wanted to say a few words with him. It was only a moment but they were inseparable, being sticky and gooey. Being sticky like that, if he was not pregnant it would be weird.

“Niang――” Su Qingbai was a little embarra.s.sed at the moment. He didn’t expect to be seen by his mother when he was intimate with Jiang Mao.

For seventeen years Su Qingbai had been living, Madam Su took care of his clothes, food, shelter and transportation. What disgrace had Madam Su not see?

Madam Su reminisced about his habits. She was embarra.s.sed to say more about the affair of her son with his spouse. But for the sake of her son, Madam Su still said a few words in embarra.s.sment, “It is broad daylight and you’re even carrying, how can you dare to act willfully and make a scene outside?”

“Niang, today is unexpected.” Su Qingbai quickly shifted the topic, “Yes, Niang, why are you looking for me?”

Only then did Madam Su remember the purpose. She pulled Su Qingbai to talk about a lot of pregnancy precautions.

Although it was not Su Qingbai first time, but he did not practice much precautions during that first time. Madam Su knew here he was lazy and negligent, and his head didn’t like to remember things, so she repeatedly told him. “Niang, let’s go in and sit down and then talk slowly.” Most of the day, Su Qingbai’s legs were numb, so he pulled Madam Su into the house.

Madam Su also considered him being pregnant and nodded to follow him in.

Mother and son sat down. Su Qingbai poured a cup of tea to Madam Su. “By the way, Niang, how’s my Dad these days?”

Madam Su lifted her cup and sipped it lightly before she glared at him and said, “Not good. Your Dad is very angry with you.”

In fact, after accepting Jiang Mao’s relationship with her son, Madam Su didn’t care much about that. She thought very simply, just watched if the man was good for her son or not.

Su Qingbai stroked his head. “I didn’t mean it either.” He explained to Madam Su, “Dad originally disliked him. If he had confessed early, Dad would not have agreed.”

Madam Su did not comment on this. She took up her cup and took another sip, and then pulled up Su Qingbai to talk about pregnancy concerns. As for the official matters, she did not understand much and did not intend to say much.

After sending Madam Su away, Su Qingbai went outside, “Jiang Mao.” Su Qingbai waved to him.

“Coming.” Jiang Mao walked over and habitually touched Su Qingbai’s belly. “Let me see the child.”

Su Qingbai swatted his hand. “We’re still outside the house. Be attentive a bit would you? Don’t do anything like that. My mother just told me about it. So shameful.” Speaking of it, it was the first time that his mother met him by accident.

Jiang Mao didn’t know what good to say to him. A moment ago, he was just going to dabble and stop, but who knew that Su Qingbai welcomed him? How would he let him go? Just as he was venting his feeling, Madam Su b.u.mped into them.

Su Qingbai seemed to have thought of this too, and felt a little guilty. He said a few words and then silenced.

Jiang Mao grinned and grabbed his hand and said something else to him. “I want to see your Dad as soon as possible and talk to him.”

Hearing that, Su Qingbai felt somewhat listless. They would have two babies. For the sake of the two babies, they couldn’t live in this town. Sooner or later they would have to go back. The two of them consulted, they had better start as soon as possible.

“Better let me go, I’ll look for an opportunity to talk to my Dad.” Even if his Lao Zi was still angry with him, he must find an opportunity to talk to his Lao Zi. Originally, Jiang Mao was not ambitious. For the sake of such a family planning to give up this comfortable life, he had no reason not to work hard.

Jiang Mao did not answer, but squeezed his hand.

This very little action yet it made Su Qingbai a lot more settled. Yeah, no matter where he went, he was not alone.

“By the way, where’s your son?” Su Qingbai, an irresponsible Dad, only remembered his son after a long time.

“I’ve people to watch him at the sideline. Let’s go and pick him up.”

In fact, Su Caicai didn’t go too far, because his toys were a little hard to handle, he and his little buddies were playing not far away.

“Caicai――” From afar, Su Qingbai saw his son bending over with his b.u.t.t sticking out, and his small hands were pinching or playing with something on the ground.

When Su Caicai heard, he straightened up his waist with difficulty and looked over. His small voice was soft as the sound of wind, but his voice was not small. The voice of “Dad~Dad~” trembled, he seemed to be tired after playing.

When the dirty boy Su Caicai rushed towards him, Su Qingbai flew to the side. Su Caicai didn’t care much, as he was used to his Dad’s avoidance. His little heart had already become very strong.

Don’t want to carry him, but absolutely must pull his hand to go home.

Jiang Mao avoided him too. He took the boy to the edge of the small pool, pulled up the water and washed his paws. “Hmm, all right, let’s go.”

A family of three was about to walk back hand in hand when a child voice came, “Caicai, wait a minute.”

Su Qingbai turned around and saw a little mud monkey dirtier than Su Caicai running up. It was the first time Su Qingbai saw a person came looking for Su Caicai, so he asked with a smile, “Little child, are you our Caicai’s friend?”

The little mud monkey nodded restrainedly and then handed over the bamboo tube with mud in it. “Caicai, give it to you.”

Su Caicai took it, whatever it was, and stuffed it directly into the pocket in front of his stomach. Then he took his Lao Zi’s hand and went back.

Returned home, they gave Su Caicai a bath first and changed his clothes as usual.

Touching the bamboo tube, Su Qingbai smiled at Jiang Mao and said, “This is the first time Caicai has received a gift from a friend. It’s worth commemorating.” After saying that, he even washed it.

At the side, the sparkling clean Su Caicai sitting on the bed wearing small dùdōu[1], reached out and said, “Dad, want, want.”

[1: undergarment covering the chest and abdomen]

Su Qingbai was a loving father most of the time. He smiled and handed the bamboo tube over.

After cleaning up, Jiang Mao cooked, and Su Qingbai played with Su Caicai in the room. It was said to play with Su Caicai but in fact the father and son each played by themselves. Su Qingbai took out a knife to carve something, which he had suddenly become interested in recently.

Meanwhile, Su Caicai held the bamboo tube beside him with teeth and hands were simultaneously biting and pulling, to open the bamboo tube.

Su Caicai couldn’t open it for a long time. Su Qingbai saw but did not care and was still playing by himself at the side.

After a while, Su Caicai finally found a small piece of hemp rope tied to the bamboo tube. He stretched out his little finger and gently pulled it up. The lid of the bamboo tube was pulled up by him.

“Dad, give.”

Hearing that, Su Qingbai looked up and saw Su Caicai reached into the bamboo tube with two short fingers and squeezed out a frog.

In the kitchen, Jiang Mao was cooking and heard Su Caicai cried loudly.

It was wedged with Su Qingbai’s furious roar, “Brat, you thrown everything on the bed.”

After listening to the two people’s noises, Jiang Mao, the unprincipled Dad, laughed and worked more vigorously.