TSSRWAB Chapter 26

Jinjiang City began to cool down in November.

 

Lu Xi used to think of himself as someone who didn’t enjoy parties or crowds. But after running away from his adoptive parents’ home, he grew to love the excitement. Having fun with friends and teammates, singing, dancing, talking nonsense, going skiing with his older brother in winter, sunbathing, having barbecue parties, shopping for baby clothes with Doubao and Dougao, their full-month celebration, hundred-day banquet, and so on.

 

He liked all kinds of them.

 

Perhaps what he didn’t like was being packaged by his adoptive parents into a well-behaved pretty boy for upper-class parties. Having to be proper and orderly, not allowed to be mischievous or cause trouble, not allowed to be impolite, and being required to address everyone he met. He had to smile when his adoptive parents introduced him as the orphan they adopted in China, and he received a flood of pitying and sympathetic looks from the noble ladies.

 

He had to listen gratefully as these people told him how kind-hearted his adoptive parents were, and so on.

 

Later on, having fun by his own rules was much better.

 

Lu Xi enthusiastically planned his birthday party. Doubao and Dougao, the two little ones, lay on the living room carpet, offering their suggestions.

 

“Balloons, Daddy, can we get a little whale balloon?” Doubao likes these.

 

He wants to put things he likes at his Daddy’s birthday party.

 

“Sure, we can hang the little whale balloons on the trees.” Lu Xi accepted his son’s idea.

 

Dougao said, “Daddy, can we play with puzzles?”

 

“Let me think… We could have a puzzle competition-” Lu Xi clapped his hands together and pinched Dougao’s cheek. “Good idea. We can have a robot assembly competition.”

 

Dougao immediately became excited and his eyes lit up.

 

“Then, Master, can I wear a butler outfit? I’d like to go over early to set up and prepare.” Dahl also made a small request.

 

Lu Xi: “…Alright.”

 

Dahl grinned, showing his white teeth.

 

“Master is the best.”

 

And so, everyone looked forward to Lu Xi’s birthday party.

 

Hot spring resorts can be found in the mountains just outside Jinjiang City.

 

Lu Xi booked an entire villa. The backyard has a hot spring pool and space for barbecues. Dahl went a day early to decorate the venue. Doubao and Dougao insisted on going along and helping Daddy set up. Moved by their filial devotion, the doting father waved his hand grandly, took time off, and the whole family set out together.

 

 

Suburban Hot Spring Resort Villa.

 

“Daddy, Daddy, you go rest.” Doubao waved his little paw, acting like a grown-up.

 

Xiao Lu felt a flutter in his heart, knowing these two were going to surprise him. He put on a kind smile, patted their heads, and said happily, “Okay, then I’ll go sleep for a while. You two just play in the yard. If anything happens, call Uncle Dahl.”

 

The yard gate was closed, the two little buns were in the backyard, and Dahl was there too.

 

Lu Xi was very reassured and simply waited for the surprise.

 

He leisurely went upstairs to play on his phone and rest.

 

Dahl climbed up and down the stairs in his butler’s uniform, humming cheerfully as he hung balloons and decorated the house. Doubao and Dougao glanced at Uncle Dahl. Daddy had also gone upstairs. Doubao said loudly, “Uncle Dahl, we’re going inside the room now!”

 

“Okay.”

 

Doubao held his didi‘s hand, their footsteps pattering as they ran.

 

The two entered the first floor of the villa and found an empty room. Doubao lifted his round, chubby face towards the window and called softly, “Uncle Xie? Uncle, are you there or not?”

 

Dougao didn’t make a sound, just lifted his little face in the same manner.

 

After calling for quite a while, the person still didn’t show up. Doubao’s chubby face looked a bit disappointed as he said, “He’s not here.”

 

“It’s okay.” Dougao comforted his gege.

 

Xie Zhuhan had appeared quite a while ago, watching the two little ones with their bottoms sticking up in the air as they lay by the window.

 

“What is it?” He spoke up.

 

“Eh? Was that Uncle Xie’s voice?” Doubao immediately perked up.

 

Dougao turned his head and pulled on his gege‘s sleeve.

 

Xie Zhuhan stood behind them like a villain, looking down on them as he asked, “What do you want from me?”

 

The two little ones weren’t affected by Xie Zhuhan’s coldness at all. Doubao said happily, “Daddy’s birthday is tomorrow. Uncle, can you help us with something?”

 

Xie Zhuhan, of course, knew about the young man’s birthday.

 

He arranged Lu Xi’s nineteenth birthday party himself. Not long after, the young man was gone.

 

The entire manor was empty and quiet again.

 

Xie Zhuhan was lost in thought for a moment, while Doubao counted on his chubby fingers, “…We want to give Daddy a surprise. My didi and I have pocket money. We drew cards ourselves and want to buy something.”

 

“What do you want to buy?” Xie Zhuhan looked down and asked.

 

Doubao and Dougao suddenly looked troubled.

 

“We don’t know.”

 

The two little ones usually just go to kindergarten, dropped off and picked up at fixed times, and have no time of their own to ‘buy a surprise.’ But the two little buns felt that just drawing cards couldn’t express all their love for Daddy. They love Daddy super much. They asked their little friends at kindergarten, and they told them their parents bought them Barbie dolls, sent them to the amusement park, and gave them chocolate, new dresses, toys, and more for their birthdays.

 

Just cards aren’t enough!

 

Doubao felt his little backpack, happily pulled down the zipper, and pulled out a pink piggy bank from inside.

 

“I have money! Didi has a piggy too.”

 

Dougao unzipped his bag.

 

Two pink piglets, one for each person.

 

“Uncle, please, please, can you take us to look?” Doubao pleaded, acting cute and clingy.

 

Xie Zhuhan pondered for two seconds, then with a wave of his hand, held the two and disappeared from the spot.

 

 

Shopping Mall.

 

Dougao and Doubao didn’t want the uncle to carry them. They started whispering to each other about what to get Daddy.

 

They like toys, chocolates, candies, and trains.

 

“Daddy likes to eat cake.” Doubao’s eyes lit up.

 

Dougao: “Uncle Dahl already made one.”

 

Doubao sighed sadly.

 

Xie Zhuhan glanced at the two, his expression indifferent. “Follow me.”

 

The two little buns looked at each other, then followed along after him.

 

 

Fashion Watch Store.

 

The lights made the glass display case sparkle, and each watch on its stand seemed to radiate an aura of wealth and luxury.

 

The sales associate saw a tall man enter with a pair of twins. Although the brand of the man’s clothes wasn’t visible, years of working at a luxury brand counter had trained her sharp eyes.

 

The man has a distinguished presence, and the two children are especially charming and adorable.

 

“Welcome. Hello, what would you like to see?” The sales associate came forward to greet them.

 

Doubao said, “We want to buy a gift for Daddy.”

 

So it was a family of four. The sales associate shifted her gaze to the tall man who could make the decision and smiled. “Are you looking for a gift for your husband? What kind are you looking for?”

 

Xie Zhuhan originally had no expression, but upon hearing this, his gaze swept over her.

 

The sales associate felt uneasy under the gaze. Did she say something wrong?

 

The Same-Sex Marriage Law was passed five years ago. For one’s partner’s birthday, bringing the kids out to buy a surprise gift for them was the mark of a rare good man. Especially a rich, tall, handsome, and successful one. The sales associate mentally ate a lemon.[mfn]A Chinese internet slang meaning to feel jealous or envious, often in a light-hearted way. It implies a sour feeling, like eating a lemon.[/mfn]

 

“Ask them.” Xie Zhuhan withdrew his gaze, tacitly accepting the sales associate’s words.

 

Doubao and Dougao were ignored, but they were not unhappy about it. When the jiejie looked at them, Doubao said, “Can we take a look?”

 

“Of course.” The sales associate smiled. After all, your dad will be paying in the end.

 

Doubao and Dougao were too short to see into the glass counter.

 

Seeing this, the sales associate said, “Shall I lift you up so you can see?”

 

“Come here.” Xie Zhuhan said.

 

Doubao quickly rushed over and grabbed his didi‘s hand.

 

Xie Zhuhan picked up both in one go. Under the glass counter, everything was sparkling. Doubao was dazzled by the choices. Dougao pointed at one model and asked his gege.

 

Doubao looked at it and said in his childish voice, “It’s not very sparkly.”

 

“It looks good,” Dougao preferred simpler styles, but after thinking for a moment, he nodded. “I’ll listen to gege.”

 

Doubao said, “Let’s choose one we both like.”

 

Listening by the side, the sales associate smiled and complimented, “Sir, your two children are so well-behaved.”

 

Xie Zhuhan glanced at the two in his arms and didn’t say anything. Doubao’s ears turned red. Pretending to focus on looking at the watches, he thought, Ah, does that pretty jiejie know we’re Uncle’s kids? Dougao’s cool little face remained expressionless.

 

The two kept yielding to each other and finally settled on one.

 

Simple, with a sprinkling of tiny diamonds. Pretty and sparkly.

 

“Pretty jiejie, we’ll take this one.” Doubao nodded like a little adult. He thought of his Daddy’s usual purchasing process and said in a practiced manner, “How much is it?”

 

The sales associate was amused. She played along and said, “Twenty-three thousand.” Then she looked at the children’s father behind them. “How would you like to pay?”

 

Doubao leaned over to ask his didi.

 

“How much is twenty-three thousand? Do we have enough?”

 

Little-cool-face Dougao opened his backpack, took out the little pig, and set it on the glass counter.

 

“Check out.”

 

The associate couldn’t help smiling and looked toward the father.

 

Xie Zhuhan nodded.

 

“And mine, pretty jiejie.” Doubao took out his piggy bank too.

 

The sales associate figured this was the kids’ gesture and that the father would make up the difference, so she didn’t mind the trouble. This is just how rich people educate their children. As she opened the stopper at the bottom of the piggy bank, she said, “You two little ones are so adorable. Doubao, the older one, probably takes after your Daddy. Dougao looks very much like you, Sir.”

 

How could two men possibly have biological children? Usually, it was single parenting or adoption. People with money like this have other methods, but this pair of twins clearly resembled the tall father quite a bit.

 

“Like me?” Xie Zhuhan was slightly taken aback.

 

“Yes. The two children’s facial features are very similar to yours. Their personalities are probably more like your husband’s.” The sales associate said. As she spoke, she pulled out the money from the piggy bank and then froze.

 

She could recognize US dollars and paper bills from other countries. There were also hard objects inside, like cards.

 

“This-?”

 

Doubao asked anxiously, “Is it not enough?”

 

“There are cards inside. Uncle gave it to us. Use that.” Dougao said calmly. “Break the piggy bank to get them.”

 

The sales associate looked at the adult. “What do you think?”

 

“Do as they say,” Xie Zhuhan said.

 

The sales associate then took the piggy banks away to break them open. She already figured this family of four was wealthy. The children were so young, yet the bills stuffed inside amounted to a hefty sum. To her surprise, there was even a bank card inside.

 

“Rich families really spoil their children,” the sales associate said enviously.

 

“It’s just a few US dollars. My big clients spend more, and their kids are decked out in brands. Those two are dressed very plainly. What’s there to praise?” another associate said.

 

The one holding the piggy banks glanced at her colleague, thinking, What are you being so proud about? Your big clients being rich doesn’t mean you are rich.

 

She didn’t argue with the senior employee.

 

Crack. The piggy bank cracked open.

 

With a ding, a bank card fell out.

 

A black card.

 

The previously proud sales associate was dumbstruck. “It’s actually a black bard.”

 

A globally limited-edition black card with no spending limit. In China’s top luxury sectors, it enjoyed VVIP service. They had worked for several years, but the one with the longest tenure who was so proud and had many big clients spending four or five hundred thousand monthly, had never seen a Black card either.

 

And now this card is in the hands of two kindergarten-aged children.

 

The entire counter staffs were stunned.

 

The sales associate swiped the card and returned it with great care.

 

If not for the fact that these two were still the age to be drinking milk, it would have been hard not to be tempted.

 

“Thank you, jiejie.” Doubao happily held the small bag. Dougao put the card and money back into his backpack.

 

Xie Zhuhan took the two outside. The sales associates behind them couldn’t help but sigh: “First time seeing such young heirs with this level of wealth. I’m very moved.”

 

“We’ve seen heirs before, but it’s the first time seeing someone using a black card. Wonder which kindergarten they go to.”

 

“I heard Dougao say an uncle gave it to them. I kind of like that uncle.”

 

“Like the uncle? You like the uncle’s card.”

 

“The question is, where is that uncle?”

 

After buying the gift, the two buns wanted to thank Uncle Xie for helping. Licking his lips, Doubao said, “Uncle, do you want to eat ice cream? We’ll treat you.”

 

“I don’t,” said Xie Zhuhan. He doesn’t like sweets.

 

Doubao made an ‘ah’ sound, his bun-like face looking pitiful. Dougao said, “There are some that aren’t sweet.”

 

Xie Zhuhan: “…Let’s go.”

 

And so, Doubao and Dougao got to eat ice cream.

 

Today was a really happy day.

 

Xie Zhuhan held a sea salt flavor one, the same as Dougao.

 

After finishing the ice cream outside, Xie Zhuhan took the two back.

 

“Uncle, next time I’ll treat you to ice cream again.”

 

Xie Zhuhan looked down at the two. They are soft and chubby, with big eyes full of reluctance. Just like the young man, they nestled in his arms and said things that were contrary to their true feelings. He could tell at a glance.

 

It wasn’t about wanting to eat ice cream. It was about wanting to see him.

 

It wasn’t about wanting a romantic birthday. It was about wanting to know if he valued him or not.

 

“Okay.”

 

Xie Zhuhan nodded.

 

Memories from four years ago with the young man frequently surfaced, etched deeply in his mind and growing ever clearer.

 

Every sentence the young man had said seemed to jump out and disturb his thoughts.

 

“Bye bye, Uncle.”

 

“Bye bye.”

 

Doubao and Dougao waved.

 

Xie Zhuhan’s figure disappeared and reappeared in the second-floor bedroom. Lu Xi was lying on the bed playing on his phone. After a while, he felt something was strange, as if a gaze was fixed on him. He put down his phone and looked over.

 

Empty. Nothing there.

 

In the air, Xie Zhuhan’s gaze met the young man’s unexpectedly.

 

Even though he knew the young man couldn’t see him, his heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

 

“Could this place be unclean?”

 

As a person who received scientific education since childhood, Lu Xi did not believe in this nonsense before. But since becoming a succubus, though merely possessing the aura of irresistible charm and having yet to unlock any other magical powers, he was still a demon.

 

Could it be that some big shot ghost has fallen for him?!

 

Things started feeling off since filming the Little Male Fox. Sometimes it felt chilly, and there was also that peeping gaze.

 

It’s not impossible. He is a succubus, after all.

 

After his mental drama, Lu Xi called out to the air: “Ghost, are you there? Ghost, I know I’m very handsome, but humans and ghosts belong to different paths. If you’re really lonely and desperate, I can burn a paper doll[mfn]纸人 zhǐ rén – paper figure in the shape of a person to be burned as an offering to the dead[/mfn] for you. Do you want a male or a female? Oh, oh, you keep stealing glances at me, so I’ll make you a handsome guy.”

 

Invisible Xie Zhuhan: …

 

He couldn’t help but smile faintly.

 

The young man hadn’t changed much from the past.

 

Mischievous and playful, with a quirky personality.

 

“But if you’re especially handsome, it’s not impossible to have an online romance, uh, a Yin-Yang romance[mfn]describe romances that cross the boundary between the living (阳, yáng) and the dead (阴, yīn)[/mfn]?” Lu Xi spouted nonsense randomly.

 

The smile vanished from Xie Zhuhan’s lips.