ManMan was the first to spot Shen Huaichu and immediately rushed towards him.
Shen Huaichu’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he crouched down, arms open wide, ready to catch his son, who was charging at him like a little cannonball.
ManMan wrapped his arms around Shen Huaichu’s neck and asked cheerfully, “Dad, why are you here?”
What could Shen Huaichu say? That he felt like an empty-nest middle-aged CEO? Or that he missed his wife and son so much that he chased after them?
“I just got off work and happened to pass by,” he replied.
Jing Zeqian, who had just arrived, overheard this and crossed his arms, teasing, “Mr. Shen, that’s quite a detour for a ‘pass by,’ isn’t it?”
Jing Zeqian couldn’t help but think to himself, after all these years, Shen Huaichu was still as serious as ever, and still terrible at making excuses.
Shen Huaichu pressed his lips together, thinking the same about his second brother—after all these years, Jing Zeqian still hadn’t learned to hold his tongue.
Jing Yi walked over, holding Chen Yuqi’s hand. “Why are you here?” Shen Huaichu glanced at the child hiding behind his wife, who was sneaking peeks at him.
It was the same child who often cried and made a scene at the kindergarten gate.
Shen Huaichu shifted his gaze back to Jing Yi, his eyes softening as he looked at his wife. The tough words he had prepared seemed to melt away in an instant.
“I came to pick you up,” he said.
Of course, the more tender words would be saved for when he and his wife were alone later that night.
ManMan was overjoyed, thrilled that his mom was playing with him and that he had run into his dad.
“Dad, Mom’s going to race for us later. Can we watch before we go home?”
Shen Huaichu adjusted the button on his son’s shirt, which had come undone from all the playing. “Sure, we’ll watch first and then go home.” He turned to Jing Yi. “Have you eaten yet?”
Jing Yi shook her head. “Not yet. We were planning to grab something later. Have you eaten?” Shen Huaichu shook his head honestly. He had gone home to find the house empty and came out to look for them.
Though Shen Huaichu’s face remained expressionless, Jing Yi could sense a hint of grievance in his demeanor.
“Sorry, I should’ve told you earlier. Next time, I’ll take you with us, okay?”
He wasn’t a child.
Both Shen Huaichu and Jing Zeqian thought the same thing, though one felt a surge of happiness while the other was filled with disdain.
…
When Jing Yi put on her helmet and got into the race car, the last rays of the setting sun bathed the track, illuminating the dazzling red car.
The two adults and two children stood on the viewing platform. While the kids were excited, the adults remained calm.
As they watched the figure on the track, they chatted casually.
“What do you want to eat later?”
“Jing Yi mentioned wanting to try that private kitchen near the post office yesterday.”
“Let’s go there, then.”
“Ask the kid if there’s anything he doesn’t eat.”
Shen Huaichu was referring to Chen Yuqi, who stood beside Jing Zeqian, gripping the railing with excitement, his chubby face beaming.
Jing Zeqian raised an eyebrow, his tone casual. “Why don’t you ask?” Shen Huaichu gave him a look—couldn’t his second brother see that the child was afraid of him?
Jing Zeqian smirked, never missing an opportunity to tease Shen Huaichu.
“I told you your face is too serious. Only our ManMan is brave enough to handle it.”
Shen Huaichu remained expressionless. If he had the time and energy, he would’ve already asked.
In the end, Jing Zeqian only got a “he eats everything” response. He glanced at the little boy, whose attention was entirely on the race car.
Forget it, he’d ask later. The kid didn’t look like he was in the mood to answer now.
The sunset bathed the race car as it roared down the track, executing a clean drift that sent the kids’ cheers to a new decibel level.
Shen Huaichu sat beside ManMan, gently supporting him while occasionally glancing at the little boy next to them.
When Jing Yi crossed the finish line in the car that had won multiple GT Super Cup championships, ManMan turned to his father, still bursting with excitement.
He threw himself into Shen Huaichu’s arms. “Dad, Mom is so amazing! She’s the best racer ever! Mom’s the coolest!”
Shen Huaichu carefully held his son and looked at Jing Yi as she stepped out of the car. His gaze was tender and intense.
Under the sunset, she waved at them, and the cheers continued. Shen Huaichu could feel Jing Yi’s joy.
He had seen this scene many times, but it never got old.
Shen Huaichu lifted ManMan up so his waving would be more visible to Jing Yi. Mother and son waved at each other from a distance.
Shen Huaichu’s expression softened even more.
“Hey, kid, what are you looking at?”
After tearing his gaze away from his sister and nephew’s enthusiastic waving, Jing Zeqian noticed Chen Yuqi had quieted down.
His heart skipped a beat—was the kid envious that ManMan was being held? Should he pick him up too? But they weren’t exactly close.
While Jing Zeqian was lost in thought, Chen Yuqi gestured for him to bend down, looking mysterious.
The little boy had no idea what the handsome uncle was overthinking. He had just discovered a secret.
Jing Zeqian leaned down curiously.
As if afraid others might hear, Chen Yuqi whispered into Jing Zeqian’s ear, “I was watching Shen Muyi’s dad. Turns out Shen Muyi was right—his dad isn’t scary at all.”
He had seen it himself. Shen Muyi’s dad didn’t scold him for shouting, and he even lifted him up so he could wave better.
Children’s worlds are simple. They see a smile as a sign of friendliness and tears as a sign of reluctance.
But beyond these expressions, Chen Yuqi could also sense the emotions Shen Huaichu didn’t openly show.
It was like what his mom had said—even if Shen Muyi’s dad didn’t smile often, he was still much better than his own dad.
At the time, Chen Yuqi had defended his dad with all the seriousness a child could muster, but it hadn’t earned him the ice cream he wanted.
In retaliation, he had secretly drawn little figures on his dad’s stomach that night.
Shen Muyi’s dad gave him the feeling that Shen Muyi didn’t need to say anything nice to get ice cream. Even if he didn’t get it today, he’d get it tomorrow.
Jing Zeqian, who had been expecting some tear-jerking backstory: That’s it?
Jing Zeqian chuckled and looked at Shen Huaichu, who was still holding ManMan as the boy waved energetically at Jing Yi.
Even if he still couldn’t stand Shen Huaichu, he had to admit that Shen Huaichu was a great dad.
Jing Zeqian never imagined Shen Huaichu would become such a patient and caring father. Even if he didn’t smile much, he was still gentle with ManMan, making sure the boy felt loved.
ManMan idolized Jing Yi, but he also fiercely defended Shen Huaichu. He loved his parents deeply, and they loved him just as much.
