Shuai Chang only then realized that this man is Mu Chengguang’s second brother, Mu Baichun.
“Oh — may I ask who this gentleman is?” Mu Baichun suddenly looked at Shuai Chang, a smile deepening at the corners of his mouth, which made him seem warm and approachable.
Shuai Chang knew that Mu Chengguang hadn’t informed his family about their marriage, and seeing his tense expression, he quickly stepped in to ease the situation, “Mr. Mu, hello, I’m Nan Yu, a friend of Chengguang.”
“Ah, I see. Mr. Nan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Mu Baichun extended his hand, and Shuai Chang stood up, maintaining his smile as they shook hands.
“Chengguang, I still have matters to attend to. You and Mr. Nan enjoy your meal. Mr. Nan, may we meet again by fate.”
Mu Baichun’s table was also by the window, but it was located further inside, quite distant from where they were.
Shuai Chang watched Mu Baichun walk away and sat down, saying to Mu Chengguang, “He’s gone, and he can’t hear us now.”
Mu Chengguang exhaled, patting his chest, looking as if he had just survived a disaster. “That scared me to death! I haven’t seen Mu Baichun in over half a year, and today is just unfortunate.”
Shuai Chang, not knowing the reason behind their brothers’ rift that made Mu Chengguang react this way, asked, “Are you afraid of him? Did he bully you when you were younger?”
Mu Chengguang nodded pitifully, “He and my older brother Mu Songtao used to team up against me, and my dad didn’t care.”
Shuai Chang’s expression hardened, his gaze as cold as an ice-covered lake. “You are brothers; how could they bear to bully a child?”
“Ah, it’s a long story.” Mu Chengguang’s bright eyes revealed a hint of hurt. “Let’s head home; I’ll tell you on the way.”
Shuai Chang called over the waiter and handed him a card. “Please hold onto this red wine for me; the password is six ones.”
“Understood, sir. Please wait a moment.” The waiter bowed and left.
As Shuai Chang stepped out of Fengze, he suddenly remembered that they had both drunk red wine and couldn’t drive. Fortunately, Fengze, being a five-star restaurant, offered them a complimentary chauffeur service.
With others in the car, Mu Chengguang felt it was inappropriate to speak.
The two sat in the back seat, with Mu Chengguang placing Shuai Chang’s right hand in his lap and playfully squeezing it with his little hands, having a blast.
Shuai Chang helplessly glanced at him and, seeing him in high spirits, managed to endure the itchiness on his hand.
Once back at the apartment complex, Shuai Chang tipped the chauffeur and led Mu Chengguang to the elevator. Since leaving Fengze, Mu Chengguang hadn’t loosened his grip on Shuai Chang’s hand.
Entering the bedroom, Shuai Chang offered to run a bath for him, but Mu Chengguang suddenly hugged him. Shuai Chang gently stroked Mu Chengguang’s little head tucked against his chest. “I know you’re feeling wronged. How about you go take a bath first? After that, you can tell me, and I’ll help you get back at them.”
Shuai Chang felt that he seemed like a child aggrieved, wanting to curl up in his elder’s embrace and act spoiled, so he didn’t urge him any further.
After holding on for about ten minutes, Mu Chengguang slowly released his grip, his face flushed from being pressed against Shuai Chang’s chest. “Nan Teacher, will you stay with me while I bathe?” He didn’t want to be alone.
Shuai Chang hesitated for a moment, but thinking of Mu Chengguang as his child, he decided that it was fine for a father to help his child bathe. “Okay, I’ll accompany you. So don’t feel sad, alright?”
Surprised that Shuai Chang agreed, Mu Chengguang nodded happily, “As long as you’re with me, I won’t be sad. Besides, I have Nan Teacher backing me; what is there to be afraid of?”
Shuai Chang chuckled, tapping his nose. “You have quite a bit of confidence in me.”
Shuai Chang prepared the bathwater and let Mu Chengguang go in first while he changed into different clothes.
Mu Chengguang, trusting him, hopped into the bathroom with glee.
Since coming to this timeline, Shuai Chang had harbored a wish. In a world without Fan Luojia, he was destined to grow old alone, so he wanted to adopt a child and witness their growth from baby steps to adulthood; it would make his time here worthwhile.
He had secretly bought a bunch of toys, including the essential little yellow duck for baths. Today, seeing that Mu Chengguang was in a bad mood, Shuai Chang decided to take out the little yellow duck to cheer him up.
He retrieved the little yellow duck from the top shelf of the wardrobe and knocked on the bathroom door, hearing Mu Chengguang’s cheerful voice inside. “Come in, come in~”
Shuai Chang pushed the door open.
The bathroom was filled with a light mist of steam, and Mu Chengguang had created a mountain of bubbles in the bathtub, with only his face peeking through, grinning at him.
Mu Chengguang saw the yellow thing in Shuai Chang’s hand. “Nan Teacher, what is that?”
“This? It’s a little yellow duck.” Shuai Chang held it in front of him for a quick look before taking it back.
“Is it for me?”
“It was meant to keep you company while you bathe, but you’re covered in bubbles…” The little yellow duck would surely disappear as soon as it went in.
“Oh, how unfortunate.” Mu Chengguang looked a bit disappointed. “I never got to play with these when I was little.”
“It’s okay.” Shuai Chang tucked the stray hair from his forehead behind his ears, revealing his fair and smooth forehead. “You don’t only bathe once a year; you can play with it tomorrow, can’t you?”
Mu Chengguang thought Nan Teacher had a point and cheered up again.
“Will you bathe with me tomorrow?” His big eyes blinked adorably.
Shuai Chang was hit by Mu Chengguang’s sudden cuteness, his heart racing involuntarily, and he nodded.
“Yay!”
Shuai Chang came back to his senses and touched his nose; he felt like he had been tricked.
But the feeling of being tricked was surprisingly pleasant.
Shuai Chang set the little yellow duck aside, rolled up his sleeves, and said, “I’ll wash your hair. Close your eyes.”
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