Di Mingjue emerged from the room and passed by Qianqian and Xiaoran on the living room sofa, without casting them a single glance, and walked straight out of the living room.
Watching his receding figure, Qianqian stood up from the sofa. Before she could utter a sound, his figure had already flashed past.
"Daddy~" Qianqian called out softly to the departing back.
She knew he wouldn't stop, but seeing him go still made her want to speak.
Qianqian looked down at the sulking Xiaoran, her voice trembling with tears, and asked, "Will Daddy never want us again?"
Xiaoran didn't know the answer to this question either.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs again. Yuze walked over from the corner.
"Brother Yuze, what did you just say to Daddy? He still seems very angry," Qianqian ran over to inquire.
Xiaoran, on the sofa, turned his head. Though silent, he was also curious about what they had discussed upstairs.
"Does the place Daddy hit you still hurt?"
Xiaoran nodded.
When the feather duster landed on his back, he felt as if his bones might break. Even recalling it now, there was still a dull ache.
Yuze took out the liniment. "Lie down, and I'll apply the medicine for you."
"Did Daddy give it?" Xiaoran asked hopefully.
"Yes." Yuze lifted his shirt. "Daddy was very angry just now. He was worried about us getting into trouble, that's why he hit you. They are very busy these days, so we need to be good at home and not cause them any more trouble."
Qianqian leaned in, staring closely at Yuze's face. "What are they busy with? Did Daddy tell you?"
Recalling Di Mingjue's reminder, he looked at Qianqian's curious expression and chose to remain silent and lower his head.
Having received no response to her questions twice, Qianqian became a little displeased. She tugged at Yuze's arm, insistent on asking, "Brother Yuze, why aren't you answering me?"
He wanted to keep this matter to himself. If they knew, they would worry too.
Yuze pulled his hand away from Qianqian and replied calmly, "Company matters. Even if we told you, we wouldn't quite understand. Anyway, when Daddy and Mommy finish their work, they will come back to be with us."
"Company matters?" Qianqian murmured. "Then why didn't Mommy come back to see us?"
If she had come back, they wouldn't have gone so long without seeing them...
Yuze managed a bitter smile and turned away, hiding the emotions that were difficult to conceal on his face.
Xiaoran glanced at Yuze's expression.
"Big Brother?" he asked worriedly.
Yuze forced a smile upwards and put away the liniment in his hand. Seeing Xiaoran's confused look, he shifted the topic to care for him, "Does it still hurt?"
"Much better." Xiaoran moved his arms, still feeling a slight soreness. He stood up from the sofa, and Yuze was already in front of him.
As the elder brother, he had to take care of his younger siblings in place of their parents. Yuze looked at Xiaoran and Qianqian, his expression serious, and admonished them, "From now on, we must be obedient at home. No more sneaking out. Daddy said that after he finishes his work, he will return with Mommy, and he told us not to overthink things while we wait at home."
Qianqian still missed Ye Ziyu in her heart, but Yuze's words represented Di Mingjue's, and she had to listen.
"Can you do that?" Yuze pressed.
Xiaoran looked at Qianqian. Though he didn't want to, he nodded in agreement.
From behind the railing on the second floor, Xingxing stood watching them, head bowed.
Yuze met his gaze. For a moment, he felt as if Xingxing knew what he had learned. His feet involuntarily moved towards the second floor.
Sensing he was coming, Xingxing stood his ground, waiting, and did not leave.