Chaochao furrowed his small brows, staring intently at Nan Xiao. "I finally understand why Grandpa never wanted to associate with them. They're all heartless wolves! Daddy, you're the unluckiest. Besides Mommy, no one is truly sincere with you."
Nan Xiao looked at his usually quiet son, tenderly rubbing his small face. "Daddy doesn't need them. Because with you two, I'm already the happiest person in the world."
Chaochao said very seriously, "I'll protect you! They won't dare to harm you and Mommy!"
Mumu hugged her father's neck and kissed him. "Daddy, I'll protect you and Mommy too~"
Nan Xiao dotingly tickled her nose. "Thank you, baby."
Lan Yuxi smiled with relief, reaching out to hug Chaochao. "Go to sleep, or you'll be listless in class tomorrow."
Mumu looked around and said, "I want Mommy to hold me too."
"Then come here, Mom will hold both of you."
Mumu picked up her small pillow and squeezed between her mother and brother. Lan Yuxi smiled and lightly tapped her forehead, then wrapped her arms around the two little ones.
Nan Xiao leaned in, his large hand gently embracing her waist.
Lan Yuxi trembled as if electrocuted, but quickly regained her composure.
Nan Xiao chuckled softly, picked up the remote, and turned off the last light. The room plunged into darkness. Before the children's eyes could adjust, he gently bit Lan Yuxi's delicate neck.
Lan Yuxi bit her red lips, suppressing any sound. Seeing her docile as a little lamb, Nan Xiao smiled and slid his hand under her clothes.
After a period of playful mischief, Lan Yuxi thought he would be restless again tonight. To her surprise, the children were still awake, and he was already breathing evenly.
Lan Yuxi turned her head to look at him with a pained heart. He looked so exhausted after only a few days away. She had to find a way to help him escape this life as soon as possible. But unless the old lady was gone, he couldn't completely sever ties with the An family. However, if the old lady were truly gone, he would surely be in pain.
Lan Yuxi sighed softly.
Nan Xiao, despite the quiet sigh, instinctively held her tighter. Lan Yuxi curved her lips into a smile and slowly closed her eyes.
The next morning, Lan Yuxi opened her eyes to find a handsome face inches away.
Seeing her awake, Nan Xiao leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Awake?"
"Mmm."
Lan Yuxi tried to move her little foot, which was resting on his leg, but Nan Xiao caught it.
"Your leg won't hold up if I keep it there for too long."
Nan Xiao chuckled, "I'm not as fragile as you. I don't cry after just a little bit."
Lan Yuxi playfully hit his chest, her face flushed. "What time did you wake up? Did you sleep well last night?"
"With you by my side, I slept very soundly." Nan Xiao's long fingers gently traced her face. "Actually, I just woke up too. I haven't had enough of looking at you before you woke up."
Lan Yuxi snuggled into his arms and looked up at him. "You won't have to go out anymore, right?"
"Mmm. I can't bear to leave the three of you. I'll have them do any necessary tasks."
"Then, can we start taking the medicine today?"
Nan Xiao's hand, which was playing with her hair, paused slightly. "Okay, I'll do as you say."
Lan Yuxi turned to look at the two sleeping children and wriggled out of Nan Xiao's embrace. "I'll go and brew the medicine for you."
"You lie down a bit longer. I'll go myself."
"You don't know how."
"Then I'll go with you. I'll learn and do it myself next time." Nan Xiao said, about to sit up.
Lan Yuxi pulled him back. "We have a cook at home. I'll teach her. You lie down longer. When they wake up, take them and Xiao Zhe for morning practice."
Nan Xiao rested his head on her lap, his large hands tightly encircling her waist. "If you don't let me get up, you're not allowed to leave either."
Lan Yuxi chuckled and patted his fluffy head. "You've learned to be naughty!"
"Learned from you." Nan Xiao nuzzled into her embrace. "Is that child really that good?"
"Hmm?" Lan Yuxi blinked, then immediately realized who he was talking about. "My master said he's a promising talent. I'm afraid of holding him back. I plan to teach him myself, and when the two children go to Hongmen on weekends, let him join them. My master can teach him."
"You teach him yourself? Will he live here permanently?"
"He told me yesterday that he'll be boarding at school after school starts, and he'll come back during holidays. My master also asked Old Twelve to prepare a room for him at Hongmen. He can stay wherever he prefers."
Lan Yuxi gently stroked his hand, like comforting a puppy.
"I was wrong this time. I should have discussed letting him stay with you first."
"You didn't do anything wrong. If it weren't for that boy, Nan Corporation wouldn't be called Nan anymore." Nan Xiao's large hand slid into her clothes, resting on her slender, toned waist. "I'll transfer that money to him in a few days. I can't owe a child money."
Lan Yuxi felt a ticklish sensation from his caresses and raised her hand to swat his mischievous hand. "I also mentioned the repayment to Xiao Zhe, but he said that money was mine, and I had just forgotten. If we give him the money now, he definitely won't accept it. I was thinking we could help him when he wants to start his own business in the future."
"Alright, you call the shots. I'll set aside the startup funds for him first."
"No need. I'll pay for this. After all, his father gave me Bing Yan, so I must do something for him..."
Lan Yuxi grabbed his hand as he tried to climb higher. "Stop messing around. I have to go downstairs, or you won't have your medicine before you go to work."
Nan Xiao lay back down. "I'm not going to the company today."
"Not feeling well?"
Nan Xiao curled his lips in a wicked smile. "I haven't been comfortable since I got back."
Lan Yuxi glared at him playfully and then got out of bed.
Not long after she went downstairs, the two little ones also woke up. They played with Nan Xiao in bed for a while, and then called the newly awakened Ruan Siche to join them downstairs.
Ruan Siche frowned slightly when he saw that Nan Xiao was the one training them.
Nan Xiao glanced at him. "You don't want me to teach you?"
"Mmm!" Ruan Siche didn't hide his feelings, responding with a cold expression.
Mumu tugged on his hand and swayed it. "Master, my daddy is very powerful. My mommy can't even beat him."
Ruan Siche looked down at her. "Besides some fighting skills, what else can he do?"
"My daddy can also cook!"
"Pfft—" Ruan Siche couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Mumu pouted. "Why are you laughing? Are you laughing because my daddy can cook? But my mommy said men who can cook are the most handsome!"
Ruan Siche puffed out his chest. "Really? Then I can cook too."
Nan Xiao looked at his still childish face, a cold glint in his eyes. How old was this little brat? Was he also having ideas about Xi Bao?