In the master bedroom on the first floor, Nan Zhenting stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the two children and one adult outside, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He hadn't been a competent father. He'd never given Nan Xiao paternal love. Not only that, but he'd nearly ruined his son's life. Fortunately, his son had finally found his own happiness.
The elder master watched the interaction between the father and his three children and smiled with relief. He hadn't been a good father, but his son would surely become a good one.
After breakfast, Huo Ding, upon receiving a call from Nan Xiao, rushed over with his grandfather. If they could gain the assistance of the Lan brothers, Huo Corporation would definitely ascend to another level. How could the grandfather and grandson not be excited?
However, they also knew that the Lan family had their own hospital in Norcas, so it was impossible for the brothers to be on duty regularly. They would be content if the brothers could arrive in time to handle difficult cases.
Lan Yuxi gave up the study on the first floor for them and returned to her bedroom to lie down. Nan Xiao, meanwhile, took the two children to the study on the third floor.
Nan Xiao's head began to ache as he reviewed his son's study plan. If they were to follow it, the two children would have virtually no rest all year round. They were only four years old; could they endure it?
"This... Mu Mu agrees too?" Nan Xiao asked his daughter uncertainly.
Mu Mu nodded vigorously, "Brother and I used to study like this too."
"Don't you need any playtime?"
Mu Mu said in her childish voice, "The tutor will take us to play while we study."
"Mom agrees?" Nan Xiao asked, still a little unsure.
"She agreed! Mom said as long as we don't feel tired, she has no problem with it."
Nan Xiao's mouth twitched. This was exactly something Lan Yuxi would say.
"Dad doesn't want you to be too tired, but if you and Mom have no objections, I can't really object. However, I need to observe for a few days. If I find you can't handle it, this plan will have to be revised." Nan Xiao reached out and ruffled the children's hair. "Is that okay?"
Chao Chao's eyes sparkled as he pursed his lips and nodded.
In the past, he always thought his dad was not only stupid but also cold. However, after spending time together, he realized his dad was not stupid at all; he was very smart and capable. It was just that there had been too many troublesome things happening after he woke up, and anyone would have been overwhelmed. What touched him the most was that although his dad seemed indifferent, he was exceptionally attentive to his family, especially to his mom and the two of them.
He had actually intended to test his dad with this study plan. As a result of this test, he became even more certain that even though his dad had high expectations for him and his sister, his dad's primary concern was their physical and mental well-being.
Nan Xiao looked at the light in his son's eyes and affectionately stroked his head. "Before the teacher arrives, do you want me to take you out to play for a day?"
Mu Mu's interest piqued immediately. "Is Mom going too?"
Nan Xiao thought about how Lan Yuxi was too tired to even eat, and shook his head. "Mom is tired and probably can't go."
"Then I'll go ask Mom." Mu Mu said, and trotted out.
Nan Xiao watched his half-raised hand and smiled helplessly.
Chao Chao looked at him and asked word by word, "You want to take us out to play because you don't want me and Sister to disturb Mom's rest, right?"
Nan Xiao chuckled and retracted his hand. "Such a little devil!"
"Then I'll go call Sister back." Chao Chao said, and also ran out.
In the bedroom, Lan Yuxi had intended to get some good rest, but her phone kept ringing. She had to sit up and answer it.
"Mom..." Mu Mu ran in, and seeing her mother leaning against the headboard of the bed, taking a phone call, quickly covered her mouth.
"...It's fine, continue." Lan Yuxi smiled and waved to Mu Mu. Mu Mu tiptoed closer.
Lan Yuxi took her daughter into her arms. After the other person finished speaking, she said sternly, "Okay, I understand. Keep an eye on him. As for that woman... don't worry about her. Someone will handle her funeral arrangements."
Lan Yuxi hung up the phone, smiled, and pinched her daughter's little nose. "Where's Brother?"
"Brother is with Dad. Mom, Dad said he wants to take us out to play, can you go?"
Chao Chao walked in quickly. "Mom is tired, we'll go play with Dad."
Mu Mu pouted, looking unhappy. She wanted to go out and play with her dad, mom, and brother.
Lan Yuxi rubbed her daughter's little head. "Mom isn't tired. Where do you want to play? Mom will go with you."
Mu Mu's small face immediately lit up with a radiant smile.
Chao Chao sighed helplessly. He knew it. As long as his sister asked, his mom would agree. If only he had come a little faster.
Mu Mu blinked her big, adorable eyes. "Can we go to the amusement park?"
"Okay—Then let's go to the amusement park... Son, where do you want to go?"
Chao Chao shrugged helplessly. "I don't mind either way."
Nan Xiao had overheard the conversation between the mother and children from outside the door. He entered and asked with concern, "You want to go too? Are you... alright?"
Lan Yuxi glared at him playfully, then patted the two little ones' heads and said, "Go pack your little backpacks. We'll leave in ten minutes!"
"Okay~" Mu Mu responded, taking her brother's hand, and they trotted out.
Nan Xiao walked to the bedside and reached out to caress Lan Yuxi's cheek. "Don't push yourself. If you still feel unwell, then don't go out."
"Knowing I'd feel unwell, you should be more restrained from now on!" Lan Yuxi lifted the quilt and got out of bed. "By the way, Xia Qianqian is dead. She died in Country Y."
Nan Xiao was slightly stunned. "Are you sure it was Xia Qianqian?"
"Mm. The police in Country Y have confirmed her identity."
Nan Xiao frowned slightly. "Dying so easily, it's too good for her!"
"My people said she was tortured before she died," Lan Yuxi said, pushing open the door to the walk-in closet. She turned back and raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to send someone, or handle her funeral arrangements yourself?"
Nan Xiao's face instantly darkened. "Lan Yuxi!"
Lan Yuxi grinned wickedly and entered the walk-in closet.
Nan Xiao followed her in. Lan Yuxi had already taken off her pajamas and was about to put on a hoodie.
Nan Xiao looked at her graceful back and swallowed hard. "Lan Yuxi, you still have the energy to tease me. It means I haven't done enough. I'll work hard tonight."
Lan Yuxi's back stiffened. She slowly turned to look at him, gave him a huge eye-roll, and then put on her hoodie.
"I'm going to have an all-night happy time with Wanqi today. You can go find whoever you want to work hard with."
"You dare!" Nan Xiao grabbed the teasing girl and, leaning down, bit her lips fiercely.
"Daddy, Mommy, are you playing kissy?"
"Don't look!"
Two tender childish voices came from the doorway. Lan Yuxi quickly pushed Nan Xiao away.
Nan Xiao also awkwardly rubbed his nose.