Chapter 17

「The doting look in your eyes is more captivating than your usual look.」

–

On Saturday morning, Cheng Yan baked some cupcakes before taking a taxi to the amusement park

Cheng Yan didn’t see them when he arrived, so he waited by the entrance until, after a while, the two arrived.

Her hair was tied up into two buns and she was dressed in a pink short-sleeve and puffy dress. Huo Xiaoman was hugging her dad’s neck and her head was buried deeply in the nape of his neck.

Huo Sheng looked slightly apologetic when he saw Cheng Yan, “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“It’s alright, I just arrived.” Cheng Yan smiled slightly, and then he looked at the little girl and asked, “What happened…?”

“Let her sleep,” Huo Sheng smiled and looked at the little fellow in his embrace. He explained, “After you talked with her on the phone last night, she stayed awake jumping on the bed in excitement. And now she’s sleeping.”

Cheng Ya’s lips lifted upwards hearing this. Then, he hesitated before saying, “Then should we go on another day…”

“It’s okay,” Huo Sheng understood that he was worried. He laughed, “She’ll be fine in a moment so don’t worry.”

“Hm?” Cheng Yan was confused, nevertheless he followed him.

There were two gift shops in neat rows once they entered the amusement park.

Inside the shop were many toys that the children who passed by stopped and tugged at their parent’s sleeves, desperately dragging to get the adults inside.

Originally, Cheng Yan reckoned Xiaoman wouldn’t be able to play since she was asleep. However, as soon as they passed the gate, her round little head suddenly shot up. She pointed at the gift shop and said that she wanted to go.

Since this was a rare visit, Huo Sheng put her down and took a tour inside together.

When the little thing started scurrying her chubby little legs around the shop, Cheng Yan was surprised.

Huo Sheng, seeing his expression, smiled and came to pat his shoulder. He said, “See? Don’t worry.”

The shop was loaded with gorgeous toys, and Huo Xiaoman took a while before finalising her choice with a rainbow unicorn shoulder bag.

Once the bag was paid for, she was finally wide awake and she realised Cheng Yan was waiting by the door. She looked up and grinned, “Huh? Brother, you’re here.”

“Yeah, Xiaoman is awake now?” Cheng Yan bent his knees and looked evenly at the little fellow.

“Look, my horsy bag. Cute!” Huo Xiaoman held up the shoulder bag for him to see.

Cheng Yan bursted out laughing at her cuteness. He rubbed her head and nodded.

Huo Xiaoman stared at him for a while, and, as if she had discovered a new world, she grabbed Cheng Yan’s fringe.

Cheng Yan was surprised and fell straight to the ground. He looked dumbly at the little head that was tilted. Just as he was about to ask what was wrong, she spoke with her babyish voice, “It’s different.”

Cheng Yan realised what she was talking about and covered his fringe, smiling, “Yeah, I got a haircut.”

Huo Sheng came back after buying water just in time to see this scene. Going with the flow of the conversation, he asked Huo Xiaoman, “Do you have Brother Cheng Yan’s new hairstyle?”

Huo Xiaoman looked up at her dad and then looked at Cheng Yan. She revealed her two small front teeth and giggled. “Yeah.”

Cheng Yan’s ears reddened immediately.

This amusement park between all the other ones in Rong City was the most suited for children. Once the weekend comes, many adults will come here with their children.

The children were all running around like crazy but Huo Xiaoman was very sensible. She was holding her dad’s hand instead.

Cheng Yan followed half a step behind them, occasionally observing the person next to him.

For some reason, this side of Huo Sheng was very new to him. It was the same warmth towards his colleagues, but maybe because it was fatherly love towards Huo Xiaoman that every action of his is filled with love. It was particularly dazzling.

All the queues were long since they didn’t arrive early.

At this moment, Huo Xiaoman’s enthusiasm heightened. She found something she liked and quickly pulled the two adults to line up.

At first, Cheng Yan was embarrassed since other people came as a family while they were two big men with a 4 years old little girl. Luckily, though, Huo Xiaoman kept calling him brother left and right, which made this combination less weird.

The theme Huo Xiaoman picked was called “The Dwarves’ Adventure”, an indoor event for 3D movies and toy trains.

When it was their turn, Huo Sheng put the two on the front seat and then he took the back seat instead.

A child’s curiosity is abundant and will always view everything with amusement. Huo Xiaoman kept asking questions while Cheng Yan patiently explained in a small voice.

After the train stopped, Huo Xiaoman was very happy. Even after they got off the train, she kept rambling nonstop while holding Cheng Yan’s hand.

A smile appeared on Huo Sheng as he watched them interact with each other.

During the whole morning, Huo Xiaoman dragged Cheng Yan to many different places.

He once again lined up at the back of the queue, feeling tired while the little girl was still jumping around vigorously.

Huo Sheng looked at him who was catching his breath with flushed cheeks and smiled. He said, “Aren’t children especially energetic?”

Cheng Yan agreed with a nod. Once he caught his breath, he told him honestly, “Xiaoman is pretty energetic.”

“More like rowdy,” Huo Sheng used a small handkerchief to wipe the sweat on Xiaoman with a smile. He asked Cheng Yan, “Are you tired? If so, you should take a break. We can find you later.”

Cheng Yan shook his head. “Don’t worry, since I promised her.”

The weather was so hot that the fans for the queue were useless.

Huo Xiaoman looked at her dad with a sour face having waited for ten minutes. Her dad held her up to where the fan was blowing and then put her down again. She started to feel hot again after two minutes and this time she looked at Cheng Yan with a sour face.

Cheng Yan couldn’t stand her cute expression. He used the map and waved it at her.

Huo Sheng looked at him and then took out some water from the small bag he was carrying and asked Cheng Yan if he wanted it or not.

Cheng Yan took it and pressed it against his face to cool himself. He whispered, “Um, thanks, for the water.”

With a “pfft”, Huo Sheng started laughing.

Cheng Yan wondered why he was laughing. Once Huo Sheng stopped laughing, he heard him explain, “Don’t be so polite since I should be the one thanking you for keeping her company on a hot day like this.”

Once they came out of the movies gallery, Huo Sheng told Cheng Yan that he was going to buy another two bottles of drink since the bottles he bought were finished.

Cheng Yan nodded. He was about to take Huo Xiaoman to sit on the bench with him but Huo Xiaoman pulled his trousers secretively. Once he crouched down, she whispered to his ears, “Brother, do you want to eat ice cream?”

Cheng Yan looked at the sky and felt that it was indeed getting too hot. He nodded and went to buy one for her, with two in his hand.

As he turned around, he saw Huo Sheng walking towards them. He wanted to speak and hand the ice cream to him but Huo Sheng approached Huo Xiaoman who was eating heartily instead.

Huo Sheng spoke with a slightly strict tone, “Huo Xiaoman, what have I told you before? You made someone buy you ice cream and sweets again. Who was it that was rolling around at with a toothache the other day?”

Cheng Yan wanted to explain and mediate.

Yet, Huo Xiaoman clutched the ice cream and ate with huge bites that there was even ice cream on her face. She turned her back and puffed out with anger, “It was brother that wanted it. He wanted to eat it, so I ate with him.”

Cheng Yan looked at the little girl’s back with silence. A question emerged from his heart.

Now, how… was he going to explain to him.