Raising Kids C20

Chapter 20

“If the circle ever holds a selection for the Twenty-Four Great Fathers and you’re not on the list, I’ll crash the award ceremony.”

Jiang Ge was gradually getting used to Xie Hui’s deep concern for his son. Whether it was career-related or anything else, if it involved Xie Ze, everything else had to take a back seat.

“Jiang Ge, I read the movie script you mentioned last time, and I think it’s pretty good. After I get back from celebrating Xie Ze’s birthday, it’ll be just in time for the auditions, right?”

Xie Hui prioritized his son, but that didn’t mean he completely neglected his work.

Most people struggle to find a balance between work and family, and Xie Hui was working toward that goal as well.

He often heard colleagues say things like, “Once the kid starts elementary school, it’ll be easier. Once they reach middle school, it’ll be even better. Once they’re in college, you won’t have to worry anymore.”

Any parent who was actually raising a child full-time knew that was pure nonsense.

Even when their kids grew up, got married, and started their own families, parents would still worry about them.

“That director is someone we’ve worked with before. I’ll give him a heads-up. The antagonist and the second male lead are already cast. You want to audition for the main role?”

When it came to work, Jiang Ge immediately became serious.

“No, I have my eye on the third male lead. I think it’s a challenging role.”

The protagonist role was, of course, the most appealing. But for a major production like this, whether Xie Hui could even secure an audition was uncertain. And even if he did, the closed-set filming schedule wasn’t something he could manage right now.

“That works. I’ll send the script to your email when you get back.”

…

After taking care of these matters, Xie Hui didn’t bother informing his little one in advance—he just went straight home.

Aunt Wang had been taking care of Xie Ze since he arrived, and their bond was naturally strong. When Mr. Xie returned, she eagerly updated him on the many changes in Xie Ze at kindergarten.

“He told me and the butler not to call him ‘baby’ anymore. He says he’s a big kid now and should act like one.”

Xie Hui, who was setting up decorations in the living room, couldn’t help but smile at that. Even though they hadn’t been apart for long, he still found himself strangely looking forward to their reunion.

In fact, Xie Hui had returned the night before. But since it was already late, he didn’t want the little one to notice anything unusual.

So, he stayed in a hotel for the night and came back to the villa early in the morning to start setting up.

In the afternoon, when kindergarten ended, Xie Ze was escorted out by his classmates.

The teacher had memorized every child’s birthday upon enrollment, so during class, the other kids had even sung him a birthday song.

Although Xie Ze liked the butler grandpa very much, when he saw that it was the butler picking him up at the kindergarten entrance today, he couldn’t help but show a bit of disappointment.

“Xie Ze, sir just called home and said you’re allowed to have fried chicken today. Want to go try some?”

After getting into the car, Xie Ze buckled his seatbelt by himself. But his whole demeanor was like a withered eggplant—droopy and lifeless.

“No thanks, Grandpa Butler. I don’t feel like eating today. Let’s just go home early.”

Even though he was feeling down, Xie Ze kept trying to comfort himself—his dad was working hard to earn money to support him. He shouldn’t be too demanding.

When they arrived home, seeing the sunflowers in the yard made his mood sink again.

His dad had planted those sunflowers with him. But today was his birthday, and his dad wasn’t home.

Even though his teacher and classmates had celebrated with him at kindergarten, his dad’s place in his heart was irreplaceable.

This time, the butler didn’t open the living room door for him. Instead, he stood three steps behind Xie Ze, letting him push the door open himself.

The moment he stepped inside, he was stunned by the cartoon-themed decorations filling the room.

Then, he felt something placed on his head. Looking up, he saw Xie Hui smiling down at him, setting a little crown on his head.

The little boy, who had been suppressing his emotions all the way home, instantly teared up the moment he saw his dad. His eyes turned red, and tears streamed uncontrollably. Hugging his dad’s leg, he looked utterly aggrieved, his small voice choked with sobs.

“I-I thought Daddy was too busy with work and wouldn’t come back…”

Xie Hui simply picked him up, holding him securely with one arm. With the other hand, he pulled out a tissue, carefully and gently wiping away his tears. His voice was soft as he reassured him:

“No matter how busy I am, nothing is more important than my little one’s birthday.”

If life weren’t so demanding, most parents wouldn’t want to miss a single one of their child’s birthdays.

“You’re already four years old now, baby. No more crying, okay?”

Seeing how his son had cried so much his face was turning red, Xie Hui felt a pang of heartache and could only coax him gently.

“B-but I won’t be four until tomorrow. I’m still a three-year-old baby today…”

Even though he was upset and feeling wronged, Xie Ze was still very clear about this fact.

“Alright, my three-year-old baby.”

Xie Hui chuckled, kissing his son on the side of his face before carrying him further inside.

The entire living room was filled with balloons, streamers, and decorations featuring all of Xie Ze’s favorite cartoon characters.

In the center of the dining room sat a cake—also themed after one of Xie Ze’s favorite characters.

Having not seen his dad in so long, Xie Ze clung to him like a little koala, unwilling to let go. He sat snugly in his father’s arms, watching as Aunt Wang lit the candles. The flickering golden light reflected in his bright, gleaming eyes.

Xie Hui ruffled his hair and said softly,

“Make a wish before blowing out the candles.”

Xie Ze solemnly put his hands together, closed his eyes, and spoke his wish toward the cake:

“I wish for Daddy to always stay by my side and love me just like he does now.”

After saying it, he blew out the candles and turned to Xie Hui with a grin so big his teeth disappeared.

“But don’t people say that if you say your wish out loud, it won’t come true?”

“But my wish has to be fulfilled by Daddy, so I have to make sure he hears it.”

Xie Ze’s voice still carried the soft, childlike lilt unique to little ones. His words were a bit unclear due to their length, but that only made them more endearing. After speaking, he hugged his father’s arm tightly and continued to mumble:

“I love Daddy the most.”

“Mm, I love you the most too.”

Inside the system space, the original host, who had been watching this scene unfold, was an old man with a face full of wrinkles and a head full of gray hair. Seeing this moment, he couldn’t help but shed tears.

At first, he had only thought that this child, who had once saved a drowning boy, wasn’t as worthless as he had assumed. In his old age, with no filial children by his side, he often found his thoughts drifting back to that boy.

Originally, he had simply felt that he owed the child something. But now, watching how obedient, adorable, and clingy young Xie Ze was, waves of deep guilt nearly drowned him.

Back then, he hadn’t been particularly mature either. His career was just beginning to rise, and when he made the decision to raise this child himself, he had once thought… he wanted to be a good father.

The contrast between this sweet, well-behaved little boy and the gloomy, unlikable teenager from his memories was stark.

Inside the system space, the original host collapsed onto the table, wailing uncontrollably.