“Listen to your mother,” Li Sicheng firmly said in a tone that permitted no objection as he walked over. “The puppy cannot replace your brother, but it can keep you company.”


  Su Qianci straightened her back, which was starting to ache, and said, “Let’s go.”


  “Alright.” Li Sicheng stepped forward to hold Su Qianci by her arm. “Are you still in discomfort?”


  “I’m fine. I’m feeling a lot better than a minute ago.” Su Qianci placed one hand on her back and said, “I didn’t have such strong reactions when I was pregnant with the two of them. This kid must be especially mischievous.”


  When Li Sicheng heard that, the corners of his lips turned up. He replied, “It’s fine if the kid’s mischievous. I hope it’s a girl. That way, our family will have two little princesses.”


  “Hey, but I want a little brother!” Li Jianyue interrupted. Her round bauble-like eyes looked toward Li Sicheng as she said, “Daddy, I don’t want a little sister.”


  “We still have no idea right now whether it’s a little brother or a little sister, but that is not an excuse for you to come running out either. Go back in.” Li Sicheng’s voice carried a hint of laughter.

  The little kid wasn’t frightened one bit. She laughingly hugged on to Li Sicheng’s thigh.

  “Daddy, please take me with you. I’d like to visit Grandpa. I want to meet Grandpa Rong, Grandma Rong, and Uncle Song. It’s been a very, very long time since I last saw Uncle Song.” The little girl pouted coquettishly and whined, “Daddy, please take me with you!”


  “No,” Li Sicheng said as he tapped the tip of her nose. “Nanny Rong, take Ersu back in. Mosen, bring your sister in.”


  Su Qianci and Li Jianqian stood behind the whole time. Dasu looked at them with his huge round eyes. In his heart, he couldn’t bear to leave. On his fair and smooth face, his sadness was clearly evident from the redness in his eyes.

  Li Mosen stepped forward to hold Li Jianyue’s hand. He looked at Li Sicheng and asked, “Dad, will Dasu be staying with Grandpa in the future and going to school there? Is he coming back?”


  Li Sicheng looked at Li Mosen and nodded his head as he replied, “That’s right.”


  Sadness was written all over Li Mosen’s face as he looked Li Sicheng in the eye and asked, “Why?”


  “Because there are no children in Grandpa’s house. Grandpa would like a child to go over to live with him. Grandpa and Grandma are getting old. They need a mature and understanding child to keep them company.” Li Sicheng methodologically explained the situation. Those were facts, but voiced out in such a way, it did indeed sound quite depressing.

  Su Qianci couldn’t bear to for Li Jianqian to leave either. When she witnessed the expression on Li Mosen’s face, her heart felt as if it was being dug out all over again. She crouched down and gently said, “He’ll be back. We’ll bring him back during the school holidays.”


  Li Jianyue didn’t really comprehend what was going on. She looked at Li Mosen naively as she said, “Older Brother has to go to school. He’ll be back once school is over. I’ll wait for Older Brother to come back, and we’ll play together at night.”


  Li Jianqian stood alone at the back. When he heard Li Jianyue’s words, an indescribable sadness filled his heart. He quickly turned around. His eyes were red. He opened the car door and climbed in on his own.

  Li Sicheng turned his head. When he witnessed his wordless actions, he knew Li Jianqian must have been feeling upset. That was to be expected at the start. In a while, once he’d gotten used to it, things would get better.

  “Let’s go, or we’re going to be late.” Li Sicheng held Su Qianci up and gently consoled, “The children just aren’t used to it yet. Once they get used to it, it’ll all be fine.”


  Su Qianci nodded her head and followed Li Sicheng into the car.

  The car slowly moved off. Li Jianqian leaned at the edge of the window as he saw the image of his brother and sister becoming smaller in the distance. His eyes were red.

  In a low, choking voice, he said, “Dad, I don’t want to go to Grandpa’s place.”