The round sun hung in the sky, making passers-by squint their eyes. Everyone was feeling lazy under the scorching sun.
Hou Chenyi held his son's hand and walked in the crowd. Although their life was ordinary, they were happy.
His second son, Xiaoyu, was born to his ex-girlfriend and him. Unfortunately, she had long stopped loving him.
"Dad," Xiaoyu called out in a childish voice. He stood still, holding Hou Chenyi's hand, pouting his little mouth. He looked extremely cute.
"How much longer do we have to look! Dad, I can't walk anymore," Xiaoyu said, letting go of his father's hand and pointing at his shoelaces. "Dad, look, my shoes are dirty. We've been walking for a long time."
"You lazy little guy," Hou Chenyi said with a smile, stroking his son's cheek. "Why are you so lazy! We've only walked a few steps and you don't want to go anymore. I'm not even tired, but you are."
"But Dad is an adult, and I'm a child," Xiaoyu said, puffing out his cheeks. He took a step back and sat down on the bus stop bench.
"Dad, Xiaoyu really doesn't want to walk anymore. Let's take a break, just for a little while, okay?" Xiaoyu held up one finger and showed it to Hou Chenyi.
"No," Hou Chenyi said helplessly. "My dear son, don't forget what we're out for today. We're here to find a nanny for you. If we can't find one, there won't be anyone to take care of you tomorrow. Do you really want that? To be all alone at home like before?" Hou Chenyi smiled. He knew Xiaoyu was most afraid of being alone. He didn't believe Xiaoyu wouldn't stand up after hearing this.
"Okay."
Sure enough, a father knows his son best. Xiaoyu was really tired, but at the thought of being alone at home with no one to accompany him, he immediately got motivated. He didn't want to be at home alone. He wanted someone to be with him.
Like other kids, having someone to accompany him was enough, even if the nanny wasn't his mom or dad.
Xiaoyu stood up and took his father's hand again. "Dad, I don't want to rest anymore. I want to find a nanny with you. We have to find one quickly. I don't want to be at home alone anymore."
Children say the darndest things. Xiaoyu had no idea that his words would have such a big impact on Hou Chenyi.
After hearing his son's words, Hou Chenyi's eyes instantly turned red. It was his fault. He hadn't taken good care of his son, making him so insecure. He didn't deserve to be a father.
"Sorry, Xiaoyu."
"Dad, I'm okay," Xiaoyu said, shaking his head. "Really. Let's go."
"Come on, Dad will carry you," Hou Chenyi said, wiping his eyes. A man doesn't shed tears easily, especially in public. "Dad will carry you and you won't be tired."
"But Dad will be tired," Xiaoyu said, looking at the shadows of him and his father on the ground. His father's shadow was so much taller than his. He was so small and already so tired. His father must be tired too.
"Dad must be as tired as Xiaoyu. Dad doesn't say he's tired, so Xiaoyu won't either."
"No," Hou Chenyi said, reaching out and picking up his son. "Dad is so tall and strong. I'm not tired at all."
As Hou Chenyi carried his son across the road, Xiaoyu sweetly shielded the sun for his father. He said with a smile, "Dad, the sun is too bright. I'll block it for you so you won't be hot." Xiaoyu even blew on his father to cool him down.
"That's enough," Hou Chenyi said with a smile, holding his son's hand. "Dad's not hot."
Screech!
Song Ge stepped on the brake and got out of the car nervously. She opened the door and bowed her head in apology. "Sorry, sorry. Are you okay? I didn't do it on purpose."
"Song Ge."
Hou Chenyi protected his son. The car had been driving really fast just now, but luckily, Song Ge had stepped on the brake in time. He was fine, and so was his son.
"Hou Chenyi," Song Ge said in surprise. She hadn't expected that she'd almost hit Hou Chenyi.
"Are you okay? I didn't see you just now," Song Ge said with an apologetic smile.
"I'm fine," Hou Chenyi said, waving his hand.
"Hello, sister," Xiaoyu said, his eyes curving into crescent moons. It was the first time he'd seen his father have such a beautiful friend.
"Is this...?" Song Ge looked at Xiaoyu in surprise. "Your son?"
"Yeah," Hou Chenyi said with a smile, nodding. "Come on, Xiaoyu, this is Aunt Song Ge. Say hello."
"I already did," Xiaoyu said, pouting. "Right, sister?"
"Right, right, right," Song Ge said. Her heart was melting. She'd always liked kids, and Xiaoyu was just too cute.
"How old are you, Xiaoyu?"
Xiaoyu held up four fingers and started counting. "One, two, three, four. Pretty sister, Xiaoyu is already four years old. I'm big now."
Xiaoyu's childish voice melted Song Ge's heart. "You're so cute, Xiaoyu," Song Ge said, holding out her hands and blinking her eyes. "Hou Chenyi, can I hold Xiaoyu?"
"Sure! Pretty sister, you can hold me for as long as you want," Xiaoyu answered for Hou Chenyi.
Song Ge picked up the child and couldn't stop smiling.
The two got along very well and were both very happy.
Looking at the scene in front of him, Hou Chenyi thought it would be nice if time could stop at this moment. Song Ge liked Xiaoyu so much, and Xiaoyu liked Song Ge too. If only...
"By the way, Xiaoyu, where's your mom?" Song Ge asked casually.
Xiaoyu immediately closed his mouth and looked at Hou Chenyi.
Hearing the word "mom" instantly pulled Hou Chenyi back to reality.
"Xiaoyu's mom has passed away."
Actually, she was still alive. The woman had had a good life with someone else after giving birth to Xiaoyu, but Hou Chenyi didn't want to tell Song Ge the truth. He was afraid she would look down on him.
"Sorry," Song Ge said with a look of guilt on her face.
"It's okay," Hou Chenyi said, forcing a smile.
"By the way, what are you two out for?" Song Ge changed the subject.
"Dad is taking me out to find a nanny," Xiaoyu answered for Hou Chenyi again. "But Dad wasn't satisfied with several of them. Actually, I wasn't either." Xiaoyu snorted. "Those aunts were ugly and mean. I didn't like them at all." Xiaoyu's face was all scrunched up like a bun. He glared at Song Ge angrily.
Song Ge laughed. "Are you looking for a nanny because your dad doesn't have time to take care of you?"
"Of course," Xiaoyu nodded vigorously. "Dad is very busy, especially at night. I'm always alone. I'm so scared."
"Because of my job..." Hou Chenyi said awkwardly, scratching his nose. "We'll find a nanny soon, and Xiaoyu won't have to be alone anymore."
Song Ge thought for a while. "It's not easy to find a satisfactory nanny these days. Who knows when you'll find one. Well, I happen to be free these days. I'll help you take care of Xiaoyu."