"Grandpa!"
Xu Yiyi struggled to jump off Lu Chuanbai and ran to Father Lu's side with Xu An'an.
Father Lu looked at the two children running towards him with relief and whispered, "Run slowly. Don't fall!"
He didn't expect these two cute kids to have remembered him. Knowing that they cared about him, Father Lu felt that his life had been worth living.
Father Lu's eyes crinkled into slits as he smiled and gave the gifts he had bought to the two kids.
"Kids, these are the gifts Grandpa bought for you."
The kids hugged the gift boxes that were even taller than themselves and cheered happily.
Xu Yiyi whispered, "Grandpa, can I open the gift box now to see what's inside?"
"Grandpa, I'm so eager to know what gift you bought for me!"
Xu An'an struggled to turn the gift box in her hand, trying to find the gap.
Father Lu almost said they could open it if they wanted to, but the words got stuck in his throat when Xu Qingqing and Lu Chuanbai standing in place stared straight at them.
As soon as Father Lu met Lu Chuanbai's gaze, Lu Chuanbai coldly turned his face away. This made Father Lu feel even more bitter and heart - aching.
Father Lu regretted again that he shouldn't have hit Lu Chuanbai. Forcing a smile, he ruffled the kids' hair. All his complex emotions turned into a sigh.
"Kids, haven't you finished taking photos yet? Mom and Dad are waiting for you. Go and take photos quickly."
"Open the gift boxes after you get home after taking the photos. Grandpa will leave first."
The once unyielding Father Lu now hunched over, feeling that he had aged a lot.
Xu Qingqing felt uncomfortable when met with Father Lu's look just now.
An old man had come from afar in the cold especially to give gifts to his grandchildren.
If they didn't even let him into the house, wouldn't that be inhumane!
Xu Qingqing reached out and tugged at the corner of Lu Chuanbai's clothes, but Lu Chuanbai didn't react at all.
Having no other choice, Xu Qingqing had to forcefully drag Lu Chuanbai over and whispered instructions to him.
"Lu Chuanbai, with that cold face, your dad doesn't even dare to get close!"
"He hit me," Lu Chuanbai was extremely vindictive in his heart.
"Isn't it just a slap? Do you have to hold a grudge for so long? Anyway, it's Christmas today. Wait until tomorrow to continue holding a grudge." Xu Qingqing tried to persuade Lu Chuanbai.
"It's not just about the slap..." Lu Chuanbai's steps were very heavy, and he felt wronged in his heart, but he just never said it.
For Lu Chuanbai, this wasn't just a simple slap. It represented the relationship between him and Lu Fenglin.
His father favored Lu Fenglin and no longer paid attention to him!
Xu Qingqing saw the complex expression on Lu Chuanbai's face, where he was both eager to get closer but also too proud to do so. She understood what Lu Chuanbai was thinking.
It was like when she sometimes neglected one of the two kids. At first, the kids would feel uncomfortable and wanted her to pay more attention to them.
But she was only one person. How could she take care of two kids at the same time?
Fortunately, under her guidance, the two kids learned to love each other and knew they were a family.
"Come on, stop being stubborn. The kids are watching. You should set a good example for them!"
As she said, Xu Qingqing pushed Lu Chuanbai in front of Father Lu and warmly invited, "Uncle Lu, we're taking a family photo. Come and take a photo with us."
Facing Xu Qingqing's invitation, Father Lu quickly waved his hands, with a simple and honest smile on his face. "How can I? I've already given the gifts. I'll leave right away."
Seeing that Father Lu still wanted to leave, Xu Yiyi and Xu An'an cast pitiful looks at Lu Chuanbai. Xu An'an even hugged Lu Chuanbai's thigh and pleaded with him.
"Dad, Grandpa is leaving!"
"Dad, don't let Grandpa leave!"
Seeing the two cute kids still speaking up for him, Father Lu couldn't help but tear up.
Father Lu reached out and wiped the tears from his eyes. The coldness in his heart caused by the neglect of family affection was now burning with a raging fire.
"Yiyi, An'an, Grandpa will come to see you later..."
He really hadn't doted on his grandchildren in vain. These two little treasures were so lovable!
Seeing that Lu Chuanbai remained unmoved, Xu Yiyi and Xu An'an stopped pleading with him and rushed up to say goodbye to Father Lu.
"Grandpa, walk slowly on such a cold day."
"Grandpa, we'll walk you to the parking lot!"
Seeing the two kids trotting after Father Lu, Lu Chuanbai let out a long sigh and finally couldn't help but say, "Don't go. Stay for the night and celebrate Christmas Eve with us."
Hearing what Lu Chuanbai said behind him, Father Lu almost burst into tears.
His sensible son had finally forgiven his unreasonable father.
Hearing that Father Lu didn't have to leave, the two kids put the gift boxes on their heads and cheered happily.
"Great! Grandpa doesn't have to leave!"
"Grandpa, read storybooks to us tonight!"
"Don't tire Grandpa out," Xu Qingqing chided gently. Seeing Father Lu turn around and look at Lu Chuanbai hesitantly, with tears glistening in his eyes, she sensibly distracted the two kids.
"Go and get Santa hats for Grandpa. We'll take a family photo together."
"Okay." The two kids hugged their gifts and ran home quickly.
Xu Qingqing also wisely found an excuse to leave. "I'll adjust the camera."
She left the opportunity for conversation to the father - son duo.
The two of them stared at each other from afar. After a long silence, Father Lu finally spoke, "Lu Chuanbai, Dad shouldn't have hit you..."
"You don't have to say so much to me." Lu Chuanbai waved his hand coldly, with a self - deprecating tone. "You never believed me."
"I'm sorry! I was so confused at that time and didn't notice..." Father Lu became more and more remorseful as he spoke. He took out a handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped his tears.
"Dad is really sorry."
"Whatever." Lu Chuanbai turned around and walked away.
Although Lu Chuanbai had a non - caring expression on his face, the knot in his heart that had been tightly tied finally dissipated with the apology.
He was still too soft - hearted and valued his family too much.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have given Xu An'an so many chances to cause him trouble.
Xu An'an brought a Santa hat for Father Lu and happily put it on his head. Father Lu stood in the middle, and the whole family took a photo nervously.
After taking the photo, Xu Qingqing simply tidied up the guest room. Since the guest room was usually cleaned by the maid, it wasn't dirty.
Father Lu told stories to the two kids until they fell asleep, and then came to the guest room.
"Uncle Lu, you'll stay in this room tonight. Call me if you need anything." Xu Qingqing turned on the air - conditioner in the room for Father Lu and said very warmly.
Father Lu thanked her gratefully. "Thank you."
"We're all family. You don't need to be so polite." Xu Qingqing waved her hand boldly.