11pm wasn’t considered to be late in Flower City.
To a lot of youngsters, the nightlife had only just begun.
In the backseat of the Rolls-Royce, the sight of Nan Chen sandwiched between the two child car seats was rather amusing.
Neon lights flashed by as the car drove through the busy city. There was silence inside the car.
Erbao was falling asleep as she was really getting tired.
She was just pretending to sleep before, but she got really sleepy after getting into the car.
The sleepiness was overwhelming after a crazy day of fun.
Dabao was the only one who didn’t seem to be sleepy, as he sat there in silence.
He was still angry even though Nan Chen had compromised.
His temper was no joking matter either. His handsome little face was expressionless and his eyes didn’t even look at Nan Chen at all, as if he had practically ignored his existence.
Nan Chen thought to himself, I can’t afford to mess with him.
He started to think about how he would make it up to the little ice block. He was no ordinary child, so normal methods would not work.
Should I apologize to him? Impossible. Nan Chen never apologized, and besides, he didn’t do anything wrong.
What did they have to lose spending one night in such a nice environment? Was it wrong?
The kiddy room in Commoner Residence was filled with all the best facilities in the world. Would it kill him to spend a night there?
The driver took a peek at them and smiled to himself.
Mr. Nan Chen had finally met his match. Mini Nan Chen’s face was as cold as ice.
If they keep being cold like this, the engine might just need antifreeze or it would fail.
“Dabao.” Nan Chen called out.
Nan Chen thought to himself, I won’t hold a grudge against a child!
But Dabao didn’t respond.
“Ning Sirui.” Nan Chen called him by name.
Still no response.
Nan Chen switched on the car’s interior light and looked at Dabao’s face, “I’m talking to you.”
Dabao refused to look at him, “Did you need something?”
Nan Chen was losing his mind.
I’m trying to make it up to you here, and you ask if I needed something? How am I supposed to answer that?
What else could I possibly need from you?
“No.” Nan Chen could not contain his anger.
“Oh.”
And the awkward silence continued.
Nan Chen switched off the light and turned his head to look out the window in order to hide his embarrassment and frustration.
He thought about it and felt unhappy.
How humiliating it would be if that woman saw how coldly Dabao treated me.
No, I have to turn this situation around.
“Sirui.” Nan Chen used a gentler tone.
Nan Chen might as well just call him boss at this point.
“Hm.” He got a response.
“I didn’t mean to force you to do anything you don’t like. I just wanted to have you spend more time with great grandpa and great grandma.” Nan Chen tried to explain what happened earlier tonight.
“Oh.” Dabao was still neutral with his response.
Nan Chen thought to himself, Don’t get angry, persistence is key to victory.
“And we all have to learn to be independent as we grow up. There is no running away from that.” Nan Chen continued.
“Oh.”
Mr. Nan Chen who was a man of few words had said a lot and came up with many reasons, but Dabao had just brushed them all away by saying, “Oh.”
He sure had quite an attitude.
Nan Chen’s plans to make it up to Dabao had failed, leaving him frustrated.
Reality was simply too harsh and he could only give up.
The car arrived at the entrance of the neighborhood, and Ning Ran could be seen waiting at the front door from afar.
“Mommy!” Dabao who had been silent and calm the whole time shouted excitedly.
In that moment, Nan Chen felt that he had been completely defeated.
No matter how much he did for them, it could never replace the bond that had formed between them and their mother as they depended on each other over the years.
No external factor could ever hope to come between such a bond.
Nan Chen had to reconsider if his plan to drive Ning Ran out of Flower City was reasonable. He feared that Dabao and Erbao would never forgive him if he did that.
Especially Dabao.
Nan Chen absolutely would not want to be an enemy of Dabao, because he could never afford to.
Ning Ran rushed over as soon as she saw the black Rolls-Royce.
They had only been apart for a few hours, but Ning Ran felt like she had regained something that she had lost.
Throughout all those years she had spent drifting around, the kids were the only thing she cared about.
She had told Nan Chen that the kids were her life, and she wasn’t lying. She could give up everything and anything for them.
The car door opened, and Ning Ran ran up to it.
The man inside was just about to get out, and they bumped into each other.
The scent of orange blossom came.
Ning Ran couldn’t be bothered to argue with Nan Chen and walked right past him, “Dabao, Erbao, are you two alright?”
“We’re fine, mommy.” Dabao crawled over and hugged Ning Ran.
Erbao had woken up as well, and called out to her mommy sleepily.
Ning Ran carried Dabao out of the car and set him aside before carrying Erbao.
The woman’s thin body was surprisingly strong and her movements were swift, as if the child would be snatched away if she were slightly slower.
Nan Chen stood quietly beside them, unsure of what he could say or what he should do.
“Sweetheart, let’s go home now. Don’t leave with strangers next time, okay? Mommy was so scared!” Ning Ran said.
Nan Chen felt a huge sting being referred to as a stranger.
He had thought that everything he did was for the good of the children and out of consideration for their future.
But to Ning Ran, he was just a mere stranger who could possibly endanger the children.
And the kids didn’t take to him kindly either, as Dabao had ignored him the entire time.
Nan Chen’s shadow grew long as the light from the street lamp shone on him.
The shadow of the king of Flower City seemed somewhat lonely.
Ning Ran suddenly turned around and Nan Chen felt a sense of joy, thinking that Ning Ran was going to tell him something.
But she didn’t, and just glared fiercely at him.
Although it was somewhat a blur underneath the dim lighting from the street lamp, Nan Chen could feel the distrust and precaution in Ning Ran’s eyes.
Even some hatred as well.
Erbao suddenly turned around and looked at Nan Chen.
Nan Chen waved at her and said goodbye softly.
He knew how unwelcome he was right now, but he really loved these two children, and had no intention of causing them even the slightest harm at all.
Nor would he let anyone hurt them either. But at this very moment, he felt as though he was playing the role of a bad guy instead.
Erbao broke out of Ning Ran’s grasp and ran towards Nan Chen.
Nan Chen quickly rushed forward and crouched down as well.
The tall and strong Mr. Nan Chen looked like a child in need of comforting as he looked at the chubby Erbao.
“Uncle Nan Chen, I can tell that my brother has already forgiven you. I hope you won’t take it to heart.” Erbao whispered at Nan Chen’s ear.
Nan Chen opened his mouth but no words came out.
He just felt a little warmth in his heart and his mood got a little better.
Erbao turned and ran back to her mommy after saying that.
This time Nan Chen said in a louder voice, “Good night, bye!”
Dabao looked up at Ning Ran. Ning Ran understood what he meant, and gave him a look.
“Good night, Uncle Nan Chen. Bye!” Dabao waved his hand too.
Nan Chen felt happy again.
He suddenly realized that his emotions were controlled by a woman and her two kids.
