“Oops sorry, slip of the tongue. What happened next? How did you come back?”
“He was the one who sent me back. I kept scolding him in the car park just now. I only remembered he still had the kids after he left! What should I do now?”
“Oh. So he left you somewhere and picked you up afterwards. Sounds like he took you for a spin. Doesn’t sound like anything serious happened. If he had really left you in a deserted area, I don’t think you would be sitting here now. You would probably still be there crying.” Cheng Xiangyun tried to analyze the situation.
Ning Ran was momentarily stunned. That actually made some sense.
“No! It wasn’t like that!”
“Then what was it like?”
“He did it deliberately to teach me a lesson. I was followed by some drunkards and was in so much danger!”
The thought of that gave Ning Ran shudders.
“And then?”
“And then he drove back, charged towards those people, and they ran off.”
“So, he saved you. You should be grateful to him then. Why did you scold him?”
“I…..This……” Ning Ran suddenly didn’t know what to say.
Then she started panicking. “Aunt! You should be on my side! He was the one who put me in danger in the first place. Why should I be grateful to him? If someone pushed you into the drain and pulled you out afterwards, would you thank him?”
Cheng Xiangyun gave it some thought. “So, what is it that we are discussing now? Whether he should have saved you? Or whether you should have scolded him?”
“No, we are discussing how to get the kids back! I scolded him and offended him. He would definitely not give them back.”
“I see.” Cheng Xiangyun nodded. “This is not easy. Why don’t you let me shower and sleep first. We can talk about it tomorrow. After I am well-rested and refreshed, I am sure I will come up with some great ideas!” Cheng Xiangyun scooted off after talking, ignoring Ning Ran who was yelling after her.
It was her wish for Ning Ran to marry into the Nan family.
……
After Nan Chen returned to the Commoner Residence, he took a bath and changed out of the white suit, into home clothes. He walked towards the nursery, which was exceptionally spacious.
The bodyguard who was standing at the door was about to greet Nan Chen, when he put a finger to his mouth, signaling at him not to make any noise.
It was late. He did not want to arouse the kids.
Erbao was in cartoon pajamas and holding a soft toy. She was sleeping soundly in a funny position.
At first, Nan Chen was still angry over what happened with Ning Ran. Looking at what’s in front of him, he couldn’t help but smile.
After covering her with a blanket, he left the room.
Just as Nan Chen entered Dabao’s room, Dabao sat up and turned on the night lamp.
“Sorry, did I wake you up?” Nan Chen felt bad.
“No, uncle. I haven’t fallen asleep yet.”
“It’s late, why haven’t you slept? Is it because you are not used to a new environment?” Nan Chen sat next to Dabao’s bed and asked him to lie down.
Dabao lied down obediently. “Why didn’t mommy come pick us up?”
Nan Chen could feel his hatred for Ning Ran rising. This woman, you were fooling around while the kids were missing you!
But Nan Chen was not going to talk bad about Ning Ran in front of the kids. “Mommy had an important shoot tonight, so she had to work late. She didn’t pick you up because she felt it was too late. Sleep well here tonight, ok?”
“Then, did mommy call us?”
Nan Chen nodded. “She did. I told mommy that you kids are asleep.”
“Uncle, are we friends?” Dabao suddenly asked.
Nan Chen was momentarily stunned by the sudden question. “Of course! We are best friends. We can talk about anything.” Nan Chen nodded.
We can talk about anything. That was what Dabao wanted to hear.
“If that’s the case, there are a few things I want to ask uncle, but I am afraid you will be angry with me.” Dabao said, testing the waters.
Dabao was too mature and obedient for his age that Nan Chen pitied him at times. He felt that children should be like children. If he was this mature, he would not be able to experience the joys of childhood.
Nan Chen patted Dabao’s head gently. “You can ask anything you want. Uncle promise I won’t be angry.”
“Uncle doesn’t like mommy, right?”
Nan Chen did not expect such a question. He did not know how to answer.
Why is Dabao always so sharp? He is so young but already so sensitive.
“Dabao, things that happen between adults are sometimes very complicated. It is not as simple as those of children’s. So, it is not purely a matter of likes and dislikes. Your mommy is a very wonderful person.”
“She raised you and Erbao singlehandedly while working. Oh, she is also a very talented actress. I am sure she will become a top star in the future. She is also very dedicated to her work. She is great.”
Nan Chen realized that the praises he had for Ning Ran were genuine.
This woman seemed to have quite a few merits too.
“Then why doesn’t uncle like mommy?” Dabao pressed on.
Because she is a loose woman, lacks virtue, is very scheming, and disrespectful!
Nan Chen wanted to let that all out, but he could not do so.
No matter what, he would never talk bad about parents in front of the kid.
After Dabao grows up, develops his own value systems, and knows how to differentiate right from wrong, he would have his own judgement of the situation.
Nan Chen would not force his beliefs on the child. To him, that would be wrong and irresponsible.
“It is too complicated. Let’s not discuss this right now. You will understand after you grow up. Just remember that mommy, daddy and uncle all love you very much.” Nan Chen said in a gentle voice.
Dabao’s bright eyes shone like stars under the dim light.
Nan Chen loved the children so much. He was willing to sacrifice everything to ensure the happiness of the children.
“Ok. I will remember that.” Dabao nodded his head.
“You should really sleep now. You have school tomorrow.”
“Can I ask another question?” Dabao looked at Nan Chen with his big, wishful eyes.
“Ok. Last one.”
“Why is uncle pretending to be dad?”
Yet another sharp question!
Nan Chen was a little tired. It was difficult to answer this kid’s questions. Even more difficult than most questions asked by adults.
Because it’s fun? Because it’s interesting? Because I want to experience being someone else?
Any one of those answers would work for other people, but it was not that easy to convince Dabao.
This child’s IQ and EQ were both way above average, and he would not buy it easily.
“I am not so sure myself either. You know, sometimes people do things that even they themselves don’t understand. This could be my situation now. Do you know what I am saying?”
Nan Chen felt that he was telling the truth. Indeed, he wasn’t sure why he was doing that.
What scared him was that it was addictive. He felt like he wanted to keep doing it.
But afterwards, he would be plagued with guilt. That caused a lot of inner conflict for him.
Dabao nodded. “Why don’t I analyze the situation for uncle?”
Nan Chen was flustered and waved his hands. “There’s not a need, really.”
He wasn’t sure why he was so afraid to hear Dabao’s analysis. Maybe it’s because Dabao might say something that would scare him? Or embarrass him?
Dabao had an amused glint in his eyes. I didn’t know that even uncle had moments of weakness.
So the books were right. The most difficult thing for a person was to face his own true feelings.
It’s easy to lie to others, but not to oneself.
We all want to be understood. But how can we expect others to understand us when even we did not understand ourselves?
“Ok then. Goodnight, uncle.”
“Goodnight.”
