The new student celebration at Fenglin Kindergarten was lively.
Jian Huai knew that the families living here were either wealthy or influential, but he was still slightly surprised when he saw the row of limited-edition luxury cars parked outside the kindergarten. Having grown up in the mountains, even after becoming a film emperor and earning money, his spending habits remained practical.
Unless it was a special occasion requiring high-end brands, his everyday clothes were ordinary.
Not to mention his car, which was a very practical business SUV.
Parked amid all the luxury cars, Jian Huai glanced at Lu Xi, worried that their modest vehicle might make Lu Xi lose face. But when he saw Lu Xi and the twins pressed eagerly against the window, excited and impatient, his worry quickly melted away.
“We’re here, we’re here!”
“Doubao is super cute today. Didi is also super cute.” Doubao’s round eyes sparkled before he added, “But Daddy is the cutest.”
“We’re the adorable family of three frogs!” Lu Xi pinched Doubao’s chubby cheeks, then carried both children out of the car before heading to the trunk to retrieve their frog-themed costumes.
Jian Huai had on a scarf, sunglasses, and a hat. He didn’t want to be recognized and cause a scene. If things got chaotic, he might have to leave early. Deep down, though, he really wanted to take part in this parent-child family event.
“Hello, Doubao and Dougao!”
Balloons hung at the kindergarten entrance, and cartoon mascots greeted the children at the door.
The celebration took place on the playground. The lush green lawn had been decorated and a stage was set up.
The setup looked impressively professional.
The first floor had a lounge and changing rooms. The school had prepared everything meticulously. After all, they held this event every year.
The ceremony began with a brief speech from the principal, followed by parent-child performances and games.
Mid-September brought warm sunlight and a gentle breeze.
The parents on the playground were all well-dressed. Jian Huai recognized several familiar faces: powerful tycoons from finance, rising stars in the tech world, and even a woman who was the editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine—a resource Wang Qing had always wanted access to but never found a way. And now, unexpectedly, she was right here.
“You must be Dougao’s father? My Xiaohua talks about you often, saying there are two identical brothers in her class now.”
“Hello, Doubao’s daddy! I’m Lucas’s mom.”
“Hi, I’m Xiaoqing’s father. My daughter always talks about Doubao-gege and wants to play with him.”
Doubao was a social butterfly and super popular in class. Thanks to the twins, Xiao Lu ended up meeting almost all the parents of Apple Class, collecting a handful of business cards in the process.
When it was Xiaohua’s mother’s turn, she paused while handing over her card.
“Jian Huai? Are you two…?”
This was a family event. Xiaohua’s mother glanced between Lu Xi and Jian Huai, then at Doubao and Dougao. Lu Xi felt his soul nearly leave his body, terrified she might misunderstand. The last thing he needed was another trending scandal.
Xiao Lu had no intention of making headlines with Lao Jian in a coming-out story.
“He’s my friend. He’s single, never married. Just tagging along for fun.”
Jian Huai, who had somehow removed his sunglasses at some point, extended a hand. “I’m Doubao and Dougao’s uncle. Nice to meet you, Xiaohua’s mom.”
Lu Xi: “…” Lao Jian acted more like a dad than he did.
How infuriating!
“Nice to meet you!” Xiaohua’s mom appreciated Jian Huai’s demeanor. Today was about accompanying her daughter, not networking, so she handed over her card politely. “Let’s collaborate if there’s a chance.”
No matter how eager the parents were to build connections, they kept it low-key here. The children’s world was pure, after all.
The principal’s speech ended.
Performances began.
Some parents had brought professional recording equipment.
Newbie Xiao Lu: Deeply regretting his lack of preparation.
“Don’t worry, there’s a parent group chat. I’ll share the videos later. Do you want to join?” Lucas’s mom pulled out her phone, showing the WeChat QR code.
Xiao Lu brightened immediately. “Yes, yes!”
There were poetry recitals, singing, piano, violin, and drum performances. Basically a showcase of talents. Finally, it was time for the family of three. Lu Xi and the twins headed to the changing room to put on their costumes.
“Next up, we have Apple Class’s Doubao and Dougao, along with their father, performing ‘Leap Frog’[mfn]小跳蛙 xiǎo tiàowā (I’ll share a link at the end of the chapter so you can listen to the song too. It’s so cute.)[/mfn]!”
The audience erupted in childish cheers.
“Doubao-gege, jiayou!”
“Dougao-didi, jiayou!”
Once again, Lu Xi was struck by how popular his twins were in class. Daddy Lu was very proud, and then, as the music started, the three of them wiggled adorably onto the stage.
A big green frog led the way, followed by two identical little frogs.
Too cute.
The childish voices rang out through the microphone as Doubao began singing: “The happy pond grows dreams, turning into an ocean.”
Sweet, youthful joy.
“Big eyes and wide mouth, singing just as loud,” Dougao recited coolly.
In the middle, Lu Xi danced like he had just eaten a big scoop of cuteness, hopping around like a froggie and singing the chorus la la la la la with all his heart.
Jian Huai couldn’t help but stand up and record the performance on his phone.
The children below cheered, waving their hands, the atmosphere electric.
—
Far away on the second floor.
A tall man, over 1.9 meters in height, stood in a formal suit, his presence cold and imposing. His face was expressionless, his gaze fixed on the stage. For a moment, a trace of warmth flickered in his eyes, as if recalling something.
But then the performance ended. The young man in the frog costume stepped off the stage and approached a man holding the phone under the stage. He’s smiling brightly, his fair skin flushed. They exchanged words.
That one moment extinguished the flicker of warmth. All that was left was icy cold.
“Why is he here?” the man asked.
The kindergarten principal beside him looked lost, unsure who he was referring to. The butler quietly intervened. “Why is Mr. Jian Huai here at Young Master Lu and his son– –Young Master Lu’s event? This is a parent-child activity, after all…”
He didn’t even dare mention Young Master Lu’s sons.
The angrier the man was, the colder and more indifferent he became.
“Family members are allowed to attend. Mr. Lu said Mr. Jian Huai is Doubao and Dougao’s uncle…” the principal’s voice grew quieter.
For some reason, despite the warm sunlight outside, she felt a chill creeping in.
The temperature was dropping.
“Master.” The butler spoke up, his usually composed face showing rare concern.
The man, Xie Zhuhan, kept his gaze locked on the figures on the lawn.
The temperature returned to normal.
The butler exhaled in relief, offering the principal an apologetic smile.
—
On the lawn.
Lu Xi held Doubao in one arm and Dougao in the other. “I can do this! Let me try!”
“Daddy, you can’t,” Dougao’s little face was cool and serious.
Lu Xi insisted, “I really can! Believe in me!”
Dougao reluctantly settled into his father’s arms.
Xiao Lu, determined to uphold his dignity, attempted to lift both children at once.
Ugh… huff… couldn’t lift them.
Not happening.
His fatherly pride shattered. Xiao Lu truly could not.
Jian Huai took several candid photos of the three little frogs collapsed on the lawn. Dougao and Doubao had flopped on top of Lu Xi, who was laughing in the sunshine. Under the sunlight, Jian Huai couldn’t help but imagine: if he were with Lu Xi, this kind of family happiness… he could make it work. He’ll do his best to be a good second father to Doubao and Dougao.
“Can I give it a try?” Jian Huai couldn’t resist joining in.
Lu Xi: Wow, Lao Jian is so sneaky, trying to show me up in front of my kids.
“I don’t believe you can lift both of them. They’re not exactly lightweight,” Lu Xi teased.
Doubao, catching the joke, puffed out his little chest. “Didi and I aren’t fat! We’re fit! Uncle can definitely lift us!”
Jian Huai set his phone aside, crouched down, and opened his arms, gesturing for the twins to come.
“Lu Xi.”
A cold voice cut through the air behind Jian Huai.
Cold. Chilling. Oppressive.
Jian Huai had never seen the man who wore a watch and had shielded Lu Xi’s head with his hand, but in that moment, he knew. This was him. He saw the smile on Lu Xi’s face fade as he stood and brushed the grass off his clothes, looking toward the man.
The man didn’t spare Jian Huai a single glance, his focus entirely on Lu Xi.
Four years. It had been four years since Xie Zhuhan last saw Lu Xi. They were once so close.
That boy used to snuggle into his arms, act spoiled, cling to him in bed, on the lawn, in every corner of the estate, begging for love — like a soft, affectionate kitten, gazing at him with utter devotion.
His eyes had once been full of him.
But now, the boy had grown up. He was looking at him, yet something was missing.
Xie Zhuhan’s expression darkened.
Doubao trotted over, tilting his head up. “Uncle, do you know my daddy?”
Xie Zhuhan looked down at the chubby little boy who barely reached his calves.
“You call Lu Xi ‘Daddy’?”
“Yep!” Doubao didn’t understand why the man asked but happily introduced, “I’m Doubao, that’s my didi Dougao. We’re twins!”
Dougao stared up at the towering man.
“Gege, come back.”
“Why?” Though confused, Doubao obediently scampered back to his brother’s side.
Xie Zhuhan’s gaze returned to Lu Xi, his voice icy. “These two are your children?”
“They’re my sons.”
Lu Xi hadn’t expected Xie Zhuhan to seek him out after returning to China with his children. A man like Xie Zhuhan cared about nothing, his heart was carved from eternal ice. He had never loved Lu Xi to begin with.
“You had them in England?”
“What does that have to do with you, Xie Zhuhan?”
Lu Xi didn’t want to look at him. The man was too tall. Only in bed had he ever lowered himself to meet Lu Xi’s eyes. Now, Lu Xi didn’t want to look up to him anymore.
Xie Zhuhan studied him silently. The butler, standing ten meters away, looked extremely worried.
“Daddy?” Doubao tugged at Lu Xi’s sleeve.
They were so happy. Lu Xi didn’t want to ruin his sons’ celebration. He gently adjusted the frog hats on both of them and said, “Let’s go get some cake. Our froggie family needs a photo!”
“Yay!” Doubao’s attention shifted instantly, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the dessert table.
Jian Huai picked up the frog hat Lu Xi had dropped on the lawn and held it up like a host. “Excuse us, Mr. Xie.”
The green fabric gleamed under the sunlight.
Xie Zhuhan stood alone amidst the laughter and chatter.
Lu Xi really has children.
—
At the dessert table.
Jian Huai asked Xiaohua’s mom to take a photo of him with Lu Xi and the twins.
“…If I didn’t know better, I’d think Jian Huai and Lu Xi were a family of four.”
Xie Zhuhan overheard the murmurs from passersby.
His eyes were cold.
“Master.” The butler feared his master might lose control.
Lu Xi didn’t look at him even once.
“Let’s go.”
The butler followed immediately, watching Xie Zhuhan’s retreating back with concern.
—
The author has something to say:
Today’s gong: “Xixi, why won’t you look at me?! WHY?!!”
Translator [LUNE]: Here’s the links for the song the trio frogs of Lu family performed. [New update shedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday (if nothing urgent come up hahaha)]
