Chapter 21: 21. A Change
Seeing that Qian Renxue was becoming a bit embarassed, Qian Xunji stopped himself.
He gently embraced his two children, smiling warmly.
"Alright, I won't say any more. How about we read together?"
"Yes, yes," Qian Renjue quickly nodded.
"Okay," Qian Renxue also nodded slightly and handed the book she was holding to Qian Xunji.
Holding the book, Qian Xunji didn't immediately start reading.
Instead, he gently held his son and daughter closer, looking down at them with a slightly apprehensive tone.
"So, we cannot visit your mom for quite some time. Could we maybe use some of that time to spend together with me?"
"Of course!" Qian Renjue's answer was exactly what Qian Xunji had expected—clean, decisive, and heartwarming.
But Qian Xunji was even more eager to hear Qian Renxue's response.
"And what about you, Xiao Xue?"
Qian Renxue looked into Qian Xunji's eyes.
At this moment, she couldn't quite understand him, feeling a bit confused.
After a slight hesitation, she nodded, "I don't mind."
"Haha, that's great. From now on, Dad will spend time with you every day," Qian Xunji said, satisfied.
"But Dad, aren't you very busy every day?" Qian Renjue looked up, shifting his body to avoid Qian Xunji's slightly rough chin.
"Xiao Jue, Dad is busy, but it's okay to relax occasionally," Qian Xunji explained with a smile, adding, "And Grandpa can't punish Dad."
"Haha," Qian Renjue couldn't help but laugh out loud. He then reminded Qian Xunji, "But Dad, you mustn't tear our clothes again."
"Uh… That won't happen again," Qian Xunji's face stiffened slightly, remembering the embarrassing incident last time when he had made a mess in front of the children when washing their clothes.
Even Qian Renxue couldn't help but smile slightly.
Seeing his children's smiling faces, Qian Xunji felt that the embarrassment was nothing at all.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat, deciding to move on and making a mental note to practice more.
"Alright, let's get back to reading," Qian Renjue suddenly changed his mind, hugging Qian Xunji's neck and looking up at him with an expectant face, "Dad, how about you read to us?"
"Sure, whatever Xiao Jue wants," Qian Xunji nodded without hesitation, readily agreeing.
"Great! Thank you, Dad!" Qian Renjue rubbed his little face against Qian Xunji's face, nuzzling it gently.
"It's what Dad should do," Qian Xunji rubbed gently, careful not to hurt his son's delicate skin.
Qian Renjue settled back comfortably in Qian Xunji's arms, smiling at Qian Renxue before leaning against her shoulder.
Naturally, Qian Renxue didn't refuse, gently stroking his head.
"Then let's begin," Qian Xunji said, holding the two children close, trying to make his voice as gentle as possible, reading the contents of the book aloud.
"…" Qian Renjue lay back in Qian Xunji's embrace, resting his head on Qian Renxue's shoulder, listening quietly. After a while, he couldn't help but yawn, covering his mouth as he did so.
"Ah~ ooh!" With tears in his eyes, he gently rubbed against Qian Xunji's embrace and Qian Renxue's shoulder.
"Dad, Sister, I'm sleepy," Qian Renjue said softly, his voice drowsy.
"Xiao Jue," Qian Renxue gently stroked him, trying to lull him to sleep.
Qian Xunji paused, speaking softly, "Then how about Dad takes Xiao Jue to bed?"
"Mhm," Qian Renjue responded quietly, already half-asleep.
Qian Xunji supported him, and Qian Renxue stood up on her own.
"Xiao Xue, do you want to come too?" Qian Xunji asked, smiling at her, his voice slightly hoarse.
"I'm not sleepy," Qian Renxue shook her head lightly.
Qian Xunji nodded slightly and carefully settled Qian Renjue into bed.
Watching him from behind, Qian Renxue slowly walked over to the coffee table.
Once Qian Xunji had tucked Qian Renjue in and turned around, Qian Renxue was standing there, holding a cup of water, offering it to him.
"Dad, have some water," Qian Xunji was slightly stunned, followed by a feeling of being overwhelmed, so much so that he forgot to keep his voice down.
"Sure, sure! Thank you, Xiao Xue," he said happily, taking the cup.
"Shhh," Qian Renxue made a gesture for silence.
Qian Xunji came back to his senses, smiled, and nodded, taking a sip from the cup, feeling it was almost nourishing to the soul.
After Qian Xunji finished drinking, Qian Renxue took the cup and placed it back on the table, picking up a wooden sword and telling him, "Dad, I'm going to practice my sword now."
"Xiao Xue… wait," Qian Xunji chuckled, pulling her to his side. Seeing the curiosity in her eyes, he said with a smile, "Xiao Xue, wait until Xiao Jue is asleep, then I'll practice with you. How about that?"
Qian Renxue hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly and sat down by the bed.
"Good girl," Qian Xunji said with a bright smile.
Watching Qian Xunji gently coax Qian Renjue to sleep, Qian Renxue felt a strange sensation in her heart.
But Qian Xunji had his own considerations.
Bibi Dong's hatred towards him would only grow stronger after she left the Slaughter City. She wouldn't rest until he was dead.
As long as he was alive, Bibi Dong would never let it go.
Now, Qian Xunji only wanted to make good use of the time he had left. He wanted to spend more time with his children, see more of Qian Renjue's smiles, and make Qian Renxue smile at him more often.
Before long, Qian Renjue had fallen into a deep sleep.
"Let's go, Xiao Xue," Qian Xunji said, extending a hand to Qian Renxue as he led her outside.
As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, "Ah!" Qian Renxue let out a startled cry as Qian Xunji picked her up and placed her on his shoulders.
"Dad, what are you doing?!" Qian Renxue, riding on Qian Xunji's shoulders, blushed deeply. She wasn't a little kid anymore!
But Qian Xunji was all smiles as he started to walk around slowly. "Since Dad has some free time, let me take Xiao Xue for a little stroll."
"But… but you don't have to carry me like this!" Qian Renxue held onto his head, her face showing a mix of embarrassment and shyness.
"Xiao Xue, growing up too fast isn't a good thing," Qian Xunji said, unfazed. "When you're a child, you should play more so that you won't have any regrets later. Spending more time with Dad isn't a bad thing either."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue didn't resist as much. She blushed and asked, "Dad, where did you learn all these wise sayings?"
"From books, of course, learning to be a good father," Qian Xunji said with a laugh, gently holding Qian Renxue's knees as he walked lightly.
Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback.
This lifetime's Dad really is a bit different, huh?
Is it because of Jue?
Qian Renxue let her thoughts drift away, her embarrassment fading as she couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you, Dad."
"Haha, my dear daughter, it's what Dad should do."
At this moment, all the darkness in Qian Xunji's eyes disappeared.
Right now, he was a father—a father spending time with his children!
Those unfortunate things could wait!
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