章 5: Bribing dad with mocha

While Wen Danzhe was trying to get his cell phone back from the two chatterboxes, Qie Ranzhe had finally put his son in bed and he was about to leave when that little brat showed the most pitiful puppy eyes that made it very difficult for him to leave.

"You have already been kicked out by dad anyway so please stay with me," said Qie Xieling truly hitting his father where it hurt the most.

"You kid, are you trying to make me stay or make me upset by saying that? I don't need you to remind me...," he said but he was already slipping into the monkey paw quilt. Well, monkey paw was one of the silly little shows Qie Xieling liked. A big man sleeping under such a cute quilt was quite comical but he was so tired that he didn't really care.

He didn't even bother to change out of his work pants because his clothes were all the way in the master bedroom and he forgot to bring them with him.

Qie Xieling was so happy that he showed a subtle smile before covering himself up with the quilt. It was always his dad who slept over and when he woke up his dad would be gone.

His father though was always the no, no and no strict father. Sometimes he would say no before Lin Lin even asked.

One can imagine how thrilled he was. He was so ecstatic that his tummy made a grumbling sound like it was also happy. Actually, it wasn't a happy tummy but rather a grumpy tummy. Qie Xieling had been through so much today that he forgot to eat and his parents seemed to forget that he was just a baby who was still growing.

He shuffled around and lay to his side facing his father before tugging his t-shirt. "Pa," he called out and Qie Ranzhe who was already closing his eyes and breathing softly gave a soft hum.

Qie Xieling didn't give up. He pursed his lips as he reached for his father's nose and pinched it.

Qie Ranzhe didn't react at first but after struggling to breathe for a while he finally opened his eyes a slit. "What are doing?" he asked as he held Qie Xieling's tiny hand while closing his eyes again.

"I am hungry," said Qie Xieling and Qie Ranzhe sighed before reaching into the pocket of his trousers.

He took out a granola bar and said, "Here... eat this. Your dad didn't eat so we will have to suffer together."

Qie Xieling, "..."

Two words, bad parenting. "It's warm," he commented and Qie Ranzhe mumbled,

"Boys who hit others don't deserve a cold granola bar."

Qie Xieling, "..."

"And don't leave crumbs in the bed," he added on and Qie Xieling who was about to take a bite pressed his lips into a thin line while looking at the granola bar that looked like it would crumble to pieces with just one tiny bite.

Qie Xieling really did the best that he could eating his dinner in two bites. After discarding the wrapper he pulled the quilt for his father covering his shoulders before squeezing into his arms and falling asleep.

Qie Ranzhe showed a slight smile on his face and stroked his son's hair. To others, he was a little trouble maker but to him, he was his little angel.

***

"Get your father's favourite mug," said Qie Ranzhe while standing in front of the coffee machine.

Qie Xieling, looking prim and proper trotted over to the dishwasher and pulled the door open.

"The one with Darth Vader on it or the one with Slytherin?" he asked and Qie Ranzhe suddenly felt like his husband was too obsessed with villains.

"The Darth Vader one," he replied and like a good Santa's little helper he came with it and handed it to him.

Qie Ranzhe smiled at him slightly and rubbed his hair before asking, "What's dad's favourite morning brew?"

Qie Xieling pressed his little index finger on his lips and thought for a moment. "When he is in a working mood he drinks black coffee and one sugar and never ever ask him for anything until he has had his morning coffee," he said and Qie Ranzhe smiled proudly like he had raised a little genius.

"And when he is in a bad mood and extra good mood?" he asked and Qie Xieling pointed at the machine while saying,

"He likes mocha with extra foam and marshmallows when in a terrible mood. Frappuccino when in an extra good mood."

Qie Ranzhe laughed happily while commending him. "Good job," he said and Wen Qinxi who had just walked in looked at the two conspirators with a suspicious gaze.

He pulled down his headsets while asking, "Conspiring behind my back again?"

The two of them turned around with a jolt and smiled stiffly their expressions the same. Wen Qinxi could clearly see the uncanny resemblance.

"No baby. Not at all," he said and Qie Xieling pointed at the Darth Vader flask on the kitchen counter and said,

"We made mocha for you. Just the way you like it."

Wen Qinxi knew he was getting bribed but these two looked so cute that he couldn't resist forgiving them.

Qie Ranzhe subtly moved closer his objective clear. He wanted to hug his husband's waist but just when he thought his movements were sleek, Wen Qinxi stepped aside and took the flask mug.

"You behave yourselves today. Since you are suspended your father will watch you," he said only for Qie Ranzhe to take away his laptop bag hanging on his shoulders.

Qie Xieling stood in his dad's path and said,

"Dad I was wrong. I shouldn't have hit that boy. We were wrong and as a sign of my heartfelt apology I would like to take you somewhere nice," said Qie Xieling reciting every word his father taught him.

Wen Qinxi squinted his eyes as he took a sip of his mocha. "With what money?" he said teasing Qie Xieling and Qie Xieling pointed at daddy money banks over there. His father was his personal ATM machine.

Wen Qinxi glanced at the one who probably suggested this coldly before saying, "Is this what you are teaching him? Money solves all problems."

Qie Ranzhe hugged Wen Qinxi from behind and said, "No but it solves some of them." Wen Qinxi just sighed staring at his husband's doppelganger.

"Fine. Let's skip work today but it better be worth it," he said and soon regretted that decision. That's because his husband covered his eyes and said it was all a part of the surprise.

Wen Qinxi let himself get led by these two but he still drank his cup of mocha along the way. If this trip wasn't worthit he would put both of them out and they can stay with mama Qie.