“That’s because the princess hasn’t seen the true face of the frog prince yet.”
Pei Ge’s beautiful eyes were filled with merriment. She looked at Ran Ran, who was lying on the bed, then of An An and Ji Chi, who were in her room. She could not help but ponder why the three children were behaving this strangely today.
“Mommy, then what must the princess do to see the true face of the frog prince?”
The girl blinked her eyes at her. Her voice was full of child-like innocence as her eyes stared at Pei Ge in focus while she continued asking questions. “If you are the princess, what will you do?”
“If I am that princess, I may be frightened into running away,” answered Pei Ge honestly. If she were truly that princess, not to mention a frog, perhaps even a cockroach would be enough to scare her away.
“Mommy, you are so timid.”
Ran Ran laughed.
“Yes, your mommy is so timid, so she needs me to keep her company.”
The opportunistic Ji Ziming interjected as he looked at his daughter. His gentle expression was full of paternal love.
“But daddy, if you accompany mommy, what about me?”
The girl refused to let it go. He was her daddy and the person she wanted to marry the most.
“You still have your big brother and second brother—plus a boy you will meet in the future who will properly love you.”
He reached out a finger and poked her forehead, asking dotingly, “Why? Are you still thinking of being my lover?”
“Auntie Zhang said it before: ‘Daughters are their fathers’ lovers in their past lives.’ How could you not admit me?”
She became even more panicky the more she spoke. If her father refused to keep her, she would cry from sadness instantly.
“Then, my little lover, do you still want to drink your tea?”
Ji Ziming had little patience to placate anyone, but when it came to Pei Ge, he was very lax about it.
“Okay, I’ll drink.”
Ran Ran nudged her lips as her eyes darted between her parents. Her mumble was washed back down her throat together with the tea.
After drinking tea, she was finally more at ease.
“Mommy, I want to tell you a secret.”
The girl obediently hid under her blankets, making Pei Ge walk over and rest her head beside hers.
“What do you want to tell me?”
“Actually, my brothers want to give you a surprise today.”
Her daughter blinked her large eyes and gave her a large smile. Her innocent eyes were totally clear and pure.
“Okay, I know now. Go rest first. You just took your medicine. Sleep. When you wake up, I will tell you a different story, alright?”
“Really? You must keep your promise.”
Ran Ran’s eyes curled into crescents. As long as she could listen to another story, she was willing to listen to her mother. Sleeping was a simple thing, so she should be able to do it.
“I will keep my promise. Go sleep now. When you wake up, I will let you know what story I am going to tell you.”
Watching as her obedient daughter slowly drifted into sleep, the knot in her heart finally got untangled. She had been so busy handling her company matters these past few days that she had not had time to spend with the three children for quite a while.
They could consider going on a family trip when Ji Ziming was less busy. She kept hearing Ran Ran mentioning about going to see butterflies. Coincidentally, she knew a place teeming with large and beautiful butterflies.
When the girl was sound asleep, both adults quietly left her room. They even specially drew the curtains close, making the room dim, leaving only the little bear nightlight to protect the princess sleeping on the bed.
When the two exited the room, Ji Ziming spoke with ease, as though having put down a huge burden. “Let’s go down and check on our uncle and mom. Who knows how bad their bickering is getting now?”
“Perhaps, maybe, most likely quarreling to no end.”
Pei Ge’s lips curled up, looking into his slightly cool eyes. “Just now, auntie—”
“You are still calling her ‘auntie’. Aren’t you afraid that she will correct you again if she hears it?”
Ji Ziming’s almond eyes narrowed. The cold air around him made Pei Ge halt her words.
“I… I still haven’t gotten used to it.”
Her voice was apathetic. It was not that she had not gotten used to it, but that it was not the time to address her this way yet.
“Then, slowly get used to it. There must be a process to this. Now, with mom and uncle, you can get used to both together.”
Ji Ziming looked at her with a smile on his lips and in his eyes. The gentleness he exuded was like an invisible ribbon that embraced her, melting her with its warmth.
“Okay.”
Pei Ge nodded, thinking that either way she had to get used to it eventually, so why not now?
He held her hand, and when they passed by her room, she paused for a moment. The man turned to look at her perplexedly. She had placed her ear against the door carefully to listen to the noise inside.
“Shhhh.”
She put her index finger to her lips. Ji Ziming obediently nodded and did not say anything.
After listening for a while, the two then descended the stairs. He only asked at this point. “Our boys are in your room, aren’t they?”
“How did you know?”
Pei Ge was a little surprised. She only found out when she returned to her room but did not expect him to already know about it before her.
“Ran Ran told me. She said that her siblings want to give you a surprise. She refused to say anything more when I asked about it.”
Although his voice was cold, his eyes still became gentle when he mentioned the two children.
“Yes. I found them in my room with building blocks. Many building blocks and something huge.”
Pei Ge nodded. When she thought about those two obedient and mature sons, her heart would practically melt. At the same time, she felt guiltier toward her three children. Still, this guilt still melded with her love for them.
“What’s wrong?” Sensing her abnormality, the man asked this. His deep eyes were filled with concern.
“I just feel that I haven’t cared for them recently.”
She voiced her feelings. Her beautiful eyes were moist and glistening, making them look even brighter.
“Should we all go on a trip after our daughter recovers?” suggested the man. When he saw her eyes suddenly lighting up, he knew at once that she had been thinking the same thing.
