In a month’s time, the Lu boys were ready to be discharged. The older one had gained around 8 grams, and the younger 7, bringing them both to normal weight. They grew fast, their wrinkly skin turning tender and white, like steamed buns fresh out of the steamers. The two were peas in a pod, and Ye Shuyun loved them so much she couldn’t take her hands off them. She and Lu Jin each hogged a grandson, so they didn’t have to fight for them.
There wasn’t a chance to host a full month party since the children were in their incubators, but that was okay, since Lu Jin didn’t have such plans either. Those things could wait until the children reach their 100 days.
All they cared about was when Xunxun would be discharged. The doctor told them that she would have to spend another month in the hospital. Xunxun was a part of the family, and it wouldn’t do for her to be apart from her brothers.
Yan Huan reached out and poked her son’s tiny cheeks gently.
The little fella stirred, rubbing his eyes with his small fists, before staring at his mother with large, black eyes.
He seemed to have recognized his mother. He giggled, a pleasant and silvery baby laugh.
Until now, Yan Huan still couldn’t tell the kids apart. She took the child’s pudgy wrist and turned it around. It was the younger one.
“Are you hungry, little guy?” asked Yan Huan as she picked him up carefully. The toddler blinked and smiled, the way he always did when someone carried him.
Oh, how could she forget!
There was a clear-cut way to tell the two apart; the older one loved to sleep, as much as the younger one loved to smile. The older one slept so soundly no one could wake him up, and often slept from day till night, only waking up to make distressed grunts when he’s hungry or needs to shit. When his desires are sated, he would ease back into a deep slumber.
Both children were hale and hearty. This is what a Lu man should be like, as Old Master Lu had said, they already have the makings of good soldiers.
Honestly, Yan Huan found it hard to agree with him. The toddlers couldn’t
even roll themselves over yet, and was clearly miles away from becoming
soldiers, so how would he know?
Plus, Lu Qi spent the most part of his days sleeping, and only a small amount of time to groggily deal with his needs. Lu Guang was much more fun in comparison, and everyone loved teasing him. He was adorable, smiled a lot, and was often awake. He would smile even when someone wakes him up. Everyone loved him to bits. The older one was a sort of god at sleeping, but that had its merits too; taking care of him was incredibly easy.
Ye Shuyun and the two nannies at home were more than enough to take care of the two toddlers. Only the males in the Lu Family knew about the girl. Yan Huan and Ye Shuyun both thought there were only two children, which was natural since they were on hand during all the checkups. Neither knew about the stealthy little girl that was soon to be discharged.
“It’s about time for you to go home, sweetie,” cooed the nurse, carefully carrying Xunxun out of the incubator. After two long months, it was finally time for her to be discharged.
Little Xunxun was no longer the mouse-sized baby she used to be; she was about 5 grams, and growing prettier by the day. It was easy to see that she had taken after her mother; she was ridiculously pretty for a toddler, and adored by the nurses. She was well-behaved, not picky with her food, and smiled just as much as Lu Guang. The little girl smiled whenever someone teased her, and was even cuter than her brother. How could she not be cute with her mother’s face? There weren’t any doubts that the girl would grow up into a beauty.
Rejoice, world, for you will see the best actress’s face for another lifetime.
“Daddy’s here, Xunxun,” said Lu Yi, taking the child into his own arms.
Xunxun bit her fingers and cracked a smile, offering him her little arms and waiting to get carried. She recognized her father because he visited her frequently, and would speak to her whenever he did.
Who said toddlers don’t have memories? The truth is, they remember many things, but forgets just as many in time. One thing they’ll never forget, however, is family—the people that spend a lot of time with them.
Lu Yi carefully took her into his arms. My, she really looks like her mother now.
He brought her to He Yibin.
“Oh my! If it isn’t our little princess! Come, give Uncle a hug!” He Yibin quickly wiped his hands on his shirt and reached for the child.
Xunxun buried her face in her father’s chest.
He Yibin’s hands froze mid-air. What? Did she forget about him after not seeing him for some time?
“Shy, are we?” He Yibin brushed a finger across her face lightly. “My, what a pretty girl.” He Yibin was always in awe when he saw the girl, who was the size of a mouse at birth, and who everyone expected to die.
The girl proved to be a fighter, going from 1.9 grams to what she was now. Even so, she was a little smaller than most kids.
“Is she alright?” inquired Lu Yi, shielding his daughter with a large hand. She was almost weightless in his arms. She had gone through too much in comparison to her brothers.
“Pretty much,” said He Yibin, picking up Xunxun’s health report. “She was tiny at birth, but she’s growing up fine. Her organs are in good shape too. Take good care of her. She should be fine when she gets older. Still, you have to be extra careful since she’s a little frail at the moment. If she has the flu or fever, send her to the hospital at once. She’s too delicate compared to most children.”
“Got it,” said Lu Yi, teasing his daughter. “Time to go home, Xunxun.”
With his daughter in one arm and her belongings in the other, Lu Yi left the hospital. Two months had passed, two months of constant worry and trepidation. But alas, the girl had made it.
