His Beloved Treasure

”Our Huanhuan is, of course, the best!”

Mu Zihao looked at the lollipop in his hand, feeling thrilled that his standing in his granddaughter’s eyes was higher than Mu Qingxin’s.

Qin Mu didn’t say anything, just gazed sympathetically at Mu Qingxin: ”How about I give you this one?”

Qin Mu smiled at Mu Qingxin, but Mu Qingxin pouted and muttered: ”I’m on a diet recently; I don’t eat chocolate candy.”

”Auntie, chocolate won’t make you gain weight, really!”

Huanhuan cupped her little face with her two small hands, earnestly proving that chocolate doesn’t lead to weight gain.

Mu Qingxin couldn’t quite believe it, thinking to herself that just because Huanhuan wasn’t gaining weight didn’t mean everyone wouldn’t.

”Next time I receive lollipops from my friends at school, I’ll give them to Auntie first.”

Seeing her aunt’s pitiful expression, Huanhuan started consoling her. Then, she slowly walked over to her and suddenly gave her a big hug.

”You cheeky little girl! You’re quite good at cheering people up, huh!”

Mu Qingxin raised her hand to gently stroke her niece’s hair. She wasn’t as upset anymore and even felt that Huanhuan was very considerate.

During dinner, the sky had already darkened.

The moon quietly peeked out from behind the clouds, big and bright.

A light evening breeze blew, making this late summer night feel a bit chilly.

But the Mu Family’s living room on the first floor was brightly lit, still warm and delightful.

Huanhuan performed a nursery rhyme she learned at school, and after finishing, she didn’t forget to give a deep bow and say, ”Thank you, everyone!”

The elderly couple happily clapped for her, and Huanhuan joyfully ran into their arms. However, she quickly turned her head to look at the rest of them: ”Daddy, Mommy, Auntie, you guys are supposed to clap too!”

”Haha!”

Mu Qingxin reluctantly clapped along, thinking to herself how demanding Huanhuan was.

Qin Mu felt helpless too but still pretended to clap seriously a couple of times. Only Mu Yichen remained unbothered, focused on checking his emails on his phone.

”Daddy!”

Huanhuan called out emotionally when she saw her father wasn’t clapping for her.

Mu Yichen, hearing his daughter’s tiny, spoiled voice, lifted his gaze: ”Hmm?”

Completely unaware of what was going on, Mu Yichen’s reaction made Huanhuan especially upset. She glumly snuggled into her grandmother’s embrace.

”Your daughter is performing, and what are you doing?”

Feng Fanghua immediately criticized him sternly.

Mu Yichen...

”Daddy is a bad man!”

Huanhuan looked up at her grandmother, speaking with pure sincerity.

”Indeed, your dad is a bad man. Let’s ignore him, okay? Our Huanhuan is the best, the absolute best!”

Feng Fanghua affectionately stroked her granddaughter’s hair, her loving gaze comforting her.

”But Mom, don’t spoil her too much! I think she’s getting a bit arrogant lately.”

Qin Mu, though slightly nervous, felt compelled to voice this observation.

After attending a few days of school, this little one seemed to think she was all-powerful, completely lacking the humility of a child. Every day, it felt like she believed the entire world revolved around her.

”Arrogant? Just a little child, listen to yourself speak about her.”

Feng Fanghua wasn’t pleased and looked at her sharply, making her stance clear.

Mu Yichen suddenly recalled the family rules he set for Huanhuan. Perhaps it was time to add a few more, ones she should be able to memorize given her age.

However, if the rest of the family found out about this idea of his, they would likely want to tear him apart.

Mu Yichen chose not to comment and instead quietly watched his wife being chastised.

Strangely enough, though he used to feel worried, protective, even anxious whenever Qin Mu got scolded before...

Now, he felt oddly detached from it all.

Mu Yichen realized this change and raised his eyebrows in resignation.

Lately, his presence in the household had dwindled to such an extent that he felt increasingly out of place and insignificant.

”Oh well! Mom, you do spoil Huanhuan a lot, but girls are meant to be spoiled, aren’t they?”

”Hmph! Spoil her a lot, do I? Am I only spoiling Huanhuan? You and your brother—weren’t you both raised like royalty by me?”

As soon as these words came out, Mu Qingxin immediately shut her mouth.

Mu Yichen glanced up when he heard his name mentioned, then quickly lowered his head again.

Qin Mu sat quietly, observing and listening.

Mu Zihao silently focused on watching the TV program beside them, saying nothing.

When it came to the issue of pampering, whoever spoke up would undoubtedly regret it.

By 8:30, Qin Mu carried Huanhuan upstairs for her bath and bedtime, leaving the rest of the family in the living room. Feng Fanghua stared at Mu Yichen for a long time, then picked up her tea and took a sip to clear her throat before placing the cup back down.

”What nonsense have you two been up to lately?”

Feng Fanghua sat upright with her back straight, looking immensely composed as she asked the question.

Mu Yichen raised his gaze toward Feng Fanghua, guessing that she meant him and Qin Mu. Seeing Feng Fanghua’s stern expression, he instinctively glanced at Mu Zihao and Mu Qingxin, noticing their curious looks regarding him and Qin Mu. He grinned slightly, slowly turned off his phone, and stood up: ”You guys carry on chatting; I’m heading upstairs too.”