Chapter 21 — The Man’s Identity • Revealed to Little Buns
If he wasn’t mistaken, that dark, heavy tiger-shaped jade carving had to be… the legendary Tiger Tally, didn’t it? In his memories, someone seemed to have once addressed him as “Your Highness.” Coupled with that jade pendant engraved with the character Sheng, could it be that he was Prince Sheng—the only prince of the Qing dynasty ever granted the title of General?
His handsome brows suddenly knit together. Ling Jingxuan rubbed his forehead in exhaustion, turned on his heel, and headed toward the backyard again. Yesterday, when he had nothing to do, he’d taught the two little buns a few lines of the Three-Character Classic and a couple of characters. Seeing how enthusiastic they were, he’d spread some sand and dirt in the yard. At this moment, the two of them were completely absorbed, using tree branches to practice their writing.
“Xiao Wen, Xiao Wu.”
Their young, thin profiles were faintly filled with seriousness and focus. The bit of gloom in Ling Jingxuan’s heart instantly vanished. Did it really matter who that man was? The children were born by him— they would always be his. Rather than overthinking things, he might as well figure out how to earn more money and improve the family’s finances as soon as possible. The two buns would be five by the end of the year; it was time to send them to a private school for basic education.
“Daddy.”
Hearing his call, the forever-enthusiastic little bun tossed aside his branch and threw himself into Ling Jingxuan’s arms. The older bun was much more shy; he only turned his head to call out “Daddy” before lowering it again and continuing to draw with full concentration.
“You, honestly… look at how focused your big brother is. Xiao Wen, stop for a moment. I have something I want to talk to you both about.”
Doting, Ling Jingxuan tapped the little bun’s nose, held him with one arm, and looked toward the older one.
“What is it?”
The big bun eyed him suspiciously, frowned, and dropped his branch. As long as it wasn’t about money, anything could be discussed.
With Ling Jingxuan’s life experience, how could he not see through the child’s thoughts?
All he could do was shake his head—after all, his little buns had been scared of poverty for too long.
“Xiao Wen, Xiao Wu, I know you’re only five. In an ordinary family, you’d probably still be acting spoiled in your parents’ arms. It’s Daddy’s fault that you’ve had to shoulder so much pressure and the burdens of life at such a young age. Don’t speak yet—just listen to me first, okay?”
Pushing aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Ling Jingxuan spoke as he pulled the two of them to sit down under the eaves. Looking at their dry, thin cheeks, naked pain crept into his eyes. When he saw their small sword-like brows slowly furrow, he gently smoothed them flat before continuing in a serious tone:
“Some things, once they happen, they happen. I’m not blaming myself, and I won’t ask you to forgive me. The reason I’m saying all this today is because I think you’re both very mature and sensible. You can already tell right from wrong and think things through. So after considering it again and again, I felt it was better to tell you first. The man we rescued… he’s very likely your biological father.”
After laying so much groundwork, Ling Jingxuan finally reached the point. At the same time, his long, narrow phoenix eyes carefully observed them, afraid they might break down or be unable to accept it. After all, they were already five years old, and that man had never appeared even once. It would be normal for children to feel rebellious.
But to his surprise, the two buns were very calm—one pressed his lips tightly together, the other pouted with grievance, as if they had known all along.
Thinking of yesterday’s argument with his parents, Ling Jingxuan’s gaze shifted. He took their hands and stacked them together.
“I don’t want to hide it from you. His identity doesn’t seem simple. It’s better for you to know earlier—just in case, in the future… anyway, you should have this in mind. For now, because he suffered a severe blow to the head, he’s temporarily forgotten who he is. Just treat him as an ordinary villager.”
As for the future, Ling Jingxuan wasn’t foolish, nor was he blindly arrogant. If the man’s identity truly matched his suspicions, then with his current abilities, it would likely be very difficult to protect them.
However—
A sharp, chilling glint suddenly flashed deep in his eyes.
Nothing in this world was absolute. As long as the little buns were unwilling, he would never give up custody of the children.
“I don’t want him. I only want Daddy…”
The older bun suddenly lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Ling Jingxuan’s neck, choking back sobs as he spoke.
“I don’t want him either—Daddy, Daddy…”
Seeing this, the little bun started crying too. The two of them buried their faces into Ling Jingxuan’s shoulders, one on each side, sobbing softly.
“Awooo!”
“Damn it… stupid dog—let go of me already…”
Ling Jingxuan froze for a moment, then immediately realized they had misunderstood him. Just as he was about to comfort them, two wolf cubs appeared out of nowhere and clamped their mouths onto his pant legs, one on each side. It didn’t really hurt, but Ling Jingxuan still felt his temples throb as black lines seemed to rain down over his head. He kicked his legs and shook them off.
“Awooo…”
The wolf cubs rolled twice on the ground, then charged back again as if having the time of their lives. Ling Jingxuan sighed helplessly. He didn’t know if it was because he’d killed their mother, but the two cubs howled at him every time they saw him—honestly, it was a bit irritating. Still…
“Xiao Hei, he’s Daddy. You’re not allowed to bite him!”
“Da Hei, be good—let go of Daddy!”
The little buns, still heartbroken, forgot to cry at the same time. Each bent down to hug a wolf cub. Under their soothing voices, the cubs gradually calmed down. Ling Jingxuan finally let out a deep breath and, after a long pause, raised his head.
“Xiao Wen, Xiao Wu, I never meant that I don’t want you. You know this too, right? Daddy is different from other people—I can have children. You were carried by Daddy for ten months and born from my body. In my heart, you are my reason for living. If anyone dares to touch you, I’ll dare to take his life.”
As he finished speaking, the aura around Ling Jingxuan abruptly changed. His thin, slender body erupted with an astonishing killing intent.
“Mm. Daddy, we don’t need any father. Having you is enough.”
Despite the terrifying pressure radiating from him, the two buns didn’t feel afraid at all. The older bun’s round eyes reflected a firm, resolute light—there was none of the innocence or confusion a five-year-old should have had. The little bun hugged the wolf cub and leaned into his arms, pouting as he spoke in a soft, clingy voice.
“Me too. As long as I have Daddy and Big Brother, that’s enough.”
In truth, he really wanted a father—so that no one would ever call him a bastard again. But… if he had to choose between Daddy and a father, he would always choose Daddy.
“Heh… I know. Don’t think too much about it. Daddy just wanted to tell you—I didn’t want to hide everything from you. All right, go practice your writing. I should get back to work too.”
Ling Jingxuan stood up after rubbing their heads one by one. In his previous life, he’d been a natural-born homosexual—he couldn’t respond to women at all, let alone marry and have children. So he didn’t know how to raise kids, nor did he know how to get along with them. The two buns had grown up early and were very sensible; he basically treated them like adults, even though he didn’t know whether that was truly the right thing to do.
“Daddy… when he’s better, let him go.”
Grabbing the hem of his clothes, the older bun spoke with his neck stiffened. It was obvious he had strong feelings about it.
“Mm.”
Ling Jingxuan didn’t fail to notice the naked resentment in the child’s eyes, but he didn’t try to comfort him. Because even he himself didn’t know how to face that man.
Those matters…
Better to let them take their natural course.
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Translator: LazyHermitGal
Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal. A little support goes a long way! If you’d like to help me keep creating, you can do so at https://ko-fi.com/lazyhermitgal
