Chapter 58 — Their Family is Finally Complete!
“What are you staring at so early in the morning?”
When Ling Jingxuan opened his eyes the next day, he found the two little buns sprawled on the bed, blinking at him with round, shining eyes. An unconscious smile crept to his lips. Lazily, he brushed aside his unruly long hair and flicked each of them lightly on the forehead. Seeing they were fine, the last trace of worry lingering in his heart finally dispersed.
“Daddy, you’re awake? You slept the whole day yesterday. Big Brother and I were worried sick! Grandma said you were too tired and told us not to disturb you. We were very good! We even helped Grandma feed the piglets and the chicks. They were so obedient! And also, and also—”
The younger bun scrambled onto him and wrapped his arms around him, immediately launching into his chatterbox routine, words tumbling out in an endless stream. Ling Jingxuan held him with one arm and pushed himself upright with the other, his eyes and face brimming with undisguised indulgence. Beside them, Ling Wen looked as if he wanted to say something too, but Ling Wu was still going strong, and as the older brother, he waited patiently for his turn.
“You little rascal. The piglets are ours to begin with—what do you mean ‘helped Grandma feed them’? When we bought those animals, didn’t I say you two would be responsible for taking care of them from now on?”
After he finished speaking, Ling Jingxuan pinched the boy’s nose and deliberately put on a stern face.
“Is that so?” Ling Wu tilted his head, his long, thick lashes fluttering like two tiny brushes.
“You…”
Ling Jingxuan broke at once, laughter spilling out before he could stop it. This child was getting more and more skilled at playing cute and pretending to be clueless. Still—
His expression grew serious as he looked at them again. “Grandma has a baby in her belly now. From now on, you two need to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t do heavy work. I’ll handle feeding the pigs. You’ll be in charge of the chicks, understand?”
The child in their grandmother’s womb was the hope of the whole family. He didn’t want anything to go wrong. As for housework—if he could do it himself, he would. Though he had once joked about raising his sons into spoiled young masters, he certainly didn’t want them to be completely ignorant about basic necessities. Within the limits of what they could manage, he would still give them tasks from time to time—to temper both their bodies and their character.
“Mm… but Daddy, how did the baby get into Grandma’s belly?”
“Uh…”
Children’s questions were always so innocently sharp. Ling Jingxuan’s vision darkened. How on earth was he supposed to explain that? He couldn’t very well say their grandfather had “put” it there, could he?
“What are you being so curious about at your age? Go on, go on—get dressed. We’re going for a run.”
With no other choice, he put on his fatherly authority and brushed the matter aside. There were many things he wanted to teach them—but this? Spare him. He’d talk about it ten years later at the earliest.
“Oh…”
Knowing he wouldn’t get an answer, Ling Wu pouted but obediently turned to get dressed. Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly. When he saw the boy pick up that old robe, patched over and over again, he couldn’t help asking, “Didn’t we buy new clothes? Why haven’t I seen you wearing them?”
“This one can still be worn. I want to save the new clothes for when we start school. Daddy, Tiewa said he’s going to school with us. Is that true?”
Turning back, the little bun fumbled clumsily with his ties, speaking as if it were only natural. Other people only wore new clothes for the New Year. He’d get to wear his when he started school. Daddy loved him the most.
“Mm. Tiewa will go with you, but I still need to ask around in town first. As for the clothes, you decide yourselves. Just remember—we don’t have to worry about food or clothing anymore. Don’t shortchange yourselves.”
He nodded, not pressing the matter further. It was a good thing that the children were sensible. In any case, they would be starting school in just a few days.
“Hey, Brother, why aren’t you getting dressed?”
After agreeing obediently, the little bun turned around and noticed his older brother still sitting cross-legged on the bed, staring at their father. Confusion crept across his small face.
Only then did Ling Jingxuan notice it too. His “Da Baozi” was unusually quiet today—so quiet it barely seemed like him.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Wen? Is something bothering you?”
Whenever it concerned his children, Ling Jingxuan’s usual sharp decisiveness completely short-circuited. He reached out instinctively and felt the boy’s wrist, checking his pulse. Only after confirming it was steady did he relax slightly.
Glancing at his father and then at his younger brother, Ling Wen frowned and asked cautiously, “Daddy… the day before yesterday afternoon… did something happen to us?”
He remembered they had walked Tiewa home and then headed back themselves—but he couldn’t recall how they actually got home. He had asked Grandma about it yesterday, too, but she had only kept crying and wiping away tears. Afraid of upsetting her further, he hadn’t pressed on. The confusion had lingered until now.
At his words, Ling Jingxuan’s gaze flickered, but he quickly smiled and stroked the boy’s cheek. “Something did happen. Just a little. But it’s already been resolved. Xiao Wen, you only need to know this: Daddy will absolutely protect you. Don’t think too much about the rest. Those filthy, ugly matters aren’t worth knowing.”
In truth, he could have told them nothing had happened at all. But he didn’t. From the first day he transmigrated into this place, he had never intended to hide everything from his two little buns. He didn’t know how other men played the role of father—nor did he think he could imitate them even if he did. He wanted to be more than just their father—He wanted to be their friend. And between friends, concealment was the last thing needed.
If not for the fact that the incident had been too dark and sordid—harmful to their growth—he would have explained it clearly instead of brushing it aside with a single sentence.
“I believe you, Daddy. But… can you not sleep that long again? I was afraid…”
By the end, Ling Wen’s voice was barely audible. His two small hands twisted tightly together. No one knew how terrified he had been seeing his father lying there unconscious yesterday. He had been so afraid things would go back to the way they used to be. Their days had only just begun to improve. He truly didn’t want to be knocked back into their old misery. He liked the Daddy he had now and didn’t want him to disappear.
How could someone as perceptive as Ling Jingxuan fail to see the fear in his son’s heart?
At the sight of him like this, his chest tightened, a dull ache spreading through his heart. After a long moment, he opened his arms and pulled him close. “Don’t be afraid. Daddy was just tired yesterday. It wasn’t anything serious. I promise you—I won’t be like that again. Never.”
Too many things have happened recently. Ling Jingxuan had almost forgotten that he had only transmigrated here a few days ago. The little buns were changing every day—growing livelier, cuter on the surface—but inside, they were still fragile and anxious. That hellish life was not so far behind them.
Ling Wen buried his face in his father’s chest and nodded, fighting back tears. As long as Daddy said it, he would believe it.
“Alright. Uncle Wang is delivering goods to us today. The restaurant staff will also come later to collect the fish. Up you get.”
After a while, Ling Jingxuan swept away the earlier heaviness and smiled, patting their heads. The past was over. Their new life had only just begun. Things would only get better.
“Okay!”
At the mention of more income for the household, both little buns brightened at once, scrambling about in a flurry of excitement. A new day had begun again.
Once dressed, the three of them split up—those meant to run went running, those meant to cook got cooking. By the time Ling Jingpeng arrived, Ling Jingxuan had already finished breakfast, brewed Ling Jinghan’s medicine, and was preparing to push the wooden cart to Yuehua Ditch to catch fish.
One thing worth mentioning: there was one more person at the breakfast table today.
Yan Shengrui—who had apparently secured approval in his son’s dreams last night—sat there grinning foolishly at Ling Jingxuan from dawn onward. It was not difficult to guess just how good his mood was.
“I say, have you looked enough? If you’re done, go lie down and rest.”
Finally unable to endure the man’s unabashed, heated stare, Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes at him. An injured man ought to behave like one. Who acted like this first thing in the morning, as though spring had come early?
“Not enough. I could look for a lifetime and never have enough.”
Gone was the domineering, overbearing air he showed before to the Ling family. Propping his chin in both hands, Yan Shengrui looked utterly shameless, his bright, tiger-like eyes fixed on Ling Jingxuan’s slender figure.
“…”
“Pfft—cough, cough! Sorry, sorry. Carry on. Just pretend I don’t exist.”
Ling Jingxuan’s forehead darkened; he was completely speechless. Ling Jingpeng, who had been drinking porridge, sprayed it out dramatically and nearly choked to death trying not to laugh. Heaven knew how much effort it took for him to hold it in.
What exactly had happened after he left yesterday? Why had the tone between his elder brother and that man changed so completely overnight? It was honestly a bit too much to process.
“Uncle, you’re so silly! You’re so big and you still choke while eating!”
Completely oblivious to the undercurrents between the adults, little Ling Wu covered his mouth and giggled at his uncle’s misfortune, his dark eyes gleaming with undisguised schadenfreude. Ling Wen was steadier by comparison, but he was still just a child. He couldn’t make sense of what his daddy and his ‘father’ were doing—he could only look back and forth at them with puzzled eyes.
“You little ingrate. I’ve spoiled you for nothing.”
Shooting the boy an annoyed glare, Ling Jingpeng deliberately put on a stern face. Ling Wu seemed to see through it; not only did he not restrain himself, he laughed even brighter. Uncle and nephew quickly forgot everyone else existed.
“In a bit, the restaurant staff will probably arrive. I’m going to catch the fish. Jingpeng, hurry and take Jinghan’s medicine back. Brother Wang is bringing the jars later—if I’m not back yet, receive them for me. Take the payment from Xiao Wen.”
Unwilling to pay any more attention to a certain shameless rogue, Ling Jingxuan stood as he spoke. Thanks to Ling Jingwei’s earlier disruption, sending the little buns to school in town would have to be postponed a few more days. At the very least, he needed to finish the thousand jin of fruit jam he had promised the restaurant. The children were still young—it wouldn’t matter much. Besides, he could teach them himself when he had time.
“Big Brother, be careful.”
Ling Jingpeng, called out by name, immediately tore his gaze away from the silent staring contest with his nephew. Concern was undisguised in his phoenix eyes. Even now, he couldn’t forget the sight of his brother lying unconscious yesterday.
“Mm. And you—either go rest or help me watch the house.” He nodded, then turned to Yan Shengrui. “Drink the medicine once it cools.” It wasn’t that he was being aloof after agreeing to be with him—it was just that… this man was really too much.
“I’ll rest after you come back. Jingxuan, don’t go too deep into the ditch. When the injury on my head heals in a few days, I’ll go in your place. Also—my name seems to have the character ‘Sheng’ in it. From now on, I’ll be called Ling Sheng.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Yan Shengrui grabbed his hand and spoke earnestly, even deciding to take his surname. If the imperial clan ever learned of this, they would probably die of anger on the spot.
“Ling Sheng? Should I arrange a wedding too? Why don’t you just marry me outright?”
Hearing the name he had so casually chosen, Ling Jingxuan felt uncomfortable all over. The man was, at the very least, a prince—could he have a little integrity? Didn’t people in ancient times care deeply about ancestral lines and such? Even if he had lost his memory, that didn’t mean he could randomly change his surname.
“Sure. Whether you marry me or I marry you, what’s the difference? As long as the ending is what we want.”
To his utter disbelief, Yan Shengrui nodded solemnly.
Ling Jingxuan felt a headache coming on. He didn’t even have the strength to retort anymore. After a long moment, he said dryly, “Shengrui. Until you recover your memory, your name is Shengrui.”
He had to admit defeat. After all, he couldn’t outmatch this man’s shamelessness.
“Shengrui?”
Yan Shengrui frowned instinctively. For a fleeting instant, fragments of broken images surfaced in his mind—but when he tried to grasp them, they vanished. His intuition told him that Shengrui was indeed his real name. A trace of suspicion flickered in his peach-blossom eyes.
Did Jingxuan know who he was? Was their relationship truly just the “one-night encounter” he had described?
“Don’t look at me like that. I don’t know your identity—I only made a reasonable guess. As for the rest, you’ll know once the clot in your head dissolves and your memory returns.”
Seeing his doubt, Ling Jingxuan explained helplessly. The name Yan Shengrui represented supreme power and status. Until his identity was confirmed, he had no intention of voicing his speculation and inviting unnecessary trouble. Once he regained his memory, everything would become clear. Until then, he would simply live under the name Shengrui.
“Mm. Then I’ll be Shengrui.”
After studying him for a long moment, Yan Shengrui nodded. Deep in his eyes lay a depth that was difficult to detect.
He had lost his memory—not his intelligence. Even if Ling Jingxuan said nothing, he had his own suspicions. Over the past few days, he had noticed that his martial skills seemed far from ordinary—most people were no match for him. Yet the fact remained that he had been gravely injured by a she-wolf and left unconscious. Something about that didn’t add up.
Until he remembered the truth, he had no desire to draw attention to himself—nor did he want to voice his doubts and make Jingxuan and the children worry.
“I’m heading out. I’ll leave the children to you.”
With that, Ling Jingxuan ruffled the boys’ hair and stepped out of the main hall. Whatever uncertainties lay ahead could wait. Soldiers came, generals blocked; water rose, earth covered it. Nothing he couldn’t handle.
“Brother Rui, I’ll take the medicine to Second Brother as well.”
Seeing that his elder brother had accepted this man, Ling Jingpeng was naturally pleased. After all, he was the children’s biological father. And having witnessed firsthand how he protected his brother, Jingpeng genuinely hoped they could be together. The address “Brother Rui” came surprisingly easily.
“Mm. Has there been any news from town?”
Retracting his gaze from Ling Jingxuan’s departing figure, Yan Shengrui asked casually. He lifted the bowl of medicine and drained it in one gulp. He had to recover quickly. No matter what, he never wanted to see Jingxuan like yesterday again.
“No. But someone delivered a letter yesterday afternoon. Before dawn today, Eldest Uncle and Eldest Aunt rushed off to town.”
Ling Jingpeng paused mid-step, his sword-like brows drawing together slightly. Mentioning the Ling family now only stirred his irritation.
“I understand. Go on. Tell Mother that if there’s nothing urgent, she should come over here. She’s carrying a child—she mustn’t overexert herself.”
The word Mother rolled off Yan Shengrui’s tongue with striking ease. After last night, he had truly begun to see himself as part of this family.
“Mm, I know.”
After seeing Ling Jingpeng off, Yan Shengrui stayed behind to help the sensible little buns clear the bowls and chopsticks. Just as they were about to head to the backyard—one to practice calligraphy, the other to drill his punches—he suddenly stopped them.
With unusual solemnity, he said, “Jingxuan has agreed to let me stay. I don’t know why I abandoned you before… but from now on, I will protect you forever. Xiao Wen, Xiao Wu—you’re both good boys. Can you give me this chance?”
In front of his sons, he had no fatherly authority to speak of. But what did that matter? Results were all he cared about.
“Really?! That’s great! From now on I have a father too! No one will ever call me a wild child without parents again!”
The younger bun’s reaction was as straightforward as his nature. The instant the words left his mouth, he threw himself forward and wrapped his arms around Yan Shengrui’s neck. He loved Daddy. He loved Father too. From the bottom of his heart, he wished their family of four could live happily together.
“I’m sorry. It was Father’s fault before.”
Yan Shengrui stroked his head gently, his eyes stinging. Though this was not the first time he had heard such words from his son, the ache did not lessen.
“I just want Daddy to be happy. You’re not allowed to make him sad again. If you do, we’ll never want you.”
Watching his father and younger brother embracing, Ling Wen stood there with reddened eyes. His voice was stubborn yet composed beyond his years. Deep down, he was terrified that Daddy might become the man he used to be.
“I swear,” Yan Shengrui said solemnly, raising his hand as he met his son’s unyielding gaze. “I will never abandon you again.”
“Father—”
Ling Wen could no longer hold back. He rushed forward and buried himself in Yan Shengrui’s arms, quiet sobs shaking his small body.
Their family… was finally whole.
Yay! My Happy Family if Finally Here!!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
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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
