This was the first time the three little ones were following Gu Mengmeng on a trip. They could hardly contain their excitement and often dashed off far ahead before running back, all sweaty but still full of energy.
Elvis carried Gu Mengmeng while Wabei tagged along, bickering with her. So the responsibility of taking care of the three young ones fell to Lea.
A family getting along harmoniously.
During dinnertime, Elvis accompanied Gu Mengmeng while Lea prepared the cooking tools and Wabei went hunting. The three little ones insisted on tagging along and Wabei didn’t reject.
When they returned, the three young ones became Wabei’s spokesperson and kept urging Gu Mengmeng to go to sleep, saying how pitiful Wabei was.
Gu Mengmeng felt exasperated. She asked Kanwu, whom she was cradling in her arms, “But if mummy goes to sleep, it will be at least for two to three days. I will miss out on enjoying the scenery with you guys.”
Kanwu shook his head. He was not as eloquent as Jialue and couldn’t spout out all sorts of compelling reasons. He could only plead fervently. “Mother, please just go to sleep.”
Jialue hung onto Gu Mengmeng’s arm and jiggled her eagerly. “Mother, we are already very happy that you brought us along this time. As long as we have mother by our side, all scenery will be beautiful. Also, who knows what dangers will we meet in seeking the Soul of the Forest. You should pay a visit to grandfather beforehand and see if he has any advice or warnings for you? To avoid getting caught unawares.”
Gu Mengmeng really didn’t know what kind of benefit Wabei offered those three little ones, that they actually spent so much effort speaking up for him.
But Jialue’s words were logical.
The Kiss of the Beast Deity she received from the Beast Deity played a huge part in the successful retrieval the Kiss of the Ocean previously. If not, she would have been completely useless underwater. She would have been struggling just to keep alive, not to mention having to engage in battle.
This time…
They didn’t know what they would face and she should probably go get some pocket money.
Exhaling, Gu Mengmeng nodded. “Alright, I know. Mummy will go find grandfather and ask if there is anything we should look out for. But while I am visiting grandfather, you three must behave and not do anything to make your father and Daddy Lea angry, understand?”
Jialue nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry mother. We are no fools and will not provoke crazy people.”
Gu Mengmeng held her cheek. She implored the heavens: Why did her sons have such a poor image of her hubby?
Elvis didn’t appear bothered at all by Jialue’s words. Not, not appear—he really didn’t care.
In this world, he only cared about what Gu Mengmeng thought of him. For the others… even if they were his own sons, they didn’t matter.
Gu Mengmeng leaned into Elvis’ chest. “Hubby I will go accompany my lonely old dad to watch television after dinner. I will take the chance to ask him about the Soul of the Forest then.”
Elvis gently caressed Gu Mengmeng’s head. He pecked her the head. With a voice full of doting and profound love, as lingering and melodious as a cello playing, he said, “Eat more during dinner. Leave the rest of the matters to me.”
“Mmm.” Gu Mengmeng nodded before snuggling deeper into Elvis’ arms.
After dinner, Gu Mengmeng hugged and kissed her three sons, before falling asleep in Elvis’ embrace beside the bonfire. The three little ones laid obediently by her side, like little knights protecting their sleeping beauty.