Hearing that voice, Qiao Yu tightened his grip on his cell phone. He turned abruptly toward the door to find Xia Ning standing there with her cell phone and bag in hand, as striking as ever. He found it unbelievable when he saw the smile on her face and was only convinced that he wasn’t dreaming when Enoch cried out.
“Mummy, you’re back!” Enoch jumped out of the sofa and threw himself into Xia Ning’s arms.
Xia Ning’s smile widened when she saw Enoch. Tossing her bag and cell phone on the cupboard in the hallway, she picked him up. “Now, tell Mum, have you been a good boy?”
“Of course. I played games with Grandma today and I won all of it.” Enoch looked like a little peacock.
Xia Ning chuckled. “I know my Enoch is a smart boy, but I’m sure Grandma let you win.” She looked at Gao Wanhua and nodded at the latter.
Gao Wanhua rose to her feet and said to Xia Ning, “I’m sure you’re exhausted. You’ve just gotten back. Put the boy down. You two can sit on the sofa and play there. Dinner’s almost ready.”
“Sure.” Xia Ning nodded, then turned back to Enoch, asking, “What games did you play with Grandma today? Do you want to teach Mum?”
Enoch was thrilled to hear that his mother was going to play with him. He agreed immediately. “I do! Grandma and I were playing…”
Xia Ning walked toward the sofa with Enoch in her arms when a tall figure blocked her way. He was still wearing a suit, which meant he had just gotten back himself.
Xia Ning looked up at Qiao Yu and met his brooding gaze. She thought she detected a storm coming, but the feeling went as quickly as it came. She was bewildered. What was wrong?
His gaze suddenly shifted and he leaned over to take Enoch.
“He’s heavy. Let me.”
Enoch wrapped his arm around his father’s neck and complained. “Daddy, you’re lying. I’m not heavy at all.”
“You’re growing into a little pig. Of course, you’re heavy!” Qiao Yu feigned a tone of detestation and went on teasing the boy. “Your belly is as plump as a watermelon!”
“I’m not heavy! I’m not! I’m not a little pig!” Enoch protested and wouldn’t shut up about it. He then turned to Xia Ning. “Mummy, Daddy’s calling me fat again!”
“You’re not fat at all. We can have two more of you here and I can pick all three up,” said Xia Ning with a smile. She frowned a little when she watched Qiao Yu from behind and she followed the father and son into the room.
Qiao Yu put Enoch down on the sofa and casually asked, “Where did you go shopping this afternoon?”
“Just the Central World Plaza downtown,” said Xia Ning.
Qiao Yu nodded, pinched Enoch’s plump cheek, and said reluctantly, “He’s really gained a lot of weight.”
Xia Ning studied Qiao Yu’s face and didn’t know what to make out of his unperturbed manner. Lowering her gaze, she began to put a story together.
Enoch wasn’t happy to be teased by his father again. Tugging at Xia Ning’s sleeve, he pursed his lips and looked aggrieved. “Mummy…”
Xia Ning jolted out of her thoughts and rubbed his head with a smile. “It’s okay if you gained a little weight. I’ll take you for morning exercises tomorrow.”
“Mummy, you’re calling me fat too.” Enoch pouted with tears in his eyes. He felt that his parents were in it together.
Xia Ning rubbed his head again and smiled. “I’m not. You’ll be my baby no matter how you look.”
Enoch looked at Xia Ning for a moment, then showed off to his father. “Daddy, Mummy says I’m her baby.”
Qiao Yu glanced at Enoch, then said in a contemptuous voice. “If you’re her baby, I’m her sweetheart.”
Xia Ning was speechless. Is that how an adult is supposed to say in front of a kid?