Shen Xi and her group may have taken Lu Zhen away, but they had no intentions of returning him. At least, not for the time being. While waiting for the freshly squeezed juice, Song Wenye asked Lu Zhen, “Lil’ Zhen, can I take you to get a ride on the pirate ship?” Lu Zhen’s straight face tensed. “I have to deliver the juice and ice cream to Mommy and my sister.” Song Wenye dragged Yu Yuanxi over. “Let this uncle deliver to them while we play, okay?”
Put in the spot, Lu Zhen furrowed his brows.
Shen Xi jumped on the bandwagon. “I want to go too, but I’m scared. Can you go with me?”
Lu Zhen was still in two minds. If he were to go, Mommy and his sister might be bullied by the Big Bad Wolf. It did not sit right with him.
“Lil’ Zhen, I’m scared too.” Song Wenye put on a show, snuffling and staring at him pitifully.
Lu Zhen was a child after all. How was he supposed to know that Song Wenye was a drama queen? The pitiful look on her face played at his heartstrings. He nodded. “Sure.”
With Guoguo around, the Big Bad Wolf would not try anything on Mommy.
Shen Xi pinched Song Wenye’s hand at the win, albeit she did feel guilty for lying to an innocent baby.
Nevertheless, it was worth it to give the pair some alone time. They could only hope Guoguo could work her magic as the wing-girl.
As for Fu Qingli, there was all they could do for him. He had to put in the work if he wanted to get the lady.
Lu Li and Fu Qingli were still waiting in the same spot in case the group could not find them when they got back. Nevertheless, it was Yu Yuanxi who came by with juice and ice cream.
Yu Yuanxi gave them the beverages and embarrassedly explained, “Lil’ Zhen, Xixi, and Lil’ Ye went on rides. We’ll call you when they’re done.”
Lil’ Ye and Xixi wanted to let Fu Qingli and Ms. Lu spend some time getting to know each other. Knowing that, Yu Yuanxi was going to play along. Lu Li understood that her son took to Shen Xi, so she had no doubts about Yu Yuanxi’s statement.
Fu Qingli took a good look at Yu Yuanxi, picking up a strange vibe from the latter. Things were not as simple as he put it to be. After letting them know, Yu Yuanxi took his leave.
Only one ice cream and two cups of juice, orange and mango juices, were delivered. It was Song Wenye’s idea.
Lu Guoguo was a good kid who knew to share. She looked at the ice cream in her hand and then at Mom and Dad before deciding that they would eat it together!
Lu Li stuck straws into the juice and handed one cup to Fu Qingli.
Fu Qingli was still holding the spicy skewers. Having quite a bit to eat, he was thirsty from the numbing heat. However, there were only two cups of drinks. He did not take the its. “You and Guoguo can have them. I’m not thirsty.”
It never occurred to Lu Li that he would refuse the drink. Still, she insisted as the man’s thin lips were scarlet like rose petals due to the spicy food.
Lu Guoguo blinked her eyes, brushing her thick lashes up and down. Next, her sweet voice came to play. “Dad, you can drink one with Mommy or me.”
Lu Li choked. “…”
Fu Qingli’s eyes flickered with tenderness as he uttered, “No, you take it.”
Lu Li no longer insisted.
Lu Guoguo looked strangely at the pair with her brows in a knot. Mommy taught her to share with friends. There were only two cups of juice. Why could she not share with Daddy?
Shen Xi’s group took Lu Zhen with them.
Fu Qingli asked the little girl, “Is there any attraction you fancy, Guoguo?” With shimmering eyes, Lu Guoguo pointed at the Ferris wheel not too far away. “I want to go on the Ferris wheel!”
Fu Qingli’s heart melted just listening to the little girl’s mellow and soothing voice. His eyes bore his affections. “Sure, let’s go there.”
Lu Guoguo perkily dangled her feet. “Go, Horsey! Faster!”
Meanwhile, the performances in line with the carnival were about to begin. It was broadcasted on the speaker to urge the visitors, who came for the performance, to get to the venue.
Many tourists were fans here to watch their idols. Following the announcement, they began to make their way toward the stage. However, it was too crowded to move any faster.
While strolling ahead, Fu Qingli ate Lu Guoguo’s leftover skewers. The little girl tasted the food for the novelty of it. She would eat a little more if it was to her liking but refused to take another bite if it was otherwise. The rest ended up in his belly.
Lu Li observed the man nearby and got into thinking. As a father, he did an okay job. He was patient with the kids and loved them.
Once again, Lu Guoguo gasped at the spiciness after ditching the bitten grilled sausage to Fu Qingli. She took a large sip of the orange juice and stuck her tongue out while crying aloud how spicy it was.
Fu Qingli also gasped sharply and winced after a bite. “Daddy, isn’t it spicy?” Lu Guoguo panted for air and urged, “Mommy, give Daddy a drink. It’s really hot and spicy. It’s the spiciest I’ve ever tasted!”
Lu Li had not had time to react.
Fu Qingli approached and took big gulps out of the drink in her hand, only realizing his actions were inappropriate after the deed was done. He apologetically said, “I’m sorry. It was too spicy.” Lu Li caught a whiff of it and choked. She carefully scanned her eyes over him without taking it the wrong way. It must be spicy if Guoguo said it was.
They carried on their journey to the Ferris wheel.
Since many of the visitors went off to see the celebrities’ performances, there were fewer people in the line.
Lu Guoguo finally got off her horsey and walked on her own. Chest out and chin up, she appeared cocky as she sauntered along with one hand holding Lu Li and the other holding Fu Qingli.
She now had a full set of parents and was no longer a fatherless orphan. No more would she be the subject of bullying. Her brother needed not to fight with those mean kids.
Lu Guoguo wondered if she could bring Daddy home and tell those mean kids and friends at the nursery that she had a father. She was no longer an orphan.
Lu Li looked at the pride and joy written all over her daughter’s face. The smugness came with bragging rights. It was the first time she ever saw the expression as though Lu Guoguo was proclaiming to the world that she was a child with both Daddy and Mommy. For a moment, Lu Li was lost in sorrow.