Chapter 382 - : Daddy (2)
Chapter 382: Daddy (2)
Even though Joy had called out very softly, Mu Tingfeng, including Xia Zhetao who was following behind them heard his words very clearly.
Xia Zhetao widened his eyes and looked at the timid child who was lying obediently on Mu Tingfeng’s shoulder in disbelief.
What had he heard just now? The child had called the president his father? The child who had shunned the president like the plague and ran away the moment he saw him had actually taken the initiative to call him his father!
Oh my god! He must be hallucinating. Yes, it must have been a hallucination!
Mu Tingfeng was equally as shocked as Xia Zhetao. The moment Joy called him, he had almost immediately paused mid-stride.
He was stunned for some time before he snapped himself out of his daze. He slightly turned his head to the side and looked at the child who was lying on his shoulder with some fear and anticipation since he had called out. He was waiting for his response.
When he saw the hint of cautious desire and expectancy from his son’s eyes, Mu Tingfeng’s heart softened.
Without thinking much about it, he had already stretched out his hand and reached Joy’s head. He blurted out stiffly, “Mhm, good boy.”
The hint of worry and fear in Joy’s eyes disappeared right after he heard Mu Tingfeng’s brief reply to him. His eyes sparkled with happiness and he buried himself deeper in Mu Tingfeng’s arms.
Mu Tingfeng saw all his actions. His cold and hard eyes subconsciously softened and he hugged his son tighter as he walked toward his private car that was not far away from them.
Joy nestled in Mu Tingfeng’s arms for some time before he could not help but look up and peeked at Mu Tingfeng’s well-defined jawline. He remembered Mu Tingfeng had stroked his head with his huge hands just now.
Joy’s face turned red slightly. He looked embarrassed and once again buried his head into his arms in order to hide the uncontrollable spark of joy in his heart.
‘Daddy… Daddy… I not only have Mommy, but I also have Daddy now… I am no longer an abandoned child…
‘I have Mommy, Grandpa, Grandma and Great grandpa. Now, I also have Daddy…’
As Joy was thinking this, the smile that arched across his lips only grew wider…
The setting sun shone on the big and small figures who looked incredibly similar to each other. It was a heartwarming and harmonious sight.
Ling Ran had stood afar and watched the sight with Ling Yuemei, he pouted his lips with incredible disappointment.
He had thought that today he would have the opportunity to watch Mu Tingfeng make a joke of himself. Little did he know that his son was not afraid of Mu Tingfeng’s inborn stoic face that could easily frighten a child and make them burst into tears.
Ling Ran heard very clearly when Joy called Mu Tingfeng his father. A mixture of envy and jealousy sprouted in his heart at that moment.
He wondered why the lady luck had smiled upon Mu Tingfeng. Although Mu Tingfeng was slightly younger than him, he had already gotten a wife and even a child at this age.
On top of that, his son was so adorable and did not look as annoying as him even at the slightest bit.
Had Mu Tingfeng’s annoying, stoic face accidentally saved the entire universe in his previous life?
Ling Ran’s irritation intensified as he thought of this. He was completely unaware that the way the mischievous child, whom he was holding to, looked at him had grown increasingly despicable.
Ling Ran heaved a sigh in resignation once again. While he lamented at the fact that comparing oneself to others would only end up with a feeling of defeat, Ling Yuemei’s expression had darkened. The next moment, she looked down, opened her mouth and bit mercilessly at Ling Ran’s hand that had been holding onto her.
“Ouch!” Ling Ran screamed and quickly pulled his hand away from Ling Yuemei’s mouth.
“You… You… You… Is your zodiac sign a dog? Why did you bite me all of a sudden?!”
“My zodiac sign is not a dog. Uncle Ling Ran, are you still not sure about this?” Ling Yue grinned as she spoke and revealed her rows of snow-white teeth. Ling Ran was so terrified that he reflexively took a few steps back.
This lass was growing increasingly naughty. If this continued, his position in the Ling family might be at risk. No way, he had to save himself!
“Uncle Ling Ran, don’t go thinking that I can’t read what’s in your mind now. You must be thinking that I’m very naughty in your heart, right?”
Ling Yuemei sneered and glared at Ling Ran disdainfully before she continued without hesitation, “Someone like you who is reluctant to lend out a helping hand while others’ lives are put at stake does not deserve respect from others. I suppose you and the weird middle-aged man who has carried Joy away are of the same gang. That man doesn’t look like a nice guy and neither are you. No wonder you still couldn’t find a girlfriend even at such an old age. No wonder you still couldn’t get a wife now. All this is serving you right! Hmph!”
After Ling Yuemei finished speaking, she straight away got into her car and left Ling Ran, who had been rendered speechless, stupefied in place.
Ling Ran’s lips were parted. He looked at the empty kindergarten entrance and passed another glance at his niece who had dumped him at the side without hesitation. The corners of his lips unwittingly twitched.
Had he… offended someone?
Mu Tingfeng headed straight to the Zhao family’s residence right after he picked up Joy. The father-son duo spent some private time together while they were on the way in the back seat.
Although the child still looked a bit restrained and was not entirely at ease, the situation was much better compared to last time when he had avoided and feared him. As such, Xia Zhetao, who was driving in the front seat, heaved a sigh of relief.
By the time Mu Tingfeng carried Joy and entered through the main entrance of the Zhao family’s residence, Zhao Youlin had already returned home and she was talking to the former master at the living hall.
The moment Mu Tingfeng stepped in through the main entrance, the former master abruptly rose from the couch. A hint of emotions unusually showed up on the old man’s expression who was notable for his intelligence and cunningness in the business arena.
Zhao Youlin seemed to have sensed Mu Tingfeng’s arrival. She slightly paused her hand movement which she had used to hold the hot tea. She faked a cough and reminded the old man opposite her who had lost his composure, “Grandpa, calm down. You’re so old, yet you still look so startled. People would laugh at you.”
“Nonsense. Who would dare to laugh at me…” The former master snorted. Just when he was about to cuss her, he followed the direction of Zhao Youlin’s gaze and saw Mu Tingfeng and Joy standing at the main entrance.
He swallowed his resentful words and within a blink of any eye, he resumed his normal grinning and gentle look. He greeted Mu Tingfeng, “Mu Tingfeng, it’s you who have come. Why are you so free to visit our humble abode today?”
Mu Tingfeng did not take the former master’s question seriously. He took Joy and slowly went up to the grandfather-granddaughter pair. He said politely and respectfully, “Grandpa Zhao, nice to meet you. I’m just helping Youlin to send Joy back home.”
The former master was stunned. He took a glance at Joy who was in Mu Tingfeng’s arms and another look at Zhao Youlin, who had remained quiet. His eyes sparkled and very soon, he almost figured out the entire story.
The corners of his lips slightly curled upward and he teased him, “So, you helped Youlin to pick Joy up. Youlin has been occupied with many issues in the company lately. So, she’s very busy. It’s good that someone could share her burden.”
Upon hearing the former master’s words, Mu Tingfeng’s eyes sparkled and he said faintly, “It’s my pleasure to share her burden.”