Extra Chapter 2

On the day the two little cubs were born, all of Lu Xiao’s friends and family came to visit. However, they all had a tacit understanding; after seeing the little cubs, they didn’t disturb Lu Xiao’s rest for too long and quietly took their leave.

But they certainly didn’t skimp on the gifts.

The two cubs had only just been born, but they already had a mountain of clothes and toys for them up to the age of ten. Lu Xiao had no choice but to have Ares clear out a room just to store everything.

Cecilia was absolutely overjoyed looking at the two little cubs. In Lu Xiao’s eyes, however, the two were just wrinkly little things, and it was hard to make out any features.

But somehow, Cecilia could tell. "Their eyes are just like yours, Xiao Xiao."

The two little cubs were fraternal twins, one male and one female.

The two cubs had been exceptionally well-behaved even when they were in Lu Xiao’s belly. After they were born, they didn’t cry or make a fuss. They just ate and slept, then slept and ate.

To help Lu Xiao recover as quickly as possible, Ares took care of the cubs himself.

Cecilia had wanted to come and help, but she was getting on in years, and Lu Xiao couldn’t bear to see her work so hard.

Besides, they had servants at home, so looking after the cubs wasn’t difficult.

It was just that whenever Ares had a spare moment, he preferred to do it himself.

Every time Lu Xiao saw Ares patiently changing the two little ones’ diapers, she couldn’t help but feel that it was a truly heartwarming sight. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Even though Ares hadn’t shown excessive enthusiasm about the cubs’ arrival, the man had always been trying his best to be a good father.

Before the two were born, Ares had even taught himself how to prepare supplementary food for cubs and provide cub care.

The two little ones seemed to approve of Ares’s presence as well.

During her recovery period, Lu Xiao barely had to lift a finger. At most, she would hold them for a little while, but most of the time, Ares worried she would get tired and would hold them himself for Lu Xiao to see.

Three months passed just like that. The two little ones had grown quite a bit and could now roll over and babble to communicate with people.

Their features had also filled out, no longer wrinkly like when they were just born. Now, the two were fair-skinned and looked like little milk balls. So, Lu Xiao gave them nicknames: the older brother was called Nai Dou, and the younger sister was called Naitang.

With names, it was much more convenient to call them.

The older brother, Nai Dou, rarely made a sound, but his sister was a chatterbox. She would babble on and on, whether anyone was there or not.

Sometimes, when Nai Dou got annoyed, he would even use his chubby little hand to cover his sister’s mouth.

The first time Lu Xiao saw this, she thought Nai Dou was bullying Naitang. But then she noticed that the little guy only reached out to cover Naitang’s mouth when her babbling became endless. She realized he just didn’t want Naitang to talk anymore.

Lu Xiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She gently tapped Nai Dou’s forehead. "Is it because your sister is too talkative and bothering you?"

Nai Dou seemed to understand and let out a little "ah" as if in response.

This made Lu Xiao burst out laughing.

When the two little ones were older and could walk, Nai Dou turned out to be a lazybones. He clearly knew how to walk but often just sat on the floor without moving. His sister, Naitang, was the diligent one. As soon as she could walk, she wanted to run, but after falling a few times, her steps became much steadier.

She would even go and pull Nai Dou’s hand from time to time, trying to get him to play with her. Unfortunately, Nai Dou was the type who would never stand if he could sit, and never sit if he could lie down.

So you would often see Naitang bustling about energetically while Nai Dou moved at a snail’s pace.

However, Lu Xiao didn’t think there was anything wrong with the two of them being so different.

Ares felt the same. Although he dutifully played the role of a father, he didn’t spoil them.

Her Majesty the Queen and Cecilia, on the other hand, absolutely doted on the two. Not only did they bring gifts every time they met, but at their young age, the two were already fabulously wealthy.

Lu Xiao sometimes thought, ’If these two aren’t disciplined properly from a young age, they could truly grow up to be lawless.’

So, in their home, Lu Xiao established some rules early on. She would also regularly take the two to do some volunteer work, letting them see more of the world of ordinary people.

Once they had seen more of the world, there were many things the two could figure out on their own without needing much explanation.

Despite their privileged family background, Lu Xiao didn’t completely indulge the two in lavish spending. She felt it was necessary to instill in them proper values, including their views on consumption.

The two would even "work" at home to earn money for a toy they wanted, helping with washing dishes or cleaning to save up and buy it themselves.

Before they knew it, the two little ones were old enough for elementary school. Her Majesty the Queen’s opinion was that Naitang should enroll in the Royal Female Academy, as she intended to groom her as a successor.

But Lu Xiao refused. She felt Naitang should attend a normal school with Nai Dou, so she could interact more with ordinary people during her childhood. That way, if she were to become a leader in the future, she would have a better understanding of the needs of the general public.

Her reasoning persuaded Her Majesty the Queen.

Of course, before this, Lu Xiao had also asked for Naitang’s own opinion. She firmly believed that while she had given them life, Nai Dou and Naitang were their own people. Though they were still young, they weren’t incapable of understanding. As long as things were explained clearly, the two would have their own thoughts, and she felt that listening to them was a form of respect.

’Parents aren’t rulers.’

After hearing Lu Xiao’s explanation, Naitang thought about it for a whole night and finally agreed with her mother’s idea.

And so, on the first day of school, Lu Xiao and Ares took the two little ones to school together.

As for their studies, the two were very capable independent learners. Lu Xiao and Ares hardly needed to worry about them, as the pair could solve any problems they encountered in class.

However, the two did have a small falling-out after their first final exams.

It was all because their older brother, Nai Dou, had scored one point higher than his sister Naitang, making him first in the entire grade, while his sister came in second.

The little female cub was so angry she ate an extra bowl of rice that night.

Lu Xiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she looked at Naitang with her little round, bulging tummy.

To make her feel better, Nai Dou rubbed Naitang’s tummy for a long time. Only then did the little female cub feel less angry. She then swore that she would definitely beat Nai Dou next time!

Nai Dou nodded very seriously. "That’s right! Sister will definitely get first place next time. I just got lucky!"

Lu Xiao didn’t interfere in the children’s affairs. In her view, it was best to let them resolve their own issues.

But unexpectedly, Nai Dou, who had claimed his top score was just luck, once again ranked first in the next year’s final exams—also by a single point. Naitang was second again.

When they got home that day, Nai Dou proactively served Naitang an extra bowl of rice and said considerately, "Eat up. When you’re done, Big Brother will rub your tummy for you."

This made Naitang burst into angry tears. Nai Dou looked at Lu Xiao with a baffled expression, seeking help.