Chapter 817: Chapter 611: Mom, Are You Talking to Dad on the Phone? (3)

"You sleep next to Mom, if your sister wakes up and doesn’t find you, she’ll probably fuss again..."

"Then let her fuss."

Prince Huang muttered, his words revealing the little guy’s bit of melancholy.

"Mom..."

"Hmm?"

"Are you really not talking to Dad on the phone?"

When Prince Huang said this, his voice suddenly dropped to silence. Su Xiaomeng hurriedly leaned down to take a closer look, only to see the little guy raising his hand to wipe his eyes.

He was actually... crying.

"..."

Su Xiaomeng’s heart tightened, but she couldn’t find any words of comfort.

In this three-year-old boy’s heart, the disappearance of his father became an unhealable wound.

He missed him all the time, thought about him constantly...

Everyone hoped time would make him slowly forget, saying that at three years old, children don’t remember much and everything would be fine after some time...

But Prince Huang wasn’t like other kids.

He just understood, seemed to understand everything... whether it was the words he said, his actions, or the way he occasionally looked at people...

Su Xiaomeng still couldn’t talk to them about Yin Shixiu.

Yin Shixiu didn’t plan on telling the family either.

Even though such a decision seemed selfish, every step they took now felt like walking on a tightrope.

Little Mengxin couldn’t handle any more surprises, nor could Yin Shixiu’s current situation bear any more complexities.

"Mom... after a long time... will he still remember me... and my sister..."

Prince Huang mumbled in Su Xiaomeng’s arms,

"Has Dad already forgotten about us..."

"Will he really come back..."

Su Xiaomeng gently patted his back, one pat after another, he asked many questions, again and again, mostly the same questions...

And she didn’t respond.

Just kept gently patting his back until the little guy finally fell asleep.

Su Xiaomeng took a deep breath.

In the blink of an eye, it’s already mid-August, speaking of which... next Friday, the 21st, is Yin Shixiu’s birthday...

Looking at Huang Huang, who had fallen asleep uncomfortably in her arms, even in his dreams he seemed to be muttering about Dad...

Perhaps, there was something she could still do.

...

"Do we really have to do this?"

The next day, after work, Xiaomeng privately shared her thoughts with her mother, and Bai Sixian had a disapproving look on her face.

"Huang Huang really misses Shixiu, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating Shixiu’s birthday."

"Xiaomeng, this... who celebrates the birthday of someone who’s passed away? This... isn’t it strange, don’t you think?"

The deceased only have death anniversaries, how could they have birthdays?

"Moreover, Shixiu just passed not long ago, this... shouldn’t be done, right?"

Bai Sixian wasn’t an old-fashioned traditionalist, but Xiaomeng’s idea was indeed a bit unconventional.

"I don’t know what is reasonable, I just know that Shuangshuang and Huanghuang really miss him."

"I don’t want to celebrate Shixiu’s birthday hoping for anything, just to make Shuangshuang and Huanghuang feel a bit better."

"They celebrated their birthdays happily before, these two kids already know what a birthday is, just let them send a little blessing to their father..."

"..."

Bai Sixian glanced at Su Chengji, who had just entered from the hall and had been listening for a while.

"I actually agree with Xiaomeng’s idea, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it."

"No one ever said people who’ve passed can’t have birthdays. I think Xiaomeng is right, whether it’s a death anniversary or a birthday, people just want to give their loved ones a little blessing. That’s all."

"What about ethics and customs, I really don’t think they’re that important."

Su Chengji said earnestly.

He had been resting at home for a long time, always with Shuangshuang and Huanghuang, he knew how much they missed Yin Shixiu.

Prince Huang often stared at the photo of Yin Shixiu displayed at home, staring for a long time.

Such a quiet child, who would have thought he could speak for one or two hours to a photo.

Talk and talk until he’s tired, falls asleep holding the photo...

How could a grandfather not feel heartache watching?

Shuangshuang, who seemed like a carefree little girl, whenever someone opened the door, as long as she heard it, she would certainly run to take a look.

Rushing over with full hope, then coming back with downcast eyes, putting away her expectations.

The sibling’s longing for their father’s every move burned like lava, searing Su Chengji’s heart and soul.

Even with many grandparents, protective elders, they were ultimately meaningless.

The role of a father could never be replaced.

Especially as Yin Shixiu had always been a dutiful and loving father.

Bai Sixian looked at Su Chengji and then at Su Xiaomeng...

In conclusion, this father and daughter have always been like this for so many years, always acting on impulse...

"Do as you wish."

Bai Sixian felt it was against etiquette, but didn’t persist too much, as she was neither superstitious nor traditional.

After gaining her mother’s approval, Su Xiaomeng felt much more at ease,

"But, don’t mention this to anyone else, we can just celebrate at home, but don’t let Yin’s parents know."

Bai Sixian quickly glanced at her,

"You do realize those two elders wouldn’t approve if they found out, right?"

"Mom, I understand what you’re thinking, and I know that it might feel a bit awkward now. If you’re feeling this way, Yin’s parents, already in their eighties..."

"Alright, just do as you please."

Bai Sixian sighed,

"Indeed, Huanghuang has been more silent than before, it’s apparent... he can’t let go of Shixiu."

Su Xiaomeng leaned against the wall, a small smile on her lips,

"Shixiu isn’t like many other men, who disappear after their children are born, using all sorts of excuses. They’re happy to see the children but truly raising them is a big task. I’ve never heard Shixiu complain about child-rearing... even when he was as busy as a bee."

"..."

"..."

"Oops, that wasn’t the right comparison, but you get the point."

Su Xiaomeng smiled at Bai Sixian and Su Chengji.

"For a man to reach the level Shixiu has, it’s truly rare..."

Bai Sixian and Yin Shixiu weren’t far apart in age, seen through Bai Sixian’s eyes as someone with experience, Yin Shixiu was a rare person with high emotional and intellectual intelligence.

If he wished, his tactfulness could make everyone feel comfortable.

Bai Sixian and Su Xiaomeng lost themselves for a moment, reminiscing about Yin Shixiu’s exceptional qualities.

Meanwhile, Su Chengji softly cleared his throat to make his presence known,

Bai Sixian and Su Xiaomeng both looked at Su Chengji in confusion,

"What’s up?"

"I am too, a rare good man."

"..."

"..."

"I really am, don’t you think?"

Bai Sixian looked him up and down, then walked out. Even Su Xiaomeng, who usually supported her dad, hummed a little tune as she stepped aside.

It’s not that Su Chengji was wrong, it’s just...

With no comparison, there’d be no disparity; once there’s a comparison...