Chapter 320 Niannian Is Already Asleep

This was the first time Lu Haochen and Du Xiaoxian had met in the past half a month. It seemed that they were much more polite and distant than before. Lu Haochen walked to the bed and looked at her face gently. Then he looked away. He put the bags on the bedside table and introduced them one by one.

“This is the famous Green Grass Ointment from Singapore. It’s effective for relaxing the muscles and tendons. Applying it three or four times a day should work.”

“This is the motherwort medicine for invigorating blood circulation. Drink it twice a day.”

“These fruits are also helpful for invigorating blood circulation. Eat more.”

“This,” He picked up the last paper bag and stuffed it to Du Niannian, who was looking at him eagerly. “Is for Niannian.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Du Niannian cried out happily. She had eagerly waited by the side for a long time. Sure enough, there was a gift for her.

Before she finished smiling, Du Xiaoxian glared at her. “He’s not your dad. Call him Uncle Lu.”

In Du Niannian’s life, her biggest wish was to have a father. Now that she finally met a man who would like to be her father, how could she easily let go? She pouted and said reluctantly, “Uncle said that is my father.”

Du Xiaoxian raised her eyelids and looked at Du Huayue. Just as she was about to speak, Lu Haochen said, “It doesn’t matter. It’s just a form of address. As long as she is happy, it’s okay.”

“Yes,” Du Huayue quickly chimed in, “Since President Lu doesn’t care, why do you care? President Lu is still standing. Why don’t you let him sit down?” The last sentence successfully changed the topic.

“President Lu, I’m sorry. My room is too simple. How about you sit in the living room?”

“President Lu came specially to see you. How can he see you if he sits in the living room?” Du Huayue said as he bent over and brushed the bed. “President Lu, please sit here.”

Lu Haochen did not refuse. He sat down and sized up the room. The room was small, making the bed look rather big. It took up almost two-thirds of the room. There was a large wall-size wardrobe about thirty to forty centimeters away from the bed. It was in an old style from more than ten years ago.

Du Huayue secretly winked at Du Niannian, signaling her to come out, but the little girl stared at Lu Haochen with shining eyes. She was too excited to notice Du Huayue.

Du Huayue could only say, “Niannian, it’s time for you to go to bed. I will tell you a bedtime story, okay?”

Du Niannian still stared at Lu Haochen without blinking. Her little face suddenly blushed and she said in a shy and expectant tone, “I want dad to tell me the bedtime story.”

“Niannian,” Du Xiaoxian shouted in a low voice and smiled awkwardly at Lu Haochen. “President Lu, I’m sorry, Niannian is ignorant…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lu Haochen interrupted her and held Du Niannian’s small hand with a smile. “Let’s go, take me to your room.”

Du Niannian chuckled. “This is my room. I sleep with my mother.”

Lu Haochen was stunned. Du Huayue’s words had made him think that Du Niannian had a separate bedroom. Just as he was in a daze, Du Niannian had already walked to the other end of the bed and climbed up. She pulled out a book from the small bedside table. “Dad, tell me this today.”

Lu Haochen glanced at Du Xiaoxian and saw that she was also looking at Du Niannian without saying anything else, so he walked over and took the book. It turned out to be “Thumbelina”.

He knew that there was such a children’s book, but he had never read it before because he thought it was for girls. He did not expect that he would have the opportunity to read it now.

Du Niannian opened the thin blanket and went in. Her big eyes blinked as she looked at him expectantly.

This was the first time for Lu Haochen to do this. He cleared his throat and said, “There was once a woman who really wanted a child, so she went to consult the witch. The witch said that this was not difficult and gave her a seed to plant in the flower pot. The woman did it after she went back, and soon a sprout grew out. She carefully took care of the small sprout and watched it grow day by day. Finally, it grew a bud. When the bud bloomed, she was surprised to find a beautiful little girl sitting in the stamen…”

“Dad,” Du Niannian interrupted him, “Are there really witches in the world?”

Lu Haochen thought for a moment and said, “There are some in the fairy tale world.”

“If only I could go to the fairy tale world,” Du Niannian looked a little sad. “I will also ask the witch for a seed and plant it in a flower pot. When the flower blooms, there will be a father inside.”

Lu Haochen was amused by her childish words and laughed. He touched her little head and said, “You don’t need to beg a witch. Aren’t I already here?” He was looking at the child as he said this, but he kept glancing at Du Xiaoxian’s expression from the corner of his eyes.

Unexpectedly, Du Xiaoxian did not object. She just looked at Du Niannian silently. Lu Haochen found that her eyes were twinkling with sadness and guilt.

Actually, Lu Haochen was right. Du Xiaoxian was indeed very guilty. She wanted to give Du Niannian all the good things, but she could not give her a father. However, all Du Niannian wanted was a father.

From the moment Lu Haochen entered the door, Du Niannian was so happy and excited that her eyes were filled with joy. Du Xiaoxian had never seen her daughter so happy before. That kind of happiness that came from the bottom of Du Niannian’s heart also infected her. Seeing Niannian’s satisfied look as she raised her little face and stared at Lu Haochen, Du Xiaoxian felt sad.

She knew that it was wrong and that Du Niannian shouldn’t call Lu Haochen “Dad”, but she really couldn’t bear to destroy this beautiful atmosphere, so she didn’t say anything. She just leaned against the bed and watched the two of them talk.

“One day, a toad stole the sleeping Thumbelina and wanted her to be its wife. It put her on a lotus leaf…”

In Lu Haochen’s deep and mellow voice, Du Niannian gradually fell asleep.

But Lu Haochen was still reading softly. This beautiful scene was like a dream to him. The child was curled up in the blanket, and the child’s mother was quietly leaning against the bed. He sat by the bed, looking at the big girl and the small girl, feeling satisfied and happy.

“Niannian is already asleep.” Du Xiaoxian interrupted him softly.

Lu Haochen reached out, tucked Du Niannian’s blanket in, and pulled her messy hair to the side of her ears. He actually really wanted to kiss Niannian’s forehead, just like what those ordinary and happy fathers would do to their daughters. However, he knew that he could not rush it. He had made a mistake once. If he made another mistake, there would be no chance for him.

“Thank you, President Lu.” Du Xiaoxian said softly.

“You don’t have to be so courteous to me, Xiaoxian.” Lu Haochen looked at her and said sincerely, “All I want is Niannian being happy. Actually, I came this time because I want to apologize to you.”

Du Xiaoxian did not expect him to say this and was a little stunned.

“It was my fault in the past. I shouldn’t have forced you like that.” Lu Haochen looked at her gently. “From now on, shall we get along like friends?”

“President Lu, you…”

“Don’t misunderstand,” Lu Haochen looked down, and the light in his eyes dimmed a little. “I know you have someone in your heart and I know that I can’t take his place, so,” He looked up at her. “Let’s be friends, who care about and help each other, okay?”

If they were just friends, what could be wrong with that?

The lamp at the bedside shone lightly on a small part of the bed. The orange light made people feel warm. The man’s face was hidden in the dark, and only his eyes were like stars, shining brightly.

Du Xiaoxian almost had an illusion again. She took a deep breath and smiled. “Okay, let’s be friends.”

The room was not very bright, but because of her smile, it seemed as if the room was full of light. Lu Haochen felt that his heart seemed to miss a beat, and then it started beating wildly.

His hand that was hanging under the edge of the bed quietly clenched into a fist. He tried his best not to make himself lose his composure. It was just a smile, but it had already thrown his mind into turmoil. This woman must be sent by the heavens to punish him.

He stood up and said, “It’s getting late. You should sleep too. Remember to apply medicine on time. I’ll be leaving first.”

Du Xiaoxian propped herself up and seemed to want to get out of bed. Lu Haochen quickly walked around the end of the bed and pressed her down. “Your foot is injured. Don’t move around. If you want anything, I will get it for you.”

As he put his hand on her shoulder, he felt that her shoulder was so thin. He moved his hand away in a panic.

Du Xiaoxian did not notice his panic and said, “I’ll send you off.”

“Nonsense,” Every time this woman did not take herself seriously, he would almost lose his temper. “Quickly lie down.”

He settled the pillow and let Du Xiaoxian lie down. He said in a low voice, “It takes a hundred days to heal your muscles and bones. You don’t have to worry about anything. We’ll talk about it when you recover.”

Du Xiaoxian chuckled. “It’s not as scary as you say. I just sprained it. I will be fine after a few days of rest.”

Lu Haochen pulled up the blanket for her and raised his hand. It was as if he had accidentally brushed her hair. In fact, he really wanted to bend down and give her a good-night kiss, but…He walked out of the door, and thought that sooner or later, there would be such a day.

Du Huayue had been sitting in the living room watching TV. When he saw Lu Haochen come out, he hurriedly stood up. “Are they all asleep?”

Lu Haochen nodded. “They are both asleep. I’m leaving.”

“It’s dark in the corridor. I’ll send you off.” Du Huayue took out his phone and turned on the flashlight. “The sound-controlled lights are all broken and it’s dark. Mind your steps. Don’t fall.”

Lu Haochen followed him out the door. The corridor was indeed dark. Without the faint light in Du Huayue’s hand, he would really be unable to take a step.

The corridor was narrow. There were also sundries piled up by the wall. When passing by, one had to turn sideways. Lu Haochen said, “The environment here is too bad. I will move you into a better place.”

“President Lu, haste makes waste.” Du Huayue smiled and said, “This offer comes out of the blue. How can Xiaoxian accept it? I think you guys got along quite well tonight. Don’t rush it. There’s plenty of time in the future.”

Lu Haochen sighed. “I also know that I can’t rush it. I just feel bad seeing her suffer here.”

Du Huayue did not know how to respond when Lu Haochen was so candid. Lu Haochen was a big shot that everyone admired. In the eyes of others, he was almost omnipotent. Only in front of Du Xiaoxian, he seemed helpless! Once a man encountered love, he would become the most stupid fool in the world! Even he himself was the same!