Chapter 200: Chapter 196: Little Mo, I Like It When You Call My Name 1
"Mommy..." Xixi felt neglected, and with great difficulty pulled her chubby little hand out of Gu Yan’s grasp. She rushed over to hug Jin Jumo’s thigh, rubbing her small face in a coy manner on her leg, looking up with big, shiny, endearing eyes.
Gu Yan glanced at Jin Jumo, his hands itching terribly as he wanted to hold Xixi. Hesitantly, he took a step forward, just about to bend down to pick up Xixi when a long arm suddenly reached out and took Xixi, who was clinging to Jin Jumo’s thigh, into its hold.
Gu Yan’s brow twitched twice, and a look of disappointment that he could not hide filled his baby face, as he looked mournfully at someone.
"Ah..." Xixi was startled, her little body shivered, and she uneasily twisted in someone’s embrace. As her big eyes looked in surprise at his face, her small struggling body suddenly froze, blinking her big eyes and quietly staring at him.
Rong Mochen had already dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers, with slightly rolled-up sleeves revealing a segment of his strong arm.
He held Xixi with one arm, the bulging muscles on his forearm looking rather impressive.
The room had just been tidied up, and it was sprayed with fresh, fragrant jasmine scent, completely covering the smoke in the room. At this moment, there wasn’t a hint of smoke smell detectable in the room.
He had just taken a shower, exuding the gentle fragrance of elegant body wash, and had also washed his hair, which was now fluffy and lazily tousled. He looked distinguished and clear-cut in that moment, seemingly never needing the traits of coldness or gloom.
Rong Mochen gently glanced at Xixi, and with his other hand, he lightly poked Xixi’s chubby little hand.
Xixi’s face turned red in an instant, her little hand opened and gripped his thumb, calling out softly, "Dad."
Rong Mochen’s cold and hard heart was softened by her bashful little "Dad," as if it was about to melt the next moment.
His Adam’s apple quivered slightly, just about to speak.
"Xixi, you’re calling him wrong again!" Hanhan’s still childlike voice was somewhat cold, staring at Xixi with bright, accusing eyes.
"..." Rong Mochen’s dark eyes half-squinted, slowly turning his head to look at the serious little face of Hanhan.
Receiving his look, Hanhan tightened his small hands that were clasping Jin Jumo’s neck, pursed lips, mimicking his expression, also slightly squinting his eyes, looking back at him.
Something flickered quickly in Rong Mochen’s eyes, his eye corner subtly raised, yet he said nothing.
Xixi timidly glanced at her brother’s angry face and nervously bit her chubby finger.
Jin Jumo seemed as if nothing had happened, looking at Xixi and said, "Xixi, you and your brother should go to bed; you have to go to kindergarten tomorrow."
Xixi blinked, looking reluctently at Rong Mochen.
Rong Mochen frowned slightly, glanced at Jin Jumo, and turned to carry Xixi towards the bedroom, "Tonight, Xixi and Hanhan will stay in the hotel to rest."
Xixi’s eyes lit up immediately, turning around in Rong Mochen’s arms, her small face pressed with excitement, looking at Jin Jumo and Ye Yihan.
Jin Jumo tightened her brow, looking at Rong Mochen’s determined back, and said, "Hanhan and Xixi have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds, not comfortable in hotel beds."
As she spoke, Jin Jumo looked at Xixi, "Xixi, come home with Mommy."
Xixi’s small face instantly fell.
Hanhan raised his little eyebrows strictly, staring at Xixi, "Xixi, aren’t you coming down quickly."
Xixi lowered her long, curled eyelashes and after a moment, lightly sighed, looking at Rong Mochen, "Dad... Uncle, Xixi wants to go home."
Rong Mochen paused in his steps, looking gently at Xixi with his dark eyes, "Does Xixi want to stay?"
"..." Xixi rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Xixi wants to be with Mommy and Brother."
Hearing Xixi’s words, the cold little face of Hanhan softened a lot, and looking at Xixi’s eyes became gentler.
Xixi secretly peeked at her brother and, seeing his reaction, gently exhaled.
"If Mommy and Brother both stay, would Xixi be willing to stay?" Rong Mochen asked.
Xixi nodded without hesitation this time, "Of course willing."
Rong Mochen suddenly tugged at his lips.
Xixi’s expression changed, and her eyes brightened with both eyes shining as she reached out her chubby hand to touch Rong Mochen’s face, "Dad... Uncle, you’re so handsome, just like Brother Ying."
Jin Jumo, "..."
"..." Rong Mochen’s slightly upturned lips stiffened for a second, as he deeply gazed at Xixi with his dark eyes, "Does Xixi like me more, or more... Brother Ying?"
When saying "Brother Ying," Rong Mochen’s brow visibly furrowed with confusion.
Xixi tapped her little chin with her forefinger, seemingly thinking seriously, before saying, "I like both."
"If you could only choose one between me and Brother Ying, who would you want to go with?" Rong Mochen continued to ask.
Jin Jumo furrowed her brow, glanced at Rong Mochen’s serious side profile, and seized her mouth speechlessly.
Not understanding why he was serious with a four-year-old child?
Gu Yan also leaned in at that moment, joining the serious contest, staring at Xixi and saying, "Xixi, you can only choose one. If you choose Brother Ying, you will never see Dad again. Who would you choose?"
Xixi wrinkled her fair little brow, her small hesitant face furrowing like a bun, looking at Rong Mochen and whispered, "Then if I choose Dad... Uncle, can I still see Brother Ying?"
"Of course not," Gu Yan said quickly.
"..." Xixi immediately dropped her long eyelashes in disappointment, and her whole person also slumped.
Rong Mochen squinted his eyes but ultimately didn’t ask anymore.
"Xixi..." Gu Yan wanted to ask, but was stopped by a look from Rong Mochen.
Gu Yan pursed his lips somewhat unwillingly. Although he didn’t continue to press, his eyes remained stubbornly fixed on Xixi.
Xixi quietly lifted her eyelids, and when she saw Gu Yan still looking at her, she quickly lowered her lashes again, playing with her ten fingers nervously.
Jin Jumo’s eyes flickered, and she said to Xixi, "Xixi, we should go home."
This time, without waiting for Xixi to reply, Rong Mochen turned his head to look over. His dark eyes fixed on Jin Jumo with undeniable determination, "Stay over tonight."
"Xixi and Hanhan have never rested elsewhere before..."
"Haven’t they?" Rong Mochen’s cold voice pierced through, his black eyes sharply scrutinizing her.
Jin Jumo’s face tightened, and she pressed her lips together.
Facing his intense gaze, she felt a little guilty.
Averting his stare, Jin Jumo said, "Even though this isn’t Z City, Mr. Rong is still quite the attention-grabber. I don’t want to wake up and see us on the front page tomorrow, with who knows what rumors flying around!"
"I’d like to see who dares," Rong Mochen said harshly, then carried Xixi into the bedroom.
Soon, his gentle voice came from the bedroom, "Does Xixi want to take a bath first? How should I help?"
..." Jin Jumo felt a wave of frustration and helplessness surge through her body. She bit down hard on her lip and carried Hanhan inside.
Gu Yan scanned the living room, licked his lower lip, and was about to step inside.
"You can leave now!"
A sinister voice drifted out.
Gu Yan immediately felt a chill climb his spine, took a deep breath, and silently withdrew his foot that was about to step in. He consoled himself inwardly, thinking that although Xixi was still young, she was a girl after all, and it wasn’t appropriate to be present during a bath.
Gu Yan looked regretfully towards the bedroom, touched his nose, and left the room.
The bathroom was unusually quiet, with four pairs of eyes staring at each other.
Xixi and Hanhan stood at the legs of Rong Mochen and Jin Jumo, looking up at the two adults.
Jin Jumo’s delicate eyebrows knitted tightly, her eyes stubborn and annoyed as she looked at someone.
"Mommy..."
Suddenly, a weak little voice came from below.
Jin Jumo and Rong Mochen’s silent gaze broke almost simultaneously, and they looked down at the little one by their legs, their expressions softening instantly.
Xixi pinched her fingers and looked at Jin Jumo, whispering, "I’m sleepy."
Jin Jumo’s eyelids twitched, and she squatted down, opening her arms to Xixi.
Xixi jumped into Jin Jumo’s embrace, blinking her long lashes like butterfly wings, tilting her head into Jin Jumo’s neck, closing her eyes.
Jin Jumo’s heart melted, and she gently picked her up.
"Let me have her." Rong Mochen extended his hand, his dark eyes never leaving Xixi’s face.
Jin Jumo hesitated slightly but still handed Xixi over to him.
The moment Xixi’s soft body settled into his arms, Rong Mochen’s breathing lightened significantly, cherishing her with every movement as he held her closer.
Watching Xixi turn her little face towards his chest, breathing softly and evenly, Rong Mochen smiled faintly, finally lifting his dark eyes to softly gaze at Jin Jumo.
When Jin Jumo noticed his gaze, she avoided his eyes, "After Xixi and Hanhan turned one, their sleep schedules became very regular, going to bed promptly at ten o’clock. If they sleep late, it’s hard to wake them up the next day."
Rong Mochen seemed surprised by Jin Jumo’s sudden words, his dark eyes flashed with momentary surprise, but soon a more profound wave of emotion overtook it. He responded with a husky "hmm," deeply gazing at the little one at Jin Jumo’s leg who was fighting sleep, one eye sneaking glances vigilantly, and then he carried Xixi out of the bathroom.
Watching Rong Mochen carry Xixi out, Jin Jumo suddenly knitted her brows tightly, her eyes filling with regret.
She must have been crazy to tell him all that!
Carefully placing the little one on the soft down comforter, she was about to withdraw her arms when a small, chubby white hand grabbed her sleeve.
Rong Mochen froze, his dark eyes fixed on Xixi’s sleeping face.
"Mommy, you forgot the kiss," as if murmuring, it slipped out of the little one’s soft pink lips, her eyes remaining tightly shut throughout.
"Daddy..."
Suddenly, the little one’s gentle voice rang out again.
Rong Mochen’s spine stiffened, his thin lips moved slightly away from Xixi’s brow, his dark eyes lowered, fixing complexly on Xixi’s fair little face.
His heart was enveloped by an indescribable feeling, unfamiliar yet irresistibly poignant and joyous.
Uncontrollably, Rong Mochen lowered his head again, lightly touching the tip of Xixi’s nose.
Jin Jumo came out holding a freshly bathed Hanhan to see this very scene.
Rong Mochen’s arms were propped on either side of Xixi’s little body, his profile soft and tender, his dark eyes filled with an undisguised love and cherishing.