I Found My Future Wife Next Door - Chapter 14

A few days before his birthday, Yu Qianran learned in advance that Yangyang couldn’t come. He comforted Yangyang for a while, who tearfully promised to have Yuyu bring his gift over.

On the day of his birthday, Yu Qianran was so excited that he woke up at six o’clock. Knowing his parents’ usual waking time, he didn’t knock on their door. Instead, he stood on a small stool to wash up, then changed into a brand-new, splendid prince-style outfit.

Yu Qianran looked like a little prince who had stepped out of a comic book, exuding an air of noble elegance. Glancing at his empty head, he scurried back into the walk-in closet, standing on the small stool to examine the hats in the display cabinet.

There were many hats in shades similar to the white of his outfit. He was torn between choosing one with golden decorations or one shaped like a paper crane, he loved both equally.

“Ranran, are you awake?”

Suddenly, Lu Zhishen’s clear voice pierced through the door and walls, landing steadily in Yu Qianran’s ears.

Shenshen is here!

He immediately climbed down from the stool, calling out, “I’m awake, I’m awake!” as he toddled on his short legs to open the door.

“Ranran, take it slow,” Lu Zhishen reminded him, concerned.

“Mm-hmm.”

Yu Qianran opened the door, and the words instantly became clear and bright.

The morning light streamed through the window, falling on Lu Zhishen’s slightly annoyed face, softening its sternness. Worried, he said, “You ran again. Didn’t I tell you to take it slow?”

“I didn’t run,” Yu Qianran averted his eyes guiltily, tilting his head with a sweet, sly smile. “I’ve just grown up, and my legs have gotten longer.”

Lu Zhishen was speechless.

Yu Qianran’s vision went dark for a moment, then he felt the warmth of a palm on his head. Looking up, he saw Lu Zhishen’s hand move from his head to rest on Lu Zhishen’s own nose bridge.

He heard Lu Zhishen say, “You haven’t grown taller. You’re still only up to my nose, just like before.”

Yu Qianran’s bright, watery eyes sparkled with determination. “That’s because Shenshen is growing taller too.”

“Alright,” Lu Zhishen replied, revealing sweet dimples. “But you can’t do that next time.”

Yu Qianran shook his head. “I didn’t.”

He really didn’t, Shenshen didn’t see it with his own eyes.

Lu Zhishen sighed helplessly.

So this is how it feels when a younger brother doesn’t listen sometimes.

Yu Qianran had rosy lips, fair skin, and delicate features, with clear, sparkling eyes. Paired with his sincere smile, he was utterly adorable.

“Help me choose a hat, quick!”

He tugged Lu Zhishen into the walk-in closet, pointing at the two hats for him to help decide.

Lu Zhishen glanced at the hats, then at the dashingly dressed Yu Qianran, and exclaimed, “Wow, Ranran, you look the most handsome today!”

Yu Qianran shyly lowered his head, pursing his lips into an embarrassed smile. “No, no, Shenshen looks very handsome today too.”

“Ranran looks good in anything,” Lu Zhishen continued to praise. “Do you like the golden one or the paper crane one?”

Yu Qianran hesitated. “I like both.”

Lu Zhishen was stumped, he liked both too. No matter which one Ranran wore, it would suit him perfectly.

Then he suggested, “Then bring both.”

“No, Ranran only has one head,” Yu Qianran said, hugging his head and looking at him with watery eyes.

Lu Zhishen burst out laughing. “Bring both, and switch them when taking photos. That way, it’ll be perfect.”

What a brilliant idea.

Yu Qianran broke into a faint smile, happily thanking him. “Thank you, Shenshen.”

Lu Zhishen picked up the paper crane-shaped hat, turned around, and raised it with both hands, placing it gently over Yu Qianran’s head.

“Is it on?” Yu Qianran couldn’t wait to look in the mirror.

Lu Zhishen: “All done.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Qianran had already stepped away from Lu Zhishen and was walking toward the large mirror on her short little legs.

The child in the mirror had rosy lips and pearly white teeth, her beautiful face revealing a smile that could charm anyone. The well-tailored clothes highlighted her delicate, snow-white skin, making her look like a little fairy from a storybook.

The small paper crane-shaped hat on her head tilted to one side, flattening her soft, fluffy black hair, making her look almost like a sweet, soft little cake.

Lu Zhishen appeared in the mirror, holding another hat in his hand, and praised, “Ranran is the most handsome.”

Yu Qianran’s gaze fell on the similarly colored hat in Lu Zhishen’s hand. She reached out and took it from him. “This one is for you.”

Without waiting for Lu Zhishen’s agreement, she stood on her tiptoes and slapped the hat onto his head, not caring whether it was properly placed.

“Good friends should wear the same things.”

Yu Qianran’s words made Lu Zhishen freeze, his hand stopping mid-air as he was about to take off the hat.

Lu Zhishen responded firmly, “Mm!”

Once the two children were dressed, they walked out of the room together and bumped into Gu Kexin, who was just about to knock on the door.

“Mom!” Yu Qianran called out sweetly.

Lu Zhishen smiled warmly. “Good morning, Auntie.”

“Good morning.” Gu Kexin smiled gently, pinching the soft, smooth cheeks of the two little ones. “Shenshen, you came early today. Let’s have breakfast together.”

At the mention of breakfast, the two children exchanged glances, their stomachs growling one after another, as if saying, “I’m hungry.”

Yu Qianran shyly covered her stomach, a faint blush spreading across her fair face.

Gu Kexin teased, “Oh my, our Ranran is embarrassed.”

Yu Qianran’s face turned even redder.

“Mom, don’t say that.”

Lu Zhishen leaned in closer, grinning playfully. “Ranran looks like an apple, so delicious.”

Yu Qianran, flustered and annoyed, covered Lu Zhishen’s mouth with her small hand and glared at him. “Don’t say that.”

Lu Zhishen nodded.

After the four of them finished breakfast, they got into the car driven by the chauffeur and headed to the aquarium.

The aquarium had been notified in advance and announced a temporary closure for the day, spending the night cleaning and disinfecting to ensure the best possible experience.

At nine in the morning, a low-key black car drove into the underground parking lot. Two adults and two children got out and took the elevator directly to the interior.

As the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by vast schools of fish, with blue lighting making them feel as if they were deep under the sea.

Lu Zhishen widened his eyes, his expression exaggerated with excitement. “Wow, so many fish, Ranran!”

Yu Qianran was much calmer than Lu Zhishen, though a flicker of delight passed through her eyes, and the corners of her lips curled into a beautiful smile.

She watched as Lu Zhishen’s mouth hung open wide enough to swallow a whole apple. “Shenshen, you’re so dramatic.”

“Hehe.” Lu Zhishen closed his mouth, not feeling the slightest bit uncomfortable. “It’s my first time here. My parents never had time to bring me.”

Most of his time was spent studying, with occasional trips to fun places.

Lu Zhishen asked curiously, “Ranran, have you been here many times before?”

Yu Qianran shook her head. “It’s my first time too. I’ve only ever seen it on TV before.”

“Look, look, this fish is so big!” Lu Zhishen excitedly grabbed Yu Qianran’s hand, pointing at a whale swimming toward them.

Yu Qianran’s clear eyes reflected the whale’s figure. The enormous fish made a huge impact on her small self, as if unlocking a new area in her mind.

He glanced sideways at Lu Zhishen, whose attention was entirely captivated by the whale. With his head tilted back, he stared unblinkingly, as still as a wooden puppet.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Zhishen noticed his gaze and tilted his head in confusion.

Yu Qianran regretfully withdrew his gaze. If only he had captured that moment just now, Zhishen looked so adorable with his head tilted in puzzlement. Zhishen was always saying how cute and lovely he was, but he was just the same.

The corners of his eyes curved slightly, as if he had smiled. “Jiajia and the others should be arriving soon, right?”

Lu Zhishen rubbed his nose. “Oh, right. Let’s wait here for them then.”

Yu Qianran looked up and met his parents’ eyes. Both gave him a slight, gentle nod.

The school of fish before them drifted from the distance and then faded away again, while the first whale circled back and forth in front of them several times.

Yuyu burst excitedly out of the elevator. “Ranran, we’re here!”

Yu Qianran followed the voice and saw Yuyu running toward him on his short little legs, with Jiajia walking properly behind him, mindful of her image.

Yuyu skidded to a halt in front of Yu Qianran, panting heavily as he gasped for air. “Finally, we meet again. I missed you so much.”

Before Yu Qianran could respond, Lu Zhishen stepped in front of him, eyeing Yuyu warily. Catching a whiff of sweat from Yuyu, he wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Step back. You smell awful, you’ll stink up Ranran.”

Yuyu was shocked. Yuyu was in disbelief.

“You’re all sweaty and smelly. Don’t get close to Ranran,” Lu Zhishen declared imperiously. “You’ll scare Ranran.”

Yu Qianran peeked out from behind Lu Zhishen, glanced at Yuyu’s sweaty face, and silently retreated back.

Lu Zhishen was right.

Jiajia, who had arrived a step later and overheard Lu Zhishen’s words, glanced down at herself. Hmm, no sweat.

Yuyu, sharp-eyed, noticed Jia catching up and immediately brightened, hoping Jia would take her side. “Jiajia, Zhishen is bullying me again.”

Jiajia quietly took a step away from Yuyu before speaking. “He’s right.”

Yuyu stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

Gu Kexin, who was handling so many children for the first time, wondered if she should step in to defend Yuyu. What if the poor kid ended up traumatized?

“Wow, such a big fish! It looks delicious,” Yuyu exclaimed, pressing his face against the glass, eyes gleaming.

Gu Kexin: “…”

This kid really has a thick skin.

Yu Zeyan, without realizing it, took Gu Kexin’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, only to receive an eye-roll in return.

Inside the aquarium, there was no one else besides them, even the staff had been cleared to the break room.

Yu Qianran wasn’t the proactive type. He spent the whole time listening to Lu Zhishen’s chattering, occasionally accompanied by Yuyu’s attempts to chime in, creating quite the lively scene.

His wandering gaze met Jiajia’s, and he noticed a look of relief on the other’s face.

He then looked slightly puzzled, as if deeply perplexed by Jiajia’s expression.

What was going on? Why was Jiajia looking at him with such a strange expression? Ranran didn’t understand.

Yu Qianran immediately called out softly, “Jiajia?”

Jiajia, sympathetic and calm, replied, “They’re too noisy. Good thing they’re not talking right next to me.”

“I’m not noisy!”

“This isn’t noisy!”

Two childish voices rang out simultaneously, united in their protest.

Yu Qianran was surprised, widening his eyes to look at the two children who had spoken without thinking. He watched as they both huffed and turned their backs on each other.

He was already used to these two not getting along.

Jiajia shrugged, giving a “see, I told you” look, and quietly went off alone to observe the school of fish.

Yu Qianran tugged at Lu Zhishen’s arm. “Let’s go see the penguins.”

Lu Zhishen and Yuyu pointed at each other, shouting loudly, “He’s not allowed to go!”

Yu Qianran: “…”

So childish.

He should be the older brother instead.