I Found My Future Wife Next Door - Chapter 15

In the past few years, Yu Qianran had never encountered the question of “Do you like Daddy or Mommy more?” But today, facing the gazes and inquiries of Shenshen and Yuyu, he felt for the first time that it was difficult to make a choice.

Yuyu bristled, directing his anger at Lu Zishen, his tone fierce: “Shenshen, you’re just a jerk! I’m also Ranran’s good friend. Why won’t you let me go?”

Lu Zishen tightly held Yu Qianran’s hand, gloating: “Ranran and I are the best in the world.”

Yu Qianran felt warmth in his other hand as Yuyu’s loud voice erupted beside his ear: “I want to be the best in the world with you too.”

“No, I don’t agree.” Lu Zishen freed one hand to swat at Yuyu’s hand, wishing he could kick Yuyu away on the spot.

Yu Qianran glanced left and right, catching sight of the two adults and one child watching the commotion, and sent out a plea for help.

What should he do? Shenshen was the best, best, best friend in the world, but Yuyu was also his friend. He didn’t want either of them to be hurt.

“Oh, this won’t do.” Gu Kexin, who had always been responsive to Yu Qianran’s requests, crouched down to meet the eyes of the two children standing on either side of Ranran. “You’re both very important to Ranran. If you force him to choose, no matter who he picks, one of you will end up hurt.”

Lu Zishen pouted: “Ranran only needs me.”

Yuyu huffed angrily: “That’s not true. Ranran would definitely be sad without me.”

Both children tightened their grips, afraid that if they let go, Ranran would no longer be their friend.

A pained expression appeared on Yu Qianran’s pretty face, his brows furrowing as he whispered weakly, “It hurts.”

Ranran’s little hands were about to break. It hurt so much.

Lu Zishen instinctively loosened his grip, looking at Yu Qianran’s pale face with guilt as he apologized: “I’m sorry, Ranran. I hurt you.”

With both hands now free, Yu Qianran gently patted Lu Zishen’s head and said softly, “It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” Yuyu cautiously observed Yu Qianran’s reaction.

Yu Qianran turned around, his eyes curving into a smile as he said the same, “It’s okay.”

He took one hand of each and pulled Shenshen and Yuyu together. “Can you two make up now?”

Lu Zishen kept a stern face, growing even more resentful of Yuyu in his heart.

It was all Yuyu’s fault. If Yuyu weren’t here, no one would compete with him for Ranran.

Yuyu also wore a troubled expression, his face scrunched up as he struggled in desperation: “Can I say no?”

Yu Qianran looked saddened, letting out a soft sigh: “Alright, then we’ll just have to play separately…”

“No!” Yuyu urgently grabbed Yu Qianran’s hands. “I can make up.” The last words were spoken reluctantly.

A smile filled Yu Qianran’s clear eyes as he turned his head to look at Lu Zishen, who had yet to respond.

Lu Zishen seemed resigned, nodding with a pained expression.

“Then you two are friends now too.” Yu Qianran placed Shenshen and Yuyu’s hands together. “No more fighting from now on.”

Lu Zishen and Yuyu locked eyes, seeing the same thought reflected in each other’s expressions.

As long as Ranran isn’t around, I won’t pay any attention to him.

Yu Qianran looked up with an expectant expression, speaking in a soft, adorable voice: “Daddy, Mommy, take us to see the penguins.”

Gu Kexin felt as though she had helped just now, but also as though she hadn’t.

Still, when it came to Yu Qianran’s social skills, she was reassured.

The aquarium’s corridors were lined almost entirely with glass, allowing colorful schools of fish to drift into view no matter which exhibit one visited, as if stepping into an undersea kingdom.

The penguin exhibit was housed separately. Passing through the fish-lined hallway and stepping through thick white walls, a sudden chill swept over them.

Yu Qianran ducked behind Yu Zeyan, peeking out curiously to search for penguins.

Yu Zeyan looked down at the little one with amusement. The coat draped over his arm finally found its purpose. “Be careful not to let it slip off.”

Warmth enveloped Yu Qianran as the oversized suit jacket wrapped him up like a sushi roll, its hem nearly brushing the floor.

“Thank you, Dad,” he said happily.

The group passed through the heavy door. Round, black-and-white penguins waddled from side to side, their small wings spread slightly to maintain balance. Some leaped from the ice into the water, while others slid on their bellies across the icy surface.

Yuyu pointed excitedly at a penguin. “Wow, wow, wow! Even penguins slack off!”

“What’s the big deal?” Lu Zhishen crossed his arms, feigning calm and disdain with one eye open and the other closed.

Yu Qianran’s eyes sparkled. Hearing Lu Zhishen’s words, he mistakenly thought the comment was directed at his own expression. “Huh? Are you talking about me?”

Yu Qianran’s gaze met Lu Zhishen’s, who shook his head in a panic, vehemently denying it. “No, I wasn’t talking about you. I was… uh, talking about myself.”

He had intended to say Yuyu, but remembering how Ranran had just helped them reconcile, he forced himself to change it to himself.

Yu Qianran seemed to understand vaguely, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “Oh, it’s okay, Shenshen. I make a big deal out of things too.”

Lu Zhishen gave a guilty “Mhm” and glanced away, only to meet Yuyu’s half-smirking expression. His face instantly darkened.

Yu Qianran didn’t notice their subtle exchange, eagerly pulling Shenshen closer to watch the penguins. With the staff’s guidance, Yu Qianran successfully touched a penguin, damp, sticky, yet surprisingly smooth.

It felt magical, different from what he had imagined.

Seeing this, Yuyu clamored loudly, “Me too, me too!”

The staff member said, “No rush, one at a time.”

His small hands opening and closing, Yu Qianran frowned unhappily. “Shenshen, I want to wash my hands.”

It was sticky. He didn’t like it.

“Okay, I’ll go with you.” Lu Zhishen took Yu Qianran’s hand.

After informing their parents, the two children walked away hand in hand.

At the sink, Yu Qianran stood on tiptoe, rinsing the soap suds from his hands. The sticky sensation washed away with the flowing water.

He let out a small sigh of relief.

Lu Zhishen turned off the faucet. “I’m done. Are you finished?”

Yu Qianran blinked, drying his hands. “I’m done too.”

“Ranran, when can we have some time alone?” Lu Zhishen asked pitifully. “Today, Ranran has to take care of so many people.”

“Tonight, after we have cake, they’ll go home,” Yu Qianran promised, taking Lu Zhishen’s hand. “Sleep with me tonight.”

Lu Zhishen widened his eyes, hardly believing such good fortune. “Really?”

Yu Qianran nodded. “Mhm.”

Lu Zhishen excitedly hugged Ranran, his voice brimming with unconcealed joy. “Great! I’ll reluctantly put up with Yuyu for one day.”

Yu Qianran fell silent.

He asked, “Were you lying to me before, Shenshen?”

He could feel the stiffness in Lu Zhishen’s body as the other stammered out an explanation, “No, it’s just… I don’t like him a little bit.”

Yu Qianran chuckled softly, “Ranran knows, it’s a lot.”

Lu Zhishen hung his head like a puppy who had done something wrong, waiting obediently for Yu Qianran’s punishment.

Yu Qianran stood on tiptoe and spent several minutes ruffling Lu Zhishen’s hair with both hands before finally withdrawing them, satisfied.

He had wanted to do this for a long time, Zhishen was so nice to touch, even better than a penguin.

Lu Zhishen reached up to touch his tousled hair and grinned foolishly.

…

Night fell, the dark sky dotted with shimmering stars that lit up the evening, while a gentle breeze swept away the day’s lingering heat.

In the dimly lit room, they gathered around the table, where a few candles cast a faint glow, illuminating a delicate, fair child’s face.

The little boy closed his eyes tightly, his small hands pressed together, as cheerful voices sang “Happy Birthday” around him.

The next moment, he opened his eyes and blew out the candles with a soft “Whoosh~.”

Yu Qianran announced, “I’ve made my wish.”

Clap!

The living room lights suddenly brightened, the sound of clapping hands mingling with the pop of party poppers, while the background music shifted to a livelier tune.

Yuyu couldn’t wait to ask, “What did Ranran wish for?”

“I can’t say,” Yu Qianran shook his head firmly. “If I say it out loud, it won’t come true.”

Lu Zhishen tilted his head, puzzled. “But how will it come true if you don’t say it?”

Every year on his birthday, he would loudly recite his wish list, and every one of them would come true.

Yu Qianran blinked but didn’t explain, just shook his head.

He didn’t know how to explain it either. Every year, his wishes came true. Every year, his wish was the same, but this year, he had added Zhishen to it.

He wished for the people he liked to be happy every day.

Yuyu didn’t dwell on the wish and was entirely focused on the two-tiered cake in front of him. “Let’s eat the cake, Ranran! Hurry up and cut it.”

Yu Qianran took the plastic knife and made a wobbly cut. With Gu Kexin’s help, he sliced and plated the cake, then handed the first piece to his mother and the second to his father.

Holding the third piece, he looked at Zhishen and Yuyu, who were both staring at him eagerly.

Lu Zhishen blinked suggestively, “Ranran, this piece is for me, right?”

Yuyu gave him starry eyes. “Ranran, I want it.”

Yu Qianran looked conflicted. After a moment of silence, his gaze fell on Jiajia, who wasn’t saying anything, and he immediately toddled over to hand off the troublesome piece of cake.

However, Zhishen and Yuyu began fighting over the fourth piece.

Yu Qianran: “…”

This was hard, harder than balancing toys.

He thought and thought, then suddenly brightened up. He gave the cake to Yuyu, who cheered and took a bite, praising it each time under Lu Zhishen’s annoyed glare.

While Yu Qianran was cutting a new piece of cake, Lu Zhishen turned away in a huff and retreated to the bathroom.

“Huh? Where’s Zhishen?” The oblivious Yu Qianran looked at his mother in confusion.

Gu Kexin pursed her lips and pointed toward the bathroom.

“Thanks, Mom.” Yu Qianran carefully carried the small piece of cake, determined to coax his upset friend.

Knock, knock, knock.

Yu Qianran tapped on the door and called out, “Zhishen, open up. It’s me.”

A muffled voice came from inside, “Hmph, I’m not your best friend anymore.”

“Zhishen has always been my best friend,” Yu Qianran pressed his ear against the door, trying to hear what was happening inside. “I brought you the biggest piece of cake. I’ll even share my favorite Tom with you.”

He didn’t hear any movement inside, nor did he hear Lu Zhishen reply.

After waiting a moment, just as he was about to speak again, the door suddenly swung open from within, revealing a sullen figure.

He held the cake up to Lu Zhishen’s eyes. “See, I didn’t lie to you.”

“But I’m still not the third one you shared it with,” Lu Zhishen pouted, secretly competing. “Jiajia was before me, Yuyu was before me too. I only got it last.”

Yu Qianran took Lu Zhishen’s hand, revealing a sweet smile, and said softly, “The most important performance in kindergarten is always saved for last, and the strongest monster in Ultraman also appears last. You are my most, most, most important friend, so of course you should be saved for last too.”

Lu Zhishen was coaxed into a daze, it seemed to make sense, but something still felt off. He asked suspiciously, “You’re not lying to me?”