Haoyu woke up that morning feeling slightly off, but he brushed it aside, chalking it up to fatigue from a busy week. He’d been pushing himself lately, trying to balance work and family, especially with Yuming now staying at the villa. The kids were thrilled to have her around, but he noticed they seemed to gravitate toward her more and more, leaving him feeling somewhat sidelined.

As the day wore on, a dull ache settled behind his eyes, and his limbs felt unusually heavy. Despite this, he told himself he could manage, and he carried on with his tasks. But by early afternoon, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He shook it off, determined to make it through the day.

The clock ticked on, and before he knew it, he’d dozed off on the couch, drained by the fatigue that had steadily crept up on him. When he opened his eyes, the room was dim, and the setting sun cast a warm glow through the windows. He glanced at his phone and froze.

He had completely forgotten to pick up the kids.

Panic surged through him as he quickly grabbed his keys and rushed out the door, not even bothering to call ahead. By the time he reached the school, the kids were already waiting outside, looking tired and frustrated. Xiaoyu and Xiaohu’s expressions immediately soured when they spotted him, and Haofei crossed his arms, glaring at Haoyu with a rare look of defiance.

"Papa! What happened?" Haofei demanded, his voice edged with irritation. "We were waiting for so long!"

"I'm really sorry, my babies," Haoyu replied, attempting to steady his breathing. "I lost track of time. I didn’t mean to make you wait."

“You’re always forgetting stuff now Papa!” Xiaoyu huffed, her face flushed with frustration. “You promised you’d be here on time today!”

“I know, sweetheart. I’m really sorry,” Haoyu said, reaching out to pat her shoulder, but she pulled away, her eyes narrowing.

Xiaohu chimed in, “It’s not fair! Everyone else’s parents were on time. We were the last ones here, and it was embarrassing!”

The words stung, and Haoyu’s heart sank. He wanted to explain that he wasn’t feeling well, that he hadn’t meant to let them down, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit his weakness. He’d always tried to be strong for them, and telling them he was unwell felt like admitting he’d failed them.

Once they got into the car, an uncomfortable silence settled over them. The kids stared out the windows, their anger palpable, while Haoyu gripped the steering wheel, feeling the weight of their disappointment like a heavy stone in his chest. He wanted to speak, to apologize again, but he wasn’t sure if it would make any difference. The damage was done.

Back at the villa, the kids rushed inside without a word, heading straight to Yuming, who was in the kitchen preparing dinner after returning from her job. Haoyu lingered by the door, watching as they ran to her, their expressions brightening as they told her what had happened today in the school. Bai Yuming shot him a concerned look, but he just gave a weak smile, as if to say it was all under control.

That night, Haoyu sat alone in the living room, the earlier guilt still gnawing at him. He thought about going to see the kids, to try to make things right, but he knew they needed some space. He realized he would have to explain himself sooner or later, even if it meant showing them that he wasn’t always as strong as he wanted to be.

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Dinner that night was tense. Haoyu sat at the table, attempting to engage the kids in conversation, but they ignored him, choosing instead to speak only to Bai. She seemed to notice the tension but didn’t intervene, quietly passing food to Xiaoyu and Xiaohu as they continued to chatter about their day, purposely excluding Haoyu.

Haofei pushed his food around his plate, occasionally glancing at Haoyu with a look that bordered on resentment. When Haoyu tried to ask him about school, Haofei just shrugged and turned away, his silence louder than any words. The twins didn’t even look at him, completely absorbed in a conversation with Bai about an upcoming event at school.

Xiaocheng, who had arrived late from work, entered the dining room mid-way through the meal. He took a seat beside Haoyu and immediately sensed the tension in the air. He glanced at Haoyu, raising an eyebrow, but Haoyu only gave a small, apologetic smile, as if to say, I’ll explain later.

But Haofei wasn’t in the mood to wait.

“Dad forgot to pick us up today,” he announced, loud enough for Xiaocheng to hear. Xiaocheng’s eyes widened, and he turned to Haoyu, a hint of concern in his gaze.

“Is that true, Haoyu?” Xiaocheng asked gently.

Haoyu nodded, avoiding Xiaocheng’s eyes. “Yes, I… I lost track of time.”

Xiaoyu leaned over to Xiaocheng and added, “We were the last kids there, and it was so embarrassing! Everyone else’s parents were on time. He just left us there.”

Xiaohu chimed in, his voice frustrated, “Yeah, it’s like he doesn’t even care.”

The words hit Haoyu like a punch to the chest. He could see the hurt in their eyes, feel the weight of their disappointment bearing down on him. He wanted to say something, to tell them that he did care, more than they could possibly know, but the words stuck in his throat.

Xiaocheng reached out, putting a reassuring hand on Haoyu’s shoulder. “I’m sure your dad didn’t mean to make you feel that way,” he said, trying to calm the kids. “Sometimes things happen, and it’s not always easy to be on time.”

Haofei crossed his arms, his face resolute. “He’s been forgetting a lot of things lately. Maybe he’s too busy to care about us anymore.”

The accusation hung in the air, and Haoyu felt his heart twist. He looked down at his plate, unable to meet their eyes, the guilt and exhaustion finally catching up with him. He knew he’d been distracted, preoccupied, but hearing it from the kids made it hurt all the more. He had always tried to be there for them, to show them how much they mattered to him, but somewhere along the line, he’d faltered.

As the meal wound down, the kids excused themselves early, retreating to their rooms without so much as a goodnight. Haoyu sat there, watching them go, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He knew he had to make things right, but at that moment, he wasn’t sure how. He only knew that he couldn’t let things stay this way; he owed them that much.

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Later that evening, after Haoyu had retreated to their bedroom to nurse his fatigue in solitude, Xiaocheng gathered the kids in the living room. They sat together on the large, cozy couch, each of them carrying the frustration that had bubbled over during dinner. Xiaocheng looked at each of them in turn—Haofei with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, Xiaoyu sulking and avoiding eye contact, and Xiaohu’s usually bright eyes dimmed with disappointment.

Xiaocheng knew this tension had to be addressed; he could see how much it weighed on Haoyu, even if he tried to hide it. He took a deep breath and began, “Kids, I want to talk to you about what happened tonight.”

The twins shifted uncomfortably, while Haofei just gave him a defiant stare. “What is there to talk about?” Haofei muttered. “He left us at school. He didn’t even care.”

Xiaocheng gently reached out and placed a hand on Haofei’s shoulder, his voice soft but firm. “I understand why you’re upset, but there’s more going on than you realize. Sometimes grown-ups have a lot on their minds, and it can make them forget things, even things that are important.”

Xiaoyu frowned, looking up at her father. “But Daddy, Papa always remembers to pick us up. Why did he forget today? He’s been so weird lately.”

Xiaocheng paused, thinking carefully about how to approach this. He knew Haoyu hadn’t wanted to burden the kids with his troubles, but it was time they understood a bit more. “Your Papa has been going through a tough time. He hasn’t been feeling well, but he didn’t want to worry you, so he didn’t tell anyone. He wanted to keep things normal for you, but sometimes that’s harder than it seems.”

Xiaohu’s frown deepened, and he looked down, guilt starting to replace his earlier frustration. “He’s… sick?”

Xiaocheng nodded, stroking Xiaohu’s hair. “Yes, and he’s trying his best to be there for all of you, even when he’s not feeling well. I know he missed picking you up today, but it wasn’t because he doesn’t care. In fact, he cares so much that he hasn’t wanted you to see that he’s not feeling well.”

Haofei looked away, the tough exterior he’d put up at dinner beginning to crack. “I didn’t know…”

Xiaocheng gave him a gentle smile. “I know you didn’t. It’s hard to see these things sometimes, especially when someone is trying to hide it from you. But your Papa would never want you to feel abandoned. He loves you more than anything in the world, and I think he feels worse about today than any of you do.”

The twins exchanged a glance, and Xiaoyu spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. “We were really mean to him.”

Xiaocheng nodded. “I think he understands why you were upset, but maybe now you see that he needs your love and support just as much as you need his.”

They sat in silence for a few moments, each child processing what Xiaocheng had said. Finally, Xiaohu looked up at Xiaocheng, a spark of determination in his eyes. “We should go apologize to him.”

Haofei nodded, his usual confidence tempered with remorse. “Yeah, we should.”

Xiaocheng gave them an encouraging smile. “I think that would mean a lot to him. And maybe tonight, we can all spend some time together, just like old times.”

The kids agreed, their earlier frustration now replaced with a sense of purpose. They stood up, each of them gathering their courage before heading down the hall to their parents’ bedroom. Xiaocheng followed them, a warm sense of pride swelling in his chest. He knew they would be able to mend things with Haoyu, and he was glad to see them willing to try.

The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and they could see Haoyu sitting on the edge of the bed, his face in his hands. He hadn’t heard them come in, so he startled slightly when he looked up to find them standing there.

“Baby?” he asked, his voice soft and a little hoarse.

Haofei stepped forward, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Papa… we’re sorry. We were really mad at you, but we didn’t know you were sick. We shouldn’t have been so mean.”

Haoyu’s expression softened, and he opened his arms, inviting them in. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s okay. I should have told you. I just didn’t want you to worry.”

The twins immediately rushed over, wrapping their arms around him, and Xiaocheng watched as Haoyu held them close, relief evident on his face. “I’m sorry too,” Haoyu murmured, pressing a kiss to Xiaoyu’s forehead. “I never wanted to let you down.”

Xiaohu hugged him even tighter. “You didn’t. We were just being silly. We know you love us, and we love you too.”

Haofei joined the hug, his earlier frustration melting away as he leaned into Haoyu’s embrace. “I’m sorry, Papa. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was just… I don’t know, I guess I was just scared.”

Haoyu nodded, giving his eldest a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay to feel that way. I’m just glad we’re all here now.”

Xiaocheng joined them on the bed, wrapping an arm around Haoyu and the kids, creating a circle of warmth and love. “Why don’t we all stay here tonight?” he suggested, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Just like we used to when you were younger.”

The kids eagerly agreed, their faces lighting up with excitement. Xiaocheng helped them gather blankets and pillows, making a cozy nest on the bed for all of them. They piled in together, Xiaoyu and Xiaohu nestled between Haoyu and Xiaocheng, while Haofei took his usual spot at the edge, still close enough to feel the warmth of the family.

As they settled in, Haoyu felt a sense of peace wash over him. The weight of the day’s struggles seemed to dissipate, replaced by the comfort of having his family around him. Xiaocheng reached over, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“We’re here for you,” Xiaocheng whispered, his voice filled with love. “No matter what.”

Haoyu closed his eyes, leaning into the embrace of his family. “Thank you,” he whispered back, his voice thick with emotion. “I love you all so much.”

“We love you too Papa”

The kids snuggled closer, each of them finding their own little space in the warmth of the bed. They chatted quietly, their voices filled with the innocent joy of children who had made up with someone they loved. Laughter bubbled up now and then, breaking through the quiet as they shared stories and memories, drawing strength from each other.

Before long, the soft sounds of their breathing filled the room as they began to drift off, one by one. Haoyu felt his heart swell with gratitude. Despite the challenges and the misunderstandings, this was what mattered most—these moments of togetherness, the love that bound them all, even through the hard times.

As the night settled around them, Haoyu held his family close, their presence a reminder that, no matter what, they would always be there for each other. And in that moment, with his family by his side, he knew he would find the strength to face whatever came next.

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The next morning, Haoyu woke up to the soft, warm light filtering through the curtains and the comforting weight of his family around him. Xiaocheng was still asleep beside him, one arm draped protectively over Xiaoyu, who lay nestled between them. Xiaohu had somehow managed to tangle himself in the blankets, his tiny form sprawled out across Haoyu and Haofei, who was still sound asleep, his face peaceful and free of yesterday’s worries.

Haoyu took a deep breath, savoring the quiet moment. The events of the previous day lingered in his mind, but the guilt and fatigue had been replaced by a deep sense of contentment. He looked down at his children, feeling an overwhelming gratitude for their presence and their forgiveness. Seeing them this close reminded him of how precious these moments were, especially when he hadn’t been sure what might come next.

Just then, Xiaocheng stirred, his eyes opening slowly. He met Haoyu’s gaze and smiled, reaching over to brush a strand of hair from Haoyu’s face. “Good morning,” he whispered, his voice warm with affection.

“Good morning,” Haoyu replied softly, reaching over to squeeze Xiaocheng’s hand. “Thank you for last night. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Xiaocheng leaned closer, pressing a gentle kiss to Haoyu’s forehead. “You’ll never have to find out, love,” he murmured. “We’re in this together, remember?”

Haoyu nodded, feeling a surge of relief. Despite his exhaustion, he knew that with Xiaocheng and the kids by his side, he could face anything. “I just don’t want to worry any of you. Especially the kids. They deserve to feel safe and happy.”

Xiaocheng’s expression softened. “I know, but they’re stronger than you think. And so are you. We’ll all get through this together, as a family.”

As if on cue, Xiaohu mumbled something in his sleep and rolled over, blinking sleepily at them. He let out a content sigh as he realized where he was. “Good Morning,Daddy, Papa,” he murmured, snuggling closer.

Haoyu smiled, ruffling Xiaohu’s hair. “Good Morning, my little one. Did you sleep well?”

Xiaohu nodded, his eyes still heavy with sleep. “I did. I like it when we’re all together like this. It feels… safe.”

Xiaoyu and Haofei began to stir as well, each of them slowly waking up and realizing they were still nestled among their parents and siblings. Xiaoyu reached for Haoyu’s hand, giving it a sleepy squeeze. “I missed this,” she said softly.

Haofei rubbed his eyes and looked around, a small smile forming on his face. “Me too,” he admitted, a hint of shyness in his voice. “Sorry for being mad at you, Papa.”

Haoyu pulled him into a gentle hug. “It’s okay, Feifei. I know you were just worried. I’m sorry for not telling you I wasn’t feeling well.”

The kids gathered closer, their sleepy expressions melting into smiles as they leaned into Haoyu’s embrace. They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other’s warmth and presence, each of them soaking up the peacefulness of the morning.

Finally, Xiaocheng broke the silence. “How about we make breakfast together? Pancakes sound good?”

The kids perked up at that, nodding eagerly. Haoyu felt his heart swell as he saw their excitement, their earlier frustration and sadness replaced by joy. He nodded, feeling a renewed sense of strength as they all got out of bed together, ready to start the day as a family.

As they made their way to the kitchen, Haoyu found himself smiling, his worries momentarily forgotten. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew they would face them together, and that made all the difference.

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Bai Yuming was already in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee, when the family arrived, hand in hand and full of energy. She looked up, eyebrows raised in surprise as she took in the sight of Haoyu, Xiaocheng, and the kids, all smiling and looking more connected than ever.

“Good morning, Yuming!” Xiaocheng greeted her warmly, moving past her to start gathering ingredients for breakfast. The kids scurried over to help, each of them reaching for various items with excited little hands.

“Good morning,” Bai Yuming replied, glancing over at Haoyu. “Well, this is… unexpected,” she said, smiling with curiosity. “I thought the kids were mad at you last night.”

Haoyu chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it was a bit rough yesterday, but we worked things out,” he explained, catching Xiaoyu’s eye and giving her a reassuring smile. “Sometimes it just takes a little bit of talking and a lot of hugs to set things right.”

Bai Yuming nodded, watching as the kids moved around Haoyu with renewed affection. They chatted and laughed, eagerly discussing who would be in charge of mixing the batter and who would flip the pancakes. She could see the way the kids leaned into Haoyu, their earlier anger having transformed into a more profound appreciation for their father.

Xiaocheng glanced at Bai Yuming and smiled knowingly. “Family has a way of working through things, even when it seems impossible,” he said, his gaze shifting back to Haoyu and the kids. “These little moments mean the world to us, and I think we all learned something from yesterday.”

Bai Yuming took a sip of her coffee, “You’re right,” she agreed, watching as Haoyu knelt to help Xiaoyu crack an egg into the mixing bowl. “It’s good to see you all like this. I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting things to be so… harmonious this morning.”

Haoyu glanced over at Bai Yuming and gave her a small smile. “I’m lucky to have such forgiving kids. They teach me as much as I try to teach them.” He turned to Xiaohu, ruffling his hair. “I think we all needed a reminder that no matter what happens, we’re always going to be here for each other.”

Xiaoyu chimed in, grinning as she carefully stirred the batter. “And pancakes always make everything better, right Papa?”

Everyone laughed, the air filled with lightness and the unmistakable sense of family unity. Bai Yuming couldn’t help but smile as she observed the scene before her, feeling grateful to be part of this small but significant moment. It was a reminder of how resilient love could be and how, even in the face of misunderstandings, families always had a way of coming back together.

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Hi Berries!

Double update today.

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Happy Reading!

✍️ Adona🖤🍂