TMDP CH 32

Chapter 32: Guess How Much I Love You

Xia Ye began preparing for his departure abroad. Han Junze assigned someone to assist Xia Ye with the necessary procedures. Perhaps leveraging some of the Han family’s influence, Xia Ye managed to secure admission to an excellent school despite not having graduated from university.

On a weekend before his official departure, Xia Ye visited the Han family to spend an afternoon with Xia Li. He took the opportunity to explain to Xia Li, in terms he could understand, that he would be traveling far away soon and wouldn’t be able to visit for some time. However, he reassured Xia Li that they could still video call every night.

At first, Xia Li was heartbroken and on the verge of tears upon hearing that Xia Ye wouldn’t be visiting. But then Grandpa explained, “Daddy is going to study, just like Xia Li will go to school.” Xia Li seemed to understand somewhat. Just last week, Uncle Han had taken him to a kindergarten to play for half a day, where there were teachers, lots of children, delicious snacks, rocking horses, and slides. Xia Li loved it. Uncle Han said he would go to that school soon. So Daddy was going to school too?

Xia Li quickly forgot his sadness and proudly compared himself to Xia Ye: “I have a slide. Do you have one there?”

“Uh… probably not,” Xia Ye replied.

“What about snacks? I have red bean soup!” Xia Li pressed on.

“I don’t think so, but I can buy my own,” Xia Ye hurriedly added, noticing Xia Li’s sympathetic gaze.

Finally, Xia Li heaved a dramatic sigh, patted Xia Ye’s head, and said, “Alright then, Daddy, you have to behave, okay? Xiao Mao said that if babies don’t behave, the teacher will…” He paused, tilting his head thoughtfully, “The teacher will spank them.” Xia Li nodded solemnly and covered his little bottom with both hands.

Madam Han came out carrying a tray of fruit. Seeing Xia Li seriously covering his bottom, she immediately retreated to the kitchen, laughing so hard she held her stomach.

Xia Ye solemnly promised Xia Li that he would behave. In the end, they even made a pact to compete and see who could earn the most “Good Boy” stickers by the end of the term.

Knowing they wouldn’t see each other for some time, Xia Ye was particularly reluctant to part with Xia Li. When Han Tang Xi invited him to stay for dinner, he didn’t refuse.

As dinnertime approached, Xia Ye noticed that Han Mingxiu was still nowhere to be seen. Feeling a bit puzzled, he wondered, Is he really so busy on a Saturday? He’s been absent the entire day. If he’s like this, leaving Xia Li to him will only mean leaving the child to the care of the elders.

Xia Li’s upbringing seemed to lean toward being raised by the extended family. It wasn’t until Aunt Juan carried a meal upstairs that Xia Ye realized Han Mingxiu had been home all along but had chosen not to come downstairs because of Xia Ye’s presence.

Xia Ye found the situation both amusing and exasperating. There’s no need to be so overly cautious! As long as Han Mingxiu didn’t cling to him, Xia Ye didn’t mind the occasional social interaction.

He stopped Aunt Juan and said, “There’s no need to bring the meal upstairs. Please ask Young Master Han to come down for dinner. If my visit is causing him discomfort, I might not dare to come next time.” Xia Ye said this with a smile.

Aunt Juan looked delighted, quickly set the meal tray down, and hurried upstairs to inform him.

Han Junze clicked his tongue and quipped, “Such theatrics. Should we send an eight-man sedan chair to carry him down?”

Han Tang Xi gently patted her husband, signaling him to give their son some dignity, while inviting Xia Ye to start eating.

However, Xia Ye didn’t pick up his chopsticks. As a guest, he felt it proper to wait until the host joined them. Seeing this, Han Junze didn’t feel comfortable starting the meal either and ended up waiting alongside Xia Ye for his “unfilial son.”

Five minutes later, Han Mingxiu came downstairs, looking somewhat tired and flustered. Realizing everyone was waiting for him, he awkwardly greeted them, “Dad, Mom, Xia Ye—sorry, I was in a video conference with my assistant and didn’t hear Aunt Juan call for dinner.”

“Who holds meetings on a Saturday and keeps people working so late they can’t even eat? Are you a tyrant?” Han Tang Xi rolled her eyes at Han Mingxiu. “Hurry and sit down to eat.”

With everyone now at the table, the meal began.

While eating, the Han family elders asked Xia Ye about his plans for going abroad, repeatedly reminding him to take good care of himself. Their worries and nagging resembled that of parents seeing off their own child. Meanwhile, Xia Ye, busy feeding Xia Li, had little time to eat himself.

After finishing his own meal, Han Mingxiu casually took Xia Li’s bowl. “Let me do it. You should eat.” His tone was neutral, maintaining an appropriate distance while still showing some concern.

Xia Ye chatted with the elders while keeping an eye on Xia Li. He noticed that Han Mingxiu was very adept at feeding the child. His movements were practiced and patient, with each bite perfectly portioned and paced. It seemed that Han Mingxiu had gotten quite good at this over time.

Xia Li quickly finished eating, and Han Mingxiu took him to rinse his mouth. The child then returned to the living room to play. Before heading back to his study, Han Mingxiu mentioned that he still had a project to review. At the foot of the stairs, he politely wished Xia Ye all the best and told him to take care.

Xia Ye courteously thanked him in return.

Later, Xia Ye spent some more time playing with Xia Li. When it was time for bed, he asked the Han elders for permission to take Xia Li back to his room. There, he read him a storybook—a favorite of both him and Xia Li.

Adopting a high-pitched voice to mimic the little rabbit in the story, Xia Ye read, “I love you right up to the road, and all the way across the river beyond.”

By the time he finished, the little one in his arms had already fallen asleep, clutching tightly onto Xia Ye’s shirt.

Xia Ye smiled faintly and continued reading the story:
“… In the end, the Big Rabbit lay down beside the Little Rabbit, quietly smiled, and said, ‘I love you from here all the way to America, to the moon, and back again.’”

He kissed the little one on the forehead, blinking rapidly to hold back tears.

Tonight, Xia Ye had personally confirmed that Xia Li’s life in the Han household had become stable. It was time for him to take his own steps forward. Everything was improving—there was no reason to cry.

Xia Ye stayed by Xia Li’s side for a while longer before leaving the room. He went downstairs, thanked Uncle Han and Aunt Han, and prepared to head home. Han Junze offered to have a driver take him, and Xia Ye didn’t refuse. After accepting so much help from them, declining such a small favor would feel pretentious.

As he walked out of the Han residence, his peripheral vision caught a flicker of movement—the curtain of a second-floor window swayed slightly, and the light behind it shifted. He knew someone was there, watching.

But Xia Ye didn’t turn back. Now wasn’t the time for him to look back.

He chose to keep moving forward. With large, determined steps, he walked on without looking back.

⸻⸻⸻✿⸻⸻⸻

– End of chapter –

NEW CHAPTER RELEASED/UNLOCKED EVERY MONDAY.

If you enjoy this translation, consider giving it a high rating on Novel Updates! 😉

Stay tuned, and happy reading! 📖✨