DLRC – Chapter 86 Are You Trying to Pursue Me?

Huo Mingwang couldn’t help but laugh, completely amused by Yu Hui. He was thinking—maybe this kid really shared some kind of telepathic connection with him. Perhaps this was the unspoken bond and tacit understanding between a father and son.

Yu Hui was simply amazing!

And so… with Yu Hui’s help, Huo Mingwang shamelessly managed to enjoy a “hearty” meal of leftovers at Yu Wei’s place.

He didn’t linger too long—after swiftly polishing off all the remaining food left by the mother and son duo, he stated his reason for dropping by.

“It’s raining heavily today, and I happened to be passing by. Let me take your son to kindergarten.”

Yu Wei maintained her usual polite smile, suppressing the urge to call him out for his thick skin. She stepped forward and took the used bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen.

“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Huo, but my son and I are staying home to rest today.”

“Rest?” Huo Mingwang frowned.

Yu Hui beamed brightly. “Uncle Huo, I’m going to stay home and play with Mommy today! No kindergarten!”

He was absolutely thrilled to spend the whole day with his mom. He’d even been silently praying for the storm to get even worse, just so he could stay home longer!

“The rain is too heavy today,” Yu Wei explained. “I’m giving my son the day off.”

Huo Mingwang didn’t press the issue. Before leaving, he crouched down and gave Yu Hui’s nose a playful pinch.

“See you tomorrow.”

Yu Hui stood there in a daze, stunned by how gentle Uncle Huo was… he liked him even more now.

Instinctively, he leaned closer to Yu Wei, reaching up to grab one of her fingers, and with his other hand, he waved goodbye.

“Mr. Huo!”

Yu Wei suddenly called out.

Huo Mingwang, who had just reached the doorway, turned around with a questioning look.

“Well…” she started a little awkwardly, “when you take Aiying to kindergarten, could you help ask for leave for my son too?”

She quickly added, “Ah—only if it’s not too much trouble…”

“What class is he in?” Of course Huo Mingwang wouldn’t refuse.

“The middle class!” Yu Hui shouted back, his little head held high with pride.

“Alright.”

Finally, Huo Mingwang went downstairs. As soon as he left, Yu Hui, excited beyond belief, grabbed Yu Wei and dashed toward the balcony. His little legs tiptoed as he tried to peer over the railing, but he was too short, and nearly cried from frustration.

“Mommy…”

Yu Wei resisted the urge to bop her silly son on the head. She bent down and lifted him up. Only then did the little guy finally see Uncle Huo!

As always, Huo Mingwang’s car was parked right outside the small courtyard. After Yu Wei picked him up, Yu Hui’s eyes locked tightly onto that massive vehicle outside, where Uncle Huo was standing next to it.

As Huo Mingwang walked to the driver’s seat, he looked up toward the third floor—Yu Wei’s home. Sure enough, he spotted the mother and son duo.

He saw Yu Hui being held up by Yu Wei, waving excitedly at him. Huo Mingwang, in a cheerful mood, raised his umbrella and waved back to them in the cold winter air and the fierce wind.

He mouthed something, but the dim light and distance made it impossible for the two upstairs to make it out. They only knew he had waved, and stood tall and upright like a pine tree, watching them for quite a while before finally getting into the car.

Only after the car slowly disappeared from view did Yu Hui reluctantly look away.

When he turned around, he saw Yu Wei.

“Alright, Uncle Huo’s gone now. Mommy, you can put me down.”

“Oh, I can, huh?” Yu Wei lowered her voice coldly, still holding him as she stepped back inside and shut the door with a kick. “And where’s my dignity then?”

This little rascal used her and then tried to cut and run—she really wanted to spank him!

“Mommy, what are you talking about? Mommy’s very dignified!” Yu Hui kicked his little legs in the air, but Yu Wei still refused to put him down.

“Mommy?” Yu Hui looked confused. What was going on? Why was Mommy still holding him? His arms were getting tired.

“You little rascal—tell me the truth! Are you harboring feelings for Uncle Huo?” Yu Wei interrogated him seriously.

But the little guy had no idea what such a “profound” phrase meant.

“What’s harboring fish, Mommy?” Yu Hui kept flailing his little legs and arms. Finally, Yu Wei gave in and put him down.

This little guy, where on earth did he learn to be so clingy? As soon as he hit the ground, he zipped over and hugged her leg.

Then came the sweet talk.

“Mommy, what did you mean by ‘harboring fish for Uncle Huo’ just now?”

“I meant—” Yu Wei crouched down and pinched his cheeks, her fingers sliding to his nose and giving the same spot Huo Mingwang pinched earlier another squeeze.

So soft and smooth. It felt amazing.

“I meant to ask, you little rascal, are you up to something with Uncle Huo?”

“What do you mean, up to something? I’m not up to anything!” Yu Hui still didn’t get it, and Yu Wei sighed helplessly, deciding to change the subject.

“Forget it. You’re too little to understand. But tell Mommy this—”

“Mm!” Yu Hui nodded vigorously. “Ask me anything, Mama!”

Yu Wei laughed. “Why do you like Uncle Huo so much?”

Was he bribed? Was it the car, the money, or the face?

“Because Uncle Huo is nice to me!” Genuinely nice—from the heart. He could feel it. Only Uncle Huo truly liked him!

“Then do you like everyone who’s nice to you?”

Yu Hui’s little face instantly turned serious. “No, but I think Uncle Huo really likes me and treats me well.”

Plus, he had so many good qualities—not only did others find him attractive, but he did too!

After hearing that, Yu Wei didn’t know what to say for a moment. On such a cold and rainy day, she sat on the bed, dazed for a long time.

She was thinking about how she felt toward Huo Mingwang.

It seemed like… ever since he appeared in the storm, something had started to sprout quietly in her heart…

In the days following that rainstorm, Yu Wei hadn’t seen a single sunny day.

New Year’s Day was only a week away. If the rain continued, it would really ruin the festive mood. But it was the 80s, after all—holidays were always full of that strong festive spirit, rain or not.

After taking a day off on Thursday, Huo Mingwang came by again on Friday and successfully took Yu Hui with him. But Yu Wei wasn’t at ease and followed along.

She had originally felt too embarrassed to trouble Huo Mingwang, but the man had clearly conspired with her silly son. Yu Hui had rushed to him excitedly, and Huo Mingwang bent down to scoop him up and, with a quick stride, headed downstairs.

Yu Wei was so flustered she didn’t think twice—she grabbed an umbrella and chased after them.

Climbing into the car while the cold wind still blew, she yanked her silly baby over and gave him a thorough squishing.

“Mama, don’t squish me. My face hurts a little…”

“That’s the point! You little rascal!”

Yu Hui nestled in his mother’s arms, enduring her fury—not that it was truly anger, more like a sigh over her son’s lack of resolve.

Look at this—just a few days and he’d already been completely won over by Huo Mingwang! Now she couldn’t help but feel like the person this little rascal was happiest to see each day wasn’t her anymore, but Huo Mingwang!

She didn’t want to admit it, but Yu Wei was feeling a tiny bit jealous.

And it was showing—very clearly. This little guy must’ve been possessed or something today. For the first time ever, he didn’t even sleep in!

It wasn’t even seven in the morning, and he got out of bed on his own—no threats or coaxing needed.

He braved the chill to crawl over to the wardrobe to pick out clothes. He even muttered sadly to himself, saying his clothes were kind of few and that he didn’t have anything to choose from. Then he asked if Mama could take him to buy a few more.

Yu Wei: …

Sweetheart, weren’t you the one who said you were still little and didn’t need that many clothes?

“Mama?” In the quiet car, the little guy suddenly leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

“What is it now?” This little traitor again—what’s he up to?

In an even softer voice, he said, “Mama, just now Uncle Huo ate all my roll.”

Yu Wei: “…”

“Aren’t you so fond of him? Go ask him to give it back yourself!” Yu Wei leaned in and whispered back in his ear.

Yu Hui blushed and smiled at her, grabbing her collar with his little hand. “Mama, that’s not nice…”

Yu Wei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Then what are you telling me for?”

“Mama, I didn’t eat enough just now…”

But he felt too embarrassed to say anything. After all, it was he who invited Uncle Huo in for breakfast, and Mama hadn’t even prepared a portion for Uncle Huo…

Sigh. In the end, everything had to fall on his little shoulders.

“Mama, can we go to the shop and get just a little cake?”

“There’s no cake left at the shop.”

It had been almost cleared out last time—what was left were a few dry crackers that were probably damp by now with this weather.

“Oh… okay then.”

Just as Yu Hui resigned himself to his fate, Yu Wei sighed with a smile and leaned close to whisper in his ear again.

“You little rascal, why don’t you take a look in your backpack?”

Yu Hui scratched his head in confusion and brought the small backpack around to the front. When he opened it, he couldn’t hold back a gasp, quickly covering his mouth afterward.

“Mama!”

“Keep your voice down! What are you yelling for?”

Yu Hui was overjoyed—Mama was the best! So amazing that she even knew he hadn’t eaten enough and secretly tucked a packet of tata su (flaky pastry biscuits) into his new backpack!

“Mama would never let our little stinker go hungry, would she?”

Yu Hui grinned and collapsed into her arms, then tilted his head back and puckered his lips to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, Mommy! Mommy would never starve Huihui!”

Well then, that’s basically admitting he’s a little rascal!

Huo Mingwang drove as he listened to the mother and son whispering in the backseat, the smile tugging at the corners of his lips never once fading.

He felt like things were already going pretty well. As long as he didn’t dwell on those painful memories from the past, everything seemed to be unfolding just the way he had hoped—orderly and steady.

After Friday, Yu Hui didn’t have to go to kindergarten anymore, and he got to enjoy a cozy weekend at home. But come Saturday and Sunday morning, Huo Mingwang showed up at their house again, under the pretense of driving them to the shop.

Looking at the torrential downpour outside, Yu Wei instinctively shrank into herself. The cold wind whipped into her chest like a little devil—more annoying than Yu Hui.

Honestly, even if she didn’t open the shop, it wouldn’t matter. They had enough money at home to last her and her son a long time without worry.

But when she looked into her son’s pleading eyes and then into Huo Mingwang’s hopeful gaze…

Her disobedient legs!

She actually—

Walked out the door!

That evening, after they returned home, Yu Wei buried herself under the blanket and pounded the mattress. She wanted to drag her silly son over and give him a “beating”—and maybe beat herself too.

Just a few days ago, she was complaining about how quickly Yu Hui had defected. And now… she was the one wavering.

Over the past few days, her attitude toward Huo Mingwang had become increasingly blurry—so much so that she was starting to question whether she had developed feelings for him.

But one thing was undeniable—he was definitely pursuing her.

Yu Wei let her mind go blank as she sprawled on the bed, recalling everything Huo Mingwang had done in recent days.

She thought about it until 10 p.m. When the image of that man softly calling her name, “Yu Wei,” popped into her mind, she hugged her son and drifted into a deep sleep.

…

New Year’s Day arrived right on schedule, and surprisingly, the weather cleared up. When Yu Wei woke up and saw the sunshine, her happiness was through the roof.

Finally, no more rain! That meant Huo Mingwang finally had no excuse to come over!

Knock knock—

Yu Wei: “?”

She opened the door. Who else could it be but Huo Mingwang?

“Is Yu Hui up yet?” he asked naturally the moment she opened the door.

Yu Wei took a deep breath. “You’re too early. He’s not up yet.”

Huo Mingwang peered inside. The door to the mother and son’s bedroom was half open. Thanks to his height, he caught a glimpse of the little guy sound asleep on the bed.

A smile involuntarily curved his lips as he raised his hand, revealing a small paper bag.

“You guys probably haven’t had breakfast yet, right? I brought this.”

Yu Wei looked closer. The bag was printed with large characters: “Xiao Cui’s Pan-Fried Buns.”

“Pan-fried buns?” she muttered. Why in the world would he bring pan-fried buns?

He gave a soft “Mm,” then stepped inside with his long legs and placed the bag on the dining table. Only then did Yu Wei peek inside the open bag—and it was full to the brim. Even two people would struggle to finish that many.

“You haven’t cooked breakfast yet, right?” He had come this early knowing full well she probably hadn’t started cooking. “These buns from that shop are really good.”

He had gotten up early and lined up just to buy them.

“Mr. Huo,” Yu Wei crossed her arms, feeling it was finally time to make things clear.

“What is it?” Huo Mingwang straightened up, and suddenly the pressure in the room shifted toward her.

Yu Wei subtly stepped back. “You don’t have to do this.”

As expected, his eyes, which had been filled with gentle warmth just moments before, paused for two seconds. He lowered his gaze and looked at her fixedly, arms at his sides, lips slightly parted. “Don’t have to do what?”

That frank gaze made Yu Wei’s heart skip a beat. She told herself not to let him intimidate her.

She swallowed, throat dry but reluctant to go grab a drink. So she spoke: “Are you trying to pursue me?”

Yu Wei asked directly. She didn’t want this unclear ambiguity between them any longer.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he replied.

Huo Mingwang’s sharp eagle eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, she didn’t dare meet his gaze.

But she couldn’t lose her momentum! She widened her almond eyes and stood her ground.

“Mr. Huo, I already have a child.”

Of course, Huo Mingwang understood what she meant by that. But hearing it made his heart unexpectedly settle.

That excuse… It meant Yu Wei probably had feelings for him too.

He suddenly smiled—a smile that bloomed fully just for her. Then he stepped forward, closing the already minimal distance between them.

Yu Wei frowned and tried to step back, but he caught her arm.

“I know you have a child,” he said, his voice husky and magnetic. It sent another skip through her heartbeat.

Never mind his striking appearance—his voice alone was enough to be a blessing for anyone into voice fetishes. Yu Wei wasn’t, but even she felt her heart pounding violently.

Especially with his strong, heady scent flooding her senses. It was overwhelming—just like the man himself…

“Yu Wei,” Huo Mingwang called her back to the moment. His large palm still rested on her arm. “Do you think I’m serious?”

Serious about what? Pursuing her?

She grumbled inwardly, trying to push his hand away. “How would I know?”

But Huo Mingwang had a grip like iron. Even with all her strength, she couldn’t move an inch.

“I know you have a child.” He now gripped both her shoulders, no longer bothering to hide his intentions.

“Yu Hui is a good kid—very thoughtful.” He said it sincerely, but Yu Wei’s face flushed scarlet, the red creeping from her neck all the way to her cheeks.

Her whole body was burning up. She wanted to run from this dangerously ambiguous closeness—but she’d started this conversation, hadn’t she?

“I really like him.”

Huo Mingwang took another small step forward. Now only two fists’ width separated them. But because they were so close, he unconsciously relaxed his arms—and Yu Wei took the chance to shove him hard.

She finally broke free.

“Mr. Huo, to be honest, I never planned on finding Yu Hui a new father.”