RMM -Chapter 223 The Stern Father is Actually a Super Dad

“Yun Zhen?”

Su Ruo spoke in surprise, holding her phone in her hand.

Beside her, Xi Yuechen’s expression remained unreadable, as if he hadn’t heard her at all, his face emotionless, fully focused on changing Xi Zi’s diaper.

On the other end of the line, Zhou Yun Zhen’s lips curved into a faint smile, her voice filled with amusement. “It’s been a long time since we last contacted each other. How have you been? How’s the baby? I remember the due date isn’t until a little later.”

The caller was Zhou Yun Zhen. When she heard that Xi Yuechen had returned to Beijing, she had felt frustrated and hurried back to B City.

Xi Yuechen was no longer there—what was the point of staying in this lousy place?!

Damn it! Xi Yuechen had gone back to A City again. What was the point of rushing here? If she had known, she would have just talked to him the first time they met and wouldn’t have overthought it!

Now, it was too late to say anything. She’d just go back first.

What bad luck, nothing seems to go her way! Zhou Yun Zhen clenched her hands tightly as these thoughts crossed her mind. Her usually gentle, smiling face now held a trace of ferocity, and even her pupils carried a dark shadow.

After returning to B City, Zhou Yun Zhen didn’t rush to find Xi Yuechen. She casually went back to work, returned home, and did her usual things.

After a few days of quiet, she finally picked up her phone to call Su Ruo.

At this time, Su Ruo had just returned from H Province and was staying at Zhengjia Courtyard. She normally didn’t use her phone much, but it was always on. Any calls were usually answered by Shen Liang or the others—they mostly checked on Su Ruo and the baby. Nothing urgent was ever delayed.

By now, the news of Xi Yuechen having a son had spread throughout B City. Xi Zi, as the Xi family’s golden grandson, became the center of everyone’s attention.

Of course, not everyone. Zhou Tingzhang never paid attention to such things. Who married whom, who had a child—what did it have to do with him?

With his usual explosive temper—“don’t bother me”—even if people around him knew, they wouldn’t bother informing him, to avoid incurring his wrath. Su Feng occasionally met him, but would never go, “Oh, you know, my daughter gave birth!” So every time Zhou Tingzhang met Su Feng, he sensed a certain joyfulness he couldn’t explain. He assumed Su Feng was happy for Xi Yuechen, his powerful son-in-law who had accomplished so much.

So even now, when everyone knew Su Ruo had a son, Zhou Tingzhang was completely unaware. And if Zhou Tingzhang didn’t know, Zhou Yun Zhen certainly didn’t either. Who would tell her?

At the hospital, none of her colleagues were of high enough rank to gossip about it, and she deliberately avoided social interaction, quietly going to work and returning home. Her colleagues couldn’t tell what was wrong, but tacitly felt that the “great beauty Zhou” carried a faint but lingering resentment recently…

Thus, the “just saying hello” call came about.

When Zhou Yun Zhen called, Xi Yuechen happened to pass by, heard the ringtone, and casually picked up the phone, seeing Zhou Yun Zhen’s name on the screen.

Xi Yuechen’s eyes didn’t ripple at all. He glanced briefly before putting the phone away. He had no impression of Zhou Yun Zhen. Even after meeting her a few times, she had left no mark in his exceptional memory—like a complete stranger.

Cough cough, if proud Miss Zhou knew this, she wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He was about to hand the phone to Shen Liang—he rarely touched Su Ruo’s phone anyway, partly to avoid small talk, and partly because if he answered, the other side would be too nervous to exchange pleasantries.

Xi Yuechen never interfered in Su Ruo’s friendships, so as not to make them uncomfortable.

“Who is it?”

Su Ruo heard the ringtone and asked.

Xi Yuechen glanced at the phone again and replied, “Zhou Yun Zhen.”

Xi Yuechen was known for his photographic memory. That he could ignore Zhou Yun Zhen so completely showed how nonchalant he was. Poor Zhou Yun Zhen, still thinking of him, only to be met with indifference.

“It’s her? Then give it to me. It’s been a while since I contacted her.” Su Ruo looked at the sleeping Xi Zi and smiled.

“Mm.” Xi Yuechen thought for a moment. Since Su Ruo hadn’t used her phone in a while, it was fine for her to answer now.

Su Ruo took the phone from Xi Yuechen with one hand, while reaching for Xi Zi with the other.

“Oh, he peed,” she said, putting the ringing phone aside and turning to Xi Yuechen. “Chief, can you change the diaper?”

Her tone was casual, and Xi Yuechen didn’t show any reaction. Calmly, he picked up Xi Zi, expertly handling the diaper change.

Su Ruo smiled, then answered the phone.

“Due date? Guess what happened.” Su Ruo joked for the first time in a while.

“Guess? Hmm…” Zhou Yun Zhen laughed. “I’ll guess that both mother and child are safe. When will you have time? I’ll come see you.”

Her eyes sparkled as she asked again, without waiting for a response: “You’ve been staying at Zhengjia Courtyard recently? I’ve been around the compound but haven’t seen you.”

Su Ruo chuckled. “No need. Just come see me during your postpartum recovery when you have time.”

Zhou Yun Zhen paused, then asked, “You… had the baby?”

“Yes! Early, a son. I’ve been at Zhengjia Courtyard, so it’s normal you haven’t seen him.”

Su Ruo’s voice was cheerful, watching Xi Yuechen skillfully change Xi Zi’s diaper. Xi Zi, feeling comfortable, didn’t even cry, and Su Ruo’s face beamed like a flower in full bloom.

Xi Yuechen had learned the diaper-changing skill only a few days ago, thanks to Su Ruo’s suggestion.

A few days ago, Su Ruo was changing Xi Zi when Xi Yuechen came in. He watched her skillfully handle the baby, who quieted down and fell asleep, perhaps because he felt comfortable.

Su Ruo noticed Xi Yuechen sitting on the bed, focused on the sleeping Xi Zi, seemingly intrigued by his reaction.

“What’s the matter? Look at him, he peed and was uncomfortable. Now it’s fine.” Su Ruo tilted her head.

Xi Yuechen nodded, seemingly in agreement. Su Ruo teased, raising her brows: “Chief, as Xi Zi’s father, shouldn’t you do something for him? Otherwise, when he grows up, he’ll resent you.”

Xi Yuechen’s expression shifted slightly. “Do what?”

Though he asked the question, he wasn’t thinking literally. Looking at the sleeping Xi Zi, a light flickered in his eyes. Dare resent me? Then I’ll teach him a lesson. It’s not like raising a daughter. Why so careful?

Cough cough, though not so direct, that was the gist. As a father, he could never be indulgent.

Clearly, Xi Yuechen was a stern father. It would be shocking if he suddenly showed a doting, filial scene.

Of course, he wouldn’t tell Su Ruo his true thoughts. He’d go along with her words. He knew that, given Su Ruo’s current love for the child, any remark spoiling the mood would not go over well. Even Shen Liang and Xi Jian’an would not tolerate it—they all adored the child, and even a little complaint was unthinkable.

Indeed, as a stern father, he had assumed the role seamlessly, even considering lifelong matters for his tiny son. It was natural to dote on the child—after all, the whole family was excited about the baby’s arrival.

As for parenting in the future, there was plenty of time to educate him. With such excellent family genes, how could a bad seed grow?

This was Su Ruo’s thinking. During pregnancy, she occasionally worried, but now that the child was born, she wanted to give him the world. Rational thinking about future matters could wait.

Xi Yuechen hadn’t expected Su Ruo to suggest he learn to change Xi Zi’s diaper. Suddenly, he felt a little unprepared.

Looking at Su Ruo’s teasing eyes and the increasingly rosy Xi Zi, a flicker of affection appeared in Xi Yuechen’s eyes. Surprisingly, he found the suggestion feasible.

“Mm, I’ll try next time.”

He replied calmly, yet Su Ruo almost choked on her own saliva. He… actually agreed?!

No wonder she was surprised. Xi Yuechen, though not overtly, still had a certain masculine pride. In the military, he was used to strict discipline, and Su Ruo had only jokingly suggested he change a diaper, never expecting him to agree.

One day, this iron-blooded man might actually transform into a super dad. Absolutely terrifying, isn’t it?

Xi Yuechen noticed Su Ruo’s astonishment. “What’s wrong? Not acceptable?”

Wasn’t this her suggestion? Why the sudden look of reluctance? Could it be… she thought he would be clumsy?

That thought made Xi Yuechen dissatisfied. This is my son; changing his diaper is my duty. Can’t even do that?

Wait, Xi Yuechen… that expression wasn’t reluctance—it was sheer shock!

And what about your stern father role? Don’t you teach children from the start?

Su Ruo laughed heartily the next second: “Fine, fine! Xi Zi will definitely be grateful when he grows up!”

Of course he could! A father like this looks both cute and approachable.

Cough cough… drifting off-topic again.

Back to the main story.