(I've added a few hundred words to the previous chapter. Treasures who urged me to update faster within 7,000 words, remember to take a look.)
Shang Xi and Gu Wen returned to the residence.
She walked a little faster, ahead of Gu Wen.
She didn't know why, but right now she didn't want to be alone with Gu Wen, nor did she want to face him.
In short, she just felt very uncomfortable.
As soon as she entered the house, the werewolves who were originally playing with the cubs in the lobby twitched their ears. Recalling what Knife Scar Face Uncle had said, Shang Xi wanted to maintain the harmonious status quo and did not want the atmosphere to become too awkward. So they could not show their reactions too obviously.
At the same time, they really wanted to tell her the reason why they didn't come down for dinner that day, and to apologize and ask for her forgiveness!
But, the thoughts of pure humans are sensitive. There's something on her mind but it doesn't show on the surface. They were easygoing. If they rashly came up to bring up that matter, wouldn't that make things difficult for Shang Xi?
Yellow Tail's entangled paws gripped tighter.
Just thinking that Shang Xi might dislike them, his mood deflated like a balloon with a slow leak.
Cyan Tail secretly glanced at Shang Xi, then looked away with disappointment.
Blue Tail sat nearby, her eyes already red.
"Shang Xi is back! The lady of the house is back!" Black Tail let out a whimper.
Green Tail was stunned for a moment, and quickly said, "Shang Xi, good evening."
"Shang Xi, did you have fun today?"
They had to greet her as usual, otherwise Shang Xi would overthink things, and inadvertently hurt her again.
Shang Xi did not actually notice anything wrong with the werewolves.
Or rather, she didn't put her sights or thoughts on them much.
She smiled and nodded, "Good evening everyone, go to bed early, good night."
"Mommy!" Baby Shang pulled his mother's hand. The mother and son were about to go back upstairs. The little guy looked back and waved his little hand, "Uncles and aunties werewolves, good night, daddy good night too."
Shang Xi heard Gu Wen's steady footsteps behind her. Her body stiffened a little uncomfortably, and she quickened her pace, eager to get back to her room on the second floor and close the door.
Gu Wen's gaze lingered longingly on the woman's back. He said in a low voice, "The kindergarten is going on an outdoor camping trip tomorrow. Parents are required to participate."
Shang Xi didn't look back. "I know," she murmured.
The field trip arranged by Majesty Kindergarten was mainly for parents to set up tents with their children, prepare food together, and build parent-child relationships. The school suggested that parents should participate if possible.
The kindergarten would provide tents and food.
The two parents just needed to gather with their child at the kindergarten gate.
Baby Shang had been looking forward to it for a long time. He was very happy, shaking his little tail and running around the room, whimpering and jumping.
Would there be little bunnies in the wild?
Ah... He licked his lips.
He was full of anticipation for tomorrow's arrival.
He tucked himself under the thin quilt, pursed his lips, and closed his eyes.
Sweet dreams.
The next morning, early in the morning,
Shang Xi got up, got dressed, washed up. There might be mosquito and insect bites in the wild, so she dressed her son in leisure sportswear. She also brought a small water jug, snacks, and jerky.
She wore leisurewear herself, pulling her long hair up in a high ponytail. As she walked, the ponytail bounced around vigorously, making her whole being radiate youthful vitality.
She was like a college student going to play badminton, and a rather good-looking and popular one at that.
As she walked down the long corridor holding Baby Shang’s hand, she always felt someone staring at her. When she looked back, she saw Red Tail leaning against the railing on the opposite side, staring at her grievously, letting out a listless whimper.
Shang Xi: ?
The next second, Red Tail shook her tail and revealed the usual smile: "Good morning, Shang Xi and little one."
Shang Xi: ......??
She must have just seen it wrong earlier.
"Good morning," she smiled and nodded, then continued downstairs.
Red Tail watched Shang Xi’s back and let out a soft, sad whimper.
Just thinking that Shang Xi disliked her made her very upset. Back then when they didn't come downstairs to eat, Shang Xi thought she was disliked and must have been very sad too.
And now, they couldn't even bring themselves to apologize.
Would bringing up that matter again shatter the atmosphere she had worked hard to cultivate? Shang Xi liked how things were. She liked the superficial relationship where they seemed to get along well on the surface.
Not a truly intimate one that reached into their hearts.
Thinking of this, Red Tail lowered her eyes, her lips unconsciously pouting miserably, as if she could hang a bottle of soy sauce on them.
The other werewolves now felt more or less the same as Red Tail. Their actions carried a hint of caution, and their gazes held an expectant desire to please when interacting with Shang Xi.
They didn't know many pure humans, and had almost no pure human friends. Shang Xi lived under the same roof and saw them every day. At first they found her novelty, but now they genuinely liked her.
But they had hurt her.
She didn't want to get close to them anymore.
Moreover, forget about them, even the master of the house was no better.
Just look at how the master has completely set his heart on Shang Xi now, not even trying to hide it.
When Shang Xi was eating, the master stared at her openly and secretly.
When Shang Xi went upstairs to her room, his gaze would chase her back.
When they chatted downstairs and someone mentioned Shang Xi’s name, the master’s piercing gaze would instantly turn their way.
And then there was that night when the master was out hunting. Combined with what he said, the wolf pack gathered privately and guessed that the master must have confessed to Shang Xi but got rejected!
Thinking this gave them a bit of comfort.
They were not at all surprised that the master liked Shang Xi.
Shang Xi had a good figure, beautiful looks, wore nice clothes, and had no pungent smell on her. She was gentle and easy to get along with. No matter who talked to her, she would not brush them off, but look them in the eyes attentively and give thoughtful replies.
Any werewolf who talked to her would feel valued, and it felt so good!
Most importantly, the master had the most intimate relationship with her. Awooo, how ambiguous! They had a cub together. Considering everything, it would be strange if he didn't fall for her!
When Shang Xi walked towards the grand European dining table, Gu Wen was already sitting in the main seat.
As soon as she saw him, she thought of what happened last night, and those gentle, doting eyes.
She considered herself an ordinary person, not a cold stone. Last night, Gu Wen had said so much and given her so much, like a silly son of a landlord. After accepting such a huge "compensation", there was a trace of... of something in her heart that she couldn't even describe.
Was it gratitude?
When she was little, there were too many people who disliked her and almost no one who loved her or treated her well.
Later, she had Granny, Yoyo, Knife Jiejie, Nan Si and other true friends, as well as her beloved precious baby.
Gu Wen suddenly appeared and gave her things that an ordinary person could not obtain in several lifetimes. She said before that she was immune to suitors' sweet words, because she felt that no matter how beautifully someone said things, it was all fake.
She didn't care what others said. She cared what others did.
Gu Wen was the same as those suitors, confessing that he liked her.
Not only did he say it, he did it too.
He gave what he offered.
Were the birthday gifts from last night - the child support, or compensation, or wooing fees because he liked her? Probably all of those?
But a few lines popped up in her mind...
[I don't want to see you wandering destitute. I want you to have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of your life.]
[I didn't intend to get anything from you, nor was I exchanging anything with you.]
[I just want to help you.]
She now felt confused about how to view Gu Wen.
He wasn't her good friend.
He was her son's biological father.
They were not in a marital relationship nor were they lovers.
But he was good to her, he seemed to really...care quite a bit about her.
So he wasn't a stranger, and he wasn't some nodding acquaintance either.
Were they comrades-in-arms, cooperative partners?
But!! Whose business partner would give so much ah! Would be completely sincere in saying that he would always help her, would protect her as she walks the road to happiness. Like a handsome, humble knight.
What is he doing... Whenever she thinks of this, Shang Xi feels a bit uneasy. She's not some noble princess.
He has status, ability, what does he lack? She...is she really worth him doing so much?
When did she become so precious? Clearly...so many relatives wanted to drive her away, no matter whose home she went to she was a nuisance, although it's just a memory now, Shang Xi hasn't forgotten.
With Gu Wen here, she strongly feels that she herself is a very precious existence...
To her, he seems to be gazing up at his star.
She doesn't feel this from those pursuers, she's just something they can take or leave. Spend a little money to get her if possible, if not just go to the next one.
Gu Wen gave her the sense: Even if he can't be with her, there would be no one else.
It must be just an illusion.
So, the cooperative partnership is no longer valid.
Then now, what is he to her?
This leaves her in deep confusion.
"Good morning," the man's voice was light and gentle. He looked at her, his usually sharp, cold black eyes had softened a lot.
Shang Xi paused for a moment, hmm'd a sound: "Good morning."
Somehow, she felt a little awkward.
The former ease was gone, because she was clearly aware of one thing: this lone wolf likes her.
"Good morning, Dad," Baby Shang shook his little tail, puffing his cute bun cheeks, and was promptly picked up to sit on Dad's lap.
The little wolf cub was now much more familiar with Dad. His small tail wagged back and forth, smacking Gu Wen's leg again and again, making crisp sounds.
Not painful or itchy, just a little noisy.
He didn't usually like physical contact with others. Only his own son got to sit on his lap. But this "little accessory" wouldn't settle down.
Gu Wen pressed his lips and clicked his tongue, his tone a little low: "Having fun?"
Baby Shang's wet eyes curved slightly, his little lips hooked, his sweet voice firm: "Yeah! Fun!"
Shang Xi couldn't help chuckling.
Gu Wen was stunned for a moment, slowly letting go of the cub's face. He lightly coughed but didn't say anything more.
After breakfast.
The family of three got on the car to go to preschool.
They arrived just at the right time, many parents had come.
Human cubs were full of energy, randomly shouting shrilly from time to time, noisy and chaotic. Baby Shang's brows furrowed slightly as he covered his ears and was carried out of the car by Dad.
Shang Xi also noticed that Gu Wen really liked to hold his son. It seemed he wanted to make up for all the hugs from the past few years. Wherever he was, if he could hold the little one then he wouldn't let him down.
Unless Baby Shang protested that he didn't want hugs.
"Wow! A good looking family of three has arrived!"
"I knew they would come."
"They're so loving, they couldn't possibly miss an activity like this right."
Gu Wen heard the voices not far away again.
He had often heard such discussions during times when Shang Xi didn't know, from initially furious, to not caring, then to joyful.
And now, to the current heart-stabbing pain.
They weren't a real married couple. They weren't loving.
Looking at the families of three or four gathered together in groups of three or twos, Gu Wen's eyes were envious and his mouth bitter.
How he wished he and Shang Xi could be together.
To become a real family of three.
The preschool had arranged a spacious and comfortable parent-child bus. Parents led their children onto the bus one by one.
"Dear parents, please watch your step, please walk slowly, keep an eye on your child, pay attention to safety. Safety first."
"Next, the place we're going is Camping Park. It will take an hour's drive to get there."
Shang Xi sat in their seat, number six.
Three seats in the row on the right side, child in the middle, mom and dad on both sides.
Shang Xi had just sat down.
She saw a female teacher standing at the front of the bus with a microphone, looking at the parents and children.
"Parents please fasten your seatbelts, and check that your child's seatbelt is fastened."
Shang Xi sat by the window, Gu Wen on the aisle seat. Hearing the teacher's words, they both reached out to fasten the cub's seatbelt.
Then, their hands touched, the backs of their hands pressed together.
Shang Xi was stunned for a moment.
Gu Wen's gaze deepened.
Gu Wen didn't pull his hand back.
Shang Xi did. She said to her son, "How about letting your dad fasten your seatbelt, okay?"
Baby Shang pushed Dad's hand away, shook his head, said seriously: "Dad, Mom, I can fasten the seatbelt myself now. I've grown up a lot!"
As he spoke, he lowered his head and carefully pulled at the seatbelt with his little hands, "See! I can do it!"
Shang Xi chuckled: "Good job, baby."
Gu Wen glanced at Shang Xi's smile, hmm'd: "Not bad."
The female teacher said: "Has everyone fastened their seatbelts? Then let's get our parent-child bus moving! Thank you to the parents who made time in your busy schedules to participate in this parent-child camping trip. Because of your love for your child, you've made time to accompany them. A kiss is an expression of love. I ask all parents to give your excellent and cute child a little peck on the cheek. Don't feel embarrassed or awkward. Love is not shameful."
The scenery outside seemed to rewind as the bus started moving. The parents all bowed their heads to kiss their treasures upon hearing this.
Baby Shang consciously lifted his face, smiling as he leaned towards Mom: "Mom, kiss baby here."
"Okay sweetie." Shang Xi smiled and kissed her son's face.
Next was Dad.
Gu Wen lightly coughed. Baby Shang's expression wasn't as familiar as before either. An awkward silence later.
Baby Shang pinched his left cheek, hesitated a bit before saying: "Dad, kiss here."
Gu Wen hmm'd and leaned down to peck his son's face. When he sat up he saw Shang Xi staring right at him. He pressed his lips tightly and straightened his back.
Somehow his ears felt hot.
The female teacher said: "Then shouldn't it be the children's turn to kiss Mom and Dad?"
Baby Shang kissed Mom's face then clutched his little fists. He hesitated before kissing Dad's face too.
Whether from joy or shyness, his little face was slightly flushed. His wet eyes shone brightly.
"A kiss expresses love and will shorten the distance between people. This also applies between husbands and wives. Expressing affection in front of children is beneficial for their psychological health."
When the teacher said this line, Shang Xi suddenly had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, the teacher continued: "Lastly, fathers please give your beautiful hardworking wife a kiss; mothers give your handsome reliable husband a kiss."
Gu Wen: "......"
Shang Xi: "......"
The two of them froze like sculptures.
I also really want to write about what happens during the ambiguous stage ah ah ah! The innocent lone wolf's spring is coming.
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