In the Years When I Was a Father

Chapter 115: Cuckold Dad (8)

The next day was the weekend. Qi Sheng didn’t have to go to work, and staying home meant either hiding in the study or possibly having to interact face-to-face with Zhong Jin, so he decided to go out for some fun.

“I’m going hiking in a bit—are you two coming?” Qi Sheng swallowed his food and looked at his two sons as he asked. As for Zhong Jin, there was no need to ask—she usually hated outdoor activities, except for shopping.

Qi Yuanzhe immediately raised his hand in agreement. His current mission was to be his dad’s little tail—following him wherever he went, determined to make his presence known.

Qi Yuancheng, on the other hand, was a little hesitant. He also wanted to go out with Qi Sheng, but there was still a lot left to investigate regarding the Kang family’s affairs. After thinking for a long time, he finally gave up and said, “Dad, I’ll pass this time. I still have some things to handle in my program.”

But after saying that, Qi Yuancheng regretted it. He thought about how soon the relationship between the three of them might no longer be as harmonious as it was now, so he immediately changed his mind: “Uh, I’ll do my programming tonight. Let’s all go out together today.”

When Qi Yuanzhe heard his brother say he was going too, he cheered right away. Qi Sheng was also pleased, and just like that, the hiking trip for the trio was decided.

After breakfast, the three of them got ready, changed into sportswear and sneakers, and drove straight out. Their destination was a mountain scenic area in the suburbs, known for its beautiful scenery and good air quality. Although the mountain path was a bit steep, there were still quite a few visitors.

Qi Sheng parked the car, carried some water and food on his back, and began climbing the first step.

Qi Sheng led the way, while the younger son walked beside him, chattering nonstop: “Dad, when we reach the top, let’s go to that hot spring hotel up there! It feels amazing to soak in a hot spring after sweating so much.”

Qi Sheng said, “Sure. Since you came out to hike with me today, I’ll agree to anything you want.” Qi Yuanzhe was thrilled and made another little request: “Then Dad, slow down a bit—I can’t keep up.”

Qi Sheng laughed. “We just started and you’re already out of breath? Looks like I need to sign you up for a sports class. Your fitness level really needs work.”

Qi Yuanzhe protested, “It’s clearly because you’re walking too fast!”

The father and son bickered playfully while Qi Yuancheng followed behind them with a smile. He had rarely gone hiking with their dad before, and only when he realized these chances were becoming fewer did he come to appreciate how precious it was for the whole family to be out together like this.

Qi Yuancheng had even brought a camera and would occasionally snap a candid photo of the lively pair ahead of him.

“Don’t just focus on taking pictures—watch your step,” Qi Sheng reminded him when he saw his older son walking while filming.

Qi Yuancheng grinned and replied, then quickly snapped another shot.

The sunlight didn’t quite penetrate the forest canopy, but the clear blue sky peeking through made the whole scene feel clean and pure. The man with the backpack had just climbed another step, and the young boy beside him followed immediately. The boy seemed to have spotted something amusing and was laughing as he pointed it out to his dad.

Qi Yuancheng successfully captured that moment. He stared at his dad’s back and his brother’s cheerful expression, feeling deeply content. He was about to take another shot when he heard his brother calling out.

“Brother! Brother! Hurry up—this background is so pretty. Let’s take a group photo!”

Hearing that, Qi Yuancheng quickly packed away his camera and jogged a few steps to catch up with them. He glanced briefly at the spot they had chosen—it truly was beautiful.

“It is nice. But I didn’t bring a tripod. I’ll take a photo of you two.”

When Qi Yuanzhe heard that, he suddenly remembered that he had felt too lazy to carry it up the mountain earlier. He was a bit disappointed but could only accept it. If he had known, he wouldn’t have tried to take the easy route.

The younger boy pouted, and the older one wasn’t happy either. Seeing the two of them like that, Qi Sheng quickly said, “Let’s wait a bit. If someone else comes up the mountain, we’ll ask them to take a few photos for us.”

The suggestion was instantly accepted by both children. Seeing that his dad wasn’t in a rush to keep climbing, Qi Yuancheng smiled and pulled out his camera again. Before Qi Yuanzhe could even strike a pose, he had already pressed the shutter.

“Brother, did you get this pose?” Qi Yuanzhe leaned against Qi Sheng, extending the index and middle fingers of his right hand in a V-shape pointing diagonally upward. He thought he looked super cool and insisted on getting a photo to commemorate it.

Qi Yuancheng chuckled as he looked at the picture of his younger brother striking a pose with one eye closed, clearly trying to look suave. He handed the camera over with a laugh: “Here, your ‘handsome’ self.”

The boy took the camera, glanced at the picture, and immediately frowned. “Brother, do you even know how to take photos? Dad, you do it!”

The three of them took turns posing and snapping pictures at the mountain turn. Before long, a few other hikers arrived, and Qi Sheng asked someone to help take a group photo. Once he saw both sons satisfied with the result, they continued on their way, also giving space for the other visitors to take pictures.

The three walked and stopped along the trail, but by the time they reached halfway up, Qi Yuanzhe was totally worn out.

“Dad, can we take a break? I want a candied hawthorn stick!”

Not far ahead stood a mountain vendor in a straw hat, leaning against a wooden stand selling sugar-coated hawthorns. Qi Yuanzhe was already tired, and upon spotting the treats, he simply couldn’t walk another step.

Seeing his son like this, Qi Sheng nodded in agreement. The child immediately ran to the stall, thrilled, and began picking a stick of candied hawthorns. Seeing how happy he was, Qi Sheng reminded him, “Don’t forget to buy one for your brother too.”

“Okay!” Qi Yuanzhe called out loudly. But just as he was about to pay, he realized—there was no signal!

“Dad, do you have cash? There’s no signal here—I can’t use mobile payment.”

Qi Sheng checked his own phone after hearing that. Sure enough, the signal was practically nonexistent. He had no choice but to open his backpack and pull out his wallet. Luckily, he still had two red bills inside. Qi Sheng pulled one out to hand to his youngest son, but before it reached him, his older son snatched it.

“I’ll go buy it. You take a rest here, alright?”

Qi Yuanzhe nodded excitedly. “Brother, you’re the best! Pick the biggest one for me!”

When Qi Yuancheng came back, he not only had change in hand but also three sticks of candied hawthorns.

“Dad, one for you too.”

Qi Sheng: “……”

He looked at the childish candied treat, then glanced at his elder son’s expectant face, and ended up taking it anyway. Seeing his younger son happily biting into his own, Qi Sheng followed suit and took a bite too.

Mmm, surprisingly sweet!

So what was originally supposed to be just Qi Yuanzhe enjoying the treat turned into all three—young, middle-aged, and grown men—gnawing on candied hawthorns together. The sight was rather amusing, but luckily there weren’t many people around. The only ones paying attention were a few girls sneaking glances at Qi Yuancheng’s handsome face.

Qi Yuancheng didn’t notice that he had become a scenic view himself. He simply watched the two most important people in his life enjoying their snacks and took a bite of his own hawthorn stick.

Mmm, sweet!

After they finished the treats, the father and sons rested a bit longer. They drank some water and nibbled on some snacks.

Qi Yuanzhe finally got to sit down, but his mouth didn’t take a break—if he wasn’t eating, he was talking.

“Brother, a few girls were checking you out just now.”

“Why didn’t they look at me? I’m just as good-looking as Brother!”

“Right, Dad?”

Qi Yuancheng rolled his eyes at his brother. “Even eating can’t shut your mouth!”

After the break, they set off again. It took them over an hour to reach the summit. Not far away was a snack street, but the little foodie didn’t even have the energy to get excited.

“Dad, Brother, let me sit for a bit. I really can’t go on. Wuwu~!”

Qi Yuancheng looked at his brother’s pitiful expression and felt both amused and sympathetic. He flicked the little guy’s forehead and said to Qi Sheng, “Dad, you and Xiao Zhe stay here and rest. I’ll go ahead and see what food they have.”

Qi Sheng was feeling tired too, so he nodded and sat on a bench with his younger son. The two waited for their son/brother to return—with time to chat.

“Dad, let’s not go hiking next time. Let’s go to an amusement park instead.” Amusement parks were way more fun—exciting, interesting, and not tiring. He couldn’t believe he forgot to convince Dad to go there this time!

Qi Sheng gave a noncommittal “Mm” in agreement. He’d come hiking today on a whim—who would’ve thought it’d be this exhausting? Youth really did make a difference. Just look at his elder son—he seemed totally fine.

After a short while, Qi Yuancheng returned, carrying three cups of bubble tea in his left hand and several food bags in his right.

Seeing him return with a bountiful haul, Qi Yuanzhe immediately lit up with excitement. “Brother, what did you get?”

Qi Yuancheng handed out the bubble tea and laid out the packaging bags one by one on the stone table in front of them. “Stinky tofu, cold noodles, savory pancakes, and ice jelly. Just something simple for now. There seems to be a self-service BBQ restaurant ahead. If you still feel like eating, we can head there later.”

Qi Yuanzhe hummed twice in agreement, his hands already busy. He picked up a piece of stinky tofu and was about to pop it into his mouth when he suddenly remembered Qi Sheng. He redirected his hand at once. “Dad, you have one first.” And just like that, Qi Sheng was fed without lifting a finger.

After feeding his father, the child sweetly picked up another piece and fed it to Qi Yuancheng. His well-behaved and thoughtful demeanor made both adults reach out and ruffle his hair without thinking.

“Hey! You can’t just touch a man’s hair like that!”

“Ah! My hairstyle’s ruined!”

The little guy shouted in protest, his exaggerated reaction making both Qi Sheng and Qi Yuancheng laugh and reach over for another round of hair ruffling.

The three of them cheerfully split the snacks and finally regained a bit of energy. They then made their way toward the self-service BBQ restaurant.

Though the restaurant already had quite a few people, it was spacious with plenty of seating. Following a staff member’s guidance, Qi Sheng sat down at a four-person table. As soon as he settled in, the now-energized Qi Yuanzhe spoke up, “Dad, what do you want to eat? I’ll go get it!”

And so, once again, Qi Sheng didn’t need to move. The two sons buzzed around like little bees, fetching food for him. Other than grilling a few skewers himself while his sons were away from the table, all Qi Sheng had to do was sit back and enjoy the feast.

Qi Sheng, who never stopped eating the entire time: With two sons this sweet and considerate, even the richest man in the world wouldn’t be able to take them from me!

The self-service BBQ lasted almost two hours. It was more than enough time for them to rest and recharge.

Rubbing his now round belly, Qi Sheng walked to the counter to pay. Seeing his two equally stuffed sons, he said, “Come on, let’s check in at the hot spring hotel. We’ll digest a bit and then soak in the hot springs this afternoon.”

At the mention of hot springs, it wasn’t just Qi Yuanzhe—Qi Yuancheng also showed a look of longing.

Check-in was quick, but digestion, unfortunately, wasn’t. All three were still feeling bloated. Seeing that the hotel room had playing cards, Qi Sheng invited his sons to play a round of Fight the Landlord.

So, the entire afternoon passed in a battle of wits between father and sons. By the time they were finally tired and ready to head for the hot springs, they realized—it was already dinner time.

The three of them: “……”

“Let’s grab a light meal first. After we eat, we can stroll around a bit and then start soaking. Let’s take it easy tonight, and we’ll head back tomorrow!”

By the time they actually made it to the hot springs, it was already past 7 p.m. After a full day of activity and barely any real rest at noon, soaking in the warm pools melted away all their fatigue in an instant.

Qi Yuancheng closed his eyes, feeling the water flow around his body, beneath his feet, and between his fingers. His entire body relaxed, and the tension that had built up over days finally began to ease. They rested like that for nearly an hour. When he opened his eyes again and looked over at his father, who was quietly enjoying the soak with eyes closed, he couldn’t help but speak:

“Dad, can we come here more often in the future?”

Qi Sheng, still with his eyes closed, responded naturally upon hearing his son’s voice, “Sure. Whenever you want to come, I’ll bring you and your brother.”

Qi Yuancheng, touched by the answer, looked at him again. “Dad, no matter what happens in the future, you’ll keep your word, right?”

Qi Sheng still didn’t open his eyes, but he replied with the certainty of a promise: “Of course. Dad always keeps his word!”