My Dragon Baby and Billionaire Husband

Chapter 465: Celebrating Ye Jingzhe’s Birthday 2

Ye Jingzhe didn’t reply to Gu Shurong again. He’s so annoying! he thought. Yet, not having him around to cause trouble, there’s just a tiny bit of regret! I feel lonely. Gu Shurong was my only little brother, and now he’s vanished without a trace.

After a long while, Ye Jingzhe finally sent a message: "Are you never coming back to Mu Continent?"

Gu Shurong replied: "How is that possible! Once His Highness learns to pilot a real spaceship, I’ll fly back myself. Big bro, then I’ll take us flying~ We’ll fly to outer space. My dad says space is super beautiful!"

Ye Jingzhe felt a flicker of longing. I’ve never left Mu Continent. I don’t know what the world outside is like. Even though videos and pictures can show me what Earth is like without my having to leave home, I haven’t seen it with my own eyes. I feel like a frog at the bottom of a well, ignorant of the vast sky! Reading ten thousand books isn’t as good as traveling ten thousand miles! I really want to see the world beyond Mu Continent.

After some thought, Ye Jingzhe replied, "Okay."

「 」

Meanwhile, Si Mingjing decided to go to the mall to buy Ye Jingzhe a birthday gift. The only problem is, I have no idea what the kid likes.

On the way to the mall, Si Mingjing called her son again to ask what kind of birthday gift Ye Jingzhe would like.

The chubby little tot tilted his plump head and said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Meat, of course!"

This child must have been a hungry ghost in his past life; all he thinks about is meat! Si Mingjing mused.

"Besides meat? What about toys, merchandise from animated shows, or clothes and shoes? Or does he have any wishes?"

"Big bro never watches cartoons! And he never plays with toys! Mom, you can buy clothes for Big bro. He wears black clothes every day, and this baby is sick of looking at them. Mom, you can buy him cartoon clothes! HMPH! As a child, he should dress like one!"

"You’re right; the child does dress too somberly."

Si Mingjing had an idea. Upon reaching the mall, she headed straight for the children’s department.

In the most prosperous shopping center of the Imperial Capital on Mu Continent, the fourth floor was dedicated to children. It housed numerous children’s boutiques, each displaying a dazzling array of children’s clothing. There were all kinds of types and styles; it was a feast for the eyes.

Si Mingjing specifically picked out a brightly colored rabbit hoodie, complete with two rabbit ears on the hood.

Fengjue, standing beside her, said, "Crown Princess Consort, I don’t think the child will like such cheerful clothing. Are you sure you want to buy this set?"

"Bought it." Si Mingjing waved her hand decisively, picked up a bank card, and asked Fengjue to pay.

The card she used was a credit card Mo Yinhe had given her. Consequently, Mo Yinhe received a transaction alert. The notification showed a purchase made at a children’s boutique.

Curious, Mo Yinhe initiated a video call. Seeing she was in the children’s department, he asked, intrigued, "Buying children’s clothes? Who are they for?"

"Ye Jingzhe. Today is his birthday." Si Mingjing showed Mo Yinhe the rabbit hoodie she had picked. "Do you think the child will like it?" she asked.

Seeing the adorable rabbit hoodie, Mo Yinhe looked doubtful. "It’s hard to say if he’ll like it. Today is his birthday?"

"Your son called me. He said it’s Ye Jingzhe’s birthday today and asked me to buy a gift on his behalf."

Si Mingjing didn’t care whether Ye Jingzhe liked it or not; she felt children should dress a bit more playfully.

A sense of inexplicable regret bloomed in Mo Yinhe’s heart. If I had known today was the kid’s birthday, I could have postponed my departure for Yecheng until tomorrow. Now, I’m already on my way. It’s too late for regrets.

「 」

At dusk, Si Mingjing arrived at the school gates right on time for dismissal, standing among the other parents, all eagerly waiting.

From a distance, she saw the frosty Little Demon King, walking with stiff, measured steps through the crowd. Even though they were all just young children, he alone carried himself with an imposing two-point-eight-meter aura, brimming with confidence. But within that unapproachable, distinguished air, Si Mingjing detected a hint of premature maturity.

A thought flashed through Si Mingjing’s mind: Children who are loved are always the ones who don’t grow up; those who lack love always mature early.

"Little Ye Jingzhe," Si Mingjing waved at the frosty Little Demon King. "Over here! I’m Gu Shurong’s mother; we’ve met before."

Ye Jingzhe lifted his indifferent gaze and, amidst the crowd of expectant parents, spotted Si Mingjing waving at him.

In that instant, an illusion flickered in Little Bingshan’s eyes. It was as if the one waving at him wasn’t Gu Shurong’s mother, but his own. Ye Jingzhe pursed his thin, cool lips, thinking, If I had a mother, would she also stand among the expectant parents, smiling at me? Waving to me? Would she eagerly take my little backpack and hold my hand, ready to walk me home from school?

As he was lost in his imagination...

Suddenly, Si Mingjing wove through the crowd and stood before Ye Jingzhe, the Little Bingshan. She gently took his backpack off his shoulders, took his hand, and said softly, "Little Ye Jingzhe, would it be okay if Auntie picks you up from school? Shurong told me today is your birthday. I’d like to treat you to dinner; would you grace me with your company?"

Ye Jingzhe, the Little Bingshan, remained silent, his dark pupils fixed on the small hand Si Mingjing held. His expression was utterly unchanged.

I’ve never liked physical contact with others, he thought, wanting to pull his hand away. Unfortunately, Si Mingjing held his small hand tightly, and Ye Jingzhe couldn’t withdraw it.

"Let’s go, good child." Si Mingjing used her other hand to pat his head affectionately.

Ye Jingzhe frowned slightly again. I hate it when people pat my head the most! But for some reason, when Aunt Si’s hand rested on my head, it was soft and gently firm. It felt like a warm breeze blowing over me, melting the thousand-year-old iceberg that seemed to surround me. The aversion in my heart suddenly receded like an ebbing tide, replaced by a touch of longing and embarrassment.

"Aunt Si, I can walk by myself," Ye Jingzhe said, feigning coolness to hide his sudden embarrassment.

"Hold Auntie’s hand; it’s crowded now." Si Mingjing didn’t let go. The school gate was teeming with people, and she worried they might get separated. When she used to pick up Xiaobai from school, Xiaobai would always insist on holding her hand.

Xiaobai wouldn’t just want her to hold his hand; he’d also swagger with a brazen, show-off stride. He wanted to flaunt to everyone that he, too, had someone picking him up.

Just then, Ye Jingzhe’s phone rang.

"Hello! Big bro, did my mom pick you up?" From the phone came the chubby boy’s highly concerned voice. "Is my mom pretty? I’m lending her to you for today, so just treat her as your mom, okay? No need to be polite! Our mom even bought you a birthday cake! You’re not allowed to refuse our mom, understand? Otherwise, this crown prince will cut ties with you! HMPH! Scared yet?"