novelraw Chapter 452: Le Tong’s New Pleasure (2)
Chapter 452: Le Tong’s New Pleasure (2)
After Yang Sheng left, Ji Rui and Le Tong became even busier. Ji Rui sincerely believed that Le Tong, who usually worked too hard, deserved to rest at home on her rare days off.But thinking back, this was the first time Le Tong had shown interest in the apartment’s decor and layout, and was so actively involved. Ji Rui couldn’t bear to refuse her.
While worried about her health, Ji Rui couldn’t help but secretly be pleased. Her eagerness showed that she truly considered this place a home shared by the three of them.
With these conflicting thoughts, after breakfast the next day, Ji Rui finally, after a push and pull of decisions, happily left the house with one arm around Le Tong and the other holding Baobao.
"Besides flowers, anything else you’d like to buy?"
Ji Rui made up his mind that as long as Le Tong liked it, even if she said the entire apartment needed to be refurbished from ceiling to floor, he’d be fine with it.
"Haven’t thought of anything else for now," Le Tong replied honestly.
Ever since they got in the car, Ji Rui’s gaze was fixed on Le Tong. Completely ignored, Baobao tugged at his clothes, looked up, and asked, "Daddy, can I get a little turtle?"
Baobao loved goldfish and all aquatic animals, but Ji Rui only discovered Baobao’s fondness when they were checking out that little space with Le Tong.
Ji Rui felt more and more that this little fellow was not the spoiled, willful kid he assumed. He might even be more considerate than many daughters. Although it was a request that could easily be fulfilled, he never mentioned it.
Or maybe, he had mentioned it before, but Ji Rui never paid attention or didn’t care?
Thinking of this possibility, Ji Rui couldn’t help but silently curse his former self for being so careless and indifferent.
"Of course, you can. We’ll buy the tank too, alright?" Ji Rui looked gently at Baobao with a smile, raising his hand to pinch Baobao’s gradually chubby cheek.
"Alright!" Baobao looked extremely happy, blinking his big, bright eyes and grasped Ji Rui’s neck, leaning in to give him a loud kiss on the cheek.
"Then besides the turtle, can Baobao also buy other goldfish?"
Ji Rui patted Baobao’s little bottom, "Of course, whether they’re big goldfish or small goldfish, as long as Baobao likes them, you can buy them!"
Realizing how neglectful he had been towards Baobao, Ji Rui naturally wanted to make amends.
"What if Baobao wants a crocodile, too? Shall we buy one?" Le Tong interjected with a playful smile.
Ji Rui thought for a moment, paused for a second or two, and then seriously asked Baobao, "Do you really want to keep a crocodile?"
Baobao snuggled into Ji Rui’s embrace, turned to look at Le Tong, and their eyes met. The clever little fellow instantly understood his mom’s meaning.
"Hmm... I kind of want one!" His dark eyes twinkled with a hopeful shine.
Ji Rui’s mind raced, uncertain, as he glanced at Le Tong, "I have a villa in the Western Suburb, the garden is large enough to build a crocodile pond, how about we move there?"
Le Tong was taken aback; she hadn’t expected Ji Rui would accommodate Baobao to such an extent. But she and Baobao were merely aiming to tease Ji Rui.
Obviously, Baobao also didn’t expect his daddy to agree so readily. The little guy was genuinely torn, especially since they had only moved into this apartment a few days ago, and he really liked living there.
Naturally, he liked living there because his mommy would stay with him and daddy. If they moved to the villa, who knows if she would come along?
Baobao’s mind spun quickly, deciding to throw this dilemma back to his mom.
Le Tong caught the plea in Baobao’s eyes and hurriedly said, "Western Suburb? Let’s not, it’s too far! Baobao going to school and you going to work would be inconvenient. Besides, if I’m living far from you, it’ll be hard to meet up."
Clearly, she was trying to wrap up the issue.
Ji Rui immediately seized upon her main point—if father and son decided to move to the Western Suburb, she would stay in her own place.
Even though what Le Tong had meant wasn’t exactly how he understood it, the result was the same: She wouldn’t move with them. Ji Rui quickly dismissed and rejected the idea of relocating to the Western Suburb villa.
"You’re right, it’s too far, let’s forget about it."
Le Tong had barely agreed to move in with him, Ji Rui couldn’t guarantee she’d be willing to move again if he did. After all, even though they lived under the same roof, they were still in a stage of getting to know and adjust to each other, not truly cohabitating.
The clever Baobao saw there was a way out and immediately said.
"Actually, I don’t like crocodiles that much. If Baobao wants to see one, mummy and daddy will take me to the zoo to see them, right?"
Having reached a consensus, the two adults and the little one first bought more than a dozen potted plants at the flower market.
Not wanting Le Tong to be overworked, Ji Rui specially instructed the boss to trim the plants before delivering them, which the boss agreed to, taking down the delivery address and promising to deliver them within three days.
Leaving the flower shop, the trio walked in step towards the area marked "Aquatic Animals".
The process of selecting goldfish and little turtles was much faster than picking the plants.
The shopkeeper was beaming, personally trotting behind Baobao, serving him like a little lord.
His shop wasn’t large, and it was rare to encounter such large spenders. Whenever the little kid pointed at a fish, regardless if it cost thousands or tens of thousands, the guy with the icy demeanor but perpetual subtle smile would say, "Take that one too!"
Watching Baobao’s little hand casually point at fish worth her annual salary of ten thousand plus, Le Tong couldn’t help feeling a pang of heartache.
"Baobao, these fish are quite expensive, and your daddy and I don’t know much about raising fish; how about we start with some regular goldfish, and when you get better at caring for them, we’ll buy the expensive ones?"
The shopkeeper grew anxious upon hearing this.
Seeing the tens of thousands already in the bag and not yet warmed, how could he possibly let it be taken back?
"Miss, you needn’t worry about keeping the fish alive. We have specialized technicians here, and within two months of purchase, you can enjoy immediate professional services. Give me your address and phone number, and I’ll arrange for someone to take care of these goldfish daily as per your needs."
Le Tong hesitated, glancing at Ji Rui. The money wasn’t coming from her, so as long as the one paying had no objections, why interfere?
Ji Rui seemed to catch her thoughts, reached over to hold her hand, squeezing her palm, and turned his head to speak to the shopkeeper.
"Boss, she’s right, let’s pick some cheaper ones first. After all, kids keep fish for the enjoyment, if we always let your staff manage them, he’d lose the fun."