Chapter 212: Wishes

Seeing Dabao’s teary eyes, Chen Feng lowered her head and gently touched his head with her face. She softly said, “My good son, silently make a wish in your heart, but don’t speak it out. If you blow out all the candles in one breath, your wish will come true.”

Dabao looked up at her and asked, “Can I only make one wish? I have so many wishes, you know.”

Chen Feng looked into his bright eyes, as bright as the stars on a summer night, pinched his cheek, and smiled, “Today, only one wish is allowed. Save the rest for later. In the future, on every birthday, your mother will make a cake for you.”

Dabao nodded and glanced proudly at the others, feeling so happy that it seemed bubbles of joy were popping in his heart.

Silently, he made the most fervent wish in his heart—to always be with his mother, never to be apart. After making his wish, he glanced at his mother, wanting to tell her about his wish, yet unable to. He struggled hard to keep the words from blurting out. If he said it out loud, his wish wouldn’t come true.

Afterward, he blew out all the candles in one breath.

Chen Feng led the applause, then took out the candles, divided the cake into slices, and had Autumn and Summer distribute them to the children and the impatient Golden Swallow, Qiqi, and Gray.

The fragrance of the cake nearly made the children swallow their tongues, and they devoured it like little kittens. Even after finishing, they wanted more, but Chen Feng gestured that there was no more left.

Including Dabao, a group of children ran to Chen Feng, trying to act cute.

Dabao licked the cream off his lips with his small pink tongue and looked at his mother with adoration, his eyes expressing a myriad of emotions.

Chu Hanyan wiped the cream off her lips and puckered her mouth, making her dimples look deeper and more beautiful, Chen Feng loved these two little dimples the most.

Luo Ming Cheng and Yang Chao made loud smacking sounds with their mouths.

Yang Qian repeatedly said with a pout, “Delicious, so delicious, I want more, I want more…”

Dahua and a few other children sucked their fingers, the sound audible even from outside.

The children’s behavior left Chen Feng both amused and annoyed. She had intentionally made a small cake, fearing she wouldn’t be able to resist the children’s onslaught. She knew the kids would love it, but she didn’t want them to eat too much.

What bothered Chen Feng was that she had secretly set aside a slice of cake for Chen Lu, placing it on her bedroom table and covering it with a large bowl. However, Golden Swallow had overturned the bowl, and together with Qiqi and Gray, they had stealthily devoured the cake.

When Chen Feng discovered it, the three of them had already finished the cake.

Angrily, Chen Feng rushed over and smacked both Qiqi and Gray, causing Qiqi to curse, “You rotten woman.”

She then flicked Golden Swallow’s head and scolded, “You’ve eaten so much, if you have a stomachache, don’t expect me to clean up after you.”

The Golden Swallow fumed, “Mommy is so annoying, and she’s speaking so crudely…” Before he could finish, he bent over, exclaiming, “Ouch, ouch, my stomach hurts, and I feel like having diarrhea.”

Angry as she was, upon hearing this, Chen Feng quickly said, “Hurry, and go. Once you’re done, I’ll clean you up.”

She ushered Qiqi and Gray out of the bedroom, telling them, “Go find Autumn and Summer to wash your faces.”

Then she closed the doors and windows, took Golden Swallow into the space, and personally lifted the lid of a chamber pot, saying, “Go ahead.”

She had no choice but to act this way, after all, it was crucial to fertilize at the right time.

The Golden Swallow had no choice but to comply with such rough treatment—after all, he was in need of Chen Feng’s help. Standing on the edge of the chamber pot, he used one wing to cover his face, making a series of clinking sounds. After finishing, his stomach no longer hurt.

Afterward, he carefully used his beak to put the lid back on the chamber pot.

Chen Feng then took the Golden Swallow out and helped him clean up. She then poured the water into a large basin and splashed it in the area next to the yard.

During the daytime, the children had enjoyed themselves greatly. However, in the evening, Yang Chao and Yang Qian’s moods were noticeably subdued as they were set to return home the next day.

At night, Chen Feng hugged the two tender and fragrant girls, finding it hard to fall asleep. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to sleep—it was Yang Qian’s chatter that kept her awake.

Being liked by the little girls was a frustrating situation, but being liked by a talkative and lively little girl was even more of a headache.

Chu Hanyan was very well-behaved at bedtime. She quietly listened to Chen Feng’s storytelling before drifting into slumber. Once she was asleep, Chen Feng would kiss her delicate little face, blow out the candle, and then lie down to sleep.

However, Yang Qian was quite the opposite. After hearing the story, she would incessantly chatter, and Chen Feng had to repeatedly ask her to hush and go to sleep. Even when she did fall asleep, she was restless, moving about like a little mouse. Consequently, Chen Feng didn’t dare let her sleep next to Chu Hanyan.

That night, Yang Qian held one of Chen Feng’s hands and reached over to grasp Chu Hanyan’s, expressing her deep affection for them, “What should I do? I’m already feeling sad before leaving. I’ll miss you and cry every day and every night. I won’t be able to eat or sleep…”

As she spoke, her sadness deepened, and she pouted, crying. Chu Hanyan was also upset, saying through tears, “Auntie, don’t let sister Qian leave. I like her…”

The next day, everyone at Fengyuan was up early.

After breakfast, Chen Feng led Chu Hanyan and Yang Qian, with Yang Chao following alongside, to see Lu and Dabao off from the courtyard.

Dabao was dressed in a handsome blue jacket made by his mother, with a sky-blue ribbon tied in a bow on top, looking incredibly smart. He also carried a small basket holding his study materials, looking full of determination.

Wu Changgeng’s wife and Shitou were already waiting at the gate of Fengyuan. After exchanging pleasantries with Chen Feng, they, along with Lu and Dabao, turned eastwards and then northwards towards Shangshui Village’s private school.

Chen Feng also led a few other children to the eastern side of the courtyard, watching the four figures of varying heights under the morning light as they walked towards the north, gradually disappearing into the brilliant morning glow.

Later, many snacks and toys were loaded into the siblings’ carriage, as Yang Chao and Yang Qian, tearfully, were helped onto it.

Even as the carriage moved away, the cries of the siblings could still be heard. Yang Qian leaned out of the window and said, “Auntie Chen, if we don’t come back for a long time, remember to send invites for us. If you send invites for us, my grandmother won’t hold us back…”

Their departure brought tears to Chen Feng’s eyes, and Chu Hanyan had already begun sobbing.

The little girl repeatedly asked while hugging Chen Feng’s neck, “Why does Dabao have to go to school? Why do brother Chao and sister Qian have to go home…”