In the evening, when Bo Tingyuan got home, Uncle Xu came forward to greet him. He walked straight towards the stairs, his long fingers habitually preparing to unbutton his suit, and asked, “Is Mister on the second floor?”

Uncle Xu shook his head with some difficulty, “In the kitchen.”

Bo Tingyuan stopped, his hand falling from the suit button, frowning.

Uncle Xu explained, “Mister said he wanted to prepare some snacks for the eldest young master.”

He followed Bo Tingyuan as they turned around together, “Eldest young master, you know, when Mister wants to do something, I can’t really stop him.”

“Mm.” Bo Tingyuan didn’t say much, instead striding towards the kitchen with his long legs.

In the Western-style kitchen of the mansion, the baking area.

The air was filled with the soft aroma of freshly baked bread, and the built-in silver-white oven was glowing red.

By the white cloud-patterned marble island, leaned a leisurely and slender figure, dressed in white clothes and pants, with black hair tied up, revealing a snow-white neck.

Wen Cishu was holding a cup of hot water, intently watching the small pastries in the oven.

At the entrance, Bo Tingyuan’s dark green eyes behind his glasses quickly signaled the pastry chef and auntie.

Everyone quietly left.

Bo Tingyuan gave Uncle Xu a couple of instructions in a low voice.

Uncle Xu listened while looking towards the floor-to-ceiling window door facing the courtyard, nodding and going to carry out the instructions.

–

Wen Cishu was fully focused on the small pastries in the oven when he suddenly heard clear footsteps approaching.

He turned his head and was surprised to see who it was, “You’re back.”

A gentle smile accompanied his words, slowly and steadily radiating from his eyes, like the brilliant light of sunrise shining on people who had just experienced darkness.

Bo Tingyuan walked over to him with a smile, raised his hand to unbutton his suit, and after taking it off, casually draped it over the island, looking into the oven at the pastries being baked at high temperature, prepared for him.

Wen Cishu glanced at the gray vest over his black shirt.

The vest fit well, highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist to the fullest extent.

They say clothes make you look slim, but without them, you have muscles.

He slowly rotated the water cup in his hand, thinking: Bo Tingyuan is an exception, even with two layers of clothing, you can vaguely see the lines.

Realizing what he was thinking, Wen Cishu silently took a sip of water, seeing him looking at the oven, he explained, “Don’t blame Uncle Xu. I’m just baking something, it’s not a safety issue, right?”

“Mm.”

Bo Tingyuan withdrew his gaze, then lowered his eyes to look at him.

Stray hairs fell gently at his hairline and temples, softly and adorably against his snow-white skin.

“What kind of pastry?” Bo Tingyuan took a step forward, leaning against the island beside him.

The soft sweet aroma mingled with Wen Cishu’s faint fragrance, making him unconsciously relax.

“Hmm?” Wen Cishu glanced at the oven, was he paying attention to this?

“You’ll find out soon.”

He remembered something about Zhu Wei and told him about it, then said, “Actually, it’s all thanks to you, I wanted to thank you.”

As Wen Cishu spoke, he took another sip of warm water.

The moist transparent liquid fell on his lower lip, amplifying its pink and plumpness.

Upon hearing the reason for the pastries, Bo Tingyuan’s eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly.

His deep green eyes focused on his lips, raising his hand to gently wipe away some water with his thumb, saying softly, [Between us, there’s no need for such formalities.]

The sudden closeness made Wen Cishu hold his breath, barely hearing the words.

His lips seemed to fully feel the slightly rough fingerprints of Bo Tingyuan’s fingertips, gently wiping, or… caressing.

In their gaze, Wen Cishu suddenly felt an urgent need to let him know what he was baking.

He put down the water cup, took the initiative to hold his hand, and seriously wrote in the wide warm palm, saying, “I’m baking this.”

Bo Tingyuan opened his palm, letting his slender fingertips brush over it.

But his eyes, under his thick eyebrows, were always tightly focused on the person with lowered eyes.

Wen Cishu didn’t know that his raised eyebrows and phoenix eyes were at their most charming and alluring angle.

After finishing writing, he withdrew his fingers, raised his eyelids, blinked, and smiled, “Do you want me to write it again?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the person in front of him getting closer, naturally holding his raised hand.

The smile on Wen Cishu’s face slowly froze.

His hand was pushed aside, Bo Tingyuan’s fingers firmly interlocking with his, his long legs pressing closely against him.

The two of them were face to face, almost completely pressed together from the waist down.

Wen Cishu’s thigh was pressed against the hard edge of the island, his eyes wandering due to the sudden closeness, finally having to focus on his gaze.

Bo Tingyuan quietly looked at him, not answering his question, but instead asking in French, [Do you remember everything?]

Wen Cishu met his sharp and deep dark green eyes, slowly saying, “We ate it together at the wedding, of course I remember.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Cishu saw him leaning closer, their noses almost touching, their breaths mingling in an instant.

Bo Tingyuan’s wild thick eyebrows and intense green eyes made Wen Cishu feel a sudden sense of invasion.

At this moment, Wen Cishu, with a dry mouth, wanted to grab the water cup and gulp down three big cups.

Bo Tingyuan cupped his face, his thumb perfectly resting on his soft and plump earlobe, fitting so seamlessly as if the creator had custom-made them for each other.

[What else do you remember?]

In the ambiguous mingling of their breaths, in his strong personal aura, Wen Cishu recalled many inappropriate scenes—not from the wedding day, but from the honeymoon hotel.

Reason told him he shouldn’t be thinking about those things at this moment.

He could only restrain himself by closing his eyes tightly, his trembling lashes revealing a hint of panic.

“Ding.”

Wen Cishu was suddenly startled, pushing him away forcefully.

“It’s done baking.”

He maneuvered around the man’s oppressive body, muttering, “It’s my first time baking, I don’t know how it turned out.”

He picked up the oven mitts placed nearby to take out the baking tray.

Meanwhile, in the corner of Bo Tingyuan’s vision, a large “gecko” was clinging to the glass outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

On the floor-to-ceiling window facing the island, Bo Yiming was frantically waving his hands and feet.

When he saw Big Daddy turn around, he jumped up joyfully, shouting, “Big Daddy! Open the door for me!”

Every door and window in the house had excellent soundproofing.

Bo Yiming’s calls didn’t reach inside, at least Wen Cishu, who was focused on the baking tray, didn’t hear a thing.

Bo Tingyuan quickly moved the rack from the island to the opposite counter, “Put it here.”

Wen Cishu then placed the baking tray on it.

This way, both of them had their backs to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Bo Yiming, who could only see the backs of his two dads: ?

Shouldn’t Big Daddy have seen him?

On the baking tray.

One by one, the plump and soft golden Madeleines emitted a rich buttery aroma, with a hint of lemon’s fresh sweetness.

Wen Cishu carefully flipped over a Madeleine with a small fork.

The texture on the back was particularly clear, with slightly browned edges, resembling a cute little shell.

As the one who made them by hand, he expressed disbelief, “So successful?”

Bo Tingyuan raised his hand to take the first Madeleine from the fork.

Wen Cishu quickly held his wrist, childishly saying, “I made it myself, of course, I should eat the first one.”

Bo Tingyuan then brought the small Madeleine to his lips.

Wen Cishu, not very sure, sniffed it first, then bit a tiny bit of the edge, confirming with his tongue that there was no strange taste, before taking a small bite.

As he savored it, he saw Bo Tingyuan put half a Madeleine into his mouth.

Wen Cishu watched him, memories hidden deep like black-and-white paintings slowly coming to life.

That day, at their wedding.

Wen Cishu pointed to several different flavored Madeleines, secretly asking Bo Tingyuan which one was the best.

Bo Tingyuan then handed him a piece.

At that time, just like today, he bit half, and Bo Tingyuan ate the rest.

That “best” flavor was deeply rooted in Wen Cishu’s heart from that moment.

—Lemon Madeleine.

So, he remembered, and Bo Tingyuan remembered too.

Wen Cishu’s hand remained on his wrist, turning his face to look at his always cold and profound green eyes, rarely asking in French, [Do you still like this flavor now?]

He rarely spoke French.

Just like Bo Tingyuan’s Chinese had a subtle stiffness, his French wasn’t perfect either.

Especially in front of this Chinese-French mixed-blood, it felt like he was completely exposed, inexplicably creating a sense of rawness and embarrassment.

While waiting for an answer, Wen Cishu’s heart pounded erratically, yet he refused to look away.

He saw so clearly the subtle ripples in Bo Tingyuan’s eyes, but he didn’t immediately answer him.

Just when he was almost unable to bear the nearly suffocating ambiguity, the man in front of him suddenly leaned in, tightly hugging him, lifting him up by his legs.

“Uh…”

Wen Cishu unconsciously let out a surprised sound, his arms instinctively wrapping around his broad shoulders, his legs resting on Bo Tingyuan’s narrow waist.

Although he was used to Bo Tingyuan’s sudden hugs, it was always a horizontal princess carry, this was the first time being held face-to-face like this.

In his intense gaze, Wen Cishu shamefully wiggled his legs.

“You, you haven’t answered me yet.”

Bo Tingyuan looked into his gentle eyes, [I’ve never changed.]

Wen Cishu’s eyes widened, somewhat moved.

He pursed his lips, thinking of his health, gently saying, “Then if you encounter anything unhappy or… or bad, can you tell me?”

“Mm.” Bo Tingyuan freed a hand to pull him into his embrace, stroking his back.

Wen Cishu, seeing he had nothing more to say, felt a bit indignant:

It’s so emotional, and you just say “Mm”!?

But when he realized he was being carried like this towards the main door, he was suddenly startled.

“Little Daddy?!”

Outside, Little Monkey’s urgent call came.

The next second, Bo Tingyuan was already reaching for the door handle.

Wen Cishu simply tilted his head, resting on his shoulder, pretending to faint.

Bo Tingyuan opened the door, looking at his little son with three flames on his head, and leisurely told Uncle Xu, “Uncle Xu, find a suitable box to pack Mister’s pastries and send them to my room.”

Wen Cishu: ?

Bo Yiming jumped three feet high, about to protest loudly.

“Shh.” Bo Tingyuan reminded him.

Bo Yiming, thinking Little Daddy really fell asleep suddenly, didn’t dare to make a fuss, only lowering his voice, saying pitifully, “I haven’t even had one! I saw them, they’re super cute little shells.”

Bo Tingyuan freed a hand, ruffling his son’s hair, “Tomorrow, let the pastry chef at home make them, as many as you want.” He glanced at Uncle Xu, “Do as I said.”

Uncle Xu: “…”

Bo Yiming quickly ran inside, grabbing one and stuffing it into his mouth, childishly muttering, “I don’t care! I just want to eat!”

Wen Cishu, afraid Bo Tingyuan would stop him, gently pressed the hand on his nape, his lips almost touching his ear, whispering, “Let Yiming eat, at most I’ll make another batch tomorrow, just for you to take to the company for afternoon tea.”

He didn’t expect that just a bite to eat could cause a father and son to fight.

Bo Tingyuan tilted his neck, his face almost brushing against his lips.

“Mm.”

Wen Cishu realized this was a bit too intimate, awkwardly moving, but was immediately held tighter by Bo Tingyuan.

At this moment, behind them, came Bo Yiming’s sorrowful cry.

In the kitchen, as Bo Yiming ate the second Madeleine, he suddenly realized something, jumping up in despair.

Uncle Xu asked, “Little young master, what’s wrong now? Didn’t you get to eat?”

Bo Yiming’s small hand trembled, pointing at the empty baking tray.

Uncle Xu knew it was already eaten when they came in, so it was empty.

He quickly reassured, “Although little young master can’t eat the first Madeleine Mister made, you can take the rest as you like.”

Bo Yiming was devastated, “It’s not just the first one! It’s the one Big Daddy and Little Daddy ate together!”

Uncle Xu: “…”

Bo Yiming’s handsome mixed-race face was full of sorrow, holding a small shell pastry.

“And I, their adorable little son, am eating sweet Madeleine all alone.”

At this moment, his watch flashed.

Bo Yiming’s eyes lit up like his watch screen, “Xingxing gege!”

Uncle Xu: … He’s saved!

Bo Yiming told Xingxing gege about the major tragic event of being “excluded by two dads” tonight.

Uncle Xu quickly went to find a dessert box, really afraid they’d all be eaten.

Bo Yiming took the opportunity to stuff one into his mouth, speaking indistinctly.

“My Little Daddy’s are so delicious, soft little shells.”

There were only sixteen in total, Uncle Xu finally packed twelve into the dessert box.

After thinking, he still left three for the little young master.

Uncle Xu packed the dessert box, just as the aunties came in to clean up, he walked away to give some instructions.

Bo Yiming, who was talking on the phone in the corner, softly said, “Xingxing gege, wait a moment.”

He quietly walked forward, quickly using a plate to pack the Madeleines, placing them in the cabinet under the island, then casually put some things inside.

When Uncle Xu returned, picking up the tray with the dessert box, he didn’t notice anything amiss.

“Little young master, why not go to your room to talk on the phone?”

“Mm~” Bo Yiming quickly went forward, continuing to murmur to Xingxing, excitedly talking about going to the show the next day.

Uncle Xu thought: It’s really nice that the little young master has made such a good new friend, can call every day.

Both went to the second floor, he knocked and entered the eldest young master’s room.

Bo Yiming pushed open the door to Little Daddy’s side.

He saw Little Daddy leaning on the sofa, lost in thought, quickly going forward to lean on the sofa edge, looking up and asking, “Little Daddy? You’re awake? Were you okay just now?”

Wen Cishu pinched his little face, “Thank you, baby, for your concern. Daddy is just fine.”

—The one not fine is your Big Daddy, probably sent by the French Seventh Bureau, with a mouth sealed tight.

Bo Yiming perked up an ear to listen to the movement next door, but heard nothing.

“Little Daddy, I’m going to the bathroom.”

He quickly stood up, crouching as he walked to the screen.

“What’s wrong?” Wen Cishu quickly followed.

He was pulled by his son to stand outside the screen, cluelessly following to listen.

In Bo Tingyuan’s room.

After Uncle Xu placed the dessert box down, as the eldest young master approached, he naturally opened the box.

Then, both pairs of eyes simultaneously saw the lemon wedges inside the box.

The air was immediately filled with a sour tang.