A Little Chubby Boy 7

That day, after Lin Lang finished his duties, his carriage had just turned into a small alley outside the Xihua Gate when a young servant stopped him, saying that his master had invited him. 

Lin Lang looked at the servant’s attire, noticing he was dressed in silk, indicating that his master must be someone wealthy or noble. He wasn’t in the mood to mingle with the powerful; his task was merely to persuade the Emperor to be diligent so that Little Chubby Boy could live safely and healthily. 

However, it wasn’t wise to offend such influential people. With a gentle expression, he said, “It’s getting late, and I have a young child waiting at home, so it’s really inconvenient. Please convey my thanks to your master. I will definitely visit next time when I have the chance—” As for when that would be, well, that was another matter. 

Unexpectedly, the servant was quite persistent, directly blocking their path with a slightly impatient expression, saying, “Lord Lin need not worry. The young master of the Lin family is currently with our general. It’s a perfect time for you to come.” 

Lin Lang couldn’t help but frown, thinking how unreasonable this person was. Afraid he wouldn’t want to go, they had already taken his child. This wasn’t an invitation; it was clearly coercion. 

He was guessing who this person might be, already having a few candidates in mind, when the servant, noticing Lin Lang’s dissatisfaction, arrogantly introduced himself, “My master is Xue You, the son of the Princess and the Great General. Many people are eager to curry favor but have no way in. Lord Lin, don’t be ungrateful—” 

Lin Lang thought this servant really had his eyes on top of his head, but it’s easier to avoid the King of Hell than little devils. He maintained a gentle demeanor, though his smile didn’t reach his eyes, saying, “Then please lead the way—” 

In no time, the carriage arrived at Chunfeng Building. The servant led him through a private passage to a VIP room on the fourth floor. 

As soon as they reached the door, Little Chubby Boy came rushing over like a little cannonball, diving into his arms, enthusiastically raising a chubby hand and saying in a childish voice, “Daddy, this osmanthus cake is so delicious! I saved some just for you!” 

Lin Lang picked up his chubby son, who no longer had to struggle to hold up his chubby arm, and directly fed the osmanthus cake to his daddy. His round eyes looked at his daddy expectantly, eagerly awaiting feedback on the cake’s deliciousness. 

Lin Lang was utterly charmed by his little one’s cuteness, patting his soft hair and seriously commenting, “Hmm, it is indeed delicious—” 

“But how did you come out on your own, were you not being good today?” 

Little Chubby Boy quickly hugged his daddy’s neck, his soft little head resting against his daddy’s neck, with a slightly aggrieved tone, “I was very good, I wasn’t naughty—this uncle said you were here and brought me to find you.” 

Following his little one’s words, Lin Lang looked at Xue You, who was leisurely drinking tea behind the screen, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. 

Old servant Uncle Lin stood apologetically by the side. Lin Lang knew it wasn’t his fault. It was getting late, and Uncle Lin wasn’t in good health, so Lin Lang let him go home first. 

Holding Little Chubby Boy, Lin Lang sat directly across from Xue You. Xue You poured him a cup of tea, which he drank in one go, his expression not very friendly, “General Xue’s way of inviting guests is quite unique, directly coaxing my child over, making me, as a father, anxious, worried that the little one might be taken by bad people.” 

Lin Lang’s tone and attitude were quite impolite. The guard beside Xue You immediately drew his sword, glaring angrily, as if ready to act on Xue You’s command. 

However, Lin Lang didn’t even glance at him, gently stroking Little Chubby Boy’s head and face, ensuring the little one wasn’t frightened. 

Xue You glanced at the guard beside him, signaling him to put the sword away, and smiled, “What are you doing? Lord Lin is a distinguished guest of this general, how can you not understand the rules?!” 

The guard quickly sheathed his sword and stood respectfully to the side. 

Xue You poured another cup of tea for Lin Lang, smiling like a fox, “Lord Lin is now a favorite in front of His Majesty. This general has sent countless invitations but never managed to meet Lord Lin. So, when I happened to encounter the young master on the street, I thought of bringing him along to wait for Lord Lin.” 

“Lord Lin is busy with important matters and has no time for us ordinary folks, but surely you care for the young master—” 

Hearing this, Lin Lang couldn’t help but twitch his forehead, wondering how someone could speak so shamelessly yet so refreshingly?! 

He retorted, “What is General Xue saying? I am merely a sixth-rank Hanlin scholar, usually busy with work, copying books and attending roll calls, hardly a favorite in front of His Majesty, just a servant.” 

“As for General Xue’s invitation, as you can see, my wife passed away early, and I, as a man, have to be both father and mother, raising my son with great difficulty. Recently, I’ve just started my duties, and my son isn’t used to it yet. Every time I return, he clings to me tightly, so I’m often too busy to visit the general—” 

He had said so much, almost pointing at Xue You’s nose, saying that he valued his son so much, and using his son as leverage was too shameless! Moreover, he was just a sixth-rank Hanlin scholar; wasn’t Xue You making too much of a fuss?! 

Xue You, as the ultimate winner in the original book, was in a completely different camp from the Emperor. Now, the Emperor was his son’s biological father, and he needed the Emperor’s diligence and wisdom to earn enough energy for him and his son to survive, so naturally, he had to stand in the same camp as the Emperor, staying far away from Xue You. Yet, why did this person still insist on approaching— 

Lin Lang was impatient but couldn’t act out due to his status, so he kept stroking his little one’s head to vent his dissatisfaction and anxiety. 

Little Chubby Boy loved it when his daddy stroked his head. His daddy’s strokes were always so precise and comfortable. He tilted his little head, his eyes squinting into little crescents, purring contentedly, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere between his daddy and Xue You. 

Xue You found Lin Lang’s impatient expression and the little one’s contented look amusing. He ignored Lin Lang’s dissatisfaction and changed the subject, “It’s getting late, just about time for dinner. Would Lord Lin do me the honor of dining with this general?” 

Lin Lang frowned, not really willing. Dining with someone he disliked would affect his appetite and might even cause indigestion. 

Before he could refuse, Xue You turned to Little Chubby Boy, “Little one, Uncle ordered Chunfeng Building’s signature honey-roasted duck, Jiang’s braised goose, five-spice beef, sweet and sour ribs, and sauced venison for you. Would you like to stay and eat with Uncle?” 

Little Chubby Boy’s eyes widened immediately, turning his little head to look at his daddy with obvious longing, his chubby little mouth almost drooling. 

Lin Lang really wanted to facepalm. How could his Little Chubby Boy be so easily swayed by food?! 

Seeing his daddy’s reluctance, Little Chubby Boy tugged at his clothes with his chubby hand, gently swaying, his sticky little voice drawn out, “Daddy, please—” 

Little Chubby Boy’s act of pleading was always effective. Lin Lang couldn’t resist and had to agree, comforting himself that it was Xue You’s fault in the first place, so letting them have a good meal was only fair! Besides, his current salary was limited, and after daily expenses, there wasn’t much left. He couldn’t let Little Chubby Boy have lavish meals every day, nor could he often bring him to Chunfeng Building, so they might as well enjoy it. 

Having mentally prepared himself, Lin Lang agreed readily. 

The dishes were already prepared, and the waiter served them quickly. 

The little one’s long-awaited meats were served, and Xue You used public chopsticks to give him a big piece. The little one smiled happily, sweetly saying, “Thank you, Uncle!” as if having meat made them best friends. 

Lin Lang watched the little one eat meat with his little mouth all greasy, occasionally wiping his mouth, while he himself ate casually. 

Xue You observed this, feeling touched. He noticed how Lin Lang’s eyes were full of his Little Chubby Boy, with a unique tenderness, much like how his mother looked at him. Even though his mother, as a princess, was seen as strong and domineering by others, she always looked at him this way. 

Seeing such an expression on a man didn’t feel out of place at all; it even made Lin Lang’s already handsome appearance more outstanding, as if he had a soft glow. 

Xue You didn’t realize that the soft glow he saw on Lin Lang was actually what should be called a maternal glow— 

Xue You ate quickly, with a good upbringing from childhood. 

After having some tea, Lin Lang and Little Chubby Boy were almost done eating. Little Chubby Boy’s little belly was round and full, unable to hold more, but he reluctantly gnawed on a bone. 

Xue You poured Lin Lang a cup of tea, saying, “Lord Lin, with your top scholar talent, your recent handling of the censors’ impeachment was truly admirable. I wonder if I could have the honor of becoming friends with you?” 

Lin Lang glanced at him, thinking, is this how Xue You’s family makes friends?! First force, then courtesy?! If it weren’t for this coercion, maybe he’d feel embarrassed after eating, but now, he wouldn’t waver, pretending to be friendly— 

He dampened a cloth with tea, wiping the little one’s hands, with a not-so-genuine smile, “General Xue, with your noble background, I, a mere commoner, really can’t afford to—” 

Xue You frowned slightly, suppressing some displeasure in his voice, “That doesn’t sound like something you’d say—” 

Lin Lang was amused, with a hint of sarcasm, “Oh?! Then perhaps General Xue doesn’t know me well enough—Thank you for the hospitality today, General Xue. When I have time, I should return the favor. I hope General Xue will honor me with your presence.” 

He didn’t want to engage in more pleasantries, so he picked up Little Chubby Boy and prepared to leave. 

Unexpectedly, he was stopped by the guard beside Xue You. Lin Lang turned back, glancing at Xue You, his tone impatient, “What?! General Xue won’t let us leave?!” 

Xue You was momentarily dazed, unable to help but sigh, “So alike, really so alike!”