Chapter 574: Heartfelt Moments and Life’s Little Lessons

Book 574: Chapter – I Miss You Like Crazy (Update 2)

The next morning, right at the house door. Lin.

“Mu Mu, Daddy’s off to work now,” someone said.

Xiao Yu cradled Baby in his arms, kissing him over and over while grinning like a child.

Last night, Baby had called out ‘Daddy.’

In that instant, he was so moved he nearly shed tears like an old man.

After all, it’s his own flesh and blood.

That one ‘Daddy’ nearly melted his heart.

Jealous Mu Qingwu snapped, “Baby is too immature—he should be calling me Mama.”

Since Baby couldn’t speak properly yet, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but feel immensely proud.

At 78 months old, even if he says Daddy or Mama, it’s all instinctive.

True, deliberate words like ‘Daddy’ and ‘Mama’ won’t come until at least his first birthday.

Even so, Xiao Yu felt completely satisfied…

“Look at you, so smug,” someone teased.

Watching the affectionate duo, Mu Qingwu’s lips curled into a smile.

“We’re father and son,” Xiao Yu declared, planting another kiss on Baby.

“Is that so?”

A mischievous glint flashed in Mu Qingwu’s eyes. “I heard someone from National Security just got paid — is that true?”

“……”

Xiao Yu shivered as if struck by lightning, nearly breaking down in tears.

In his heart, he silently checked on Wang Dong and Bai Ting.

Even a quick thought confirmed they had betrayed him!

“Hey, my money isn’t your money. Are you worried people will say you’re mooching off me with those 550?”

Mu Qingwu teased wryly, “Don’t all men need a little secret stash?”

“Oh dear, you know my memory too well,” he replied.

Cradling his son in one arm, Xiao Yu pulled his wallet from his other hand and handed a card to Mu Qingwu. “I totally forgot to turn this in.”

Though he appeared nonchalant, inside his heart was bleeding.

“There won’t be a next time,” he warned.

Mu Qingwu shot her younger brother a stern look as she refused to take the card, “Or I’ll let Mom beat you to death!”

“I’m sorry!”

Xiao Yu hung his head, his apology sincere.

Inside, he was bursting with joy as he tucked the card away safely.

The little stash was safe!

“Sometimes I truly wonder if you’re genuinely stupid or just pretending,” he teased.

Leaning into him, Mu Qingwu murmured, “What can that money even do?”

Why did one paycheck make him so elated?

“Even though we’re now inseparable,”

Xiao Yu, holding his wife and child close, beamed, “I still want to use my own salary to buy something for my big sister. It might not be much, but it’s my hard-earned cash and it fills me with joy!”

“You idiot!”

Mu Qingwu trembled slightly as she clutched her brother tightly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Is this what a man’s true romance looks like?

Summer was sweltering, yet the simple pleasure of plain white tea brought comfort.

The setting sun tinted his cheeks red, reminiscent of their first meeting.

He felt incredibly fortunate—it was simply wonderful…

……

After saying goodbye to his wife and child, Xiao Yu hummed as he drove over to the Criminal Investigation Team.

High on happiness, he boasted to his colleagues one by one.

He mentioned that his son had started calling him ‘Daddy.’

Those who were married shared knowing smiles.

While the unmarried wore looks of envy.

Especially Wang Cheng, who seethed with jealousy.

To Wang Cheng, Xiao Yu had long been a guiding light on his life’s path.

He aspired to be a winner too, a true king among the officers.

And in love as well, Wang Cheng hoped to follow in his mentor’s footsteps.

Just thinking about finally hugging his Yan Yu Jie yesterday had him grinning like a fool all day.

“Can you stop being so idiotic?”

In the office, Xiao Yu eyed his notoriously unlucky apprentice, who had been down on his luck all morning. “So you finally got a girlfriend? Look how radiant you are. You’ve got plenty of time; when you get married, you can show off your beauty all you want.”

“Hehe!”

Wang Cheng giggled, “Yan Yu Jie agreed to dinner with me tonight.”

Xiao Yu forced a wry smile, his amusement thin.

Having an overly romantic apprentice was truly exasperating.

“By the way, Master, I’ve never actually confessed to Yan Yu Jie,” the apprentice admitted.

Wang Cheng scratched his head, “Isn’t there something fancier to say—like ‘I miss you’?”

“Something more sophisticated…”

Xiao Yu laughed coldly, “You think ‘I miss you like crazy’ is sophisticated?”

“……”

For some reason, he felt an urge to smack his master. Wang Cheng forced a bitter smile, “Maybe something a bit more refined?”

“Refined, huh.”

Xiao Yu snorted, “I miss you like crazy.”

Wang Cheng was left speechless.

No amount of schooling can teach you how to drive, huh?

“What era are we in? Just be straightforward already,” Xiao Yu retorted.

He added disdainfully, “She’s older than you — what don’t you understand? If you keep spouting that cheesy ‘I miss you’ line, you really think she’ll fall for it?”

“Ah, geez…” Wang Cheng was left dumbfounded.

“Girls want their boyfriends to make the first move — not just talk silly. Got it?”

Xiao Yu shook his head at his hapless apprentice.

“Make the first move?”

Wang Dong’s eyes lit up, “Could it be…”

“Hold hands, wrap an arm around her waist, share a kiss… take it step by step,” Xiao Yu advised.

Xiao Yu finally relented, “Girls appreciate men who take initiative instead of those who just babble on!”

Wang Dong was utterly puzzled.

What did he mean by that?

“Figure it out for yourself,” Xiao Yu snapped.

Glowering at his apprentice, he barked, “Scram! Stop hovering around me—I can’t stand it when you show up.”

“Master, I have one last question,” pleaded the apprentice.

Wang Cheng managed a humble smile.

“Spit it out,” Xiao Yu said wearily.

“Just in case, I mean…”

Wang Dong, looking embarrassed, ventured, “If I end up with Yan Yu Jie and we get married, what should we be mindful of afterwards?”

“You’re trying to run before you can even walk—ambitious, aren’t you?”

Xiao Yu eyed his apprentice with newfound respect. “Home renovation is crucial.”

Wang Dong was baffled, “Home renovation?”

He repeated, “Home renovation?”

What on earth does that mean?

“Youth, you know,” Xiao Yu replied.

With the smug satisfaction of someone who’s been there, he said, “If you both really make it, remember that renovating your home is vital…”

“For example, install a mirror on the ceiling, grab bars in the restroom, floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, voice-activated lights in the bedroom, a quick-drying sofa, a sturdy toilet, and a cooling mat on the bed that won’t wear out your knees…”

After a pause, Xiao Yu added his final tip, “As for whether to install a surveillance camera in the bedroom—it’s entirely up to you.”

Wang Cheng looked completely bewildered.

Master, what exactly did you say? I couldn’t understand a word.

“Did you like butterflies as a child?” Xiao Yu asked his clueless apprentice.

“Butterflies?”

Wang Cheng looked puzzled, “They were okay, I guess.”

“You’ll understand when you grow up,” his master replied.

Xiao Yu smiled warmly, “You’ll come to love them.”

Watching his bewildered apprentice shuffle out, he couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

He smiled quietly to himself.

Xiao Yu mused that if Wang Cheng ever hit the highway, his little ride might just end up in pieces.

Ah, youth is such a wonder… Xiao Yu sighed.

Boom… the office door was flung open forcefully.

The unlucky apprentice burst in, shouting, “Master, there’s been a huge accident!”

Xiao Yu’s expression changed in an instant as he sighed inwardly.

What kind of case could it be?

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