The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 867 - 836: 10000 Points of Damage

Chapter 867: Chapter 836: 10000 Points of Damage

After eating the cake, the kids went to play in the backyard.

Huo Yingjun belched satisfyingly and said, "It’s quite tasty, not inferior to the ones abroad."

"Yes, this is what we’re going to launch in our pastry shop soon." He Tiantian said with a smile. With the opening just a few days away, she also came over to mention it.

"Haha, that’s wonderful, such a novel thing will definitely attract many buyers," Zhao Huanhuan said, convinced that the shop’s business would never lack for customers.

It didn’t really matter to the adults; buying a cake for a child’s birthday was just once a year.

"I hope so," He Tiantian laughed, "Next Sunday is the grand opening, perfect timing. By then, big brother, big sister-in-law, you must come and join in the fun."

"Sure!" Zhao Huanhuan said happily, really looking forward to spending time with He Tiantian.

Because of the cake He Tiantian brought, Huo Ruixiang had a particularly unforgettable birthday, envied by the other kids who kept praising it after going home.

During lunch, Zhao Huanhuan asked, "Ruixiang, what wish did you make just now?"

"I want to be the son of handsome Uncle and beautiful Auntie," Huo Ruixiang said earnestly as he ate.

Zhao Huanhuan and Huo Yingjun at his side felt a pang of hurt—it was as if their son was disowning them and wishing for other parents.

Old Master Huo laughed heartily and asked, "Ruixiang, why do you have such a wish?"

"Because Uncle plays ’fly fly’ with me, Auntie cooks yummy food and tells me stories... um, and they are good-looking," Huo Ruixiang answered seriously, his reasons were plenty!

"Brother, if you say your wish out loud, it won’t come true," Huo Ruimin said regretfully, hoping their brother could come to live with them to play together.

"Ah?" Huo Ruixiang was disappointed, "Can I take back what I just said?"

Seeing his brother upset, Huo Ruihua quickly comforted him, "Brother, don’t be sad. There’s always next year’s birthday when you can make a wish again, just don’t tell anyone then."

"Mm, mm," Huo Ruixiang then broke into a smile, eating his food heartily.

Huo Yingjun and Zhao Huanhuan exchanged glances.

Was this a sign of their child’s dissatisfaction with them as parents?

"Haha, second brother and sister-in-law, you’ve been in Yanjing for less than a month, and my son has already become part of your family," Huo Yingjun joked, "What’s your secret to parenting?"

"Yeah, Tiantian, ever since Ruixiang returned home, he’s been praising Uncle and Auntie, and even said Auntie tells the best stories," Zhao Huanhuan said. She was often exhausted from work and just wanted a good rest when she got home, leading to less interaction with the child. Plus, with the arrival of a new baby, she inevitably neglected Ruixiang a bit.

They never paid much attention since the child didn’t express it directly, but it turned out he had taken it to heart all along!

"Hehe, just try to spend more time with the kids," Huo Yingjie said. "When I’m off work and free, I take the kids to play in the yard."

Hearing this, Huo Yingjun gave an embarrassed smile.

Even when he was free after work, he would be reading books in the study, spending even less time with the children.

"Oh, Tiantian, what kind of stories were you telling?" Zhao Huanhuan asked. "I can’t tell them, you know. Whenever I try, Ruixiang always says I’m not good at it..."

"Actually, it wasn’t me telling the stories. I’ve collected some storybooks, tiny picture booklets that I read from," He Tiantian explained with a smile. "Since the kids are young, read to them a bit slower. Right, I have many at home. Next time, I’ll bring some over for you."

"That’d be great. We, as parents, are not doing enough, we should learn from you and spend more time with our kids," Zhao Huanhuan said, clearly embarrassed, and resolved to make it up to her son in the future.

"Indeed, from now on when you work the night shift, I’ll tell the kids stories and play with them," Huo Yingjie added. When it came to taking care of and educating their children, they truly couldn’t compare to his younger brother and sister-in-law.

Hearing his parents’ conversation, Huo Ruixiang swallowed his mouthful of rice and said, "If Dad plays with me and Mom tells me stories, then I no longer want to switch parents."

Hearing their son’s words made Huo Yingjun and Zhao Huanhuan very happy.

It proved that their son was still giving them a chance.

"Alright, I’ll play with you more from now on," Huo Yingjun promised.

"Mom will make sure to tell you more stories," Zhao Huanhuan said, her eyes growing a bit moist.

After dinner, Huo Ruihua and Huo Ruimin each presented their prepared birthday gifts. "Brother, this is swim trunks. You can wear them to swim at our house," said Huo Ruihua.

"Brother, this is my birthday gift to you, a swimming cap," Huo Ruimin said, handing it to Huo Ruixiang.

"What? You can swim?" Huo Ruixiang was surprised. "And you have a swimming pool?"

"Yes, we do, we do," Huo Ruimin replied. "We can swim for half an hour every day. It would be great if you join us, brother. We could swim together!"

Huo Ruixiang stopped eating and turned to say, "Dad, Mom, I want to go to Auntie’s house. I want to swim!"

"Uh..." Huo Yingjun looked towards his wife.

Zhao Huanhuan smiled and said, "Sure, but you have to behave, eat well, and not be naughty."

"Okay, okay," Huo Ruixiang agreed obediently, eating his food well.

"Tiantian, thank you for your help," Zhao Huanhuan said. "If we hadn’t agreed, he probably would have made a fuss."

"It’s no trouble at all. Ruixiang calling me a beautiful auntie just made my day. I’d be happy to have a few more nephews like him," He Tiantian laughed, her words playful and cheeky.

Song Chunli, despite not wanting to part with her grandson, couldn’t say anything. After all, her grandson was so eager to go, and refusing would only lead to a big fuss.

After dinner, as the family chatted, an old lady about Old Madam Huo’s age arrived with her grandson in tow.

"Oh my, Sister Li, how did you find the time to come over? Have you eaten?" Old Madam Huo welcomed her warmly. They were acquaintances who visited each other often and were very familiar with one another.

"I’ve already eaten," Old Lady Li said with a smile. "I came over because I have something to ask you about. My grandson just came home saying he ate a birthday cake at your place. The day after tomorrow is his birthday, and now he insists on having a birthday cake. But all I know about celebrating birthdays is eating noodles and steaming longevity buns. What’s this birthday cake you speak of? So, I came to ask where to buy one."

Old Lady Li had four daughters before finally having a son. Her grandson was about the same age as Old Madam Huo’s great-grandson, so naturally, she doted on him even more.

It only happens once a year, and Old Lady Li also hoped her eldest grandson could be happy and cheerful on his birthday.

"Hehe, so that’s what it is," Old Madam Huo said with a chuckle. "It’s from my second daughter-in-law’s shop. They sell birthday cakes there. It’s just not open for business yet. I’ll have my daughter-in-law make one and send it to you."

"That won’t do; it must be something quite valuable. How much is it? I’ll pay for it," Old Lady Li insisted, refusing the offer. After all, they were running a business; it wouldn’t be proper to take their goods without paying.