"I apologize for the trouble you went through taking care of Mommy and your sister while I was away. Mommy told me you both did a fantastic job and showed great responsibility, like true men. Your father is very proud."
The two little ones' noses felt a bit sore hearing that. They looked up at him and asked,
"So, Daddy, are you leaving again this time? And next time you leave, can you not hide it from us?"
"Tell us clearly, and we'll all support you."
"Can't you really call us even once? Tiantian and Ge'er cried for you several times when they were sleeping at night."
Zhan Beijue felt immensely guilty and hugged them again.
"It was my fault, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"From now on, wherever I go, I'll tell you first and seek your support, okay?"
This was the first time Zhan Beijue had lowered himself to play with the children at the amusement park.
One moment he was burying himself in a ball pit like a gopher, letting his two daughters find him.
The next, he was pushing them on the swings.
Then he would carry one and have the other on his back as they slid down the slide.
Later, he joined his two sons for rock climbing, building with foam blocks, playing with foam cubes, and playing hide-and-seek together.
It was as if the entire venue belonged to their family. He was the only adult figure constantly moving around.
Zhou Jinbei and Jiang Nanfang stayed for a while but were getting tired.
Moreover, with their father present, they were no longer the center of attention, so they retreated to the lounge area for tea.
Most people in the lounge area were grandparents or mothers accompanying their children.
Everyone had been observing Jiang Nanfang's family for a while.
Seeing her come over to sit down, several people immediately cast envious glances her way.
"Hello, excuse me, are those four children inside all yours? Did you have quadruplets?"
Jiang Nanfang was used to being asked this question whenever they went out in public.
She smiled and nodded.
"Oh my, they're all so beautiful, the boys handsome and the girls lovely. You are truly blessed."
People started praising them from all sides.
"And your husband is just wonderful. I've never seen a father so patient, playing with his children inside for hours on end."
"Exactly, and he's so tall and handsome too. You really are blessed."
"Seeing you makes me feel that life is good again and worth looking forward to."
She never expected to bring such feelings to others.
While touched, Jiang Nanfang also felt deeply fortunate.
Although she had a difficult time before and had resented Zhan Beijue for a period, she never regretted having her children.
And looking at Zhou Jinbei... although he seemed to be smiling, perhaps he was filled with envy just like them.
The children were reluctant to leave, refusing to eat lunch and insisting on staying at the venue.
Jiang Nanfang, adhering to the principle that missing one meal wouldn't kill anyone, indulged them. They played until five in the afternoon, only coming out to find food when their stomachs were truly empty.
The two daughters clung to their father, keeping others at bay.
Jiang Nanfang and Zhou Jinbei each held a boy's hand as they walked, discussing where to eat dinner.
Unanimously, Rui Rui, Ge'er, and Rui Rui raised their hands and said hot pot.
They remembered how a hot pot meal had once helped reconcile their parents before they made up.
It was such a fond memory that now, whenever they talked about eating, they thought of hot pot.
Zhou Jinbei looked at the two boys as if they were crazy.
"It's the middle of summer, boiling hot, and you want hot pot?"
But Jiang Nanfang understood their intentions.
She smiled and asked the others,
"I think that's a good suggestion. I want hot pot too. Does anyone object?"
Zhan Beijue, with his Chinese stomach, had been in Switzerland for so long, and truthfully, he also wanted it.
They went to Haidilao.
As the waiter led them to their seats, Jiang Nanfang pulled Rui Rui aside for a private word.
"No more silly ideas. Your father and I are doing very well now. We don't need to drink to argue. Don't think I don't know what you and Ge'er did last time."
"Alright, children should act like children. Go eat honestly."
Rui Rui stuck his tongue out at her and ran ahead to talk to Jing Yu.
Jing Yu asked him,
"What did Mommy say to you just now?"
"She said she's not coming back to sleep with us tonight, she's going to sleep with Daddy!"
Tiantian, walking ahead of Jing Yu, overheard vaguely and turned back to ask,
"What are you talking about? Who's not coming home?"
Jing Yu: "Mommy. Mommy isn't coming home tonight, she's going to sleep with Daddy."
Tiantian quickly poked her head out from in front of Zhan Beijue and told Ge'er, who was walking on the other side.
"Ge'er, Ge'er, let me tell you, Mommy isn't coming home tonight, she's going to sleep out with Daddy!"
The four of them walked and talked, their conversation clearly heard by other customers along the way.
Everyone looked at the group with amusement and envy.
Zhan Beijue was so embarrassed by their betrayal.
Did Jiang Nanfang have to be so open about her admiration for his looks?
Was this how she usually educated her children? Wasn't she afraid of corrupting them!
There's no need to elaborate on how harmonious the meal was.
In short, the children, doted on by their father and loved by their mother, ate heartily, with great satisfaction and happiness.
Zhou Jinbei, standing by, was fed dog food and baby food, unsure whether to cry or laugh.
But this wasn't the worst part. After they had eaten their fill, Rui Rui looked at his watch.
"Alright, it's getting late. We should go back to sleep. Mommy, you go with Daddy, you don't need to mind us."
Jiang Nanfang: "Hmm?"
Ge'er jumped out and raised his little arm.
"Mommy, Mommy, before we leave, can I discuss something with you?"
"I didn't say I was leaving... What do you want to discuss with me?"
"Can you have another baby brother for me? Tang Shiya in my class has two younger brothers, and her mom always brings them when she picks her up."
"The little one can't walk yet, he only has two tiny teeth. He's so cute and chubby, I want one too!"
Tiantian strongly agreed with this.
"Yes, yes, I know. Her brother is really cute. I want a brother too, Mommy!"
Rui Rui chimed in.
"But I want a sister. Chen Zexin's sister is tiny, adorable, and soft. She's so fun to play with, unlike you two."
"Mommy, can you have another sister for me!"
"Mommy..."
"Mommy..."
The children vied to get in front of her, describing how cute and fun other people's siblings were.
Seeing all the surrounding customers casting their eyes over, Zhou Jinbei had to step in to manage the situation.
"Alright, stop talking. We'll have them, we'll have them!"
"Tell your mother to have four more in the next batch, so each of you gets a brother and a sister, okay?"
"Don't bother them anymore, hurry them back to have babies, let's go!"