Chapter 808: Extra Story (Part 4)

Since he was young, Xiao Long had rarely been held by men.

His impression was that only his mom and Grandma Jia had held him.

When He JianShe picked him up, he was initially startled, then he was excited and thrilled.

Uncle He’s embrace was broad, and his arms felt strong, unlike when his mom held him and he would always slide down, needing to be adjusted frequently as they walked.

Uncle He held him securely, so he didn’t have to cling tightly to Uncle He’s neck to stay steady.

"Mom, Uncle He is so strong," Xiao Long shouted excitedly, "Uncle He, you’re really amazing."

He JianShe chuckled at his words, "That’s amazing, huh?"

Xiao Long nodded vigorously, "Uncle He is tall and strong, is he like a dad?"

"Xiao Long," Wang Tianxue quickly stopped him, "Don’t say such things."

"I’m not saying anything wrong. All the kids in my class say dads are the strongest."

He didn’t have a dad, but Uncle He was the strongest person he had ever seen.

Wang Tianxue didn’t know how to explain it to him. He JianShe spoke up, "No worries, the child is still young, don’t take it to heart."

Wang Tianxue could only apologize to He JianShe.

Fortunately, Xiao Long quickly changed the subject.

The three of them chatted as they headed to the market.

There were many people at the market, so He JianShe didn’t put Xiao Long down and held him the whole time.

Feeling bad, Wang Tianxue took on the role of buying vegetables.

She was the one picking the vegetables, but every time it came to paying, a large hand always handed the money over before she could.

This action earned praise from the woman selling meat, "Oh dear, you must be lucky to have found such a considerate man, and your son is so well-behaved, he looks just like his father."

Wang Tianxue blushed deeply and wanted to clarify that this wasn’t the child’s father, but He JianShe had already taken the meat from the woman and thanked her with a smile.

Wang Tianxue caught up with He JianShe and, when there were fewer people around, awkwardly asked him, "Why didn’t you explain?"

He JianShe raised an eyebrow, "Explain what? It’s not like she’s a friend we know; there’s no need to explain. She’s just a businesswoman being polite, she probably says that to everyone."

Now, Wang Tianxue didn’t know what to say.

Thinking about it, He JianShe was right. They didn’t know the woman; who cares what she said, there’s nothing to explain.

Just as she was thinking this, Xiao Long piped up brightly, "Mom, I want Uncle He to be my dad, why don’t you let Uncle He be my dad?"

Wang Tianxue wished she could cover Xiao Long’s mouth, quickly stopping her son, explaining, "Brother He, I’m sorry, the child doesn’t know better."

"It’s okay."

Seeing he wasn’t bothered by it, Wang Tianxue quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

When they arrived at He JianShe’s house, Xiao Long was very happy.

His mom rarely visited relatives; besides Grandma Jia’s house, he’d only been to Grandpa He’s house and Aunt Lin’s house.

Uncle He’s house was big, especially with a police cap hanging from the coat rack that fascinated him.

Xiao Long blinked his big shiny eyes and asked admiringly, "Uncle He, are you a police officer?"

As he entered the house, He JianShe noticed Xiao Long’s gaze. He reached out, took the cap, and placed it on Xiao Long’s little head, "Yes, Uncle He is a police officer."

"Wow, Uncle He, you’re awesome."

"Mom, Mom, did you hear? Uncle He is a police officer..."

"Mom, Mom, look at me, I want to be a police officer in the future..."

No little boy doesn’t admire soldiers and police officers.

When He JianShe got home, he took off his jacket, revealing a military-green shirt underneath, likely an old one from his army days.

Xiao Long’s eyes sparkled as he kept asking He JianShe questions.

He JianShe was very patient and answered all of Xiao Long’s questions earnestly.

Finally, Wang Tianxue couldn’t take it anymore, "Xiao Long, don’t keep circling Uncle He, he’s working."

He JianShe was washing meat.

Being a guest, Wang Tianxue came to help, but He JianShe only let her pick vegetables on the side while he remained busy in the kitchen.

When Xiao Long heard his mom’s warning, he obediently came out to help her pick the vegetables.

While picking, he kept sneaking glances at the kitchen, asking in a small voice, "Mom, can’t Uncle He really be a dad?"

Wang Tianxue pinched his little nose, speaking quietly, "Who taught you that? You can’t just call any man dad. Dads aren’t just found like that."

Xiao Long shook his little head, freeing himself from his mom’s grip, "I didn’t just find anyone, I’ve been looking for a long time. I really want Uncle He to be my dad, so no kids bully me anymore."

Wang Tianxue’s heart skipped a beat, "Kids bully you? How do they bully you? Did they hit you? Why didn’t you tell mom? Did you tell the teacher?"

Xiao Long shook his head, "No kids bully me, they just say I’m a wild child without a dad."

Hearing this, Wang Tianxue wasn’t too concerned.

Having Xiao Long grow up in a single-parent home, she had long expected such comments.

"Don’t listen to their nonsense. How can lacking a dad make you a wild child? You have a mom, so you’re not a wild child. Some kids, even with both parents, aren’t necessarily as happy or loved as you are. Mom will give you twice the love, and even if it’s just me loving you, you won’t be any worse off than other kids."

Xiao Long thought for a moment and nodded, "I understand, Mom. I have a lot of love from you, I don’t envy other kids. I can even share some of your love with Xiao Jun; he’s the one who’s really pitiful."

"Good boy."

Wang Tianxue stroked Xiao Long’s head, and when she looked up, she saw He JianShe standing at the kitchen door.

When did he stand there?

And how much did he hear?

Thinking that he might have heard Xiao Long wanting him to be his dad, Wang Tianxue felt her face burning.

She wondered if she and He JianShe were just incompatible, always embarrassing herself in front of him.

In the years as the director of Xiyang Clothing Factory, she had met many people.

Whether men or women, she could deal with them with ease, never feeling as embarrassed as today, repeatedly so.

Luckily, He JianShe didn’t seem to have heard the mother-son conversation, pointing at the vegetables, "I came to get the vegetables, are they ready?"

"Oh, they’re ready," Wang Tianxue hurriedly handed over the vegetables.

He JianShe went back to the house to work, and Wang Tianxue was already prepared to praise him when the food was ready, no matter what.

After all, he had praised her bowl of noodles for so long.

Even if He JianShe’s cooking wasn’t great, he had been busy for so long; it wouldn’t be fair to criticize it more than her noodles.

She didn’t have to wait long; the dishes were served.

Braised pork, shredded potatoes, stewed fish, and a small green vegetable, with rice as the staple.

"Looks pretty good."

This was what Wang Tianxue had intended to say, but seeing the dishes, the praise didn’t feel as burdensome.

The dishes really did look good.