“…Daddy, up.”
A soft, childish voice sounded in the living room, breaking the morning quiet.
Lu Yanchen set down the cookbook he was studying and walked over quickly, scooping the pink, jade-like little dumpling into his arms.
“Man Man’s awake? Daddy’s got you.”
He kissed his daughter’s rosy little cheek, his eyes filled with affection.
This child was the one they adopted in the second year of their marriage.
Due to Yu Chuci’s health reasons and the nature of their relationship, they hadn’t originally planned on having children.
But during a charity visit to an orphanage, Lu Yanchen’s eyes had been drawn to this little girl abandoned at the entrance.
She had opened those big, black-grape-like eyes, not crying or making a fuss, just quietly watching Lu Yanchen.
In that moment, Lu Yanchen’s heart felt as if struck by something, softening completely.
After obtaining Yu Chuci’s agreement, they completed the adoption procedures and named her “Lu Man Man,” symbolizing a full and complete life.
“Chuci, look what I made for Man Man?”
Lu Yanchen presented a small bowl of carefully prepared fruit puree to Yu Chuci like a treasure.
Yu Chuci set down his paintbrush, walked over, tasted a spoonful, and nodded approvingly. “Not bad. Your skills are improving.”
Lu Yanchen immediately grinned from ear to ear, the very picture of a devoted husband and father.
The once-feared and formidable CEO who dominated the business world had long since become the social circle’s famous “stay-at-home dad.”
After breakfast, Lu Yanchen took Man Man to play in the garden, while Yu Chuci continued his creative work in the art studio.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the studio, falling on his focused profile and casting a soft, golden edge.
Over the years, his health had fully recovered under Lu Yanchen’s meticulous care, and his painting style had grown increasingly bright and full of hope.
His works were no longer cries of pain but praises for life.
“Daddy, flower.”
Man Man, clutching a small red flower she had just picked, toddled into the art studio on her short legs and presented it to Yu Chuci like a treasure.
Yu Chuci crouched down to take it, kissing his daughter on the forehead. “Thank you, Man Man. It’s beautiful.”
Lu Yanchen followed her in, wrapping his arms around the father and daughter from behind, a happy smile spreading across his face.
“Chuci, Man Man’s third birthday is in a couple of days. I was thinking of having a small party, inviting a few close friends over. What do you think?”
Yu Chuci nodded. “Sure, you arrange it.”
Just then, Lu Yanchen’s phone rang. It was his assistant.
“Mr. Lu, regarding the Yu Family old mansion, I have purchased it back as you instructed and have had it renovated exactly to its original state.”
Lu Yanchen’s hand holding the phone tightened slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
“Good. Understood.”
After hanging up, he looked at Yu Chuci, his tone gentle and solemn. “Chuci, I have a gift for you.”
When Yu Chuci once again stood before the main gate of the Yu Family Old Mansion, he was completely stunned.
Every plant, every tree, even the paint color on the main gate, was exactly as he remembered.
“Lu Yanchen, you…”
He turned his head, looking at the man beside him with disbelief.
Lu Yanchen embraced him from behind, resting his chin on Yu Chuci’s shoulder, speaking softly. “Chuci, I know this place has always been a knot in your heart. I was the one who destroyed it before. Now, I’m giving it back to you.”
Yu Chuci’s eyes stung sharply, tears spilling over.
This wasn’t just a house. It was his lost childhood, his entire sense of belonging, and ultimately, Lu Yanchen’s final redemption for all the past hurt he had caused.
“Thank you, Lu Yanchen.”
He turned around, tightly embracing this man, and wept uncontrollably.
Lu Yanchen gently stroked his back, offering silent comfort.
They stayed there for one night.
Moonlight like water streamed into the bedroom, the air faintly scented with flowers.
Yu Chuci lay in Lu Yanchen’s arms, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, feeling a sense of peace he had never known before.
“Lu Yanchen.”
“Hmm?”
“If you hadn’t done those things back then, what would we be like now?”
Lu Yanchen was silent for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. “Probably… I would have silently watched over you forever, until I saw you marry and have children. Or… I would have still found a way to take you for myself, just… perhaps using gentler methods.”
Yu Chuci smiled and said nothing more.
Life had no ‘what ifs.’
Although they had taken many detours and suffered many wounds, thankfully, they had ultimately found their way back to each other.
This was probably fate’s best arrangement.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves and into the window.
Yu Chuci opened his eyes to see Lu Yanchen holding the sleeping Man Man, his sleeping face serene.
He pressed a light kiss to the man’s lips, silently saying, “Please take care of me for the rest of my life, Mr. Lu.”
As if sensing his presence, Lu Yanchen’s lips curved into a slight smile in his dream, pulling the treasure in his arms a little closer.
Outside the window, a hundred birds sang in chorus amidst a sea of blooming flowers.
Their beautiful life together had only just begun.
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once again wrong novel, this is filthy het trash, not yuri