My foolish Oudo.

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Looking at the tiny child lying on the bed, with his tender, soft little face, fair and clean, and his small hands opening and closing with random grabs, one could hardly resist being utterly charmed—provided, of course, one overlooked the fact that his voice rivaled that of a blaring megaphone.

Father Yu gazed at his wife, sitting on the bed, her face pale yet brimming with maternal love as she cradled the child. She was still every bit as beautiful as ever—fresh, elegant, with an extraordinary grace that set her apart from all others—but his heart could not help but ache for her.

“You’ve worked so hard, my dear,” Yu Moyuan gently embraced his wife, carefully studying his second child.

Yes, those refined features, that handsome bearing, the air of a young gentleman—just like his elder son, he took after his father. Surely, he too would one day enchant countless young ladies. Perhaps he should raise his two sons to become true heartthrobs, expanding the prestige of the Yu family and living up to the honor of their ancestors. For some reason, this flighty man found himself contemplating such matters quite seriously at this very moment.

“What are you thinking about?” his wife, still pale, watched him with a faint frown, sensing he was lost in thought.

“Before I met you, I was lost in the past. After meeting you, I began planning for the future. Your husband is thinking of the road ahead, of how our family of four will walk hand in hand through life.” The man gazed affectionately at his wife, completely ignoring his second son’s wailing, and uttered this clumsy yet earnest declaration.

The woman shifted her gaze from the child in her arms to her husband, her eyes brimming with tenderness. She was so moved that, for a moment, she found herself at a loss for words.

Phew, that was close. Thank goodness for my quick thinking! If my wife ever found out I was, at a time like this, plotting how to turn our two sons into ladykillers, I’d surely be in for a beating. That was a narrow escape.

Just then, Little Daoyi tiptoed in, carefully pushing open the half-closed door, and scampered to the bedside, paying no heed to his parents’ loving exchange.

Heh, he knew his own parents all too well—most likely, it was once again his father’s powerful instinct for self-preservation kicking in. First, he’d say something foolish, then quickly pacify his mother with sweet words, and she would, as always, fall for it. Hmph, men! Hmph, women!

Little Daoyi looked at the baby brother in his mother’s arms. The child’s adorable appearance seemed to melt his heart. But soon, a different glint appeared in his eyes, and his small, star-like pupils sparkled mischievously.

“Father, Mother, my brother is so cute! What is his name?” The tiny Daoyi piped up in his childish voice.

Though he addressed both parents, his eager eyes were fixed intently on his father.

Here it comes, here it comes! This is your moment, old man! Unleash your boundless imagination and give my dear, adorable little brother a name that will shake the world! Little Cai’s thoughts raced like a roller coaster, unable to stop. What should it be? No, it has to sound better than my own name! If the three of them agree but I, as both son and elder brother, don’t, then it won’t do!

Yu Renjie? Yu Ebao? Yu Maruko? Yu Yu Yu, go?

His young mind was brimming with a strong sense of grievance.

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Receiving his eldest son’s “gentle reminder,” Yu Moyuan furrowed his brows again. “Actually, before this child was born, we’d already decided on the character ‘Yun’ for his name, but the exact name hasn’t been chosen yet.”

“Yunfan,” Daoyi softly suggested as he looked at his mother, his eyes full of affection.

What? Not letting Father decide? I think you could still fight for it! Aren’t you the head of the family?

“Wenfan. What a good name! As expected of my wife—only someone as clever and beautiful as you could have come up with such a pleasant name. I must admit, I’m no match for you.” The father, oblivious to his son’s hopeful gaze, weighed the consequences of insisting on his own ideas, and after a moment’s contemplation, decisively cast aside his dignity and offered a lavish compliment in its place.

I was a fool to have any hope for my father...

“Daoyi—your name comes from the straight path; Yunfan is the sail upon the boundless sea of clouds.” Still weak, the mother looked at her second son in her arms and spoke gently but with conviction.

Despite her pallor, her eyes shone with hope—a mother’s hope for both her children.

Yunfan—his little brother’s name. For some reason, Daoyi, who had never known a mother’s love in his past life, felt truly content and at ease in this moment.

He turned his small head to look at his brother and mother, then tried to sneak a glance at his father’s handsome face, only to be caught. His father’s broad palm ruffled his little head, and then, lowering himself, he pulled Daoyi into his embrace.

In that man’s arms, Daoyi felt an unfamiliar sense of belonging—it was warm, comforting. He probably didn’t even realize how subconsciously he clung to this hard-won affection.

This man before him, and the woman beside him, were his parents in this life—his real family. And he himself was merely their three-year-old child.

“Daoyi, this will be your little brother from now on. We’re a family, so as the elder brother, you must protect him well.” His father stroked his head gently, his eyes reflecting a warmth different from his mother’s—the unique tenderness that is fatherly love.

Daoyi blinked, as if something within him had been stirred, and softly replied, “Mm.”

My foolish little brother, no matter what happens from now on, I’ll always be your big brother. So as your elder brother, I must protect you. Really, it’s just a tiny bit of trouble—a tiny bit.

The more he thought about it, the more Daoyi couldn’t help grinning.

A few golden rays of sunlight streamed into the small room, bathing the family of four in a warm glow. The summer day, though meant to be scorching, felt instead gentle and cozy as the shadows of trees danced outside.

Suddenly, Daoyi seemed to recall something, and the goofy grin vanished from his face.

“Father, Mother, since my brother is so little and I’m his big brother, I think I should give him a present. That way, he’ll be really happy!” Daoyi broke into a grin again, but this time, there was a mischievous curve to his lips—an unmistakable sign of a prank in the making.

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“You actually thought of that?” Father Yu looked at his little Cai with slight surprise.

“Mm! Mm! Mm!” Daoyi nodded vigorously, his little head bobbing like a pecking chick.

Heh heh heh, I’ve been preparing this gift for three years—three whole years! My foolish little brother, brace yourself!

Finally, you’re here—I’m so glad I didn’t give up! Happiness is hard-won, which makes it all the more precious.

Little Daoyi scampered out of the room, fetched something, and hurried back in.

On his return, he hid both hands behind his back and appeared beside his parents.

“Father, Mother, look—what’s this?”

With a flourish, Daoyi produced a beautiful little dress from behind his back.

Perhaps sensing what was to come, little Wenfan in his mother’s arms began to wail even louder.

Ha! The very same little dress Daoyi wore at age one! Don’t struggle—it’s no use! Only by wearing it will we truly be brothers in arms!

Such blackmail—if I had to suffer, so must you! I’m your big brother, so you have to listen to me! This is your first lesson: the world can be a dark place!

If a younger brother isn’t for playing pranks on, then what’s the point?

Little Yu Daoyi grinned foolishly.

Outside, a few listless cicadas clung to the trees, enduring the sweltering, parched summer. Now and then, a breeze would bring a rare hint of coolness, but even in their languor, the cicadas sang on as if the world belonged to them alone.