Two months after Xiaoyuan’s zhua zhou, the family held the ceremony for Xiaoxixi—though having witnessed her sister’s ritual, the socially anxious toddler remained petrified.

Placed at the center of the selection mat under everyone’s encouraging gazes, she froze like a startled rabbit, only mustering the courage at the last moment to grab a crayon.

This humble wax stick symbolized colorful blessings, though whether Mei Zhixi would grow into a painter or illustrator remained a distant question.

Mei Fang had no intention of dictating his daughters’ paths based on zhua zhou results. His parenting philosophy was wuwei—letting nature take its course, allowing interests to guide their growth.

He’d only offer wisdom and support when needed.

This is enough.

He’d brought them into this world for happiness—they deserved the freedom to choose that happiness.

After all, financial security was already guaranteed.

Now, Xiaoyuan blossomed into a radiant sunflower, while Xiaoxixi remained a quiet snowdrop—

Yet both received equal devotion. Mei Fang played boisterously with Xiaoyuan, then sat silently with Xiaoxixi watching sunsets.

A vivacious elder sister and a delicate younger one—a match made in heaven.

Their temperaments eerily mirrored their mothers’ childhood selves, as if carved from the same molds:

Xia Yuan and Xiaoyuan’s exuberance needed no explanation, but Lin Youxi and Xiaoxixi’s resemblance ran deeper.

Yet unlike her mother’s lonely upbringing, Xiaoxixi basked in double maternal warmth.

——

Summer’s brilliance faded into autumn’s whisper.

Today marked the family’s first maple-viewing picnic.

Having only recently mastered walking, Xiaoxixi still demanded constant carrying—a habit needing correction before preschool. Exposure to the wider world was essential for growth.

Xiaoyuan exploded with excitement upon leaving home, bouncing in her car seat while Xiaoxixi clung to Mei Fang desperately. Only after Lin Youxi pried her loose and strapped her in did the waterworks start.

The six-seater SUV’s second and third rows each held a child seat—Xia Yuan volunteering to sit with Xiaoxixi this trip.

Watching her distress, Xia Yuan’s heart ached. She soothed her with cheek strokes and a rattle—

“Will she really be alright…?”

Lin Youxi, well-versed in her daughter’s theatrics, remained unmoved.

“Don’t worry. She’s just angling to be carried again.”

Meanwhile, she bottle-fed a gleeful Xiaoyuan, whose wiggling toes proclaimed the milk’s deliciousness.

“Maybe music will calm her!”

Mei Fang queued up his playlist—

“Your songs again? Such a narcissistic dad! Xiaoxixi would never—”

Xia Yuan gaped as Xiaoxixi’s sniffles ceased instantly.

“No way… She actually prefers you?!”

“Like mother, like daughter.” Mei Fang smirked.

Lin Youxi chuckled as Xiaoyuan suddenly detached from her bottle to proclaim:

“Baba! Mua!”

Blowing an unprompted kiss.

“Wuwu—“

Overwhelmed, Mei Fang reciprocated: “Baba loves Xiaoyuan too! Mua!“

“Aaaaaah! So sweet! So shippable!“

Xia Yuan vibrated before pouting: “I want Baba’s love too—”

“Don’t cry, Big Yuanbao! Mua!“

Ever the diplomat, Mei Fang included everyone:

“And for Little Xixi and Big Xibao—mua! Mua!“

“Don’t call me that. It’s undignified.” Lin Youxi adjusted the rearview mirror. “Focus on driving, Baba.”

“Aye aye!”

——

Choosing a weekday ensured empty roads. As the SUV glided along, melodies floated through the cabin—Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi harmonizing, Xiaoyuan contributing enthusiastic babbles.

At the park’s parking lot, the mothers unbuckled the babies while Mei Fang unloaded gear—chief among them a twin stroller.

Perfect for their “twins born two months apart.”

Pre-booked glamping equipment awaited at the site, leaving Mei Fang free to document the stroll with his camera—capturing his wives and daughters amidst fluttering autumn leaves.

“Heehee!“

Xiaoyuan demanded freedom, darting down the path like a sprite—

Xia Yuan gave chase while Lin Youxi pushed the stroller, occasionally glancing back with photogenic grace.

“Enough! No more running!”

“Mm!“

Xiaoyuan nodded solemnly—then bolted when Xia Yuan reached for her hand.

“You little trickster!”

Grinning, Xiaoyuan framed her face with hands: “Mama… pwetty!“

“Ack—!“

The verbal arrow pierced Xia Yuan’s heart, nearly felling her.

“F-fine! Since you’re so sweet… this time I’ll forgive—”

“Hehe!“

The moment Xia Yuan relented, Xiaoxixi tugged Lin Youxi’s sleeve, pointing urgently at a maple tree—its crimson leaves dancing in the breeze.

“You want to see?”

After a hesitant nod, Lin Youxi lifted her from the stroller.

Progress!

Stretching tiny arms, Xiaoxixi strained for the lowest branch—but fell short repeatedly.

Her crestfallen expression mirrored Lin Youxi’s pout.

“Mama can’t reach either… But Baba can help.”

She guided Xiaoxixi’s gaze toward Mei Fang’s lens, whispering:

“Call him. He’ll always come for you.”

For Xiaoxixi—who rarely voiced desires—this was monumental.

After agonizing hesitation, her lips parted—

Then—

A tiny hand waved.

“Baba… come—“

Mei Fang’s heart shattered like tempered glass.

Must. Not. Cry.

With Herculean effort, he beamed and jogged over, lifting Xiaoxixi skyward—

Where her fingers finally brushed a leaf.

As wind threatened to steal it, she clutched her prize.

Lin Youxi’s eyes softened.

“You got what you wanted… Good girl.”

“So brave!” Mei Fang choked.

——

At the glampsite, Mei Fang’s preparations shone: snacks, drinks, folding furniture, tents, canopies, bubble guns, kites—even a double bed inside the largest tent.

While he and Xiaoyuan chased bubbles, an exhausted Xia Yuan joined Lin Youxi observing Xiaoxixi’s leaf inspection—

Turning it over with reverent curiosity, studying its veins from every angle before presenting it to her mothers like a sacred artifact.

“Wuwu… Xiaoxixi’s an angel.”

Xia Yuan gulped soda. “Xiaoyuan bullies me already—what’ll she be like at ten?”

“But her energy’s wonderful. I love watching her with Ah Fang.”

Indeed, Xiaoyuan’s giggles sparkled as she chased iridescent bubbles, eventually demanding the bubble gun herself—

Two hours later, both girls dozed off in the stroller:

Xiaoyuan sprawled starfish-style, smiling mid-dream;
Xiaoxixi curled protectively around her leaf.

Finally—adult time.

Leaning against Mei Fang, the wives snacked on fruit under autumn’s canvas.

As Xia Yuan spat a waxberry pit into Mei Fang’s waiting palm (later bagged), Lin Youxi fed him peeled grapes—

Then escalated by transferring one mouth-to-mouth.

“Ahem! Must you? In public?“

Xia Yuan scanned the empty surroundings—

Ah. Premeditated.

She awaited her turn with poorly concealed anticipation.

Their bond, woven through years, remained unfaded—

As vibrant as the maple above them.

——

Author’s Notes:

*[Today’s dose of *lemonization* delivered!]*

[Do high school girls just skip class to read this?!]

*[Is baby-rearing content losing appeal? Comments are dwindling… *sob—]