Chapter 15: The Taste of Home

Hearing those words come from the mouth of a child barely five years old, Wang Yue’s heart quivered, a mist of tears gathering in her eyes.

She could feel keenly that going to kindergarten was a great temptation for Lin Yiyang at this moment, and at the same time, his current life was filled with helplessness. Such feelings should not be reflected in a five-year-old; he ought to grow up happily, basking in the sunshine.

Compared to other children his age, Lin Yiyang was much more sensible. He never acted spoiled for a beloved toy, nor did he fuss for new clothes or trips to amusement parks. Perhaps it was his nature to mature early, or perhaps it was because he grew up in an incomplete family; he never put pressure on Lin Chuan, instead quietly doing what little he could.

Wang Yue’s heart ached as she drew Lin Yiyang into her arms, her chest rising and falling with silent sobs.

“Yiyang, your father sings at the bar every day—he should be making a decent amount, right? With your dad’s fame and influence now, how could there be no money for you to go to kindergarten?” Tang Qinru, who had been engrossed in her phone, suddenly looked up and said.

Wang Yue shot her an annoyed glare and drew Lin Yiyang out of her embrace.

“I don’t know…” Lin Yiyang shook his head, confusion clouding his eyes.

“How could you not know? He—”

“Qinru, stop!” Wang Yue finally couldn’t hold back and cut her off just as Tang Qinru was about to press further.

No matter how mature Lin Yiyang was, he only did what he thought he should within the limits of his understanding. As for earning money, especially by singing, it was still a mystery to him.

Still, Lin Yiyang greatly enjoyed every song Lin Chuan sang; he often hummed a few lines himself.

Tang Qinru stuck out her tongue and returned to her phone.

Wang Yue then sat beside Lin Yiyang, watching him draw and asking about the things in his pictures.

Perhaps because he had never been cared for so attentively, when he finished filling the paper, he jumped up, ran to a cabinet, and brought back a stack of blank sheets.

These were just like the ones he had used, covered with all sorts of scenery.

There were houses Lin Yiyang dreamed of, and pictures of kittens and puppies.

Wang Yue looked over each sheet with interest, but paused at one, her expression puzzled.

On it was a girl with long hair, and beside her a mushroom-shaped little house. On the other side of the paper, seven bearded dwarves.

Wang Yue stared for a long time, unable to decipher the drawing exactly, but she could sense its sunshine, vitality, and joy.

“Yiyang, what is this? Who’s the little girl, and who are the dwarves?” Wang Yue asked with a smile.

Lin Yiyang looked at her, his innocent face lighting up: “That’s not a little girl, her name is Snow White. The seven dwarves are her saviors. The princess’s mother is really bad, always wanting to harm her…”

As Lin Yiyang animatedly recounted the story of Snow White, he pointed at the drawing, as though explaining it to Wang Yue.

Wang Yue had never heard this tale. Although Lin Yiyang only recalled bits and pieces, it still surprised her.

Especially when he described the stepmother speaking to the magic mirror, Lin Yiyang put his acting talent to use, mimicking her perfectly.

This made both Wang Yue and Tang Qinru, still absorbed in her phone, burst into laughter, their fondness for Lin Yiyang deepening.

As evening fell and laughter filled the house, Lin Chuan entered, carrying two steaming dishes and smiling.

“What’s everyone talking about, so happy?”

“Daddy’s a wizard! Daddy’s the villain!” Lin Yiyang suddenly pointed at Lin Chuan and giggled.

Lin Chuan froze, wondering how he’d become a ‘wizard’ just while cooking.

As he stood puzzled, Tang Qinru laughed, “Hahaha, Lin Chuan, you really do look like the old witch Yiyang described!”

Lin Chuan frowned, still not understanding what was happening.

But when he saw Wang Yue’s face, full of laughter, his doubts melted away.

Even if he played the ‘wizard’ for a moment, what did it matter, as long as his son was happy and everyone was enjoying themselves?

Truth be told, Lin Chuan’s appearance was rather pitiful now: bruises, a swollen eye, lips puffed up, wearing a floral apron and a chef’s hat. If he had a broom, he’d easily rival the legendary old witch.

Soon, six dishes appeared on the table. The delicious aroma made the hungry Wang Yue and the others’ stomachs rumble.

Out of politeness, Tang Qinru eyed the feast, swallowing hard; even Lin Yiyang sat still, staring wide-eyed.

“Come on, why aren’t you eating? You haven’t had a meal all day—aren’t you hungry?” Lin Chuan said with a smile as he brought in bowls of rice.

“Well, let’s eat then!” Tang Qinru was first to grab her chopsticks, popping a piece of braised pork into her mouth, savoring it. “Wow, I didn’t expect your cooking to be so good—it’s amazing!”

“Help yourselves, eat more if you like,” Lin Chuan said, sitting beside Lin Yiyang.

Wang Yue picked up a vegetable; though she was hungry, she didn’t eat ravenously like her friend.

“Sister, isn’t my dad’s cooking delicious?” Lin Yiyang, nearly burying his face in his bowl, looked up.

“Yes, it’s very good. Here, have some more!” Wang Yue said, placing a rib in his bowl.

It wasn’t a lavish meal, just ordinary home-cooked dishes.

But for Lin Chuan and Lin Yiyang, it tasted different.

Usually, the two of them ate together, no matter how good the food, something was always missing. Now, with Wang Yue and Tang Qinru there, Lin Chuan realized what it was—the taste of home.

One only had to look at Lin Yiyang’s beaming face to see it.

Time slipped by. By eight in the evening, Lin Yiyang was fast asleep.

He hadn’t rested since the night before, worried about Lin Chuan, utterly exhausted. It was remarkable he held out so long.

“If there’s nothing else, we’ll head out now,” Wang Yue and Tang Qinru said softly, pulling on their coats.

Lin Chuan nodded, not keeping them.

Though they had helped him tremendously, they were not close enough for him to ask them to stay overnight.

“Brother Chuan, your next round of the competition is coming soon, isn’t it?” As the three reached the door, Tang Qinru suddenly turned.

“Yes, the day after tomorrow,” Lin Chuan replied.

“Oh! Brother Chuan, do your best—I believe in you!” Tang Qinru said, full of anticipation.

Lin Chuan nodded, put on his shoes, and said, “Thank you. Let me walk you out—it’s dark, I’d worry if you went by yourselves.”

“No need, it’s not too late—”

“Let him walk us, Sister Yue. Aren’t you afraid of the dark? I heard you’re the most afraid!” Tang Qinru interrupted, blinking mischievously.

Wang Yue sighed helplessly at her friend, saying nothing further.

The three left the house. Outside, it was dark—not pitch-black, but enough to make walking difficult for the two girls.

They walked in silence, save for Tang Qinru’s occasional odd questions, which made Lin Chuan awkward. Out of courtesy, he did his best to answer.

Soon, they reached the roadside. By now, there were no buses, and traffic was sparse.

Even taxis sped by, all full, none stopping.

“Thank you!”

The abrupt words startled Wang Yue and Tang Qinru.

“Hey, Brother Chuan, who are you thanking?” Tang Qinru blinked, confused.

“Thank you for looking after Yiyang yesterday, and for playing with him today. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him this happy,” Lin Chuan’s voice was low.

But anyone could hear the sincerity in his ‘thank you.’

“It’s nothing. Yiyang is adorable—we all like him. But I have a suggestion, if you’re willing to listen,” Wang Yue said.

“A suggestion? Go ahead,” Lin Chuan raised his brows, curious.

“At Yiyang’s age, it’s not suitable for him to be at the bar so often, especially with your competition coming up. You can’t always bring him along, can you? If possible, I hope you’ll let him go to kindergarten—it would be good for him,” Wang Yue advised.

“Yes, Brother Chuan, if you’re short on money, we can help you. But when you’re famous, don’t forget us!” Tang Qinru added, blinking.

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