Xi Yu voluntarily offered to help take care of the children for them.

Ji Mingzhu hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

As long as the nursemaids followed, the task of taking care of the children was still up to them; Xi Yu’s role was more to provide reassurance.

Having never raised children before, Xi Yu didn’t really know how to handle everything, not even how to change diapers.

Feeling unconfident, besides the nursemaids, he also asked Mingzhu to send two more nannies to his courtyard to help take care of the children.

He then asked a crucial question.

"When will you be back?"

Xie Yunzhen was also there and, upon hearing this question, sensed something was amiss.

It took him a while to figure it out.

To an outsider, it might have looked like Xi Yu was Mingzhu’s concubine!

A dormant possessiveness suddenly surged, and he embraced Mingzhu’s waist, "A real man should take care of the kids properly."

Xi Yu wanted to take good care of the kids too, but he feared he couldn’t handle the torture.

After all, he had witnessed firsthand how chaotic Xie Yunzhen was when taking care of the kids.

He looked longingly at Ji Mingzhu, waiting for her response.

If it weren’t for Xie Yunzhen’s insistence, Mingzhu wouldn’t have dared to trouble Xi Yu.

Not wanting to burden him too much, she estimated the time in her mind, "I will definitely be back within two hours."

Xi Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

He had thought he would have to take care of the two little ones for the whole day.

"Be sure to come back soon then."

As soon as he said this, he felt a chill run down his back.

Instinctively, he glanced at Xie Yunzhen.

The man was expressionless, looking no different than usual.

But for some reason, Xi Yu had an instinct that Xie Yunzhen was mentally cursing him right then.

He fiddled with his fingers and reminded, "Zimu and Zishan are in my hands."

"Boring."

Xie Yunzhen said these two words with his thin lips barely moving.

He raised his hand, and a guard approached, holding a tray, "Doctor Xi, this is from the Lord for you."

Xi Yu looked at it and burst into laughter.

He had actually sent the hundred-year-old ginseng he was promised.

He gave a thumbs-up, "True to your word, not bad! You can go do your work without worry; I will take good care of the siblings."

Zimu and Zishan had no idea what was about to happen; they thought it was a usual day when their parents played with them in the mansion.

Being held by the nursemaids, they appeared joyful as ever.

Every once in a while, they would turn to look at Ji Mingzhu; as long as she was there, the two little ones would not cry.

Feeling so relied upon by the children, Ji Mingzhu felt sweetness in her heart.

But, she had to leave temporarily to attend to other matters.

She suddenly envied Xie Yunzhen, who could leave whenever he wanted.

But she was different.

With two children, she couldn’t bear to leave.

No wonder some men try to use children to bind women; this really is a weak spot.

It’s hard to part with.

Xie Yunzhen asked quietly, "Should we sneak out, or else they’ll definitely cry?"

Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "No, we have to tell them."

Even if they don’t understand or will cry, they should be informed.

They’re still so young; if their parents suddenly disappear, they’d surely be scared.

Ji Mingzhu hugged her daughter; this little girl was clever and could understand and respond.

As long as she was comforted, handling her brother would be easier.

"Mama and papa are going out for a bit; you play with your brother and Uncle Xi Yu. If you’re hungry, cry, and let Uncle feed you. I’ll be back to play with you, okay?"

Zimu blankly looked at Ji Mingzhu as if trying to digest the meaning of her words.

It was unclear if she understood, but after a while, her mouth quivered, and she started to wail. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Clinging to Ji Mingzhu’s shoulder, she held on tightly, unwilling to let go.

Seeing his sister cry, Zishan also started to sniffle softly.

Reaching out, he wanted Ji Mingzhu to hold him too.

Even though they were still small, holding two children at once was strenuous for Mingzhu.

Xie Yunzhen quickly took his son.

He patted his bottom, "Little copycat, you cry when your sister cries."

The little guy had been quietly shedding tears, but with the pat and the scold, he started to cry outright.

The siblings seemed to be competing, trying to outcry each other.

Ji Mingzhu was headachy, "Why did you hit him for no reason?"

Xie Yunzhen weakly replied, "He really was copying Zimu."

He had observed many times; as long as Zimu didn’t cry, the younger one wouldn’t either.

Whenever Zimu cried, he would imitate her.

It was the same with eating.

Though he’d eat well, as soon as he saw Zimu stop eating, he’d stop too.

The small mouth clamped tight, even a spoon couldn’t pry it open.

Xie Yunzhen genuinely didn’t know what was going on in his son’s little head.

He muttered softly, "Little copycat."

Ji Mingzhu almost wanted to scold him, "You’re picking on him just because he’s small and can’t talk yet."

"I am picking on him; he’s got to grow up fast."

Saying that, he pinched his son’s little cheek, "Keep crying, and you’ll turn into a little tabby cat."

Zishan didn’t want to be held by him, and looking around, he got Xi Yu to hold him.

Xi Yu, pleasantly surprised, quickly took the boy away from Xie Yunzhen.

Finally finding a rightful chance to scold Xie Yunzhen, "Look at your dad, I don’t even want to say it; he can’t even comfort someone, like an idiot."

It was the first time in Xie Yunzhen’s life to be called an idiot.

He was momentarily stunned.

Ji Mingzhu burst out laughing, and seeing Xie Yunzhen’s dark expression, she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Her body trembled with laughter, almost making her unable to hold Zimu securely.

Xie Yunzhen, with a dark face, grabbed the toddler’s collar just in case.

He said with a hint of grievance, "Betraying your own, Ji Mingzhu, you’re asking for trouble."

Ji Mingzhu: "..."

Perhaps her laughter was too infectious; Zimu began to giggle silly as well.

The more she laughed, the louder she got, returning to her happy and innocent self.

Xie Yunzhen rubbed his forehead, "Why do I feel Zimu is a bit silly too?"

"Get lost, don’t drag my daughter down with jokes."

Xie Yunzhen snorted, "She is our daughter."

Xi Yu, feeling an ache in his teeth, said, "Hurry up and leave, you’re so slow and annoying."

With the little ones comforted, Ji Mingzhu assured repeatedly that she’d return soon and left the courtyard under their pitiful stares.

The guest courtyard where Liu Xu stayed wasn’t far, and she had long heard the children’s cries.

She was standing outside the courtyard waiting for Ji Mingzhu.

"When did you arrive, why didn’t you come in?"

For some reason, Liu Xu always felt slightly awkward meeting Xi Yu.

Clearing her throat, "Just arrived, have the children been calmed?"

Ji Mingzhu turned back to check and saw Xi Yu walking out of the courtyard holding the siblings, one on each side.

He looked at Liu Xu and brandished the children slightly, "To have a friend like me, it’s hard to find a second one in the world; can heal and help with childcare, at this rate, I might become the best man across the land."

Ji Mingzhu smirked.

"Doctor Xi really is amazing; whoever marries you in the future will live in bliss."