Long Hui didn't wait for Long Tengfei to respond. Perhaps to get it out of his chest as quickly as possible, he briefly explained how he came to father a child. He didn't delve into too much details about his affair with Jiang Ying Yue, only saying that she was his former bodyguard. He insisted to Long Tengfei that he offered marriage to her in an attempt to make their child legitimate. There was an accusing tone in his voice when he shared that she rejected his offer.
Due to his stiff and nervous posture, he unknowingly tightened his hold on Little Jun. The toddler became uncomfortable and started struggling in his arms, crying out to Iris and Jin Liwei to come take him.
"Mama! Papa!"
Hearing his own son crying out for another couple, Long Hui felt upset and jealous. "No, Little Jun. Stay with me. I'm your Daddy."
However, Little Jun started crying and looked like he was going to throw a full-blown tantrum. Long Hui was helpless but still refused to give his son to Iris and Jin Liwei.
"Hand your son to your little sister for now," Long Tengfei told him. He didn't look surprised at all by the revelation. It looked as if he already expected it. "Follow me to the other room. Let's talk."
Long Hui hesitated. He didn't mind handing his son to Iris, but he was unwilling because of Jin Liwei.
Long Tengfei stood up. "Hurry up. Let's go."
"I understand, Father." Long Hui sighed and gave Little Jun to Iris while glaring at Jin Liwei.
Jin Liwei gave him a cold look in response.
"Yes. Come to Papa, Little Jun," Jin Liwei said and took the child from Iris. He turned to Long Hui and smirked.
Seeing his adult son about to pounce on his daughter's boyfriend, Long Tengfei grabbed Long Hui by the arm. He gave him a warning look. Long Hui looked like he was going to protest but eventually obeyed his father. He withdrew, throwing one last glare at Jin Liwei, before following Long Tengfei out of the sitting room.
Long Tengfei sighed at the two men's behaviour. They were grown men, yet they were competing for a toddler's attention. He was especially surprised to see Jin Liwei acting so childish. He was in his thirties (for goodness' sake!) and also the head of the number one company in the country. He was also older than all of Long Tengfei's children, yet here he was, taunting his eldest son, Long Hui.
While the father and son were gone from the room, Dom and Meimei started chattering in full force. They moved over and sat on the carpet near Yang Jiahui, telling her about Little Jun.
Meimei: "I already knew about Little Jun before because I frequently stay over at Xiulan's place whenever I don't have classes. But I didn't dare say anything to you, Auntie, because it's not my place. Especially since Big Brother Hui hasn't formally introduced his son yet until now."
"I understand, Meimei." Yang Jiahui watched Little Jun babbling in Jin Liwei's arms.
As someone who married late in life, she could no longer conceive and give birth to her own child. Long Tengfei suggested the surrogacy route if she wanted, but Yang Jiahui declined. Of course she was tempted. There was an instinctive desire within her to have her own child. However, she didn't want to embroil her own child into the complicated politics within the Long family, especially regarding the inheritance issue. After all, it wasn't only Long Tengfei's children who were vying for his wealth. There were also countless relatives and ex-wives wanting to grab their own slices of his pie.
Watching Little Jun made her heart ache a little for the lost opportunity of having her own child.
"Would you like to hold him?" Iris suddenly asked her.
"Of course," Iris replied. "Liwei."
Jin Liwei stood up and handed Little Jun to Yang Jiahui.
"Papa?" Little Jun held Jin Liwei's neck tighter.
"It's alright, Little Jun," he said, gently patting the child's back. "Go to Grandma."
After some hesitation, Little Jun allowed Yang Jiahui to hold him. He sat on her lap and stared at her.
When Long Tengfei and Long Hui finally returned, they were greeted by Little Jun bouncing and babbling on the lap of a delighted Yang Jiahui. Dom and Meimei were busy snapping photos with their phones from all angles.
Long Tengfei looked like his usual self. On the other hand, Long Hui looked like he aged in just a few minutes. He looked utterly exhausted, yet also relieved at the same time. Their private conversation must have been intense.
Yang Jiahui totally fell in love with Little Jun. Similarly, Little Jun also liked his new Grandma. Yang Jiahui stood up when he saw her husband and pushed Little Jun into his arms.
"Little Jun, look. It's Grandpa!"
For the rest of the visit, the two grandparents monopolized Little Jun completely to themselves. Poor Long Hui sulked the entire time. He wanted to spend quality time with his son, but his own father refused to let go. What was worse was that Little Jun said "Papa" more than "Dada". Long Hui kept a mental tally. His resentment towards Jin Liwei kept growing.
This continued until dinner time. Long Tengfei insisted that he wanted Little Jun on his lap while eating. Dom handed Long Tengfei baby food.
The image of their Master personally feeding a baby was too much for the servants that they couldn't bear to look directly. He didn't do that to his own children!
The atmosphere was very light and most of the conversations focused on Little Jun. He was the star today. Except for Iris who was still completely oblivious, the others chose to ignore the tension between Jin Liwei and Long Hui.
After dinner, Iris' group stayed well into the night. Little Jun was already sleeping in Long Tengfei's arms. Iris attempted to leave several times, but Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui used all kinds of persuasion to make them stay longer.
When it was 10 PM, they really needed to go. The grandparents suggested that they all sleep over.
"Sorry, but we can't." Iris' voice was firm. "Little Jun's mother will worry if we don't return tonight. We can bring him again next time we visit."
The grandparents couldn't hide their disappointment.
"Or you can always visit him at my place. Just come anytime. Yi Mei will let you in even when I'm not there. Little Jun spends the day at the penthouse anyway."
"Let me do it," he said.
After saying their goodbyes and good nights, the group left and made their way to the entrance. Long Hui walked with them, carrying his sleeping son. He frequently kissed Little Jun's head.
Finally, they reached the gates. Jin Liwei's subordinates were already waiting outside with the vehicle. Jiang Ying Yue didn't come.
Long Hui's eyes actually moistened, unwilling to let go of his son.
Seeing him like this, Iris felt sorry for him. She hugged Jin Liwei as they waited for him.
It was cold so Long Hui had no choice but to let go. He didn't want to make his son sick. Surprisingly, he handed Little Jun to Jin Liwei instead of Iris. "Take care of my son and my little sister," he said. "I'll kill you if you hurt them."
"I'll protect them with my life," Jin Liwei replied.
Long Hui nodded before stepping back.
Moments later, he watched as they drove away with his son. He remained standing in the cold even when the vehicle disappeared from sight.