Yibo bounced up the steps with uncontainable excitement, his small hand firmly clasped around his Zhan-ge's larger one. His joy was overflowing, he had been beaming ever since those sweet, unexpected words left the older boy's lips.
The sheer delight of that moment made him momentarily forget that they were still in the middle of their tour of the sprawling Xiao mansion.
Every hallway and ornate corridor was new and fascinating, but nothing could compete with the warmth and happiness he felt simply from being close to Zhan.
Hand in hand, they wandered through elegant rooms and lavishly decorated spaces, Yibo's eyes wide with wonder and curiosity at every turn. The house was like something out of a fairy tale, with high ceilings, polished wooden floors, shimmering chandeliers, and grand portraits that seemed to come alive under the soft lighting.
By the time they finished exploring nearly every corner of the estate, learning the names and purposes of each room and hallway along the way, Madam Xiao appeared with a gentle smile, calling them to take a break and come enjoy some light refreshments.
"It's not quite lunchtime yet," she explained, "so I've prepared a few light snacks for the two of you." She spoke with the same graceful tone she always carried, her presence elegant yet warm.
The snacks were already waiting in the bright, sunlit dining nook, placed delicately on the long table.
"Wow! Mama, these look adorable and super tasty!" little Yibo exclaimed with bright eyes, his voice practically sparkling with joy as he stared at the spread before him.
The snacks were presented beautifully on fine porcelain plates, shaped like stars, bunnies, flowers, and cartoon animals.
Some were decorated with little fruit faces, while others had been arranged into miniature edible scenes.
The entire setup looked like it had come straight from the pages of a children's party magazine. Yibo clapped his hands in delight, already imagining how each one would taste.
"Of course they do, sweetheart," Madam Fengyin replied affectionately, walking over to ruffle his hair with a gentle pat.
"Your gege has always had a soft spot for snacks when they're made with a little extra cuteness… though he'd never admit that himself." Her tone shifted slightly into a playful whisper as she leaned down and added near Yibo's ear, "But don't let him know I told you that, alright?"
Yibo giggled at the playful secret. There was something comforting in the way Madam Xiao talked to him. So kind, so effortlessly motherly.
"Don't worry, mama. I won't tell gege what you said," he whispered back with a mischievous smile, one hand cupped over his mouth like he was sealing the promise.
The two of them shared a soft, knowing laugh, just the quiet kind that bubbles up when people enjoy a moment of pure connection. It felt natural and easy, and for Yibo, it was something deeply comforting. Having a "mama" figure again, someone who not only cooked for him but joked with him and kept light-hearted secrets, made his heart feel full.
Together, they walked toward the dining table where Zhan was already seated, waiting with his usual composed demeanor, though there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, perhaps from hearing Yibo's enthusiastic reaction or simply from having him nearby.
Yibo quickly took the seat next to Zhan, practically bouncing in place as he picked up a small snack shaped like a bunny and gave it an experimental nibble. His eyes widened at the flavor, and he immediately held it up for Zhan to try.
"Gege, you have to taste this! It's sweet but not too sweet, it's perfect!"
Zhan leaned forward and took a bite, nodding slowly in approval.
"Mm. Not bad," he said in that cool tone of his, though the rare softness in his gaze betrayed how much he appreciated the gesture.
After enjoying the snacks, the two continued their little bonding session, clearly delighted to spend time together.
Yibo was especially fond of the garden where Madam Xiao allowed them to play. She had assured them that running around wouldn't damage the flowers, so they could be carefree and have fun.
The garden was filled with colorful blooms, and the gentle breeze made it an ideal spot for playing.
Needless to say, the little one thoroughly enjoyed playing with his gege. His excitement was so evident that the maids had to call him over every now and then, reminding him to take short breaks. They would gently wipe away his sweat and make sure he drank enough water. Yibo's cheerful energy and lively spirit won everyone over in no time. It was hard not to smile when he laughed or showed his adorable pout when asked to pause his playtime.
"Young Master Wang," called one of the maids who had been keeping an eye on the children.
It wasn't the first time she had called him, as Yibo was so absorbed in his play that he needed frequent reminders.
"Hm?" Yibo responded, turning his head toward the maid who had called him.
Although he clearly wanted to keep playing, he obediently walked over to her. The maid greeted him with a warm smile, holding a soft towel in her hands.
She gently wiped the sweat from Yibo's forehead, cheeks, and neck, being careful not to miss any spot. Then, she checked the towel that was tucked at the back of his shirt to make sure it hadn't shifted out of place. The towel was there to keep him from getting cold as his sweat dried. The maid's careful actions showed how much everyone at the Xiao residence cared for the little guest.
Suddenly, Yibo pointed at Zhan, who was still standing nearby.
"Gege too!" he exclaimed with a bright, enthusiastic tone, insisting that the maids take care of his gege as well.
His innocent request made everyone around them burst into laughter, finding his thoughtfulness and honesty endearing. Yibo didn't want to be the only one receiving attention and wanted to make sure his gege was treated well too.
After making sure that both Yibo and Zhan were properly cleaned up and refreshed, the maids handed them bottles of water to keep them hydrated. The boys took a few sips before eagerly running back to resume their game, as if nothing could possibly dampen their energy.
The garden echoed with their cheerful voices as they continued playing, completely immersed in their little world of fun.
From time to time, Zhan would chase Yibo around the flower beds, while Yibo would giggle and call out for his gege to catch him. Their happiness was infectious, and the maids couldn't help but watch with fond smiles, charmed by the sweet bond between the two.
However, after some more playing, the maids gently reminded them it was time to clean up and change into a fresh set of clothes. The boys pouted for a moment, reluctant to end their game, but eventually agreed.
They were led inside, where the maids carefully washed their hands and faces. Zhan helped Yibo with the buttons on his shirt, showing his usual gentle and caring nature. Once they were both dressed in clean outfits, they were escorted to the dining area for lunch.
As they sat at the table, Yibo couldn't help but share stories from their playtime, animatedly describing how fast he ran and how his gege almost caught him. Zhan listened with a soft smile, occasionally adding his own comments.
The staff served them a variety of dishes, making sure to include Yibo's favorites.
As they ate, Yibo's energy slowly settled, and his playful chatter turned into softer murmurs as the warmth of the meal made him a bit sleepy.
The maids watched fondly as the boys enjoyed their lunch, glad to see them so happy and content. Yibo's enthusiasm and Zhan's gentleness complemented each other perfectly, creating a heartwarming scene that made everyone around them feel at ease.
After finishing their meal, Yibo stretched his arms and leaned slightly against Zhan, who instinctively wrapped an arm around him. The older boy didn't seem to mind Yibo's clinginess, and the younger one appeared completely at home beside his gege. The maids cleared the table quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful moment.
After a few more minutes, Yibo's eyelids grew heavier, and it wasn't long before he began to doze off, leaning more against Zhan's shoulder. Zhan adjusted his position to make Yibo more comfortable, softly patting his back. Yibo's soft breathing indicated he had fallen asleep.
Zhan stayed still, not wanting to disturb his little companion until a maid gently carried Yibo to one of the guest rooms, carefully laying him down while Zhan quietly followed.
After Yibo was settled in and properly tucked under the blankets, Zhan sat beside him, intending to stay close while playing games on his iPad. Before long, he drifted off to sleep as well.