CUB - 4

When Su Yanheng woke up, the blazing sun had already turned into a blood-red sunset. Su Younian was curled up obediently in his arms, his cheek pressed flat from being in one position for too long, flushed a deep red. 

The little one slept peacefully, seemingly lost in a sweet dream, his small mouth slightly open as a string of glistening drool trickled out, dampening a patch of fabric on Su Yanheng’s chest.

Su Yanheng stiffened for a moment, but miraculously, his mysophobia didn’t flare up. He took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the drool from the little one’s mouth.

Just as Su Yanheng woke up, Niannian was on the verge of waking too. Stirred by Su Yanheng’s movements, he slowly opened his eyes, pursed his lips, and instinctively latched onto something near his mouth, even giving it a couple of firm sucks.

Su Yanheng: "..." Was he so hungry that he mistook his index finger for food?

Unable to resist the urge, Su Yanheng picked up his phone from the table and snapped several photos of Niannian. To avoid any awkwardness like before, he had set his phone to silent before falling asleep, so Niannian had no idea what Su Yanheng was doing.

After taking dozens of photos, Su Yanheng finally put his phone down, satisfied. He gently pinched the little one’s cheek and chuckled, "Let go now. I’ll take you to see if dinner is ready."

Niannian wasn’t fully awake yet, so he obediently released Su Yanheng’s finger, smacking his lips as if savoring the taste.

Su Yanheng laughed softly as he picked up the still-drowsy Niannian.

"Still not awake enough?"

Niannian rested his head on his big brother’s shoulder, which felt incredibly safe, and slowly shook his head. His voice was even softer and sweeter than when he was fully awake. "I’m… I’m awake, Brother. Just give Niannian a little more time, and I’ll get up right away…"

Before he could finish, a yawn escaped him. He struggled to lift his head from Su Yanheng’s shoulder, but his body was still limp from sleep, lacking strength. He barely managed to raise his head halfway before flopping back onto Su Yanheng’s shoulder.

Su Yanheng couldn’t help but laugh.

When the butler saw the two brothers enter, he hurried over to greet them and reached out to take Niannian.

Su Yanheng sidestepped, pulling Niannian closer to his chest as if protecting a rare treasure.

The butler glanced at the stains on Su Yanheng’s clothes and hinted, "Young Master, why don’t I take care of Little Master while you go freshen up?"

The butler was well aware of Su Yanheng’s mysophobia. Under normal circumstances, such drool stains would have driven him to the brink of madness, yet Su Yanheng remained calm and composed, replying nonchalantly, "It’s fine."

Though he said so, the butler’s words lingered in his mind.

Would his little brother think he was messy?

Worried that this might actually happen, Su Yanheng reluctantly handed Niannian over to the butler, his voice low as he instructed, "I’ll be back soon. Call me if anything happens with Niannian."

The butler quickly agreed, "Understood."

Watching Su Yanheng’s hurried figure dash upstairs and then looking at Niannian’s still-drowsy face, the butler deeply understood the reason behind Su Yanheng’s transformation.

He had been working for the Su family even before Su Yanheng was born and had watched all the Su brothers grow up. All four Su children were exceptionally good-looking, especially the youngest, who resembled a New Year painting doll.

On his way upstairs, Su Yanheng bumped into the housekeeper, Aunt Chen, who was also a long-time employee of the Su family, around the same age as the butler. She smiled warmly and said, "Young Master, the little one really likes you a lot."

Su Yanheng: "Hmm?"

Aunt Chen took out her phone, somewhat clumsily navigating to the photo album, and played a video.

In the video, Su Yanheng lay quietly on a recliner while the little rascal on him was quite restless. Taking advantage of his sleep, the child kept touching his arms, cheeks, and neck, mumbling something all the while. 

The camera was positioned far away, and the first few words were too faint for Su Yanheng to make out. It wasn’t until the end of the video that he deciphered the child’s lip movements, the little one was saying, "Sleep faster."

Aunt Chen: "I’ve never seen the little one be so clingy with anyone before, not even with Madam."

Su Yanheng was deeply moved. Even after witnessing firsthand how his younger brother had smeared his sticky little hands all over his face and hair, he felt no trace of disgust. Instead, it only reinforced his impression that "his brother liked him."

By now, he had completely forgotten how "Su Younian" used to cry at the sight of him, and any hurt caused by "Su Younian" had long been erased.

Su Yanheng quickly changed his clothes, even taking the time to wash his face and tidy his hair in front of the mirror before hurrying out. 

As he went downstairs, he remembered to take out his phone and post a few carefully selected photos of Niannian to his Weibo.

Su Yanheng had over 80 million followers on Weibo. He disliked taking selfies, so his account was managed by his agent. Fans familiar with him could easily distinguish which posts were from his studio and which were his own. Su Yanheng rarely posted, typically only once a year.

A few days earlier, after wrapping up filming for his drama, Su Yanheng had posted a rare celebratory update. Now, just days later, he had posted again, breaking his usual pattern.

Fans clicked in and were immediately stunned.

【What does this mean? Who is this child? Brother, don’t scare me like this! Did you secretly get married and have a child?】

【This kid is really good-looking, with features just like Su the movie star. It must be his child. Congratulations!】

【Congratulations, my foot! Su Yanheng, what have you been doing behind my back? When did we have a child? Why didn’t you tell me??】

【This generation of paparazzi is so useless. This child must be at least two years old. From pregnancy until now, how could there be no leaks at all? Did the star himself have to reveal it?】

【Wahhh, I don’t believe it! Which little vixen seduced my brother!】

【Haven’t you noticed something important? I heard Su Yanheng has severe mysophobia. This little rascal drew on his clothes, and he didn’t even get angry??】

【Of course he wouldn’t be angry with his own child!】

【Movie star Su never said this was his child. Don’t forget, he has several younger brothers.】

Su Yanheng was so busy showing off his adorable brother that he forgot to explain Su Younian’s identity. By the time his agent, Zhao Shun, called him, Weibo had already exploded. Multiple hashtags about him dominated the trending list, with rumors escalating to "secret marriage and child."

Su Yanheng was amazed by the fans’ imaginative abilities and quickly posted a clarification:

【@Su Yanheng: Not a secret child. Currently single. The child in the photo is my little brother. [Image]】

To explain more effectively, Su Yanheng even shared a family photo as proof. Both parents were business figures who frequently appeared in financial magazines, the second brother was a renowned esports player, and the third brother was a child prodigy. Since they had all been in the public eye before, Su Yanheng wasn’t at all worried about privacy issues.

【Heaven is so unfair, all the good genes went to this family. Not only are the parents handsome and beautiful, but the kids are all so good-looking too.】

【Can I be reborn into this family in my next life? I’ll just be responsible for being pretty!】

【I thought the third brother was already stunning, but the little brother is even more adorable. Look at those chubby cheeks, they’re exactly my type!】

【What a dream family! Being a child in that household must be so happy!】

Seeing this comment, Su Yanheng’s smile froze.

To outsiders, this family seemed perfect from the parents down to the children, but only they knew how many problems truly existed. Behind Niannian’s obedience and good behavior lay much neglect and indifference.

When Su Yanheng went downstairs, Niannian was already awake. He was picked up and placed in the child seat beside Su Yanheng. Servants brought out plate after plate of delicious food, dishes Niannian had never seen or tasted before. He couldn’t help but lick his little lips, his longing clearly written all over his face.

As Su Yanheng helped Niannian tie on his bib, the butler whispered nearby, “The third young master back this afternoon. I knocked on his door many times, but he never responded.”

Su Yanheng paused in his movements. Niannian also looked up at the worried butler, his clever little mind immediately recalling the name of the third young master, the only one among the brothers who took their mother’s surname, third brother Ji Suize.

The Ji family had deep roots in S City, with influence in every industry. Old Master Ji and his wife had a son and a daughter. Their son inherited his parents’ high intelligence, displaying wisdom far beyond his peers even in childhood. 

He skipped grades and entered junior high at age seven, but the following year, a car accident left him intellectually disabled. Now in his fifties, he still behaved like a five-year-old child.

With Old Master Ji advanced in years, he handed the family business over to his daughter, who was no less capable than any man, Su Younian’s mother. Now 52, Madam Ji had always wanted to find an outstanding successor before retiring. 

All her children were intelligent and ideal candidates, but the eldest was wholly dedicated to the entertainment industry, the second was lost in the world of esports, leaving only the third son, Ji Suize, to carry on the Ji family’s prosperity.

While most five-year-olds were still squabbling over lollipops, Ji Suize could already freely come and go from all the Ji family’s companies, facing elders decades older than him without a trace of fear. Of course, no matter how brilliant he was, at his age he couldn’t yet manage or run a company properly.

Old Master Ji often kept Ji Suize by his side, hoping the boy would adapt early to his future responsibilities and that he could teach his grandson as much as possible while his own mind was still clear.

Tiger parenting often comes with many drawbacks, but Ji Suize’s issues didn’t stem from that. He had never been talkative since childhood. After numerous evaluations, many specialists concluded that Ji Suize’s mutism wasn’t due to excessive pressure. Geniuses often have their own quirks, Ji Suize simply didn’t want to speak. And after a later incident, he grew even more silent and withdrawn.

The Ji family had deeply reflected on this matter and concluded that their grandson hadn't been forced into this state by them. Since the grandson was willing to learn these things, they could set aside half their worries. The other half remained suspended due to Ji Suize's condition.

Over the past year, Ji Suize had barely spoken a word. During school holidays, he would mostly shut himself in his room. The servants couldn't get him to open the door, and the food left outside his room often remained untouched. Only when he was starving would he ask for something to eat.

Upon hearing the butler's words, Su Yanheng immediately understood that his younger brother's issue had resurfaced.

Food is essential for survival, especially for a growing teenager like his third brother. Not eating would inevitably take a toll on his health.

Su Yanheng patted Niannian's bewildered little face and said softly, "I'll go call your third brother down for dinner."

Niannian stretched his arms toward his eldest brother. "Niannian wants to go too."

"What are you going to do there?" Su Yanheng pressed Niannian's small hand back down, pointing at his left foot. "With your foot like this, just sit still. I'll be back soon."

He thought Niannian's clinginess had flared up again.

Couldn't he bear to be apart from him even for a moment?

Tsk, this little one was so clingy!

But Niannian wasn't thinking about sticking close to his eldest brother this time. He wanted to meet this legendary third brother.

In this household, only his third brother was close to his age. Perhaps they could become good friends.

When he was locked at home by his mother, Niannian had often wished for a sibling. That way, he wouldn't feel so lonely. 

Whether it was an older brother, older sister, younger brother, or younger sister, he believed he could take good care of them. He didn't ask for much, just a little companionship would be enough.

The first step to becoming friends with his third brother was to cure his mutism.

With Niannian's help, his eldest brother had already slept twice. Niannian couldn't help but believe his abilities were still intact. If he could cure his eldest brother's insomnia, surely he could cure mutism too?

"Niannian wants to go too," Niannian insisted, tugging at his eldest brother's sleeve, his lips pouting with stubbornness and a hint of grievance.

Su Yanheng immediately lost his composure, repeatedly saying "okay" as he picked Niannian up and headed upstairs. 

On the way, he playfully patted Niannian's bottom and pretended to complain, "Why are you so clingy? When my vacation ends and I go back to work, won't you cry if you can't see me?"

Niannian was already used to being alone at home. Only darkness and extreme loneliness made him cry. The Su household had a butler and servants, and he knew his eldest brother would return home after work. Waiting wasn't unbearable for him, so he naturally wouldn't cry.

But seeing how happy his eldest brother seemed and sensing that he enjoyed being clung to, Niannian didn't reveal the truth. Instead, he wrapped his arms around his eldest brother's neck and said softly, "Niannian will wait at home for Big Brother to come back."

Su Yanheng couldn't hold back his expression and broke into a wide grin, showing all eight of his teeth.

He thought to himself that since Niannian wasn't old enough for kindergarten yet, he could take him to work. He could hire a few more assistants to look after the little one, sparing them both the pain of separation.

He definitely wasn't doing this for himself, it was all for Niannian's sake!

He didn't want to see the little one crying because he couldn't see him again.

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Niannian: I'm very strong, I won't cry! (Truth)

Su Yanheng: Mhm mhm mhm, I believe you! (Thinking it's a lie)

The movie star Su, who was tricked away by his older brothers and ignored by Niannian for a long time: QAQ Little brother, look at me, love your big brother one more time!​