Chapter 376: Fourth World: Punishement For An Old Crime

The pink bubbles surrounding the black SUV finally burst as the two men sauntered over to the Qie Mansion like an elderly couple. Wen Qinxi felt so embarrassed today that he vowed to see a psychologist and fix his fear of pain issue. His cries brought a five-year-old boy in the hospital bed next to him to his knees.

The kid broke his arm playing and he was about to get a cast but seeing a grown man cry louder than him, he decided to tough it out otherwise he would end up like that grown up in the future.

Having been judged by even a toddler, Wen Qinxi was somewhat in low spirits. When they entered the house, he was met by a handmade banner written Happy Dad's Appreciation Day. There was a table decorated in blue and white with candy, fudge, helium balloons and a cake with two figures as cake toppers. It was obvious Qie Xieling chose this cake because the cake topper figurines were of him and the boy playing with water balloons at the island villa.

"Surprise!" yelled Qie Xieling with a radiant smile before jumping on Su Xin. Wen Qinxi felt his eyes sting while covering his gasping mouth with his hand. He didn't say anything for a long time afraid to speak otherwise his brittle voice would sell him out. How could there be something this precious in life?

Qie Xieling raised his head to look at his father who hadn't said anything for a long time and asked, 'Do you like it? We stayed up all night me and Nana."

Of course, he liked it. How could he not like it? Such a precious moment had him missing his mother and brother in the real world. When he was ten his brother and mother did the same thing for him with an unforgettable ice cream cake. Mind you, it wasn't his birthday. They did it on a whim to put a smile on his face.

Not once in his life did he think the second time someone did this for him would be in a game. If he spoke he might open up a flood gate of tears so he decided to show his appreciation some other way. Poor Qie Xieling's cheeks were kissed so much that the boy wanted to run.

He somehow managed to escape saying, "Eww dad," while standing on the opposite end of the table wiping his cheeks. He was but a teenager after all with a typical 'pretend you don't like but your heart is as warm as ever' kind of attitude. 

Wen Qinxi couldn't catch up with him with his back injury so he sent over his watchdog. "Ran-ge, catch him for me," said Wen Qinxi pointing at the escaped convict charged with killing his father with meng. As expected Qie Xieling was caught in the blink of an eye. He was absolutely no match against Qie Ranzhe's long legs so he was brought back for a rain of kisses and pinches.

Ten minutes later, three people sat around the dinner table chatting it up while eating dinner. The missing person was Qie Ranzhe and none of them knew what he was up to. All they know is that Machu walked in looking like he had come from running a marathon.

"Whose birthday is it?" asked Machu while poking at the party hat on the top of Su Xin's head that Qie Xieling forced him to wear.

Qie Xieling smacked Machu's hand off and straightened out the crooked hat that Machu had screwed up. "It's dad appreciation day," explained Qie Xieling while checking if Su Xin's hat was now straight. Wen Qinxi just stared at this boy who was exhibiting his OCD tendencies.

"Oh, so that's why," said Machu while rubbing his chin lost in thought.

"Why what?" asked Madam Qie with the other two looking at him with interest.

Having almost blurted out a secret, Machu felt like slapping himself across the face. To prevent any further accidents he waved his hand in a dismissive gesture and said, "Nothing. Never mind." He then left the room heading upstairs but he still heard Madam Qie yelling after him.

"Tell that brat upstairs to stop being a workaholic and come downstairs," she said before looking at Qie Xieling, "I think your daddy is jealous. Why didn't you re-write the banner as Happy Dad and Daddy Appreciation Day? Now we have to deal with a grumpy goose."

Qie Xieling pouted and said, "But I have thrown him several parties before. It was dad's turn today."

His words seemed reasonable but Wen Qinxi couldn't help worry especially after what happened today. Fearing that Qie Ranzhe was still unsettled about what happened earlier, Wen Qinxi decided to bring up some fudge to coax the big baby.

Qie Ranzhe wasn't upset about not getting a surprise party as well but he was rather jealous that Qie Xieling thought of this before he did. It was this competitive spirit that prompted him to hijack Qie Xieling's party and do the unthinkable. After discussing some secret mission with Machu, he went to Qie Xieling's room and searched everywhere for some evidence.

He still had to punish these two for a crime they committed during summer vacation and there was no better day to do it than today. Once he found that secret stash he ambled downstairs with a triumphant smile.

"Finally you are here. We thought you were going to stew in a corner till you grow mushrooms on your head," said Madam Qie pulling up a seat for Qie Ranzhe but her son had other things in mind.

Once Qie Xieling's line of sight fell on that box, his feet subconsciously jerked preparing to make a run for it. He wasn't allowed to casually enter Qie Ranzhe's office without permission but he and his accomplice broke into his daddy's office on the island Villa and did the unthinkable with the 3D printer.

To show he wasn't an experienced criminal, he kept the evidence in the house and even played with them when his daddy wasn't around. The box was slammed on the table startling everyone. Machu couldn't help but shake his head thinking, 'What a buzzkill,' but that didn't stop him from enjoying a good show.

"Ahem... do you want to confess on your own and lessen the sentence or you would rather do it the hard way," said Qie Ranzhe with his hands on the table. His words were directed at Qie Xieling but his gaze was on Su Xin.

Wen Qinxi had no idea what was going on but once the contents of the mystery box were revealed he couldn't help but curse internally. 'Damn it,' he swore within while trying to act all innocent. He couldn't help but think this man was as petty as ever even in a game.

"We, I am mean I," said Qie Xieling but he didn't get to finish before Qie Ranzhe cut him off.

"Don't you dare say you bought them," said Qie Ranzhe standing up straight while casually folding his arms across his chest, "You two entered my office without permission and used the 3D printer. Go on, deny it."

Madam Qie face palmed before reprimanding her son. "Ran-er, are you that upset that Lin Lin didn't throw you a party as well that you had to bring this up right now? Stop being a party pooper and sit down so we can eat together."

"Fine, I admit my timing is off but after dinner, I expect the both of you to write an essay and read it out loud," he said picking up the box before placing it in front of Su Xin for the guilt to soak in thoroughly.