Chapter 283

The days passed in the midst of the flat busy work. Xu Ran and the others gradually adapted to the cold weather of Yanzhou. They were getting used to put on the ointment made by Lu Qi before they went out in the morning, so that they could stay outside for a whole day without feeling too cold.

Baozi was a year older after November. Except gaining weight, everything else of him had been growing. The most obvious thing was his appetite. He ate much more than before, but he didn’t get any fatter, which made  Xu Ran quite confused.

Xu Ran has been teasing Baozi, saying that no childe ate so much as he did. Baozi didn’t agree with him, and went to encourage Yan Lan to eat with him and eat as much as he does, but the reality was very cruel. After eating with Baozi for seven days, Yan Lan has obviously put on a lot of weight.

Then he said that he would never eat with Baozi again. Baozi’s plan failed, which led to him asking Xu Ran carefully every time he wanted to have more rice. And only after Xu Ran agreed did he dare to do it, which was very pitiful.

Looking at his pitiful expression, Xu Ran also felt that he had gone too far. It was not like there was no food at home, so what was wrong with letting his children eat as much as they liked ? It wasn’t not like he couldn’t afford it.

Anyway, Baozi didn’t grow fat even if he ate like this. Plus, none of his family members was fat, and they probably wouldn’t suddenly get fat in the future. As soon as he understood this, Xu Ran felt relieved and let Baozi eat how much he liked.

Baozi was very happy about Xu Ran’s lifting the ban. The consequence of his happiness was that Baozi accidentally ate two more bowls during lunch that day, which made Xu Ran want to forbid him from eating again.

Liu Tong did not get involved in the affair the whole time. He quietly acted as a spectator and watched the whole scene between the father and his son, but nothing had changed in the end.

Liu Tong also knew that the reason why this thing happened was because they had nothing else to do. As long as they started to get busy again after the new year, Xu Ran would have no time to mind Baozi.

On the 15th of the twelfth month of the lunar year, Tangtang and Guoguo finally returned home. Tangtang an Guoguo also joined in the team of teasing Baozi, and they could hear the loud protest of Baozi every day. Of course, Baozi wasn’t always defeated by them. No matter how stupid he was, he was still Xu Ran’s son, so his IQ could not be low. Besides, Xu Ran taught him a lot of things. It was just not the same as what he taught Tangtang and Guoguo.

The four of them had been like this until the New Year came. They thought about how to tease others every day and didn’t go to help Liu Tong prepare new year goods. However, Liu Tong was also happy to watch the fun every day, so he did all the work by himself.

When it was twenty-ninth of the twelfth month of the lunar year, Xu Ran remembered that he had to prepare a lot of things for the New Year. Then he went to the Utility room and found that everything necessary were prepared, and even the presents for his neighbors were bought by Liu Tong. Only then did Xu Ran had the sense of guilt.

After whispering together with the three children, Xu Ran decided to give Liu Tong a surprise.

However, surprise was really not easy to give. Xu Ran had done everything he should have, such as the food that should be made, the wedding that should be made up for. As for Liu Tong’s birthday, they celebrated it every year. He also helped him find his brother and they’ve already had three children. Xu Ran really couldn’t think of what kind of surprise he could prepare for Liu Tong.

The three children were also worried, and their opinions were all rejected by Xu Ran. The reason was quite simple. It was either inappropriate or not original enough. When the proposal was denied one after another, the three children gradually lost their interest in it.

Xu Ran chased all three of them away and started to ponder on his own.

After thinking about it all day long, Xu Ran came up with an idea, which could only be given to Liu Tong.

Because of this, Xu Ran didn’t sleep the night before New Year’s Eve. He took out a few dark-colored clothes and hid in the utility room while Liu Tong was asleep.

The lights weren’t bright, there was only a faint light. He hadn’t  used anything like needles and scissors, so it was very difficult for him to operate.

Xu Ran did not manage to make a not very good-looking finished product until dawn. In fact, it was not made by him. He merely altered the original dress.

Although it was ugly, Xu Ran was still very satisfied with it himself . After all, it was his first time to do it, so it was good enough. No matter what, Tongtong would not dislike it.

This was where Xu Ran’s confidence came from. No matter what he did, there was always someone who supported him.

Xu Ran didn’t go back to sleep since it was already daylight . He hid everything and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.

When Liu Tong woke up, he felt that something was wrong. He felt that Xu ran had not been in bed last night, but he was too cold and sleepy to get up. He thought that he probably went to the bathroom. However, when he woke up in the morning, he found Xu Ran’s quilt was exactly the way it was last night. Liu Tong was able to confirm his guess even more.

He knew that Xu Ran must be hiding something from him, but he didn’t doubt too much. After all, he did not think that Xu Ran would do anything wrong with him now.

Liu Tong got out of the bed after getting dressed, thinking that he would ask Xu Ran later.

Xu Ran was talking to Shao Yu when he got to the kitchen. It was quite warm in the room, and there were noodles that had been cooked in the pot. Liu Tong frowned unhappily when he saw Xu Ran’s dark circles, but he didn’t say anything because it was the New Year today.

And he didn’t have the chance the ask Xu Ran what he wanted to ask him because Xu Ran was avoiding him naturally or half unconsciously that day.

They had given up the habit of staying up late or all night on New Year’s Eve since they arrived Yan Zhou. In addition, it was too cold now. They might catch a cold if they stayed up for the whole nigh. So they just sat around and talked for a while and then went back to bed.

After entering the room, Xu Ran greeted Liu Tong and went out again with a mysterious expression. Liu Tong didn’t stop him because he would wait till night to ask Xu Ran what he had been doing last night.

He sat by the bed and waited for Xu Ran to come back. Then he heard the sound of knocking on the door after a while. Liu Tong couldn’t wait to get up from the bed to open the door, but the person he saw after opening the door made Liu Tong stunned.

“Ran?” Liu Tong asked with uncertainty.

Xu Ran smiled slightly and asked. “Yes. Why? You don’t know me anymore?”

Liu Tong hurriedly shook his head and said. “No, but why do you dress up like this? It’s kind of strange.”

Liu Tong opened the door and let Xu Ran in while looking at him.

After entering the door, Xu Ran turned around and asked Liu Tong to take a closer look, then he smiled and asked him, “Tong Tong, how is it? Don’t I look handsome?”

Liu Tong didn’t know what handsome meant, but he still nodded obediently. “You are very good-looking, Ran, is this the clothes you wear in another era?”

Xu Ran nodded. “Yes, you’re so smart to figure it out”

Liu Tong got a little shy when he heard Xu Ran’s praise, but his eyes didn’t move away from Xu Ran. He kept staring at him and nodded, “This dress looks really nice on you.”

Xu Ran was wearing a modern version of clothes he had made last night. Because the conditions were limited, he changed it to a casual wear. He had his hair done and looked really nice.

Seeing that Liu Tong liked it, Xu Ran felt quite relieved and said that Tongtong would definitely like it.

Xu Ran said, “Tongtong, I have been busy playing with the children the days before, so I didn’t help you. I apologized. I had discussed with the children to give you a surprise, but I really couldn’t think of any good idea. So I made this outfit for you to see. Do you like it?”

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Liu Tong smiled unconsciously and said, “Of course, I like it. But Ran, don’t go out at night doing these things again. I would be worried. I don’t care about surprise. All I want it you to be happy.”

It was rare for Liu Tong to say such affectionate words. Plus, it was New Year’s Eve today, so Xu ran suddenly had a bad idea in his mind.

Xu Ran leaned over and whispered to Liu Tong, “Tongtong, do you mind if I wear this to bed tonight?”

Liu Tong didn’t expect that Xu Ran would ask such a question. He still felt strange in his heart. Why would Xu Ran ask for his permission for such a little thing?

Looking at Liu Tong’s confused expression, Xu Ran knew that he didn’t catch his meaning, so he leaned over to kiss him and asked, “Do you understand me now?”

Liu Tong also didn’t understand, but Xu Ran suddenly pulled his clothes and Liu Tong’s face suddenly turned red. It was impossible he still didn’t understand him. After all, they have had three children already.

Although Xu Ran sometimes did some tricks in bed, this is the first time he’s had clothes on.

Liu Tong was about to refute when he found himself lying on the bed and Xu Ran was buried in his chest.

He still had to do something like this during the New Year’s Eve. But he could not stop Xu Ran. So he closed his eyes in embarrassment and simply didn’t watch him.

But he forgot that although he couldn’t see this, his body could still feel it. Xu Ran’s hands were lingering upon him, and everywhere he touched made him hot.  His hand was still moving, like he was about to ignite him.

The feeling was getting more and more obvious. Liu Tong’s face was so red as if he was about to bleed. It was particularly obvious under the light of the oil lamp. Xu Ran laughed as he watched Liu Tong’s reaction.

“Tongtong, our Baozi is eight years old now. Why are you still so shy?”

Liu Tong did not know how to answer Xu Ran’s words, so he had to keep silent, but his movements were obviously more cooperative.

Seeing this, Xu Ran did even harder. The New Year’s Eve passed away like this.