Chapter Text
“Just put it over to the side where the rest of the kitchen boxes will be, thanks Wen Ning.” Wei Ying huffs as he shuffles through the doorway into the cramped living room. Wiping a bead of sweat off his forehead he swivels around looking for Sizhui.
“Hey baby, this is gonna be our new place now what do you think?” he asks the toddler who wobbles up to him while making grabby hands. “Do you like it?”
“I like it, daddy! Where is my room?” he asks peering up at his father.
“You don’t want to sleep with daddy anymore?” Wei Ying asks picking up his son.
Sizhui hesitates, “no I do! I do!” He giggles patting Wei Ying on the face, “I will sleep with daddy then!”
Wei Ying giggles, “it’s okay Sizhui, you can have your own room if you would like.” He turns seeking out Wen Ning’s form as he shifts through the packages scattered throughout the room. “Wen Ning, thank you for helping me out. I promise to treat you to a meal once I find Sizhui a baby sitter, you really don’t need to help me unpack I can do it in my own spare time.”
Wen Ning looks up from the box he had just started sorting through and gave Wei Ying an impassive glance. “Are you sure you can manage by yourself, ge? You really should get some rest I will take care of SiZhui for you while you sleep.”
“Pft, you worry about me too much. I am fine!” Wei Ying giggles trying to mask a yawn that unfortunately tumbles from his lips. Sighing he mumbles, “Ugh, maybe you’re right. I really could use a nap right now.”
Wen Ning reaches out for Sizhui who climbs happily from his father’s arm into his uncle’s embrace immediately snuggling into his broad chest. “I will take Sizhui to look around the neighbourhood while you rest.”
Wei Ying nods and thanks Wen Ning quietly before handing him Sizhui’s jacket and closing the door behind their backs, his son’s giggling laughter fading as Wen Ning carries him down the stairs.
As the door clicks shut, Wei Ying slides down the cold wall with his back against the door and places his head inside his hands. The past couple of years has been so exhausting and Wei Ying cannot remember the last time he had had a vacation or some time for himself. Not that Sizhui was a bad kid, but ever since… he became a single parent everything has become ten times harder. Especially in the past year as he finally moved out of the province and started his new life in Shanghai. The move was long and tedious with so many questions from Sizhui. Why are we leaving? Daddy where did the bunnies go? Why can’t we bring the bunnies with us? Can I still see Jingyi? But even Sizhui’s inquiries became less and less as he realized the seriousness of the situation. Wei Ying groaned feeling a sense of regret bubbling in his chest but he forced it down. No. This is the right choice. It has to be.
So much has happened in such a short amount of time that Wei Ying can barely wrap his head around it all. Perhaps to some three years is more than enough to get over a relationship and they see him as overdramatic. However, to Wei Ying three years is not enough. Perhaps it will take him three lifetimes to get over the pain of leaving him. Some nights he still wakes up grinning as he dreamt of holding his hands in his dreams. But that happiness never lasts once the coldness of the sheets on his right-hand side seeps into his consciousness. Nothing will ever be the same again, and nothing has been. Not since Wei Ying left and walked out suitcase in tow clutching Sizhui protectively by his side and away from a family who detested their very presence.
——
Wei Ying wakes with a start as a warm figure thumps against his legs. “Baba!” A child giggles crawling up to his chest.
Blinking blearily Wei Ying sits up his arm wrapping automatically around Sizhui’s form.
“Hey baby, did you just come home? Where is your uncle?”
“Uncle is outside making us food! Lots and lots of spicy fishcakes just for you!” Sizhui giggled poking at his father’s cheeks.
Smiling warmly at his son Wei Ying picks him up and shuffles off the bed padding sleepily into the dining room.
“Hey, Wen Ning, you really don’t need to be doing so much for me.” He says approaching his friend’s side by the stovetops. “I promise Sizhui and I will be fine. Go home and rest.”
Wen Ning places the lid back on top of the pot he had just been stirring. He glances back at the tired father and his adorable nephew suckling his thumb against his father’s chest. “I want to,” he replies. “I haven’t seen Sizhui in so long, let me help you out.”
Wei Ying sighs, placing Sizhui down on his highchair and starts setting the table. As much as he would like to pretend that he is fine, the dark circles beneath his bloodshot eyes say otherwise. After all, it really would be nice to share a warm home-cooked meal with some company after so many years of fending for himself.
Wen Ning carries over two plates of side dishes, spicy fishcakes like Sizhui had promised and a serving of stir-fried vegetables. Reaching for the bottle of red chilli flakesWei Ying digs in, once in a while reaching over to refill Sizhui’s plate and smiling happily as his son eats deliciously.
This. Right here, right now is my family. What more could I ask for when I have Wen Ning and Sizhui by my side?