Chapter 480: Picnic (3)

The families chose the best spot and began to set up for the picnic. The men and all the kids took charge of the tents while the women started arranging for a barbecue.

Nuo hopped over to Jinhai’s side and asked, “Dada, where do I pin this hook?”

It was the tent’s hook that was supposed to be pinned on the ground.

Jinhai frowned. “That hook is too sharp for your delicate hands. It might prick you. Give it to Jian. He will pin it.”

Nuo obediently trotted over to Jian’s side and gave him the hook. Then she looked around and found the tent cloth.

For her small body, the tent cloth was gigantic. Nevertheless, she somehow pulled it in her little fists and went to Jinhai’s side again. “Dada! I bought the cloth! I will put it on the roof!”

Jinhai frowned again. “The cloth is too heavy for you. You will fall. Let Nian handle the cloth part.”

Nuo blinked her eyes but did as he told. She handed over the cloth to Nian.

Then she looked around again to help and found the ropes they were going to use to it with the tent.

“Dada! I found the ropes! Mama taught me how to tie a knot. I will tie the ropes and tent!” Her gaze sparkled in anticipation.

Jinhai said, “The ropes will scrap your hands. What if you get hurt? Jun will do it.”

The boy’s mouth twitched as they heard their father. They dryly looked at him.

Jian thought, ‘So it’s fine if the hook pricks me?’

‘So, it’s fine if I fall because of the cloth’s weight?’ Nian wondered.

‘So, you don’t care if my hands get scrapped by the ropes?’ Jun intensely stared at him.

Jinhai felt their gazes at him. He raised his brow. “What? Get on with the work.”

Nuo pursed her lips. “Dada, what should I do?”

Jinhai smiled and ruffled her head. “You sit and watch your brothers doing it. Oh wait, should I bring you some juice?”

Jian, Nian, and Jun –”…”

The difference in treatment was…

Nuo looked strained. “But I want to help…”

“Of course you can help. Cheer your brothers, and they would feel more energetic to set up the tent,” His gaze turned serious, “Cheering is a very important task, Nuo. We are depending on you.”

Nuo, who didn’t realize that Jinhai was thoroughly spoiling her, was excited at the prospect to help.

“Really, Dada?”

He nodded. “I can only leave this task to you, or else we would all fail without your cheering. Look at your brothers. They are already looking so hopeless. They will get their energy back. After all, my Nuo’s voice is so melodious. You sing and cheer, and the tent would be done in no time.”

“Alwight!” Nuo clapped her hands.

Nian asked, “Dada, how about I-“

“Nope,” Jinhai cut him off, already knowing what he would ask.

The three brothers felt completely wronged.

“Big bro Jian, big bro Nian, big bro Jun! I will start singing now!” Nuo chirped and got ready.

Zixin, Meixiu, and Meirong laughed at the poor Liu brother’s condition. Shin was no different than Jinhai.

He didn’t let his daughters do any hard work while Bao was too small to help, so Bao joined Nuo in cheering on the others. Shin ultimately did everything by himself.

After Zixin and Jianyu were done too, all the boys ran to their mothers for refreshments.

But even before they could ask, Shin and Jinhai said, “Give some juice to Meirong and Meixiu first.”

“Let Nuo have some water. She must be tired of all the singing.”

“…”

This is such injustice!

Huian said, “We are almost done with setting the barbecue too. You three bring us some wood for the fire, and then we can start barbecuing!”

“Yummy chicken!” Zixin jumped and drooled.

Serena laughed. “Yes, yes, yummy chicken. Plus, it’s your aunt Nana cooking it. It would be delicious by a hundredfold.”

Nana rolled her eyes. “Serena you…”

Zixin said, “I will come with Dada too to pick wood!”

Bao laughed. “Me too. Wood wood!”

Jinhai nodded.

The boys went along with their fathers while the girls stayed with their mothers.

As they walked, Jinhai asked, “Will you finally tell us what has happened between you two?”

Shin said, “You two seem to be in a cold war. To be precise, it’s more on Serena’s part.”

Jianyu sighed. “That is true. She is angry with me.”

“Why?”

“Well…”

—

Back at the picnic spot, Huian and Nana set up a small table, and Nuo and the twin girls were helping to set the plates and glasses.

They turned and saw Serena in a daze as she was just fiddling with the coal in her hands. Her expression seemed sad and out of spirits.

They shared a glance and slowly stood beside her.

“*Ahem*” Nana cleared her throat.

“H-huh?” Serena looked at them. “What happened?”

“Well…you should be saying what has happened. You and Jianyu seem to be arguing about something.”

Huian nodded. “What is it? I can feel that it’s not your usual banter.”

Serena’s mood dampened even more. “Nothing…it’s…I…”

They didn’t push her and let her take her own time.

“I…want to have another child…”

Nana and Huian widened their eyes. “Another child?”

Serena slowly nodded. “But Jianyu is refusing it.”

Nana had so many things in her mind with this revelation, but she didn’t know where to start.

“I mean…it’s five years now. I want to give Zixin a younger sibling, too…I mean, don’t take me wrong. I know Jian, Nian, Jun, Nuo, Meirong, Meixiu, and Bao are like his siblings. But they cannot be with Zixin all day. So he is almost alone at home. I don’t want him to be a single child…”

Nana was a little hesitant to speak. “Serena…I understand your feelings, but you should know why Jianyu is refusing. That…”

Serena sadly smiled. “I know. Because it’s hard to be a mother again for me.”