Daddy, Mommy Ran Away - Chapter 155 - I Am Grandpa

The marketplace was composed of two bustling streets-one lined with stalls selling various trinkets, and the other dominated by food vendors. Since they had just finished breakfast, Uncle Yang decided to take the children to explore the little knick-knacks first.

The first thing that caught their eyes was a row of oil-paper umbrellas, their surfaces adorned with hand-painted flowers and plants in vibrant colors. Along the wooden gallery, an array of intriguing little crafts dazzled under the sunlight. The three children, their eyes wide with excitement, darted around, touching this and examining that. Their laughter, as bright as silver bells, floated far away with the breeze.

“Ruoxi, why don’t you sit for a while? I’ll take them around,” Uncle Yang offered with a warm smile. He had always dreamed of having grandchildren, but his two sons hadn’t been particularly cooperative. Now, seeing these three little ones, he couldn’t help but adore them, eagerly volunteering to take them everywhere. Before Ruoxi could respond, the children had already dashed off like little birds, with Uncle Yang jogging after them, calling out, “Slow down! Don’t trip!”

An Ruoxi sat down on a wooden bench by the gallery, rubbing her legs and sighing about how sore they had become after walking for so long. She watched the children weave through the colorful umbrellas, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face.

Yet, for some reason, she felt as though someone’s gaze was fixed on her. She instinctively glanced around but saw nothing unusual. Shaking her head, she muttered to herself, wondering if she had simply become overly sensitive lately.

Not long after, Uncle Yang returned with the children, holding a few small jade pendants in his hands. He had carefully selected them from a jade shop, intending to gift them to the kids. Ruoxi initially wanted to decline, but Uncle Yang’s insistence left her no choice but to accept. For the boys, he chose pendants of Guanyin, and for the girls, pendants of Buddha. As he helped the children put them on, he chuckled, “These jade pendants ward off evil spirits. Wearing them will keep you safe as you grow up.”

By the time they finished browsing the trinkets, it was nearly noon, and everyone’s stomachs were growling. They moved to the food street to sample various snacks. The three children had hearty appetites, devouring treats from stall after stall. Ruoxi, struggling to carry them, couldn’t help but wonder if they had bottomless stomachs.

“Mommy, what’s that? It’s so pretty! I want to eat it!” Xiaobei suddenly pointed toward a crowd gathered ahead. Following her gaze, Ruoxi saw a wooden stand displaying colorful cotton candy, their vibrant hues irresistibly eye-catching.

“That’s cotton candy. Do you want some?” she asked with a smile.

“Mommy, I want some too!” Xuanhan chimed in eagerly.

Ruoxi sighed helplessly and agreed, “Alright, Mommy will get some for you.”

Uncle Yang volunteered to queue up for the cotton candy while Ruoxi waited nearby with the children. Amid the bustling crowd, the kids grew excited and unknowingly wandered off a bit.

When Uncle Yang finally returned with the cotton candy, he turned around only to find the children had disappeared. His heart sank as he frantically scanned the area, shouting, “Xiaobao, Xiaobei, Xuanhan, where are you? Come out! Don’t play hide-and-seek with Grandpa; Grandpa’s eyesight isn’t good!” But all he saw were unfamiliar faces, and the children didn’t respond. Sweat began to bead on his forehead as panic set in.

“Uncle Yang, what did you say? The kids are missing?” Ruoxi froze in place, her mind going blank.

“Don’t worry; they probably wandered off somewhere to play. I wasn’t paying attention. Let’s search for them,” Uncle Yang said, his voice filled with guilt.

“Uncle Yang, they must have run off to play. I’ll go look for them. We’ll find them, so don’t blame yourself,” Ruoxi reassured him, trying to stay composed.

“We’ll split up. You go that way, and I’ll go this way. Let’s meet back here later.”

“Alright!”

Ruoxi called out the children’s names as she searched through the crowd, her voice growing hoarse. Despite her efforts, there was no sign of them, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

In a secluded alley at the edge of the marketplace, Xiaobei and Xuanhan stood behind Xiaobao, who shielded them protectively. Opposite them were several men in black, the atmosphere tense. Xiaobao frowned deeply, his gaze sharp and wary. Though Xiaobei and Xuanhan were frightened, they stood tall and firm under their brother’s protection.

Ouyang Pei, the leader of the group, crouched down slowly, removing his sunglasses to reveal a kind face. His eyes softened as he spoke gently to the children, a smile tugging at his lips. Ever since learning he had grandchildren, his heart had been filled with warmth every day. However, due to his unique circumstances, he could only watch them from afar. Today, he had finally mustered the courage to bring them here amidst the chaos.

“Xiaobao, this grandpa seems strange,” Xuanhan whispered, clutching his brother’s shirt tightly.

Xiaobao patted his younger brother’s hand reassuringly and said, “Don’t be scared. This grandpa won’t hurt us.” Then, turning to Ouyang Pei, he asked boldly, “Grandpa, who are you? Why did you bring us here?”

“Brother, are these bad grandpas human traffickers?” Xiaobei asked in a hushed voice, her big eyes filled with suspicion. “Do they steal kids to sell?”

Ouyang Pei’s smile faded slightly as he introduced himself solemnly, “I am your mommy’s biological father, which makes me your real grandfather. Do you understand?”

Xiaobei tilted her head thoughtfully. “I only have two grandpas-one in City X and one in heaven. Are you the one from heaven? But you don’t look like the grandpa in the photo we saw at the cemetery.”

Ouyang Pei froze for a moment, nearly losing his composure, before growling, “I’m not that dead guy!” His expression grew complicated as memories of the past flooded back. Thinking about the misunderstanding that had separated him from his beloved, he was filled with regret. If only he had trusted her and not driven her away, perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

Lowering his head to hide his emotions, he tried to appear more approachable but couldn’t help feeling awkward. Known for his commanding presence, who would have thought he’d be so flustered by three little children?

“No, no, Grandpa wasn’t being mean to Xiaobei. Really, I wasn’t. Don’t cry, or Grandpa’s heart will break,” Ouyang Pei pleaded, trying to console the child.

“Who said I was crying? I’m not a crybaby!” Xiaobei huffed, lifting her chin proudly. “Hmph!”

Ouyang Pei was momentarily stunned, realizing he had been tricked by the little girl. Instead of getting angry, he laughed even harder. Holding up three fingers, he said, “Sweet grandchildren, call me Grandpa, and I’ll buy you lots of cotton candy-three sticks each, okay?”

Xiaobao felt a metaphorical flock of crows fly over his head, thinking: Is this grandpa trying to give us cavities?

Seeing the children still ignoring him, Ouyang Pei grew anxious. “Then tell me what you want. Whatever it is, Grandpa will get it for you.”

Xiaobei gave him a sympathetic look, reached out to touch his forehead, and said in her sweet, childish voice, “Grandpa, did you escape from a mental hospital? That’s so sad. You’re all confused, even mistaking us for your grandchildren. Where’s your family? Why aren’t they taking care of you? And why do you have so many uncles watching over you? No wonder your illness isn’t getting better.”

Xiaobao frowned again. This grandpa knew their names, so he probably wasn’t crazy. He asked seriously, “Are you really Mommy’s biological father? Why has Mommy never mentioned you?”

Ouyang Pei, overwhelmed by the children’s questions, could only laugh helplessly. Yet, his heart grew softer with each word they spoke. Perhaps this was the family bond he had missed all these years.