Rebirth: Pampered by My Children and Husband Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Chapter 257 Illness

Ji Yuqiao sprinted into the house as soon as she got out of the car, while Ji Tingyang and Ji Zeqiu were already seated on the sofa.

The living room walls were adorned with decorations and streamers, and colorful balloons were scattered in every corner of the room.

As she burst in, she could still smell the fragrance of food and cake wafting through the air.

Ji Yuqiao panted heavily, carelessly tossing her small backpack onto the sofa, “I'm not late, am I?”

“Mother hasn't come back yet; there's no need to rush,” Ji Tingyang said with composure.

“That's good. I thought I might have come back too late,” Ji Yuqiao said as she plopped down on the sofa, trying to catch her breath.

She had been so afraid of being late that she had left Zhao Jiayan at the library and run all the way home.

At that moment, he seemed to be saying something to her, but she didn't quite remember.

She decided she'd find time later to apologize to him.

While she was pondering this, Ji Zeqiu wrinkled his nose and clicked his tongue disdainfully, “Some people are even later than you.”

Ji Yuqiao looked around and after a while, she realized he was talking about Xie Changyan.

When they were younger, the three siblings couldn't remember Lin Xu's birthday, and even as they grew up, they didn't know the exact date of Lin Xu's birthday.

As a result, Lin Xu had celebrated a birthday for both brothers, and they never remembered to celebrate their mother's birthday.

It wasn't until Xie Changyan reminded them that they belatedly remembered.

And yet, Lin Xu was nearly back, and the very person who was supposed to lead the planning hadn't even arrived.

Ji Zeqiu huffed in displeasure.

If it had been their father, it would have been impossible to be late for their mother's birthday.

Only Ji Tingyang would make excuses, saying that Xie Changyan might have been delayed by something.

In his opinion, that bastard just didn't prioritize their mother enough.

Hearing Ji Zeqiu's words, a flicker of surprise passed through Ji Yuqiao's eyes, but being a woman of action, she immediately pulled out her phone to call Xie Changyan.

“I'll call and ask,” she said.

The phone rang for a long time, until just before the line was about to cut off automatically, the call was finally answered.

“What's up?” Xie Changyan's voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

“Father, you wouldn't have forgotten that today is Mother's birthday, would you?” Ji Yuqiao reminded him, “If you don't get here soon, you'll be late.”

No sooner had her words fallen than several hoarse coughs could be heard from the other end of the phone, as if he were coughing his lungs out.

Ji Yuqiao tensed up, “Father, what's wrong, don't you feel well?”

“I'm fine,” Xie Changyan tried to suppress the itch in his throat, “I'll be there in a few minutes, don't worry, I won't be late.”

Ji Yuqiao stared at the hung-up call, frowning in contemplation.

“What's wrong?” Ji Tingyang looked over.

“Father seems to be sick,” Ji Yuqiao's face showed a hint of concern.

“Sick? What illness?” Ji Zeqiu's momentary annoyance faded, replaced with concern, he hastily asked.

Ji Yuqiao didn't answer but just blinked at Ji Zeqiu, teasingly hinting through her round eyes.

It seemed like she was mocking him for when he started caring so much about Xie Changyan.

Ji Zeqiu's gaze flickered, and he twisted his face awkwardly, “It's not that I care about him, I'm just worried that he will infect us, and then infect our mother, what if she gets sick too?”

Ji Yuqiao and Ji Tingyang exchanged glances, both seeing the tease in each other's eyes.

Ji Tingyang seemed to nod in agreement, “You're right. I'll have the butler lock the front gate now, so he can't come in.”

“But… there's no need to lock it. What if mother finds out and gets angry?” Ji Tingyang stuttered.

“Letting him in is not an option, and keeping him out isn't either, so what do you suggest we do?” Ji Yuqiao shrugged her shoulders.

“I, I…” Ji Zeqiu opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but then fell silent.

His myriad thoughts were interwoven, leaving him incredibly confused, and his expression was filled with indecision.

Just as he hesitated, Xie Changyan had already walked in from outside.

There was an unnatural flush on his face, and he brought his fist to his lips, coughing lightly a few times.

Ji Yuqiao immediately ran over and reached out to touch his forehead first thing.

She exclaimed in shock, quickly retracting her hand as if she had been burned, her facial features twisting together, “Father, you have a fever!”

“Your forehead is so hot. Did you go to the hospital? What did the doctor say? Have you taken any medicine?” she asked anxiously.

“I've taken medicine already, don't worry,” Xie Changyan said, rubbing her head to calm her agitated emotions.

Although Ji Tingyang did not say anything, he still stood up to pour him a glass of water.

Xie Changyan took the water glass and gave him a light smile.

The next moment, they heard Ji Zeqiu's voice laced with sarcasm, “How can there be people in this world who can't even take care of their own bodies?”

“You were ill before, too, and needed mother to take care of you in the hospital,” Ji Yuqiao said with a scornful glance at Ji Zeqiu.

Ji Zeqiu tried to retaliate hesitantly, “I, that was just an accident…”

Ji Yuqiao said, “You sure have a lot of 'accidents'; it's been so many times already.”

Ji Zeqiu was left speechless.

“Father, please sit down and rest for a while,” Ji Yuqiao said, leading Xie Changyan to the sofa to sit, asking him whether he wanted water or some fruit to eat…

Facing his daughter's meticulous care, Xie Changyan's eyes and brows were tinged with a wry smile, “I'm not so ill that I can't take care of myself; there's no need to worry so much.”

“Alright then.” Ji Yuqiao finally relaxed her caring heart.

“Did your mother say when she'll be home?” Xie Changyan asked.

“She said around seven o'clock,” Ji Yuqiao replied.

To prepare a surprise for their mother, Ji Tingyang had given Lin Xu a beauty voucher early in the morning to get her out of the house, then he and Ji Zeqiu stayed behind to decorate with balloons and streamers.

Ji Yuqiao glanced at the clock; it was about time for their mother to return.

Thinking this, they heard the sound of the door's password being entered from outside.

The three siblings instantly became alert, grabbing the sparkler sticks from the table and standing by the entryway, waiting for the person outside to come in.

With a “click,”

The door opened.

As soon as the person outside showed their face, the sparkler sticks burst forth, one after the other, exploding into colorful paper flowers against the quiet night sky.

Lin Xu was taken aback for a moment, not yet comprehending what was happening, when a big embrace plunged into her arms.

“Mother, happy birthday!” Ji Yuqiao nuzzled into her neck, her eyes shining with bright smiles.

Lin Xu was somewhat surprised. “How did you know…”

Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes fell on Xie Changyan behind them, and she immediately understood.

Her gaze softened, a light smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Xie Changyan stagger slightly.

Chapter end