Futile Devices Scans

Benben received his vaccinations at Central Hospital. Wang Cheng did not trust vaccines administered elsewhere. There had been news reports on television about children suffering accidents after receiving vaccinations, so both he and Chu Yifeng were especially cautious. After arriving at the hospital, they first went to see Doctor Eric.

Doctor Eric was also very fond of little Benben. Benben had been brought into this world through his own hands, and he had waited several years for the child’s arrival. Compared to other babies, Benben was undoubtedly his favorite.

Several other children were already waiting for vaccinations. After paying the fee, Chu Yifeng received a number card marked “4,” meaning there were still three people ahead of them.

One parent entered with their child, and before long, earth-shaking cries erupted from inside the room. The other parents were already used to scenes like this.

Most children were afraid of pain, and crying was highly contagious. Once one child started crying, the others nearby were likely to follow. Sure enough, less than two minutes after Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng sat down, the two children waiting ahead of them also burst into tears.

Wang Cheng gently stroked his son’s soft little face and smiled. “Our Benben is still the bravest.” Benben grabbed Wang Cheng’s finger and began playing a finger-bending game with it.

“Benben is a little man. Of course he’s not afraid of injections.” Chu Yifeng was very pleased with his son’s performance as well. How could his son possibly be afraid of something as trivial as a shot?

When it was finally Benben’s turn, Doctor Li, who administered the injections, immediately brightened up, looking almost relieved. He was very familiar with this family—not only because of their exceptional looks, but also because Benben never cried during vaccinations. Every day they treated countless children, and the moment an injection was mentioned, the kids would wail at the top of their lungs. Without a strong heart, it was hard to endure.

Doctor Li took out the syringe, wiped Benben’s exposed arm with a damp cotton swab a few times, then inserted the needle into the skin. Looking up, he saw that the seven- or eight-month-old baby was staring directly at the injection site without even blinking. His expression seemed more curious than anything else, making him unbelievably adorable.

Even after the injection was finished, he did not cry. It was as though the entire thing was completely insignificant. Instantly, Doctor Li and the two nurses nearby were completely charmed. They had given injections to countless children, but this was the first time they had seen one so cute and lovable.

After receiving the vaccine and saying goodbye to the reluctant doctor, Chu Yifeng drove Wang Cheng and Benben to the Chu family residence. Old Master Chu and Old Madam Chu had returned that morning. The previous night, Old Madam Chu had missed Benben so much that she specifically asked them to bring him over today.

When they arrived at the Chu residence, they found Kunkun waiting eagerly by the gate.

Kunkun was already five years old and much more mature than before, though he was somewhat expressionless and rarely smiled. Most of the time, he looked like an unusually serious little adult. Two years earlier, Chu Wenting and Shen Qing had also welcomed a daughter. Logically, Kunkun should have adored his younger sister most, but instead he preferred Benben. Every time he heard Benben was coming over, he would wait at the entrance in advance. Since it was rare to see him so persistent and attached to someone, the Chu family, though surprised, simply let him be.

“Little Brother~”

Kunkun stretched out his arms toward him.

Wang Cheng placed his son on the ground and patted his little bottom. “Benben, go play with your big brother.”

Sitting on the floor, Benben looked at Kunkun and suddenly broke into a smile. Even so, he still refused to stand and practice walking. Kunkun simply sat down beside him, and together they crawled toward the house. The adults inside were no longer surprised by this sight, though those who had been eagerly awaiting Benben’s arrival nearly stretched their necks from anticipation.

Old Madam Chu gazed affectionately at the two great-grandsons playing together and said to Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng, “Stay for dinner today.”

“Of course, Grandma,” Wang Cheng agreed.

Third Aunt Wang Xiuli approached carrying a metal tin. Sitting down, she smiled and said, “You two arrived at just the right time. Try some of these snacks.”

Wang Cheng glanced inside the tin and widened his eyes. The so-called snacks were actually animal-shaped cookies. Every animal was crafted with remarkable detail, and it was obvious they were handmade. Since Third Aunt was offering them to guests, the taste certainly would not be disappointing.

Picking up an elephant-shaped cookie, Wang Cheng handed it to Chu Yifeng. “This one smells like it has a light coffee flavor. You’ll like it.” Then he picked up a tiger-shaped cookie. This one had a creamy milk fragrance. He took a small bite, and the rich aroma instantly lingered in his mouth.

“Well? Tasty, isn’t it?” Wang Xiuli asked with a smile.

Wang Cheng nodded repeatedly. “It’s delicious. Very fragrant. Where did you buy them?”

Jiang Zhuqing, sitting nearby, chimed in. “They weren’t bought. One of the soldiers under your Second Uncle brought them. He said his mother made them by hand. She made a huge batch and mailed them over, telling him to share them with his comrades and superiors. He gave a box to both your Second and Third Uncles.”

“With skills this good, it would be a waste not to make use of them. Does his family run a bakery or something?”

Jiang Zhuqing and Wang Xiuli exchanged a smile. Wang Cheng truly had the instincts of a businessman.

“Of course they do. Otherwise, how could one person make so many cookies? The soldier’s mother is just very sincere. Since they were gifts for comrades and officers, she insisted on making them herself. Your Second Uncle said she runs a pastry shop called Green Workshop in T City. It’s quite famous.”

Wang Cheng nodded thoughtfully, already considering asking someone to buy some for him. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his pants. Looking down, he saw his son staring at the half-eaten cookie in his hand with sparkling eyes.

“Papa~ Eat eat~”

“You little glutton. Your teeth haven’t all come in yet. You can’t eat cookies.” Wang Cheng lifted him onto his lap.

Kunkun crawled over as well and sat neatly beside them. Wang Cheng handed the cookie to him.

Just like before, Kunkun still loved sweets. Seeing that his little brother wanted some, he held the cookie up to Benben’s mouth.

“For you.”

Benben immediately opened his mouth and bit down. Unfortunately, he only had four tiny teeth. The baked cookie was somewhat hard and not really suitable for him. Even so, he managed to bite off a small piece. Unable to chew it properly, he simply held it in his mouth, where it did not soften quickly.

Wang Cheng stuck a finger into his mouth and fished out the stubborn piece of cookie, now covered in saliva. Then he accepted a milk candy from Chu Yifeng, removed the wrapper, and placed it in his son’s mouth.

“When Benben grows more teeth, Daddy will let you eat cookies.”

Now that he had something to eat, Benben no longer minded.

Kunkun calmly finished the rest of the cookie and comforted him. “When Benben grows up, Big Brother will buy cookies for you.”

Benben seemed to understand and immediately smiled excitedly.

Not far away, Shen Qing, who was holding her daughter, watched the scene with mixed emotions. She admitted Benben was adorable, but no matter how cute he was, Kunkun should not completely ignore his own little sister. The moment he heard Benben was coming, he had abandoned his sister without a second thought. Sometimes she seriously wondered whether Kunkun was really her son—his loyalties seemed entirely elsewhere.

That afternoon, they left the Chu residence. Chu Yifeng drove to the nearest shopping mall while Wang Cheng carried Benben into the building.

The weather was getting colder and colder. Benben already had plenty of clothes, but Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng needed some winter clothing for themselves. These days, Chu Yifeng no longer had his clothes custom-made. Shopping with his family had become a regular part of his life.

Handing Benben to Chu Yifeng, Wang Cheng removed a scarf from a display rack and wrapped it around Chu Yifeng’s neck. Today Chu Yifeng was wearing a dark coat. The scarf featured dark red and black stripes, matching his outfit perfectly. Its soft, fluffy texture also looked very warm.

Benben tugged at the scarf and stared at Wang Cheng with shining eyes.

“Papa~”

“Don’t worry, Benben gets one too.” Wang Cheng laughed and rubbed his little head.

It was impossible to find an identical child-sized version. The store was a high-end luxury brand, and only two of each item were available. However, custom orders were accepted. Wang Cheng called over a sales associate and requested two more scarves made in the same style.

Wang Cheng loved matching family outfits. At a glance, everyone would know they were his family. They bought several more sets. If matching versions were unavailable, they simply placed custom orders. It was extremely convenient. By the time they left the mall, they were carrying several shopping bags.

The air seemed noticeably colder. Once outside, they realized the temperature had dropped several degrees. Chilly winds swept through the streets. Pedestrians lingering outside quickened their pace toward home, and before long the area had mostly emptied.

Chu Yifeng unbuttoned his coat and pulled Wang Cheng and their son into his embrace. His broad chest was wonderfully warm. Sandwiched between them, Benben could not feel even the slightest bit of cold. A small head poked out from the gap, and two bright black eyes looked around curiously. He appeared especially clever and lively. His chubby little hands reached up to touch both of their faces, and then he burst into cheerful giggles.

Wang Cheng raised his head and exchanged a smile with Chu Yifeng.

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