Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 409 The Lin Family's Parent-Child Time

In the mornings at Sentosa, the sunlight always kisses the sea surface first before streaming into the villa's large floor-to-ceiling windows.

Nine o'clock in the morning is the brightest and clearest time of day, and it is also the Lin family's fixed time for "sports events".

In the center of the living room, two soft baby mats were laid side by side on a huge cloud-patterned cashmere rug.

Wang Yuling knelt on one knee at one end of the blanket, holding two specially made black and white cards in her hands—the cards were made of thin slices of black jade and mutton fat white jade.

"Xixi, Chenchen, look here."

Her voice was soft and bright, with a natural allure.

Lin Yan sat cross-legged on the sofa not far away, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but his divine sense enveloped the two children.

Wang Yuling gently turned the two little ones over so they could try lying on their stomachs.

Xi Xi was turned over, her little face scrunched up at first, then she was attracted by the black and white cards swaying in front of her.

She strained her neck, trying to lift her heavy little head.

Her big, dark eyes shone brightly as she strained, and her pink little mouth was slightly open, making "hmm...hmm..." sounds as she tried to speak.

With Wang Yuling's gentle encouragement, her round chin actually lifted a few centimeters off the mat. Although she was trembling, she held on for a full five or six seconds, her eyes intently following the slow movement of the card.

"Young Master! Look! Miss Xi Xi is carrying her more and more steadily!" Wang Yuling exclaimed in a pleasant whisper.

Lin Yan smiled slightly, opened his eyes, and his gaze fell gently on his daughter.

When it was Chenchen's turn, the style was mainly Zen-like.

After being placed in a prone position, he first symbolically raised his head, swayed it from side to side a couple of times, sniffed the scent of sunshine on the mat with his little nose, and then... naturally turned his face to one side, softly pressed it against the soft little towel, and even rubbed it comfortably.

No matter how Wang Yuling tried to attract him with the bell, he would only glance at it lazily, making gurgling sounds in his throat. Occasionally, he would reluctantly raise his head again before quickly lying back down.

"Young Master Chenchen is really good at conserving his energy, isn't he?" Lin Gang came out of the kitchen carrying two bottles of warm milk that had been mixed in precise proportions. He couldn't help but laugh when he saw this scene.

Lin Yan chuckled and shook his head: "This kid has known how to make himself comfortable since he was a child."

Despite saying that, he still steadily supported his son with his true energy, making him lie comfortably and safely.

He noticed that although Chenchen was "lazy," her occasional glances at the bell were actually very clear, and her ability to detect moving objects was no worse than her sister's; she just didn't want to put in the effort.

After the prone time is over, it's time for the most therapeutic "social time".

Wang Yuling and Lin Gang picked up the children, faced them, and spoke to them in exaggerated tones and with rich expressions.

"Wow, Xixi was amazing today!"

Xi Xi grinned, revealing a big smile with her toothless little mouth. Her eyes curved into crescents, and she moved her arms and legs happily, making "ah, oh, gu" sounds in her own baby talk that only she could understand.

"Chenchen, are you sleeping well?" Lin Gang asked him, face to face.

Chenchen's lips slowly curved upwards, and then her whole face relaxed into a slightly shy, sweet smile. Her responses were mostly short "oh" and "ah," as if she were giving a concise summary.

Lin Yi occasionally exchanged a few words with Xi Xi. He then showed off to Lin Yan with a hint of pride.

Lin Yan was reading a parenting book and didn't look up: "She might just be telling you that you're blocking her view of her toys."

Lin Yi: "..."

The two little ones fell asleep right after drinking their milk at noon!

The sun was shining brightly at three o'clock in the afternoon, which was the time for the "living room concert".

Lin Yan took the Steinway grand piano out of the small courtyard and it became the biggest focal point of the living room.

Lin Yan sat on the piano bench and played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations" for the children.

Wang Yuling sat on the sofa next to her, holding her child.

Xi Xi was like a loyal little listener. When the piano music started, she would immediately quiet down, her dark grape-like eyes fixed on Lin Yan's direction, especially his hands that danced across the piano keys.

Her gaze would follow the movement of her fingers closely, and her little head would sometimes sway slightly with the melody, so focused that it seemed she could understand the emotion of every note.

When Lin Yan played an ascending arpeggio, she smiled silently and reached out her little hand towards the piano.

Chenchen is an "atmosphere-enjoying type".

As soon as the music started, he adjusted himself into a comfortable position in Lin Gang's arms, and then his eyelids began to droop slowly.

The melodious piano music was like the gentlest waves, softly propelling him towards sleep. In less than fifteen minutes, even, soft snores would begin, and his little mouth would occasionally suckle unconsciously.

Wang Yuling smiled and whispered to Lin Gang, "Young Master's zither playing is more effective than any calming incense; it's our Young Master Chenchen's 'soothing music'."

My days in Sentosa slipped away quietly amidst the sea breeze, the aroma of milk, and the babbling of toddlers.

Chenchen and Xixi are no longer the fragile little babies they once were.

After drinking the carefully prepared "Spirit Beast Milk Plus" for half a year, and with Lin Yan occasionally using the gentlest spiritual power to soothe their meridians, the two little ones have grown up to be truly delightful.

His arms and legs were like tender lotus roots, chubby yet strong and powerful, his skin had a healthy and radiant glow, and his big eyes were bright and energetic.

Especially Xixi, who is less than six months old, can already sit up on her own for a while without any external help. She shows great curiosity about anything that can move and always wants to grab something with her little hands.

Chenchen sat down a little later, but his fine motor skills seemed to be more outstanding. He could accurately pick up Wang Yuling's exquisite little sachet filled with dried lavender flowers, smell it in front of his nose, and then calmly throw it aside before reaching for the next target.

Everyone in the family is busy, but they are enjoying it.

Lin Yan's time was divided into three-hour segments: feeding, playing, tummy time practice, listening to music, bathing, massage, and lulling to sleep... in a continuous cycle.

This Nascent Soul expert now uses "after this feeding" and "before the next feeding" as his most frequently used units of time.

His cultivation never faltered, but he mostly completed it quickly in the space late at night after his two children had fallen into a deep sleep, though a wisp of his divine consciousness always remained tied to the children's room.

He was happy to do it.

Watching the children change every day, the tangible joy of their vibrant growth makes the growth of my spiritual body in this mortal world resemble bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

He uses his camera to record the children's daily lives, and he has already filled two thick photo albums.

That afternoon, Wang Yuling was taking stock of baby supplies when she discovered that the diaper stock was running low.

Lin Yan was pacing around the living room with Xi Xi, who was trying to gnaw on his fingers, when he heard this, he didn't even look up:

"Go ahead, have Lin Gang drive you to that big shopping mall in the city center, buy a lot. While you're at it, see what new, safe toys they have."

Wang Yuling agreed, changed her clothes for going out, and went with Lin Gang.