Chapter 35: Hide-and-Seek and the Philosopher

Chapter 35: Hide-and-Seek and the Philosopher

"It's upstairs. I'll go get the laptop and show it to you in a moment."

Lu Anzhi went upstairs, returned shortly with the laptop, placed it on the table, and opened the document for *The Little Prince*. He stepped aside to let Zhang Suxin take the seat.

Zhang Suxin began to read right there in the shop:

*Whenever I met an adult whom I considered to be clear-headed, I would show them my first drawing to see if they could understand what I had depicted...*

The prose of *The Little Prince* was straightforward, a completely different feel from *Dragon Raja*. She had read online comments about Lu Anzhi’s writing, noting that from *Sacred Legend* to *Wukong Biography* and then to *Dragon Raja*, the author known as "Doraemon" always adapted his style to the story, resulting in vastly different experiences for the reader.

She hadn't read *Sacred Legend* or *Wukong Biography*, but she imagined readers felt the same way she did now. Jumping from the intensity of *Dragon Raja* to this plain, direct, yet vivid prose was surprising, but it was incredibly comfortable to read.

It was writing perfectly suited for a fairy tale.

Furthermore, the opening was filled with charm. Lu Anzhi had even included illustrations in the document, drawing the "boa constrictor swallowing prey" described in the text, as well as portraits and more.

The drawings were eyesores, bearing no resemblance to the quality of his prose. Yet, faced with such simple and interesting writing, the flaws in the art became insignificant.

Zhang Suxin was already unconsciously drawn into the world of *The Little Prince*. As she read, she couldn't help but wonder how Xianxian would react when she was a little older, hearing this part or listening to her read that part.

As she read on, her impression began to shift from when she first started.

This book... it seemed like something a child could understand, yet also something beyond a child’s grasp.

Its characters were innocent and beautiful, and the planets and adventures described were brimming with imagination—things a child would surely love. But the themes and truths embedded within were so profound that they invited deep contemplation.

She read and pondered in silence. Meanwhile, Lu Anzhi and Xianxian were playing hide-and-seek nearby, but they didn't disturb her.

Calling it "hide-and-seek" was a stretch; there was no real seeking, nor was there any real hiding.

The two-year-old didn't understand the satisfaction of finding someone who was genuinely hidden. Lu Anzhi was too afraid that if he hid too well, Xianxian wouldn't be able to find him.

Whenever it was his turn to hide, he would tuck himself away where Xianxian couldn't see him, call out to her, and once she approached, he would intentionally leave a huge clue for her to find. The moment the little one discovered him, she would burst into delighted giggles.

Lu Anzhi had tried playing properly at first, but discovered the little one couldn't find him at all. She would eventually give up and just wait for him to reveal himself, so he stopped trying to play a "serious" game of hide-and-seek.

When it was Xianxian's turn to hide and Lu Anzhi's turn to seek, it was even simpler. The little one didn't know how to hide at all; she would just stand exactly where Lu Anzhi had pretended to hide earlier and wait for him to find her. Every time he did, she would giggle with joy.

Lu Anzhi tried to teach her how to hide properly, but after a few failed attempts, he gave up.

He soon realized that the little one didn't care about the rules of hide-and-seek; she just wanted a fun way to play with him.

What mattered wasn't the game itself, but being together.

Since the little one could find happiness so simply, why should he force his own standards upon her?

Lu Anzhi accompanied Xianxian in their simple, repetitive game. Gradually, as if infected by her spirit, he found a sense of simple joy in this carefree play.

Lu Anzhi ran, the little one laughed, and Zhang Suxin watched from the laptop at the table. The small, as-yet-unopened bookstore was filled with the atmosphere of happiness. Passersby who glanced into the shop couldn't help but be affected, their faces softening into faint smiles.

At noon, Lu Anzhi ordered two simple meals from a nearby restaurant and had them delivered.

Because the sun was too intense, Xianxian didn't go out and stayed under Zhang Suxin's watch.

Zhang Suxin was already engrossed in *The Little Prince*. After Lu Anzhi returned, she left Xianxian in his care and continued reading at the laptop.

"What is Mommy doing?" Xianxian asked, curious about Zhang Suxin’s intense focus.

Lu Anzhi replied, "Mommy is reading a book."

"Oh, reading a book." Xianxian nodded her little head.

Lu Anzhi asked, "Does Xianxian like reading books?"

"Like!"

As if remembering something happy, Xianxian held up her fingers to count for Lu Anzhi, saying, "Xianxian reads *I Can Brush My Teeth*, *I Can Wash My Face*, *I Can Eat*, *Monkeys*, *Elves*, *Tigers*..."

Although she was holding up her fingers, the little one couldn't quite match the number of fingers raised to the items she was listing.

Lu Anzhi guessed these must be children's books Zhang Suxin had bought for her. He had seen these simple, cute picture books with almost no text when he was at Zhang Suxin’s home.

He nodded and asked, "Who bought those books for you?"

"Mommy!"

Xianxian was so happy she ran over and hugged Zhang Suxin’s leg.

Zhang Suxin came back to reality and stroked Xianxian’s cheek. Her gaze drifted toward Lu Anzhi, a trace of an indefinable, subtle light flashing in her eyes.

Lu Anzhi said, "How about Daddy brings a lot of books here too, so you can read them later? How about that?"

Xianxian was even happier: "Okay!"

The restaurant staff delivered lunch. The three of them ate a simple meal.

Just as Zhang Suxin had said, the little one didn't need any coddling; she sat obediently and ate on her own. Once she was full, she put down her spoon without being told.

Of course, her mouth was inevitably smeared with food, requiring Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin to clean her up.

Shortly after lunch, Xianxian grew sleepy, so Lu Anzhi carried her upstairs to nap.

The second floor was fully furnished, and Lu Anzhi had even prepared a room specifically for Xianxian, though she was still too young to need it yet.

After laying Xianxian down, Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin watched over her. Lu Anzhi dozed off for a while, while Zhang Suxin picked up the laptop to continue reading.

*The Little Prince* was not long. By the time Lu Anzhi woke up, Zhang Suxin had finished the entire novel.

Xianxian was still asleep.

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Lu Anzhi saw Zhang Suxin staring at him and couldn't help but ask, "What is it?"

Zhang Suxin replied, "Are you trying to be a philosopher?"