Chereads / Threads of Time, Phoenix / Chapter 4 - 4: Learning

Chapter 4 - 4: Learning

From the moment Li Qingyue was born, it was clear he was no ordinary baby. His bright silver eyes, a rare trait of the ice phoenix bloodline, set him apart. However, adapting to life as a human baby was a challenge. Qingyue often felt a deep sense of frustration and confusion in his new form.

He was just an AI and suddenly he is a human?

Li Qingyue's days began with his mother's soothing voice. Feng Yuhua would cradle him in her arms, her voice a gentle melody that filled the room. "Good morning, my little Qingyue. Did you sleep well?" she'd ask, her eyes filled with love.

Though he couldn't respond, Qingyue found comfort in her voice.

A very warm feeling.

As the days turned into weeks, Qingyue slowly began to understand the routines of his new life. His mother would teach him simple things, pointing to objects and naming them, her voice always patient and encouraging.

"This is a flower, Qingyue," she'd say, holding a blossom to his nose. "Smell it. Isn't it lovely?"

Qingyue would stare intently, trying to grasp the meaning behind her words. He couldn't yet comprehend the intricacies of language, but he could sense the love and care in her every action.

Li Tianfeng, his father, was a different kind of presence. Strong and imposing, yet gentle and doting, Tianfeng would often hold Qingyue up, looking into his eyes with a mixture of pride and adoration. "You are the most beautiful and cutest baby in the world, Qingyue." he'd say, his voice filled with emotion.

Li Qingyue just loves his father's pats, It's like a barrier that stops all rain and storm in his way.

His elder brother, Li Qingchen, was a source of endless fascination. Qingchen took his role as a big brother very seriously, always eager to help Qingyue learn new things. One afternoon, as Qingyue lay on a blanket in the garden, Qingchen knelt beside him.

"Come on, Qingyue, you can do it," Qingchen encouraged, holding Qingyue's tiny hands as he tried to sit up. "Just a little more... there you go!"

Qingyue wobbled, his eyes wide with concentration, before finally managing to sit up on his own. Qingchen's face lit up with pride. "You did it, Qingyue! You're so strong!"

Qingyue couldn't help but smile, the joy of accomplishment radiating through him. 

Li Qingchen grabbed his heart: So cute, Just too cute, that smile is just way to fatal!!

Then there was Li Qingyun, the playful and mischievous younger brother, who was always getting into trouble. Qingyun would often make silly faces or tickle Qingyue, eliciting peals of laughter from his baby brother. However, Qingyun's antics often led to scoldings from their parents.

"Qingyun, stop messing around and let Qingyue rest!" Feng Yuhua would admonish, her tone firm yet loving.

"But Mother, he likes it!" Qingyun would protest, a mischievous grin on his face.

Li Tianfeng would shake his head, trying to hide his own amusement. "Qingyun, listen to your mother. And behave yourself, or you'll be doing extra chores."

Despite the scoldings, Qingyue adored Qingyun's playful nature.

He loved all his family. This was his family.

As the months passed, Qingyue's understanding of his family and surroundings deepened. He began to recognize the faces and voices of his loved ones and fully understood their language.

One evening, as they all sat together by the fire, Qingyue nestled in his mother's arms, he gazed at his family with a sense of contentment. Feng Yuhua gently stroked his hair, her voice a soft murmur. "You are our little miracle, Qingyue. We love you so much."

Only Feng Yuhua and Li Tianfeng knew what tragedy had happened during the pregnancy of Li Qingyue, They still feel fear recalling those scenes.

Li Tianfeng, sitting beside them, reached out to touch Qingyue's tiny hand. "Our family is complete with you, Qingyue. You bring us so much joy."

Qingchen and Qingyun sat nearby, their faces glowing with affection. "We're going to teach you everything, Qingyue. You'll be the best at everything," Qingchen declared confidently.

As the year progressed, Qingyue's abilities began to emerge. His control over the extreme cold fire was a testament to his extraordinary lineage. One morning, as he played with his brothers in the garden, a small flame of icy blue fire flickered to life in his tiny hand.

"Look, Father! Qingyue is using his power!" Qingchen exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.

Li Tianfeng and Feng Yuhua rushed over, their faces a mix of pride and concern. "Be careful, Qingyue," Tianfeng said gently. "You're very powerful, but you need to learn control."

Li Qingyue who was only 9 months old nodded and smiled at his father.

Li Tianfeng grabbed his heart and sighed, "My baby is too cute."

Feng Yuhua smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "You're growing up so fast, my little phoenix."

Qingyue looked at his mother with love, he never knew such feelings and emotions when he was in Zifer Empire.

He looked at the family around him and thought, so this is family?

Then should he...

-

The early morning sun filtered through the ornate windows of the Feng Manor, casting a warm glow on the marble floors. In the nursery, Li Qingyue lay in his crib, his bright silver eyes wide open. He gurgled happily, his tiny hands reaching out to grasp the air. The sound of birds chirping outside seemed to mirror his own delighted coos.

Feng Yuhua entered the nursery, her heart swelling with love as she gazed at her baby. "Good morning, Qingyue," she said softly, leaning over to pick him up. "Did you sleep well, my little moon?"

Qingyue responded with a bright smile, his eyes sparkling with joy. Yuhua carried him to the rocking chair and began to nurse him, humming a gentle lullaby. The tranquility of the moment was suddenly interrupted by a soft but distinct sound from Qingyue.

"Mama," he gurgled, his voice clear and unmistakable.

Yuhua froze, her eyes wide with shock and joy. "Q-Qingyue, did you just say 'Mama'?"

Qingyue looked up at her, his expression filled with innocent curiosity. He reached out, touching her face with his tiny hand. "Mama," he repeated, this time with more confidence.

Tears of happiness filled Yuhua's eyes as she held her son close. "Oh, my sweet Qingyue, you spoke! You called me Mama!"

The commotion in the nursery drew the attention of Li Tianfeng, who was passing by the room. Hearing his wife's exclamation, he quickly entered, a concerned look on his face. "Yuhua, is everything alright?"

Yuhua turned to him, her face radiant with joy. "Tianfeng, Qingyue just called me Mama! He spoke!"

Li Tianfeng's eyes widened in surprise and delight. He rushed to his wife's side, looking down at Qingyue with a mix of astonishment and pride. "Did you really, Qingyue? Can you say it again?"

Qingyue looked up at his father, a big smile on his face. "Papa," he said, his voice filled with happiness.

Tianfeng's heart nearly burst with pride and emotion. He lifted Qingyue into his arms, holding him close. "My son, you spoke! You're amazing, Qingyue. So smart and strong."

The sound of footsteps quickly approached as Li Qingchen and Li Qingyun, having heard the excitement, rushed into the room. "What's going on?" Qingchen asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Yuhua turned to her older sons, her face still beaming with joy. "Your brother just spoke his first words! He called me Mama and your father Papa."

Qingchen and Qingyun's faces lit up with excitement. They hurried over to Qingyue, each wanting to hear their baby brother speak.

"Can you say brother?" Qingchen asked, leaning in close.

Qingyue looked at his elder brother, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Brother," he said, his voice sweet and clear.

Li Qingchen nearly died of cuteness.

Qingchen's face broke into a huge grin. "Did you hear that, Qingyun? He said brother!"

Qingyun, ever the playful one, couldn't contain his excitement. He tickled Qingyue's belly, eliciting a giggle from the baby. "That's right, Qingyue! I'm your brother! Can you say it again?"

Qingyue laughed, enjoying the attention and the tickles. "Brother," he repeated, his laughter filling the room.

The entire household soon learned of Qingyue's milestone, and the manor buzzed with excitement. Servants whispered to each other, their faces alight with joy. It wasn't every day that the young master spoke his first words.

In the days that followed, Qingyue's vocabulary grew steadily. He began to recognize and name more people and objects around him, much to the delight of his family. Each new word brought a fresh wave of excitement and pride to the Feng Manor.