Even though daughters were always seen as money-losers in Zhuang Qiting’s heart, the fact that little Zhuang Yan had such a gentle and adorable temperament, hardly ever cried or fussed, ate and slept well, and was overall so easy to raise, brought Zhuang Qiting great comfort.
Li Yaru’s mother was very fond of her fair, tender little grandson, saying that A Yan was simply a miniature version of little Li Yaru.
Little Li Yaru.
Zhuang Qiting mused for a few seconds, a smile curling at his lips as he shot a subtle glance at his slightly bashful wife.
He casually took the topic from his mother-in-law, “Mama, what was Ah Rou like when she was little?”
“She—” Li’s mother hugged her grandson, beaming at her daughter. “When she was just born, her little face was all red and wrinkled. I thought she looked like a little monkey.”
Little Zhuang Yan giggled, holding his Lego Airplane, his childish voice crisp and clear: “Mama was a little monkey.”
Li Yaru pinched her son’s cheek, “You’re the little monkey. A monkey with a red butt.”
Li Yaru had no desire to be embarrassed in front of Zhuang Qiting and hurried to stop her mother from telling any more of her childhood mishaps, but whenever Li’s mother remembered how Li Yaru looked as a child, she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
“Ah Rou was red when she was born, but within a few days she got paler and paler! She didn’t have much hair. Her father wanted to shave off her newborn hair, but I refused—thank goodness I did.”
“She was such a good kid when she was little. Never cried or fussed, sucked harder than the other kids around her, slept soundly, and after her Full Moon Ceremony she started sleeping through the night. Her father and I never had to worry. Out of all the kids on our street, none were as easy as her. Whenever I took her out, everyone wanted to hold her.”
Zhuang Qiting pictured a soft, sweet little girl clutching a milk bottle, guzzling her milk with all her might.
So this was what his wife had been like as a child.
His mother-in-law was still chatting away,
“But after she turned five, she stopped listening. Her little mouth got sharp, always talking circles around people, coming up with all sorts of mischievous arguments. None of the kids on our street could out-talk her.”
“I remember her first-grade Head Teacher’s comments—they made her father and me laugh so hard. The teacher said she looked well-behaved, but in fact was the naughtiest in the class, even fought with the boys—truly, her name didn’t match her personality.”
Zhuang Qiting let out a low chuckle, the sound rumbling from his chest.
“Fighting! Mama is amazing, she can fight!” The little one clapped his hands in support.
Li Yaru’s eyes went dark—this was a disaster. All her secrets were being exposed.
Zhuang Qiting took his wife’s hand, his sharp black eyes softened, quietly falling on her faintly blushing cheeks.
Today, his wife wore an elegant long dress, a high-end collection piece known for its simple lines and refined aura.
The pearl-colored satin shimmered under the crystal chandelier like swan feathers.
On her fair earlobes dangled Diamond Leaf Earrings.
Her long hair was swept up, sitting quietly, a true lady of distinguished lineage.
He’d been married for three years now, and under his guidance, his wife had become more generous, poised, and dignified.
Of course, Zhuang Qiting knew this was just a front. Once the door closed, she couldn’t restrain her chattering, always coming up with little things to say that gave him headaches.
Smiling, Zhuang Qiting’s voice was gentle, “I didn’t expect my Ah Rou to be so cute when she was little.”
“Don’t you say another word…” Li Yaru bit her lip. Who didn’t know he was teasing her?
With her mother-in-law present, Zhuang Qiting didn’t dare get handsy with his wife.
Not until after dinner, when he politely saw his mother-in-law out and handed their son over to the Nurse, did he finally, impatiently, pull his wife into the bedroom.
The moment the door closed, he spun her and pinned her against the wall.
“Baby, so you were this mischievous as a kid. Do you think A Yan will turn naughty after he turns five, just like his mama?” His heated breath brushed her ear, making her dodge again and again.
“I don’t remember anything from when I was little…” Li Yaru answered shyly, her ears tingling with an unbearable itch.
“A Yan is almost three now.”
“Mmm…”
“I haven’t smoked once since he was born.”
“Mm…”
The man’s agile tongue traced along her neck, sticky and wet, making Li Yaru go limp in his arms, gasping, her eyes half-closed, mind going blank.
“Zhuang… Qiting… X-Xiao Yan is still waiting for me to read the Story Book…” Li Yaru mumbled.
Zhuang Qiting replied that something even more important awaited tonight; the Nurse could handle the rest. He then lightly bit a soft spot at the back of her neck.
“Ah…!” A small sound escaped her throat.
Zhuang Qiting nibbled that patch of delicate, pale skin for a long while, sucking until a red mark bloomed.
Only then did he raise his head, looking deeply at his dazed wife, enunciating each word: “Ah Rou, let’s have a little sister.”
“A little sister.” Li Yaru stared at him, stunned.
“Mmm, one just like you.”
Zhuang Qiting didn’t say how, after attending the Full Moon Ceremony of a friend’s baby girl and seeing all those fair, chubby girls in Princess Dresses, his feelings had been complicated.
He’d never envied anyone; he had everything. But at nearly thirty, for the first time—
Li Yaru blinked, her gaze gradually clearing. She wanted to, but after the last false alarm, she clearly had no confidence, feeling down.
Before she could finish her sentence, Zhuang Qiting pinched her lips. “Shh.”
“No saying discouraging words. I’m sure we’ll have a well-behaved daughter. I have a feeling, Ah Rou—this time, it’ll happen.”
He gently caressed Li Yaru’s flat, toned belly, as if he could already feel his clever little daughter. @Unlimited good stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
Li Yaru’s heart itched from his teasing, but all she could manage was, “Only if she can have my last name.”
Zhuang Qiting frowned. “No way, Ah Rou. The Zhuang Family hasn’t had a daughter in generations. Even if I agreed, my father and uncles wouldn’t.”
“Fine.” He quickly found a solution. “Then we’ll change our son’s surname to Li, call him Li Yan.”
“……………”
Li Yaru was speechless, glaring at him fiercely.
Zhuang Qiting laughed out loud, cupping her chin and giving it a shake. “Have I ever given in to anyone else like this? And you still dare act spoiled.”
“I’m not acting spoiled, dammit.”
“You little rascal, how many times have I told you—not to use crude words?” Zhuang Qiting frowned and smacked her plump butt.
Li Yaru, rebellious as ever, clad in a dress with a six-month waiting list and wearing seven-figure jewelry, retorted, “I’ll say whatever I want. Dammit, dammit, dammit. You’re already a real dad, why are you still bossing me around?”
She really didn’t get it. Since he loved being a dad so much, why not just focus on their son? Why were his eyes always glued to her?
When their son occasionally got mischievous, tossing blocks everywhere and getting greasy all over at dinner, Zhuang Qiting never even scolded him!
Zhuang Qiting stared at her for a few seconds, then scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder so fast Li Yaru didn’t even have time to react—suddenly airborne, she was like a fluttering butterfly caught in his hand.
The two tumbled onto the bed, Li Yaru pinned beneath him, breath hot. “I’m sorry… I won’t say it again! You’re too heavy… get off…”
Zhuang Qiting was tall and muscular; when he pressed down, it felt as if a thousand pounds were crushing her, every time leaving her breathless.
Deliberately, he kept pressing, his chest squeezed against her softness, rough enough to hurt yet tickle.
“My chest hurts… you bastard…” Li Yaru’s voice softened, a hint of pleading.
She was always like this—provoking him, then fearing his punishment, surrendering so quickly it amazed even Zhuang Qiting.
Yet next time, she’d provoke him again, never learning. It gave him a headache.
“Really? Let me massage it for you.” Zhuang Qiting propped himself up with his left arm, switching to a slower, gentler method of ‘bullying’ her, sometimes firm, sometimes soft.
Li Yaru couldn’t take this dangerous teasing; her eyes brimmed with mist.
“Will you still use crude words next time?”
Zhuang Qiting undid her nightgown, and with a sudden slap to her plump breast, the tender flesh bounced and shook, a faint pink mark appearing.
Li Yaru never expected he’d hit her there. Mortified, she glared at him. “You—”
“I what?” Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes, their dark depths calm as he looked at her, his fingertip pressing down on the rosy skin—a clear threat.
Li Yaru dared not reply, only glaring in grievance. In her mind she raged, cursing him up and down.
Of course Zhuang Qiting knew exactly what she was thinking. Casually kneading her, he leaned down and kissed her lips.
The two tangled together, tossing aside expensive jewelry, gown, his Cassimere Shirt, and wristwatch as they stumbled into the bathroom.
Zhuang Qiting freed a hand to turn on the shower above the tub.
Their movements were wild, water splashing everywhere. With no one around to disturb them at night, it didn’t matter even if their shouts shook the ceiling.
Li Yaru’s heart quivered from his forceful onslaught. Hot water poured over her, and after a deep kiss, she was turned over, draped across his lap.
She didn’t need instructions to know what he wanted—she looked with a mix of grievance and resignation at that ‘not-so-great-looking’ thing now so close to her.
Everything about him was as forceful as his personality, pressing insistently against her lips.
He leaned down, tasting her slowly, carelessly, sending tingles through her whole body.
The moment her lips parted, he took the chance—soon, her lips were stretched open, thoroughly claimed.
He possessed her mouth with the same dominance, and afterward, the same approach took over every part of her.
Who knew how much time passed, until her voice was hoarse and only then did the water quiet.
The two nestled together in the wide tub, savoring the afterglow.
“Did it all go in?” Zhuang Qiting looked down at his exhausted wife.
“Get lost… old scoundrel…” Li Yaru shut her eyes tiredly.
He wouldn’t let her wash up, insisting on staying inside, never willing to pull out, as bossy and domineering as ever.
Zhuang Qiting brushed a droplet from her nose. “When I’m done with work, I’ll take Father and Mother and we’ll all go to Baoyuan Temple for a Prayer for Blessings.”
Li Yaru, hearing that, nipped him playfully. “Is it necessary to make such a big deal out of it?”
“It is. And we’ll have the Doctor adjust your body and keep up your nutrition. We can’t have another accident like last time.”
Li Yaru pouted. “That was your issue. The Doctor said it—whether it’s a boy or girl depends on the man. Don’t think about making me take the blame. If we don’t have a daughter, it’s because you can’t do it.”
Zhuang Qiting pinched her damp cheek. “Don’t use the words ‘can’t’ anymore.”
He blocked her for nearly half an hour before reluctantly, slowly withdrawing. Li Yaru let out a soft whimper, unwilling to meet his burning gaze.
Zhuang Qiting checked her, cleaned her up, wrapped her in a blanket, and carried her back to the bedroom.
As soon as they returned, they heard a persistent, soft knocking at the door outside.
“Mama, Daddy.”
“Mama.”
“Knock, knock, knock—”
“It’s Xiao Yan. Hurry up and open the door,” Li Yaru shook Zhuang Qiting’s arm, urging him.
“No need to rush. Go get dressed in the bathroom first.” Zhuang Qiting handed her the Red Silk Pajamas and underwear. “Alright, I’ll help you.”
Li Yaru snatched the clothes. “I’ll do it myself! Go open the door for Xiao Yan!”
Little Zhuang Yan had already waited outside for half an hour. He didn’t cry or fuss, just sat quietly at his parents’ bedroom door, nearly dozing off.
When the door finally opened, his sleepy, wide eyes blinked up.
“Daddy…”
The little guy sat on the ornate carpet, looking a bit pitiful.
“Where’s Lao Lao?” Zhuang Qiting’s tone turned displeased upon seeing the boy alone. “She didn’t look after you?”
Lao Lao was the Nurse who took care of Zhuang Yan.
“I want to sleep with Daddy and Mama tonight, is that okay?” Zhuang Yan held up his Story Book. “Daddy… read me a story.”
Zhuang Qiting, seeing his son’s eager face, was touched by fatherly affection. He picked up the boy.
“Why do you want to sleep with Daddy and Mama tonight? Has your Head Teacher taught you that you should do things on your own—eat by yourself, sleep by yourself?”
The boy, not yet three, didn’t have any real sense of independence. He clung to his parents deep inside. He pouted, “I want Mama.”
Zhuang Qiting sighed. “Just this once. You’re already two—you’re a big boy, you have to learn to sleep on your own.”
If Li Yaru had to put him to sleep every night, how could that work!
Li Yaru, dressed now, saw her husband holding their son on the bed, reading the Story Book on the second page.
The book was made of cloth, full of clever little mechanisms—kids loved it.
As soon as he saw Mama, Zhuang Yan dropped the book and reached out like a hungry bird, craning for affection.
“Mama!”
Li Yaru came over smiling, giving her son a kiss. “Did you miss Mama? Then you’ll sleep here tonight, alright? Yan-Zai.”
“Yeah yeah!” Little Zhuang Yan nodded like a pecking chick.
Children notice everything. He suddenly pointed at the red mark on Li Yaru’s neck. “Mama, you’re hurt!”
His soft little hand gently touched her “wound.” Pouting, he blew softly on it, “If I blow on it, it won’t hurt. Grandma always helps me that way.”
Li Yaru blushed, not sure how to explain this wasn’t an injury, so she just shot a glare at the culprit.
Zhuang Qiting smiled. “It’s alright, Xiao Yan, Mama’s not hurt.”
“Then what is it?” Xiao Yan blinked.
“It’s—” For once, Zhuang Qiting, usually unflappable, looked a bit awkward.