Seeing that Su Liumeng still wanted to play peacemaker, I looked down at her from above, eyes fierce.
No matter how soft and cute my tone was, I couldn’t help but exude a sense of authority.
I ignored Su Liumeng and kept my gaze on her, then spoke again to my daughter, “Su Liumeng, give me your hand. Today, I must see what strange temper this little girl has—now I can’t even touch her?”
Si Zhiruo’s tiny body trembled and she shrank deeper into her mother’s embrace.
Her tightly clenched little fist had turned pale, making her look inexplicably pitiful.
Su Liumeng instinctively frowned. “Why are you taking it out on a little kid? You’re just going to make her cry again.”
When I heard this, my mood soured instantly.
“What are you saying? I’m definitely going to change her bad temper.” I grabbed the little one’s hand at once.
Si Zhiruo trembled again, almost instinctively curling further into my arms.
Su Liumeng quickly grabbed my hand that was holding Si Zhiruo’s from the outside. “Xinyan, let it go. Can’t you see? The child is already shaking.”
“Can’t this wait until she’s a bit older?”
“She hasn’t even awakened her intelligence yet. If she doesn’t like it, she just doesn’t. If you force her, what can it possibly achieve?”
I fell silent for a moment, looking at the little figure curled up below me.
The mother’s embrace should be the safest place, but right now, it brought the little one no peace at all.
Even so, she kept inching closer to me.
Though trembling, her instincts drew her nearer to her mother, longing for the comforting scent she trusted.
Her tiny hand was so soft, not even a third the size of my palm. It felt boneless, a little hot on the surface, with that damp, childlike stickiness unique to the very young.
Noticing my resolve wavering, Su Liumeng pressed her advantage, “I really don’t mind these things. If she doesn’t like someone, she’s just straightforward about it. It’s pure and simple, the way children love and hate. It’s no wonder she slapped my face.”
At that moment.
The little one suddenly raised her head, for the first time looking directly at the girl in front of her. In those wet, glistening eyes, there was a trace of confusion—she seemed to be pondering why this woman she disliked would speak up for her.
I’m not blind. Of course I could see my daughter crying. All my unspoken melancholy dissolved into a long, heartfelt sigh.
“I just want her to be a little nicer to you.”
“At the very least, she shouldn’t hit people so carelessly.”
I took out a clean handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of my daughter’s eyes, making sure not to miss her damp lashes. Her large eyes, now slightly red, looked just like a cute little bunny. When I picked her up and hugged her close, she lay quietly on my shoulder, using those still-reddened eyes to watch the smiling girl off to the side.
After a while, the little one lowered her head again.
Her little hand gripped my clothes tightly. Who knew what she was thinking?
June 5th.
The baby, nearly four months old, was already able to play puzzles with me.
Most of the time I had to guide her, but she could still giggle and play along.
I had a feeling she didn’t really know what she was doing.
But as long as she was with her mother, her mood seemed bright and happy.
“What piece goes here?”
I held my daughter’s little hand.
When she heard me, her increasingly adorable face turned up to me, eyes searching for meaning in my words.
After a moment, she used her other hand to point accurately at a puzzle piece on the floor.
It was only a simple nine-grid puzzle, but for such a little one to recognize the patterns was already enough to delight me.
“Wow, you’re amazing, baby.”
“You’re a clever little one.”
“Zhizhi’s answer is absolutely correct.” As I spoke, I guided her hand to fit the piece into its place. “See? Now the picture is complete.”
She couldn’t talk yet—she just giggled happily.
I deliberately picked up a wrong piece and was about to place it somewhere when Si Zhiruo noticed. Instantly, she reached out with her little arm, babbling loudly.
“Are you trying to tell Mama this is the wrong spot?”
“If it is, say yes.”
Si Zhiruo blinked her pretty eyes—so much like mine—and babbled back, gazing at me as if trying to communicate, though no words came out.
Sigh.
Teaching her to talk now is just too hard. My thoughts shifted, and I decided to try another approach. “If you think it’s not right, shake your head.”
She grabbed my hand and shook her head.
“Wonderful.”
“Our little one is so clever.” I kissed her on the cheek, making her giggle again. Her arms and legs flailed uncontrollably in her joy, sending puzzle pieces flying.
“Whoa.” She grabbed my hand and pointed at the scattered pieces on the floor.
“It’s all right, Mama will pick them up for you.”
After a bit more play, she got a little hungry.
Since I was the only adult in the bedroom, I simply held her on my lap to feed her.
A baby has no concept of gentleness.
When she bit down, it hurt so much that my brows knitted together.
I couldn’t help but give her a gentle tap on the head. “If your teeth are coming in, go easy, or if you hurt Mama, I’ll spank your bottom.”
The little one could only understand simple words. Maybe what I just said was a bit much, so she didn’t get it, remaining content in her own little world as she ate.
About ten minutes later, just as I was about to wipe her mouth, I looked into her clear, innocent eyes and couldn’t bring myself to scold her.
After wiping her mouth, I squeezed her cheeks and gently shook my arm. “Are you learning all my skills?”
“Who could say anything harsh when looking at you like this?”
Who knows if she understood, but with her little face pinched by her own mother, she kept on grinning foolishly.
I could only rub my forehead helplessly.
Su Liumeng was right—she’s too little to understand complicated reasons.
If she can feel basic emotions, that’s already impressive.
Any problems, I can teach her later.
After coaxing the baby to sleep, I rubbed my tired brow and went to the living room. The aroma of food drifted from the table, and seeing the worry in my eyes, Su Liumeng came over to massage my shoulders gently.
“Su Liumeng.”
“Mm?”
After a moment’s silence, I said, “I want our daughter to accept you as her godmother.”
“She only dislikes you now because her spirit is still unawakened—it’s just an instinctive reaction.”
“Once she can talk, her mind will clear up again.”
“I know Zhizhi. She won’t really dislike you.”
“When the time comes, I’ll have her call you godmother.”
Su Liumeng paused in her massage.
She really wanted to say—
Isn’t it possible that the one who dislikes her has always been Si Zhiruo herself?
That it’s exactly because Si Zhiruo dislikes her that, even when her spirit is dim, she’s instinctively repelled from the heart.
But looking at my bright, hopeful face, she just couldn’t pour cold water on me.
“All right, I’ll listen to you.”
Su Liumeng’s hands became more and more soothing. Even as the delicious smell of food wafted around us, I was unwilling to be the first to pick up my chopsticks.
Su Liumeng was still massaging when she suddenly leaned over, sliding her hand into my pajama collar. The warmth and slickness overflowed from her palm, her fingers a bit damp.
My whole body went rigid, but then I remembered we were already an old married couple. As my tense legs relaxed, I gave a half-playful, half-complaining retort.
“What are you sneaking up on me for?”
Su Liumeng looked at me seriously. “I’m not sneaking up on you.”
“Well… how should I put it.” She pondered for a second. “Have you ever tried being so much taller than someone that when there’s a height difference, your little camisole is basically like not wearing anything at all?”
“And besides, your undergarment isn’t the plain kind either.”
“So….”
I was stunned, following her train of thought. “So, you just couldn’t help yourself?”
Su Liumeng nodded seriously. After withdrawing her hand, she glanced at her fingertip and asked, “Does it still feel swollen lately?”
“It’s okay. I’ve gotten used to it. The baby’s eating more and more, so overall, I’m adapting.” I picked up my chopsticks, not minding Su Liumeng’s sneak attack, about to take a bite of fish when I felt her warm breath on my neck. “Honey, your…”
“Has it stopped yet?”
“No,” I blurted, then immediately flushed, stammering, “Why, are you thinking of… that again?”
Su Liumeng pinched my hand that was holding the bowl. The increasingly ambiguous air made me a little afraid to lift my head. “Yes.”
I shot her a fierce glare. “Hmph, why are you telling me you’re hungry? Weren’t you the one who said I was like some animal on a farm last time?”
“I hold grudges, you know.”
Su Liumeng protested, “Honey, you wrong me! I never said that!”
“If it wasn’t you, then was it just my imagination?”
An hour later, holding the girl in my arms, I felt a completely different sensation than with my daughter. My hand gradually clenched, heart fluttering.
So.
How did things end up like this again?
I didn’t even want to speak.
I’d never met anyone like Su Liumeng, not even in novels.
Ignoring the good food on the table, always fixated on fighting with our daughter for milk.
I was left speechless.
When I absentmindedly put my hand on her head, both Su Liumeng and I froze.
I swear.
That really was just my instinct.
Maybe it was the position—maybe my motherly feelings were just overflowing. Even Su Liumeng, as thick-skinned as she was, looked a little embarrassed.
Watching her walk away, I couldn’t help blurting out, “You’re done already?”
Su Liumeng stumbled a bit. “No, I just suddenly feel…”
“This isn’t really right for us.”
Me: “……”
You say that now, but when you were eating, why didn’t you say so?
I grabbed a tissue and wiped myself, pulled my undergarment back in place, and caught up to Su Liumeng. “So, what’s this got to do with you not helping me pull my clothes back up?”
“Aren’t you a grown-up? Why are you acting like a child?”
“How did you end up just like our baby girl—once your belly’s full, all you want to do is hum and play, not caring about anything else.”
“If you keep sinking like this, you might as well start calling me Mama too.”
Su Liumeng grew flustered. “No, I refuse!”
“I still want to sleep in the mud.”
Her words made my face flush bright red. I instinctively glanced at the bedroom door. “Be careful what you say. We’re parents now—you can’t just blurt out anything. What if our daughter hears and picks it up? I’ll never forgive you.”
“I’m taking our daughter out for some sun.”
Su Liumeng grabbed my arm from behind, sounding a little aggrieved and as if she was trying to open her heart after seeing through something, “Honey, I don’t care if I wasn’t your first. Even if I’m not your first partner, I’ll be your only one for the rest of your life.”
Hm?
I paused mid-step.
That… what does she mean?
Why did I feel like I didn’t understand at all?
After she finished, Su Liumeng nervously clenched her hand.
She’d wanted to say that for a long time.
It had been ages since Si Xinyan and she got married, but they’d never truly taken that final step.
There must have been a reason.
Su Liumeng thought it was because Si Xinyan always remembered what she’d said before—maybe trying to comfort her, but that ended up just making things more awkward, making it harder to let go, worrying that she’d mind and so avoiding intimacy again and again, never daring to show her truest self.
“What are you talking about?” I rolled my eyes at Su Liumeng, a little annoyed. “Can you stop saying things I don’t understand?”
“What do you mean, you weren’t my first? If you’re not my first, how can you be my second?”
“Forget it, I’m done with this. I’m taking our daughter for a walk.”
I hurried out.
Su Liumeng watched me go, her fist clenching tighter, the suspicions in her heart only growing firmer.
So.
Was Si Tongyu really a child born of natural union?
Su Liumeng clutched her aching head, thinking back to the explanation Si Xinyan had once given her.
She had almost believed it.
But fate had made her witness the truth with her own eyes.
I pushed my daughter’s stroller, passing by Su Liumeng, and patted her on the shoulder. “Want to go out for a walk together?”
I habitually tilted my head, not noticing the bitter smile at the corner of her lips. “Sure, I’ll come with you.”
I instinctively took Su Liumeng’s hand. Feeling the gentle grip on my own, her previously anxious heart slowly calmed down.
I was in a pretty good mood today, chattering in Su Liumeng’s ear, “I’m almost back to my normal weight.”
“I weighed myself last night—ninety-four jin. That’s about ten more than before pregnancy. If I lose a little more, maybe the stretch marks will fade.”
“What do you think, isn’t that great?” I raised my still-cute shoulders, looking at the girl with shining eyes.
Su Liumeng blinked, a real smile breaking through, much more genuine than the helpless or bitter ones from before.
“Mm.”
“Xinyan and Zhizhi are both wonderful.”
I huffed, glanced at my daughter, cheeks turning a little red, and said shyly,
“You’re so annoying.”
“Don’t praise me like that.”
“It just feels weird to be talked to like that in front of my own daughter…”
“It’s a little embarrassing.”
Yet the bright smile on my face and the way our fingers twined even tighter betrayed my truest feelings inside.