Chapter 149 (2/2): Should She Be Weaned?

Si Zhizuo’s ears twitched. She struck a listening pose, waiting for her mother’s next words.

“However, you must not forget. Cultivation is also a process of cultivating the heart.”

“Because human desires are endless.”

“Today, your violence and slaughter can be satisfied by killing one person. Tomorrow, it will continue to expand, and you’ll want to kill ten, or a hundred. You are invincible now, and you can kill whoever you want. But what about the end? You could kill everyone in the entire world. Then what method would you use to satisfy your desires?”

“An unsatisfiable desire will only cause your emotions to spiral completely out of control, because you are already a volatile person who finds it hard to control yourself.”

“There is only one result left for you in the future.”

“Either you will suffer a cultivation deviation, losing the ability to distinguish yourself from others, and eventually kill yourself.”

“Or you will suffer a deviation during a breakthrough and similarly fail to escape death.”

“Having a desire for control is normal and human. How to release it reasonably and how to control your emotions is a topic that can be studied for a lifetime on the path of heart cultivation.”

Si Zhizuo’s body trembled a few times.

I took the opportunity to squeeze her small hand. “Zhizhi, do you want to be an evil cultivator who kills the innocent? If it’s you, you could certainly kill everyone. In the end, there might be no one left in the world but you. Do you think there’s any fun in a world like that?”

“No.” Si Zhizuo shook her head like a rattle. “I don’t want to be the only person left in the world, and I don’t want to become a machine that only knows how to kill.”

“Cultivation deviation is too scary.”

“So, does our Little Princess already know what she should do in the future?” I continued to guide her patiently.

Si Zhizuo tilted her head, being very good at summarizing. “Other problems are secondary. Mama mostly wants to tell me that I must learn to control my emotions and not release them onto others just because I feel like it.”

“Smart. A child worth teaching.”

I picked up the little bundle and kissed her on the cheek as a reward.

Su Liumeng had been nearby for a long time. She had heard almost the entire conversation of how I was teaching the child.

“You really do have a way.” Su Liumeng mimicked the way I used to praise her and gave me a thumbs up.

“It was a path I never imagined.”

“If I were the one educating the child, I certainly wouldn’t have thought to analyze it from that angle.”

I pondered for a second. “Maybe it’s because I’m not exactly a ‘good’ person at my core.”

*****

Back in the room.

Little Zhizhi sat on the bed by herself, playing with a piece of origami, her little feet swinging back and forth.

I handed over a red string. “It’s a New Year. Other children get New Year’s money, but Mama didn’t know what gift to give you, so I hand-braided a red string for you. Red represents luck and prosperity, and it also carries the meaning of wishing you a smooth life.”

“Si Tongyu, Happy New Year.”

Si Zhizuo grabbed one end of the red string, her eyes brightening. “Thank you, Mama. Mama should be healthy and happy too.”

“I’m glad you like it. Let me put it on for you.”

“Mm.” Si Zhizuo laughed happily. “Zhizhi is almost one year old!”

“How could I forget your birthday?”

“There, I’ve put it on for you. See if it’s pretty.”

On the little bundle’s chubby arm, there was now a conspicuous little red string. It looked very suitable and beautiful against her snow-white skin.

She stared at it for a long time, the swinging of her legs increasing in range.

“It’s pretty. Zhizhi likes it.”

She hugged my arm, as if remembering something sad. Suddenly, her previous happiness vanished, and she said aggrievedly, “I’m not even a year old yet, but you didn’t sleep with me last night. You can’t always just remember Su Liumeng and forget your daughter.”

I chuckled. “In that case, Mama will coax you to sleep tonight, okay?”

“Yay!” Si Zhizuo pumped her fist, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents.

Su Liumeng was tidying the room. Hearing the sound of the door opening, she put down what she was doing. After seeing me carry our daughter over, she habitually pulled out an extra set of small blankets.

The bed wasn’t a standard double bed; adding a small child didn’t make it feel crowded at all.

“Go light some incense. I’m going to give our daughter a bath.”

Having been married for a year, we were like an old couple.

We didn’t need to say much to have a certain level of tacit understanding.

I assigned the tasks in just a few words.

“Also prepare some snacks. We might get hungry at night, so we can have a little something.”

“Is there anything you want to eat?” I pinched my daughter’s soft face. Zhizhi was exceptionally quiet today. Since entering the room, she hadn’t said a word, just silently listening to Mama and Su Liumeng talk.

“I… I want to eat roasted corn.”

“But, I haven’t grown my front teeth yet.” Si Zhizuo pointed to her mouth, where there were only the tips of some baby teeth. Her tone was a bit pitiful.

I thought seriously for a second. “Have the maids heat a bowl of corn porridge. Put in plenty of cornmeal so the corn flavor is strong. Remember not to put in too much sugar.”

“But Zhizhi wants to eat sweet things.”

After some hesitation, I changed my mind. “Then put in a large spoonful of sugar.”

I added another uneasy instruction, “But it must not be too sweet.”

Before this girl was even born, while she was still in my belly, she knew how to clamor for ice cream and cotton candy all day. It made me unable to resist wanting sweets throughout my pregnancy.

Other people crave spicy or sour food; I craved sweets. I really was one of a kind.

*****

In the bathroom.

I filled a tub with hot water. Watching the little bundle struggle to take off her clothes for a long time, I couldn’t help but step in and pull them off for her.

“When taking off your clothes, remember to keep your hands together.”

“Will you remember next time?”

“I’ll remember,” the little bundle replied in a milky voice.

Then.

Under my watchful gaze, she casually pulled out a little duck.

I: “…”

What is this duck to you?

You have to bring it every time you bathe.

“Don’t play with toys while bathing.”

Si Zhizuo hugged the duck as she entered the water, refusing to let go.

“Mama already gave it to me. How can you take it back?”

“You told me during my first bath. You said you had something to do, so you took out a little duck and said it could stay with me while I bathed so I wouldn’t be afraid. You said you’d be back in a bit.”

Things I had long forgotten were brought back as Si Zhizuo spoke, opening up sealed memories.

I looked at the yellow toy duck my daughter was hugging and suddenly froze. My stern expression gradually turned complex.

It seemed like it was from a very long time ago.

It happened before Si Zhizuo had even awakened her True Spirit.

My gaze suddenly became difficult to describe.

No wonder this girl brought out a little duck every time she bathed.

“Mm. Mama allows you to play with toys during your bath.”

“Mua! Hehe, Mama is the best.” Si Zhizuo truly lived up to her reputation as a half-step Ghost Emperor; she kissed me on the cheek before I could even react. I only felt a bit of moisture on my face.

Half an hour later.

“The body wash is done, your hair is washed, and the hot water is getting cold. So, my little ancestor, how much longer do you want to play?”

I looked at my dress, which was wet in many places, and my expression gradually turned helpless.

“Just a bit longer. I’m almost finished drawing a little flower.”

“Yay! All done.” Si Zhizuo looked at the little flower and the smiley face she had drawn on the glass. She happily stood up from the wooden tub. “Mama, wipe me dry.”

“Mm, Mama will wipe you dry. Who told you that you’re a Little Princess?”

A large bath towel wrapped up the little bundle, and she was wiped clean in a few strokes.

“There, you’re a fragrant baby now.”

Every time she finished a bath, she didn’t want to walk herself. Standing on a small stool, she reached her arms out toward me.

I could only carry this little ancestor to the bed.

“Look at a storybook by yourself for a bit.” I looked at my damp clothes. “Mama needs to shower too. If my clothes are wet and I don’t take a hot shower, it’s easy to get sick.”

“I know. Goodbye, Mama.”

Si Zhizuo sat cross-legged in the middle of the large bed. She didn’t listen to me and take out the storybook she liked. Instead, she took out a finance-related business book. Feeling that sitting cross-legged was uncomfortable, she simply lay on her stomach, propped up by her arms, with one leg naturally kicked up. She looked quite engrossed.

This was her favorite type of book now. The complex business knowledge within was dizzying, yet it made one want to dive even deeper.

*****

In the bathroom.

I slowly shed my clothes. Looking at the marks on my waist and soft areas, I instinctively clenched my fists.

Probably because the morning’s medicine had worn off, my whole body felt like it was about to fall apart again. Especially my legs—they had absolutely no strength left. While giving Zhizhi her bath, I had been forcing myself to stand, nearly letting her see me stumble several times.

I mentally grumbled about Su Liumeng a few times before turning on the shower.

The Su family didn’t have showers.

It was only at my strong request that Su Liumeng personally installed one in my room. Finally, I didn’t have to just soak in a wooden tub when I wanted to wash.

Because showering was faster and more convenient.

Fearing that my daughter would wait too long alone in the room, I just applied a layer of body wash, quickly washed my hair, and changed into a set of autumn pajamas and pants before stepping out of the misty bathroom.

Si Zhizuo shifted her gaze. Looking at the pattern on my pajamas, she curled her lip. “Mama really does like cartoons. Even her sleeping clothes have cartoon patterns on them.”

My foot slipped, and I nearly fell.

You brat, what are you saying?

My face flushed slightly. It was inevitably embarrassing to have my daughter see my childish side.

I didn’t just like cartoon pajamas.

I also liked wearing cute clothes.

I obviously wouldn’t admit that it was because I heard those were the types Su Liumeng currently liked, so I instinctively continued developing in that direction.

That… damned copycat.

Why did she like whatever I liked?

Back when the two of us were still in school, Su Liumeng had done countless outrageous things.

She was so obsessed she practically wanted to take my skirt off and buy the same type of underwear as me. It was an inexplicably complex feeling that left me speechless.

It turns out that when a girl is obsessed with mimicking your style, she isn’t necessarily a copycat; it might be because she’s had a crush on you for a long time.

Knock, knock.

Su Liumeng knocked on the door. She personally carried a pile of food and placed it on the table in the room. She didn’t let the maids help because she didn’t want anyone else disturbing her wife and child’s rest.

She didn’t even have to think to know the two of them must have just finished their baths.

Si Zhizuo’s nose wrinkled. Smelling the fragrance of corn, her appetite was immediately piqued.

I held her in my arms so it would be easier for her to eat; she was still a bit too small. I picked up the small bowl in front of me, scooped a bit with a spoon, and after blowing it cool, I said, “You can only eat a little. Your stomach can’t digest too much normal food yet, and it’s nighttime. Eating too much will lead to indigestion.”

Suddenly thinking of a very serious problem, I jerked my head up and discussed it seriously with the young woman before me. “Su Liumeng, do you think I should wean Zhizhi? she’s almost a year old. Isn’t it a bit late if I don’t wean her now?”

Si Zhizuo’s body went stiff. She instinctively hugged my arm and began to act spoiled in a soft voice. “No! I’m still a tiny baby. How could I be weaned so early?”

Because of her special constitution, she was born from nearly the same source, making it the most suitable nutritional substance for her growth at this stage.

She wanted to hurry up and become an adult to protect Mama. Of course, she didn’t want to be forcibly weaned this early.