Chapter 36: I’ll Just Eat a Little

Chapter 36: I'll Just Eat a Little

Xie Yan turned his head slightly, and his cool breath brushed against Lu Mingchao's ear.

"Do you regret it?"

In the quiet of the night, amidst the raging wind, his voice was soft and gentle.

Xie Yan was startled for a moment, then mustered the courage to take Lu Mingchao's finger in his own. His eyes shining, he softly added, "I'm very satisfied."

Lu Mingchao didn't struggle, feeling that Xie Yan's hand was as warm as a little stove, dry and not at all clammy or sticky. On this cold winter night, it was especially reassuring.

Her wedding night was calm and warm, like a gentle stream.

Lu Mingchao clasped Xie Yan's hand in return, closed her eyes, and slowly drifted to sleep.

Xie Yan didn't fall asleep for a long time, his body stiff and carefully motionless, not daring to move.

The night had grown very deep.

The fierce wind seemed to tire, its pounding on the windows and doors softening.

The soft little hand in his moved slightly, as if wanting to withdraw. Xie Yan, clumsy and afraid of hurting Lu Mingchao, quickly let go. The next moment, her arm was draped over his waist.

Xie Yan's body grew even more rigid.

In the end, he didn't know when he had fallen asleep.

Before drifting off, he vaguely recalled his relaxed brow, upturned lips, and the small, delicate figure in his arms.

A good night's sleep.

When Lu Mingchao woke up, only she and Jingyi were left in the bed.

Jingyi's soft, chubby face rested gently on her stomach, warm but not heavy.

"Mother, does your tummy still hurt?"

Xie Jingyi, like a little dog, crawled over using all four limbs. Her two chubby hands cupped her cheeks as she blinked her big, bright eyes. Her voice was as soft and sweet as ever, "Dad said your tummy hurts and told me not to wake you."

"But if your tummy hurts, shouldn't I rub it?"

"Sanbao got tired of rubbing and decided to warm it with my cheek instead."

"Mother, pinch Sanbao's cheek! It feels so nice!"

Lu Mingchao reached out and rubbed Xie Jingyi's little face. "Mother's Sanbao is too cute."

"Sanbao's mother is too cute," Xie Jingyi nestled against Lu Mingchao, her voice milky and coquettish.

Lu Mingchao played with Xie Jingyi for a while, her breathing coming in soft puffs. "Sanbao, where's your father?"

Xie Jingyi tilted her head and cupped her hands around her mouth. "Dad, Mother misses you!"

Lu Mingchao: ...

Xie Jingyi could speak.

Xie Jingyi proudly put her hands on her hips. "This family wouldn't survive without me."

Shortly after the call, Xie Yan pushed the door open and entered, still carrying the faint scent of firewood and cooking.

Dressed in festive attire, Xie Yan looked dashing and suave.

In his dark attire, Xie Yan appeared steady, resolute, and strikingly handsome.

While helping Xie Jingyi put on a thick coat, Lu Mingchao asked softly, "Were you just in the kitchen?"

Xie Yan nodded and took Xie Jingyi from Lu Mingchao's arms. "Sanbao, go find your brothers."

Xie Jingyi ran over with her short legs, tiptoed, looked up, and gave Lu Mingchao a peck on the cheek. "Mommy, don't forget about me!"

Then, she opened the door and shouted as she walked out, "Big brother, Er Bao!"

"Jingyi’s so attached to you; it must be exhausting," Xie Yan said with a hint of helplessness.

Lu Mingchao shook her head. "She's lovely, and I adore her."

This was sincere, without any false exaggeration.

Cute, cuddly, and well-behaved, Jingyi was absolutely melting her heart.

"Get dressed first; breakfast will be ready soon," Xie Yan said with a smile before thoughtfully leaving the room.

After attending to her personal matters and dressing in her robes, Lu Mingchao walked out holding a toothbrush and toothpaste she had unwrapped.

"Mother!"

"Lu..." Xie Yan gave a stern look, and Xie Huaiqian swallowed his 'Sister Lu' mid-sentence.

Xie Ru'an, blushing and looking lost, whispered in a barely audible voice, "Good morning."

Lu Mingchao laid out the toothbrushes and toothpaste on the table and briefly introduced, "Everyone has to brush their teeth twice a day—morning and night."

"So, you can choose your favorite color and flavor."

The energetic and adorable Xie Jingyi was always the most enthusiastic. "Mommy, I want the sweet pink one!"

Xie Jingyi chose a peach-flavored toothpaste and a matching child-sized toothbrush.

"Your turn, Er Bao."

Xie Jingyi poked Xie Ru'an's arm, who softly said, "Anything is fine."

Lu Mingchao was not in a hurry; she knew patience and gentleness were key to guiding children to open up.

"Ru'an, what colors do you usually like? What fruits do you like?" Lu Mingchao bent down and asked gently.

Xie Ru'an looked up slightly, bit his lip, and said, "Grapes."

He remembered that when grapes ripened every year, his mother would go out to pray and burn incense.

He wouldn’t go hungry or sleep on the floor, wouldn’t be pricked by needles, and could enjoy the dark purple grapes in the yard.

Lu Mingchao immediately handed Xie Ru'an the grape-flavored toothpaste and a deep purple child-sized toothbrush.

The mature and composed Xie Huaiqian casually chose the plain mint flavor.

"It's refreshing and invigorating, perfect for Huaiqian."

"What about you?"

"Xie Yan?" Lu Mingchao looked at him with a calm, patient expression.

Xie Yan raised an eyebrow and pointed at himself, surprised, "Do I need to choose too?"

Lu Mingchao nodded seriously, "Even big kids can pick what they like."

Xie Yan's earlobes turned slightly red, "Can't I have the same as you?"

Lu Mingchao thought for a moment, "Sure, let's go with lime."

She liked the crisp and bright feeling.

"Then I want the same as Mom." Xie Jingyi hesitated, loving her sweet peach-flavored toothpaste, but being like Mom mattered more.

Lu Mingchao chuckled, "When Sanbao grows up, you can use the same as Mom."

"Peach smells really good too."

"Okay, Mom will show you how to use it first."

Xie Jingyi copied Lu Mingchao's actions and squeezed the toothpaste onto the small toothbrush. It was pink, soft, sweet-smelling, shiny, and sparkly. She couldn't help but drool, "Mother, can I eat it?"

Lu Mingchao face-palmed, "Little glutton."

"We don’t eat toothpaste; here’s how you do it."

Lu Mingchao brushed her teeth slowly and meticulously to ensure the children would learn.

"Spit it out."

Xie Jingyi’s cheeks puffed up as she pleaded, "Mom, can I just have a tiny bit?"

"Listen to me, brush your teeth well, and I’ll give you a big peach."

Xie Jingyi immediately widened her eyes and quickly spat it out, rinsed, and opened her mouth wide, "Mother, see? I didn’t secretly hide some to eat later."

Lu Mingchao couldn't help but laugh, the smile on her face couldn't be stopped.

Xie Ru'an’s downcast eyes reflected deep envy.

He seemed to never be as likable as Jingyi.

Lu Mingchao noticed Xie Ru'an’s disappointment, quickly dried her hands, and said, "And we have your favorite grapes too."

Xie Ru'an felt the cool touch on his nose and was slightly stunned.

This must be what a normal mom is like.

Xie Yan and Xie Huaiqian exchanged glances, already wondering where they’d find peaches and grapes in the dead of winter.

"We are one."