Chapter 100: Extra – Mi Yang

Chapter 100: Side Story – Mi Yang

"You little rascal, you're seven years old and still sleeping with your mom? That's pushing it." Mi Yang glared daggers at the little squirt through gritted teeth.

The little squirt was named Mi Meng, his own son and heir.

Since birth, the kid had been nothing but trouble. Sure, he was cute and likable, but he was a grade-A mama's boy!

A week ago, they'd made a deal—now that he was seven, it was time for him to sleep alone.

But this was already the fourth night in a row that the kid had come crying to his mom in the middle of the night! Every single time! Every single night! Wiggling his way right between Mi Yang and his wife!

"I'm telling Mom you're bullying me!" Seeing his father's fierce expression, Mi Meng's big eyes got all watery again, right on cue.

The moment he saw the kid was about to tattle, Mi Yang clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Brat, stop crying!"

"You're seven years old! Crying every day is ridiculous!"

More importantly, if this kid ran to Tang Qing to complain again, his wife would come after him later...

"Wipe those tears! We Mi men don't do crybabies—only tough guys!"

The little wiggleworm squirmed in Mi Yang's grip, getting snot and tears all over him, all while whining, "I'm not a tough guy! I don’t wanna be a tough guy!"

"I love Mom! Mom is mine!"

"That's my wife you're talking about!" Mi Yang pinched his son’s chubby cheek, his face stormy. "Listen up—if you knock on our door again tonight, I’ll have the big bad wolf come eat you!"

"Swallow you in one gulp! Not even a finger left!"

Mi Meng froze for a second before bursting into window-rattling wails. Mi Yang couldn’t contain it. "Waaah! You're mean! I’m telling Mom!"

"You're bullying me!"

"Waaah—"

Bawling his eyes out, Mi Meng had no other talents—just crying, and crying like his life depended on it.

He wouldn’t stop until Tang Qing showed up.

"What’s going on now?" Tang Qing sighed, looking at the two of them. "Alright, what happened this time?"

"Mom," Mi Meng stage-whispered, "Mi Yang is being mean! He said he’d have the big bad wolf eat me!" Spotting his mother, he immediately found his protector, scampering over to her on tiny feet and sniffled as he wiped his own tears clean.

Such a considerate little man—he knew better than to dirty Mom’s pretty clothes.

"I’ve told you many times, you can’t call Dad by his name." Ruffling her son’s fluffy hair, Tang Qing said, "Besides, Dad was just joking. He’d never let the big bad wolf take our Mi Meng."

The little rascal was a champ at playing mommy's little favorite.

Ever since he was born, he'd butted heads with his dad. Any chance to tattle, Mi Meng never missed.

Long story short—Mi Yang was just unlucky to have such a little troublemaker.

"Hmph! Mom, this daddy's no good. Let's trade him in!"

"I think Uncle Xiu is much better—he always brings me cool stuff. Can I choose Uncle Xiu to be my dad instead?"

No sooner had these words left her mouth than Tang Qing instinctively glanced at Mi Yang's expression—sure enough, his face went completely dark. She quickly turned their son around, blocking Mi Yang's impulsive urge to hit.

Tang Qing spoke up, "Stop talking nonsense. You only have one dad!"

The little rascal, oblivious to his father’s stormy expression, continued innocently, "Uncle Su could do it too! He’s great at math—he could even help me with homework!"

"Mom, can I trade Dad for Uncle Su?"

The little one tilted his head up, asking with genuine seriousness.

Across from them, Mi Yang heard yet another name that set him off. Unable to hold back any longer, he strode over, grabbed his son by the collar like a kitten, and hoisted him up.

"Trading dads, huh…"

"Listen up, you little punk. Before you even think about changing dads, I’ll change you first."

"Uncle Su this, Uncle Xiang that—you clueless little twerp, now you’re pulling this ‘treating a stranger like your dad’ nonsense!"

Even as Mi Meng kicked his tiny legs wildly, Mi Yang showed no sign of letting go. "Today, I’ll make sure you know exactly who your real father is!"

It was just sunset, the golden light spilling over the figures of the two, their chaos oddly melting into a quiet, warm moment.

Tang Qing smiled, watching it all unfold as the Bluetooth speaker in the living room began playing their old song, *The One*:

"Do you truly understand the meaning of ‘the one’?

It’s never as simple as breathing.

I really love you—every word not lightly spoken. Eyes wandering, yet piercing through when it matters most…"