Chapter 53 Likes Being Hit by Wife

Chapter 53: Likes Getting in Trouble with His Wife

Then, Shu Yangkuo quietly watched him. Shi Zai pursed his lips and said:

"I just don’t want to neglect anyone."

"..."

"Then what should I do? I don’t want to lose any of my friends."

Sighing softly, Shu Yangkuo rubbed the back of Shi Zai's head:

"Am I included in ‘everyone’?"

"…No, you're you. You're my husband."

"Mm. Your husband, Yun Bao, the baby, your friends—can you tell them apart clearly?"

"…Yes, I can!"

Feeling the little pup in his arms was about to bite, Shu Yangkuo kissed the big eyes glaring at him:

"In your heart, does everyone hold a different level of importance to you?"

"…Mhm, yes."

"So, I'm still just one of the crowd."

Shi Zai blinked, falling silent for a moment. He looked confused:

"Do you feel like I’m giving you too little care and attention?"

"..."

Pulling him closer, Shu Yangkuo was almost at a loss for words. This wasn’t about him being jealous at all, but after going around in circles… he might as well let it be. Shu Yangkuo was at a loss for a while.

Seeing the man quiet, Shi Zai nudged his chin with his forehead:

"Ge, if I only had one apple, I’d definitely give it to you."

"…But you *do* understand, don't you?"

"Hmm, if you’re not upset, then I’ll share it with Yun Bao, Yan Wei, Ji Qianxi… Ah!"

A light slap landed on his butt. Shi Zai widened his eyes:

"You’re just stingy!"

"…What if my wife had three apples?"

"Then one for you, one for Yun Bao, and the last one for my friends… Ah, I get it now!!"

Shi Zai's eyes lit up. He blinked and stared into the man's adoring gaze, finally understanding what Shu Yangkuo was fighting for and wanting—it wasn’t just about jealousy, but about being in a league of his own.

Yes, his heart could be divided into several kinds of affection, given to different people. Whenever there were many people around, Shi Zai feared neglecting anyone. In such situations, Shu Yangkuo was indeed one of "everyone" to him, but it shouldn’t be that way. Shu Yangkuo was a category of his own; Yun Bao and the future Wang Wang were another category; friends were yet another. Among friends, there could be further distinctions—like Yan Wei and Ji Qianxi in one group, Bai Jixiang and Qin Xihan in another, Feng Lan in yet another… Shi Zai seemed to want them all to be equal, to ensure none felt neglected or left out in his heart. But others wouldn’t see it that way, because everyone had their own priorities and categories.

He also finally understood why he hadn’t talked much with Shu Yangkuo these past few days—he simply couldn’t find the time. First, it was Xiang Xiang and Yun Bao, then Ji Qianxi and Feng Lan. In between, he helped Jiang Ziqing look at a house, and at night, he chatted with Yan Wei about caring for a pregnant man. During the day, he went to the studio. Even though it was right next door, aside from running over to make sure Shu Yangkuo ate nutritious food, Shi Zai hardly exchanged more than a few words with him.

Even when it came to taking care of others, was this really how he should be doing it?

Comparing the two… Shi Zai suddenly remembered what Shu Yangkuo said about "comparing and feeling wronged." So, this was where it was leading. Yes, by comparison, that stinky man must have felt wronged. Shu Yangkuo spent most of his time, day and night, accompanying him, with little else besides work. Whereas he himself… even at night, there were two more people in bed.

Going back to "everyone" and not wanting to neglect anyone… Shi Zai had moved on from his past, but this mindset made him like someone who, once bitten, twice shy—always trying to please everyone. But between every person, there were different depths of emotion. He shouldn’t give everyone the same average treatment, nor should he try to become overly important in others’ eyes… Take Yan Wei and Ji Qianxi, for example—he wasn’t their husband. Thinking of this, Shi Zai blushed. No wonder Xiang Xiang said "godfather and daddy." He had crossed boundaries with Yan Wei. Children see things most clearly—people naturally have closer and more distant relationships. Because of his actions, Zheng Yuan became the "distant one" in their family, while he himself… And Ji Qianxi—the way he looked at him seemed increasingly odd lately.

Then there was the dynamic between children and parents. When Yan Wei and Zheng Yuan brought Xiang Xiang out, the first thing they showed him was the intimacy between husband and wife, then they played with their own child. If Shi Zai never understood this, their future family would surely have him trying to balance left and right… Actually, it was already happening now with the three of them. Every time, Shi Zai had to have one on his left and one on his right… Well, not exactly. When they went to Ji Qianxi’s house for dinner, Shi Zai recently showed more affection toward Ji Qianxi and sat with him, feeling like he was neglecting Yun Bao. Just yesterday, he noticed Shu Yangkuo was unhappy to be with him—otherwise, it would have been him, Yun Bao, and Ji Qianxi… Ah! If this continued, Shi Zai wouldn’t be able to love everyone equally? But he shouldn’t love everyone equally. Shi Zai recalled scene after scene from the past—whenever there were many people, he was always calculating how to distribute his attention evenly.

The little pup in his arms buried his face in his chest, lost in thought for a long time, then suddenly chuckled. Shu Yangkuo touched his ear:

"Wife."

"Mhm, mhm, I understand now. Ge, you’re not allowed to scold me anymore."

"…You just know how to bully your husband."

Lifting his face, Shi Zai grinned, hooked his arms around the man’s neck, and swayed:

"You love me the most, right? I’m the one and only in your heart, aren’t I?"

"…Do you even need to ask?"

"Hehe, I’m also curious… Back when you first came, didn’t you worry about neglecting Yun Bao?"

Hearing this, Shu Yangkuo turned his head and smiled. He really didn't know what to do with the person in his arms, so he might as well spell it out clearly:

"Your husband never thought about marrying the same wife as him."

"…!!"

"As for Xiao Zai, your husband noticed… he seems quite eager to bring a few more home?"

It was the first time Shi Zai saw the man’s sharp gaze directed at him, as if interrogating him. He felt inexplicably guilty and hurriedly said:

"Don’t falsely accuse me!"

"Why not invite Feng Lan to stay at our house? It must be lonely for him by himself."

"Why bring this up all of a sudden… Sigh, I did consider it, but later I thought he might feel uncomfortable… Ah, you’re setting a trap!"

As he spoke, Shi Zai realized something was off. He buried his face in the man’s chest and fell silent. To think a man eight years older than him would act so childish and beat around the bush to trick him into talking—how shameless!

Shu Yangkuo lifted the head of the person in his arms and hooked a finger under his chin:

"So, in situations like that, your husband isn't even a thought."

"..."

"You think—first bring that outside person in, get him settled, then turn around and coax your husband."

"..."

With his lips pressed down, Shi Zai shook his head desperately. He knew, he knew he was wrong. The man slightly lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes occasionally trembling, casting small shadows. He looked truly wronged and pitiful.

Shu Yangkuo released the pressed lips and raised his hand to stroke the hair of the person in his arms:

"Little emperor."

"No, no, I’m not…"

"Yes, you are my little emperor, but only in my arms, I beg you."

Hearing this suddenly, Shi Zai shuddered at this and was about to speak when Shu Yangkuo added:

"Ge isn’t asking you to have fewer friends. I love to see you laughing with people and hope you find joy in your career. It’s just—no matter how you handle those others, don’t put Ge in the same category as them. Wife, you must always remember, Ge is the one who will accompany you for a lifetime, until the very end."

"I know..."

"Even Yang Yun and Wang Wang—they can be in our lives, but in the end, only Ge will be with you."

"Ge—"

Shi Zai wiped his eyes and nuzzled against Shu Yangkuo’s chest, feeling the steady, strong heartbeat that was only for him.

And in the same way, he pleaded that his own heartbeat would only be for Shu Yangkuo.

Shu Yangkuo placed his palm against the back of the person in his arms and gently stroked:

"Xiao Zai, don’t worry either. You don’t need to overthink everything. Ge will really try to change from now on. If I want you to look at me more, I’ll say it."

"...Really?"

Hearing this, Shu Yangkuo hummed in agreement and quickly added:

"You should also be a bit more self-aware, Wife."

"Haha..."

"Or is it that Ge isn’t enough for you to look at?"

"Haha, you're so annoying, Ge! I’m drooling over you, how could you not be enough for me? But Ge, as you earn more and more in the future, don’t bring anyone else home!"

"Since when has Ge ever exchanged more than half a word with anyone?"

"Hmph, even if others approach you first, it’s not allowed!"

"Who would dare get close to Ge?"

Shi Zai burst out laughing again—this man hardly showed any expression around his good friends Yan Wei and Zheng Yuan.

Many times, friends had said he’d found a fierce, intimidating guy, as if he might end up abusive. Thinking of this, Shi Zai pushed aside Shu Yangkuo’s pajamas—the spot where the belt had struck was badly swollen... The man is pregnant, and yet he’d hit him.

Shi Zai’s eyes reddened instantly, and he started to cry softly. Shu Yangkuo quickly reached up to wipe his tears and kissed him:

"Baby, don’t cry. It doesn’t hurt. Ge deserved it."

"Don’t you say that about yourself! And don’t you dare bully yourself in the future either!"

"I didn’t..."

"Wahh, I feel so awful! Ge is the one I want to cherish and protect for a lifetime—how could I hit you..."

While holding and comforting him, Shu Yangkuo rebuttoned the pajamas with one hand, not sure why the person in his arms had suddenly become so emotional. He just whispered over and over in his ear, "It wasn’t Wife who hit me—Ge ran into the belt himself."

In the midst of crying, Shi Zai suddenly burst into laughter, pounding playfully on the man’s chest. This annoying man was treating him like a fool.

Shu Yangkuo smiled along, but seeing the little pup laugh and then verge on tears again, he paused before leaning close to his ear and mustering the nerve to ask, "Wife already knows, doesn’t she?" Shi Zai blinked:

"Know what?"

"...Ge likes being hit by Wife."

"...You big pervert!"

The little pup finally laughed again. Shu Yangkuo, a bit embarrassed, turned his head and nibbled the small ear tip:

"Little rascal."

"Hmph, this little rascal won’t hit Ge outside the bed anymore. I’ll protect Ge, love Ge properly, and never let you secretly feel sad or hurt again. Even in front of Yun Bao and Wang Wang, Ge is the most important—my eyes will always see Ge first! I love you, so much!"

Shu Yangkuo hugged him tightly, rubbing his chin against the top of his head, and took a deep breath:

"Ge loves you more, baby. Ge’s baby..."

"Hehe, Ge is my big treasure! I really mean what I say!"

"...Mm."

"What else does Ge want to say?"

Seizing the moment—since the little pup’s words were too fleeting—Shu Yangkuo took a light breath and nuzzled his cheek:

"Ge has three requests for Wife, okay?"

"Wow, pushing your luck so soon! Hehe, go ahead."

Interlacing his fingers with the person in his arms, Shu Yangkuo paused and said:

"First, don’t touch anyone else’s hand."

"Second, don’t tell anyone you like them."

"Third, don’t stare at other people."