Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Jiang Jining's worries and protective parental instincts hadn't fully taken shape before they were entirely alleviated, thanks to Fu Yuze's skilled handling, allowing him to enjoy a full day with little Dou Ya'er, who had just come home.

The seven-day parenting plan was quite effective.

On Jiang Jining's second day home, he woke up late, thinking the baby was already downstairs having her milk. But when he sat up in bed, he saw Fu Yuze nearby at the diaper changing table, dressing Dou Ya'er and changing her diaper.

The postpartum nurse wasn't present.

Jiang Jining didn't make a sound.

He saw Fu Yuze independently figure out and take care of everything their daughter needed.

The little one lay there with bright, dark eyes like black grapes, her double eyelids and delicate eyelashes just beginning to form. She tried to nibble her fist but couldn't quite reach it, so she gave up—no fuss, no crying, giving her daddy no trouble at all.

Her tiny legs kicked a little.

Finally, a clean, sweet-smelling baby was placed into Jiang Jining's arms.

"I want to learn too," Jiang Jining said to him, holding Ya'er.

Fu Yuze had been waiting for this day since the baby's birth, for Jiang Jining to ask, so he could naturally reply, "Okay, I'll teach you when Ya'er needs it later."

Jiang Jining lowered his head and kissed Dou Ya'er, smiling as he said, "Daddy is so amazing."

On the second day back home, Xie Ting became lively again.

However, everyone's reaction this time was much more subdued compared to when Jiang Jining gave birth, and they were very accustomed to this new routine.

Fu Yuze's move was truly brilliant.

Everyone fully understood that the two fathers needed space to grow into their new roles. They were happy to let it happen and held back less. Anyone who saw Jiang Jining, beaming with joy, and Dou Ya'er, delicate as a flower bud, couldn't stay angry at Fu Yuze's decision to come home.

Harmony and joy were more like it.

"She's grown a little more," Zhou Yeying was the first to step forward and take the child into her arms.

Fu Sichuan stayed where he was, supporting his wife's arm as he felt their youngest granddaughter's weight.

Fang Wenjun and Bian Zeming had matters to attend to and missed it. Bian Han didn't plan to openly grab for the baby. Once her husband had his turn, Zhou Yeying took Dou Ya'er over to Bian Han, who'd just gotten off the phone. "Here."

Who could refuse a baby delivered right into their hands?

Bian Han was quick to accept.

When Fu Yuze came downstairs, he saw his tiny daughter curled up against Bian Han's chest, her little body rising and falling steadily in sleep. He waited until Bian Han adjusted her position before taking the child back. He gently stroked the baby's fuzzy, round little head and asked, "What would you all like for lunch?"

Bian Han asked, "Ning Zai eats very lightly at home too, right?"

Fu Yuze said yes.

"Then we should go with what Ning'er likes," Zhou Yeying said, taking the thin little socks from the postpartum nurse and putting them on Dou Ya'er. "Otherwise he might get jealous watching us later."

Fu Yuze nodded.

His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

"Give her to me," Zhou Yeying seized the opportunity to take her little granddaughter, then turned to her husband and said, "Call Ah Huan and see if Xing Zai's low fever has broken and if he's woken up from his nap."

Originally, Xingxing was also supposed to come see Dou Ya'er, but he had come down with a chill the night before. His face was all flushed, and he wouldn't even drink his bedtime milk. When he found out he might get his little sister sick, he said on his own that he shouldn't come.

Fu Huaisheng and his wife both took leave to stay home with their son.

Fu Yuze asked for details about Xingxing's condition. When he checked his phone messages, he found one from Jiang Jining: "Can you bring Ya'er upstairs by yourself?"

Without asking why, Fu Yuze replied: "Okay."

Last night was Jiang Jining's first time helping with a night feeding for Dou Ya'er. Upon asking, he learned that since their daughter's birth, Fu Yuze had been setting a vibrating alarm to wake up every hour and a half, take the baby to the next room, feed her, and burp her.

He had to get up at least five times a night.

Jiang Jining's heart ached when he found out. He wouldn't let Fu Yuze take the baby out by himself anymore. When the postpartum nurse brought the bottle, she offered to take the baby out to feed her, but they refused.

And so, after one night, he was worn out.

Jiang Jining was still in his postpartum confinement month.

Fu Yuze absolutely refused to let him go through a second night.

He promised to hand Dou Ya'er over to the postpartum nurse at night until the baby slept through the night. In the end, they both compromised and reached an agreement.

This morning, after getting up, Jiang Jining played with his daughter for a while, staying up until everyone had seen her before going upstairs to catch up on sleep.

Yet, he woke up again after just twenty minutes.

"I'll take Ya'er upstairs for a bit."

Fu Yuze took the baby back. Everyone assumed it was to change Dou Ya'er's diaper. He carried his daughter back to the master bedroom with ease. Opening the door, he found Jiang Jining sitting with his knees drawn up, lost in thought, his cheeks still slightly flushed.

"What's wrong?"

Fu Yuze slowly handed Ya'er over to him.

Jiang Jining felt his daughter's warm little body but didn't speak. Then his cheek was gently pinched, and he heard Fu Yuze ask, "Didn't you say you wouldn't keep any more secrets from me?"

His worries were written all over his face.

Jiang Jining's face visibly reddened even more. Gathering his courage, he said, "I... I might need to try feeding Ya'er. Do you... do you want to watch here?"

Fu Yuze's expression immediately softened with understanding.

Jiang Jining explained to him, "When I was at home, I specifically asked the physician. He said not to force it, but if it happens, that's even better. Especially the first time there's engorgement, it's best to let the child nurse to relieve it... It's good for Ya'er if she gets to drink it."

This situation was quite rare even among pregnant men.

But Jiang Jining didn't mention that part.

He was that fortunate one.

Their child had also encountered a good daddy.

Remembering the physician's words of congratulations, the heat on Jiang Jining's face refused to fade, but ultimately, joy filled his heart. The physician had said this colostrum was beneficial for a newborn child. Having his Ya'er grow up healthy and strong was more important than anything.

"Alright."

Fu Yuze got up and walked toward the door.

Jiang Jining was somewhat surprised by how readily he agreed.

Not long after, he felt a coolness on his chest. Looking down, he saw that Ya'er, perhaps having caught the scent through his clothes, had buried her head and licked his collar damp.

His heart melted at the sight.

Jiang Jining loosened the tie at the side of his pajamas and let the collar on one shoulder slip down. He heard the sound of a lock turning. He looked up to find Fu Yuze had returned without him noticing.

He had only gone to lock the door.

Jiang Jining watched as the man sat down on the edge of the bed, helped him into the correct position for feeding their daughter, and then lowered his gaze to his slightly swollen chest. "I'm not leaving."

Jiang Jining: "..."

*Of course I know you're not leaving now that you've sat down.*

Dou Ya'er began to fuss softly. Jiang Jining, too preoccupied to mind that Fu Yuze had chosen such a prime viewing spot, nervously and carefully managed to get her to latch on.

Who knew their delicate, pretty little girl would be so forceful?

"Hiss—"

Jiang Jining nearly cried out.

Fu Yuze knew that if they stopped now, it would be even harder to try again later. Deciding to see it through, he steadied Jiang Jining's body and gently brought Dou Ya'er's soft, unsupported head closer. "It hurts because she's not latching deeply enough."

The correct latch should have the baby's mouth covering about two-thirds, with the lower lip turned outward—the wider, the better.

The pain left Jiang Jining breathless. He turned his head, burying his face in the crook of Fu Yuze's neck, gave a little sniff, his eyelashes damp with tears.

This hurt even more than giving birth to Ya'er...

Seeing Jiang Jining in such discomfort yet not backing down, Fu Yuze began to doubt his own experience. His heart ached. He moved his hand to their daughter's chin, intending to gently squeeze her jaw to help her relax her mouth.

Suddenly, Dou Ya'er's tightly clenched little fist relaxed. She let out a soft, contented murmur, and the sound of her swallowing became clear: "Mmm..."

Gulp.

Jiang Jining felt immediate relief. Looking down, he forgot the pain as soon as it was gone. He kissed Dou Ya'er, who was diligently seeking her meal, then relaxed his body, sinking back against Fu Yuze's chest.

"Better?" Fu Yuze asked softly.

Gradually, Jiang Jining realized that once past the initial hurdle, it was actually quite comfortable. Especially Ya'er—she looked exceptionally adorable nestled in his arms while nursing. As he watched her, he forgot how much it had hurt just moments before. "Mm."

The initial supply wasn't plentiful.

But it was just right for Dou Ya'er, only a week old, filling her little belly.

"I won't be able to feed her once she gets bigger."

Jiang Jining remembered the doctor saying that for men with his constitution, even if they could produce milk, it would never keep up with a growing baby's appetite. Having experienced it now, he found it bittersweet, though he personally felt the sweetness outweighed the bitterness.

Ya'er needed him.

The days of her clinging to him, nestled in his arms, would only last a few years.

She was still so small, so soft. Why not preserve more of these moments alone with his daughter?

Jiang Jining still couldn't hold Dou Ya'er for too long; the pressure caused a tight, painful pull on his wound. He felt a pang of regret as he handed their satiated daughter to Fu Yuze after she let go.

"She'll hold her own bottle when she's older."

Fu Yuze always knew just what to say to soften Jiang Jining's heart. Holding their daughter securely with one arm, he took a few nursing pads and gently pressed them against Jiang Jining's chest. "Blot it dry."

Jiang Jining lowered his head and wiped himself clean.

Fu Yuze placed Dou Ya'er, who had fallen into a milk-drunk slumber, on the bed. He returned to help Jiang Jining finish cleaning up and reminded him, "Ya'er can only take this much for now."

Jiang Jining hummed in acknowledgment.

"Any other discomfort?" Fu Yuze asked, a bit helplessly. "You told me before there wouldn't be any, so I didn't prepare a breast pump or storage bags. They probably won't arrive until this afternoon."

Jiang Jining felt troubled.

He couldn't very well shake Ya'er awake and force her to overeat, could he?

Seeing Jiang Jining's expression, Fu Yuze knew he hadn't made the connection and wasn't thinking along the same lines. He gently placed his palm over the other side. "We can save what accumulates before bedtime tonight for Ya'er to drink."

Jiang Jining: "..."

Save tonight's... so right now...

After thoroughly flustering Jiang Jining, Fu Yuze went to Dou Ya'er's changing table and retrieved an unopened measuring cup. He knelt by the bed, took Jiang Jining's hand, and said, "Scoot over a bit."

Jiang Jining's half-tied hair slipped loose. With his picturesque features and peach-blossom cheeks, he looked utterly captivating, stirring Fu Yuze's heart. Yet all Fu Yuze could do was squeeze his hand reassuringly. "What does it matter if I help?"

"..."

Jiang Jining found himself at a loss for words.

Well, he had a point.

It wasn't as if they'd only become intimate like this after having Ya'er...

Jiang Jining still felt it was somewhat improper. But according to Fu Yuze, the supplies wouldn't arrive until afternoon. The other side felt uncomfortably full and was becoming hard to bear. Relenting, he said, "Then... don't think too much about it. You get... excited easily... and I'm still not fully recovered."

Besides, Ya'er was sleeping right beside them.

Fu Yuze: "..."

So that's how Jiang Jining saw him.

Not that he was wrong.