UD: C37
Later, I'll eat the tomatoes washed by Li You
This novel was posted on cntranslationss [dot] blogsp0t [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
However, I, who considered my acting skills to be impeccable, never expected that when I put Li You to bed that night, after tucking her in, Li You quietly said to me: "Dad, I know your crying was fake."
Because Li You would be starting primary school and needs to attend the new students orientation, we only stayed in France for a little over half of the month. So, after wishing Papa Xiao and Mama Xiao goodbye, we set off on our journey back home.
When we arrived, Li Zhi was the first to leave the car, taking a breath of fresh air as he said: "As expected, the mountain air is so fresh and nice."
So to Lee Moli I said: "Isn't that just because I didn't eat much at noon? You can't be thinking I'm pregnant, right? Seriously, I went to Jiayu last month for a physical and there was no signs of it. You should already know it's not easy for that to happen in this kind of body. Don't worry yourself over nothing, okay?"
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
After we got back, Li Zhi had already caught a couple or so crucian carp, which were good for stewing. In the end, he caught four of those carps, four very huge carps; along with a couple lobsters for an extra treat that evening.
1. National Day kicks off the golden week so it's a week long holiday. []iana: the author made a typo on the line "Li You put the snack aside and used both hands and feet to crawl onto my lap and hug me" They typed Li Zhi, Li You so when I read it the mental image formed and gave me a good laugh XD[] Li Tian's eating a lot... hm... (✿◕‿◕✿)
When we got home, we rested for the rest of that day, then on the next one, we took all our shopping bags over to Li Zhi and Lee Moli's.
My baby girl... daddy's heart is crushed.
The moment Li You saw her grandpa, she flung herself straight at him. Li Zhi scooped her up into his arms and Li You hugged him around his neck then gave him a string a loud kisses. Li Zhi laughed happily at the show of affection, throwing her up into the air a few times. Most kids liked being tossed around like this, it seems, and even though they do feel a little frightened, they also find the act exhilarating too. So, like this, Li You giggled her heart out without and end in sight.
"I love you too, dad." Li You said in return.
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
Li You held up the snack pack in front of my face and said: "I was just teasing you, okay? I'll give you the whole thing." The tone she used as she did so was pitiful, enough to move my heart, but thinking it'd be better to pretend to the end, I tearfully said: "I don't want it."
A few days before National Day (October 1st), I worked a few extra shifts, and because of this day-night shift I was a bit tired. Xiao Huaisu had proposed we go on a trip to the country and experience farmhouse living a week earlier. Seeing how low spirited I was, I especially took the two days prior to rest, then on the third day, we avoided the peak period of rushing and left for a nearby farmhouse with beautiful rivers and mountains.
My despair seems to be a bit excessive, I may have pretended a bit too much. Peeking through the slit of my fingers, I saw that after hesitating, Li You turned to her grandpa and grandma, but Lee Moli and Li Zhi pretended they weren't interested. Neither had any intention to help her coax me, both not budging an inch as they did their own things. So Li You again turned her attention to Xiao Huaisu, tugging his clothes, but Xiao Huaisu only went along with the tide, and instead simply lowered his head to shell some macadamia nuts for Li You. Realising there was to one to help her, she hurriedly put on her slippers then scurried towards me before carefully getting nearer. Her little hands tried to pull down my own to see if I was really crying.
Li You seemed as though she just remembered me, giggling as if nothing had happened while she came over to me, pulling out a piece from the packet, pinching it between her fingers as she handed it to me: "Here—"
I waited and waited...
In response, without leaving anyone out, Li You rattled out from that cute little face of hers: "I missed grandpa, I missed grandma, and I miss Fluffles too! I also really missed the egg custard you make for me, grandpa!" It had been a long time since Fluffles had seen her. Before, when we video called my parents and Fluffles saw Li You on the screen, it acted like an ant in a hot pan, using its little paws to scratch at the screen. It appeared agitated because it couldn't touch Li You. So when Li You walked inside it went high then leapt into her arms in one fell swoop, meowing at her non-stop, the yearning it held for her in its voice obvious.
"So when you're eating something tasty you'll share with me?"
Li You the asked Li Zhi: "Isn't that true, grandpa?"
Putting down his book, he looked at me with a raised brow and asked: "How come?"
How long have have we been related, huh! And just like that you defected?
Taking advantage of her not seeing me, I shot a smile at Xiao Huaisu.
Hearing her reply, Lee Moli couldn't stop herself from laughing as she said: "With such a sweet little mouth like yours, who would ever feel offended."
N/A
During this exhange, Xiao Huaisu took some of the gifts I had in my hand, taking the things I had bought for Lee Moli, as well as gifts he had bought, into the house. Li Zhi handed Li You off to Lee Moli, then went over to Xiao Huaisu to greet him.
Fine then. I then asked her: "If you knew, why did you still try to make me feel better?"
To which she answered confidently: "I'm a little kid! What kind of self-control do little kids have." After saying this, she turned t Xiao Huaisu and added: "Isn't that true dad?"
"Muah!"
"Come, come have a seat and take the load off. Today's a scorcher." After saying this he looked to he and said: "Why are just standing around? Go bring out some juice."
After we got back, Li Zhi had already caught a couple or so crucian carp, which were good for stewing. In the end, he caught four of those carps, four very huge carps; along with a couple lobsters for an extra treat that evening.
Huh?
That statement made Xiao Huaisu no longer hesitate. Standing up, he too large strides towards me and Li You.
Thinking abut the eagerness in Li You's eyes, stalling for a moment, I hesitantly asked him: "So... are we going to?"
Thinking about it for a moment, I said: "Yeah. It'd be best if we let nature take it's course. As said before, my constitution doesn't make having a child easy, so we can cancel all safety precautions for the time being. Actually, us being able to have a second one is still a maybe." You didn't wear one last time, but that's all fine now.
"Hmph!" Just as I was planning to act all high and mighty for a while, Lee Moli kicked me with her foot, telling me with her eyes: Didn't you want it? Aren't you going to accept it quickly?
And waited some more...
Father?
Because Li You would be starting primary school and needs to attend the new students orientation, we only stayed in France for a little over half of the month. So, after wishing Papa Xiao and Mama Xiao goodbye, we set off on our journey back home.
To which she answered confidently: "I'm a little kid! What kind of self-control do little kids have." After saying this, she turned t Xiao Huaisu and added: "Isn't that true dad?"
But still, I persisted, arguing in my defence: "Then why did you give everyone else a lot more than you gave to me!"
Thinking about it for a moment, I said: "Yeah. It'd be best if we let nature take it's course. As said before, my constitution doesn't make having a child easy, so we can cancel all safety precautions for the time being. Actually, us being able to have a second one is still a maybe." You didn't wear one last time, but that's all fine now.
Holding a cup of juice, I pretended I as never interested to begin with, crying on the inside while drinking the juice which now tasted bitter.
How long have have we been related, huh! And just like that you defected?
Li You seemed as though she just remembered me, giggling as if nothing had happened while she came over to me, pulling out a piece from the packet, pinching it between her fingers as she handed it to me: "Here—"
"Now this side."
With him in response whispering: "Naive."
I just came in from the hot son too, you know!
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
In the end, I choked down my indignation and took it anyway, popping it in my mouth, chewed it up, swallowed it, then said with a laugh: "It's really yummy, I want to eat some more."
Father?
The instructed me turned to look at Xiao Huaisu, and he looking back at me, then said with a laugh: "I better go get it."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
I waited and waited...
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
I waited and waited...
Not waiting for Li Zhi to say anything more, he headed straight for the kitchen. Hearing the sound of the fridge opening, I laid back on the sofa and smile at Li Zhi who stared at me with a dissatisfied look.
There was a small boat on the lakeside. I led Li You towards it saying, "Let's go. Your dad is going to take you to pick lotus pods."
Lee Moli sat down at the other end, holding Li You in her lap and opening the packet of a snack for her. Seeing my jelly like state, she shot me a disdainful look, handed the snack to Li You, whle i reached out my own hand and said: "Come, give dad a bite."
My despair seems to be a bit excessive, I may have pretended a bit too much. Peeking through the slit of my fingers, I saw that after hesitating, Li You turned to her grandpa and grandma, but Lee Moli and Li Zhi pretended they weren't interested. Neither had any intention to help her coax me, both not budging an inch as they did their own things. So Li You again turned her attention to Xiao Huaisu, tugging his clothes, but Xiao Huaisu only went along with the tide, and instead simply lowered his head to shell some macadamia nuts for Li You. Realising there was to one to help her, she hurriedly put on her slippers then scurried towards me before carefully getting nearer. Her little hands tried to pull down my own to see if I was really crying.
I waited and waited...
Li You deliberately ignored me, sharing some with Lee Moli. Upon seeing the juice carrying Xiao Huaisu, she waited for him to rest it down before snuggling up to his leg and giving him a handful.
While I wore a proud expression.
Lee Moli looked at me wth a frown but didn't say a peep. Li Zhi only had his attention on feeding Li You, so he pad no attention to me at all.
Li You deliberately ignored me, sharing some with Lee Moli. Upon seeing the juice carrying Xiao Huaisu, she waited for him to rest it down before snuggling up to his leg and giving him a handful.
Xiao Huaisu then said, "Let's leave it up to fate, then. Let's not force it. Besides, when I decided I wanted to be with you, I had made up my mind when it came to never having my own children, so I was already surprised as much I was grateful to have Li You. So whether or not we an have a second one, we won't care too much about it, alright?" His voice was soft as it was low, as if it were plucked strings, incomparably gentle.
Lee Moli took Li You and handed her to Li Zhi, before getting out herself. Hearing those words of his, she said: "If you were made to stay here for half a month, I want to see if you'll still say that."
Lee Moli sputtered out a laugh at her words, saying to Li You: "Don't worry, sweetheart. Even if he's angered to death right now, he'll come back to life after eating."
I have no status here, none! And I have no rights either, not a one! I want to cry. I want to bawl my gosh-darn eyes out.
Not pleased with her answer, I said in return: "So why are you eating so much of it, then?"
I waited and waited...
To which she answered confidently: "I'm a little kid! What kind of self-control do little kids have." After saying this, she turned t Xiao Huaisu and added: "Isn't that true dad?"
Seeing she successfully consoled me, Li You let out an exhausted sigh, then tried to reach out for the macadamia nuts on the table. But because her arms were too short while she sat on my lap trying to reach things off the table, I helped her cover the bit of distance between her and it, picking up the plate, handing it to her.
Li Zhi beamed as he nodded, a "my granddaughter is so great" look on his face as he answered as well: "Yes, that's correct."
And waited some more...
Lee Moli, wearing a fishing hat and holding a fan, lounged on a chair as she admired the distant scenery. After hearing those words, she turned her head and said: "Xiao Huaisu should go along too. Unless you want Li Tian's clumsiness to result in Li You falling into the lake."
I laughed, dodging his tickling hands as I said modestly: "That's normal— Hahaha— It tickles!"
Luckily, after a few minutes, I mastered the art of rowing. Remembering how to use those long forgotten skills of mine to happily accompany Li You to pick lotus pods and flowers.
Later, I'll eat the tomatoes washed by Li You
The instructed me turned to look at Xiao Huaisu, and he looking back at me, then said with a laugh: "I better go get it."
Even Fluffles got a share from Li You, yet it seemed as though I was forgotten. Looking at her with face full of helplessness, I used my eyes to transmit my sorrow, saying: my baby girl, papa is very disappointed in you.
The moment Li You saw her grandpa, she flung herself straight at him. Li Zhi scooped her up into his arms and Li You hugged him around his neck then gave him a string a loud kisses. Li Zhi laughed happily at the show of affection, throwing her up into the air a few times. Most kids liked being tossed around like this, it seems, and even though they do feel a little frightened, they also find the act exhilarating too. So, like this, Li You giggled her heart out without and end in sight.
So in a deep voice I said to her: "We're through!" We have to cut the ties between us, we have to break up.
"Then I want a little brother and sister to play with! I saw that Jones and Xiao Jie both had little brothers and sisters and t was really fun." Jones and Xiao Jie were the kids of the relatives in France. They were close to one another for about three weeks, so they had gotten to know each other well.
Later that afternoon when I woke up, I took some equipment and headed to a nearby lakeside, a place Xiao Huaisu had found. The surrounding area was beautiful and pristine. Because it was the holidays, despite it being no where as crowded as the scenic spots in the city, there were other visitors in twos and threes who passed us by with a with a smile.
I hugged her, kissing her on her forehead before saying: "Dad feels so touched!" My heart feels so warm and mushy!
Li You seemed to not have noticed my appearance, however, turning all her attention to eating the snack in her hand.
Li You the asked Li Zhi: "Isn't that true, grandpa?"
Grumbling in anger, I looked around at my dad, my mom, my man, and my daughter's cat who all appeared to have been gifted a most precious reward.
At dinner, I ate three bowls of rice with some delicious game meat, some stir fried vegetables made with wild veggies. When was done, I still feel as though it was enough, so holding my empty bowl, I thought it over for a bit, then again filled half of it.
—You guys eat, it's fine.
I hugged her, kissing her on her forehead before saying: "Dad feels so touched!" My heart feels so warm and mushy!
Holding a cup of juice, I pretended I as never interested to begin with, crying on the inside while drinking the juice which now tasted bitter.
Putting down his book, he looked at me with a raised brow and asked: "How come?"
Later, I'll eat the tomatoes washed by Li You
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
Li You the asked Li Zhi: "Isn't that true, grandpa?"
I shook my head, nibbling on an apple as I replied: "Nope."
Seeing this miserable appearance of mine, Xiao Huaisu lowered his head and asked Li You: "Can you give your dad a bite?"
When Lee Moli heard I'd been to Jiayu to see the doctor, her knitted brows unfurled. Seeing me chomp into an apple she said: "Eating apples at night, it'll cause your stomach to bloat. Don't eat them."
Thinking abut the eagerness in Li You's eyes, stalling for a moment, I hesitantly asked him: "So... are we going to?"
To which she answered confidently: "I'm a little kid! What kind of self-control do little kids have." After saying this, she turned t Xiao Huaisu and added: "Isn't that true dad?"
Putting down his book, he looked at me with a raised brow and asked: "How come?"
Li You, with a roll of her eyes, replied to me: "That's because I like them, of course!" The look on her face as she did so saying: could you not figure that out? Did I have to say it out loud?
Li You seemed as though she just remembered me, giggling as if nothing had happened while she came over to me, pulling out a piece from the packet, pinching it between her fingers as she handed it to me: "Here—"
Seeing my broken expression, Li You fell into Xiao Huaisu's embrace. The look in her eyes then turned into one carrying a worried look as she asked him: "Is dad so angry, so angry he might die?" Originally I wasn't really that mad, but after hearing that line of hers, I was pissed off enough to meet my maker!
Putting down his book, he looked at me with a raised brow and asked: "How come?"
Xiao Huaisu then said, "Let's leave it up to fate, then. Let's not force it. Besides, when I decided I wanted to be with you, I had made up my mind when it came to never having my own children, so I was already surprised as much I was grateful to have Li You. So whether or not we an have a second one, we won't care too much about it, alright?" His voice was soft as it was low, as if it were plucked strings, incomparably gentle.
The lake at the foot of the mountain was very wide, there was even lotus plants planted in an area. Even though most of the flowers had withered leaving only their pods, there were still some late blooming flowers still blossoming on the lake.
"I haven't."
"Hmph!" Just as I was planning to act all high and mighty for a while, Lee Moli kicked me with her foot, telling me with her eyes: Didn't you want it? Aren't you going to accept it quickly?
Lee Moli sat down at the other end, holding Li You in her lap and opening the packet of a snack for her. Seeing my jelly like state, she shot me a disdainful look, handed the snack to Li You, whle i reached out my own hand and said: "Come, give dad a bite."
"I haven't."
When Xiao Huaisu saw us walk over, I gave him a reassuring look, saying: "Don't worry, I can do this."
Seeing she successfully consoled me, Li You let out an exhausted sigh, then tried to reach out for the macadamia nuts on the table. But because her arms were too short while she sat on my lap trying to reach things off the table, I helped her cover the bit of distance between her and it, picking up the plate, handing it to her.
So in a deep voice I said to her: "We're through!" We have to cut the ties between us, we have to break up.
I have no status here, none! And I have no rights either, not a one! I want to cry. I want to bawl my gosh-darn eyes out.
The lake at the foot of the mountain was very wide, there was even lotus plants planted in an area. Even though most of the flowers had withered leaving only their pods, there were still some late blooming flowers still blossoming on the lake.
While they did so, Lee Moli came over to me and asked: "Does your body feel different in any way?"
Seeing me eat that much, Xiao Huaisu stopped me, saying: "It'd be hard for you to digest all of that tonight if you eat so much. Drink some soup instead." Having said that, he took my half-filled bowl of rice and handed me the bol of soup in front of him.
"Come, come have a seat and take the load off. Today's a scorcher." After saying this he looked to he and said: "Why are just standing around? Go bring out some juice."
Xiao Huaisu then said, "Let's leave it up to fate, then. Let's not force it. Besides, when I decided I wanted to be with you, I had made up my mind when it came to never having my own children, so I was already surprised as much I was grateful to have Li You. So whether or not we an have a second one, we won't care too much about it, alright?" His voice was soft as it was low, as if it were plucked strings, incomparably gentle.
In the end, I choked down my indignation and took it anyway, popping it in my mouth, chewed it up, swallowed it, then said with a laugh: "It's really yummy, I want to eat some more."
Because we planned to stay there a few extra days, even Fluffles came along with us.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
Lee Moli, wearing a fishing hat and holding a fan, lounged on a chair as she admired the distant scenery. After hearing those words, she turned her head and said: "Xiao Huaisu should go along too. Unless you want Li Tian's clumsiness to result in Li You falling into the lake."
The instructed me turned to look at Xiao Huaisu, and he looking back at me, then said with a laugh: "I better go get it."
That expression hurt this glass heart of mine, which was on this occasion more glass-like than usual.
But in consideration of me, Li You replied: "It's not good to eat too many snacks, just tasting them is enough." This was something her grandmother had said to her in France. Oh, this girl... she learns pretty fast, doesn't she?
Maybe later I'll eat some of the tomatoes Li You washed. Those won't make my stomach bloat, right?
Li You looked at me, giggling as she said: "You were fake crying."
"Ever since we got back from France, she started urging me to give her a little brother and sister."
The moment Li You saw her grandpa, she flung herself straight at him. Li Zhi scooped her up into his arms and Li You hugged him around his neck then gave him a string a loud kisses. Li Zhi laughed happily at the show of affection, throwing her up into the air a few times. Most kids liked being tossed around like this, it seems, and even though they do feel a little frightened, they also find the act exhilarating too. So, like this, Li You giggled her heart out without and end in sight.
"Because even if you were pretending, it still makes me feel sad. I don't want you to cry." But there was still some unspoken words in her eyes: "So I had to make you feel better, okay?" Looking at that pure little face of hers, in that moment, I was moved. Pulling the corners of my lips into a smile, I rubbed her cheeks, saying: "Dad loves you so gosh darn much, my precious baby girl." I really don't feel anything wrong saying such disgustingly sweet words to my daughter, and they're still not enough to express all the feelings in my heart.
Not pleased with her answer, I said in return: "So why are you eating so much of it, then?"
1. National Day kicks off the golden week so it's a week long holiday. []iana: the author made a typo on the line "Li You put the snack aside and used both hands and feet to crawl onto my lap and hug me" They typed Li Zhi, Li You so when I read it the mental image formed and gave me a good laugh XD[] Li Tian's eating a lot... hm... (✿◕‿◕✿)
Not waiting for Li Zhi to say anything more, he headed straight for the kitchen. Hearing the sound of the fridge opening, I laid back on the sofa and smile at Li Zhi who stared at me with a dissatisfied look.
Seeing me eat that much, Xiao Huaisu stopped me, saying: "It'd be hard for you to digest all of that tonight if you eat so much. Drink some soup instead." Having said that, he took my half-filled bowl of rice and handed me the bol of soup in front of him.
Xiao Huaisu then said, "Let's leave it up to fate, then. Let's not force it. Besides, when I decided I wanted to be with you, I had made up my mind when it came to never having my own children, so I was already surprised as much I was grateful to have Li You. So whether or not we an have a second one, we won't care too much about it, alright?" His voice was soft as it was low, as if it were plucked strings, incomparably gentle.
Seeing this miserable appearance of mine, Xiao Huaisu lowered his head and asked Li You: "Can you give your dad a bite?"
To which she answered confidently: "I'm a little kid! What kind of self-control do little kids have." After saying this, she turned t Xiao Huaisu and added: "Isn't that true dad?"
While I wore a proud expression.
"That is true." Xiao Huaisu replied. This damn sell-out.
Children are children, after all, so easy to cheat.
Li You the asked Li Zhi: "Isn't that true, grandpa?"
Lee Moli took Li You and handed her to Li Zhi, before getting out herself. Hearing those words of his, she said: "If you were made to stay here for half a month, I want to see if you'll still say that."
Li Zhi beamed as he nodded, a "my granddaughter is so great" look on his face as he answered as well: "Yes, that's correct."
With him in response whispering: "Naive."
Me: "..."
While they did so, Lee Moli came over to me and asked: "Does your body feel different in any way?"
Holding a cup of juice, I pretended I as never interested to begin with, crying on the inside while drinking the juice which now tasted bitter.
A few days before National Day (October 1st), I worked a few extra shifts, and because of this day-night shift I was a bit tired. Xiao Huaisu had proposed we go on a trip to the country and experience farmhouse living a week earlier. Seeing how low spirited I was, I especially took the two days prior to rest, then on the third day, we avoided the peak period of rushing and left for a nearby farmhouse with beautiful rivers and mountains.
But still, I persisted, arguing in my defence: "Then why did you give everyone else a lot more than you gave to me!"
Li sat in my lap, eating the nuts as she watched the re-runs of a cartoon on the TV.
Li You, with a roll of her eyes, replied to me: "That's because I like them, of course!" The look on her face as she did so saying: could you not figure that out? Did I have to say it out loud?
"Come, come have a seat and take the load off. Today's a scorcher." After saying this he looked to he and said: "Why are just standing around? Go bring out some juice."
I shook my head, nibbling on an apple as I replied: "Nope."
The lake at the foot of the mountain was very wide, there was even lotus plants planted in an area. Even though most of the flowers had withered leaving only their pods, there were still some late blooming flowers still blossoming on the lake.
That expression hurt this glass heart of mine, which was on this occasion more glass-like than usual.
With a mutter I replied: "Uh... that was an accident. I just didn't row properly."
So I reluctantly asked her: "Then... you do love me?"
Because we're planing for a second child, I need to pay attention to the health of my body even more. Which is why, when had nothing to do, I headed over to Jiayu repeatedly. Now, when Doctor Chen sees my face she looks annoyed. In the beginning there was excitement, but after, well... As expected, my body is not ready for a pregnancy, and over time I don't worry about it so much. All I can do now is just let nature take its course, there's not much else I could do. As for whether Li You will get a little sibling or not, that matter will be left up to the heavens.
My baby girl... daddy's heart is crushed.
When we got home, we rested for the rest of that day, then on the next one, we took all our shopping bags over to Li Zhi and Lee Moli's.
Li You the asked Li Zhi: "Isn't that true, grandpa?"
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
So in a deep voice I said to her: "We're through!" We have to cut the ties between us, we have to break up.
"Ever since we got back from France, she started urging me to give her a little brother and sister."
"Because even if you were pretending, it still makes me feel sad. I don't want you to cry." But there was still some unspoken words in her eyes: "So I had to make you feel better, okay?" Looking at that pure little face of hers, in that moment, I was moved. Pulling the corners of my lips into a smile, I rubbed her cheeks, saying: "Dad loves you so gosh darn much, my precious baby girl." I really don't feel anything wrong saying such disgustingly sweet words to my daughter, and they're still not enough to express all the feelings in my heart.
Huh?
Seeing my broken expression, Li You fell into Xiao Huaisu's embrace. The look in her eyes then turned into one carrying a worried look as she asked him: "Is dad so angry, so angry he might die?" Originally I wasn't really that mad, but after hearing that line of hers, I was pissed off enough to meet my maker!
In response, without leaving anyone out, Li You rattled out from that cute little face of hers: "I missed grandpa, I missed grandma, and I miss Fluffles too! I also really missed the egg custard you make for me, grandpa!" It had been a long time since Fluffles had seen her. Before, when we video called my parents and Fluffles saw Li You on the screen, it acted like an ant in a hot pan, using its little paws to scratch at the screen. It appeared agitated because it couldn't touch Li You. So when Li You walked inside it went high then leapt into her arms in one fell swoop, meowing at her non-stop, the yearning it held for her in its voice obvious.
During this exhange, Xiao Huaisu took some of the gifts I had in my hand, taking the things I had bought for Lee Moli, as well as gifts he had bought, into the house. Li Zhi handed Li You off to Lee Moli, then went over to Xiao Huaisu to greet him.
Taking advantage of her not seeing me, I shot a smile at Xiao Huaisu.
Thinking about it for a moment, I said: "Yeah. It'd be best if we let nature take it's course. As said before, my constitution doesn't make having a child easy, so we can cancel all safety precautions for the time being. Actually, us being able to have a second one is still a maybe." You didn't wear one last time, but that's all fine now.
Xiao Huaisu then said, "Let's leave it up to fate, then. Let's not force it. Besides, when I decided I wanted to be with you, I had made up my mind when it came to never having my own children, so I was already surprised as much I was grateful to have Li You. So whether or not we an have a second one, we won't care too much about it, alright?" His voice was soft as it was low, as if it were plucked strings, incomparably gentle.
Lee Moli sputtered out a laugh at her words, saying to Li You: "Don't worry, sweetheart. Even if he's angered to death right now, he'll come back to life after eating."
But in consideration of me, Li You replied: "It's not good to eat too many snacks, just tasting them is enough." This was something her grandmother had said to her in France. Oh, this girl... she learns pretty fast, doesn't she?
Li You let out a relieved sigh.
Li Zhi laughed, not refuting a word. Even though the farmhouse was next to a stream at the base of a mountain with beautiful scenery. Because of the terrain it was not easy to travel out of, had little to do to entertain oneself, let alone any sort of recreational facilities. Fishing, well, you could catch some for two or three days, but doing it everyday? If you're not a fishing enthusiast, and just and a regular Joe staying here, this beautiful mountain scenery simply means a boring life. Unlike the city, despite its noisiness, it's lively and prosperous. In the parks there's boxing, sword fighting, dancing, diabolo, chess, spin tops, and whatever you can find. Going anywhere you want is convenient, and if you like talking you can just go find any random group and just chat with them.
Holding a cup of juice, I pretended I as never interested to begin with, crying on the inside while drinking the juice which now tasted bitter.
In France, most of the couples there had two or three kids each. Looking over at the hedges separating the neighbours gardens, it was always bustling with little ones, chasing each other, running away from each other. There was also little slides and kiddie pools, so the kids were wearing their little swimsuits as they played in it and laughed happily. It was quite lively, nothing at all like things here. Because of the one-child policy, most people here are only children, and the policy has only been lifted in the past couple of years.
But I covered my face and started pretend-crying: "Heavenly father, this daughter of mine doesn't love me one bit. Isn't... isn't such a thing so heartbreaking?" Is my acting too over the top? It's enough to trick her, right? Well, it doesn't matter anyhow?
Thinking about it for a moment, I said: "Yeah. It'd be best if we let nature take it's course. As said before, my constitution doesn't make having a child easy, so we can cancel all safety precautions for the time being. Actually, us being able to have a second one is still a maybe." You didn't wear one last time, but that's all fine now.
My despair seems to be a bit excessive, I may have pretended a bit too much. Peeking through the slit of my fingers, I saw that after hesitating, Li You turned to her grandpa and grandma, but Lee Moli and Li Zhi pretended they weren't interested. Neither had any intention to help her coax me, both not budging an inch as they did their own things. So Li You again turned her attention to Xiao Huaisu, tugging his clothes, but Xiao Huaisu only went along with the tide, and instead simply lowered his head to shell some macadamia nuts for Li You. Realising there was to one to help her, she hurriedly put on her slippers then scurried towards me before carefully getting nearer. Her little hands tried to pull down my own to see if I was really crying.
How long have have we been related, huh! And just like that you defected?
I dodged her action by letting out a sob, crying even more as I whined: "Why are you doing that? I thought you didn't like me?" My act growing more and more as over the top as it could...
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
There was a small boat on the lakeside. I led Li You towards it saying, "Let's go. Your dad is going to take you to pick lotus pods."
At first, Xiao Huaisu was stunned by my words, then after regaining his composure, he laughed out loud as he said: "You..." pulling me over to him: "You really know how to always say things that leave me speechless."
Li You held up the snack pack in front of my face and said: "I was just teasing you, okay? I'll give you the whole thing." The tone she used as she did so was pitiful, enough to move my heart, but thinking it'd be better to pretend to the end, I tearfully said: "I don't want it."
Seeing this miserable appearance of mine, Xiao Huaisu lowered his head and asked Li You: "Can you give your dad a bite?"
Li You put the snack aside, then used her hands and feet to climb on my lap, hugging me while burying her head in my chest as she coaxed: "Don't cry, dad. I was just teasing you, it was just a joke."
Smiling, Xiao Huaisu smiled gently as he said: "It's probably on account of her seeing all the younger kids of the other families play together, and want to have that too."
In France, most of the couples there had two or three kids each. Looking over at the hedges separating the neighbours gardens, it was always bustling with little ones, chasing each other, running away from each other. There was also little slides and kiddie pools, so the kids were wearing their little swimsuits as they played in it and laughed happily. It was quite lively, nothing at all like things here. Because of the one-child policy, most people here are only children, and the policy has only been lifted in the past couple of years.
Luckily, after a few minutes, I mastered the art of rowing. Remembering how to use those long forgotten skills of mine to happily accompany Li You to pick lotus pods and flowers.
So I reluctantly asked her: "Then... you do love me?"
While I was pushing the bamboo pole into the lake and we spun in circles, Xiao Huaisu looked at me profoundly, saying: "Is this you doing it?"
When Lee Moli heard I'd been to Jiayu to see the doctor, her knitted brows unfurled. Seeing me chomp into an apple she said: "Eating apples at night, it'll cause your stomach to bloat. Don't eat them."
Lee Moli sat down at the other end, holding Li You in her lap and opening the packet of a snack for her. Seeing my jelly like state, she shot me a disdainful look, handed the snack to Li You, whle i reached out my own hand and said: "Come, give dad a bite."
"I do!"
It was Li You's first time coming to such a remote place, looking at a huge towering tree with a bird's nest above her. The pigtails hanging at her back, swaying while she walked. She didn't dare release Fluffles from its cage here. First we took it back to a room reserved in advance, played with it a while, then after putting on a leash I allowed her to take it for a walk around the yard outside.
"So when you're eating something tasty you'll share with me?"
"Because even if you were pretending, it still makes me feel sad. I don't want you to cry." But there was still some unspoken words in her eyes: "So I had to make you feel better, okay?" Looking at that pure little face of hers, in that moment, I was moved. Pulling the corners of my lips into a smile, I rubbed her cheeks, saying: "Dad loves you so gosh darn much, my precious baby girl." I really don't feel anything wrong saying such disgustingly sweet words to my daughter, and they're still not enough to express all the feelings in my heart.
My baby girl... daddy's heart is crushed.
"Because even if you were pretending, it still makes me feel sad. I don't want you to cry." But there was still some unspoken words in her eyes: "So I had to make you feel better, okay?" Looking at that pure little face of hers, in that moment, I was moved. Pulling the corners of my lips into a smile, I rubbed her cheeks, saying: "Dad loves you so gosh darn much, my precious baby girl." I really don't feel anything wrong saying such disgustingly sweet words to my daughter, and they're still not enough to express all the feelings in my heart.
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
During this exhange, Xiao Huaisu took some of the gifts I had in my hand, taking the things I had bought for Lee Moli, as well as gifts he had bought, into the house. Li Zhi handed Li You off to Lee Moli, then went over to Xiao Huaisu to greet him.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
That expression hurt this glass heart of mine, which was on this occasion more glass-like than usual.
"Then give dad a kiss." I put down my hands, turning the right side of my face towards her, and like a good little girl she kissed me: "Muah muah muah!"
Pfft— I almost coughed up blood.
"Now this side."
Li You deliberately ignored me, sharing some with Lee Moli. Upon seeing the juice carrying Xiao Huaisu, she waited for him to rest it down before snuggling up to his leg and giving him a handful.
A few days before National Day (October 1st), I worked a few extra shifts, and because of this day-night shift I was a bit tired. Xiao Huaisu had proposed we go on a trip to the country and experience farmhouse living a week earlier. Seeing how low spirited I was, I especially took the two days prior to rest, then on the third day, we avoided the peak period of rushing and left for a nearby farmhouse with beautiful rivers and mountains.
Li You the asked Li Zhi: "Isn't that true, grandpa?"
I waited and waited...
Me: "..."
"Muah!"
So to Lee Moli I said: "Isn't that just because I didn't eat much at noon? You can't be thinking I'm pregnant, right? Seriously, I went to Jiayu last month for a physical and there was no signs of it. You should already know it's not easy for that to happen in this kind of body. Don't worry yourself over nothing, okay?"
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
"So when you're eating something tasty you'll share with me?"
Without saying a word, Lee Moli shook her head, unable to look at me directly. Li Zhi took a sip of his tea, afraid Li You would see the smile on his face. While Xiao Huaisu put the small plate of peeled macadamia nuts in front of the two of us.
But still, I persisted, arguing in my defence: "Then why did you give everyone else a lot more than you gave to me!"
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
How long have have we been related, huh! And just like that you defected?
Because the lodging and meals here are so expensive, the farmhouse doesn't charge extra for stuff like picking lotus seeds.
But I completely wrecked the mood as I stroked my chin and said: "So I can save a lot of money in the future, then."
Seeing she successfully consoled me, Li You let out an exhausted sigh, then tried to reach out for the macadamia nuts on the table. But because her arms were too short while she sat on my lap trying to reach things off the table, I helped her cover the bit of distance between her and it, picking up the plate, handing it to her.
Li You looked at me, giggling as she said: "You were fake crying."
Huh?
Li sat in my lap, eating the nuts as she watched the re-runs of a cartoon on the TV.
Taking advantage of her not seeing me, I shot a smile at Xiao Huaisu.
There were all kinds of animals and plants in the garden. At that time, we had spent over an hour on the road, so after a simple lunch, we went back to the house to rest.
1. National Day kicks off the golden week so it's a week long holiday. []iana: the author made a typo on the line "Li You put the snack aside and used both hands and feet to crawl onto my lap and hug me" They typed Li Zhi, Li You so when I read it the mental image formed and gave me a good laugh XD[] Li Tian's eating a lot... hm... (✿◕‿◕✿)
When we arrived, Li Zhi was the first to leave the car, taking a breath of fresh air as he said: "As expected, the mountain air is so fresh and nice."
"Then give dad a kiss." I put down my hands, turning the right side of my face towards her, and like a good little girl she kissed me: "Muah muah muah!"
But in consideration of me, Li You replied: "It's not good to eat too many snacks, just tasting them is enough." This was something her grandmother had said to her in France. Oh, this girl... she learns pretty fast, doesn't she?
With him in response whispering: "Naive."
"Now this side."
While I wore a proud expression.
Seeing me eat that much, Xiao Huaisu stopped me, saying: "It'd be hard for you to digest all of that tonight if you eat so much. Drink some soup instead." Having said that, he took my half-filled bowl of rice and handed me the bol of soup in front of him.
Li Zhi laughed, not refuting a word. Even though the farmhouse was next to a stream at the base of a mountain with beautiful scenery. Because of the terrain it was not easy to travel out of, had little to do to entertain oneself, let alone any sort of recreational facilities. Fishing, well, you could catch some for two or three days, but doing it everyday? If you're not a fishing enthusiast, and just and a regular Joe staying here, this beautiful mountain scenery simply means a boring life. Unlike the city, despite its noisiness, it's lively and prosperous. In the parks there's boxing, sword fighting, dancing, diabolo, chess, spin tops, and whatever you can find. Going anywhere you want is convenient, and if you like talking you can just go find any random group and just chat with them.
I shook my head, nibbling on an apple as I replied: "Nope."
Li Zhi beamed as he nodded, a "my granddaughter is so great" look on his face as he answered as well: "Yes, that's correct."
I waited and waited...
Li sat in my lap, eating the nuts as she watched the re-runs of a cartoon on the TV.
Not waiting for Li Zhi to say anything more, he headed straight for the kitchen. Hearing the sound of the fridge opening, I laid back on the sofa and smile at Li Zhi who stared at me with a dissatisfied look.
Children are children, after all, so easy to cheat.
Luckily, after a few minutes, I mastered the art of rowing. Remembering how to use those long forgotten skills of mine to happily accompany Li You to pick lotus pods and flowers.
Fine then. I then asked her: "If you knew, why did you still try to make me feel better?"
"Muah!"
However, I, who considered my acting skills to be impeccable, never expected that when I put Li You to bed that night, after tucking her in, Li You quietly said to me: "Dad, I know your crying was fake."
"That is true." Xiao Huaisu replied. This damn sell-out.
I started to sweat, but still reluctantly said: "When did dad ever fake crying?" Never, never ever. Your father would never so such a thing.
But I covered my face and started pretend-crying: "Heavenly father, this daughter of mine doesn't love me one bit. Isn't... isn't such a thing so heartbreaking?" Is my acting too over the top? It's enough to trick her, right? Well, it doesn't matter anyhow?
There were all kinds of animals and plants in the garden. At that time, we had spent over an hour on the road, so after a simple lunch, we went back to the house to rest.
Pfft— I almost coughed up blood.
Li You looked at me, giggling as she said: "You were fake crying."
Father?
That expression hurt this glass heart of mine, which was on this occasion more glass-like than usual.
Holding a cup of juice, I pretended I as never interested to begin with, crying on the inside while drinking the juice which now tasted bitter.
Fine then. I then asked her: "If you knew, why did you still try to make me feel better?"
Li You seemed to not have noticed my appearance, however, turning all her attention to eating the snack in her hand.
"Because even if you were pretending, it still makes me feel sad. I don't want you to cry." But there was still some unspoken words in her eyes: "So I had to make you feel better, okay?" Looking at that pure little face of hers, in that moment, I was moved. Pulling the corners of my lips into a smile, I rubbed her cheeks, saying: "Dad loves you so gosh darn much, my precious baby girl." I really don't feel anything wrong saying such disgustingly sweet words to my daughter, and they're still not enough to express all the feelings in my heart.
Hearing her reply, Lee Moli couldn't stop herself from laughing as she said: "With such a sweet little mouth like yours, who would ever feel offended."
"I love you too, dad." Li You said in return.
Huh?
I hugged her, kissing her on her forehead before saying: "Dad feels so touched!" My heart feels so warm and mushy!
Li Zhi right at that moment was putting a cork on his fishing line, looked over when he saw Xiao Huaisu's movement stop, laughing as he suggested: "Just go with them."
—You guys eat, it's fine.
I have no status here, none! And I have no rights either, not a one! I want to cry. I want to bawl my gosh-darn eyes out.
"Then I want a little brother and sister to play with! I saw that Jones and Xiao Jie both had little brothers and sisters and t was really fun." Jones and Xiao Jie were the kids of the relatives in France. They were close to one another for about three weeks, so they had gotten to know each other well.
"Then I want a little brother and sister to play with! I saw that Jones and Xiao Jie both had little brothers and sisters and t was really fun." Jones and Xiao Jie were the kids of the relatives in France. They were close to one another for about three weeks, so they had gotten to know each other well.
Pfft— I almost coughed up blood.
During this exhange, Xiao Huaisu took some of the gifts I had in my hand, taking the things I had bought for Lee Moli, as well as gifts he had bought, into the house. Li Zhi handed Li You off to Lee Moli, then went over to Xiao Huaisu to greet him.
Seeing my broken expression, Li You fell into Xiao Huaisu's embrace. The look in her eyes then turned into one carrying a worried look as she asked him: "Is dad so angry, so angry he might die?" Originally I wasn't really that mad, but after hearing that line of hers, I was pissed off enough to meet my maker!
At dinner, I ate three bowls of rice with some delicious game meat, some stir fried vegetables made with wild veggies. When was done, I still feel as though it was enough, so holding my empty bowl, I thought it over for a bit, then again filled half of it.
Li You's surprising words made me run for the hills. Hurry up and go to sleep, my darling. Dad's feeling sleepy too.
I waited and waited...
But still, I persisted, arguing in my defence: "Then why did you give everyone else a lot more than you gave to me!"
Smiling, Xiao Huaisu smiled gently as he said: "It's probably on account of her seeing all the younger kids of the other families play together, and want to have that too."
After I got back to my bedroom, the moment I saw Xiao Huaisu I sad to him: "Youyou's been something else recently."
Me: "..."
Not pleased with her answer, I said in return: "So why are you eating so much of it, then?"
"Because even if you were pretending, it still makes me feel sad. I don't want you to cry." But there was still some unspoken words in her eyes: "So I had to make you feel better, okay?" Looking at that pure little face of hers, in that moment, I was moved. Pulling the corners of my lips into a smile, I rubbed her cheeks, saying: "Dad loves you so gosh darn much, my precious baby girl." I really don't feel anything wrong saying such disgustingly sweet words to my daughter, and they're still not enough to express all the feelings in my heart.
Thinking about it for a moment, I said: "Yeah. It'd be best if we let nature take it's course. As said before, my constitution doesn't make having a child easy, so we can cancel all safety precautions for the time being. Actually, us being able to have a second one is still a maybe." You didn't wear one last time, but that's all fine now.
Lee Moli took the apple from my hand, and while sitting on the chair idling away, I suddenly felt a bit empty. Touching my stomach, um... it seemed I was still a little hungry.
Putting down his book, he looked at me with a raised brow and asked: "How come?"
Thinking abut the eagerness in Li You's eyes, stalling for a moment, I hesitantly asked him: "So... are we going to?"
"Ever since we got back from France, she started urging me to give her a little brother and sister."
Even Fluffles got a share from Li You, yet it seemed as though I was forgotten. Looking at her with face full of helplessness, I used my eyes to transmit my sorrow, saying: my baby girl, papa is very disappointed in you.
Smiling, Xiao Huaisu smiled gently as he said: "It's probably on account of her seeing all the younger kids of the other families play together, and want to have that too."
When Xiao Huaisu saw us walk over, I gave him a reassuring look, saying: "Don't worry, I can do this."
In France, most of the couples there had two or three kids each. Looking over at the hedges separating the neighbours gardens, it was always bustling with little ones, chasing each other, running away from each other. There was also little slides and kiddie pools, so the kids were wearing their little swimsuits as they played in it and laughed happily. It was quite lively, nothing at all like things here. Because of the one-child policy, most people here are only children, and the policy has only been lifted in the past couple of years.
I dodged her action by letting out a sob, crying even more as I whined: "Why are you doing that? I thought you didn't like me?" My act growing more and more as over the top as it could...
Thinking abut the eagerness in Li You's eyes, stalling for a moment, I hesitantly asked him: "So... are we going to?"
At first, Xiao Huaisu was stunned by my words, then after regaining his composure, he laughed out loud as he said: "You..." pulling me over to him: "You really know how to always say things that leave me speechless."
In response, without leaving anyone out, Li You rattled out from that cute little face of hers: "I missed grandpa, I missed grandma, and I miss Fluffles too! I also really missed the egg custard you make for me, grandpa!" It had been a long time since Fluffles had seen her. Before, when we video called my parents and Fluffles saw Li You on the screen, it acted like an ant in a hot pan, using its little paws to scratch at the screen. It appeared agitated because it couldn't touch Li You. So when Li You walked inside it went high then leapt into her arms in one fell swoop, meowing at her non-stop, the yearning it held for her in its voice obvious.
In the end, I choked down my indignation and took it anyway, popping it in my mouth, chewed it up, swallowed it, then said with a laugh: "It's really yummy, I want to eat some more."
Even Fluffles got a share from Li You, yet it seemed as though I was forgotten. Looking at her with face full of helplessness, I used my eyes to transmit my sorrow, saying: my baby girl, papa is very disappointed in you.
But in consideration of me, Li You replied: "It's not good to eat too many snacks, just tasting them is enough." This was something her grandmother had said to her in France. Oh, this girl... she learns pretty fast, doesn't she?
Looking at me Xiao Huaisu replied: "Before we decided it would be better to just be with Li You for a couple of years. But since Youyou herself wants a little brother or sister quickly, it seems... it seems we don't really have a reason to keep saying we can't."
"Have you felt like vomiting?"
Li You the asked Li Zhi: "Isn't that true, grandpa?"
Maybe later I'll eat some of the tomatoes Li You washed. Those won't make my stomach bloat, right?
Thinking about it for a moment, I said: "Yeah. It'd be best if we let nature take it's course. As said before, my constitution doesn't make having a child easy, so we can cancel all safety precautions for the time being. Actually, us being able to have a second one is still a maybe." You didn't wear one last time, but that's all fine now.
"I do!"
Li You, with a roll of her eyes, replied to me: "That's because I like them, of course!" The look on her face as she did so saying: could you not figure that out? Did I have to say it out loud?
Li Zhi beamed as he nodded, a "my granddaughter is so great" look on his face as he answered as well: "Yes, that's correct."
Xiao Huaisu then said, "Let's leave it up to fate, then. Let's not force it. Besides, when I decided I wanted to be with you, I had made up my mind when it came to never having my own children, so I was already surprised as much I was grateful to have Li You. So whether or not we an have a second one, we won't care too much about it, alright?" His voice was soft as it was low, as if it were plucked strings, incomparably gentle.
Because we're planing for a second child, I need to pay attention to the health of my body even more. Which is why, when had nothing to do, I headed over to Jiayu repeatedly. Now, when Doctor Chen sees my face she looks annoyed. In the beginning there was excitement, but after, well... As expected, my body is not ready for a pregnancy, and over time I don't worry about it so much. All I can do now is just let nature take its course, there's not much else I could do. As for whether Li You will get a little sibling or not, that matter will be left up to the heavens.
Pfft— I almost coughed up blood.
"Hmph!" Just as I was planning to act all high and mighty for a while, Lee Moli kicked me with her foot, telling me with her eyes: Didn't you want it? Aren't you going to accept it quickly?
I dodged her action by letting out a sob, crying even more as I whined: "Why are you doing that? I thought you didn't like me?" My act growing more and more as over the top as it could...
Fine then. I then asked her: "If you knew, why did you still try to make me feel better?"
But I completely wrecked the mood as I stroked my chin and said: "So I can save a lot of money in the future, then."
Li You, with a roll of her eyes, replied to me: "That's because I like them, of course!" The look on her face as she did so saying: could you not figure that out? Did I have to say it out loud?
Li Zhi right at that moment was putting a cork on his fishing line, looked over when he saw Xiao Huaisu's movement stop, laughing as he suggested: "Just go with them."
"Now this side."
"Come, come have a seat and take the load off. Today's a scorcher." After saying this he looked to he and said: "Why are just standing around? Go bring out some juice."
"Because even if you were pretending, it still makes me feel sad. I don't want you to cry." But there was still some unspoken words in her eyes: "So I had to make you feel better, okay?" Looking at that pure little face of hers, in that moment, I was moved. Pulling the corners of my lips into a smile, I rubbed her cheeks, saying: "Dad loves you so gosh darn much, my precious baby girl." I really don't feel anything wrong saying such disgustingly sweet words to my daughter, and they're still not enough to express all the feelings in my heart.
At first, Xiao Huaisu was stunned by my words, then after regaining his composure, he laughed out loud as he said: "You..." pulling me over to him: "You really know how to always say things that leave me speechless."
Lee Moli took the apple from my hand, and while sitting on the chair idling away, I suddenly felt a bit empty. Touching my stomach, um... it seemed I was still a little hungry.
That expression hurt this glass heart of mine, which was on this occasion more glass-like than usual.
Maybe later I'll eat some of the tomatoes Li You washed. Those won't make my stomach bloat, right?
But in consideration of me, Li You replied: "It's not good to eat too many snacks, just tasting them is enough." This was something her grandmother had said to her in France. Oh, this girl... she learns pretty fast, doesn't she?
Li You seemed as though she just remembered me, giggling as if nothing had happened while she came over to me, pulling out a piece from the packet, pinching it between her fingers as she handed it to me: "Here—"
I laughed, dodging his tickling hands as I said modestly: "That's normal— Hahaha— It tickles!"
Later, I'll eat the tomatoes washed by Li You
Me: "..."
Li You seemed to not have noticed my appearance, however, turning all her attention to eating the snack in her hand.
Because we're planing for a second child, I need to pay attention to the health of my body even more. Which is why, when had nothing to do, I headed over to Jiayu repeatedly. Now, when Doctor Chen sees my face she looks annoyed. In the beginning there was excitement, but after, well... As expected, my body is not ready for a pregnancy, and over time I don't worry about it so much. All I can do now is just let nature take its course, there's not much else I could do. As for whether Li You will get a little sibling or not, that matter will be left up to the heavens.
Not pleased with her answer, I said in return: "So why are you eating so much of it, then?"
To which she answered confidently: "I'm a little kid! What kind of self-control do little kids have." After saying this, she turned t Xiao Huaisu and added: "Isn't that true dad?"
Lee Moli sputtered out a laugh at her words, saying to Li You: "Don't worry, sweetheart. Even if he's angered to death right now, he'll come back to life after eating."
That statement made Xiao Huaisu no longer hesitate. Standing up, he too large strides towards me and Li You.
That statement made Xiao Huaisu no longer hesitate. Standing up, he too large strides towards me and Li You.
A few days before National Day (October 1st), I worked a few extra shifts, and because of this day-night shift I was a bit tired. Xiao Huaisu had proposed we go on a trip to the country and experience farmhouse living a week earlier. Seeing how low spirited I was, I especially took the two days prior to rest, then on the third day, we avoided the peak period of rushing and left for a nearby farmhouse with beautiful rivers and mountains.
In the end, I choked down my indignation and took it anyway, popping it in my mouth, chewed it up, swallowed it, then said with a laugh: "It's really yummy, I want to eat some more."
I have no status here, none! And I have no rights either, not a one! I want to cry. I want to bawl my gosh-darn eyes out.
While I was pushing the bamboo pole into the lake and we spun in circles, Xiao Huaisu looked at me profoundly, saying: "Is this you doing it?"
Because we planned to stay there a few extra days, even Fluffles came along with us.
—You guys eat, it's fine.
When we arrived, Li Zhi was the first to leave the car, taking a breath of fresh air as he said: "As expected, the mountain air is so fresh and nice."
In France, most of the couples there had two or three kids each. Looking over at the hedges separating the neighbours gardens, it was always bustling with little ones, chasing each other, running away from each other. There was also little slides and kiddie pools, so the kids were wearing their little swimsuits as they played in it and laughed happily. It was quite lively, nothing at all like things here. Because of the one-child policy, most people here are only children, and the policy has only been lifted in the past couple of years.
Taking advantage of her not seeing me, I shot a smile at Xiao Huaisu.
Grumbling in anger, I looked around at my dad, my mom, my man, and my daughter's cat who all appeared to have been gifted a most precious reward.
I waited and waited...
Luckily, after a few minutes, I mastered the art of rowing. Remembering how to use those long forgotten skills of mine to happily accompany Li You to pick lotus pods and flowers.
Lee Moli took Li You and handed her to Li Zhi, before getting out herself. Hearing those words of his, she said: "If you were made to stay here for half a month, I want to see if you'll still say that."
Taking advantage of her not seeing me, I shot a smile at Xiao Huaisu.
Lee Moli took Li You and handed her to Li Zhi, before getting out herself. Hearing those words of his, she said: "If you were made to stay here for half a month, I want to see if you'll still say that."
Looking at me Xiao Huaisu replied: "Before we decided it would be better to just be with Li You for a couple of years. But since Youyou herself wants a little brother or sister quickly, it seems... it seems we don't really have a reason to keep saying we can't."
Li Zhi laughed, not refuting a word. Even though the farmhouse was next to a stream at the base of a mountain with beautiful scenery. Because of the terrain it was not easy to travel out of, had little to do to entertain oneself, let alone any sort of recreational facilities. Fishing, well, you could catch some for two or three days, but doing it everyday? If you're not a fishing enthusiast, and just and a regular Joe staying here, this beautiful mountain scenery simply means a boring life. Unlike the city, despite its noisiness, it's lively and prosperous. In the parks there's boxing, sword fighting, dancing, diabolo, chess, spin tops, and whatever you can find. Going anywhere you want is convenient, and if you like talking you can just go find any random group and just chat with them.
Li You's surprising words made me run for the hills. Hurry up and go to sleep, my darling. Dad's feeling sleepy too.
Lee Moli sat down at the other end, holding Li You in her lap and opening the packet of a snack for her. Seeing my jelly like state, she shot me a disdainful look, handed the snack to Li You, whle i reached out my own hand and said: "Come, give dad a bite."
Children are children, after all, so easy to cheat.
It was Li You's first time coming to such a remote place, looking at a huge towering tree with a bird's nest above her. The pigtails hanging at her back, swaying while she walked. She didn't dare release Fluffles from its cage here. First we took it back to a room reserved in advance, played with it a while, then after putting on a leash I allowed her to take it for a walk around the yard outside.
I laughed, dodging his tickling hands as I said modestly: "That's normal— Hahaha— It tickles!"
"So when you're eating something tasty you'll share with me?"
There were all kinds of animals and plants in the garden. At that time, we had spent over an hour on the road, so after a simple lunch, we went back to the house to rest.
Li You let out a relieved sigh.
"Muah!"
My baby girl... daddy's heart is crushed.
Later that afternoon when I woke up, I took some equipment and headed to a nearby lakeside, a place Xiao Huaisu had found. The surrounding area was beautiful and pristine. Because it was the holidays, despite it being no where as crowded as the scenic spots in the city, there were other visitors in twos and threes who passed us by with a with a smile.
"Then give dad a kiss." I put down my hands, turning the right side of my face towards her, and like a good little girl she kissed me: "Muah muah muah!"
Lee Moli looked at me wth a frown but didn't say a peep. Li Zhi only had his attention on feeding Li You, so he pad no attention to me at all.
But I covered my face and started pretend-crying: "Heavenly father, this daughter of mine doesn't love me one bit. Isn't... isn't such a thing so heartbreaking?" Is my acting too over the top? It's enough to trick her, right? Well, it doesn't matter anyhow?
The lake at the foot of the mountain was very wide, there was even lotus plants planted in an area. Even though most of the flowers had withered leaving only their pods, there were still some late blooming flowers still blossoming on the lake.
Grumbling in anger, I looked around at my dad, my mom, my man, and my daughter's cat who all appeared to have been gifted a most precious reward.
N/A
While I wore a proud expression.
I dodged her action by letting out a sob, crying even more as I whined: "Why are you doing that? I thought you didn't like me?" My act growing more and more as over the top as it could...
Maybe later I'll eat some of the tomatoes Li You washed. Those won't make my stomach bloat, right?
There was a small boat on the lakeside. I led Li You towards it saying, "Let's go. Your dad is going to take you to pick lotus pods."
Seeing she successfully consoled me, Li You let out an exhausted sigh, then tried to reach out for the macadamia nuts on the table. But because her arms were too short while she sat on my lap trying to reach things off the table, I helped her cover the bit of distance between her and it, picking up the plate, handing it to her.
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
Li Zhi beamed as he nodded, a "my granddaughter is so great" look on his face as he answered as well: "Yes, that's correct."
When Xiao Huaisu saw us walk over, I gave him a reassuring look, saying: "Don't worry, I can do this."
Because the lodging and meals here are so expensive, the farmhouse doesn't charge extra for stuff like picking lotus seeds.
After dinner, Xiao Huaisu took Li You to wash the tomatoes and persimmons she picked earlier today.
When we got home, we rested for the rest of that day, then on the next one, we took all our shopping bags over to Li Zhi and Lee Moli's.
Li Zhi right at that moment was putting a cork on his fishing line, looked over when he saw Xiao Huaisu's movement stop, laughing as he suggested: "Just go with them."
I stared at the half bowl of rice next to him... wanting so much to grab it right back. But seeing the persistent look on Xiao Huaisu's face, I quietly took the soup, licked my lips and obediently drank it instead.
With him in response whispering: "Naive."
A few days before National Day (October 1st), I worked a few extra shifts, and because of this day-night shift I was a bit tired. Xiao Huaisu had proposed we go on a trip to the country and experience farmhouse living a week earlier. Seeing how low spirited I was, I especially took the two days prior to rest, then on the third day, we avoided the peak period of rushing and left for a nearby farmhouse with beautiful rivers and mountains.
There were all kinds of animals and plants in the garden. At that time, we had spent over an hour on the road, so after a simple lunch, we went back to the house to rest.
Fine then. I then asked her: "If you knew, why did you still try to make me feel better?"
Lee Moli, wearing a fishing hat and holding a fan, lounged on a chair as she admired the distant scenery. After hearing those words, she turned her head and said: "Xiao Huaisu should go along too. Unless you want Li Tian's clumsiness to result in Li You falling into the lake."
Li You put the snack aside, then used her hands and feet to climb on my lap, hugging me while burying her head in my chest as she coaxed: "Don't cry, dad. I was just teasing you, it was just a joke."
Lee Moli sat down at the other end, holding Li You in her lap and opening the packet of a snack for her. Seeing my jelly like state, she shot me a disdainful look, handed the snack to Li You, whle i reached out my own hand and said: "Come, give dad a bite."
Lee Moli, wearing a fishing hat and holding a fan, lounged on a chair as she admired the distant scenery. After hearing those words, she turned her head and said: "Xiao Huaisu should go along too. Unless you want Li Tian's clumsiness to result in Li You falling into the lake."
Li You seemed as though she just remembered me, giggling as if nothing had happened while she came over to me, pulling out a piece from the packet, pinching it between her fingers as she handed it to me: "Here—"
Even Fluffles got a share from Li You, yet it seemed as though I was forgotten. Looking at her with face full of helplessness, I used my eyes to transmit my sorrow, saying: my baby girl, papa is very disappointed in you.
That statement made Xiao Huaisu no longer hesitate. Standing up, he too large strides towards me and Li You.
Seeing my broken expression, Li You fell into Xiao Huaisu's embrace. The look in her eyes then turned into one carrying a worried look as she asked him: "Is dad so angry, so angry he might die?" Originally I wasn't really that mad, but after hearing that line of hers, I was pissed off enough to meet my maker!
Because the lodging and meals here are so expensive, the farmhouse doesn't charge extra for stuff like picking lotus seeds.
"Come, come have a seat and take the load off. Today's a scorcher." After saying this he looked to he and said: "Why are just standing around? Go bring out some juice."
My baby girl... daddy's heart is crushed.
While I was pushing the bamboo pole into the lake and we spun in circles, Xiao Huaisu looked at me profoundly, saying: "Is this you doing it?"
I shook my head, nibbling on an apple as I replied: "Nope."
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
With a mutter I replied: "Uh... that was an accident. I just didn't row properly."
So I reluctantly asked her: "Then... you do love me?"
Luckily, after a few minutes, I mastered the art of rowing. Remembering how to use those long forgotten skills of mine to happily accompany Li You to pick lotus pods and flowers.
The instructed me turned to look at Xiao Huaisu, and he looking back at me, then said with a laugh: "I better go get it."
"Then give dad a kiss." I put down my hands, turning the right side of my face towards her, and like a good little girl she kissed me: "Muah muah muah!"
In the end, I choked down my indignation and took it anyway, popping it in my mouth, chewed it up, swallowed it, then said with a laugh: "It's really yummy, I want to eat some more."
Because the lodging and meals here are so expensive, the farmhouse doesn't charge extra for stuff like picking lotus seeds.
Lee Moli looked at me wth a frown but didn't say a peep. Li Zhi only had his attention on feeding Li You, so he pad no attention to me at all.
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
When Xiao Huaisu saw us walk over, I gave him a reassuring look, saying: "Don't worry, I can do this."
In the end, I choked down my indignation and took it anyway, popping it in my mouth, chewed it up, swallowed it, then said with a laugh: "It's really yummy, I want to eat some more."
After we got back, Li Zhi had already caught a couple or so crucian carp, which were good for stewing. In the end, he caught four of those carps, four very huge carps; along with a couple lobsters for an extra treat that evening.
And waited some more...
Thinking about it for a moment, I said: "Yeah. It'd be best if we let nature take it's course. As said before, my constitution doesn't make having a child easy, so we can cancel all safety precautions for the time being. Actually, us being able to have a second one is still a maybe." You didn't wear one last time, but that's all fine now.
But in consideration of me, Li You replied: "It's not good to eat too many snacks, just tasting them is enough." This was something her grandmother had said to her in France. Oh, this girl... she learns pretty fast, doesn't she?
Lee Moli looked at me wth a frown but didn't say a peep. Li Zhi only had his attention on feeding Li You, so he pad no attention to me at all.
While I was pushing the bamboo pole into the lake and we spun in circles, Xiao Huaisu looked at me profoundly, saying: "Is this you doing it?"
At dinner, I ate three bowls of rice with some delicious game meat, some stir fried vegetables made with wild veggies. When was done, I still feel as though it was enough, so holding my empty bowl, I thought it over for a bit, then again filled half of it.
Looking at me Xiao Huaisu replied: "Before we decided it would be better to just be with Li You for a couple of years. But since Youyou herself wants a little brother or sister quickly, it seems... it seems we don't really have a reason to keep saying we can't."
Even Fluffles got a share from Li You, yet it seemed as though I was forgotten. Looking at her with face full of helplessness, I used my eyes to transmit my sorrow, saying: my baby girl, papa is very disappointed in you.
While I was pushing the bamboo pole into the lake and we spun in circles, Xiao Huaisu looked at me profoundly, saying: "Is this you doing it?"
Lee Moli looked at me wth a frown but didn't say a peep. Li Zhi only had his attention on feeding Li You, so he pad no attention to me at all.
Lee Moli sputtered out a laugh at her words, saying to Li You: "Don't worry, sweetheart. Even if he's angered to death right now, he'll come back to life after eating."
1. National Day kicks off the golden week so it's a week long holiday. []iana: the author made a typo on the line "Li You put the snack aside and used both hands and feet to crawl onto my lap and hug me" They typed Li Zhi, Li You so when I read it the mental image formed and gave me a good laugh XD[] Li Tian's eating a lot... hm... (✿◕‿◕✿)
While they did so, Lee Moli came over to me and asked: "Does your body feel different in any way?"
Seeing me eat that much, Xiao Huaisu stopped me, saying: "It'd be hard for you to digest all of that tonight if you eat so much. Drink some soup instead." Having said that, he took my half-filled bowl of rice and handed me the bol of soup in front of him.
But I completely wrecked the mood as I stroked my chin and said: "So I can save a lot of money in the future, then."
Lee Moli sputtered out a laugh at her words, saying to Li You: "Don't worry, sweetheart. Even if he's angered to death right now, he'll come back to life after eating."
Xiao Huaisu then said, "Let's leave it up to fate, then. Let's not force it. Besides, when I decided I wanted to be with you, I had made up my mind when it came to never having my own children, so I was already surprised as much I was grateful to have Li You. So whether or not we an have a second one, we won't care too much about it, alright?" His voice was soft as it was low, as if it were plucked strings, incomparably gentle.
I stared at the half bowl of rice next to him... wanting so much to grab it right back. But seeing the persistent look on Xiao Huaisu's face, I quietly took the soup, licked my lips and obediently drank it instead.
"Muah!"
A few days before National Day (October 1st), I worked a few extra shifts, and because of this day-night shift I was a bit tired. Xiao Huaisu had proposed we go on a trip to the country and experience farmhouse living a week earlier. Seeing how low spirited I was, I especially took the two days prior to rest, then on the third day, we avoided the peak period of rushing and left for a nearby farmhouse with beautiful rivers and mountains.
"Did you miss your grandpa?" Li Zhi asked her once, without waiting for her answer before asking her again.
After dinner, Xiao Huaisu took Li You to wash the tomatoes and persimmons she picked earlier today.
I started to sweat, but still reluctantly said: "When did dad ever fake crying?" Never, never ever. Your father would never so such a thing.
While they did so, Lee Moli came over to me and asked: "Does your body feel different in any way?"
"I haven't."
Looking at me Xiao Huaisu replied: "Before we decided it would be better to just be with Li You for a couple of years. But since Youyou herself wants a little brother or sister quickly, it seems... it seems we don't really have a reason to keep saying we can't."
Huh?
I shook my head, nibbling on an apple as I replied: "Nope."
"Hmph!" Just as I was planning to act all high and mighty for a while, Lee Moli kicked me with her foot, telling me with her eyes: Didn't you want it? Aren't you going to accept it quickly?
The moment Li You saw her grandpa, she flung herself straight at him. Li Zhi scooped her up into his arms and Li You hugged him around his neck then gave him a string a loud kisses. Li Zhi laughed happily at the show of affection, throwing her up into the air a few times. Most kids liked being tossed around like this, it seems, and even though they do feel a little frightened, they also find the act exhilarating too. So, like this, Li You giggled her heart out without and end in sight.
Li You's surprising words made me run for the hills. Hurry up and go to sleep, my darling. Dad's feeling sleepy too.
So in a deep voice I said to her: "We're through!" We have to cut the ties between us, we have to break up.
There was a small boat on the lakeside. I led Li You towards it saying, "Let's go. Your dad is going to take you to pick lotus pods."
"Have you felt like vomiting?"
Holding a cup of juice, I pretended I as never interested to begin with, crying on the inside while drinking the juice which now tasted bitter.
While I was pushing the bamboo pole into the lake and we spun in circles, Xiao Huaisu looked at me profoundly, saying: "Is this you doing it?"
Seeing my broken expression, Li You fell into Xiao Huaisu's embrace. The look in her eyes then turned into one carrying a worried look as she asked him: "Is dad so angry, so angry he might die?" Originally I wasn't really that mad, but after hearing that line of hers, I was pissed off enough to meet my maker!
"I haven't."
I have no status here, none! And I have no rights either, not a one! I want to cry. I want to bawl my gosh-darn eyes out.
"You ate quite a lot tonight..."
I just came in from the hot son too, you know!
Lee Moli sputtered out a laugh at her words, saying to Li You: "Don't worry, sweetheart. Even if he's angered to death right now, he'll come back to life after eating."
Even Fluffles got a share from Li You, yet it seemed as though I was forgotten. Looking at her with face full of helplessness, I used my eyes to transmit my sorrow, saying: my baby girl, papa is very disappointed in you.
So to Lee Moli I said: "Isn't that just because I didn't eat much at noon? You can't be thinking I'm pregnant, right? Seriously, I went to Jiayu last month for a physical and there was no signs of it. You should already know it's not easy for that to happen in this kind of body. Don't worry yourself over nothing, okay?"
Li Zhi beamed as he nodded, a "my granddaughter is so great" look on his face as he answered as well: "Yes, that's correct."
During this exhange, Xiao Huaisu took some of the gifts I had in my hand, taking the things I had bought for Lee Moli, as well as gifts he had bought, into the house. Li Zhi handed Li You off to Lee Moli, then went over to Xiao Huaisu to greet him.
There were all kinds of animals and plants in the garden. At that time, we had spent over an hour on the road, so after a simple lunch, we went back to the house to rest.
When we got home, we rested for the rest of that day, then on the next one, we took all our shopping bags over to Li Zhi and Lee Moli's.
Lee Moli sat down at the other end, holding Li You in her lap and opening the packet of a snack for her. Seeing my jelly like state, she shot me a disdainful look, handed the snack to Li You, whle i reached out my own hand and said: "Come, give dad a bite."
When Lee Moli heard I'd been to Jiayu to see the doctor, her knitted brows unfurled. Seeing me chomp into an apple she said: "Eating apples at night, it'll cause your stomach to bloat. Don't eat them."
Without saying a word, Lee Moli shook her head, unable to look at me directly. Li Zhi took a sip of his tea, afraid Li You would see the smile on his face. While Xiao Huaisu put the small plate of peeled macadamia nuts in front of the two of us.
Lee Moli took the apple from my hand, and while sitting on the chair idling away, I suddenly felt a bit empty. Touching my stomach, um... it seemed I was still a little hungry.
After I got back to my bedroom, the moment I saw Xiao Huaisu I sad to him: "Youyou's been something else recently."
Looking at me Xiao Huaisu replied: "Before we decided it would be better to just be with Li You for a couple of years. But since Youyou herself wants a little brother or sister quickly, it seems... it seems we don't really have a reason to keep saying we can't."
How long have have we been related, huh! And just like that you defected?
I dodged her action by letting out a sob, crying even more as I whined: "Why are you doing that? I thought you didn't like me?" My act growing more and more as over the top as it could...
So in a deep voice I said to her: "We're through!" We have to cut the ties between us, we have to break up.
Maybe later I'll eat some of the tomatoes Li You washed. Those won't make my stomach bloat, right?
So in a deep voice I said to her: "We're through!" We have to cut the ties between us, we have to break up.
Author's Note:
Notes:
iana: the author made a typo on the line "Li You put the snack aside and used both hands and feet to crawl onto my lap and hug me" They typed Li Zhi, Li You so when I read it the mental image formed and gave me a good laugh XD
Li Tian's eating a lot... hm... (✿◕‿◕✿)
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