Font Size:
Since Wen Shiyang had already spoken up, Lu Qingyan felt there was even less reason to refuse.
Did he want to refuse?
Of course not, not even a little!
The man got onto the bed, and the previously spacious area immediately felt much smaller.
Wen Shiyang quietly turned to the side, holding Xiaobao in her arms, trying to ease the awkwardness of sharing the bed.
She gently patted Xiaobao, and her own body gradually relaxed.
The man was also mindful, lying straight and still. The largest movement he made was simply turning slightly to one side.
It wasn’t until he heard the faint snoring beside him that he dared to swallow hard a few times, smelling the familiar fragrance of the woman and feeling a sudden warmth rising inside.
He tensed his body, closed his eyes tightly, forcing himself not to think about other things!
But the harder he tried not to, the more he thought about it.
If it weren’t inappropriate now, he would have had to do two hundred push-ups just to relieve the pressure building in certain areas.
After an unknown amount of time, sleepiness finally arrived, and the man’s body completely relaxed.
The silence was broken in the latter half of the night.
The sky was dim, the moon had already set in the west, and only a few scattered stars remained in the darkness.
“Waa…”
“Daddy, Dabao’s tummy hurts…”
Dabao cried loudly in pain, waking everyone up.
“Take Xiaobao downstairs first.” Wen Shiyang spoke softly.
Lu Qingyan nodded in agreement and first carried the still-sleeping Xiaobao to the floor, laying him on the prepared bedding.
When he turned back, Wen Shiyang was already holding Dabao, quietly comforting him.
“Dabao, it’s okay. Where does it hurt? Here?” Wen Shiyang pressed a finger gently on his little belly.
Dabao nodded tearfully. “Yes, right here.”
Wen Shiyang placed his small hand on his belly and felt his pulse.
The pulse was weak and floating, showing signs of catching a chill and indigestion.
It was probably caused by yesterday’s river fishing and then eating too much afterward.
“It’s nothing serious.” Wen Shiyang gently wiped the cold sweat off Dabao’s forehead after feeling his pulse.
Watching this, Lu Qingyan, though not knowing exactly how she took the pulse, already trusted her about ninety percent in his heart.
“Do you need anything? I’ll prepare it.” Lu Qingyan admitted he was really no match in caring for the children.
Indeed, these past few years, he hadn’t fulfilled his duties as a father.
“Boil some hawthorn water, and bring some hot water over.” Wen Shiyang rubbed Dabao’s belly, helping expel the cold trapped inside.
Lu Qingyan worked efficiently, and soon everything was ready.
By the time he brought the hawthorn water over, Wen Shiyang was using a hot towel to wipe Dabao’s little feet and hands, gently massaging a few important acupoints.
“Dabao, does your tummy still hurt?” Lu Qingyan reached out to touch Dabao’s forehead, his eyes full of concern.
Dabao’s eyes were red, but he shook his head, his soft voice saying, “It doesn’t hurt anymore, Daddy. Mom’s hands are amazing. Just a little massage and it’s gone.”
“Pfft…” Wen Shiyang couldn’t help but chuckle.
Her hands really were remarkable. She had felt the pulse of tens of thousands of people, from nobles in Chang’an to the poorest of the poor—she hadn’t missed a single one.
If she relied only on her beauty to hold the title of “top courtesan” in Chang’an, the citizens of the city would truly have short-sighted eyes!
Without real skill, she might have long ago disappeared unnoticed in the city’s crowds.
“Then when Dabao grows up, he must be filial to Mom.” Lu Qingyan rubbed Dabao’s cheek affectionately.
Dabao nodded seriously. “Yes, I will be filial to Mom, and to Dad too!”
The innocence of the children made both of them laugh uncontrollably.
After helping him finish the hawthorn water, Dabao went to sleep.
“Thank you for your hard work.” Lu Qingyan poured a glass of water and handed it to Wen Shiyang.
In the past, he had worried whether Wen Shiyang, at such a young age, could take good care of the two kids. But now, it seemed his worries were completely unnecessary.
Wen Shiyang was taken aback when she saw the cup, not expecting this man to still think of her at this moment.
Accepting it felt awkward, refusing it was awkward too.
Out of politeness, she took the cup and sipped it. “Thank you.”
Lu Qingyan took back the cup, glanced at the sky, and reminded her, “It’s still early. Sleep a bit more. I’ll cook, and I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
“Alright.”
Wen Shiyang was indeed a little tired; she hadn’t fully recovered since yesterday’s river fishing.
Lu Qingyan worked efficiently. Knowing the children and Wen Shiyang were feeling unwell, he prepared some shrimp porridge.
The small shrimp were stir-fried to release their oil, then boiled with water and rice—extremely fragrant and good for the stomach.
When Wen Shiyang woke up on her own, the sun was already high, and both kids had woken up as well.
To avoid disturbing her rest, they obediently sat in the yard holding small bowls and eating porridge, while Lu Qingyan fanned them with a round fan to keep cool and shoo away insects.
Wen Shiyang watched this scene and couldn’t help smiling.
It was a warm and pleasant sight.
Lu Qingyan noticed her gaze, turned, and briefly met her eyes. He paused for a moment before speaking, “The porridge is still hot in the pot. I’ll serve you.”
Wen Shiyang smiled at him and pointed at the two little ones watching her. “I’ll serve myself. You should eat with them first!”
Lu Qingyan looked at the two kids eagerly drinking their porridge. With a reluctant nod, he went to join them.
Once Wen Shiyang entered the kitchen, Xiaobao leaned in and spoke mysteriously, “Daddy, you and Mommy seem so unfamiliar with each other.”
Dabao shot Lu Qingyan a disdainful look. “Unfamiliar? Totally strangers!”
Lu Qingyan: “……”
Oh dear! Even fanning them could go wrong?
Was this considered them badmouthing him to his face?
Xiaobao’s eyes sparkled, and she looked up seriously at Lu Qingyan. “Daddy, does Mommy not like you?”
Lu Qingyan choked. Did she make it that obvious?
Even he hadn’t noticed, yet the child had already seen through it.
“Daddy, I heard from Dabao that when women are angry, you have to appease them!” Xiaobao said earnestly, like a little gossiping adult.
That Dabao again… what nonsense had he taught his daughter?
Half of Lu Qingyan’s face darkened. He reached out, smoothing the small strands of hair on her face, and seriously admonished, “Listen, don’t hang out with that Dabao too much. He’s been corrupting you.”
Xiaobao shook her head, protesting earnestly. “No, Daddy! Dabao is a good person. He’s my best friend in the village!”
When her mother treated her poorly, she would often sneak to Dabao’s house, and Dabao would always give her rare treats.
Seeing her earnest little expression, Lu Qingyan couldn’t argue further and sighed, conceding, “Alright, play with him then. But eat first before playing.”
Convincing a wife and coaxing a child were essentially the same principle. He could hardly soothe his wife; dealing with children was naturally a challenge.
When Wen Shiyang came out carrying two bowls of porridge, she saw the three of them still eating in the yard. Feeling a bit helpless, she raised her chin and said to them, “There are too many mosquitoes outside. Let’s eat inside!”
Lu Qingyan nodded in agreement, fanning the area to drive away mosquitoes. “Alright, let’s listen to Mom. Eat inside.”