Chapter 12 – A Family of Three Sharing One Bed

“Enough already.” Lian Minfang waved impatiently. “Wrong is wrong. I didn’t fire you or dock your pay—just asked you to apologize. That’s already me showing mercy, considering you got slapped twice. I did it for old times’ sake.”

“Madam…”

She ignored Auntie Wang’s whining and turned to the other servants:

“Liu Ma, carry the little miss—she’s tired from playing, don’t let her walk anymore. These toys, too, pack them up.”

Her finger pointed to passing maids. “You two carry them over.”

When the “long line” of Qin Suining and her boxes left, Lian Minfang turned excitedly to her husband.

“Ningning is just too smart. Adorable and obedient—exactly like Yushen when he was little.

Do you still remember? Back then Yushen was raised under Father’s care, in the far-left wing of the old house. I hardly saw him more than a few times a year…”

“Each time he saw me, he would cry ‘Mama, Mama’…”

She dabbed at her tears. “But not long after, he turned into a little ice block. Thankfully Ningning didn’t inherit that part. Say what you will about Shuhui—at least she knows how to raise a child. White, plump, healthy…”

Qin Father listened patiently, handing her a tissue.

In the corner, Auntie Wang watched, her face twisted with resentment.

So Shuhui entered the Qin family smoothly, and now Madam even seemed to be warming up to her. All of Auntie Wang’s earlier schemes and provocations—down the drain.

How was she supposed to get her payout now?

---

“Mommy, I’m back~” Qin Suining darted in, tiny feet pitter-pattering as she threw herself into Shuhui’s arms.

Shuhui quickly caught her to prevent a fall. “So happy, huh?”

“Mm-hm!” The little girl nodded, ticking off with her fingers: “I ate meat, big chicken leg, played blocks and dolls…”

Liu Ma entered with a string of servants. Three or four large wooden chests were opened one after another—stuffed full of clothes, toys, dolls…

Even two half-human-sized plush toys were carried inside.

“Young Madam, where should these be placed?”

Shuhui raised her brows. She hadn’t expected Lian Minfang to go so extravagant in just two days.

She casually pointed at the chests. “Put the clothes in Ningning’s wardrobe. Leave the toys and dolls for now—once the playroom is renovated, we’ll move everything in.”

“Yes, Madam.”

She tapped her daughter’s head lightly. “Leave everything in the foyer for now. Tomorrow the Bamboo Pavilion staff can sort it. Liu Ma, take Ningning upstairs to wash up. Two episodes of cartoons, then sleep. I’ll come up later.”

The child obediently followed Liu Ma upstairs. The servants from the main house also withdrew.

Shuhui polished off the last of her draft details, sent it to the client, then carried her tablet upstairs.

Just outside the bedroom, her work account chimed. The client was delighted, immediately transferring the final payment.

[Commissioner – 10/23, 9 PM]: Yuxin-sama!! It’s gorgeous!! You’re amazing, my goddess!! [worship][worship]
[Commissioner – 10/23, 9 PM]: My eight-hundred-year wait in the queue was worth it. Yuxin-sama, truly a divine artist. [heart eyes][hearts]
[Yuxin]: Thank you for the support. Looking forward to next time~

Shuhui smiled as she replied, then checked her payment—another tidy sum for her private savings.

Pushing the door open, she saw her freshly bathed daughter bouncing on the sofa, watching TV.

Beside her sat a man also in loungewear, hair loose at the forehead, the slicked-back style gone. With the alcohol gone too, he looked more like a lazy young man—much easier on the eyes than his usual icy demeanor.

“Mommy, first episode!” Qin Suining lifted her finger to promise.

Shuhui’s gaze slid past Qin Yushen. She smiled. “Okay. After this, baby turns off the TV and goes to bed. Mommy’s going to wash up first.”

She walked toward the bathroom. Passing the big bed, she noticed the covers had been turned down—so he had been sleeping there before Ningning came in.

“Daddy, is it nice?” the little girl asked, bouncing and interviewing her sofa-mate.

Qin Yushen withdrew his gaze from the inner room and glanced at her, then at the colorful hairdryers flashing on-screen.

“…Nice.”

“Hee-hee.” Satisfied, she kept bouncing.

Since watching Peppa Pig, Qin Suining had learned what “daddy” meant—that Daddy should sleep with Mommy.

But her daddy was always gone, busier even than Peppa’s piggy dad.

“Ningning, Daddy has a question.”

He glanced toward the bathroom again. “What kind of jewelry does your mommy like?”

What Mommy liked?

The little one only picked up words she understood. She tilted her head, eyes swirling thoughtfully—then slapped her hands onto her tummy.

“Mommy likes baby!”

“…”

Why did he even bother asking a toddler?

Qin Yushen sighed and patted her small shoulder. “Keep watching.”

By the time Shuhui came out, the two cartoon episodes had long ended.

The little girl, fighting off sleep, immediately raised her arms. “Mommy, carry baby to bed.”

“Okay.”

Her hair loose like a waterfall, clad in silk sleepwear that clung to her fair, luminous skin, Shuhui stepped out of the bathroom.

Qin Yushen’s gaze flickered. He rose abruptly. “I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

But after two steps—

“Daddy! Together! Sleep together!”

Qin Suining shrieked, furious. Peppa’s daddy and mommy slept together—how could her family be different?

“Ningning, not all mommies and daddies sleep together…” Shuhui tried to reason.

But sleepy children are most prone to tantrums.

She ignored her mother’s words, bursting into tears. “Want… want!! Waaaah!!”

Her tiny hands even pushed Shuhui away, pointing at the screen instead.

On TV, Peppa’s family camped out in one tent—Mom, Dad, George, and Peppa all together.

Lacking words to explain, unable to understand reasons—when her parents didn’t agree, she could only cry harder.

Shuhui’s heart twisted—what if her baby cried herself hoarse?

“Qin Suining.”

The sudden stern call froze her. She looked up at her father.

Brows drawn, his voice held authority. “You cannot cry and throw tantrums every time you don’t get your way. That’s a very bad habit.”

“…Hic—” Startled, she hiccupped, stunned.

Her little mouth quivered, then she burst into louder sobs—crying both from fear and from anger.

She didn’t understand—Daddy was fierce!

Qin Yushen’s face darkened. “Stop crying.”

“You shut up.”

Shuhui cut in sharply, glaring.

Her baby girl wasn’t his to scold.

She scooped the child up, gently patting her back, coaxing.

“There, don’t cry, Ningning. Mommy’s good baby. Daddy and Mommy will sleep together—with you, okay?”

“Hic—sniff— together…” Her small face flushed crimson, sobbing without breath.

“That’s right. Just like Peppa’s family. Baby in the middle.”

She twirled her daughter in her arms to soothe her.

Glancing at the man, she kicked his shin lightly, muttering under her breath:

“It’s just one bed. Don’t be so difficult. Stop dragging this out before I really lose my temper.”

“…”