52 Chapter 52
The next day, Ji Xiao Zhuo angrily asked Tang Tang, "Mummy, I clearly slept in the middle last night. Why were you and daddy still hugging while sleeping in the end?"
Embarrassed, Tang Tang lowered her head. She was too embarrassed to explain what occurred last night to the little one. Tang Tang was also speechless herself. Why did she always roll to him and ended up in his embrace whenever she slept next to Ji Yan? Does she move around so much in her sleep?
"Uh, mummy … mummy rolled around while sleeping, so mummy also doesn't know how mummy ended up in daddy's embrace. Hahaha." Tang Tang lied with her eyes open. She felt extremely guilty.
Ji Xiao Zhuo put his hands on his hip and said, "Mummy, why do you keep rolling around in your sleep? I will get angry if you keep doing that! Very angry, ah!"
To calm the little one, Tang Tang promptly lifted a hand and pledged, "Mummy promises that it won't happen again. This was the last time, okay?" She simply won't sleep next to Ji Yan next time. This way, she won't end up rolling into his embrace.
After hearing that, the easily coaxed Ji Xiao Zhuo stopped being angry. However, he still really wanted to know how mummy got past him and ended up hugging daddy because it wasn't logical, ah! He must figure this out.
Ji Xiao Zhuo thought for a while and decided that he would pretend to fall asleep tonight. Then, he would secretly watch what happened next. After making a decision, he extended a finger and said, "Ok, tonight is the last chance."
Tang Tang hugged him and gave him a couple of big smooches. At least she had calmed down the angry little dolphin.
Nighttime came. Ji Xiao Zhuo once again laid in the middle of the bed to separate his parents. Usually, he would play Anipop for a bit before sleeping, but he didn't play tonight. He simply yawned and rubbed his eyes while speaking to Tang Tang, "I'm tired, mummy. I need to sleep."
Tang Tang just assumed he was too tired from playing at the nursery and patted on his back, "Then go to sleep, Bao Bao."
Ji Xiao Zhuo pulled on her arm and acted spoiled, "Mummy, I want you to go to sleep with me. Can you also go to sleep now?"
"Okay, mummy will also go to sleep." It was almost time for bed anyway, so Tang Tang put down the things she was holding and laid down with him. Instantly, Ji Xiao Zhuo wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. It was like he was afraid they would be separated.
On the other side, Ji Yan was leaning against the headboard and reading a book like usual. He ignored the actions of the mother and son pair.
Squinting his eyes, Ji Xiao Zhuo secretly glanced at Ji Yan. Seeing there was no reaction, Ji Xiao Zhuo's brain spun. He decided to proceed with his plan and chatted with Tang Tang for a bit before slowly closing his eyes.
Seeing that Ji Xiao Zhuo had fallen asleep, Tang Tang slowly took his arms off her. Then she got off the bed and went to get the bottle of medicinal liquid before sitting down on Ji Yan's side of the bed. "Husband, I'll rub some medicinal liquid on you again. It should get better after today."
Ji Yan nodded and quickly took his top off. His mouth-watering body was exposed again. It was almost winter, but he didn't feel cold.
Tang Tang didn't dare to look around randomly. Her gaze was fixed on the bruise on his chest. She rubbed her hands to warm them up before applying some of the medicinal liquid and massaged it on Ji Yan's skin.
Ji Yan stopped reading and stared at her. He looked from her forehead to her eyebrows, then from her eyes to her nose and finally her lips. After staring for a long time, Ji Yan thought that none of her features were ugly. Instead, he thought she looked rather pretty.
Who said she was ugly? They can go to him.
Ji Yan tried to recall how Tang Tang used to look but realized that his memories of her were fuzzy. He couldn't remember her features clearly. It was like an old distant memory. Ji Yan could only remember Tang Tang's current appearance. It was like she was a completely different person from the past.
Ji Yan found his thought funny. He supposed the reason was that he never cared about her previously, but he cared deeply for her now.
Naturally, Tang Tang felt Ji Yan's gaze on her. In the beginning, she wanted to pretend that she didn't notice, but his stare was burning, which made her face turn red. She couldn't pretend even if she wanted to, so she pretended to be calm and looked up to ask, "Why are you staring at me?"
Ji Yan didn't feel embarrassed after being discovered. Instead, he seriously said, "You look good."
"Um–" Tang Tang felt her heart bump against her chest. Her chest trembled and her brain almost stopped working. She was wondering if she was hallucinating, "I … You…"
Seeming like he hadn't shocked her enough, Ji Yan smiled as he touched her cheek. He pinched her cheek, "En, there's more meat on your face. You look better now. If you gain some more weight, you'll look even better. I like it meatier so you have to gain some more weight, alright?"
His words didn't even enter her head, and Tang Tang had already started nodding. Her brain only received the information after she finished nodding. She realized that she shouldn't have agreed so quickly.
Ji Yan laughed. Then he moved his hand and pinched Tang Tang's arm, "En, your physique is still weak. From now on, train with me at night, alright?"
Tang Tang bit her lips as she looked at him. She didn't know if she should agree or disagree.
"You don't want to train with me?"
Tang Tang shook her head. She wanted to, ah, but she thought the atmosphere between them was strange recently. He was different from the past. Not only did he praise her looks, but he would also touch her face and arm, and now he wanted her to train with him. Why was he treating her so good? Hasn't she already recovered from her illness?
What are his intentions, ah! Tang Tang's heart was messed around by Ji Yan. She would be up in the clouds in one moment and could crash down the bottom of the well in the other. She was in a mess.
On the other side, Ji Xiao Zhuo almost couldn't restrain himself anymore. His eyelashes fluttered. Why did his daddy and mummy talk for so long? Don't they need to sleep? Why weren't there any movements? Were they trying to make Bao Bao anxious?
Thousands of questions went through Ji Xiao Zhuo's mind.
The two adults didn't discover that Ji Xiao Zhuo was simply pretending to be asleep. Ji Yan moved his hand again to her red lips. His thumb gently went across her lower lip, "Then it's agreed. From tomorrow, your morning run with Xiao Zhuo is canceled. It will be changed to the evening instead. We'll go training after dinner. Once your physique gets better, you won't fall ill as easily. Even if you do get ill, you'll recover faster." He didn't want to see her laying listlessly on the bed again.
Tang Tang felt her lips burn from his touch. She was unable to hear what he was saying. There was only one question that filled her mind: for him to touch her lips, wasn't there something that wasn't right? Generally, a man wouldn't casually touch a woman's lips. Even if a person didn't bother about trifles, they wouldn't suddenly stroke someone's lips when they spoke. Besides, Ji Yan was an upright and serious soldier. He wouldn't randomly do things like that!
Then why did he just touch her lips, ah?
If he … he … does something like that, she will misunderstand. She would mistake that he felt 'that' for her.
That thought made Tang Tang feel odd. She stood up and hurriedly ran away while carrying the bottle of medicinal liquid. "It's getting late. I'm going to wash my hands."
Before Ji Yan could say anything, her figure disappeared. The bathroom door shut with a 'bang' as well. He couldn't help but lift the corner of his lips.
In the bathroom, Tang Tang washed her face as if her life depended on it, but she couldn't calm down no matter how many times she washed. Her heart was thumping, and two people were arguing in her mind.
Person 1: Ji Yan is an extremely uptight and serious person. He wouldn't randomly touch a woman's lips, so he definitely likes Tang Tang. Also, Tang Tang's intuition has never been wrong. It won't be wrong this time either.
Person 2: Intuition can't be relied on. Ji Yan is so outstanding; how can he fall for Tang Tang? She is not beautiful, and her abilities are weak. How can she attract a man?
Person 1: Why can't she attract a man? Tang Tang treats Ji Yan so well, ah. Even a rock will warm up.
Person 2: That's a fantasy! Do you remember how bad the original Tang Tang was? Can Ji Yan forget all about the past? It's impossible!
Person 1: Why isn't it possible? The present is the most important! The past doesn't matter!
Person 2: Wrong! The past is important. The first impression can't be changed so easily.
Tang Tang was about to faint from the argument in her head. She hit her head to chase the two little people away. Tang Tang decided to keep an eye on the situation before making a decision. Currently, there wasn't enough evidence. If it turned out that it was just her thinking too much about it, she would be too embarrassed. It was better to continue observing.
While Tang Tang was thinking deeply, Ji Yan was not feeling rushed. He calmly read his book as he waited for Tang Tang to come out. Unfortunately, it was Ji Xiao Zhuo who had to suffer. It was already difficult for him to pretend to be asleep. Now his mummy still hadn't come back, and the atmosphere was so peaceful. For a child who pretended to be sleeping, it was the most ideal conditions for him to truly fall asleep. A wave of sleepiness came over Xiao Zhuo, which made him really want to enter dreamland.
Ji Xiao Zhuo forced himself to stay awake. He had to wait till his mummy came back before he could understand what was going on!
Five minutes later, Ji Xiao Zhuo endured it.
Ten minutes later, Ji Xiao Zhuo bit his lips and endured.
Fifteen minutes later, Ji Xiao Zhuo pinched himself and endured.
Twenty minutes later, Ji Xiao Zhuo failed and entered the land of dreams.
By the time Tang Tang finally came out from the bathroom, Ji Xiao Zhuo was already snoring. He was sleeping like a little pig. He probably wouldn't even notice if he got sold off.
Tang Tang kept her sight forwards and went to lay down beside Ji Xiao Zhuo. Then she spoke to Ji Yan like usual, "Husband, I'm going to sleep."
Ji Yan took a glance at her and let out an 'En' sound before reaching a hand out to switch off the lights. Then he also laid down to sleep.
Tang Tang shut her eyes. She sighed in relief inwardly, but she also felt disappointed for some reason. He didn't tell her to sleep beside him tonight. Could it be that she was thinking too much into it?
While feeling very disappointed, Tang Tang also entered the land of dreams.
At that moment, Ji Yan opened his eyes. He got off the bed and went to the other side. Then he carried her, in a princess hold, back to his side and embraced her as he slept. After holding her in his sleep for two nights, he was already addicted. He wanted the same for tonight.
Tang Tang didn't feel anything as she got carried. She was exactly the same as Ji Xiao Zhuo. Both of them wouldn't notice if they were sold off in their sleep. Tang Tang even rubbed against him.
"Stupid." Ji Yan silently said. Then he kissed her eyes before closing his eyes.
"Ah!!!"
Tang Tang was woken up by the yell and the shaking of the bed. She opened her eyes in a daze and saw a disheveled chubby kid jumping on the bed. The mattress shook as he jumped, which shook Tang Tang awake.
"What's wrong, Bao Bao?"
Ji Xiao Zhuo was like a sorrowful little bomb. He burst out angrily, "You're too much, mummy. Did you sleep with daddy again last night?"
"Ah? No! I really didn't!" She went to sleep on the other side last night. Ji Yan didn���t ask her to sleep beside him.
Ji Xiao Zhuo stomped his foot, "It's not like that. You're on my right side and not on my left. I can clearly separate left and right!"
"Uhh," Tang Tang looked at her position. Her eyes suddenly widened. Why was it like this? She clearly slept on Ji Xiao Zhuo's left side last night; why did she end up on his right side? It couldn't be that she rolled over herself, right? Besides, Ji Xiao Zhuo was so plump, she couldn't roll over the little one.
Ji Xiao Zhuo inconsolably crouched down and put his hands on his head. He clearly wanted to clarify the truth last night; why did he fall asleep? Why didn't he try harder?! Bao Bao was furious!
Seeing the little one so upset, Tang Tang scratched her head guiltily. She couldn't stop herself from guessing what was actually going on.
When Ji Xiao Zhuo saw his mummy looking guilty, he angrily stomped his feet again. The bed shook. "Mummy, you and daddy are too much! You threw me to one side all alone!���
"Bao Bao, don't stomp anymore!" If he keeps stomping, the bed will collapse!
To save the bed she was laying on, Tang Tang quickly held the little one and gave him a few kisses, "Alright now, mummy is sorry, it won't happen again. Mummy will kiss you better."
Ji Xiao Zhuo calmed a little after the kisses, but he was still unhappy that his parents were holding each other in their sleep while leaving him out. His mummy always embraced him in the past!
Ji Xiao Zhuo was feeling a strong sense of crisis.
"Are you just going to hold daddy while sleeping now and leave me out?" This was the tragedy Ji Xiao Zhuo didn't want to happen.
Tang Tang felt embarrassed by his words. She waved her hands and explained her standpoint, "No, mummy will just hold Bao Bao to sleep from now on. Mummy loves Bao Bao the most. Last night was an accident. From now on, mummy won't roll around while sleeping anymore."
Ji Xiao Zhuo was eased slightly. However, he still wasn't entirely reassured, "But no one knows what happens when asleep; what should we do if mummy rolls over to daddy again?"
"Er, what do you think we should do?" Tang Tang could guarantee that she didn't move when she was asleep. She didn't know why she kept ending up in Ji Yan's embrace recently. But Tang Tang was rather certain that she was moved by a certain someone last night because apart from that, Tang Tang couldn't think of any other possibilities. After all, it couldn't be that she was sleepwalking or it was Ji Xiao Zhuo that moved her.
Ji Xiao Zhuo's eyes spun. He pondered for three seconds and came up with a good idea, "I have an idea, mummy. We can go and sleep in the other room, and daddy can sleep alone in this room. It would be sorted like that!"
Tang Tang: "…" How much do you dislike your daddy, ah? Wouldn't your daddy smack your bottom if he found out?
To let the little one avoid a disaster, Tang Tang could only reply, "Mummy can't make the decision for that, ah. Only your daddy can make the decision. I'm also afraid your daddy will get angry and smack me. You know how strong your daddy is, right?" She had to use Ji Yan to quell the little one. I'm sorry, husband.
When Ji Xiao Zhuo remembered his daddy's strength and the pain he felt whenever his daddy smacked his bottom, he withered at once. However, he soon regained his spirit. He had a manly aura as he patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, mummy. I will convince daddy. I certainly won't let daddy smack your bottom!"
"Hahaha," Tang Tang laughed gently. She thought the one who would get smacked definitely wouldn't be her. She also believed that he wouldn't be able to convince his daddy because … When she thought about a particular possibility, Tang Tang's face heated up.
This couldn't keep going on. Tang Tang definitely had to Ji Yan about his intentions tonight. She had to ask clearly and understand his purpose! She could no longer keep coming up with excuses to deny it anymore. If he didn't feel anything for her, then why did he carry her over to hold her in his sleep? It wasn't like there was anything abnormal with his brain.
In the beginning, she planned to observe for a few days to prevent any awkwardness from misunderstanding, but she had changed her plan now. She didn't want to hesitate, so she will take the initiative and ask. It wasn't like she would lose something for asking. If it really was just her thinking too much into it, she would only feel humiliated for a while. Anyway, it was just humiliation; she wouldn't lose her life. It wasn't a big deal.
Let's decide on that! Good luck, Tang Tang!
As a result, when knocking was heard from the door that evening, Tang Tang assumed it was Ji Yan who had returned. She took a deep breath and prepared her heart. Like a brave soldier, she went to open the door, "Hus–" The word got stuck in her throat.
"It's you."
