Chapter 31: Qian Renxue: "Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child"

Bibi Dong turned around, stunned as she looked at little Lin Luo, who was lying on the table. Her usual icy expression had vanished, replaced with pure astonishment.

"Did… did he just call me something?" Bibi Dong stared at Qian Renxue, looking bewildered.

Qian Renxue nodded excitedly, "Yes!" 

This little rascal! I just taught him yesterday how to say 'grandma,' and he already learned it overnight?

Overwhelmed with surprise, she couldn't help but feel her kid had suddenly become quite impressive. Why didn't you tell me you learned it already, you little rascal?!

For some reason, Qian Renxue suddenly felt like her child was a genius.

Bibi Dong, clearly caught off guard, lost any intention of leaving. She simply stood there, looking at Lin Luo as if waiting for something.

Lin Luo, with his tiny mouth, called out again, "Grammaaa~"

Dear grandma, please don't ground me!

Just moments earlier, hearing Bibi Dong pressuring Qian Renxue, Lin Luo sensed his mother was about to lock him in a cage or something. This couldn't happen! In desperation, he ended up saying the word!

Hearing this "Grandma," Bibi Dong, without even realizing it, began to show a hint of a smile. She glanced over at Qian Renxue, still in shock, and asked, "Did you teach him that?"

Eyes wide, Qian Renxue quickly shook her head. "No! He said it on his own!"

At this, Bibi Dong's smile became even brighter. 

Her cold, beautiful face had melted like snow under a warm sun.

Then she asked, "Aside from 'mom' and 'grandma,' is there anything else he can say?"

"Nope," Qian Renxue said, shaking her head decisively.

"So 'grandma' is the second word he learned?"

"That's right!"

Bibi Dong could no longer contain her joy. She walked over and picked up little Lin Luo, still looking rather amazed, but her smile wasn't dimming. "But I only held him once, and he already learned 'grandma'? This kid is so smart!"

Qian Renxue immediately jumped in, "Because of the deep bond of family!"

"Grammaaaa!" Lin Luo called again, making sure to sound as adorable as possible.

Bibi Dong responded instantly, as if she were afraid of leaving him hanging. "Yes… yes, Grandma's here, Grandma hears you."

At that moment, Lin Luo and Qian Renxue exchanged glances, almost like they were telepathically sending each other a silent message. 

We got her! 

While Lin Luo kept acting cute, he suddenly felt something warm and damp below him. 

With a gasp, Bibi Dong looked down—he'd peed on her! Right on her lap! 

Lin Luo's little face showed a flash of helpless frustration.

I just can't control it, okay? So sorry!

By the time he had crawled back here, his diaper was long gone.

Qian Renxue, shocked, stepped forward, "Let me take him!"

"It's fine," Bibi Dong replied.

Qian Renxue's alarm grew, knowing Bibi Dong had always been a bit of a clean freak. She still extended her hands. "Really, let me take him."

"I said, it's fine."

"Please, give him to me—"

"I said it's fine!"

Bibi Dong's stern rebuke and quick slap on Qian Renxue's wrist startled her, making her pull back her hand.

As she held Lin Luo, Bibi Dong began to reprimand the young mother opposite her, "Qian Renxue, do you even know how to care for a child?"

"Luo'er just came home, and instead of checking if he's hurt, you're scolding him for going out?"

Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock. "I… I just…"

"Do you not realize this kid is different from others? He's got so much energy that he needs to crawl and walk around every day, or he'll get frustrated. And yet, you have him locked up inside with you?"

Yes, Grandma, well said! Lin Luo cheered silently.

All hail Grandma! 

[TL: for a former God-King, isn't he getting too much into the role of a child?]

Qian Renxue looked genuinely stunned by Bibi Dong's words.

"This… this isn't what you told me before!" she protested.

"What does it matter what I said before?" Bibi Dong snapped.

"It's natural for children to be playful, and if he snuck out, that's only because you're being too controlling."

"Yes, he ran off, but didn't he come back safe and sound? Why are you scolding him?"

Well, isn't this just perfect… Qian Renxue bit her lip in frustration, sneaking a glare at Lin Luo but holding back her anger. 

Especially seeing the little traitor now snuggling into Bibi Dong's embrace with all the charm of a little green tea, Qian Renxue felt as if her stomach was tied in knots. 

Great, so now they're both against me?*

She started to feel like the odd one out, the one who'd done something wrong.

"Grammaaa~" Lin Luo called out again.

Bibi Dong gently patted his diapered bottom. "I know, Grandma knows. Feeling neglected by Mama, huh?"

"Gugu! (Exactly!)" Lin Luo agreed in baby talk.

Bibi Dong continued, "It's alright. From now on, Grandma will look after you."

Qian Renxue nearly laughed out loud, but out of pure exasperation. She glared at Lin Luo, who she now realized was a double agent. 

The plan had been for him to call "Grandma" to win over Bibi Dong. Sure, it had worked, but now this little rascal was using Grandma's favor to turn on his mother!

Bibi Dong frowned as she looked at Qian Renxue. "If he wants to play, let him play. I doubt anyone in the entire Spirit Hall would hurt him."

"Stop being so controlling, or you'll just stifle his nature."

Qian Renxue stared at Lin Luo, her face filled with "affectionate" fury as she mentally prepared a hundred "creative" punishments.

Bibi Dong interrupted, "Did you hear me?"

Finally looking at Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue nodded, head down. "I heard…"

"Say it louder."

"Yes, I heard!" 

Ha! Lin Luo thought gleefully. Isn't this fun? Mom's getting a scolding from her mom! [TL: yeah, he's getting too into the role]

Bibi Dong took a small sniff, wrinkling her nose. "There's a bit of a smell—I'll go change. Remember what I said…"

Handing Lin Luo back to Qian Renxue, she left the room.

The room fell silent.

Lin Luo slowly turned his head to look up at Qian Renxue's face.

Something about the atmosphere… didn't feel quite right.

Qian Renxue, her face darkening, walked over to the door and closed it. Then she locked it. 

Now in his mother's arms, Lin Luo felt a creeping sense of unease.

"Mama… Mama?" he tried, flashing his most innocent smile, soft baby voice intact.

Qian Renxue lowered her gaze, letting out a cold chuckle.

"Little brat, today, even calling me auntie won't help you!!"

She set Lin Luo on the table and began searching the room.

Lin Luo lay there, wide-eyed, watching his mother's every move.

Mom… dear Mama, calm down!  he thought.

I just peed; my bottom's not exactly clean, you know. Your dainty hands might not like it!

Lin Luo was getting nervous.

My grand comeback as a mighty king isn't happening if I perish here!

Qian Renxue finally found what she was looking for—a hefty stick as thick as a rolling pin.

She held the stick up, her pretty face breaking into a terrifying smile.

Lin Luo: ∑(;°Д°)