Chapter 6: Parting (1)

The rough, burly man waited for a while, realizing that the little one was truly upset; it was understandable that the child was angry after he and his wife had broken their promise. Yet, he didn’t know how long they would be gone this time—perhaps they might never return. Such precious half a day should not be wasted on pointless tantrums.

“Ling Wei, Daddy will take you out of the mansion!” The burly man pulled back the silken quilt and cradled the “little silkworm” inside.

The little one lay buried in the covers, silently crying. The quiet sobbing was more heartbreaking than the loud cries earlier.

His large, calloused hand, covered with thin calluses, dared not use the whole palm to wipe the tears. Instead, he extended his middle finger, which had the fewest calluses, gently brushing away the tears. But the child was too sorrowful—her tears flowed endlessly.

She cried in silence, with no wailing or coaxing, only quiet despair. The man felt as if his heart was breaking. The little tearful one was stubborn too; even as she began to hiccup, she clenched her rosy lips tightly, refusing to make a sound.

“Sigh.” All his words condensed into a single breath of regret. His brows furrowed deeply, yet no comforting or explaining words came to him.

“Hiccup, Daddy, Ling Wei was wrong. Ling Wei was willful. Mommy is waiting outside. Daddy, take care on your journey.” The little girl hiccupped as she spoke. Though young and eager to leave the mansion, she was no ordinary child. From the moment she could remember, she knew that her parents would not be like Xiao Yutou’s parents, who could always be by her side.

Xiao Yutou often complained to her that her parents were too strict, forbidding her from coming out to play, forcing her to learn embroidery every day from Xiao Yutou’s mother.

Countless times, Ling Wei envied Xiao Yutou’s parents, who could grow up alongside her, allowing her to be spoiled by Daddy or fuss with Mommy, even going out to play with them. It was an experience she had never had since childhood.

The burly man looked in surprise at the tear-streaked little face. He never imagined that the child, not yet five, could express such thoughts. He had thought her silence meant anger or a tantrum.

“My little treasure, Daddy is sorry. Little Tangyuan, little Ling Wei, Daddy is truly happy, really happy.” Overcome with emotion, the man could find no words to express the mixture of pride and sorrow twisting inside him.

The little girl’s round eyes glared at him indignantly. “Daddy, I’m not called Tangyuan! Not Tangyuan! I’m called Zantai Ling Wei!” she shouted in a sweet, childish voice. She hated being called Tangyuan, even Daddy and Mommy were forbidden to use that name! She was definitely not some dumpling!

“Haha, Little Tangyuan, go look in the bronze mirror—you really are a little dumpling.” Zhao Tingyou, with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, leaned against the door with a rogue’s charm and mischievous grin.

“Daddy, Mommy is mean, mean Mommy! Daddy, kiss me, hmm.” The little one wrapped her arms around the burly man’s neck, leaving a wet drool mark on his smooth face. Proudly, she turned to the mischievous mother and declared, “Daddy is mine. I only kiss Daddy. I don’t want Mommy. Mommy’s bad, Ling Wei doesn’t want Mommy.”

“Well then, Little Tangyuan is rebelling? Husband, tell me, do you want me or this little crybaby Tangyuan?” Zhao Tingyou tossed away the grass, stepped over to Zantai Chen, gripping his shoulders and looking down at him.

Zantai Chen, of course, understood his wife’s thoughtful intentions. He kissed the little tender face of Ling Wei and said, “I want Little Tangyuan.”