MHWFYYTMDF Chapter42

After dealing with all these aunts and uncles, He Muyan didn’t linger in the front hall any longer and led Song Li upstairs.

Song Li watched as he directly opened the door to a room. “It’s too noisy downstairs. Rest here first; I’ll go check on my dad and come right back.”

Song Li poked his head inside and asked curiously, “Whose room is this?”

“Mine.”

Song Li was surprised and raised his head to look at him.

He Muyan stroked his hair. “Although I haven’t been back in a very, very long time, someone should be cleaning it regularly. Don’t worry.”

Song Li shook his head. “I wasn’t worried about that.”

Saying so, he stepped into the room and looked around inquisitively. It was much smaller than the bedroom in their own home, but it still looked quite nice. Most importantly, this was the place where He Muyan had lived for many years growing up.

Song Li walked over to the bedside and saw a photo frame placed on the table. It was a photo of He Muyan with a little girl. He Muyan looked only about fifteen or sixteen years old in it, and the school uniform he wore appeared to be from Wengao. Wengao was the best high school in their city, with an exceptionally high admission score cut off; none of the students who could get in were ordinary.

Song Li turned his head, looking at him with a smile. “What a coincidence! I went to Wengao High School too.”

He Muyan raised an eyebrow. “Then should I call you senior?”

Song Li reached out to pat his shoulder. “Good junior.”

He Muyan shook his head and chuckled.

Song Li continued to look at the photo. “You looked so young back then. Did you dislike smiling even back then?”

“They say I’ve disliked smiling since I was little.”

Song Li wrinkled his nose and said softly, “But you look so good when you smile.”

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door outside, and Butler Dong’s voice came through, “Young Master Yan, Master is already waiting for you downstairs.”

Song Li glanced at the bedroom door, then raised his head to say to him, “Hurry and go ahead, I’ll be fine on my own.”

He Muyan raised his hand to check the time. “I’ll try my best to come back in fifteen minutes.”

Song Li looked at him with a smile. “There’s no need to be in such a rush. Haven’t you been away from home for a long time? Take this opportunity to chat with them a bit more.”

He Muyan shook his head, lowered his head, and kissed him. “Lili, wait for me here.”

After He Muyan left, Song Li walked around his room a few more times by himself, discovering that besides some basic living necessities, there weren’t many preserved items specifically tied to He Muyan.

Apart from that photo frame just now and a few old clothes in the closet that looked somewhat aged, there seemed to be hardly any traces of his past life here.

He didn’t know if he had taken everything with him when he left home, or if he simply had never intentionally kept anything.

Now, he seemed to understand somewhat why everyone around He Muyan always described him as cold and indifferent; as though he had no desires or needs at all and lacked even the slightest trace of human warmth.

However, all of that was the old him. Song Li felt that the current He Muyan had truly changed a lot, at least when he was by his side.

Looking at it this way, his own presence really did seem different from anyone else’s to He Muyan.

Song Li began to overthink again, sitting on the bed and giggling foolishly at that photo frame.

“Could you not laugh so disgustingly at my picture?”

The sudden voice startled him so much that he nearly dropped the photo frame in his hand to the floor, his heart pounding wildly as he turned his head to look at the person behind him.

A girl with pigtails had walked in at some unknown point. Her hands were clutching the straps of her overall dress in front of her chest with an awkward expression resting on her pretty face.

It was his sister-in-law.

That made sense; this was He Muyan’s home, so his biological younger sister should naturally be here too. How could he have forgotten such an important detail?

Song Li exhaled, turned around to look at her, and said with a smile, “Long time no see, Tingting.”

He remembered that He Muyan seemed to call her that.

Tingting raised her eyes to look at him, her toes tapping occasionally near the foot of the bed. “Don’t try to get familiar with me. I haven’t even agreed to let you be my sister-in-law yet.”

Thinking back to the awful scene when they first met, Song Li chuckled. “Whether you acknowledge it or not, it’s already a fact. Besides, you’re going to be an aunt very soon.”

Tingting had probably heard about this long ago, so she didn’t seem to have a particularly big reaction. Her gaze was merely fixed on his belly with some curiosity. “Can men really get pregnant? I’ve only read about it in books before; I didn’t expect it to actually exist in the real world.”

Looking at her pair of big eyes, Song Li felt that she was completely just a child; a naive child who had been spoiled rotten.

The more Tingting looked, the more amazed she felt. She couldn’t resist taking a step forward, looking at the roundly swollen belly beneath Song Li’s suit, and swallowed her saliva. “C-Can I touch it?”

Song Li leaned his body back slightly to make room around his belly. “Sure. Just be a bit careful; otherwise, the little thing will throw a temper at you.”

Tingting widened her eyes. “He’s still in your belly! How can he throw a temper?”

Song Li shrugged. “You’ll know once you see it. When he gets mad, he uses his little fists and feet to kick continuously inside, it’s very tormenting.”

Imaging that scene, Tingting couldn’t help saying, “Then isn’t that super exhausting for you to carry him around every day?”

“Well, I am his dad.”

Tingting glanced at him and said seriously, “You’re too thin and frail; you look so easy to pick on at first glance. My brother should be the one carrying this baby. He’s so tall and strong, giving birth to a child would be no trouble at all for him.”

Song Li blinked. What to do? He actually thought Tingting’s words made a lot of sense!

Tingting had already reached out her hand to cautiously feel toward his belly, slowly drawing closer, and was just about to touch it when, as luck would have it, the little thing suddenly threw another punch inside. This punch was quite forceful, causing a bulge to rise right on Song Li’s stomach.

Song Li couldn’t help letting out an uncomfortable groan.

Tingting clearly saw it this time too, and it scared her so much that she immediately squealed, jumped backward, and stared with her eyes wide open.

“H-He… how did your belly just bulge up like that?!”

Song Li smiled helplessly. “This is what I was telling you about just now. It’s called fetal movement. Don’t be scared; maybe the little guy is just saying hello to you, his future aunt.”

“Saying hello?” Tingting’s heart was still pounding wildly, and she grumbled in irritation, “I think he’s scolding me on purpose!”

Saying so, she gave a cold snort and raised her fist to gesture toward Song Li’s belly. “Daring to scare your grand aunt, just you wait! See if I don’t spank your butt once you come out.”

Song Li didn’t know how this little girl could bicker with an unborn child. Knowing she probably didn’t dare touch his stomach anymore, he supported his belly and stood up.

Tingting looked at him. “Where are you going?”

“I want to go out for a walk. It’s too stuffy in the room.”

Tingting thought for a moment. “Then you can go for a stroll in the yard. Our garden is very beautiful.”

Song Li nodded. “I saw it when I came in.”

Tingting tossed her two pigtails, pursed her lips, and asked him, “Are you going by yourself?”

Looking at the expectant look in her eyes, Song Li held back a smile. “I see the yard downstairs is pretty big, so isn’t it easy to get lost? Can you take me along?”

“A grown man like you is still afraid of getting lost?” Tingting scoffed, but even as her mouth voiced her disdain, a smile had already spread across her little face. “Anyway, I’m free with nothing to do right now, so I’ll take you down for a stroll.”

With that, she turned around first and went hopping and skipping out. Behind her, Song Li shook his head with a smile and slowly followed her outside.

When passing through the main hall, there was basically no one left inside; only two men around the same age as He Muyan drinking tea and chatting. Song Li remembered that when He Muyan introduced them, he had told him to call them cousins.

Seeing Song Li come out, they both raised their heads, smiling and nodding at him. Song Li nodded as well, not lingering too long, and followed Tingting outside.

“What kind of flowers do you like? There’s a lot of sweet osmanthus in this season, and there are several trees in the garden that smell exceptionally sweet.”

Song Li sniffed the air, it really was very fragrant.

Tingting continued to introduce, “When the weather gets even colder, the plum blossoms will bloom. I like plum blossoms the most! Though our family doesn’t have many plum blossoms, last year I just had my eldest brother set up a large glasshouse for me in the north of the city, collecting all varieties of plum blossoms inside. They should all be in bloom in another two months, and when the time comes, I’ll invite all my classmates to come see them. You can come over too.”

Song Li nodded and casually asked, “Most young girls like roses, lilies, and the like. Your taste is quite unique.”

Hearing him say this, Tingting stopped in her tracks, her tone dropping significantly, “I didn’t use to like plum blossoms either. Plum blossoms are Brother Yuan’s favorite flowers.”

Song Li was stunned; he hadn’t expected to hear Pei Yuan’s name once again.

Looking at the low spirits and sorrow radiating even from Tingting’s back, Song Li thought back to her previous attitude toward Pei Yuan. Stirred by a sudden realization in his heart, he couldn’t help asking, “Tingting, do you like Pei Yuan?”

Tingting’s shoulders trembled slightly, and she turned her head back to look at him with reddened eyes. “So what if I like him? Are you trying to make fun of me?”

Song Li shook his head and said gently, “Liking someone is a very beautiful thing. No kind of affection deserves to be made fun of.”

Tingting froze for a moment, looking at the gentle smile on his face as her eyes welled up with tears all at once. Seeming unwilling to let anyone see her in such a flustered state, she turned her head away and said in a muffled voice, “But the one he likes will never be me.”

Song Li knew who Pei Yuan liked, so he didn’t deliberately dwelled on this topic. He smiled and asked her, “Although plum blossoms are lovely, the environment they survive in is far too harsh and cold, not everyone can afford to wait. For a young girl in the springtime of her youth like you, wouldn’t rich, vibrant roses be even better?”

Tingting raised her head to look at him; her eyes still filled with a bit of confusion.

Song Li suddenly really wanted to pat her small head, but fearing she might feel it was too abrupt; he ultimately held himself back.

Tingting accompanied him on the walk for a while, but her spirit didn’t seem very high. In the end, after hurriedly exchanging a few words with him, she quietly went back inside by herself.

A young girl’s emotions come and go quickly, but she still needed some time to process them. Seeing her walk away, Song Li was glad to stroll through the garden alone instead; it was actually quite peaceful.

After walking for a bit, he saw the swing he had noticed when they first arrived. Song Li walked over, tested it with his hand, and only then sat down with peace of mind.

He really enjoyed the feeling of sitting on a swing, swaying back and forth without any sense of constraint, allowing his mind to go completely blank and enjoy the moment.

As he swayed with his eyes closed to the rhythmic creak-creak-creak, he suddenly heard someone calling his name from behind. Song Li turned his head and saw an elegantly dressed middle-aged woman and a boy about Tingting’s age walking over toward him.

Song Li searched his memory and vaguely recalled that he was supposed to call this woman Aunt, and the person beside her was likely her son.

“What a coincidence that you’re out here getting some fresh air too.”

Song Li nodded at her. “Hello, Aunt.”

The woman placed a hand over her mouth and chuckled, her gaze scanning him up and down again. “There were so many people in the hall just now that I didn’t feel comfortable saying a few more words to you. Xiao Song, you really are a crystal-like person, sensible and clever. You and our Muyan are truly a match made in heaven.”

Song Li smiled politely. “Thank you.”

Though in his heart he really wanted to retort: We’ve barely exchanged a few words in total, so where on earth did you see “clever and sensible”?

Compared to her slick and flattering tongue, the son beside her was far more straightforward and direct. With his nose and eyes held high up in the air, he let out a cold snort and said, “Everyone said Brother Yan found such an outstanding and good-looking wife, but to me he’s just average. He’s way worse compared to that young master of the Pei family from before.”

Right after saying this, he was slapped on the head by his mother, who scolded him in a low voice, “What nonsense are you talking about? Don’t blabber!”

The kid was still stubborn, sticking his neck out to talk back to her, “What did I say wrong? Isn’t it the truth? Besides, I don’t think Brother Yan likes him that much either. Maybe he just has his eye on the child in his belly! Otherwise, after all this time, why haven’t we seen him throw a proper wedding for him? Lacking proper status and legitimacy, it’s so disgraceful.”

“I told you to shut your mouth!” His mother pinched his arm again, then turned back to look at Song Li, offering an embarrassed, apologetic smile. “Xiao Song, please don’t mind him. The child is still young; just take it as innocent childish talk and don’t take it to heart.”

Song Li looked at them, letting out a cold laugh. “Innocent childish talk? This is the first time I’ve ever seen a twenty-year-old child. So, the term ‘giant baby’ actually exists in the real world, huh.”

Seemingly not expecting him to give them so little face, the woman’s smile froze on her face. Not daring to say anything more, she hurriedly pulled her son away.

As she walked, she kept scolding him non-stop, saying things like how he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, asking how he expected to ask for favors from Brother Yan in the future if he offended his wife, and so on and so forth.

Song Li felt disgusted listening to it, closing his eyes with a sigh.

A wedding? Right, he didn’t even have a wedding ring to this day, so why even talk about a wedding?

He Muyan was originally not the type of person who liked commotion; something like holding a wedding probably had never appeared in his life plan in the first place.

What was the point of him blindly overthinking things here?

He swayed back and forth on the swing, and had his phone not suddenly rung, he would have almost fallen asleep.

When Song Li opened his eyes, he was still a bit dazed, and only after a while did he take out his phone.

It was a call from He Muyan.

There were already four or five missed calls. Song Li was somewhat surprised, thinking something had happened, and hurriedly called back.

“Where are you?”

The moment the call went through, He Muyan’s voice came over, sounding somewhat urgent.

Song Li raised his head to look around and answered him, “Over by the birdcage swing we saw when we came in. What’s wrong?”

He Muyan seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and his tone softened considerably when he spoke again, “Don’t wander around, I’ll be there in a moment.”

Song Li gave an “oh,” and He Muyan hung up the phone.

Song Li stared at his phone, feeling a bit baffled. It sounded like nothing was wrong, so why was he in such a rush?

Before long, He Muyan arrived, his steps hurried.

Sitting on the swing, Song Li looked up at him with a smile. “You’re here.”

He Muyan seemed to have walked very fast on his way over, a few strands of hair falling loose over his forehead. He walked to Song Li’s side and looked at him as if to confirm whether he was alright.

“Didn’t I tell you to wait for me in the room? Why did you come out by yourself?”

Song Li shook his head. “I’m not by myself. Isn’t the baby with me too?”

He Muyan lowered his head toward his belly, squatted down, and gently pressed his face against it. “Did the little guy bother you today?”

“He just kicked me right before you came.” Song Li gestured with his hands. “I think both of our personalities are pretty quiet, how come this little guy is so lively?”

He Muyan raised his head, staring at him without blinking for a second with his pitch-black pupils. “Does Lili think I’m usually very quiet?”

Is… he not?

Although Song Li really wanted to answer him, looking at his gaze made him a bit embarrassed to say it directly. He smiled and patted his hair. “You’re great just like this.”

Dissatisfied with his perfunctory answer, He Muyan reached out to wrap his arms around his waist.

“Next time I’m not by your side, don’t wander off randomly. When I went back to the room just now and didn’t see you, I thought…”

He Muyan didn’t continue to say what he had thought, but Song Li could pretty much guess it. He reached out to stroke his hair. “Do you also feel insecure?”

He Muyan didn’t answer him. He just hugged him like that for a while longer before standing up and holding out a hand to him. “It’s time for lunch. Let’s head back.”

Looking at his hand, Song Li recalled the mother and son from earlier, wrinkling his brows as he asked, “Do we still have to eat with those people from before?”

He Muyan nodded and glanced at his expression. “If you don’t like the environment here, we can leave right after eating.”

Not wanting to make things difficult for him, Song Li took his hand. “I haven’t even seen what your older brother looks like yet.”

“He’s tied up handling things at the company today and said he’d come over at lunchtime. He should be here by now.”

Song Li nodded. “I’m so looking forward to it. He must be very handsome too.”

He Muyan lowered his head to look at him. “Teacher Song.”

“Hmm?” Song Li raised his head in confusion, wondering why he suddenly addressed him like that.

He Muyan’s tone was far less cold than his expression, “Should I remind you that you are already a married man?”

Song Li nodded. “I know.”

“Then you ought to understand the basic principle of not casually praising other men as handsome in front of your partner.”

Song Li was stunned, raising his head to look at him. “He Muyan, are you jealous?”

He Muyan averted his gaze. “I’m not. Time to eat.”

Holding back a smile, Song Li deliberately leaned forward, tilting his face up to look at him. “Teacher He, stop pretending. You are definitely jealous; it smells so sour!”

He Muyan was silent for a moment before suddenly reaching out his hand to him, startling Song Li so much that he immediately squeezed his eyes shut tight.

A hand came to rest against his face, its fingers gently brushing over his lips. Unable to resist, Song Li slowly opened his eyes.

He Muyan used his thumb to part his lips, rubbing the small soft flesh until it was red and hot. His fingertips would occasionally brush against the wet, soft tip of his tongue inside. This way of touching was far too erotic, and right in broad daylight no less. Song Li felt intensely embarrassed, dodging as he tried to get him to take his hand away.

He Muyan held his face still, calling out to him in a hoarse voice, “Lili.”

Song Li felt that the look in his eyes right now was far too intense and dangerous; if this continued, something was bound to go wrong. Scared, he hurriedly reached out to swat at his shoulder.

“He Muyan, He Muyan, mmnf…”

Before it was too late, Song Li’s mouth was blocked as He Muyan wrapped an arm around his waist and pressed him against the tree trunk behind them. When He Muyan’s tongue pushed its way inside, Song Li even looked up briefly; it was a thick, massive silk tree.

Lush with foliage that blocked out the sky and sun, it would truly be a great spot for doing things if it were night.

The problem was it wasn’t night right now!

Song Li thought to himself, wanting to cry without tears. Yet when his tongue was bitten and his attention was snapped back, he couldn’t care less anymore, reaching out to embrace his broad back and letting him have his fill.

By the time it ended, Song Li was so limp he couldn’t even stand, slumping over He Muyan’s shoulder, barely catching his breath.

Looking thoroughly satisfied, He Muyan narrowed his eyes, scooped up his waist, and twirled a strand of his hair with his fingers.

“Can you walk?”

His voice was hoarse enough that anyone listening would know a story had just unfolded.

Song Li shook his head. “I can’t walk.”

He had actually just wanted to act spoiled and said it on purpose, but to his surprise, He Muyan picked him up directly in the next second.

With his body suddenly losing gravity, Song Li hugged his neck in fright. “What are you doing?”

He Muyan kissed his forehead. “Going back to the room.”

Song Li looked at his expression. “But aren’t we going to have lunch?”

He Muyan was already carrying him steadily forward, and upon hearing this, he lowered his head to look at him, “Didn’t Lili not want to eat with those people?”

Song Li blinked. He really had only said that casually earlier, never expecting He Muyan to care so much about his feelings.

A wave of warmth welled up in his heart. Song Li simply stopped struggling, leaning against his shoulder and saying, “Instead of going to lunch, we’re hiding in the room in the middle of the day. What will the relatives in your family say about us?”

He Muyan gave a faint smile. “Let them talk.”

Song Li had precisely wanted to hear He Muyan say those words, so he rubbed against his chest in satisfaction.

He really loved He Muyan’s supreme, self-centered attitude; I don’t care who you are, I am who I am.

His husband was so arrogant, and he loved it so much.

The two of them returned to He Muyan’s room once again. He Muyan placed him on the bed and bent over to take off his shoes.

He set the first shoe he took off on his knee and proceeded to remove the other one.

Song Li’s feet were a bit cold. He Muyan held them in his hands to warm them up for a while, raising his head to ask, “Are you cold?”

Song Li shook his head. “I’m not cold. Whenever the weather turns chilly, my hands and feet get cold easily, but I’m actually not cold.”

He Muyan nodded but still insisted on keeping them warm in his hands for a bit longer.

Once they finally warmed up a little, he lifted the quilt and let him lie down.

“I’ll head downstairs and have Uncle Dong bring some food up. You can take a nap after eating, and we’ll head back around three in the afternoon.”

Song Li nodded. “Are you going back out in a bit?”

“En, my eldest brother is back. I ought to step out and show my face.”

Song Li let out an “ah.” “Then I won’t get to see what your eldest brother looks like.”

He Muyan lowered his head to look at him.

Song Li pulled the quilt up to cover his face, exposing only his eyes, though it was still clear that he was secretly laughing.

He Muyan gave a fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “It seems the lesson in the garden earlier wasn’t good enough, and Teacher Song hasn’t fully mastered and digested it yet. It looks like I’ll need to put in some more effort.”

Scared, Song Li shook his head vigorously, “No need, no need! I’m already slowly digesting it. Teacher He taught very well; this student has benefited greatly!”

He Muyan narrowed his eyes at him. “What should you call me?”

“Teacher He.”

He Muyan shook his head.

Song Li tentatively tried again, “He Muyan?”

He Muyan still shook his head.

Still not satisfied with that, Song Li knew what he wanted to hear. Before he could even open his mouth, his face had already begun to burn hot.

He just didn’t know what was wrong with He Muyan today; in the past, no matter how far he pushed, he would only tease him in bed to make him say it, never having been like this before.

Song Li dodged his gaze, but He Muyan pinched his chin, preventing him from escaping.

“Lili.” He Muyan kissed his hot, flushed little earlobe. “Be good.”

Flushed red all over from shame, Song Li turned his face aside and whispered into his ear, “Laogong.”

He Muyan’s breathing seemed to grow a bit heavier. “Louder.”

Giving up entirely, Song Li wrapped his arms around his neck and called out softly, “Laogong, Laogong.”

Satisfied at last, He Muyan rubbed against his neck. “Lili is so good.”

Song Li felt as if half his life had been drained out of him, playing dead as he slumped under the quilt. Ah, so embarrassing!

He Muyan stood up to tidy his clothes. Looking at the fuzzy half of a head sticking out from under the blanket, he reached out to pat it. “Wait goodly for Laogong to come back.”

When He Muyan went downstairs, everyone was already waiting below. Mother He waved to him, “Muyan, hurry on over! Everyone has been waiting for you two.”

Seeing that Song Li was not beside him, she then asked, “Why are you by yourself? Where is Xiao Li?”

He Muyan sat down in his seat. “He’s not feeling well. I had him rest upstairs.”

“Not feeling well? Is he alright?” Mother He looked at him with a worried face. “Is his stomach feeling uncomfortable? Do we need to call the doctor over to check on him?”

“No need.” He Muyan shook his head at her. “He’s just sleepy and lacks energy.”

Saying so, he raised his head to look at the butler nearby. “Uncle Dong, please send some food up in a bit. Lili can’t eat cilantro, green onions, or garlic, and keep the flavors light.”

Butler Dong immediately bowed and nodded. “I will go and instruct them right away. Please rest assured, Young Master Yan.”

Mother He sighed beside them, her expression still filled with worry. “Carrying a first child really is a bit of an ordeal, so it’s truly been hard on Xiao Li. Butler Dong, tell the kitchen to prepare more nourishing dishes. Take the velvet antler and reishi mushroom my maiden family sent over a few days ago and stew them all up.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Alright,” Father He spoke up from the side. “Time to eat. It’s rare for the whole family to gather like this today, so let’s not keep talking about these things.”

“Indeed,” He Yunchen, who was sitting next to him, said with a smile. “Xiao Yan, it’s rare for you to come home today, yet I was tied down by company matters and couldn’t get away, only rushing back at this hour. I deserve to be punished; your elder brother here will punish himself with a glass first.”

After He Yunchen finished his drink, the others also began to move about, chatting and laughing. Several people in a row tried to find an opportunity to toast with He Muyan.

He Muyan didn’t decline either. As long as someone raised a toast, he lifted his glass and drank. During the meal, a child of some relative suddenly asked out of nowhere, “Cousin Muyan, how did you and Cousin-in-law meet?”

This question was neither too big nor too small; after all, everyone present knew that He Muyan had previously been engaged to the young master of the Pei family, only for it to fall through later. For Song Li to suddenly pop out of nowhere, it was no wonder they felt curious.

Setting down his wine glass, He Muyan looked at his face, which could still barely be considered youthful, and let out a soft laugh. “I remember your name is Mingtang, right? You seemed to be chatting very happily with your cousin-in-law in the garden earlier.”

Being looked at by his smiling yet not-quite-smiling eyes made He Mingtang’s heart go cold. He thought to himself that there had only been his mother, Song Li, and himself earlier; so how on earth did He Muyan know what they had talked about?

Could it be that he had installed a listening device on Song Li? That would be way too terrifying.

He Muyan paid him no further mind, instead raising his head to look at Father He in the main seat.

“Dad, while everyone is here today, I’d like to announce something. I plan to hold a wedding with Song Li at the end of the month. When the time comes, if all of you elders are free, I hope you can all attend.”