After New Year’s Eve came Lunar New Year’s Day. Many people’s excited, racing nerves had yet to settle, so they simply didn’t go to sleep at all; after all, they had to crawl out of bed before three in the morning to eat dumplings anyway.
Not being allowed to sleep in on Lunar New Year’s Day was probably the most universally agreed-upon cultural custom across all of China.
Song Li was extremely sleepy. His eyelids began to droop downward once more while looking at Niannian’s little face. Keeping the New Year’s greetings in mind, he grabbed He Muyan’s clothes and asked him, “Are there any special rules for New Year’s greetings in your family? What time do I need to get up? If it’s too early, you have to wake me, or else I’m afraid I won’t be able to get up…”
He Muyan looked at him as he spoke, not even bothering to open his eyes. His long eyelashes drooped softly, and his handsome, refined features were completely relaxed, his clean and fair appearance still making him look like a well-behaved boy of fifteen or sixteen.
He Muyan lightly pinched his earlobe with his fingers and said in a low voice, “It’s fine, keep sleeping.”
Song Li shook his head while burying his face into his chest, his voice muffled, “No, you have to wake me…”
His breathing already grew long and even only halfway through his sentence. He Muyan kissed his forehead, then glanced once more at Niannian, who was sleeping sprawled out beside them. Reaching over, he gently pulled the little quilt higher over him, left the small bedside nightlight on, and closed his own eyes as well.
Song Li slept soundly and contentedly, except that in his dreams he constantly felt like he was forgetting to do something important. In the end, he was still woken up by a bout of milky sounding “wawa” cries.
After dazily opening his eyes, the very first thing he saw was Niannian’s pair of big, dark, watery eyes. The little one kept reaching toward him, waving both tiny hands excitedly, while a glistening trail of drool that had just spilled out rested on his moist, reddened little mouth.
Song Li’s heart melted completely. Pinching his soft little hands between his fingers, he rubbed them gently against his own face as he spoke in a hoarse voice, “Niannian came to wake Daddy up, huh?”
He Muyan, who was holding him, answered on Niannian’s behalf, “This little guy couldn’t see you when he opened his eyes and kept fussing in the nursery. The moment he was carried over here, he quieted right down.”
Song Li blinked, suddenly remembering something, “What time is it now?”
“It’s still early, just past eight.”
“Just past eight is still early?!” Song Li instantly snapped fully awake, bolting up right in bed, “Didn’t I tell you that you had to wake me!”
He Muyan knew what he was worried about and said with utter indifference, “You don’t need to care about the rules in this family. I took Niannian to see Mom and Dad this morning.”
“How is you seeing them the same as me seeing them…” Song Li felt somewhat powerless, lifting a hand to support his forehead. This was his first time spending Lunar New Year at He Muyan’s home after getting married, and was it really okay to sleep in late right in his own room on the first day of the Lunar New Year?
“Ah, ah…”
Perhaps seeing that he was ignoring him, Niannian grew unhappy, reaching out with his tiny hands to grab at his hair.
Only then did Song Li raise his head, revealing a gentle smile once more as he leaned in to nuzzle the baby’s little cheek with the tip of his nose, “Be good, Niannian. Did you drink your milk properly this morning?”
“Ah, oo…”
Niannian seemed to be answering him, grabbing his hair even more enthusiastically with his little hands, excited to the extreme.
“Alright.” He Muyan lifted his tiny hands away while looking down at Song Li as he said, “Do you want to sleep a bit longer? I’ll have someone bring breakfast up.”
“Don’t bother.” Song Li waved his hand hurriedly, “I’ll get up right now.”
It was already bad enough that he hadn’t gotten up to pay New Year’s respects to the elders on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and if he even had food brought straight to his bedside; even if no one else said anything, he would still feel terribly embarrassed himself.
Getting off the bed and walking toward the adjacent bathroom, he asked him, “Are there any other arrangements for today?”
He Muyan thought for a moment, “According to previous years’ custom, the juniors of the He family will also come over to pay their respects and show their faces. Judging by the time, they should almost all be arriving soon.”
Song Li squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush and stuffed it into his mouth, nodding with “aw-aw” sounds, “Then I should go down and show my face in a bit too…”
He Muyan looked at him, “Do you want to go, Lili?”
Song Li didn’t speak, lowering his head to brush his teeth earnestly. Once the two minutes were up, he spat out the mouth full of toothpaste suds, rinsed clean with water, and poked half his face out to answer him, “It’s not a matter of wanting to or not. Hiding and avoiding them all the time isn’t meaningful either. But out of those people, there aren’t many whose faces I can remember; you’ll have to softly remind me when the time comes.”
He Muyan was using his hand to wipe away the drool bubbles Niannian blew out. The little guy opened his big, round eyes and used both tiny hands to hold onto his large hand, then pulled one of his fingers straight into his mouth and began sucking on it.
He Muyan blinked, “He just drank 90 ml of formula. Why does he still want to eat? Someone so small, yet such a big eater.”
Song Li came out after washing his face, shot a glance into his embrace, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Aren’t all children like this? Their mouths can’t stay idle and always need to suck on something. He’s taking your finger for a pacifier.”
He Muyan wanted to pull his hand back, but Niannian’s little mouth was sucking too fast. His soft gums ground against his finger, making it feel very itchy, while his little tongue licked away rhythmically. It was a very strange sensation. He Muyan’s expression grew somewhat complex, so he stopped his motion to pull his hand out.
Song Li didn’t notice what he was doing, rummaging around by himself at the cabinet in the back. Having stayed in heated rooms all winter, his skin had gotten blown far too dry. A while back, he suddenly woke up one morning to find his face flaking with white skin, followed immediately by redness and itching. After having a doctor take a look, he was told it was extreme dehydration causing a bit of an allergic reaction; the doctor gave him some medicine, and after applying it for two days, he was basically fine.
Who would have guessed that two days later, a set of skincare products suddenly appeared on the table. It was some “Deep Sea Ultimate Luxury Concentrated Essence” or whatever it was called; a ridiculously long string of words that he could barely even read properly. However, he did often saw advertisements for this brand on television: the kind where the price for a few milliliters could wipe out an ordinary person’s monthly salary.
Song Li knew nothing about these things at all. In the past, no matter how roughly he lived through the winter, the most he would ever use was Dabao or Johnson’s. How could he have ever considered buying such luxurious products to put on his face? After all, he wasn’t stupid, and he didn’t have much money either.
But now, He Muyan had bought it for him without a word. Leaving it unused would just be a waste, so later, when he felt his face starting to pull tight and dry again, he simply opened it up and used it.
To be honest, a good product was a good product. After using it just twice, he could already tell how good this stuff really was. Every day after washing his face, he would obediently come over and let He Muyan pat and smooth it into his skin, without even needing He Muyan to remind him. After patting it on, he felt like his face could breathe on its own, and it felt quite tender to the touch.
After finishing patting his face, he took off the headband and ran his fingers through the messy cowlicks in front of the mirror twice before coming over to ask He Muyan, “What would be more appropriate for me to wear today?”
The results of Song Li’s recent persistence with skincare have actually already been shown. He already had a naturally youthful appearance, but now his face looked even more delicate and tender, his eyes clear and bright. Looking at him, he genuinely seemed like the younger one by five years between the two of them.
He Muyan really wanted to touch his stick-up hair, but both of his hands were currently holding Niannian, leaving him no free hands, so he had no choice but to lower his head and kiss his face.
“Anything’s fine. Just go with something casual.”
Song Li nodded. Even though He Muyan had said so, he still felt that he couldn’t just dress too casually. After all, a new year brought a new atmosphere, and this was a major occasion where he had to meet their whole family. He couldn’t embarrass him no matter what when standing beside He Muyan.
After lingering in the room for a while, he went downstairs carrying Niannian with him.
The living room had already grown lively. Quite a lot of people had arrived, and as Song Li looked over, there seemed to be even more people than the last time he had come to the He household; presumably, some had rushed back from abroad for the New Year.
Mother He was wearing a Chinese-style cheongsam today with a fox-fur-like snow-white shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She looked elegant and luxurious, displaying not a single trace of her usual gentle and simple demeanor.
Father He was dressed in a matching Chinese Tang suit of the same color palette with the carved buttons fastened all the way to the top one. He was engaged in high-minded conversation with someone around his age, occasionally slapping the other’s shoulder with a couple of hearty laughs, looking radiant and full of vigor.
These people seemed to all be waiting for He Muyan and his family. Seeing them come down, they ceased their conversations one after another, looking over in unison.
Suddenly, finding himself the focus of so many people’s gazes, Song Li couldn’t help but feel his heart skip a beat. And really, no one could blame him; in truth, the way these people stared at him and Niannian in his arms was just like peering at some brand-new species, their eyes glowing with intense curiosity, especially those younger kids who didn’t know how to exercise restraint at all.
Compared to Song Li’s discomfort, Niannian was completely fearless. Playing with his tiger-head pouch in Song Li’s arms, he giggled away with joyful noises.
Mother He smiled and waved at them, “Xiao Li, come over quickly. Let me see my precious big grandson, I missed him so much after not seeing him for a whole night.”
Song Li walked over holding Niannian. All along the way, everyone stretched their heads to peek into his arms; some curious, some unable to comprehend. There was a teenager, no telling whose relative’s child he was, who seemed to really like small babies. As Song Li passed by him carrying the child, the boy actually boldly stuck out two fingers on top of his head to make funny faces at Niannian.
Niannian was also amused into giggling happily, unable to keep his hold on the little tiger-head pouch in his hands.
Song Li stuffed the tiger-head pouch back into his tiny paws and turned his head to smile at the youth.
The youth froze for a moment, unable to help saying to the person beside him, “He’s so pretty.”
The moment the words left his mouth, the tall man who had already walked ahead suddenly turned his head back, giving him a deep look.
That single glance was like deep-pool ice that saw no bottom, causing a chill to surge from the soles of the youth’s feet as he stepped back, unable to take it.
A hand rested lightly on his shoulder. Song Li looked up at the man beside him in curiosity, “What’s wrong?”
He Muyan said in a grim tone, “Asserting ownership.”
Song Li: ?
Having no idea what kind of crazy episode he was throwing again, Song Li ignored him and walked over to Mother He and Father He with Niannian in his arms.
After finishing the New Year rounds of paying respects, Song Li’s two arms, which had been carrying Niannian all this time, had become so heavy that they almost no longer felt like his own. Forced into business, Niannian also began crying and throwing a fuss halfway through. Heartbroken for the child, Mother He called him her darling over and over, urging Song Li to hurry and carry the baby back upstairs.
He Muyan socialized downstairs for a while longer. Finding no one in their bedroom after coming upstairs, he went to the adjacent baby room.
Pushing the door open, he saw Song Li leaning over the cradle bed with one hand gently rocking the handrail while lowering his head to hum a soft, sweet nursery rhyme.
He Muyan walked over, asking him in a low voice, “Is he not asleep yet?”
Song Li gave an “en,” reaching out to carefully take out the finger Niannian was sucking on in his mouth, “I just coaxed him to sleep. He was making such a fuss earlier, his crying had my head buzzing.”
He Muyan let out a soft laugh as well, tossing a few boxes and card-like items he was holding onto the table, then lifting a hand to loosen his tie.
Song Li shot a glance at the things he had thrown down and said with a smile, “More for Niannian again? I already brought up a whole stack earlier. These relatives of yours sure hand out generous gifts, the ones received today must be worth at least a million or so, to say the least.”
He Muyan didn’t think much of these items either. Walking up to the small bed to take a look at the sleeping Niannian, he continued, “You had already brought Niannian upstairs earlier, so you didn’t hear; Dad’s New Year gift for Niannian is a villa in the western suburbs. When we have time after the New Year, let’s go check it out.”
Song Li’s eyes widened, “The western suburbs? A villa?”
He Muyan found him unbearably cute like this and couldn’t resist lowering his head to give him a kiss.
Song Li felt he no longer had the energy to be shocked. Taking a sharp breath, he looked at the soundly sleeping baby with complex emotions.
Between laughter and tears, he said, “He’s only a few months old and already worth tens of millions. If it weren’t happening to my own child, I really wouldn’t even dare to imagine it. The world of you rich people are just too absurd, isn’t it?”
Listening to his mumbling, He Muyan bent down to gather him into his embrace, “Money is all just external stuff. Having the person you cherish safely by your side is what matters most.”
Song Li turned his head to look at him, “How come President He is getting so philosophical?”
Taking advantage of the moment, He Muyan stole another kiss, “I’m just speaking from the heart.”
Song Li smiled, thought for a moment, and said to him, “When are we going back? My mom called me just now to ask what time we’re heading over tomorrow so she can prepare in advance.”
He Muyan checked the time, “After lunch, how does that sound to you, Lili?”
“Sounds good.”
After lunch, those who had traveled from afar had left as they should. Song Li was upstairs packing his and He Muyan’s belongings while the night nanny was beside them packing Niannian’s things, eventually organizing everything into several large suitcases.
Song Li felt a bit of a headache looking at these few suitcases. They had only stayed here for three or four days; where on earth did all these things come from?
When it was time to leave, Mother He and the others all came out to see them off. Looking at Niannian in the night nanny’s arms, her eyes grew red as she looked, dabbing her tears with a handkerchief; exaggerated to the point as if they would never see each other again in the future.
After finally getting into the car, Song Li leaned against the person beside him with his eyes blank and his soul having left his body.
He Muyan held him and gave him a gentle shake, “What’s wrong?”
Song Li buried his face in his embrace, saying painfully, “I didn’t expect visiting relatives after marriage to be such an exhausting affair. I feel like I’ve been a walking corpse these past few days, I really can’t take it much longer.”
He Muyan used his finger to tap the light porcelain-blue shadow under his eyes, “Our family has a bit too many rules. Tomorrow when we go to my mother-in-law’s place, there won’t be so many chores. Lili, you can relax properly.”
Song Li closed his eyes and snuggled further into his embrace, “I’ll sleep for a bit. Wake me when we get home.”
Even after they arrived home, He Muyan didn’t wake him, directly picking him up and carrying him all the way up to the bedroom upstairs.
Although Song Li was fast asleep, the moment he touched the bed, his body reacted faster than his brain. Rolling over on the bed, he let out a comfortable groan, “As expected, one’s own bed is still the most comfortable.”
He Muyan had originally planned to go check on how the night nanny was settling Niannian in. Seeing him look so cute, his feet couldn’t move for a moment, and he pounced on him like a big bear.
Pressed by him to the point of being unable to breathe, Song Li bent one knee to push him off, “What are you doing? Stop fooling around and go check on Niannian quickly.”
He Muyan held onto his waist without letting go, “Let me hold you for a bit to recharge.”
Holding his big, furry head, Song Li let out a sigh, “Then I’ll let you sleep for a bit, only for a little while.”
He Muyan let out a soft grunt.
He had drunk quite a lot of alcohol at noon and was probably not feeling too well right now. Song Li gently stroked his back, calling him softly after a while, but He Muyan seemed to have already fallen asleep.
So, Song Li carefully sat up, rolled him over to lay him flat properly, and gently pulled up the quilt.
He had kept saying how tired he was just now, but in reality, He Muyan was probably much more exhausted than him these past few days. Although standing in front to shield him and take care of everything, big or small, had long since become second nature to Song Li, he still couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache for him.
When he went next door to check on Niannian, the night nanny had just fed him. Having eaten his fill and got plenty of sleep, the little guy was in a great mood, opening his big, sparkling eyes while reaching out his chubby little hands to grab at the small dolphin hanging from the canopy.
Song Li lay beside him to play, extending a finger to poke his chubby little cheek. Niannian made “ah, ah” sounds as he reached out with his tiny hands to grab his finger, stuffing it right into his mouth once he caught it, sucking on it with immense enthusiasm as if he had tasted some exquisite delicacy.
Beside them, the night nanny was organizing Niannian’s little clothes brought back from the trip. Most of them were newly bought by Mother He and those relatives; of all kinds, shapes, and sizes, so much so that a whole wardrobe couldn’t fit them all.
Children grow so fast; most of these would probably become ill-fitting before even being worn, which was far too wasteful.
That evening, Song Li went into the kitchen to cook himself. Thinking that He Muyan had drunk so much alcohol at noon and hadn’t eaten much, he would surely be hungry when he woke up, so he prepared a few extra dishes.
He had rarely stepped into the kitchen after getting pregnant, so his skills had rusted quite a bit, and his best specialty, tomato sirloin, didn’t turn out very well either. Even so, the few dishes were still polished off completely by He Muyan after he woke up.
It was hard to tell whether he was truly starving or simply showing support for Song Li.
Before going to sleep, He Muyan applied the ointment for Song Li as usual. After burning and hurting so badly for so long last night, it quieted down quite a bit today instead.
After holding it up to the light and carefully examining it for quite a while, confirming that the swelling wasn’t as severe as it had been yesterday, Song Li finally let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. It scared me to death, I thought it was going to keep getting bigger every day.”
Throwing away the used cotton swab, He Muyan smiled upon hearing his words, “What kind of wild thoughts are you having? Dr. Wu already said it’s fine, you’re just scaring yourself.”
Song Li pulled down his rolled-up clothes, propped a pillow behind his back, and leaned on it as he watched He Muyan tidy things up nearby, “Tomorrow when we go to my mom’s place, we won’t stay overnight.”
He Muyan nodded, “Whatever you say.”
Song Li let out a yawn, tilting his head against the pillow, “What are you still busy with?”
“Packing the first-aid kit,” He Muyan answered him without looking up, “Put your ointment inside so it’s easy to grab next time we use it.”
“Oh, are you done yet?”
“Almost done. I’m just checking what other medicines are inside while I’m at it.”
Song Li blinked, “What’s in there?”
“Just the usual stuff; things for clearing heat and treating colds, povidone-iodine, Band-Aids, and the stomach medicine I prepared for you last time…”
Song Li let out a soft hum, his nasal tone soft and sweet, “Is the lubricant in there too?”
He Muyan’s hand paused. He turned back to look at him, his gaze deep and dark, “Liyi.”
Song Li used his toes to trace circles against his waist, “Is it in there or not?”
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I’m so mad On TAB Chapter 030.2