Shu Mengyao's voice was soft and sweet, almost as if she was seeking help, or perhaps, acting coquettishly. Lin Yang almost forgot that for Shu Mengyao, this was still an unfamiliar place. Was she perhaps also afraid?
"Alright," Lin Yang said and went to the master bedroom. Shu Mengyao didn't know what he was up to and just quietly watched from the side.
Before long, Lin Yang returned with an extra blanket. He spread it neatly on the crawling mat and placed the summer quilt that had been wrapped around Shu Mengyao on top of it.
"If you feel tired tonight, just lie here," Lin Yang said gently after finishing the arrangement.
"But what about you?" Shu Mengyao asked, seeing Lin Yang had prepared everything for her but was left without a blanket.
"It's not too cold in the summer, I'm fine," Lin Yang smiled. The summers in Jiangcheng weren't sweltering, and sometimes the night breeze brought a little coolness. Lin Yang wasn't the type to be bothered by a little breeze, and he wouldn't catch a cold from it.
Shu Mengyao, on the other hand, had just given birth. Her body was weak and needed extra care, or else it could lead to long-term health issues.
…
That night, the sky was filled with stars, like a river of light flowing across the darkness. The night was tranquil, but neither Lin Yang nor Shu Mengyao could fall asleep.
"Lin Yang, what's your dream?" Shu Mengyao hugged her legs on the mat, resting her head on her knees. Her bright eyes gazed at Lin Yang, her head tilted slightly.
"Dream?" Lin Yang repeated the word before smiling gently. "When I was a child, my dream was to achieve communism."
As soon as he spoke, he noticed Shu Mengyao's mouth slightly open in surprise, her expression blank for a moment. She seemed confused, looking almost adorable, which made Lin Yang chuckle.
"I'm kidding."
"When I was little, I wanted to be the child of some billionaire who got lost in the world, and someday, someone would come and take me back, and I'd live a carefree life."
Lin Yang spoke nostalgically about his childhood dream. It was so naive, he couldn't help but laugh at it. Youthful dreams were fragile things. Even if they were left alone, they would eventually shatter, just like his. When he was young, he even asked his parents to confirm whether he was really their biological child, only to find out the truth, and that shattered his dream.
Shu Mengyao's expression shifted as she thought deeply.
"What about you?" Lin Yang asked, curious.
Shu Mengyao tilted her head slightly, looking out the window into the dark night. The night was so deep that she couldn't make out any direction. She lowered her eyes after a while.
"I don't have a dream," she said softly.
"Wow, you don't have a dream?" Lin Yang was genuinely surprised, which made Shu Mengyao feel a bit awkward. She thought he might say something sarcastic, and she lowered her head even further.
"What's the difference between that and living a carefree life?" Lin Yang asked, his tone warm and understanding.
The expected mockery didn't come, and Shu Mengyao's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Really… can it be understood that way?" In that moment, she felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
As the night deepened, Shu Mengyao's energy faded. Her eyelids drooped, and several times, she nearly nodded off. But she held on for a while before finally succumbing to sleep.
Lin Yang covered her with the summer quilt and sat between her and the baby. He alternated between looking at the baby and at Shu Mengyao, his face filled with a contented smile.
The baby slept soundly, only waking once for a feed. Eventually, Lin Yang too drifted into sleep.
…
Morning.
As the night receded and the sky brightened, the dazzling sunlight streamed through the window and landed on Shu Mengyao. She stirred slightly, groaning before slowly opening her eyes.
Lin Yang, who had already woken up, was in the process of changing Yun Yun's diaper.
"Lin Yang, did you not sleep last night?" Shu Mengyao sat up, still groggy from sleep. Her voice was hoarse, tinged with guilt.
"We both got some sleep. I woke up when the baby had a diaper change," Lin Yang replied as he continued his task. He quickly cleaned Yun Yun's bottom and replaced the diaper.
"Yun Yun, does it feel better now that you have a fresh diaper?" He then gently cradled the baby in his arms, cooing softly.
The baby's cries echoed from across the room.
"Why is the baby crying?" Mother Lin, hearing the noise from the living room, immediately ran into the nursery.
"Mengyao, go drink some porridge," she called out. "Lin Yang, stay with Mengyao, I'll handle this."
She quickly scooped up Xing Xing, whose cries had grown louder despite Mother Lin's efforts to soothe her.
"Mom, let me try," Lin Yang said as he placed Yun Yun back in the crib and took Xing Xing into his arms.
"Little Xing Xing, why are you crying so much? Daddy's going to tell you a story," Lin Yang said softly while rocking the baby gently.
Finally, Xing Xing stopped crying.
"Is the baby jealous?" Mother Lin asked with a laugh. "Looks like our little one is quite the daddy's girl."
"Mengyao, go have some porridge. We have something important to do later," Lin Yang said, still holding Xing Xing in his arms. Though he didn't know what exactly needed to be done, Mengyao nodded obediently and went with Mother Lin to the kitchen.
"I'll tell you stories every day, Xing Xing," Lin Yang murmured, admiring his two babies, particularly how clingy they were. It gave him an overwhelming sense of fulfillment.
After a while, Xing Xing finally fell asleep in his arms. Lin Yang gently placed her back in the crib and went to the living room.
Mother Lin was chatting with Shu Mengyao, who seemed nervous but was responding attentively. Her fingers were constantly fidgeting.
"Mom, it's time to give Mengyao back to me now," Lin Yang said, taking Shu Mengyao's hand and pulling her close.
"Alright, you two enjoy yourselves. I'll let you be alone."
Mother Lin, ever self-aware, immediately turned to leave.
"Wait, Mom," Lin Yang called out, stopping her.
"What is it?" Mother Lin stopped and turned.
"I'm going to get the marriage certificate with Mengyao today. Can you and Dad watch the babies for us?" Lin Yang asked eagerly.