Free Web NovelChapter 177: YOU SHOULD STOP CURSING AT YOUR HUSBAND
Baobao’s arms tightened around Guiying’s neck. She buried her face in his collar like she hadn’t heard.
Three years old and already an expert at pretending not to understand.
Guiying didn’t pry her off. He just shifted her weight and looked at Tiantian. "She’s light," he said quietly. "Are you sure she can’t stay five more minutes?"
Tiantian laughed, but it was the tired kind of laugh mothers get. "If I let her stay five more minutes, we’ll never leave. Her Daddy promised her tanghulu if we’re home before traffic."
At the word "tanghulu" Baobao’s head popped up. Her eyes were glossy, but she reached for Tiantian anyway. Guiying set her down slow, like she was made of glass. Her little hands clung to his shirt for one extra second before she let go.
Yaoyao tugged at his sleeve. "Will Uncle Guiying visit us?"
Guiying crouched again, eye level with her. "I will. Next time I’ll bring your Uncle Liuxian with me."
Yaoyao’s face lit up. "Promise?"
"Promise," he said, and tapped her nose. She giggled and ran to hold Tiantian’s hand.
Lele was still staring at the boots. "Boys can wear heels," he muttered, mostly to himself. "I’m telling Daddy."
Mingming grabbed Lele’s hand. "Come on. Mummy said tanghulu."
The three older kids herded each other toward the door, chattering about sugar and brothers. Moying lingered a step behind, eyes flicking to Guiying one last time. He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, then just nodded instead.
Tiantian picked Baobao up. The little girl didn’t cry this time. She just rested her cheek on Tiantian’s shoulder and waved at Guiying with one small hand.
"See you soon, Guiying," Tiantian said. Her smile was softer now, less teasing. "Thank you for being patient with them."
Guiying bowed slightly. "Thank you for bringing them. The house was quiet without children."
Butler Wang stepped forward to open the door. The afternoon light cut across the floor, warm and gold. One by one the kids waved from the car — Yaoyao with both arms over her booster, Lele with a serious little nod, Mingming shouting "Bye, Uncle Guiying!" Baobao gave the smallest wave, fingers barely moving.
Tiantian buckled Yaoyao into the booster first, pulling the seatbelt across her shoulder so it sat right. "Sit straight, Yaoyao," she murmured, clicking it in.
Mingming climbed into his booster next. He pulled the belt across himself and waited for Tiantian to check it. She tugged the strap once. "Good boy."
Lele needed the full car seat. He let Tiantian strap him in, legs swinging under the harness. "Huggies," he said once it clicked, and she leaned down to kiss his forehead.
Baobao was last. Tiantian carried her over and settled her into the second car seat, adjusting the straps snug across her small shoulders. Baobao gripped the padding with both hands, eyes wide, but didn’t cry. She just watched Guiying through the window, her big eyes serious.
Once all four were settled, Tiantian shut their door, then walked around to the driver’s side. Moying slid into the passenger seat.
The SUV had room for six easy. Four kids in the back row, Tiantian driving, Moying up front.
Through the glass Baobao pressed her palm flat. "Bye-bye, Uncle Gui," she said, voice small but clear.
Yaoyao waved both arms over her booster. "Come see us, Uncle Gui!"
Mingming unbuckled one hand just to wave, then Tiantian gently put it back. "Seatbelt stays on, Mingming."
Lele just stared at Guiying with big eyes until the car started moving, then he lifted one hand in a slow, solemn wave.
Guiying stood on the steps with Butler Wang and lifted his hand. "Drive safe," he called.
Tiantian started the engine and reversed down the drive. Four small faces turned to watch him until the gates closed and the children’s voices faded.
The house went quiet again.
Butler Wang cleared his throat. "Shall I draw you a bath, Master Xue? Or would you rest first?"
Guiying let his hand drop. "No. I can do that myself."
He glanced once more at the empty driveway, at the faint marks the tires left on the stone.
He guess this was the effect children had.
Everywhere was so lively a few seconds ago.
Now it was alarmingly quiet.
He turned and walked back inside, grabbing his bags and heading to his room.
He didn’t spend too much time bathing, did a quick skincare routine, wore some comfy clothes and threw himself into the bed.
Guiying fell asleep fast. The moment the house went quiet, exhaustion pulled him under without mercy. There were no dreams, no shifting shadows, only a deep, heavy black that swallowed him whole.
He woke to the touch of fingertips sliding across his cheekbone. The contact was light, deliberate, and infuriating. His eyes snapped open and rage flooded through him like boiling water. Who in their right mind would dare wake him without permission?
"Are you fucking serious right now? Get your damn hands off me before I break your wrist, you stupid bastard, you reckless piece of—"
The curse died in his throat when his vision focused. Liuxian sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that Guiying could see the faint dampness at his hairline and the smear of road dust on his collar. Liuxian smiled like he had not just risked his neck, and then he leaned down and crushed the rest of the curses under his mouth.
The kiss was slow and thorough, like Liuxian had been waiting hours to do it. When he finally pulled back, his thumb brushed across Guiying’s lower lip.
"You should stop cursing at your husband so much," Liuxian said, voice low and pleased. "It makes me want you more."
Guiying hissed and turned his face into the pillow, but his ears were red. The room smelled like leather, sweat, and wind that had been riding hard for hours. Liuxian kicked his boots off and let them fall to the floor with heavy thuds. He stripped out of his jacket and threw it over the chair, then climbed into the bed without asking and let the mattress sink under his weight.
Guiying shoved at his chest with both hands. "Could you at least shower before you climb into my bed? You smell like horse and dust and three days on the road."
Liuxian stared at him with flat, unimpressed eyes. "-_-"
"That was harsh," Liuxian said, but his arms came around Guiying’s waist and dragged him close anyway. His shirt was still warm from travel, and his chest was solid against Guiying’s back. "I rode straight here. Would you prefer I sleep in the hallway instead?"
"I would prefer you did not smell like a stable," Guiying muttered, but he stopped pushing.
