Chapter 587: A World for Two
Ever since the day he met Ning Chu, life started to feel like it had a purpose.
No more drifting through the days or aimlessly wandering without direction.
He had a wife, a cute little daughter, and a home of his own. He transformed from a naive university student into a husband and father, and while the responsibilities on his shoulders grew heavier, life became increasingly beautiful.
If only there weren’t so many late-night work shifts…
If it weren’t for the urgent need for money at home, he would have quit ages ago!
As he stepped out of the elevator, it was already nine in the evening.
Wen Yang dragged his weary body to the front door, took a deep breath, and covered his face with both hands, rubbing it vigorously to shake off the tiredness.
Straightening his slouched back, he finally opened the door and looked inside.
Sure enough, Ning Chu was waiting at the door with their daughter in her arms, smiling brightly. The warmth in her eyes made him feel a little more energized, and the fatigue that had been lurking seemed to vanish completely.
“You’re back so late? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
Wen Yang kicked off his shoes, spread his arms wide, and stepped inside, giving both his wife and child a gentle hug.
“The kitchen has late-night snacks…”
Ning Chu’s cheeks turned a shade of red as she wriggled out of his embrace, frantically glancing toward the kitchen.
“Why are you so shy today? We’re already an old married couple! A hug shouldn’t make you blush.”
“N-no…” She avoided his gaze and shoved their daughter into his arms, almost fleeing to the kitchen as if being chased. “I’ll heat something up for you!”
As time passed, the aftereffects of childbirth gradually faded away from Ning Chu.
Every day, she practiced yoga when their daughter was sleeping, striving to get her figure back.
The swelling from pregnancy disappeared, her body became slim and graceful again, and the stretch marks on her belly had faded to the point where they were almost invisible.
Though taking care of a baby made her somewhat disheveled with no time to dress up, her complexion had returned to rosy, with spots disappearing from her skin, which was now as smooth and tender as tofu.
Wen Yang was overjoyed that her chest had also increased a cup size…
“I bought you something that’s said to help with stretch marks.”
Wen Yang called out from the kitchen, cradling the baby.
“Does it really work? Don’t waste your money.”
He was uncertain: “It should, right? The reviews say it’s effective. Just give it a try when you have the time; it won’t be a hassle.”
Once the late-night snack was heated, Ning Chu emerged from the kitchen holding a bowl, her tone quite smug: “Black Pepper Beef Pasta! It’s super tasty! I saved you a portion.”
“Ordered takeout?”
“I made it myself!”
With not much else to do at home and her mother often coming over to help with chores and watch the baby, Ning Chu’s free time was mostly spent either honing her culinary skills or gaming and watching TV.
She placed their daughter in the cradle and sat at the dining table, propping her chin on one hand, looking at Wen Yang with wide eyes: “Honey, I want to discuss something with you.”
“What? This pasta is pretty good, better than what they sell outside.”
With a slight nervousness, she twirled a strand of hair around her finger and suggested, “How about I go back to work? Once Shuqin gets a bit older.”
“I’ve been out of work for almost two years! First, it was the house renovations, then pregnancy, and it’s been so long… I can’t have you be the only one working all the time. Working overtime every day isn’t good for your health; you’ll just drop dead before turning thirty, and then what happens to me and our daughter?”
“???”
Wen Yang raised an eyebrow, a question mark hanging over his head as he gave her an incredulous look: “Can you not jinx me like that? I’m in great shape.”
“Staying at home to handle chores and watch our daughter is perfectly fine, right? My earnings are enough for the family, aren’t they?”
But Ning Chu pouted, clearly displeased, “I feel like I’m drifting away from society… It’s like I’m stuck at home all day, barely interacting with anyone except for Xinya, and even gaming, I can’t find someone to duo with.”
Many people think being a stay-at-home spouse is a beautiful thing.
Well, she used to think that too.
Even though her life was monotonous and revolved around her husband and daughter, at least she didn’t have to deal with irritating bosses or work endless overtime with no rest.
“But we still have a mortgage and kids to raise; the pressure is too much for you to handle.”
Ning Chu didn’t want to lose her earning capability and become Wen Yang’s “appendage,” which made her feel guilty every time she bought something, like her status in the family had diminished.
Thinking of the worst-case scenario: What if one day something happened to Wen Yang, and he couldn’t keep supporting the family? After not having been in touch with the world for so long, even if she went back to work, she might only be able to take a waitress job.
Wen Yang still wouldn’t agree with Ning Chu’s idea: “This is a division of labor, you handle the inside and I handle the outside; isn’t that great?”
“…”
Switching gears a bit, he asked, “Are you really okay with letting your mom watch Shuqin? You see how spoiled she is.”
Mentioning this finally gave Ning Chu pause: “I don’t feel entirely at ease…”
Maybe it was the generational bond or just her mother being a bit idle, but she feared her mother would try to keep Shuqin in a sterile environment. If she really ended up taking care of the baby, who knew what would happen?
Ning Chu hesitated: “She shouldn’t go overboard, right?”
“What if she insists on moving in to help you with the baby, and you’re not okay with it?”
“I can’t stand her nagging… Whenever I want to game, she blames me for not watching the baby, even when the baby’s asleep.”
“She would pamper her to the point of spoiling her. Once that happens, it’ll be too late to change anything.”
“That’s true…”
Seeing his wife softening up, Wen Yang relaxed, finishing his noodles and heading to the kitchen with his bowl: “Don’t worry; I can earn enough on my own.”
He bent down to wash the dishes, and as he did, he felt Ning Chu’s presence close behind him.
Her figure was more curvesome than before, but still not bulky, maintaining a slim silhouette. The softness pressed against his back, fragrant like milk, was irresistible.
“I’m all healed; the doctor said I can…”
Not only had her postpartum injuries healed, but the little succubus was also back to normal, craving refreshment more than ever.
The little succubus leaned against Wen Yang’s broad back, her body swaying like a water snake, teasing the firm muscles beneath her.
Breathing in her husband’s scent made her feel unusually warm; her lower abdomen buzzed with excitement, and her skin seemed to blush a delicate peach color.
However, after such a long time without anything “intimate,” she felt much shyer, her face flushed and dizzy.
“Ah, so that’s why you’re acting shy today.”
Wen Yang casually pulled the kitchen curtains closed.
“Not here…”
“Whoa~”
Just as they were halfway out of their clothes, they both heard their daughter crying. They instantly jolted, turning to look toward the dining room’s cradle.
“The world for two is completely gone now…”
Wen Yang sighed helplessly.
He suddenly thought to himself, “Not having kids would actually be nice; at least we wouldn’t be interrupted.”
