Chapter 200: More Exciting?

Chapter 200: Chapter 200: More Exciting?

Liu Na quickly interjected.

"Our place isn’t much bigger than yours, and—"

"You don’t even raise your own kid. We’re not as lucky as you."

Liu Na: "..."

She pressed her lips together and fell silent.

As Liu Na went quiet, He Wei got fired up, launching into a tirade of complaints.

"The four of us are crammed into this tiny den. You can’t even turn around without hitting a wall! I want to move to a more spacious place. What’s wrong with that?"

"I’ve run myself ragged trying to sort this out, and not only does he not understand, he even hit me!"

She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling.

Before the words had even faded, she suddenly looked up and stared at Liu Na.

"Tell me, has that new woman bewitched him?"

Afraid Liu Na hadn’t met Song Yao, she quickly added,

"The one who just moved in. Have you seen her?"

"Pregnant and still acting up, swaying her hips like a willow in the wind when she walks. You can tell she’s trouble just by looking at her."

"You’d better watch out, too. Be careful she doesn’t sweet-talk your Mr. Tan into a daze."

Liu Na had planned on patiently hearing her out a little longer.

But her face fell the moment she heard that.

"Don’t go spouting baseless accusations. If word gets out and she comes knocking on your door, can you handle it? Do you think this is some marketplace for idle gossip? If something really happens, who’s going to take responsibility?"

"It’s already pitch black out, and your kid has school in the morning. You should hurry up and get things in order, make your child something to eat! Don’t just stand here wagging your tongue while your stove is cold, the dishes are piled up, and you haven’t even washed the rice."

With that, she turned and left. At her door, she called out to her husband, her expression still stern.

"Tan Peng! Come give me a hand!"

Tan Peng hurried after her, looking puzzled the moment he stepped inside.

"What’s wrong? Who upset you? I was just in the courtyard and heard your voice get really loud."

"You look completely unhappy."

As he spoke, he hung up the jacket that was draped over the back of a chair and poured her a glass of water.

Liu Na was still fuming.

"Guess what nonsense He Wei was just spouting? She implied I can’t keep my own husband in line, questioning why Mr. Yang is always coming over to our place... Of course I’m mad!"

Tan Peng swore as soon as he heard.

"Why can’t she keep her mouth shut? The words just fall out before she thinks. Her own daughter isn’t even engaged yet, and she’s already worrying about another family’s regimental commander?"

"Her own life is a mess, yet she has the nerve to go around picking faults with everyone. Who doesn’t know about the mess her family is in?"

Liu Na’s anger subsided a little.

"Forget about her fault-finding. The woman is heavily pregnant, and He Wei starts slandering her without a second thought. Doesn’t her conscience bother her? She said ’round belly’ like it was a curse. How many months pregnant is Song Yao? She probably hasn’t even felt the baby move yet, and He Wei’s already passing judgment on her."

"From now on, just avoid Mr. Yang if you can, for the sake of peace and quiet. That couple is living their life just fine; they don’t need outsiders pointing fingers."

Tan Peng nodded.

"Okay, got it. Next time I see Mr. Yang, I’ll just say I have something to do at home and take a detour."

Song Yao was halfway through peeling a lychee.

The crimson fruit was piled high in the bowl when the clamor outside suddenly fell silent.

She perked up her ears and listened for a few seconds, but couldn’t hear another word.

Li Hanchen came in with the last dish and walked up behind her.

"They stopped?"

"Mhm, seems like they were broken up."

Song Yao said.

He took the bowl from her hands.

"Come on, time to eat!"

She patted her belly.

"Finally, I’m hungry."

When she stood up, she waddled slowly from side to side, like a plump little penguin just learning to walk.

"It’s so weird. I used to eat this much fruit and I’d have no appetite for dinner. But now? Now I feel like I could devour a whole pig! I could probably drink three bowls of soup without even burping."

Li Hanchen replied with a smile.

"Then eat up. Tell me anytime you’re craving something. Tonight we have steamed ribs, stewed winter melon, stir-fried shrimp, and your favorite, sweet and sour lotus root."

Song Yao threw her arms around his, grinning.

"Hubby, you’re the best!"

Their summer clothes were thin, and she pressed against him, her soft warmth enveloping his arm.

He knew, deep down.

’Having those kinds of thoughts right now is a bit classless.’

But Li Hanchen couldn’t be bothered to pretend anymore.

’He just craved her. He just wanted to press her into his arms and tease her until the corners of her eyes turned red.’

But it was just a thought.

’Actually do it?’

’He couldn’t bring himself to do it. He didn’t want to be that kind of scoundrel.’

But the more he suppressed it, the more unbearable it became.

He stared at the white rice on the table.

Throughout the meal, Li Hanchen was covered in sweat, practically steaming.

Song Yao was too busy stuffing snacks into her mouth to notice anything was off with Li Hanchen.

By the time she realized, he had already put down his bowl.

Li Hanchen stood up to clear the table, and his reaction was so obvious she couldn’t pretend not to see it.

"Hubby, you’re..."

Song Yao crushed the potato chip bag in her hand and tilted her head up to look at the back of his neck.

Li Hanchen: "..."

Song Yao blinked.

"Ooh, this is way more exciting than a TV show."

Tossing the remote aside, she got up and scurried into the kitchen like a little shadow.

Li Hanchen had just turned around when his elbow bumped a bowl on the edge of the counter.

CRASH!

With a crisp sound, porcelain shards scattered across the floor.

Song Yao stared at the broken pieces, her heart clenching for a second. She quickly waved her hands.

"Hey, hey, don’t panic! I’m just taking a look!"

Then she added, "I get it! I really do!"

She said she understood, but her eyes were sparkling as she leaned in closer.

"Hey, hubby, what was going through your mind while we were eating?"

’What was going through his mind...’

For once, Li Hanchen couldn’t maintain his composure, and the back of his ears burned.

"Why don’t you go back to the couch and watch some TV?"

Song Yao didn’t budge, planting her hands on her hips.

"Nope! We have to get to the bottom of this. If it’s because of me, I’ll take the blame! I understand!"

Her eyes darted around mischievously.

"But if it’s because of someone else..."

She clenched her fist.

"Hmph, you’re sleeping in the study tonight."

Li Hanchen: "..."

"Am I really that untrustworthy in your eyes?"

His voice deepened. This time, he was genuinely a little angry.

Song Yao softened in an instant, sidling up to him and hooking her arm through his. She looked up at him with a grin.

"Of course not! Look—"

She patted her lower abdomen. "I’ve got a little bean sprout in my belly, and it’s been two months since you’ve had any... ’meat’..."

She poked the palm of her own hand with her fingertip.

"It makes me a little anxious, you know!"

She fluttered her long eyelashes.

"Hubby, think about it. Really think about it!"

Li Hanchen’s anger instantly deflated. The tips of his ears grew even redder as he lowered his head and explained in a low voice,

"When we came in... you were holding my arm..."

His voice was barely a whisper, and he immediately turned his face away after speaking.

Song Yao froze, then looked down.

’Oh, boy. I’m holding his arm right now!’

She quickly let go, then tilted her head and asked,

"So me hanging on you this whole time wasn’t more... Ahem, more stimulating?"

Li Hanchen: "..."

’Stimulating?’

’Ten times more stimulating would have been about the same.’

’In terms of effect, it was actually better having her hold onto him. At least it made him feel more at ease.’

Just as his shoulders slumped slightly and his gaze seemed to dim, Song Yao suddenly reached out from behind and wrapped her arms around his narrow waist.

"Hubby~ Want me to lend a hand?"

"Hm?"

Seeing her eyes curve into crescents, Li Hanchen hadn’t yet come to his senses when her hand had already moved down half an inch.

A warmth enveloped her wrist as he grabbed it tightly.

"N-no need! You go on out. I’ll do the dishes. You rest, pick whatever you want to watch on TV!"

His voice was strained as he practically pushed her gently out of the kitchen.

Song Yao leaned against the doorframe, peeking inside on her tiptoes.