Jiang Jiang blinked. “Pretty Brother.”
Di Ronghua: “…”
So when did she become Xiao Hanjin’s aunt?
Her face darkened a shade. When Xiao Hanjin handed her the bowl of bird’s nest soup again, she shot him a fierce glare. “Xiao Hanjin, are you doing this on purpose? Who’d eat something this weird-tasting?”
The man looked at her furious, vibrant face—brimming with life and allure—and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “It’s got medicinal herbs.”
“Not eating.”
“Your health’s poor. The herbs in it can help regulate your body.”
She shot him a sideways glance, holding back an outburst only because Jiang Jiang was present. “I said I’m not eating. Are you deaf?”
Xiao Hanjin’s gaze darkened slightly. “Ronghua, don’t neglect your health just to spite me.”
Di Ronghua couldn’t be bothered to respond.
She patted the little head in her arms. “Jiang Jiang, had enough sleep? Want me to take you out to play?”
Jiang Jiang hesitated, instinctively glancing at Xiao Hanjin. “Brother, can I go play with Pretty Mama?”
Now it was the man’s turn to pale, his eyes narrowing sharply. “What did you call her?”
Di Ronghua’s sour mood instantly lifted. She flashed him a slight smile. “Miao Miao showed her my portrait. She knows I’m her Mama.”
That little “ne” at the end?
Xiao Hanjin let out an exasperated laugh. Until today, he hadn’t bothered correcting Jiang Jiang’s habit of calling everyone “Brother” except Jing Xiu, whom she called “Master.” But it seemed that wouldn’t do anymore.
“Jiang Jiang,” he said, lowering his gaze to her. “From now on, don’t call me Brother. It’s… Uncle, got it?”
“Heh.” Di Ronghua let out a cold smirk.
Xiao Hanjin’s brow twitched.
His deep, shadowy eyes flicked to her, but his words were for Jiang Jiang. “Jiang Jiang, you can’t go out right now.”
Di Ronghua’s eyes widened abruptly. “You—”
The man shifted his gaze away, placing the bird’s nest soup in front of Jiang Jiang. His low voice carried an oddly soothing, coaxing tone. “Finish your medicine first, then we’ll go, okay?”
Di Ronghua’s expression shifted.
Only now did she notice he’d brought in two bowls of the soup.
And at that moment, Jiang Jiang, ever obliging, nodded. “Okay!”
Di Ronghua watched as he fed her a spoonful. Jiang Jiang’s little face scrunched up, but instead of spitting it out, she swallowed the strange-tasting concoction with a grimace. Clearly, this wasn’t her first time.
Xiao Hanjin said softly, “Jiang Jiang, Pretty Mama’s health is even worse than yours, but she won’t take her medicine. Can you convince her, hmm?”
Di Ronghua’s face changed again.
Jiang Jiang tilted her head to look at her, big eyes blinking with sincere concern. “Pretty Mama, it doesn’t taste good, but it’s good for your body.” She blinked again. “Mama tells Jiang Jiang to listen to Uncle, so you should listen too.”
Di Ronghua: “…”
Xiao Hanjin: “Ronghua, even a four-year-old understands this. You’re not going to be less sensible than your daughter, are you?”
Di Ronghua: “…”
That eerie feeling of being controlled hovered over her constantly, ever since she’d arrived in Bei Xi. It was as if every step she retreated, he advanced, pushing her further.
Until, eventually, she might have nowhere left to retreat.
But all she wanted now was to live quietly, free from the turmoil of love.
Di Ronghua pressed her lips together and picked up the other bowl of bird’s nest soup. “Later, I’m taking Jiang Jiang for a walk in the Imperial Garden. You’re not allowed to follow.”
The man’s movements paused, his eyes dimming slightly. “Alright.”
