“Darling, go take a shower.” Haitong winked at her husband, signalling Zhan Yin to go bathe. Zhan Yin instantly understood the deeper meaning in her words. Haitong had taken the kids to Yangcheng for a ten-day trip, so the couple had been apart. A short separation felt like a honeymoon. Tonight, they wanted to enjoy some intimate time together. That’s why Haitong had put their son to bed early and was now coaxing their daughter to sleep. Only when both children were asleep could the couple have their loving moments; otherwise, the kids always joined in, becoming third wheels. “Alright, I’ll shower first.” Zhan Yin stood up, patted his daughter’s head, and said, “Beibei, drink your formula and sleep soon, okay? Daddy’s going to take a shower.” Beibei focused on drinking her formula, ignoring her father. She drank slowly, nestled in her mother’s arms, and as she drank, her eyes closed. But her mouth kept moving. By the time she finished her formula, she was half-asleep, occasionally suckling. When she stopped completely, she was fully asleep. Haitong gently removed the bottle, placing it on the bedside table. Though Beibei was one and a half, after drinking her formula, Haitong still held her for a while before laying her on the bed.
Zhan Yin came out of the bathroom, bare-chested, holding a towel, wiping his hair as he walked over. “Is Beibei asleep?” “Asleep. Don’t make noise, wait until she’s in a deeper sleep before laying her down.” Haitong spoke softly to her husband, urging him to keep his voice down. Looking up to see him bare-chested with water droplets still on his skin, she laughed. “Why so eager? You didn’t even wipe off the water, and you’re not wearing a shirt.” “I’ll have to take it off later anyway. Putting it on and off is too much hassle, and it’s not like anyone else will see me like this.” At this hour, who would dare disturb Young Master Zhan? “Wipe off the water droplets, and use the hairdryer to dry your hair. You always go to bed with wet hair, which not only wets the pillow but can affect your health.” “Old folks say sleeping with wet hair causes headaches. Don’t think men are immune, those issues don’t discriminate.” Zhan Yin said, “My hair’s so short, it’ll dry quickly. The room’s air-conditioned.” By the time his wife finished showering, his hair would already be dry.
A moment later, Haitong laid their daughter on the bed, covered her with a small blanket, and said to her husband, “Sit on the bed and watch her. I’m going to shower.” An adult’s presence helped the little one sleep more soundly. Zhan Yin pulled her into his arms first, leaning down to kiss her lips. After stealing a sweet moment, he whispered huskily in her ear, “Darling, I missed you so much.” Haitong’s face flushed slightly, and she gently pushed him away. “It’s only been ten days, and we video-called almost every day.” “Video calls can’t ease the longing. Only holding you in my arms, feeling you close, puts me at ease.” Zhan Yin leaned in for another kiss, but Haitong covered his mouth. “No more kissing, or I won’t need to shower. Watch our daughter, I’m going to bathe.” Haitong pushed him away and hurried off. Zhan Yin chuckled softly, not pulling her back. Tonight, he’d get to sleep beside his wife anyway.
Zhan Yin grabbed a book, sat on the bed, leaned against the headboard, and flipped through it. After a few minutes, perhaps unable to focus, he closed the book and placed it on the bedside table. Leaning over, he gazed at his sleeping daughter’s face, finding her more and more adorable, delicate like a doll. She resembled both him and Haitong, inheriting the best of their genes. “Beibei, Daddy loves you all so much.” Zhan Yin gently touched his daughter’s face, then pressed his cheek against hers. The little one slept soundly, undisturbed.
