NMBJ2 - 22

Ni Kailun was still in Hong Kong. After wrapping up all her work on Spring Delayed, Huang Xitang finally began her vacation. She accompanied her mother back to Xianju to relax, visit old neighbors, and spend some quiet time together.

When the mother and daughter returned, they saw that the young landlord next door was moving out.

The local landlord drove to the station to pick them up and then headed to his family restaurant for a meal. Shortly after, the landlord’s wife arrived with their child, beaming with joy: “Sister, we were just planning to head to Shanghai tomorrow.”

The little child, naturally drawn to beautiful people, broke into a wide smile upon seeing Xitang. She reached out to hold the child and asked, “Are you taking the child there for fun?”

The landlord’s wife, quick-talking, replied, “Not this time. The new shop’s paperwork has come through, and we’re rushing to get started on renovations.”

Xitang was a bit surprised. “So soon?”

Back when her mother was hospitalized, the landlord had visited twice. After her mother was discharged, the landlord messaged Xitang saying, “My wife is pushing me to expand to Shanghai, and I agreed.”

Xitang knew that his wife had always admired the lifestyle in Hangzhou and Shanghai, often making trips there. Although the landlord had bought her a house in both cities, his business remained rooted in their hometown, and he had never planned to relocate. Unexpectedly, this time, he made the decision to move.

It had only been a little over a month since. For restaurant licensing in Shanghai to come through so quickly seemed nearly impossible.

At the dinner table, the landlord said, “Nian Nian, I’ll give you a 10% dry equity stake.”

Xitang immediately declined.

The landlord became anxious. “Nian Nian, if you don’t take it, I won’t open it!”

This time, it was the landlord’s wife who grew anxious. “That’s not right!”

Xitang burst into laughter. “Look, your wife doesn’t want you to give it away.”

The landlord’s wife hurriedly handed the child to her mother-in-law and rushed over to cling tightly to Xitang. “That’s not what I meant! Sister, you’re working so hard alone in Shanghai. If we move there, we can look after each other. My good days depend on you!”

Her mother watched them bicker at the table, holding the child on her lap, her face lit with joy.

That autumn was particularly lovely.

Around the Double Ninth Festival, the landlord’s restaurant in Xianju held a week-long trial opening before officially launching. On the opening day, Xitang reserved the largest private dining room to show her support. Ni Kairen brought her child along too. In June that year, Ni Kairen had given birth via C-section to a baby boy in Hong Kong. Her cousin accompanied her into the delivery room. Meanwhile, Xitang was on set, working 20 hours straight to earn half a day’s leave to fly to Hong Kong. When she arrived, the baby had just been carried out by the nurse, with thick black hair and a loud, clear cry that attracted onlookers in the hospital corridor. A maternity nurse from the postpartum care center stood outside to take the baby. When Xitang entered the delivery room to see Ni Kairen, the new mother was lying on the bed, tears of joy streaming down her face. Ni Kairen never mentioned who the child’s father was. When the baby turned a month old, they returned to Shanghai, where Xitang’s mother sent generous gifts. Ni Kairen simply called her “Auntie Great-Grandma” as thanks, thereby acknowledging their family connection.

That day, Xitang brought her mother along, and Dr. Xie also attended. Together with friends and family, they had a lively, heartwarming meal.

Xitang drank a little wine.

She had never experienced such a vibrant and festive gathering. It felt peaceful and filled with joy.

The landlord’s wife discussed with Ni Kairen her plans to sell their old Shanghai apartment and upgrade to a larger one, as the child would start kindergarten in Shanghai that fall.

For once, Xitang indulged herself in a hearty meal, her spirits high and her cheeks flushed. She patted the landlord’s arm and, lowering her voice, asked, “Landlord, who helped arrange your move to Shanghai?”

The landlord froze at the question. He looked at Xitang with an awkward smile, not daring to answer, and simply grinned sheepishly.

At the Zhao family courtyard in Guosheng Alley.

The driver pulled the car up to the gate of the courtyard. In the back seat, Mrs. Zhou patted Yu Xiaoying’s hand. “Are you staying over tonight? Have Zhou’er come back later. I haven’t seen him for a while.”

Yu Xiaoying didn’t immediately agree. She simply smiled and said, “Mom, let me help you inside first.”

Mrs. Zhou nodded. “Come in and have a cup of tea to help digest the meal.”

Ever since Zhao Pingjin got married, if he wasn’t traveling for work, the young couple would typically visit his parents once a week for a meal. Today, since Zhao Pingjin was busy with work, Mrs. Zhou had returned to Beijing, and Yu Xiaoying accompanied her to visit her in-laws.

The driver came around to open the car door for Mrs. Zhou.

Yu Xiaoying got out on her own, walked over to adjust Mrs. Zhou’s scarf and coat, and helped her step over the threshold into the courtyard.

Hearing movement in the front hall, the housekeeper came out to make tea.

The television was on. While drinking tea in the living room, Mrs. Zhou inquired about the family’s current affairs and asked after her in-laws. Although she spent most of her time at the Nanjing Military District with her husband, she was well-informed about everything in Beijing. Recently, Zhao Pingjin had caused some ripples in the central plains, and Mrs. Zhou could only hint at certain matters. She also warmly asked about the health of Xiaoying’s parents and grandparents.

Xiaoying replied that everyone was doing well.

Looking at her mother-in-law, Xiaoying cautiously addressed her, “Mom.”

Mrs. Zhou glanced at her and could tell that Xiaoying had something to say. “Child, no need to be so formal. If there’s something on your mind, just tell me. Did Zhou’er bully you?”

Tears welled up in Xiaoying’s eyes as she hesitated. Finally, she mustered her courage and said, “Please don’t be upset with me. Every time we’re at Grandpa and Grandma’s, you and Grandma talk about children. But honestly, I…”

Mrs. Zhou’s expression flickered briefly, and she unconsciously straightened her posture. She leaned closer and gently held Xiaoying’s hand. “Yingzi, it’s just the two of us here. If there’s anything, tell me.”

Xiaoying closed her eyes briefly, steeling herself, before saying, “It’s Zhou who doesn’t want children.”

Tears streamed down her face as soon as she finished speaking.

Mrs. Zhou pressed for more details, and her face gradually darkened. Ten minutes later, she got up, walked out of the living room, and called to the housekeeper. “Where’s Zhou Zhou tonight? Call him and have him come home.”

Zhao Pingjin walked into Guosheng Alley.

It was past nine at night, and the courtyard lamps were lit. The weather had turned cold. Since heating began in November, Beijing had been engulfed in consecutive days of smog, shrouding the city in a gray haze.

He stood in front of the main hall door and wiped the dust off his shoes.

The sound of the curtain being pulled caught his attention. Looking up, he saw Yu Xiaoying opening the door, about to step out. Her white down jacket was unzipped, and her eyes were red.

Madam Zhou quickly followed her out and, upon seeing Zhao Pingjin standing at the doorway, gave him a disapproving glare. She grabbed Yu Xiaoying’s arm and said, “Xiaoying, don’t go. Mom won’t let you be wronged today.”

Yu Xiaoying hesitated for a second. Madam Zhou seized the opportunity to pull her back into the house.

Zhao Pingjin followed them inside.

He remained unhurried, standing in the entryway. The housekeeper came over to assist him, taking off his coat, handing him a warm towel to wipe his hands, and offering him tea.

Madam Zhou stood in the living room, unmoving, her face dark with suppressed anger. She instructed the housekeeper in a low voice, “Auntie, you may leave now. Stop pampering him—he clearly doesn’t know his place anymore.”

Zhao Pingjin, still wearing a playful smile, drank the cup of hot tea in one gulp. He casually placed the teacup on the cabinet in the entryway and joked to the housekeeper, “You can take a rest. Madam Zhou still holds the reins firmly at home.”

He walked further into the house.

Neither of the women in the living room sat down. Yu Xiaoying stood a bit farther away, separated from him by the sofa. Madam Zhou stood firmly in front of him, her face stormy and her anger barely contained. Zhao Pingjin, guessing what had happened, braced himself for the inevitable.

He turned to his mother and asked, “What’s going on?”

Madam Zhou looked at her son, her expression grim yet tinged with a sliver of hope. “Pingjin, your wife says you don’t want children. Is that true?”

Zhao Pingjin frowned slightly, holding back his temper as he replied, “Mom, this is between us young people.”

Madam Zhou, furious but determined, refused to let the matter drop. “Is it both of you who don’t want children, or is it just you?”

Zhao Pingjin raised an eyebrow and, deciding to quash her expectations entirely, replied with a firm tone, “It’s me—I don’t want them for now.”

Hearing her son’s shameless indifference, Madam Zhou’s last shred of hope extinguished.

“Since you got married, have you had any complaints about your wife?”

“No.”

“Then why won’t you have children?”

Zhao Pingjin, now visibly annoyed, replied impatiently, “Mom, can you not meddle in our affairs?”

Yu Xiaoying, covering her mouth, started to sob quietly.

Madam Zhou stood in her living room, listening to her daughter-in-law’s weeping. Embarrassed and furious, her chest heaved with agitation as waves of anger consumed her. “This isn’t just your business! Your wife is suffering because of you. As her mother-in-law, I feel ashamed—I’ve failed to raise you properly! I’ve let down the Yu family! They gave you a good daughter, not for you to treat her like this. Now, tell me—what are you planning to do?”

Zhao Pingjin didn’t respond to his mother. Instead, he turned slightly, walked a few steps, and, with a restrained tone, addressed Yu Xiaoying, “Xiaoying, let’s discuss this at home.”

Yu Xiaoying, her head lowered and tears streaming down her face, choked out, “Don’t bother lying to me anymore. I know you don’t want kids. Isn’t it because of that actress?”

Zhao Pingjin froze for a second. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Madam Zhou immediately interjected, “Let her speak!”

Yu Xiaoying suddenly raised her head, her voice sharp and trembling with emotion, “Why else would you rush to Xining at 3:30 in the morning? Who’s filming in Qinghai? What nonsense am I saying? The news is all over the internet—anyone can see it!”

Zhao Pingjin’s expression darkened for a moment, but the playful smile on his face didn’t falter. “So you’ve been monitoring my schedule? Fine, then tell me—what have I done that can’t be seen in the light of day?”

Yu Xiaoying, overcome with anger and despair, sobbed uncontrollably. That night in Xining, it poured rain. Her husband landed on a late-night flight, went straight to the flood control headquarters, and stayed at the site until morning. After leaving the headquarters, he went directly to a hotel and slept until his afternoon flight back to Beijing. He hadn’t even left his hotel room, and the only person who entered it was his childhood friend from the Hu family.

If he had truly done something to betray her, she’d have a reason to confront him. But as things stood, she had no choice but to suppress her frustration.

Zhao Pingjin stood there for a while, his face gradually growing colder. His voice, however, remained calm. “Xiaoying, whoever is reporting my movements to you, you’d better tell them to be careful.”

Madam Zhou roared, “Pingjin! Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Yu Xiaoying burst into tears, grabbed her scarf and bag from the sofa, and ran outside. Madam Zhou chased after her, trying to stop her from leaving, but Yu Xiaoying continued to cry uncontrollably, standing in the courtyard and refusing to move. Madam Zhou glanced back at the house, knowing her son wouldn’t come out to comfort her. She tried persuading her daughter-in-law a few more times before finally asking the driver to take her home.