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Tang Yu, I don’t want to have a baby girl like Tang Tang anymore—I can’t compete with her!
I don’t want to, I don’t want to!
—From “Little Tangxin’s Diary”
Did Huo Chendong want to call her “Sister-in-law” just like Tang Dingding did?
Tang Xin glanced at Tang Dingding, who looked completely at ease, and smiled sweetly at Huo Chendong: “You’re a little younger than Tang Yu, so calling me ‘Sister-in-law’ isn’t wrong. Go ahead, call me whatever you want. Anyway, I’m younger than you—it’s your loss.”
Huo Chendong: “….”
He instinctively glanced at Tang Dingding.
Tang Dingding’s eyes crinkled as she laughed heartily: “Exactly, he’s three years younger.”
She could now calmly tease him and joke around with him like they used to when they were kids. Huo Chendong looked at her, a bitter smile on his face: “Even you’re laughing at me?”
Tang Dingding said: “No, I’m just saying you’re not getting any younger. My brother is about to get married soon—you should hurry up too.”
After saying that, she didn’t look at him again and instead turned to hook arms with Tang Xin: “Let’s go inside. It’s freezing out here.”
She had only worn a sweater, and the cold wind made her shiver. Tang Xin urged her: “Let’s go quickly before you catch a cold.”
Tang Yu knew that Tang Dingding had likely moved on for good. He no longer needed to worry about it. Turning his head slightly, he gave Huo Chendong—who looked momentarily stunned—a glance: “What Dingding said makes sense. You’re almost thirty. Don’t always lag behind me in everything.”
If Huo Chendong had realized his feelings earlier, perhaps it wouldn’t be too late.
Tang Dingding had liked him for so many years—it was obvious to anyone with eyes. As long as he cut off all the messy relationships around him, pursuing Tang Dingding wouldn’t be difficult. It would just require enduring some hardship from Tang Yu and the Tang family elders.
But was it worth it?
Sometimes people ask themselves whether something is worth it. Only they know the answer deep down.
If it were someone else, Tang Yu might have shown a bit of concern for Huo Chendong. But when it came to Tang Dingding, he wouldn’t ask further.
The three of them walked inside, leaving Huo Chendong standing alone. Facing the cold wind, he lowered his eyes, feeling as though his heart had been placed directly in the path of the icy breeze—it felt chillingly hollow.
Elder Brother Tang Ming was 36 this year. In previous years, his birthdays were simple affairs. However, since this year was his zodiac year, Tang Yu’s grandparents insisted on having a family dinner to celebrate and make it lively. Tang Ming had two children, both adorable. As soon as they entered, the two kids surrounded them. Tang Yu bent down to pick up his two-year-old niece and asked softly: “Little Tao Tao, have you been behaving?”
Tao Tao chirped in her baby voice: “Uncle, I’ve been very good! Much better than my brother!”
The little girl had only met Tang Xin once before, but she remembered her as “Auntie.” She blinked her big eyes shyly and peeked at Tang Xin. Tang Xin smiled at her, mimicking her blink, and leaned closer. Whispering quietly so others couldn’t hear, she teased: “Call me Auntie.”
Tao Tao shyly covered her face, burying her little head into Tang Yu’s chest, refusing to look at her.
The last time they met, Tang Xin already noticed how shy she was, but she hadn’t expected her to be this shy. She found it amusing: “Why are you so shy? Can I give you a hug?”
Tao Tao clung tightly to Tang Yu’s collar, peeking at her shyly.
Tang Yu gently patted her little head and chuckled softly.
Tang Xin looked at the little girl clinging tightly to Tang Yu’s neck and then at Tang Yu himself. He was wearing a sleek black thin sweater that fit snugly, accentuating his figure and clearly outlining his muscular build.
The sight of the man holding the little girl was even more appealing than when he held a cat, because he wasn’t usually this gentle or patient with cats.
Suddenly, Tang Xin felt as though her fiancé had been “stolen.” A wave of panic washed over her. Tang Yu seemed to adore daughters so much—what if, in the future, she really had a baby girl like Tang Tang? Would she end up competing with her daughter for her husband’s affection? She felt certain she’d lose…
Lost in her thoughts about “losing to her daughter in competing for her husband,” Tang Xin suddenly felt a soft bundle land in her arms. The little girl wrapped her arms around her neck and cooed sweetly: “Auntie.”
Tang Xin’s heart melted.
Oh no, how could she possibly compete with such an adorable little girl?
Forget about having Tang Tang.
Tao Tao’s older brother, five-year-old Hao Hao, stood beside Tang Dingding for a while before politely calling out: “Auntie.”
The boy’s clear, crisp voice caught everyone’s attention. Tang Xin felt a bit awkward. Before marriage, she could casually respond to being called “Auntie,” but hearing it in front of so many people made her blush.
Zeng Wan smiled to ease the tension: “Xin Xin, come sit over here.”
Tang Xin smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair: “Go play.”
With Tang Xin holding her, Tao Tao was quiet and well-behaved.
Overwhelmed by maternal affection, Tang Xin couldn’t resist giving her a small piece of cake. Midway through handing it over, Tang Yu intercepted it, taking a large bite. “It’s pretty tasty—just a bit sweet.”
Tang Xin gasped, about to protest that this wasn’t meant for him.
The next second—
The remaining half of the cake was stuffed into her mouth. It was her favorite flavor.
Tang Yu loosely wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned in to whisper in her ear: “Dinner’s about to start. We can’t let her eat this, or she won’t eat properly later.”
Tang Xin, her cheeks puffed out from chewing, widened her eyes at him: You could’ve said that earlier…
Tang Yu silently chuckled.
As they both looked down, they met Tao Tao’s wide, expectant eyes staring intently at them, clearly wanting a bite too. Tang Xin wasn’t great at handling shy children—if they were mischievous, she’d easily distract them. But shy children tended to be more sensitive, and she feared saying the wrong thing and hurting the little girl.
Tang Yu pinched her chubby cheek and softly coaxed her: “We’re about to eat dinner soon, and you’re still little. If you eat this piece of cake now, you won’t have room for dinner. After dinner, there’s your dad’s birthday cake. Do you want the cake or the snack you just saw?”
Tao Tao gazed pitifully at Tang Xin, whose mouth was still moving as she chewed.
Tang Xin: “….”
Tao Tao pouted and whimpered in her tiny voice: “I want the cake.”
Tang Yu: “You can eat it after dinner.”
Tao Tao: “Okay.”
That settled it.
Tang Xin swallowed the cake and looked at Tang Yu, whispering: “I had no idea you were so good at pacifying children.”
Tang Yu leaned back against the couch, glancing at her indifferently: “Compared to you, kids are easier to handle.”
Tang Xin: “….”
She shot him a glare. What did he mean she was hard to handle?
Tang Ming’s wife smiled and came over to take Tao Tao away. In her mother’s arms, Tao Tao became livelier and giggled: “Mommy, Auntie smells so nice.”
Tang Ming’s wife pinched her cheek and teased: “Doesn’t Mommy smell nice too?”
Tao Tao chirped: “It’s a different kind of nice smell.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
When Zhang Auntie called for dinner, Huo Chendong finally came in. Judging by his appearance, he’d smoked quite a bit, but his expression had returned to normal. After everyone sat down, someone noticed the ring on Tang Xin’s finger. Second Sister-in-Law from the Tang family spotted it and smiled: “Is this the diamond from the one you bid on last time?”
Tang Dingding, who was lively as usual, chimed in eagerly: “No, that one was made into a necklace. This one’s better.”
Tang Xin: “….”
Second Sister-in-Law stared at Tang Xin’s hand several times, as if trying to spot something extraordinary. Eldest Sister-in-Law remarked nonchalantly: “If you like it, have your husband buy it for you.”
Second Sister-in-Law: “….”
She pouted and turned to instruct her three-year-old son to eat properly.
Tang Xin smiled faintly and continued eating her meal.
The Tang family was large and prosperous. Tang Haiming had two older brothers, making him the third son. His younger brother, Tang Haicheng, had served in the military but lost half a leg during a mission. Uninterested in the family fortune, he now worked at a military academy. At 42 years old, he still hadn’t married. The eldest and second sons collectively had four boys and one girl. Add Tang Yu and Tang Dingding into the mix, and the Tang household was quite populated, with more male descendants than female.
This meant that Tang Xin had four sisters-in-law above her. Tang Dingding had once told her: “Eldest Sister-in-Law is the easiest to get along with—she’s very gentle. Second Sister-in-Law is more competitive; if she sees you wearing something expensive, she’ll covet it. Third Sister-in-Law is still pursuing her Ph.D., not planning to have children yet, and is constantly being pressured by the family. She’s too busy with her studies to worry about much else. Fourth Sister-in-Law is actually two years younger than me and is still studying… Family gatherings happen at most once a month. The family assets were divided long ago, so there aren’t really any disputes over inheritance or property.”
Today, only three of the sisters-in-law were present—the youngest, who was still studying, hadn’t come.
Zeng Wan glanced at Tang Yu and said gently: “It’s almost March in two days. I thought you two might be too busy to come back soon. If you don’t want to return home for dinner after registering your marriage on March 9th, you can always come back the next day.”
Tang Yu gave an acknowledging hum.
Tang Xin echoed softly: “Alright.”
After the meal, when it was time to cut the cake, the three children gathered around the cake to sing the birthday song. Tang Ming, as the eldest brother, patted Huo Chendong’s shoulder and murmured: “I haven’t seen any gossip about you lately. Are you finally planning to settle down?”
Huo Chendong paused, his gaze sweeping over Tang Dingding before he smiled faintly: “I’m considering it.”
Tang Ming sighed: “Forget about Dingding. Even if it had been a year or two earlier, maybe it would’ve worked, but haven’t you noticed how much she’s changed? There’s truth to what others say—women are most charming and confident when they have their own careers.”
Moreover, though Tang Haiming and Zeng Wan hadn’t commented much on Huo Chendong’s personal life, they certainly wouldn’t approve of him as a son-in-law.
Indeed, the little girl who used to chase after him had grown increasingly radiant.
Huo Chendong chuckled lightly and offered a simple: “Happy birthday.”
A while later, he left.
Tang Yu followed him outside, and the two stopped just beyond the doorway. Huo Chendong adjusted his coat, pulling out a cigarette box, and turned to Tang Yu: “Want one?”
Tang Yu plucked a cigarette from the box, and Huo Chendong cupped his hands to light it for him before lighting one for himself. Taking a deep drag, Huo Chendong stared ahead: “I know what you’re thinking. In the past, I was afraid to get close because I didn’t want to hurt her. Somehow, Dingding has always been different. Since we were kids, I’ve treated her like a sister—not as well as you, her real brother—but not badly either. That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to do anything that might hurt her. I couldn’t bear it.”
“But now…” He exhaled slowly, glancing downward with a self-deprecating smile, “She’s grown up, been in this industry for a long time, and seen too many of its rules. I think… she probably looks down on me now.”
So, no matter what anyone said, it wouldn’t change anything.
Most importantly, she no longer cared.
Tang Yu leaned against the doorframe, taking a few drags of his cigarette as wisps of smoke curled into the air. He glanced over: “She has grown up.”
Huo Chendong lowered his hand and turned to look at him, more serious than ever: “If I said I could meet your standards, would you stay the same as before?”
Tang Yu tapped off some ash and met his gaze: “I just wanted to tell you—Dingding has her own thoughts now. I can’t control everything about her anymore. She’s different now, yes, but she’s happier than before. And that’s what matters most.”
So, don’t break the small world she’s worked so hard to build.
Some things are better left in the past.
After Huo Chendong left, Tang Yu stubbed out his cigarette and tossed it into the trash bin by the door.
As he turned around, he saw a head peeking out from behind the door. He waved her over.
Tang Xin emerged holding his coat, whispering: “I saw you come out in just a sweater, so I brought your coat in case you got cold. I wasn’t eavesdropping intentionally.”
He reached out and pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to ask: “Did you hear everything?”
Tang Xin nodded: “Mm… I don’t know how to say this, but Little Lamb might already have someone she likes….” She hesitated to mention Lu Zhixing, fearing Tang Yu might disapprove. She personally thought Lu was reliable and caring.
But Tang Yu didn’t press further. He didn’t oppose Tang Dingding dating, as long as the person was good to her and wouldn’t hurt her.
The woman in his arms squirmed, struggling to drape his coat over him. She muttered: “Don’t catch a cold.”
Tang Yu chuckled: “I haven’t gotten sick in two or three years.”
“Pfft, don’t say that! It’s bad luck!” She quickly covered his mouth. “What if you get sick and pass it to me?”
He kissed her palm, gently pulling her hand away, then lazily shrugged on his coat, glancing down at her. “If I were really sick, I wouldn’t touch you. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll wait here while you go inside and let them know we’re leaving.”
“I’ll come with you.”
After saying their goodbyes, the two got into the car and drove away from the Tang estate.
Tang Xin turned on the music, flipping to Leslie Cheung’s version of The Moon Represents My Heart . No matter how many times she listened to it, she never grew tired of it. She hummed along softly, though slightly off-key, making it sound amusing.
Tang Yu rested his hand on the steering wheel, glancing out the window with a faint tug at the corner of his lips.
The next second—
“You’re not allowed to laugh!”
“I didn’t laugh.”
“You did! I saw it.”
At a red light, he turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow: “Alright, I laughed. So what? Is it wrong to laugh because you’re cute?”
She bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile, but the corners of her mouth still curved upward.
Back at their apartment complex, they parked the car.
Tang Yu draped his arm over her shoulder, looking down at her: “Tired?”
It was already 11 p.m., and she shook her head, though she couldn’t stifle a yawn. Covering her mouth, her eyes glistened with moisture as she mumbled: “Mm… a little sleepy…”
“Go take a shower when we get inside, then sleep.”
“Really?”
She blinked, unsure whether to believe him. On most nights unless it was a special occasion, they always made love. Sometimes they went on until the wee hours without stopping.
In short, she didn’t trust him.
Tang Yu pressed the elevator button, casually remarking: “Don’t believe me if you don’t want to.”
Once home, Tang Xin took a shower in the master bathroom while Tang Yu grabbed some clothes and headed to another bathroom. By the time Tang Yu finished and came out, Tang Xin was still washing up.
He retreated to the study to handle a few emails before hearing the bathroom door open.
The woman sat in front of the vanity mirror applying skincare products, while he lounged against the headboard watching her. Nearly half an hour passed before she finally crawled into bed sluggishly. As soon as she settled in, she was flipped over and pinned down.
It was midnight, and the room was dimly lit. Only their heavy breathing could be heard.
Afterward, the woman lay limp in his arms, utterly exhausted. In a daze, she murmured: “Tang Yu, I don’t want to have Tang Tang anymore. I want to have a son.”
The man paused, propping himself up slightly to look down at her: “Why?”
She whispered: “If we have a daughter like Tang Tang, I’m afraid I won’t be able to compete with her.”
“If we have a son, it’ll be easier for you to ‘compete’ with me instead.”
Tang Yu was silent for a moment before bursting into quiet laughter atop her: “You really do overthink things.”
Drowsily, she closed her eyes: “How can I not when you love Tang Tang so much? You’ve been calling her that even before she’s born…”
The man gently rubbed her head, pulling her close as he settled down to sleep. In a low voice, he murmured: “Without you, there wouldn’t be any Tang Tang. Don’t worry—there’s no competition you can’t win. I’ll even give you an unfair advantage.”
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