Bonus Chapter 7: “The Baby’s Bedtime Story”

“Once upon a time, there was a princess who, like all princesses, was very, very beautiful. Her eyes sparkled like the stars in the sky—just like your favorite nursery rhyme, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,’ making people want to look at her again and again. Her hair flowed as smoothly as a waterfall; her skin was as white as snow; and her lips were as red as the cherries you love to eat…”

“But this princess had something that set her apart from all the others. Unlike other princesses, she didn’t spend her days living in a castle, waiting for servants to bring her tea or fuss over her. This princess had a dream—to become a doctor and save lives.”

“To achieve her dream, she had to study hard and dedicate all her time to working quietly toward her goal.”

“But Daddy,” the little girl interrupted, “if the princess is studying so hard, does she still have time to swing on the swings, slide down the slide, and eat ice cream?”

Yan Ming gently patted his daughter’s soft little head. The child was snuggled warmly under the covers, only her head peeking out, her two bright, shiny eyes looking just like Yu Tian’s—curious and puzzled.

“The princess had to control herself. She couldn’t spend all day swinging or sliding. She could only do those things occasionally. And as for ice cream, she had to eat it sparingly because otherwise, she’d get cavities—and a princess can’t have cavities.”

The little girl let out a disappointed sigh. “Then maybe she shouldn’t be a doctor. She should just stay a princess!”

“But every princess must have a dream and work hard to achieve it. That’s what makes her a worthy princess, someone who truly deserves the title.”

The little girl nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure she understood.

Yan Ming smiled and continued: “Our princess worked very hard and was almost ready to succeed. But then, like every princess, she faced a trial. While helping others, she injured her hand—and for a doctor, hands are the most important tool.”

“What should she do?” the little girl asked, poking her head out of the covers, a bit nervous. “Can the princess still be a doctor?”

“She couldn’t perform surgery anymore, so the princess was heartbroken. And as she began to give up on her dream, many bad people appeared, trying to trick her into becoming an ordinary person instead of a princess.”

“What kind of bad people? How could they be so mean!” the little girl exclaimed, outraged.

Yan Ming nodded sympathetically. “There were several kinds of bad people. For example, there were men who pursued the princess, wanting her to abandon her dreams and efforts to become a housewife. There were others who pretended to be good and tried to deceive her by pretending to be her brother. And then there were those who only cared about her beauty but ignored her hard work and inner goodness. These people didn’t understand the princess at all, yet they crowded around her, taking up her time and preventing her from studying and improving.”

The little girl’s eyes widened. “How could there be so many bad people! Daddy, what happened to the princess? Did she give up on her dream?”

“No, the princess didn’t give up. Because she was a smart princess, she knew these bad men were trying to harm her. And at the same time, a handsome and brave prince appeared to help her. Together, they defeated the bad people, supported and encouraged each other, and eventually, the prince helped the princess rediscover her dream.”

The little girl’s eyes lit up. “Did the prince heal the princess’s hand? Did she become a doctor after all?”

“No, the prince couldn’t heal the princess’s hand, and she didn’t become a doctor. Instead, she became a teacher for doctors—just like your kindergarten teacher, teaching others many things and helping them grow into amazing people.”

“What about the prince, Daddy? If the princess is so amazing, surely the prince isn’t just a prince who doesn’t do anything else, right?”

Yan Ming chuckled. “Of course not! The prince also had to have a dream. No one becomes a prince or princess just by being born into it. The prince had his own work to do, saving lives just like the princess. He also had to work hard and pursue his dreams to earn the title of prince.”

The little girl nodded solemnly. “So being a prince or princess is really hard! I thought in fairy tales, all they had to do was dress beautifully and go to balls.”

“Those princes and princesses who dress beautifully and attend balls are only princes and princesses by birth. But to truly become the kind of prince or princess everyone admires, it’s not enough to just look pretty or wear fancy clothes. You have to be a genuinely good person, someone who is useful to others. Not only do you find happiness for yourself, but you also share your happiness and strength with those in need.”

“Daddy,” the little girl asked, “does that mean even if you’re not born a princess, you can still become one through hard work?”

Yan Ming nodded seriously. “Exactly. So, do you want to be a princess?”

“Yes!”

“Then you’ll have to work hard. You have to stick with things, especially practicing the piano. You can’t keep begging Mommy and Daddy to get out of practice time, okay?”

“Okay… then Daddy, I’ll get up early tomorrow to practice! Because I want to be a princess!”

Yan Ming patted his daughter’s little head. “Good girl.”

“Daddy, what happened to the princess later?”

“Later?” Yan Ming thought for a moment. “The princess married the prince, and they lived happily ever after. They had a lovely little princess.”

He thought this was the perfect ending, but then he heard the little girl groan in disappointment—

“So the prince is also a bad guy! He tricked the princess into marrying him and having a baby! Doesn’t that mean the princess won’t have time to keep learning and working hard anymore?”

Before Yan Ming could explain, the little girl declared firmly: “Daddy, this prince isn’t a good person either. I think he’s the worst!”

“...”

Just as Yan Ming was struggling to respond, Yu Tian opened the bedroom door. “Baby, Mommy agrees with you. I think you’re absolutely right—the prince is a very bad guy.”

Yan Ming couldn’t help but laugh.

“But the princess still loved him because even though he was naughty, he was also very lovable. And the princess loved her little princess too. She didn’t think that getting married and having children meant she couldn’t keep working hard. She spent time with her baby, just like Mommy spends time with you, learning new things every day. Look how Mommy now knows what kids like, how to handle it when kids get sick, and how to take care of their mental health…”

“These are things Mommy didn’t know before, but now she’s learned them. So the princess can also keep learning and growing while spending time with her child.”

“But now it’s time to turn off the lights because bedtime stories are almost over.”

The little girl looked reluctant. “Can Daddy tell me one more story?”

Yan Ming smiled and tucked the blanket around her. “No, because at night, Daddy has to spend time with Mommy too. You’re Daddy’s treasure, and so is Mommy.”

The little girl waved her tiny hand. “Okay, goodnight, Mommy and Daddy.”

Yan Ming and Yu Tian gazed at each other with smiles, then turned their attention back to their child, their voices soft and warm—

“Goodnight, my little treasure.”

<Please Don't Give Up Treatment> The End.