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Psst! We're moving!
The air seemed to freeze.
Zhu Xingyao smiled as she looked at Jiang Lu, even asking, “So when do you plan to get married and have kids?”
Jiang Lu: “...”
He glanced at his older brother.
Jiang Tu was expressionless as he stared at him. Zhu Xingyao turned to him, a bit aggrieved, asking, “Tu Ge, I think we only said we didn’t want to have children, not that we couldn’t, right? And adoption? What’s going on? You’ve never told me about this...” There’s a big difference between being unable and unwilling to have children. She didn’t know how Jiang Lu explained it to Fan Anan, leading her to misunderstand that there was something wrong with her and Jiang Tu’s health.
Jiang Lu had no words to explain: “I...”
If he answered this question poorly, his legs would be in trouble tonight.
After waiting a few seconds, they still didn’t get an answer from Jiang Lu.
Jiang Tu coldly asked, “My wife is asking you, what’s the matter?”
Hadn’t he said before that this topic shouldn’t be mentioned in front of Zhu Xingyao?
Jiang Lu glared at Fan Anan, lowering his voice, “You just went to the restroom with my sister-in-law for a moment; how did you end up talking about having children and adoption?”
Fan Anan blinked innocently, “You told me before. You said being your girlfriend would come with a lot of pressure because your brother and sister-in-law can’t have children. Your mom said you should have three kids and give one to your brother. So I asked if I could accept that...”
Jiang Lu: “...”
He almost cursed out loud. That was when Fan Anan first started pestering him. He thought she was just a bored young lady who flirted with him all day. Irritated, he came up with that excuse.
But now, he found Fan Anan quite likable... If he admitted now that it was just a lie to reject her, wouldn’t that be digging his own grave?
Jiang Lu sighed helplessly, “What I meant was that my brother and sister-in-law chose not to have children, not that they can’t! Sister!”
Fan Anan stood her ground, “They look so good together and are so in love. Why wouldn’t they have their own children? Other than being unable to, what other reasons could there be? Why would you need to have kids to adopt? Does your family have a throne to inherit?”
Jiang Lu: “...”
Zhu Xingyao: “...”
Jiang Tu sneered, “No throne, and he doesn’t need to... adopt.”
Fan Anan realized she misspoke and quickly said, “I meant Jiang Lu, not targeting you two...”
Zhu Xingyao was speechless for a moment but quickly responded, “There’s nothing wrong with our health. We just chose not to have kids for certain reasons, not that we’re unable to!”
Being unable and choosing not to are completely different concepts, okay?
Fan Anan timidly asked, “Why didn’t you want to? If you didn’t want to, why would you need to adopt?”
Seeing his brother’s face turn colder by a degree, Jiang Lu hurriedly said, “The adoption thing was something my mom told me about. It hasn’t been brought up to my brother or my sister-in-law... My mom doesn’t control my brother either. Actually, it’s...”
“What exactly?” Fan Anan suddenly turned to look at him, “Was it your own idea?”
“Alright. What kind of bond do my brother and I share? Since I was little, he raised and took care of me. If he were my father, I’d recognize him too. Entrusting my son to him to raise... I’d... trust him. My son would be his son. Mine would be his, and his would also be...”
Jiang Tu coldly interrupted, “Take back those nonsense words.”
Jiang Lu: “... My brother is just my brother, and there’s no such thing as adoption. His is his, mine is mine.”
He began bleeding internally, hoping Fan Anan wouldn’t understand.
But what kind of person was Fan Anan? Someone who navigated through bad romances without getting a speck of mud on her. How could she not understand? She narrowed her eyes, “So, you saying your girlfriend must be able to have three kids... was that just you talking nonsense?”
Jiang Lu dryly coughed, “My mom really did say that to me...”
So it wasn’t entirely a lie.
Fan Anan: “That’s just what your mom said, not your thoughts, right?”
This question was a trap for Jiang Lu. If he said yes, it meant he had lied to her before. If he said no... he still lied to her. Either way, he deceived her.
Jiang Lu fell silent for a moment, glancing towards Zhu Xingyao.
Zhu Xingyao was sitting very close to Jiang Tu. Jiang Tu was expressionless, while she was smiling, looking like she was enjoying the show.
The sky was falling on him again.
Jiang Lu numbly thought.
Fan Anan lowered her head, appearing deeply hurt. She softly said, “If you wanted to reject me, you could have just said so! Why make up such excuses... I actually seriously considered it...”
Little did she know, it was all Jiang Lu’s deception!
She suddenly turned to glare at him, eyes flashing dangerously.
Jiang Lu had a bad feeling. Sure enough, she picked up her unfinished juice... Jiang Lu looked up at her, licked his lips, then resignedly nodded, meaning “Go ahead and pour it if you want, I’ll take it.”
Fan Anan: “...”
She bit her lip. Don’t think I won’t dare...
If anyone tried to stop her, she would hold back.
But no one stopped her.
Jiang Tu continued to coldly watch. Zhu Xingyao leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Serves him right for lying to girls.” After a pause, she softly hummed, “You lied to me too, for many years. Brothers indeed.”
Jiang Tu: “...”
Never did he expect the fire to spread to himself.
Seeing his helpless expression, Zhu Xingyao laughed again, “I don’t blame you anymore.”
When it came to deception, Jiang Tu was much more skilled than Jiang Lu.
Jiang Lu got exposed in a few sentences, whereas Jiang Tu... well, Zhu Xingyao thought that given another chance, he would still deceive her. If she really wanted to hold it against him, she’d have to go back ten years and start over.
Fan Anan saw no one stopping her, so she looked down at Jiang Lu.
Setting other things aside, Jiang Lu was indeed very handsome.
In the end, she couldn’t bear to pour it on his face, dumping the juice all over his shoulder instead. She grabbed her bag and left.
Jiang Lu ignored everything else and quickly stood up, “Wait!”
Fan Anan didn’t look back.
Seeing she was really angry, Zhu Xingyao hurriedly called out, “An An, wait a moment.”
Fan Anan paused. She suddenly remembered that today she invited Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao to dinner, and she hadn’t paid yet. At the door, Fan Anan called the waiter, “Check please.” She put on a smile and looked at Zhu Xingyao, “I called the waiter to pay, I’m not leaving.”
Jiang Lu: “... I already paid.”
Fan Anan acknowledged, opening WeChat, “Then I’ll transfer the money to you.”
Jiang Lu frowned, “No need.”
Fan Anan directly transferred 1,500 yuan to him.
Seeing that Jiang Lu didn’t seem to dislike Fan Anan, Zhu Xingyao thought for a moment and said, “An An, don’t worry or consider... The adoption thing was fake; it won’t happen. Children... Jiang Tu and I will have our own.”
Jiang Lu was startled, “Ah? You’ve decided to have kids again?”
Jiang Tu didn’t want to talk further with Jiang Lu. He feared he might lose control. After all, when he was younger, fists worked better than words when dealing with disobedience. He pulled Zhu Xingyao up and coldly said, “Yes, so you just mind your own business.”
Fan Anan was delighted, “That’s great! With such good genes, how wasteful would it be not to have at least two!”
Zhu Xingyao winked at her, “An An... Any misunderstandings can be clarified. You two sort it out slowly; we’ll leave first.”
Fan AnAn felt a bit awkward, “Alright...”
Jiang Tu remained expressionless, pulling Zhu Xingyao away.
Leaving Jiang Lu and Fan Anan staring at each other.
Fan Anan suddenly wasn’t in a rush anymore. She sat back down, looked up at Jiang Lu, “Say whatever you want to clearly, then we can part ways.”
Jiang Lu frowned, “What do you mean part ways? You said you liked me just a few days ago.”
Fan Anan raised her chin, “That was a few days ago.”
Jiang Lu clicked his tongue, “Can you be any more fickle?”
Fan Anan stood her ground, “Sister does what she wants!”
Jiang Lu: “...”
Jiang Lu had never met such a fickle girl. He sat beside her, stretched out his long legs, blocking her escape route so she couldn’t run. He placed his hand on the back of her chair and softly said, “I admit I didn’t like you much before. I thought I encountered some crazy female fan. You know, I’m somewhat of a public figure, and my private life needs to be careful, otherwise, it affects my reputation.”
“You’re really putting yourself on a pedestal. I’m not some crazy fan of yours. I don’t even play games; I just like reading novels and watching movies. If it weren’t for your brother and sister-in-law, who knows who you are.” Fan Anan mercilessly retorted, “So, do you think I’m acceptable now because I considered having three kids?”
Jiang Lu quickly said, “No, how could that be!”
“I originally thought the photo with your brother and sister-in-law worked. I thought I finally met a good man, but... it turns out it’s still a bad romance.” Fan Anan stood up, looking down at the long leg, “Move.”
Jiang Lu looked up at her, “No, we need to clear things up. You can leave after calming down.”
Fan Anan suddenly laughed, “Do you remember what my WeChat name is?”
One Sword Cuts Off Rotten Peach Blossoms.
Jiang Lu frowned, thinking for a moment, “Then I definitely can’t let you go. If you cut me off, I’ll truly become a rotten peach blossom.”
Fan Anan: “...”
Lying has its own logic now?
Fan Anan was furious. She kicked him, skillfully stepped over his leg, and Jiang Lu, fearing she might trip, didn’t dare move.
“Don’t follow me.” She turned to glare at him.
Jiang Lu helplessly said, “Sister, I need to go out too.”
Fan Anan furrowed her brow, humphed, and turned around.
Her hand was grabbed.
She turned back, “What now?”
Jiang Lu looked down at her and earnestly said, “Sister, I’m not rotten, I don’t sleep around with fans, I don’t hook up. Besides having bad sleeping habits, I don’t have many vices...” He paused, “Just low education, high school graduate.”
Fan Anan: “...”
She blinked, “Have you ever been in a relationship?”
Jiang Lu: “Does online dating count?”
Online dating...
Not hooking up, probably doesn’t count.
Fan Anan looked at his hand, then his face, lifting her chin, “What do you mean now?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve already talked to you about having kids.” Jiang Lu shamelessly said in a carefree manner.
Fan Anan blushed, “... That was you lying to me. Let go.”
Jiang Lu said, “The later part was true.”
Fan Anan fell silent for a moment, unhappily saying, “Let go. I need to think about it.”
“How long?” Jiang Lu asked clearly.
“How long you lied to me, I’ll think about it for that long. Only then can we fairly progress to the next stage of the relationship.” Fan Anan stated matter-of-factly, “Otherwise, just cut me off.”
Jiang Lu: “...”
More than two months, not that long.
He reluctantly nodded, “Alright.”
…
On the way back, Zhu Xingyao was a bit worried, “Do you think Jiang Lu and An An can clear things up?” She had a good impression of Fan Anan when they met on the plane. If Jiang Lu ended up with her, it would be a good thing.
Jiang Tu thought for a moment and said, “It depends on whether he wants to explain. He’s always been smart since he was little; charming people isn’t a problem for him.”
Zhu Xingyao couldn’t help but laugh, “I think this is the first time I’ve heard you praise him.”
“I’m telling the truth,” Jiang Tu said.
At night, Zhu Xingyao sat in Jiang Tu’s arms, bringing up old accounts, “About the matter of us not wanting kids, I thought you had already settled it with Mom. I didn’t expect... she’d even think of adoption...”
Jiang Tu held her, softly saying, “I did mention it, but deep down, she might feel regretful. After all, the older generation thinks differently from us. She just talks; don’t take it seriously. My affairs have always been my own decisions. Don’t overthink it.”
“No, I won’t.” Zhu Xingyao thought for a moment, looking at him, “During the Spring Festival, let’s tell Mom and Dad that we’re planning to have kids.”
There weren’t many days left until the Spring Festival. One night, Zhu Xingyao slightly cared about her younger brother-in-law.
Yao Yao Tian Shang Xing: “Xiao Lu, how are things with An An?”
Jiang Lu sent a bloody emoticon: “Sis, you and Fan An An are both rich girls. Why is your temper so good? My brother deceived you for so many years, and you forgave him. I just joked with her, not really asking her to have three kids. Now, no matter how I try to appease her, it’s no use.”
Yao Yao Tian Shang Xing: “You and your brother are still blood brothers. He’s so calm and composed, writes love letters, makes star lights, and knows how to charm people. He’s so romantic; why can’t you be like him?”
Jiang Lu: “...”
He realized he shouldn’t say anything bad about his brother.
Jiang Lu: “I’ll think of something myself.”
Yao Yao Tian Shang Xing: “Good luck!”
Jiang Tu came out after finishing his bath, glanced at her phone, and softly chuckled.
Zhu Xingyao looked up at him, “What are you laughing at?”
Jiang Tu pulled her into his arms and softly said, “Nothing, I just didn’t expect you to think of me as a romantic person.”
…
During the Spring Festival, Zhu Xingyao and Jiang Tu told both sets of parents about their plans to have a child in a year or two. Both sides were very happy, especially Shu Xian, who wiped her eyes and said, “It’s good that you’ve changed your minds.”
Zhu Yunping and Ding Yu remained relatively calm.
On the second day of the New Year, Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao returned to her parents’ house. While drinking tea with Zhu Yunping on the balcony, Zhu Yunping handed him a cigarette, “It’s good that Xing Xing has let go of her worries. Your mother and I can rest easy now.”
Zhu Yunping and Ding Yu shared the same thoughts as Jiang Tu. They believed Zhu Xingyao could choose not to have children as long as she was happy. But being from the older generation and having only one daughter, they secretly hoped for grandchildren.
Of course, it was fine if they didn’t have any.
Jiang Tu didn’t take it, “I’m quitting smoking.”
Zhu Yunping raised an eyebrow and took back the cigarette, “Alright, alright, quitting is good.”
In 2019, Zhu Xingyao’s work schedule was packed, frequently flying around the world for performances. Ever since their first unprotected encounter during her safe period, contraception between Zhu Xingyao and Jiang Tu became less strict. Plus, sometimes they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and Jiang Tu always got carried away. Even after being married for over a year, Zhu Xingyao still couldn’t fully adapt to him sometimes, but she loved his indulgent gaze and panting voice, always unable to resist accommodating him in the end.
When two people are in love, they’re pretty much the same.
At the end of July, Zhu Xingyao returned from Munich. She didn’t tell Jiang Tu and took a nap to adjust to the time difference. At six o’clock sharp, she sent him a message: “Coming home tonight, there’s a surprise!”
She walked into the kitchen and took out the fish the housekeeper bought.
By now, she had learned how to steam fish.
Jiang Tu walked in the door. The fish was steaming in the pot, and Zhu Xingyao was sitting on the sofa with Tang Dou, watching variety shows when the alarm suddenly rang. She hurriedly stood up. Turning around, she saw him and smiled, “I’ll turn off the heat; the fish is ready.”
“I’ll do it.” Jiang Tu walked towards the kitchen.
Zhu Xingyao put Tang Dou down and followed him.
Jiang Tu turned off the heat, turned around, and saw her, “You go rest; I’ll handle the rest.”
Zhu Xingyao stepped forward and hugged him, “I’ve rested enough. I slept all afternoon and am not tired now.”
“Is your stomach hurting?” Jiang Tu looked down and asked.
Her workload had been intense these past two years. Every time Aunt Flo visited, it seemed to hurt worse than it did in high school.
Zhu Xingyao’s mind went blank. She looked up at him, “Husband, I... it hasn’t come...”
Previously, it was always on time, but now calculating, it was already a week late.
She was so busy thinking about when she could return to see him that she forgot all about it.
Jiang Tu was also stunned. He was silent for two seconds, looking at her and said, “I’ll go downstairs for a bit; wait for me at home.”
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