The next morning, Song Yan woke up to find Bai Yucheng sleeping obediently by his side. He tightened his arms around him, wondering why Bai only behaved so well at times like this.
Song Yan got up quietly and arranged a day off for Assistant Bai. Though he wanted to sleep in with him, the New Year’s activities needed attention, and the various stores were waiting.
Fortunately, Huang Ling had returned.
Everyone was extremely busy. When Bai Yucheng finally woke up, it was already noon. He opened his phone to see a text from Huang Ling, informing him that Song Yan had approved his leave, but he still needed to arrange the work schedule for the next quarter.
“Just send it to me when you’re done,” Huang Ling wrote, ending the conversation with a cute emoticon.
Bai Yucheng’s body felt sore. His pajamas and bedsheets had been changed.
Remembering last night’s events, he blushed.
Cheng Tian didn’t say anything, either. She and the housekeeper were looking after the two children. Seeing him come downstairs, they quickly brought him some freshly stewed soup.
“By the way, your body should be recovering soon. I asked Ah Yan to buy some formula on his way back. We can start mixing it with breast milk for the babies now,” she said with a smile. “We’re taking them for a check-up at the hospital this Saturday.”
“Mm, thank you… Mom.”
“It’s nothing. I’ve already arranged it with Ah Yan. He’ll drive us there.”
After last night’s events, Bai Yucheng felt awkward mentioning divorce in front of her. He ate a little, then sent the completed spreadsheet to Huang Ling. In the afternoon, he waited with the children for Song Yan to come back. As promised, Song Yan came back with several cans of formula. He didn’t mention anything about the previous night, as if it never happened.
The atmosphere was a bit strange. It wasn’t until dinner that Song Yan showed some change. He served Bai Yucheng rice and dishes, saying, “Eat more of this. It’s good for your recovery.”
“Mm,” Bai Yucheng replied, quietly eating his food.
After dinner, the housekeeper taught them how to prepare formula for the babies—this was, of course, arranged by Cheng Tian. Despite their stubbornness, the two men were constantly attentive to the children.
With more occasions like this, the children would naturally bring the two of them together.
“Boss Yan, I’ll return to work as usual tomorrow.”
“I understand,” Song Yan nodded. “It’ll be busier around the New Year, but you don’t need to attend the social events.”
“I’ll take the children home.”
“That’s fine.”
There was still some awkwardness. Cheng Tian silently observed the two and planned her next move. Of course, her good teammates also reported on Song Yan’s situation at the company. It seemed the next step would require assistance from the in-laws!
By the end of the year, the children were already six months old. Song Yan was too busy with social obligations, running between various stores every day. As the New Year approached, jade sales were doing well, and the newly designed ornaments and pendants needed restocking. The crystals and fluorites that Bai Yucheng had suggested were also very popular.
With sales soaring, Lu Qi was tasked with arranging employee benefits.
Many brands seeking collaboration had also increased, all waiting for Song Yan’s decision.
Bai Yucheng struggled to find a new house, and the divorce kept getting delayed. Lin Mei said she and Bai Li had to travel abroad for a book signing and wouldn’t return until after the New Year. It was truly frustrating.
The children gradually grew rounder, but their daughter’s name was still undecided. Bai Yucheng felt guilty about it, knowing his daughter would need a name for school eventually. Cheng Tian seized the opportunity and persuaded Bai Yucheng to settle on a name for their daughter – Song Zhiyu.
She had previously run this name by Song Yan, who found no issue with it. Now it seemed Bai Yucheng liked it too.
“Mom, I’m really sorry for all the trouble… I just can’t find a house.”
“Don’t worry, it’s always like this in the second half of the year. After the New Year, you’ll definitely find one, trust me,” Cheng Tian reassured him. “Besides, these two are getting bigger and will soon be a handful.”
“I…”
“That’s why we need to wait for your parents to return. How could you manage alone? You’ll need someone to watch them while you’re at work. The company doesn’t allow children at the office now.”
“But, the current situation…”
“Your father has already paid for the nanny for a year. It would be a waste not to use it, and it’s non-refundable.”
Bai Yucheng couldn’t argue with her. He couldn’t coldly reject the elder’s goodwill, especially since what she said was true. How could he manage the children while working, and Lin Mei hadn’t returned yet.
“Don’t you like me as your mother?”
Cheng Tian used her trump card – elderly cuteness! Bai Yucheng was defenseless against it and quickly shook his head.
“The grandchildren are so adorable, I really can’t bear to part with them. Yucheng, when you find a house, can I visit them?”
“Of course you can!” Bai Yucheng agreed immediately.
“Then I’ll bring some things when I visit. You won’t find it annoying, will you?”
“Of course not!” Bai Yucheng shook his head hastily.
Cheng Tian held his hand, “Your father brags about his grandchildren at his company every day. Now… everyone’s eagerly waiting to celebrate the children’s first birthday…”
“Well…”
“Waaah…”
“…”
“Yucheng, it’s the wish of us elders… Song Yan’s grandparents, my parents… they’re all waiting…”
“Alright, I understand…”
How could they let go of such a good boy? Cheng Tian was an old hand at this, easily manipulating the situation. Now it was Song Yan’s turn, but how could she not handle her own son?
That evening, Song Yan was scheduled to meet with an advertiser who happened to be Cheng Tian’s old classmate – what a coincidence! She quickly arranged her position, knowing Song Yan couldn’t refuse her in front of others.
Let’s see how he could remain stubborn now!
Little did they know that Song Yan was only stubborn in front of Bai Yucheng!
When Cheng Tian invited her old classmate to attend her grandson’s first birthday, Song Yan agreed immediately. He spoke about Bai Yucheng with a smile on his face, praising his wife’s capabilities. He mentioned how the performance of each store had improved since Bai Yucheng joined the company. Song Yan also shared that Bai Yucheng used to be a jewelry designer who created beautiful pieces but had stepped down to become his assistant due to health reasons.
“It’s really a shame about Yucheng’s talent.”
This version of Song Yan caught Cheng Tian off guard – he clearly liked Bai Yucheng! She couldn’t understand why the young couple was being so difficult at home, neither willing to give in to the other.
On the way home, Cheng Tian couldn’t hold back anymore and complained to Song Yan, “Ah Yan, what’s wrong with you? You obviously like Yucheng so much. Why don’t you coax him more when you’re at home?”
Song Yan’s expression darkened, “Mom, he never said he likes me. And me? Ever since we… during his heat, I’ve been telling him I like him in different ways every day. Now look, we already have children and something’s not right. He insists on working and wants our daughter to take his surname… When I mentioned divorce out of anger, he agreed right away. And you know what? If the doctor hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known he was going for some ‘special service’! We’re not even divorced yet.”
“What?” Cheng Tian was at a loss for words. This was clearly just jealousy. She sighed, “That’s nothing. Yucheng is just shy and won’t say it. And you, why are you taking it so seriously? Besides, weren’t you the one who mentioned divorce first?”
“Why won’t he try to coax me?”
“Huh?”
This… Cheng Tian could only describe their current state as two inexperienced chicks pecking at each other.
Song Yan had always been a bit stubborn, unable to see things from a different perspective. Cheng Tian felt helpless, “Ah Yan, tell me, how did you two end up having children in the first place?”
“I told you, it was during his heat. I happened to go to his place.”
“No, I mean before that. Wasn’t there any build-up between you two?”
Song Yan looked surprised, “I liked him and was planning to pursue him when I found out he was hiding his gender. Then I discovered he was in heat… So I went to find him directly… and then, naturally…”
“And after that?”
“Nothing much. I just moved in with him, and he didn’t say anything… I guess we were dating. Then we found out about the pregnancy and got married. But you saw it, he never said he was unwilling. He was very clingy during that time.”
Cheng Tian was speechless at her son’s behavior, “You… This is basically forcing yourself on him! You never asked for his opinion. It feels like you’re using your Alpha status to pressure him!”
“I didn’t… Wasn’t I caring enough when he was pregnant…”
“That’s not the point!” Cheng Tian said firmly, “You need to court your husband all over again! Build a solid emotional foundation first! How can you be so clueless!”
“I…”
Song Yan didn’t know what to say for a moment.
He spent the entire journey home reflecting on why Bai Yucheng had never directly responded to his feelings. As they arrived home, he suddenly had an epiphany: “Mom… I think I really need to… seriously pursue him again.”
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