Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 94 (Part 3)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 94.3 Extra [Why The Two Decided Not to Have Children]
After returning home and engaging with the child for half an hour, Lin Jingzhe was finally given a break due to the children's program broadcast on the TV station every afternoon. He seized the opportunity to slump onto the sofa and rest.
Fang Zhuangzhuang sat cross-legged in front of the TV, clapping her hands and singing along with the melody. In the past, Lin Jingzhe would feel a sweet and fluffy emotion when witnessing this scene, but at this moment, he merely tilted his head and observed the group of children frolicking with the cartoon characters on the TV screen—God, there were more than a dozen of them!
How daunting. What kind of mastery does it take to care for so many children?
Avoiding a repeat of the noon milk powder ordeal, Lin Jingzhe, despite his exhaustion, shuffled into the kitchen while Fang Zhuangzhuang was engrossed in the show. Having just ordered ingredients from the property management company, he intended to showcase his culinary prowess by preparing a bowl of tomato and egg noodles—a dish he occasionally made in the morning to reward Xiao Chi.
He began by boiling water, then added eggs, tomatoes, various spices, and lastly the noodles.
Lin Jingzhe, dripping with sweat from sheer exhaustion, found his endeavors rewarded with a superb bowl of noodles.
Fang Zhuangzhuang, having just discovered that a meal was in the making after watching TV, bounded into the kitchen with excitement. However, as soon as she clambered onto the chair, she was momentarily stunned.
Despite his exhaustion, Lin Jingzhe retained a modicum of confidence in his culinary skills. He wiped his hands and reassured Fang Zhuangzhuang, "Try it, it's delicious. Your Uncle Xiao loves these noodles the most."
Fang Zhuangzhuang harbored doubts for a while before cautiously picking up her small fork.
A few minutes later, Xiao Chi, who was in a meeting, received an urgent call from home.
Fang Zhuangzhuang's distressed cries echoed in the background, prompting a frown from Xiao Chi. He glanced at the caller ID on his mobile phone and then checked the time on his wristwatch. "Why did you leave home so soon? Who drove you?"
For over a decade, Xiao Chi could make concessions in various aspects of his life, but he couldn't tolerate Lin Jingzhe driving alone.
"The company's designated driver; that's not the point," Lin Jingzhe on the other end of the phone appeared to have encountered a dilemma. After a lengthy pause, he asked hesitantly, "That…uh... Zhuangzhuang refused to eat the noodles I cooked. What should I get her to eat?"
"..." Xiao Chi remained silent for a moment before inquiring, "Did you cook noodles for her?"
"...Yes." Lin Jingzhe experienced an unprecedented sense of humiliation.
"...Alright." Xiao Chi sighed and redirected the conversation, "Open the freezer; there's a food container inside. Open it, and you'll find the beef I marinated the night before yesterday..."
Everyone in the conference room witnessed the boss suddenly answering the phone and standing at the door for an extended period with no intention of entering. Puzzled glances were exchanged until, after a while, Xiao Chi returned to collect his belongings.
"Mr. Xiao——"
Xiao Chi’s expression remained stern. "Let's postpone the meeting. I need to attend to something first."
Xiao Chi swiftly returned to Dongtai Community while his employees speculated about the nature of the emergency. Upon opening the door, an unusual odor wafted from the kitchen. Fang Zhuangzhuang was sitting by the kitchen entrance, nearly exhausted from crying.
Lin Jingzhe, hesitant to close the kitchen door, continued cooking while anxiously trying to console her, "Please don't cry, it will be ready soon..."
Although this 'soon' had already extended for nearly half an hour.
Xiao Chi sighed helplessly, shedding his coat as he briskly entered the house. He skillfully maneuvered around the child, heading straight for the kitchen. He turned off the stove, opened the windows for ventilation, set aside the marinated beef that Lin Jingzhe had haphazardly cut on the stove, disposed of the pot of mushy noodles, washed the same pot, poured in water, covered it with a lid, and set it to boil.
The moment Lin Jingzhe caught sight of him, it felt as if the sky had brightened. Wearing an exhausted expression, Lin Jingzhe embraced him and confessed, "I thought I was going to die..."
Xiao Chi kissed his face, whispered a few comforting words, wiped away the dirt on his lover’s face, and then exited the kitchen. He embraced Fang Zhuangzhuang, who was seated on the ground and crying, lifting her up with his robust arms—
The tears ceased swiftly, and within seconds Zhuangzhuang erupted into laughter, emitting the joyous sound familiar to Lin Jingzhe.
"No more crying; go sit over there and wait for the meal." With a solemn expression, Xiao Chi cradled the tearful child in his arms, then focused on preparing noodles, stir-frying, seasoning the broth, and casually sprinkling minced beef over the noodles.
As Fang Zhuangzhuang indulged in the meal, Lin Jingzhe collapsed on the ground beside the wall, panting with dazed vision. "Taking care of a child... is too frightening..."
Indeed, if Xiao Chi hadn't returned promptly, he might have succumbed to an eternal slumber amidst Fang Zhuangzhuang's cries, which were akin to biological weapons.
Why are children like this? Just moments ago, when she was asleep, she was an absolute little angel!
Lin Jingzhe didn't want to be alone with this ‘little angel’ for even a moment longer. He followed his lover like a shadow, observing as Mr. Xiao adeptly tidied up around the house.
Xiao Chi stowed away Fang Zhuangzhuang's daily necessities with a stoic expression. He organized the milk powder, cleaned the bottles, neatly stored the diapers in the cabinet, and disposed of the malodorous dirty clothes in the trash can.
Observing his systematic approach, Lin Jingzhe suddenly felt an unprecedented amount of admiration. "You're incredible, remembering all these steps so clearly."
"It’s nothing remarkable," Xiao Chi replied, not considering it particularly challenging. In reality, the reason he was hesitant about having a child was never because it seemed troublesome. He simply didn't want Lin Jingzhe's focus to be diverted by other responsibilities.
However—
He glanced at Lin Jingzhe, who appeared visibly frightened by the truth of children, clinging to him like a coquettish kitten. After more than a decade of marriage, Xiao Chi rarely witnessed him being so well-behaved and docile.
His gaze then shifted to the quiet little rascal not far away who remained quiet as long as there was something delicious to eat.
If Lin Jingzhe could maintain this state, raising a child doesn't seem to be a bad thing at all.
It was rare for him to change his impression of Fang Zhuangzhuang, whom he had always disliked. Although this girl was as chubby as a piglet or a tree stump, and was naughty and noisy, upon closer consideration, she had her redeeming qualities.
He pondered this as he completed all the household chores. His contemplation persisted until Fang Zhuangzhuang had eaten and drunk her fill, regained her composure, and began to stroll quietly in the living room. She stood at the corner of the stairs, admiring the oil paintings hanging on the wall.
Fang Zhuangzhuang gazed at the delicate and intricate portrait that Lin Jingzhe had painted over the course of almost two months. After a moment—
"Hahaha! So ugly!"
Xiao Chi: "……………………"
Pissed.
In the dead of night, the little devil finally succumbed to sleep after a bedtime story, and the couple, exhausted from a day's work, finally made their way back to the room.
Lin Jingzhe's eyes felt heavy as he emerged from the shower. He climbed into bed and remained in a daze for a long while, until Xiao Chi emerged after his shower; he then promptly nestled into the other's embrace.
After more than a decade of cohabitation, the bodies of both individuals had absorbed each other's scent. The woody aroma and the refreshing breath intertwined, making it challenging to differentiate between the two.
As their cotton pajamas brushed against each other, Xiao Chi embraced his partner tightly, patting his back gently. "Thank you for your hard work today."
Lin Jingzhe reflected on the events of the afternoon, let out a long sigh, and expressed with guilt, "I will never cook noodles again. I'm sorry."
Xiao Chi's hand, which was patting his back, paused. "Why?"
In a subdued tone, Lin Jingzhe explained, "Zhuangzhuang almost cried because of it. It seems really unpalatable."
"How could it be?" Xiao Chi dismissed the notion and asserted, "It's delicious. I genuinely enjoy the taste."
Lin Jingzhe's bruised self-esteem found a glimmer of relief. "...Really?"
"... Absolutely. You can trust me. What does Fang Zhuangzhuang, a little troublemaker, know about it?" Xiao Chi responded with conviction. Yet, reflecting on his day, he also recalled an undeniable matter, "But, is the portrait I painted of you truly that unattractive?"
Fang Zhuangzhuang's expression was so solemn during her assessment that it stirred a bit of self-doubt in him.
Lin Jingzhe, upon hearing the comment, was momentarily taken aback. Recollecting the twisted lines and prominent teeth in the oil painting, and seeing the disappointed expression on Xiao Chi's face, he swiftly corrected his stance. Cupping Xiao Chi's face with both hands, he responded earnestly, "Impossible! The painting is exceptionally well-executed, and the colors are truly exquisite!"
"But Fang Zhuangzhuang..."
"Ah, she's a little troublemaker, not one to appreciate fine art!" Lin Jingzhe anticipated the comment and cut in.
That's true. Xiao Chi mused inwardly. After all, she's just a young child, and it's already impressive that she can grasp the taste of food. Understanding something as profound as art might be beyond her comprehension at this age. With Lin Jingzhe's reassuring words, he gradually eased his mind. Reflecting on the bowl of noodles, he reiterated, "Don't mind her; the noodles you cook are truly delicious!"
Lin Jingzhe allowed himself to be comforted and lay down with a sense of grievance. Internally, he concurred with his lover's perspective. While Fang Zhuangzhuang might be able to evaluate oil paintings to some extent due to the innate human instinct for aesthetics, it seemed unreasonable to expect someone her age to possess the ability to assess the taste of noodles.
The two of them found solace in each other's words and drifted off to a peaceful sleep. After a while, Lin Jingzhe's hesitant voice emerged from Xiao Chi’s embrace, "Xiao Chi."
"Hmm?"
"The adoptive child that our mothers mentioned earlier..."
"Mm."
"I think we'd be better off not agreeing."
Xiao Chi yawned and embraced his lover who was still haunted by the day's events. Reflecting on the many little troublemakers in the world, akin to Fang Zhuangzhuang, who don't know how to comprehend art, he couldn't help but concur. "Okay."
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.
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T/N: ( ≧ᗜ≦)