TIPS – Chapter 110

Shen Junxi smiled and nodded, gesturing: “My wife asked me to bring him back.”

Yang Shi paused for a moment and sighed. “I didn’t mean to take him away on purpose… I just…” Her thoughts were simple—she knew her son and daughter-in-law had been exhausted caring for the baby. They hadn’t had any time alone together, so she thought she’d help out at night by watching the child, so the couple could be closer.

“Mm.” Shen Junxi nodded to show he understood. He lowered his head to gently stroke the baby’s cheek, his expression full of tenderness, but there was also a trace of melancholy in his eyes.

“You know what I mean, don’t you? Benben is already nearly four months old, yet you and your wife are still like this—it’s not good.” Having lived with them under the same roof for so long, Yang Shi was well aware of their relationship. They still hadn’t consummated their marriage, and it worried her deeply. Not because she was eager for more grandchildren, but because of her son—so sincere and clumsy in love.

How long would they have to wait for things to work out?

Shen Junxi couldn’t answer his mother’s concern. He could only gesture, “It’s okay, my wife is thinking it over. He’ll treat me better and better.”

“…,” Yang Shi forced a smile. Was this truly his wife’s intention, or just his wishful thinking? No one knew.

“He needs time.” That’s what Shen Junxi told himself as he gently lifted Benben from his mother’s arms and kissed him fondly.

“Alright, take him back. I won’t meddle in your marital matters anymore. As long as you know what you’re doing.” Yang Shi touched the baby’s soft, newly grown hair and said no more.

“Mm.” After bidding his mother goodbye, Shen Junxi carried the baby back to their own courtyard. The lamp in their room was lit, but no one was inside. Seeing the empty room, he placed the baby on Song Jingwei’s large bed—father and son would sleep together tonight.

Because of the baby, the once tidy bed was now always a bit messy. Baby supplies were scattered across it, even cloth diapers piled in a corner. Fortunately, Song Jingwei didn’t mind; he even slept here himself.

But that was the reality of living with a baby—baby things everywhere, total chaos. Then there was the matter of the smell. Shen Junxi leaned in to sniff the pillow: a mix of milk scent and Song Jingwei’s familiar fragrance. Combined, it had become the smell of this room for the past half year. It comforted him.

Tonight, the baby was full of energy. Even long after feeding, he wasn’t yawning. Shen Junxi lay down beside him to play.

He endured Benben’s tiny hands grabbing at everything—like now, those chubby paws were patting his face, fingers poking his nose, prying at his mouth.

Shen Junxi gently took the baby’s hand and wagged a finger to signal no playing like this—it’s not right. Benben stopped grabbing him with his hands… and lifted his feet instead, trying to kick his face.

Just as Shen Junxi was about to correct him again, Benben grabbed his own foot and tried to stuff it into his mouth.

“…”

Shen Junxi washed the baby’s drool-covered feet just in time for Song Jingwei to return. Seeing father and son come out of the washroom, he asked curiously, “Did Benben pee again?”

“…”
The young man shook his head, choosing not to share his son’s latest glorious feat. He quietly began preparing milk. Maybe if the baby was full, he wouldn’t try to eat his feet again? If not, and his clean-freak of a husband saw this, Benben would definitely be scolded.

“Milk again so early?” Song Jingwei asked as he saw Shen Junxi heading off to express some milk.

“Mm.” Shen Junxi gestured: “He’s hungry. Just a little to start.”

Actually, during the day, Benben didn’t drink milk anymore. He was already eating thicker porridge now—things like pork bone congee, minced meat and carrot porridge, catfish porridge, eel porridge, and of course, field chicken congee.

Yang Shi had said children needed to start eating grains early to grow strong and healthy. So since he was three months old, they’d begun feeding him rice water. By four months, it was various porridges.

Neither Song Jingwei nor Shen Junxi had any experience raising children, so they simply followed the elder’s advice. And seeing how Benben was growing stronger and taller by the day, they were both relieved and delighted.

At the moment, Benben was trying to roll over on the bed, but with so many layers of clothing on, he couldn’t manage. His expression was growing frustrated.

Song Jingwei bent down and kissed him on the cheek, smiling as he comforted, “No rush. Eat first, then you can roll around. He’s coming to feed you soon.”

Whenever Benben heard voices, he would look at them. His big dark eyes were adorable and full of life—he’d be a handsome little guy, if only he didn’t drool with his mouth open all the time.

“What are you staring at me for? Want to talk? Grow some teeth first.” Song Jingwei teased him, gently pinching his chubby cheek with a fingertip.

Benben listened intently, blinking a few times—then repeated his usual move: grabbed his foot and shoved it toward his mouth.

“No, that’s dirty.” Song Jingwei rescued the foot from him and gave him his own finger to hold instead—but strictly not to chew on.

Shen Junxi soon came in with freshly warmed goat’s milk. Song Jingwei picked up the baby and let him sit by the bed to feed.

“Did you know Benben has a habit of gnawing on his feet?” Song Jingwei said, “You’ve got to stop him when you see it. Don’t let him get used to it—it’s unhealthy.”

“Mm.” The young man nodded while carefully feeding the baby, clearly aware that the baby had just been caught chewing on his foot again and had been scolded by his wife.

“Don’t tell me that’s something he inherited from you?”

“…” Shen Junxi’s hand paused as he was feeding the milk. He looked up and shook his head seriously—he hadn’t had that habit as a child.

“It’s not good if everything’s like you,” Song Jingwei said. He still hoped that when their son grew up, he would become a strong and upright man.

“…” That felt like a bit of shade, but Shen Junxi simply smiled and continued feeding the baby with care. His heart was calm. He had always been like this—naturally gentle and quiet—not the kind of man full of traditional masculinity.

“I’m not saying you’re bad. No one is perfect,” Song Jingwei added. He was merely saying that for his son, he hoped for a bit more manliness. But truthfully, if he were to choose a life partner, someone like Shen Junxi was exactly what he wanted—only, Shen Junxi was a man.

“…” After feeding the last spoonful, Shen Junxi set the bowl aside, carefully wiped the baby’s mouth, and gestured: “I think we’re really well suited for each other.” He still remembered all the criteria Song Jingwei once mentioned for an ideal partner—and he matched every single one.

“And I think I’m suited to be the emperor…”

Shen Junxi hurried to stop him from continuing, putting a finger to his lips in a “shh” motion and gesturing: “Wife, be cautious with your words.”

The word “emperor” wasn’t something to say carelessly. Song Jingwei understood, but still, it was just the two of them and Benben here—who would overhear?

“You’re too nervous,” he said.

Shen Junxi shook his head and gestured: “It’s about forming habits.” If you weren’t careful, words might slip. If someone overheard outside, it could be dangerous.

“Alright.” Song Jingwei looked at him wordlessly, then handed the well-fed and satisfied Benben over. “You put him to bed. I’ll sleep on the other side.”

“Mm.” Shen Junxi gladly took the little dumpling into his arms, preparing to lull their little prince to sleep.

Song Jingwei took off his outer robe and climbed into bed, trying to drift off. Meanwhile, Shen Junxi paced the room with the baby, gently coaxing him. It took nearly half an hour before Benben was sound asleep in bed.

Finally, the room fell quiet. Sleep slowly overtook Song Jingwei—until he sensed someone by the bed. He blearily opened his eyes, in that hazy state between asleep and awake.

“…” Shen Junxi stood there quietly, watching him intently.

The room was so still. Song Jingwei’s eyelids gradually closed again. He could feel the young man holding him, cheek pressed against his own, and heard the soft rhythm of his breath. But he didn’t move—either because he couldn’t or didn’t want to. He let it happen, like a dream.

“…” Shen Junxi gently nuzzled him, his eyes filled with layers upon layers of tenderness. It was clear he cherished this moment deeply—because it was something he could only have in secret.

As Song Jingwei’s breathing evened out, Shen Junxi leaned in and lightly kissed his skin. Once he started, he couldn’t stop, like an addiction, kissing again and again. He loved the feeling of being this close, their breaths entwined, no distance, no looming separation.

He also loved the warmth of lips on skin, the closeness to the man’s heartbeat—as if he could hear it clearly, feel his presence directly. It moved him deeply.

How much must you love someone to feel grateful every day that they even exist in this world?

“…” At last, he kissed the corner of his wife’s lips, whispered a silent sweet dreams in his heart, and quietly returned to the other bed to sleep beside the baby.

The next morning brought another day of unpredictable weather. The family got up to eat breakfast. The table was filled with various small dishes—not a lot, but plenty of variety. Yang Shi always tailored meals to suit her daughter-in-law’s tastes, though lately, Song Jingwei’s appetite had declined, so she prepared smaller portions.

“I made egg pancakes today. Jingwei, eat up. I didn’t put any scallions in, just for you.” She knew that Jingwei used to be fine with scallions, but ever since the baby was born, he’d lost the taste for them, so she stopped including them in his meals.

“Thank you, Mother.” Song Jingwei picked up a piece of pancake, tore off a tiny bite, and fed it to the baby. Smiling, he joked as he ate, “How many months old before they start teething? He looks like he’s already craving solid food.”

Yang Shi looked at her eldest grandson, beaming. “It won’t be long now. He’ll be chewing on chicken drumsticks by New Year!”

Shen Dongming laughed, “Hahaha, even if he grows fast, he won’t have a full set of teeth till next year.”

Yang Shi replied, “By that logic, a man wouldn’t have a full set of teeth until he’s over twenty!”

Everyone chuckled—after all, adults still grow wisdom teeth in their twenties, so technically they aren’t done growing teeth until then. As for children, they even go through a full replacement stage between ages eight and nine. Little Benben’s journey was only just beginning.

The young man quietly listened to his family chatting, a warm smile on his face. He occasionally glanced at the baby in the cradle, but his attention was mostly on his wife. Seeing that Song Jingwei’s expression was normal today, clearly not bothered by last night, Shen Junxi relaxed a little—though part of him still felt uncertain.

How could he be so unconcerned?

Though that thought lingered, he was still happy. Life was the same as always, and it still had to go on.

Because the weather had been poor lately, the two of them hadn’t gone out much, only occasionally visiting the school. But Shen Junxi would never let Song Jingwei go alone; he usually followed along, treating it as a chance to check on things—he had to stay attentive to the school too.

“There’s nothing much lacking at the school right now, except we’re almost out of paper,” Xu Heng reported. “The students are learning more characters, and it’s about time for them to start reading. If possible, I hope we can buy a few more books. With so many students, one book each still adds up.”

“Alright. I’ll go to town in a few days to make purchases.” The last batch of paper had been bought before the New Year; now it was almost May, so it made sense they were running out. As for books, Song Jingwei thought it over and already had an idea in mind.

“Oh, by the way, Young Master Song, I’m asking on behalf of Master Lu—how’s the progress with the articles he gave to Young Master Shen last time?”

Startled, Song Jingwei remembered. Right, that did happen. But it seemed Shen Junxi had completely forgotten—he’d been busy with the baby all day long, and Jingwei hadn’t seen him sit down to read anything. Still, he only hesitated for a moment before replying, “Alright, I’ll ask him when I get home.”

“Heh, I’m just passing along the message, no pressure. If there’s no time, just take it slow,” Xu Heng said with a smile. After all, Song Jingwei wasn’t the one involved—and neither was he, really.

“Okay.”

That evening, while bathing the baby together, Song Jingwei suddenly remembered and asked, “Did you ever read those articles Lu Bingjun gave you?”

The young man washed the baby’s feet, then raised his hand and signed: “Which Lu Bingjun?”

Song Jingwei gave him a look and said, “The one who’s better-looking than you, younger than you, and has more literary talent.”

“…” Shen Junxi’s expression froze—clearly displeased, even a little sulky. He forced a smile and signed: “I read them.” Then continued washing the baby’s feet.

“How were they?” Song Jingwei asked, amused. The young man’s face was too entertaining.

“They were good—better than me,” Shen Junxi signed with a smile, though he was still busy scrubbing the baby, who kept kicking and splashing water all over him.

“Did you write a critique? If you did, hurry and send it over. It’s not good to drag this out.” Song Jingwei believed that since Shen Junxi accepted the task, he should see it through responsibly.

“Mm.” Shen Junxi nodded, got up to dry his hands, and went to get a big towel to wrap up the baby.

“Bath’s over, no more playing.” Song Jingwei prepared to pick the baby up. This little one loved playing with water—he’d probably cry once removed from it.

“Waaah…” Sure enough, the little tyrant pouted and burst into tears, his tiny hands flailing in the air.

“You little rascal!” Song Jingwei scolded jokingly, then shouted, “Quick, bring the towel! Your son’s crying!”

Shen Junxi rushed in, spreading open the big towel in time to catch the chubby little dumpling, wrapping him up and carrying him out to get dressed.

“Waaah waaah…” The crying only got louder as the baby squirmed in his arms.

“Keep crying and I’ll spank you!” Song Jingwei threatened from the side.

“WAAAH WAAAH WAAAH WAAAH!” Benben’s tiny voice clashed with his father’s threat—he was sobbing like it was the end of the world.

“…” Song Jingwei was helpless—he didn’t dare scold the baby further.

Shen Junxi laughed as he quickly laid the baby down on the bed and held his little hands to calm him. Miraculously, after a while, the crying subsided.

“Time to get dressed,” the young man signed to his husband.

Song Jingwei handed him the baby’s little undershirt so he could dress him slowly. Watching the young man’s careful movements, Jingwei couldn’t help but think: taking care of a baby is an art—it really requires talent.

That night, as usual, Shen Junxi slept with the baby, while Song Jingwei slept on the bed that had once belonged to the young man.

The next day at noon, Song Jingwei took over the task of watching the sleeping baby and said to Shen Junxi, “Go settle Lu Bingjun’s matter. It’s been delayed so long—he must be getting anxious.”

Shen Junxi didn’t object. He had already read the articles and had a clear opinion in his mind. Now he went to the study, ground some ink, and wrote his critique on a piece of xuan paper. Once the ink dried, he bundled it with the articles and went out to deliver them to Lu Bingjun.

The school under the school hadn’t started yet, so both Lu Bingjun and Xu Heng were resting in their own rooms.

When Shen Junxi arrived, Lu Bingjun was a bit surprised but politely invited him in. After serving tea, he noticed the papers placed on the table by the young man but didn’t immediately look through them. Instead, he took out a writing set and said with a smile, “Maybe writing is a more convenient way to communicate. You don’t mind, do you?”

“I don’t mind,” Shen Junxi signed simply.

“Mm…” Lu Bingjun carefully observed the young man who was a few years older than himself. In his heart, he sighed. He didn’t think Shen Junxi was better than him—he believed he was far superior. More importantly, he didn’t feel the need to dominate in a relationship. He was willing to lie beneath his beloved, to be the one who received. Calming himself, he wrote, “Since I first arrived in this place, the one who left the deepest impression on me was Young Master Song.”