Chapter 453| Chapter 454| Chapter 455
Chapter 453: Father and Daughter Fight
“Absolutely reasonable! Let me take you to my house first.”
“No, let’s go to my house first!”
The two women started bickering immediately, neither willing to back down, and they were on the verge of a full-blown argument right there in the street.
Sheng Wanyan found the spectacle rather amusing. To put an end to the farce, she smiled and agreed to tour both properties, which successfully calmed them down.
After inspecting both locations, she noted with satisfaction that the structures were well-maintained and situated in excellent, central positions. They sat directly between her family’s yard and her parents’ yard. When the time came, she could convert one into a grocery store and use the other to sell her clothing line, which would save them an immense amount of logistical trouble. Since there were several prominent universities in the surrounding district, the massive influx of college students would provide an ideal, built-in customer base.
Sheng Wanyan acquired the properties for one thousand and fifteen hundred yuan respectively. One yard measured two hundred and fifty square meters, while the other spanned nearly four hundred square meters. Both prices were entirely reasonable.
Following their standard protocol, they executed the contracts, secured the family thumbprints, and processed the formal transfer paperwork through the village committee. The sellers were ecstatic to receive the cash; it was the first time in their lives they had ever held such a massive sum of money.
They agreed to fully vacate the premises within three days, at which point Sheng Wanyan would return to swap out the hardware. The villagers happily agreed to the terms.
With their real estate operations concluded for the day, Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao finally commenced their journey back to the compound. There was still a remaining balance of five hundred yuan left in the savings book her parents had given her, which she earmarked entirely for future renovations.
Sheng Wanyan tallied up the capital they had deployed today: a grand total of eight thousand five hundred yuan, with every single deed registered strictly under her name. She had initially intended to list Gu Tingxiao on the paperwork, but given his active-duty military standing, his professional position legally prohibited him from holding commercial property titles.
However, she had explicitly used Gu Tingxiao’s accumulated military salary to purchase the two residential courtyard houses where they would live, drawing from their shared family-division funds only to cover the remaining shortfall. As a husband and a father, Gu Tingxiao deserved to feel a distinct sense of partnership in their household so he wouldn’t feel sidelined.
“I used your entire salary surplus, as well as our baseline separation funds,” Sheng Wanyan informed him as they drove, making sure to clarify that the two commercial properties intended for her business ventures hadn’t touched his money. “I plan to use those extra yards to launch a few small retail businesses, and down the line, the commercial regulations might become complicated.”
Launching a private enterprise always came with unpredictable regulatory risks. If the authorities later scrutinized the business and found any financial ties to Gu Tingxiao, his political rivals could easily use it as ammunition against his military career.
“Wanyan, it’s only natural for you to spend my money,” Gu Tingxiao muttered, his brow furrowing slightly. He always felt a quiet pang of frustration whenever his wife drew such a strict, meticulous boundary between their finances. “There’s absolutely no need for you to report your expenses to me.”
“I’m not reporting to you,” Sheng Wanyan countered, rolling her eyes at his dramatic phrasing. “I’m merely giving you fair warning that you need to work exceptionally hard to earn more. Your daughter’s appetite is growing so massive she’s liable to bankrupt us at any moment.”
Gu Tingxiao’s lips twitched with amusement, but Sheng Wanyan’s expression softened as she looked at him, her tone turning quiet and earnest. “But above all, your safety is what matters most. I don’t ever want Yiyi to grow up without a father. If the worst should ever happen… remember that I am perfectly capable of supporting both myself and our daughter.”
Gu Tingxiao glanced at her, a profound wave of guilt washing over his features. He knew all too well that the mortal danger he had faced during his last deployment had deeply terrified his wife, leaving her with a lingering pocket of emotional trauma.
“Thank you, my brilliant wife,” he murmured softly.
Sheng Wanyan let out a cold snort. This man always spoke beautifully when they were safe, but the moment a crisis erupted on the battlefield, his mind filled with nothing but raw military passion, completely forgetting his promises.
“Make no mistake—if you ever get yourself killed, I have zero intention of playing the grieving widow forever,” she added bluntly. Life was far too beautiful, and the world held too much promise for her to tether herself to the past. She would never allow herself to drown in a lifetime of sorrow over a man.
“It won’t happen again. I swear it,” Gu Tingxiao promised, reaching across the bench seat to grip her hand tightly.
Sheng Wanyan turned her head to look out the window, refusing to meet his gaze. The memory of his near-fatal mission remained an unyielding thorn in her heart. Whenever it pricked her mind, a sharp, suffocating ache would seize her chest, constricting her heart so tightly she could barely draw breath.
She squeezed his hand back, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. Sometimes, she wondered if being entirely self-reliant and independent was a disadvantage in a marriage. There was an old saying that the crying child always received the candy; perhaps the same logic applied to women who bared their vulnerabilities.
Gu Tingxiao steered the vehicle toward the shoulder of the road and brought it to a smooth halt. The suburban avenue was completely deserted at this hour. Without a word, he reached over, unbuckled her seatbelt, and pulled her across the space until she was sitting directly on his lap.
“I am so incredibly sorry for forcing you to carry that terror for so long,” he whispered against her hair, his arms locking around her waist. “I am sorry for the heavy burdens I’ve placed on your shoulders…”
Sheng Wanyan leaned her forehead against his uniform jacket, her voice muffled against his chest. “I don’t feel burdened.” As a military wife, she had long since accepted the sacrifices of his calling; she had no right to harbor grievances.
Gu Tingxiao held her close, a quiet realization settling over him. He had mistakenly assumed his wife had fully processed and moved past the trauma of his deployment, largely because her daily behavior was entirely normal and she never breathed a word about the incident. Everyone in the family assumed she had let it go. He hadn’t realized that beneath her calm, capable exterior, she was still navigating a constant undercurrent of anxiety. She simply chose to keep her fears locked deep within her heart rather than burdening others.
Sheng Wanyan wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing herself to melt into the rare pocket of uninterrupted privacy. Shedding her usual independent facade, she let out a series of quiet, soft complaints, whining against his shoulder to vent her long-harbored frustrations. Gu Tingxiao listened with infinite patience, rocking her gently within the quiet cab of the vehicle, providing the steady, unshakeable sense of emotional security she had been lacking.
By the time they finished their quiet conversation, the sun had dipped below the horizon. The couple decided to enjoy a peaceful dinner at a city restaurant and caught an evening screening at a local cinema before finally returning to the military compound.
However, the moment they crossed the threshold of their upstairs quarters, the couple found themselves facing a severe interrogation and immediate criticism from their miniature supervisor.
Yiyi stood in the center of the rug, her little nose twitching as she sniffed the air. She promptly puckered her lower lip into a massive, unhappy pout, glaring up at them with absolute betrayal.
“Hmph!” she scoffed, crossing her chubby arms.
Her sharp little nose had instantly detected the distinct, unmistakable aroma of roasted melon seeds and sweet soda—the exact same treats her parents had purchased for her the last time they took her to a theater.
Downstairs, the elders paid no mind to the toddler’s dramatic standoff. They immediately asked about the real estate search and let out a collective sigh of relief when Gu Tingxiao confirmed they had successfully secured the deeds.
“Have you two eaten yet?” Mother Gu asked anxiously. She had kept a generous portion of the evening’s dinner warming over the stove, knowing that in the dead of winter, the food would keep perfectly for the following day.
“Yes, Mom, we ate out in the city,” Sheng Wanyan smiled.
“Then hurry up and get some sleep. You’ve been running across the districts all day,” Mother Gu urged.
The small family retreated to their bedroom, where Yiyi’s pout remained firmly locked in place. “Daddy and Mommy are terribly naughty~” she grumbled, her voice thick with accusation. “You snuck off behind Yiyi’s back to see the moving pictures!”
She pinned them with a fierce, judging stare, her little body pointedly twisting away from them to signal her displeasure, though she couldn’t resist occasionally peeking over her shoulder to monitor their reactions.
Sheng Wanyan chuckled, reaching out to playfully poke the girl’s round, padded backside, but the toddler stubbornly ignored the gesture, letting out another dramatic huff.
“Your turn. Handle your daughter,” Sheng Wanyan whispered, deftly shifting the difficult diplomatic crisis over to her husband. It had been Gu Tingxiao’s grand idea to extend their date with a movie, so it was only tactically sound that he execute the resolution.
Gathering a fresh change of clothes, Sheng Wanyan slipped away to the bathroom to wash away the heavy grime of the city roads, leaving the father and daughter to negotiate a ceasefire.
She had no idea what kind of tactical concessions Gu Tingxiao deployed during her absence, but by the time she emerged from the steaming shower, a total reconciliation had been achieved. Yiyi immediately wrapped her arms tightly around her mother’s neck, refusing to let go as she clung to her like a tiny barnacle.
“Mommy, I love you the absolute most in the whole wide world,” she chimed sweetly.
“And Mommy loves our Yiyi the absolute most, too,” Sheng Wanyan smiled, kissing her cheek.
Yiyi beamed, throwing a sharp, triumphant look of pure provocation directly at Gu Tingxiao over her mother’s shoulder. “Yiyi loves Mama the mostest~” she repeated loudly, planting another wet kiss on Sheng Wanyan’s face. She snuggled so closely against her mother’s chest that Gu Tingxiao was effectively left standing there looking like a complete outsider.
For the very first time, Gu Tingxiao realized his daughter possessed a highly plotting, competitive streak, made infinitely more formidable by her sharp intellect.
Sheng Wanyan remained entirely oblivious to the silent psychological warfare playing out between father and daughter. She simply reveled in the sweet warmth of her child’s affection. In the eyes of a mother, such declarations made her feel as though her little girl was the most precious, magnificent treasure in existence. Her heart melted completely, rendering her utterly incapable of raising her voice against the child.
Gu Tingxiao gritted his teeth in silent defeat and marched off to take his own shower.
When he finally returned to the bedroom, he found the mother and daughter fast asleep, curled together in the center of the mattress. With a dark, thoroughly unamused expression, he carefully lifted the sleeping toddler from his wife’s side, carried her across the room, and settled her securely into her own crib.
Returning to the large bed, he slid beneath the thick quilt and pulled his wife firmly into his embrace, possessively wrapping his arms around Sheng Wanyan as he drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 454: Children’s Education Issues
Arranging separate sleeping quarters for Yiyi had officially become an urgent priority. If this pattern continued, Gu Tingxiao was convinced he would be completely cast aside by his wife, thoroughly usurped by their plotting little toddler. Left unchecked, the girl would probably try to find herself a new father next.
Oblivious to the logistical crackdown brewing against her, Yiyi remained deep in a dream, convinced she was still nestled safely within her mother’s warm embrace.
When she finally blinked her eyes open the next morning, she was utterly bewildered. She looked left and right, sitting up in her own crib, unable to fathom how she had been teleported across the room.
Sheng Wanyan lifted her out of the crib to get her washed up, casting a thoughtful look at the small bed. “Let’s get cleaned up and head downstairs for breakfast.”
Gu Tingxiao gathered their clothes for the day and laid them neatly on the mattress. Hearing the mention of food, Yiyi’s gears shifted instantly, and she completely forgot her initial confusion. If she had been a bit older and more well-read, she might have recognized her father’s tactical distraction for what it was, but for now, the promise of breakfast was more than enough.
Having promised Yiyi a fun outing after a grueling day of real estate hunting, Sheng Wanyan prepared to hit the city. Once breakfast was finished, she and Mother Gu geared up to take the toddler out to browse the festive markets and soak in the New Year atmosphere.
“Yiyi, come along with Grandma to buy the holiday treats!” Mother Gu called out, her face radiant. Taking her granddaughter out for a public stroll was a milestone she had spent years dreaming about.
“Yiyi wants to wear her brand-new dress~” the toddler requested, holding up her hands.
Sheng Wanyan had always delighted in styling her daughter, and now that the societal climate was growing more progressive, she took even greater pleasure in dressing the girl beautifully. “Alright, Mommy will help you change. Once you’re ready, you can go shopping with Grandma.”
Yiyi nodded eagerly, wrapping her arms around her mother’s neck as they headed upstairs to the wardrobe. She selected a thick, festive red winter dress from her new collection. To ensure she stayed warm against the capital’s chill, Sheng Wanyan first layered her in white thermal underwear and a cozy base layer, paired the dress with small leather shoes, and topped it with a plush winter coat. Still worried about the temperature, she added a milky-white wool cloak that she had knitted herself.
“Now let’s put on your gloves and hat,” Sheng Wanyan said, reaching for the winter gear.
The moment Yiyi heard the word hat, she bolted across the room. She flatly refused to have her fresh pigtails flattened. If she wore the bulky hat, her beautiful new cherry-shaped hairpins would be completely hidden from the world!
Sheng Wanyan let out a helpless sigh, amused by how fiercely her tiny daughter already championed her own vanity. “Tell you what: Mommy will tie your hair into a neat low bun. That way, your pretty hairpins will stay perfectly visible even with the hat on.”
The compromise met Yiyi’s aesthetic standards. Gu Tingxiao scooped her up, sitting her firmly on his knee to keep her still. “Give it a try.”
“Okay~” Yiyi relented. She knew she couldn’t outmaneuver her father, primarily because her father blindly executed whatever her mother commanded.
Sheng Wanyan skillfully gathered her hair into a low, elegant bun, securely pinning two vibrant cherry clips to the sides before gently resting a fluffy rabbit-fur hat over her head. The end result was a beautifully soft, cloud-like silhouette. Sheng Wanyan stared at her, utterly captivated by how ridiculously adorable her daughter looked.
“All done. Go take a look in the mirror.”
Yiyi scurried over to the vanity, admiring her fresh look. Overjoyed by her reflection, she happily pinched her own chubby cheeks, making a loud smack against the plush skin. She seemed fully aware of exactly which features constituted her maximum cuteness.
“So pretty~” she cooed to herself.
She stood admiring her reflection for a long time, thoroughly infatuated with her own appearance, before she could finally bear to tear herself away from the glass. Running down the stairs, she threw herself toward her grandmother. “My beautiful Grandma!”
“My word, look at you!” Mother Gu gushed, catching her. “You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart. When we step out onto the avenues, every single child in the district will be staring at you.”
Yiyi’s face split into a wide grin. While she was entirely confident in her own beauty, she still firmly believed her mother was the most beautiful woman in existence. “Grandma is super pretty too~”
“Oh, listen to that sweet little mouth!” Mother Gu laughed, her heart thoroughly melting. The girl was incredibly perceptive and always knew exactly how to charm her elders.
“Where are Big Brother and Big Sister?” Yiyi asked, looking around the foyer. She made sure to inquire after Gu Jinfang and Gu Jingjing every single morning, eager to trail behind the older kids.
“Your brother went to the military headquarters with your uncle,” Mother Gu explained smoothly. “And your sister is deep in her bedroom, focusing on her drawings. We’re going to treat our Yiyi to a special outing today, and we’ll bring your cousins along next time, alright?”
Yiyi gave an obedient nod. She had been taught never to disturb her sister when she was focusing on her art; interrupting someone while they were studying or working was considered terribly impolite.
Turning her attention to the living room, her large eyes locked onto the elderly couple. “Great-Grandpa? Great-Grandma?” she piped up, her meaning crystal clear: Aren’t you two coming with us?
“Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma are getting up there in years, sweetheart. We can’t manage those long walks through the markets anymore,” Grandma Gu explained gently. “But I promise, once the spring weather warms up, we will take our precious girl on a grand excursion to see Tiananmen Square.”
“Deal~” Yiyi chirped. She was a deeply empathetic child who naturally respected her elders; if her great-grandparents needed to rest their bones, she wouldn’t push them. “Yiyi will bring back sweet pastries for Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma! Don’t be sad~”
“Oh, my darling girl,” Grandma Gu cried, pulling her in for a tight, affectionate kiss. It was nothing short of miraculous how thoughtful and filial the toddler was, intuitively comforting others at such a tender age.
The family finally departed the estate. Gu Tingxiao took the wheel of the borrowed vehicle, while Mother Gu and Sheng Wanyan buckled into the back with Yiyi securely nestled between them.
“I want to sit in the front seat~” Yiyi requested, her eyes locked onto the dashboard. She had been harboring an intense curiosity regarding the front passenger seat for days, but because an adult was usually occupying it, she had been too polite to speak up. Today, the seat was completely empty, and her own father was commanding the vehicle—she couldn’t resist the temptation.
In the late 1970s, formal automotive safety regulations and seatbelt mandates for minors weren’t strictly enforced like they would be in future generations, but Sheng Wanyan refused to compromise on basic physics. Sitting a toddler in the front passenger seat of a moving vehicle was an absolute safety hazard.
“Yiyi, the front seat is strictly reserved for big boys and girls who are over eighteen years old,” Sheng Wanyan explained with immense patience. “The moment you celebrate your eighteenth birthday, you can sit up front as much as you like.” She proceeded to paint a vivid picture of the extreme dangers of a sudden braking incident, causing Yiyi’s little eyebrows to shoot up in absolute horror.
“Never mind! Yiyi doesn’t want to sit there anymore!” the toddler squeaked, instantly flushing all desire for the co-pilot seat out of her mind.
Sheng Wanyan turned her head to stare out the side window, a wave of parental guilt washing over her. Oops. It seems I made the explanation a bit too terrifying. I hope I haven’t traumatized the poor thing for life.
Mother Gu watched the interaction with a quiet smile, choosing to remain completely silent. She firmly believed that when the younger generation was actively disciplining their own children, the grandparents should stay out of the way. Furthermore, the third branch had managed Yiyi’s upbringing beautifully from day one; her parents clearly possessed a superior grasp of childhood education. They weren’t reckless or permissive like the fourth branch. Given the deep-seated guilt Mother Gu still harbored regarding her past distance from her third son, she exercised extreme caution, terrified of overstepping and alienating him.
The vehicle eventually pulled up to the grand Overseas Chinese Commercial Center. Towering several stories high, the massive shopping complex made the municipal supply and marketing cooperatives back in the Bing City look like simple village stalls.
Yiyi stood frozen on the threshold, her mouth slightly open. The moment she stepped into the glittering corridors, her eyes darted from one magnificent display to the next, her little boots anchoring themselves to the floorboards.
“We need to assist Grandma with the New Year provisions first, sweetheart,” Sheng Wanyan said, kneeling down to establish the parameters. “Once the grocery bags are filled, Mommy will escort you to the toy and clothing departments. Today, you are permitted to select exactly two toys and one new outfit. If something catches your eye, you just point it out to Mommy and Daddy.”
Sheng Wanyan made sure to establish firm, transparent boundaries before the shopping spree commenced. Yiyi didn’t quite grasp the concept of a scarcity limit yet, but the mere mention of legal toys caused her to nod rapidly. “Deal~”
Little did the toddler know the immense psychological dilemma that awaited her. The moment they entered the grand toy emporium and she was confronted with a literal sea of dazzling options, an immediate crisis of indecision gripped her young mind. Which two was she supposed to choose?
Leaving her to marvel at the shelves under Gu Tingxiao’s supervision, Sheng Wanyan and Mother Gu set to securing their holiday provisions. They systematically loaded up on roasted melon seeds, premium walnuts, traditional candies, and assorted sweet pastries.
Given the prominent standing of the Gu family within the military compound, a massive influx of neighborhood children and subordinate officers would inevitably cross their threshold to deliver formal New Year greetings over the holidays. The quantity of treats required to maintain proper hospitality was immense, but with Gu Tingxiao serving as their dedicated pack mule, the two women felt entirely liberated to shop until their hearts were content.
Chapter 455: Yi Yi Is Injured
It is often said that women going shopping is a terrifying sight, especially women who are generous with their wallets.
Sheng Wanyan bought four high-end skincare sets. She planned to give one to Grandma Gu and another to Mother Gu, while sending a third set back to her own mother, Mother Sheng. Eldest Sister-in-law was pregnant, so she couldn’t use these kinds of products right now.
Meanwhile, Mother Gu bought several kilograms of meat before they all headed over to the children’s toy and clothing department.
“I still don’t know if Tinghao’s wife is having a boy or a girl,” Mother Gu mused as they walked. “But it’s already time to start preparing the baby clothes. Children grow up so fast; in the blink of an eye, they aren’t babies anymore.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled and nodded in agreement. That was exactly how it felt. She still felt as though she had been pregnant just yesterday, yet Yiyi was already two and a half years old. Time truly passed in the flash of an eye. It seemed as if nothing had been done, yet it also felt like they had already experienced a lifetime of things.
“For newborns, the color doesn’t really matter,” Sheng Wanyan noted. “The most important thing is that the fabric is soft and comfortable.”
Mother Gu thoroughly agreed. A newborn baby wouldn’t care about colors anyway; physical comfort was paramount.
“Mom, look at this material. It’s excellent.” Sheng Wanyan picked up a tiny garment and handed it to Mother Gu. Mother Gu rubbed the fabric between her fingers and found it exceptionally soft and gentle.
“You have a sharp eye,” Mother Gu praised. “Let’s get a few of these.”
She selected three pieces in different colors before moving on to look at baby socks. Since Eldest Sister-in-law was due to give birth in September, it was actually the perfect time to purchase warmer winter styles.
Mother Gu picked out quite a few items. Throughout it all, Yiyi didn’t make a fuss or throw a tantrum. She simply held Sheng Wanyan’s hand obediently, waiting patiently for her elders to finish selecting things for her future little cousin.
“Come on, Grandma will take our Yiyi to look at the toys now.” Having made her selections, Mother Gu quickly led the little girl over to the toy section. Her granddaughter had been staring eagerly at the shelves for a long time, but out of respect for her elders, she had suppressed her excitement and waited like a good girl.
“Thank you, Grandma~” Yiyi chirped.
Hearing those sweet words, Mother Gu’s heart melted completely. Girls truly were the most considerate and thoughtful. “You’re very welcome, darling. Go ahead and pick out what you like.”
Yiyi nodded, her eyes darting left and right. There were so many choices she didn’t know where to look first. Sheng Wanyan scooped her up into her arms so she could easily see the items on the higher shelves. The moment Yiyi spotted a plush pink rabbit doll, she reached out and hugged it tightly against her chest.
Sheng Wanyan carried her down the aisle, and soon the little girl wanted just about everything she saw. Realizing her mother’s strict parameters, she turned her eyes toward her father, looking at him for assistance.
“Your father has no money,” Gu Tingxiao stated flatly, not feeling the least bit ashamed of his financial status. He only felt at ease when he handed his salary and savings over to his wife.
Yiyi wasn’t surprised by this revelation. She already knew her father’s money was securely managed by her gentle mother. Turning her strategy around, Yiyi looked at Mother Gu with wide, watery eyes. Anyone who saw that face would have melted instantly, and Mother Gu was just about to give in.
The permissive words were right on the tip of Grandma’s tongue when Sheng Wanyan smoothly intervened. “Mom, please don’t spoil her.”
Having stopped Mother Gu, Sheng Wanyan put Yiyi down, squatting so she could look her daughter directly in the eye. “Yiyi, what did you promise Mommy before we came inside? Didn’t we agree that you could only choose two toys and one dress?”
The moment Sheng Wanyan used her firm parenting tone, Yiyi’s boldness vanished. She nodded very honestly.
“And what do we say about promises?” Sheng Wanyan pressed.
“You have to keep them~” Yiyi mumbled.
Sheng Wanyan nodded, leaving the toddler to look back at the shelves in an absolute dilemma. It wasn’t that she wanted to break her word; it was simply that making a definitive choice was too hard.
“Mommy~ Yiyi can’t choose~” the little girl whined, throwing herself into Sheng Wanyan’s arms with a deeply wronged expression, her soft voice laced with grievance.
Sheng Wanyan understood that this was a classic case of childhood indecisiveness. “Tell Mommy, which ones do you like the most?”
Yiyi pointed out her favorite items one by one: the pink bunny doll, a plush giraffe, a princess doll, and a colorful sketchbook.
Sheng Wanyan immediately took the sketchbook and set it aside, looking at her daughter. “Picture books and sketchbooks are educational items, so they don’t count as toys. If you want a storybook or a sketchbook, Mommy will buy it for you separately.”
Sheng Wanyan was always willing to invest in her child’s development and education; as long as Yiyi was eager to learn, she would gladly satisfy her curiosity. “That leaves three toys. You can choose two from these three.”
Leaving Yiyi to contemplate the remaining options, Sheng Wanyan stood back. It was vital for the girl to learn how to make her own independent decisions.
“Sweetheart, doesn’t this princess doll look exactly like the one you already have back at the compound?” Sheng Wanyan guided gently.
Yiyi looked at the toy and nodded. They did look remarkably similar; both possessed golden hair and elaborate princess gowns.
“And do you have plush toys like these two?” Sheng Wanyan asked, pointing to the others.
Yiyi shook her head. She owned a vast collection of dolls, but she didn’t have a pink rabbit or a giraffe.
“Choose what your heart desires most, but remember our agreement,” Sheng Wanyan concluded.
Yiyi pondered the choice for a long moment before finally putting the princess doll back onto the shelf. “Let’s go look at the dresses now!” she chirped, her energy instantly returning. She was incredibly decisive when it came to clothes; without a moment’s hesitation, she pointed straight to a vibrant red winter skirt.
Sheng Wanyan went to pay the bill. While at the counter, she discreetly handed a fifty-yuan note to Gu Tingxiao, whispering for him to purchase the princess doll Yiyi had just put back. Gu Tingxiao deftly tucked the extra toy into a large, opaque shopping bag, completely hiding it from their daughter’s sharp eyes.
Next, Sheng Wanyan escorted her to the book section to select some children’s stories. It was Yiyi’s very first time seeing such beautifully illustrated books, and she was completely spellbound. She methodically selected five books. The section was quite crowded, teeming with local children who were all eagerly browsing the literature.
Among the display was a newly published, highly popular foreign storybook that had been completely sold out across the city. Only one final copy remained on the shelf. The moment Yiyi spotted it, she pulled it down and clutched it protectively against her chest, drawing envious stares from the surrounding children.
In this era, illustrated storybooks were incredibly expensive luxury items, especially foreign publications featuring full-color printing and intricate patterns. A single volume commanded a hefty sum, and most parents considered it an unnecessary extravagance. Consequently, many children would crowd the store aisles just to sneak a glance at the pages or skim through them whenever they visited.
Now that the very last copy was firmly in Yiyi’s possession, the surrounding children watched her with intense longing.
“This is mine!” Yiyi declared proudly, turning away from the crowd to carry the book to her mother for payment.
Suddenly, an older boy ran over, his face twisted in a furious scowl. Without a word of warning, he shoved Yiyi hard from behind.
Yiyi crashed heavily onto the floorboards. She looked up at the aggressive older boy, her eyes wide with shock and fear.
“That’s my book! Drop it, you little bitch!” the boy shouted, glaring down at her. “You’re just a useless girl anyway!”
Coming to her senses and hearing the nasty insults, Yiyi’s fierce spirit flared up. She refused to take the bullying sitting down. Scrambling to her feet, she lunged forward to snatch her book back. “I claimed it first! It doesn’t belong to you!”
She wasn’t intimidated by the fact that the boy was a full head taller than her. Her recent brawls back at the military compound had given her plenty of combat experience, and a child raised in a soldier’s household didn’t scare easily.
However, Yiyi was still just a tiny toddler. She possessed immense courage but lacked the raw physical leverage to overpower an older boy. Within seconds, the bully overpowered her, shoving her violently down a second time.
Yiyi fell hard, her little hands slamming against the rough floor. The friction scraped the delicate skin right off her palms, and blood instantly began to well up from the raw scratches.
Yiyi had never seen her own blood before. Terrified by the sight of the red stains spreading across her hands, her stoicism broke completely, and she burst into a loud, agonizing wail. She had been in plenty of neighborhood scuffles, but none had ever resulted in actual bloodshed.
“Waaah! Waaah!” she wept, her voice trembling with pain and shock. “Mommy! Daddy! Waaah!”
Further down the aisle, Sheng Wanyan and Mother Gu were inspecting a display of children’s shoes when the piercing sound of Yiyi’s frantic crying shattered the air.
