Chapter 184
Raising a child is not as simple as raising a dog or a goat.
A few months ago, Zhao Ger would not have dared to keep Xiao Feng, but now he had the capability. He could completely afford to raise a child. If he worked a little harder, Fang Zichen might not even need to work—he could simply stay home and could safely eat soft rice.
Zhao Ger felt that even though he had the ability, he shouldn't make such a decision on his own.
"It's all up to you. You handle it as you see fit." Fang Zichen didn't mind having one more person at home.
He could be very soft-hearted at times. Like back then with Zhao Ger and Guaizai, when he was penniless and didn't know where his next meal was coming from, he had soft-heartedly taken them under his wing. Now that he was on stable footing, adding one more was just a matter of an extra bowl and chopsticks. Xiao Feng was older than Guaizai. He wouldn't need to carry him to pee in the middle of the night, or bathe him, or tie his hair for him. That was even less of a problem. As long as Zhao Ger was willing.
Zhao Ger already knew he would agree, but he was still very happy to see him nod personally. He hugged Fang Zichen around the neck, face to face, burying his face in the crook of his shoulder, breathing in his scent: "Husband, you're so good!"
"That goes without saying!" Fang Zichen was someone who couldn't hold onto worries; his heart was as big as a plate at times. The matter of Xiao Feng was temporarily tossed beyond the nine layers of clouds by him. With one hand patting the bed and the other arm around Zhao Ger, letting his head rest in the crook of his arm, he stroked the corner of Zhao Ger's eye with his thumb, his fingers lingering, then brushed across his cheek, saying softly in his ear: "Zhao Ger, I want you. Will you give yourself to me?"
"Stop messing around." Zhao Ger gave him a weak glare, lacking any real force: "Guaizai will wake up soon."
"It's fine. He's like a little pig. As long as we are quiet, he won't wake up." Fang Zichen got up and moved Guaizai to the inside, tugged at the clothes on his chest, and beckoned to him: "Come on!"
He didn't like wearing cumbersome, heavy clothes to sleep. Even though it was cold now, he only wore a light summer outfit. Several buttons were open. The fabric was thin and had some static electricity, clinging slightly to his body. His collarbone, chest, abs, V-line, and his straight, lean and strong legs were all visible. They were hidden under the thin cloth, yet they displayed a vigorous strength.
There was no denying it. This was a young, powerful, and captivating body.
Previously, busy with the struggle for three meals a day, Fang Zichen hadn't had time to think about other things. Later, when he started earning money and had eaten his fill, he would always exercise a bit after dinner. Sometimes he would run a few laps carrying Guaizai on his back, sometimes using him as a dumbbell, lifting and tossing him around.
Zhao Ger watched until his mouth felt dry and his tongue parched. Just as he was about to turn off the light and pounce, Fang Zichen cursed first.
Ah, damn it! I completely forgot. That old man told me I need to abstain for two months first!
___
Business at the shop was good. Previously busy taking care of Xiao Feng, Zhao Ger hadn't been to the shop, so he planned to go today. Zuixiao Restaurant had received a birthday party booking a few days ago, so they weren't accepting other customers today. Fang Zichen just needed to go in the afternoon to settle the accounts. Zhao Ger got up early, went into the kitchen, kneaded some dough intending to make noodles. Remembering Fang Zichen wasn't very fond of noodle-type foods, he specially cooked some porridge for him and planned to stir-fry some bok choy later. Just as he finished washing the pot, Xiao Feng came in leaning on a stick.
"U-uncle Zhao."
Zhao Ger: "Why are you up so early?"
Xiao Feng said: "I, I c-couldn't s-sleep. C-can I h-help you d-do s-something?"
He was used to getting up early. Zhao Ger helped him: "No need. I'm just making some noodles, not much work. If you can't sleep, just lie down for now. It's cold in the morning, don't catch a chill again."
"B-but..."
"Did you forget what we said yesterday? The most important thing for you right now is to recover your health. Your wound isn't healed yet, and it bled again yesterday. Rest for another couple of days first!"
Noodles cooked quickly. Zhao Ger also fried four eggs separately.
Earlier, the village head had given them a hen, and later, He Daneng's family had given them another one. When the weather was still warm, they could get two or three eggs a day, so they didn't need to buy them much. Recently, with the cold, the hens hardly laid any eggs. If they wanted to eat eggs, they had to buy them outside.
Guaizai woke up smelling the aroma. Seeing Fang Zichen sleeping sprawled out, he giggled with his hand over his mouth, then moved his bottom to climb onto his chest, puckered his lips to kiss him twice, before hugging his clothes and sliding off the bed.
He seemed remarkably resistant to the cold. It was likely a trait honed over the past two years. Now, wearing only a single layer of clothing, he showed no fear of the chill and pattered straight to the kitchen.
Zhao Ger, afraid he would catch a chill, hurriedly helped him get dressed, scolded him a couple of sentences, and after he washed his face, served him a bowl of noodles, then brought a bowl over to Xiao Feng.
By the time Fang Zichen woke up, there was no one left in the courtyard. He scooped some porridge, drank a couple of mouthfuls, thought about it, then stood up and walked out.
Xiao Feng hadn't slept peacefully last night. Or perhaps, ever since he woke up, he hadn't slept well.
In the past, when he was starving, he often ran deep into the mountains. Firstly, because he had no choice, and secondly, he was not afraid of death. Sometimes he felt that living was actually more painful. But that day when he accidentally rolled down from the roadside, truly facing death in that moment, he realized that dying was actually a terrifying thing.
He was in pain and afraid, wanted to call for someone to save him, but as soon as he opened his mouth, before any cry could escape his throat, his chest hurt unbearably. He couldn't move, couldn't call out...
Meng-shi hadn't come to see him, so he didn't want to return to the Liu family anymore.
But if he didn't return to the Liu family, where could he go?
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