Zhi Yao played with Fifteen for a while longer. When she noticed Fifteen was getting sleepy, she stood up, intending to carry him back to his room. Just as she rose, Pei Chiyao walked over, reaching out to take Fifteen from her. "I'll do it," he said.
About five minutes later, Pei Chiyao returned.
Having settled Fifteen, it was now time to settle Zhi Yao.
"Yao Yao, do you want to take a nap?" he asked.
Zhi Yao shook her head. She was wide awake now and didn't feel like sleeping at all.
She stood up, intending to check on Fifteen again, but Pei Chiyao grabbed her arm. "Don't go see him anymore."
If this continued, Pei Chiyao would regret having a child so early...
But he couldn't bring himself to say he was competing with the child for attention. That would make him seem incredibly immature.
He leaned down and swept Zhi Yao up into his arms. Startled by his sudden action, she couldn't help but let out a surprised gasp. "What are you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing, you confused little fox?"
Zhi Yao was momentarily stunned. Following Pei Chiyao's gaze, she blushed deeply.
Because... her chest was... and yet she hadn't even noticed.
She raised her arms and softly wrapped them around Pei Chiyao's neck, too embarrassed to look up.
Even though she had already had a baby, Zhi Yao still looked as sweet as a teenage girl.
He gently laid Zhi Yao on the bed and asked, "How do you feel?"
It was fine until he asked, but now Zhi Yao felt flustered.
Seeing her silence, Pei Chiyao understood what was happening.
He let out a low, husky laugh.
In a haze, Zhi Yao felt a coolness.
Zhi Yao felt her consciousness becoming increasingly blurry. After a moment, that sensation disappeared, and then her eyes were covered by someone's hand. Pei Chiyao's voice, hoarse beyond recognition, sounded in her ear, "Yao Yao..."
Zhi Yao wanted to speak, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she couldn't make a sound.
What happened after that, Zhi Yao couldn't remember.
Her remaining rationality made her remind Pei Chiyao.
"Fifteen..."
Her Fifteen was still hungry!
How could he be so addicted, as if competing with Fifteen for... nursing...
However, the more Zhi Yao said this, the more rebellious Pei Chiyao became.
"When you're with me, you're only allowed to think about me... understand?"
Zhi Yao: "..."
What a jealous man, even competing with the baby for attention!
She knew Pei Chiyao was prone to jealousy, but she never imagined he'd be jealous of the baby...
It was... hopeless!!!
...
This war of jealousy seemed never-ending, continuing until the little dumpling was three months old. By then, he could speak and even toddle around unsteadily.
"Mama... hug!"
Fifteen finally made his way to Zhi Yao, reaching out with his soft little hands for a hug. Zhi Yao chuckled softly, bending down to pick him up, her heart melting.
"Fifteen is so cute." Zhi Yao kissed Fifteen's cheek, her heart turning to mush at the sight of his adorable face.
"Mama... cute too."
Fifteen imitated Zhi Yao, kissing her cheek. Perhaps because toddlers tend to be more slobbery, the kiss made an extremely loud "mwah" sound, making Zhi Yao laugh even more.
"Love... Mama... most."
"Mama loves you the most too." Zhi Yao stroked Fifteen's little horns and nuzzled his head.
Just then, Pei Chiyao walked over. He had just finished dealing with company matters and came downstairs to find this little rascal snuggling in Zhi Yao's arms.
Pei Chiyao could see right through this little rascal's intentions.
His brows cooled slightly, but his face wore a gentle smile. "Fifteen, come to Daddy."
He clapped his hands, trying to attract Fifteen's attention.
Fifteen didn't really want to go. Mama was soft and smelled nice; it was comfortable cuddling with her.
He raised his arms and hugged Zhi Yao tightly, but unfortunately, Zhi Yao didn't receive Fifteen's signal. Instead, she put him down and patted his head, saying, "Go on, go to Daddy."
She was busy watching her TV drama.
Fifteen: "..."
"Fifteen, come on, Daddy knows you're great. You can definitely walk over here, right?"
Faced with Zhi Yao's gentle expression, Fifteen had no choice but to toddle towards Pei Chiyao again.
Finally reaching Pei Chiyao's feet, Fifteen was scooped up and carried towards the study. "Let's go play in the study, okay? Good boy, Fifteen, don't disturb Mama while she's watching her show."
Fifteen looked at Pei Chiyao reluctantly, wanting to turn back and call for Zhi Yao, but Pei Chiyao covered his mouth.
Next thing he knew, he was placed in the study.
With a "bang," the study door was closed.
As soon as it closed, Pei Chiyao's expression changed. "You can talk and walk, yet you deliberately act pitiful to trick your mom?"
Once in the study, away from Zhi Yao, Fifteen couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore.
His previously cute and confused face instantly became stern, his expression exactly like Pei Chiyao's! He was truly a miniature version of Pei Chiyao.
"Hmph, if you can't win Mom's favor, that's your problem. Clearly, Mom likes me more and falls for my act."
He was developing much faster than ordinary children, not just physically, but in cognition and all other aspects. He was dozens of times more advanced than a normal human child.
Pei Chiyao smirked, "I have cameras in my study. What do you think your mom would think if she knew you were tricking her?"
Cameras?!
Fifteen's face changed instantly. Just moments ago, he had seemed unconcerned, but upon hearing this, he immediately started looking around Pei Chiyao's study. Soon, he found the camera hanging high on the ceiling. In the next second, Fifteen suddenly pushed off with his toes, leaping up towards the camera.
But...
He had barely left the ground when Pei Chiyao grabbed his ankle, pulling him back into his arms.
Pei Chiyao: "I lied. That camera has been broken for a long time."
Fifteen's horns ached from the collision. He glared fiercely at Pei Chiyao, "Mom is mine!! Mine alone! Don't you dare try to steal her from me!"
Pei Chiyao reached out and flicked Fifteen's antlers. "When your mother and I were dating, you weren't even born yet. Without me, how would you even exist? You need to understand who came first."
"But Mom clearly likes me more!" Fifteen's eyes reddened. "I'm a hundred times cuter than you, even my antlers are cuter!"
Pei Chiyao: "..."
Competing with his son for affection was something Pei Chiyao had never imagined he'd be doing.
"She does like you, but she loves me more. Do you understand the difference between liking and loving?"
