Zhu Yu’s face turned slightly green when he heard the list of ingredients. “Old Madam, please don’t start with all that. I’m already pretty strong—I don’t need any extra nourishment.”
Wei Ning’s mother frowned. “What did you just call me?” It wasn’t like her son to stop calling her ‘Mom’ suddenly; maybe he was throwing a tantrum. She was about to ask more when she heard a voice behind her.
“Mom.”
“???” Wei Ning’s mother turned around, puzzled to see her “daughter-in-law.” Today, the young couple seemed to have switched roles—how strange.
As Wei Ning descended the stairs, he said, “Mom, I won’t be eating at home.” He had already changed into an outfit that Zhu Yu would never wear on a regular day—a custom-made suit. “I’m running late.” he added, hurrying towards the door.
“Where are you going so early in the morning?” Wei Ning’s mother asked. Normally, at this time, her daughter-in-law would still be getting some extra sleep.
Wei Ning hesitated for a moment before replying, “To the company.” Seeing the strange expression on his mother’s face, he glanced at Zhu Yu and added, “I’m going with him.”
Wei Ning’s mother laughed. “Since when did you start caring about the company?” She waved at him to calm down. “What’s the rush? Ning’er hasn’t even left yet. If you’re going to the company, you can just ride with him.” She didn’t wait for Wei Ning to respond and called to the kitchen to hurry up with breakfast.
Wei Ning checked the time—8:50. If he didn’t leave soon, he’d be late. “Forget breakfast.” he told Zhu Yu. “Let’s go.”
But Zhu Yu replied, “No, I’m hungry.”
Wei Ning’s mother playfully scolded, “Why are you rushing him? He only slacks off once a year.”
Zhu Yu nodded, playing along, “Exactly.”
Wei Ning was speechless.
Zhu Yu then added, “By the way, Old Madam, didn’t you say you were going to make me something with deer antler, lamb, and pork kidneys? Don’t forget to cook that for me tonight.” He was deliberately trying to irritate Wei Ning, even giving his lower back a little massage for effect. “You know, with all the overtime I’ve been doing these past few years, I’m feeling a bit weak. I could use some nourishing.”
Wei Ning’s face turned as green as Zhu Yu’s had earlier. “You’re feeling weak?” he snapped. Using someone else’s body and then complaining about it—what kind of behavior was that for a daughter-in-law? Wei Ning approached Zhu Yu, ready to confront him. “Don’t forget, just a moment ago, you—”
“Whatever issues you two have, discuss them in private.” Wei Ning’s mother interrupted, noticing the servants eavesdropping and quickly pulling Wei Ning aside. “Now, Xiao Zhu, I’m not saying this to criticize, but I know you and Ning’er are finally getting along, and I’m really happy about it. But you shouldn’t be so loud about your… marital affairs. You know what I mean? You know how strong Ning’er is—no need to shout it out.” She gave Wei Ning a gentle push. “As an omega, you should be a bit more reserved, okay?”
Wei Ning’s expression remained blank. “Mom, you’ve misunderstood.”
“Alright, alright, Mom misunderstood.” she said, ruffling Wei Ning’s hair. “Now go eat your breakfast. Your sweet words have really won me over today.”
Wei Ning sighed and walked over to the dining table, just about to sit across from Zhu Yu when Aunt Zhang, the cook, pulled him aside. “Zhu Zhu, your breakfast is right here.” she said, pointing to the empty seat next to Zhu Yu, and giving Wei Ning a knowing wink as if to say she had placed it there on purpose.
A vein throbbed on Wei Ning’s forehead, but he didn’t argue with Aunt Zhang. Instead, he reluctantly took the seat next to Zhu Yu, who was clearly trying not to laugh. Wei Ning looked down at his breakfast—a bowl of purple rice porridge with red dates and a bowl of longan egg soup.
Wei Ning raised his head to look at Aunt Zhang.
She smiled warmly at him. “Go on, eat up. I made it especially for you.” She exchanged a meaningful glance with Wei Ning’s mother, who gave her a thumbs-up.
“I don’t eat sweets.” Wei Ning grumbled.
Aunt Zhang, full of motherly love, insisted, “You should still eat it. It’s your first time, and you might be hurt. This will help with blood replenishment.”
Wei Ning was speechless.
Finally, Zhu Yu couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. “Aunt Zhang, you’re absolutely right—he did lose a lot of blood today! Hahaha!” Two puncture marks on the back of his neck were definitely larger than mosquito bites.
Wei Ning, having reached his limit, slammed his hand on the table. “Eat your breakfast.”
But this time, his mother didn’t take his side. Instead, she scolded him, “Ning’er, Xiao Zhu is your wife. You need to take care of him.”
Zhu Yu nodded vigorously, glancing at Wei Ning. “The Old Madam is right—I need to take care of my wife.”
Wei Ning’s mother glared at Zhu Yu before turning to comfort Wei Ning with a gentle smile. “Don’t mind him. He’s not thinking straight today. Just take your time with breakfast, and make sure you eat it all.”
What was there left to eat? Wei Ning thought to himself, already feeling full from anger.
But breakfast wasn’t the end of it. After Zhu Yu finally finished dressing, put on his shoes, and even sprayed some cologne (?), just as they were about to leave, Wei Ning watched in disbelief as Aunt Zhang ran out to speak with the driver, Old Wang. After a brief exchange, Old Wang nodded in understanding and retrieved a brand-new seat cushion from the trunk, placing it carefully on the back seat.
Who that was for was quite obvious.
Wei Ning wanted to throw it out, but Old Wang stopped him, saying, “Don’t worry, Ma’am—this is clean. I change it every two months. This seat cushion is made with the latest technology—” He glanced at Wei Ning’s rear and added with certainty, “—and I guarantee it’s good for you.”
Wei Ning was speechless.
Zhu Yu’s expression was just as hard to describe. “Why did you prepare this?”
Old Wang replied, “We all figured it would be needed sooner or later. It took eight years, but it’s finally here.”
Zhu Yu: “…”
Wei Ning: “…”
With a look of longing, Old Wang added, “I wonder when the little master will be born.”
“Stop right there.” Zhu Yu quickly cut him off.
Wei Ning, with a cold expression, declared, “You can kiss your bonus goodbye this month.”
“???” After dropping Mr. Wei and his wife off at the company, Old Wang called Aunt Zhang to vent his frustrations. “Mr. Wei is getting way too henpecked now. He’s handed over all the financial power to his wife—dock my pay just like that.”
Aunt Zhang comforted him, saying, “Well, from what I overheard today, it seems Mr. Wei might not be as… capable anymore. Maybe he’s just feeling guilty.”
Old Wang sighed in relief. “Mr. Wei and his wife have had such a rough journey. If I have to earn a little less to make his wife happy, it’s worth it.”
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