Been Waiting for You to Escape Marriage for a Long Time – CH91

Chapter 91: Childhood Sweetheart Route – Extra (2)

Shen Shuyi didn’t control his strength when he kowtowed, making a deafening noise; the melon seeds buzzed from the impact.

Zhuang Xinrou was startled. Shen Shuyi, still dazed, tugged at Zhao Yuheng and said, “Quick, husband, you kowtow too!”

“Bang!” Another loud kowtow followed.

“Mommy, please grant us our wish!” Zhao Yuheng’s little face was serious, his voice booming.

“Husband, I don’t know how to tell you, but perhaps…maybe, your son is getting married.” In the main hall of the Zhuang family villa, Zhuang Xinrou called Zhao Qing. The man from Beijing was silent for a moment.

His first thought was that their long-distance relationship might be due to different marriage customs in their home country.

“In Hong Kong’s marriage law, can a five-year-old child get married?”

Zhuang Xinrou: “…”

“It’s hard to explain to you, but I think you’d better come and see your daughter-in-law for yourself.” Zhuang Xinrou finished in one breath: “This is your son’s request. He hopes that a happy marriage should be witnessed by both his parents.”

Zhao Qing: “…” He was happy, but did this kid ever think that getting married at five would mean his parents would go to jail?!

Shen Shuyi sat on the sofa, his short legs dangling down, not reaching the ground, constantly swinging.

The Zhuang family’s nanny was taking care of the two little devils, each with an ice pack on their head to cool their swollen foreheads from the earlier bump.

Shen Shuyi asked nervously, “Brother, your mommy won’t disagree with me being your wife, will she?”

Zhao Yuheng held his hand tightly, feeling both apprehensive and nervous. He was also worried that Zhuang Xinrou wouldn’t agree to him marrying Shen Shuyi.

But now that he was married and had a family, he needed to shoulder the responsibilities of the head of the household. So, forcing himself to remain calm, Shen Shuyi said, “It’s okay. If my mommy doesn’t agree, we’ll elope.”
Shen Shuyi’s vocabulary wasn’t yet sufficient to understand the meaning of “elope,” but he nodded knowingly, “Okay.” Zhuang Xinrou had already called the Shen family.

That evening, while playing mahjong with her close friends, she heard that something had happened to the Shen family—their precious son had gone missing. Zhuang Xinrou was terrified.

Then that very night, her son brought someone else’s precious child home. Zhuang Xinrou had a headache; she felt this was a huge problem.

“A-Heng,” Zhuang Xinrou sternly reprimanded her son, “Why didn’t you tell his parents before bringing him home? Do you know how worried they were this afternoon?”

Half an hour later, Lin Yiqiong arrived.

Shen Shuyi vaguely realized he had done something terribly wrong.

Upon hearing the rhythmic sound of Lin Yiqiong’s high heels, he jumped to his feet and ran upstairs.

Lin Yiqiong had just reached the main hall of the Zhuang family’s cellar when she looked up and saw her son’s feet on the second-floor stairs, looking at her with adorable eyes.

Lin Yiqiong suppressed her anger: “Shen Shuyi! Get down here!”
Shen Shuyi silently continued to look at her, squatting without moving or saying a word.

Lin Yiqiong took a step forward, and he suddenly stood up, as if about to run away.

Shen Shizhang patted Lin Yiqiong’s shoulder: “We finally found him, don’t scare the child.”
Lin Yiqiong took a deep breath, forcing a gentle smile, and said sweetly, “Little darling, where did you go this afternoon? You scared Mommy so much. Come to Mommy now, okay?”
Shen Shuyi made her promise: “Then swear! You can’t hit me when I come down!”

“Of course! You’re Mommy’s most beloved baby. Mommy thought you were lost this afternoon and cried. Now that we’ve finally found you, how could I hit you? Mommy loves you too much!”
Shen Shuyi was touched by the gentleness in Lin Yiqiong’s words.

Plus, he hadn’t seen his mother all afternoon and missed her a little, so he immediately ran down with his short legs: “Mommy QuQ!”
Lin Yiqiong’s smile vanished, her face instantly darkening, and she yanked Shen Shuyi up by the roots.

Shen Shu: 0.0?!

“Shen! Shu! Yi!”
A loud slap followed.

“Waaaaah—” A loud commotion erupted.

Zhao Yuheng shuddered with heartache, hesitantly stepping forward. Zhuang Xinrou pulled him back, worriedly saying, “A-Heng, your mother-in-law seems really difficult to deal with. Will you really be happy after marriage? Should you find another wife?”

Zhao Yuheng shook his head violently, as if making a firm decision: “I won’t change. I’ll endure any beatings for Shen Shuyi!”

Lin Yiqiong: … The slap that had landed on Shen Shuyi’s little bottom paused.

Judging from the child’s tone, why did she feel like a shrew?

“I’m so sorry for causing you trouble, Xinrou.” Lin Yiqiong said helplessly as she left.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. It’s all my son’s fault for bringing Little Shu home without a word.” Zhuang Xinrou quickly waved her hand.

Zhao Yuheng held Shen Shuyi’s hand tightly: “Can you stay at my house tonight? I’m afraid your mom will beat you when you go back.” Shen Shuyi wiped away his tears: “Brother, is this what a marriage without acceptance is like? I feel so bitter…” Zhao Yuheng felt heartbroken and hugged Shen Shuyi tightly again, his voice choked with sobs.

Lin Yiqiong sneered, “Oh, oh, oh, you’re so lovey-dovey! So I’ve become the villainous female supporting character who broke you two up, huh?”

Shen Shuyi: QvQ!

I hate Mommy!

Lin Yiqiong lifted Shen Shuyi up: “Hurry up and go! Stop calling him ‘brother, brother,’ your own brother at home is crying in worry.”

Shen Shuyi thought of Shen Lu and felt a little worried.

“Okay,” Shen Shuyi said to Zhao Yuheng, “See you at kindergarten tomorrow. Don’t worry, we’re already married, no one can break us up!”

Zhao Yuheng nodded.

This misunderstanding that night was still brought up to mock him even after Shen Shuyi actually married Zhao Yuheng and the two families sat together for the New Year.

Whenever Zhuang Xinrou recalled Shen Shuyi’s sudden change of heart, she would laugh until she was breathless: “Oh dear, I was really startled back then. But A-Heng has always had good taste; he always knew to find the prettiest boy in the whole kindergarten…”

Of course, that’s all hindsight.

That evening, back at the Shen family home, Shen Lu had indeed been crying for quite some time.

Upon seeing Shen Shuyi, he hugged him and wept for a long while, touching Shen Shuyi’s face and body, as if trying to make sure his younger brother hadn’t returned missing any limbs.

Shen Shuyi quickly kissed Shen Lu a few times to comfort his older brother.

Lin Yiqiong couldn’t stand his scribbled makeup any longer and said irritably, “Shen Shuyi, come here right now and wash all that watercolor paint off your face! What kind of weird sense of style is this? You didn’t inherit a single thing from your mommy!”

Shen Shuyi had a red dot on his forehead, purple watercolor eyeshadow, and bright red lipstick. After his loud crying earlier, his face was a mess, a complete little palette.

Lin Yiqiong personally washed Shen Shuyi’s face, finally revealing a clean, pretty face that resembled hers again.

Shen Shuyi’s little backpack was also opened and inspected. The diamond ring she couldn’t find that morning had been taken by Shen Shuyi!

Inside, besides the diamond ring, there was milk, small bread rolls, and a hand-drawn marriage certificate with two little figures drawn on it, and below were Shen Shuyi’s and Zhao Yuheng’s English and Chinese names.

Lin Yiqiong was both angry and amused, shoving the marriage certificate at Shen Shizhang: “Look at this, look at this! People say you can’t keep a son when he’s grown up, but your son is so young and you can’t even keep him? He’s already running off to someone else’s house!”

Shen Shizhang, on the other hand, found Shen Shuyi adorable, smiling and hugging his son affectionately: “My goodness, how can you be so cute?”

That night, Shen Shuyi was filled with worry.

He was concerned that Lin Yiqiong was still angry with him, so before he went to sleep, he secretly changed Lin Yiqiong’s nightly jewelry appreciation book to “Sanmao the Vagabond 3,” hoping she would understand that once a child is abandoned by their parents, they can only live such a hard life outside—in an attempt to awaken what little conscience Lin Yiqiong had left.

So that night, Shen Shuyi’s little bottom got another spanking.

*

Shen Lu’s dislike for Zhao Yuheng dates back to Shen Shuyi’s kindergarten days, starting from that night.

When he learned that Shen Shuyi had also recognized another little boy as his older brother, Shen Lu was incredulous. He therefore took leave from school and rushed to the kindergarten, where, sure enough, he saw Shen Shuyi clinging to Zhao Yuheng, calling him “Brother” and “Senior Brother” repeatedly, his voice sweet and affectionate.

Shen Lu felt the world was too cold, so cold it chilled his heart.

Brothers should be like husband and wife; a husband can only have one wife, and a younger brother can only have one older brother.

If possible, Shen Lu hoped that Hong Kong would enact a law similar to a marriage law, such as a brotherhood law, to protect his status and power.

If Shen Shuyi violated the brotherhood law, it would be tantamount to betrayal!

That evening, Shen Lu brought Shen Shuyi’s favorite snacks and candies, as well as his favorite toys, and had a serious talk with him.

“Little Shu, I saw you calling that kid Zhao ‘brother’ today too?”

Shen Shuyi nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s not right,” Shen Lu said. “I’m your real brother; he’s just your friend.”

“But he’s older than me! Teacher Wang said we should call older boys ‘brother’.” Shen Shuyi argued logically.

“Teacher Wang is wrong,” Shen Lu countered. “If Teacher Wang is right, then why do you call Dad ‘Dad’ when he’s older than you?”
Shen Shuyi had never considered this reason before; the thought was terrifying. His mouth formed an “O” shape in surprise.

“Why does Daddy call Mommy ‘husband’ even though Daddy is older than Mommy?”

“That’s why a child can only have one older brother.”

“But Mia has three older brothers!”

“Never mind that,” Shen Lu corrected him. “Shen Shuyi can only have one older brother, understand? If you call me ‘brother,’ you can’t call anyone else ‘brother.’ So, what should you call someone with the surname Zhao?”

Shen Shuyi thought deeply and suddenly understood: “Husband!”

“Wrong!”

In short, Shen Lu’s conversation didn’t have a decisive effect, but Shen Shuyi slowly figured out that Shen Lu might be jealous.

Later, when he called Zhao Yuheng “brother,” he would add “Little Heng” before it to distinguish that Shen Lu was more important to him. When Zhao Yuheng started elementary school, Shen Shuyi wouldn’t let him leave the kindergarten, crying so much that passersby almost called the police to arrest all the kindergarten teachers because they suspected the kindergarten of abusing children.

Lin Yiqiong and Zhuang Xinrou were both amused and exasperated. They assured Shen Shuyi that he could still play with Zhao Yuheng on weekends.

Shen Shuyi’s mood didn’t improve—after all, they used to play together for five days straight at kindergarten, and now they could only play together for two days. Shen Shuyi wasn’t stupid! He could do addition and subtraction!

“I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to… I don’t want to be separated from my little brother…” Shen Shuyi cried heartbrokenly, clinging to Zhao Yuheng and refusing to let go, just shaking his head repeatedly.

Zhao Yuheng was also heartbroken, but being older, he pursed his lips, his eyes reddening, and looked at Zhuang Xinrou: “Mommy, maybe I shouldn’t go to elementary school.”

“No, you’re too young,” Zhuang Xinrou said. “Then you’ll only have a kindergarten diploma, and you won’t be able to find a job later. If you can’t find a job, you won’t earn money, and if you can’t earn money, you won’t be able to support Little Shu. Is that okay?”

Zhao Yuheng’s heart clenched. He touched Shen Shuyi’s face: “My little darling, I have to finish elementary school before I can find a job and earn money to support you, otherwise we’ll be sleeping on the streets together.”

“No, no…” Shen Shuyi cried, hiccuping, and sobbed, “I’ll sell my mommy’s diamonds and bags, then we’ll have money, waaaaah…”

Lin Yiqiong pinched her forehead: You really are Mommy’s sweet little cotton-padded jacket^^

Zhao Yuheng couldn’t bring himself to push Shen Shuyi away, and the two little bundles of joy clung to each other, crying uncontrollably.

Lin Yiqiong sighed helplessly, “Shen Shuyi, you know that making others think I’m a really bad mommy?” Shen Shuyi burst into tears.

This crying suddenly caused an accident.

Shen Shuyi’s front tooth loosened, and amidst his loud cries, a small tooth fell into his mouth and was spat onto his clothes.

Lin Yiqiong picked up Shen Shuyi’s little tooth in surprise, laughing, “Oh dear, Shuyi, your teeth are starting to fall out!”

Shen Shuyi’s crying stopped abruptly, staring blankly at his tooth.

A sudden jolt went through him; something had collapsed within him.

He…his…his tooth had fallen out.

Shen Shuyi thought blankly, he was only five years old, and he had already been diagnosed with a terminal illness?

No, Shen Shuyi’s thoughts were elsewhere. He was the only child in the family growing up; Shen Lu had long since passed the age of losing his baby teeth, and his teeth were perfectly white and beautiful.

For Shen Shuyi, teeth were like his limbs, accompanying him since birth.

Imagine how terrifying it would be if, while crying, your hand fell out!

The loss of Shen Shuyi’s tooth was a huge blow to him.

Lin Yiqiong didn’t notice her son’s emotional change; instead, she treasured the little front tooth.

For days, Shen Shuyi was absent-minded at kindergarten, refusing even his favorite cakes, constantly staring at his missing tooth in the mirror.

Teacher Wang mentioned it to Lin Yiqiong several times, and Lin Yiqiong even took the time to ask him if he was unhappy lately.

Shen Shuyi didn’t say anything.

Besides a child, who might associate losing a tooth with a terminal illness, adults simply couldn’t understand Shen Shuyi’s inner turmoil.

Lin Yiqiong could only attribute Shen Shuyi’s listless appearance to the shock of Zhao Yuheng starting primary school, coupled with the fact that he had lost a tooth and was no longer pretty—the child was vain and therefore unhappy.

On Saturday, Zhao Yuheng finally had some free time, and Lin Yiqiong quickly took Shen Shuyi to the farmhouse.

Upon seeing Zhao Yuheng, Shen Shuyi burst into tears, hugging Zhao Yuheng and crying silently.

The two children hadn’t seen each other for several days and had so much to say.

Shen Shuyi suppressed his grief and forced himself to act like a normal person, playing games with Zhao Yuheng.

Zhao Yuheng had learned more origami games at elementary school and was teaching Shen Shuyi how to fold paper figures. As Shen Shuyi watched, he suddenly collapsed onto the carpet, his hands behind his head, and burst into tears, sobbing, “Waaaaah!”

“Little darling, what’s wrong?” Zhao Yuheng quickly pulled Shen Shuyi into his arms. Shen Shuyi continued to cry, but he shook his head resolutely.

“Brother Yuheng, I didn’t tie it!” Shen Shuyi sobbed.

Ever since his front tooth fell out, he had been speaking with a lisp.

Zhao Yuheng kissed his cheek and wiped Shen Shuyi’s face with a small handkerchief: “But you’re crying so sadly, did I make you unhappy?”

Shen Shuyi shook his head.

He was about to speak when, unexpectedly, his other front tooth also loosened.

Shen Shuyi touched this tooth, and without even applying any force, it gently fell out.

Shen Shuyi stared blankly at the tooth in his hand.

He couldn’t hold back any longer, hugging Zhao Yuheng and sobbing uncontrollably, “Brother Heng, I, I, I have a terminal illness… Waaaaah…”

[Dear Mommy, Daddy, and Brother]

[Shen Shuyi’s Last Words]

[By the time you read this letter, I will have already gone to heaven. Just recently, I discovered I have terminal illness. I lost a tooth, and it will never grow back. (At this point, a large wet patch appeared on the letter, likely written by Shen Shuyi while crying.)]

[In the final period of my life, I have a few things to say.] [First, I still have a lot of money in my savings account, I’m leaving it to you.]

[Second, you’re not allowed to invite Chen Jiaqi (Shen Shuyi’s kindergarten classmate who doesn’t get along with him) to my wedding gift. I hate him.]

[Third, after I die, tell Brother Heng not to marry any other men (a tear stain) (blacked out) Never mind, let him wait a little longer after I’m dead before marrying other men (a tear stain)]

(The last sentence was streaked with tears, clearly indicating the immense sorrow he felt while writing it.)

Upon reading this farewell letter, Lin Yiqiong laughed so hard she almost collapsed onto the sofa.

When Shen Shuyi lost his second tooth, he realized his terminal illness was incurable and he would likely die soon.

He dared not hide it from Lin Yiqiong any longer and had Zhao Yuheng relay the message to Zhuang Xinrou. Upon hearing Shen Shuyi’s cries, Lin Yiqiong rushed over from home to comfort him.

This was truly his mother.

Seeing Lin Yiqiong laughing so happily even though he was near death was completely different from what he had imagined!

“Waaaaah… Waaaaah… I’m going to die… Waaaaah…” Faced with her irresponsible mother, Zhuang Xinrou was clearly much more responsible, “Little Shu, losing teeth isn’t a terminal illness. Every child loses teeth. It’s called losing baby teeth. Your front teeth will grow in after a while.” Shen Shuyi cried, his eyes blurry with tears, “Really? Really? But my older brother hasn’t lost any teeth…” Just as he finished speaking, Zhao Yuheng felt his front teeth were a little loose.

He pushed one with his tongue and quickly spat out the same small front tooth as Shen Shuyi.

Zhao Yuheng was horrified, and Shen Shuyi screamed in fright, “Round!!!”

“I… I’ve infected Brother Heng with my terminal illness, waaaaah, waaaah…” “Brother Heng, don’t die…”

Because of this unexpected turn of events, the Zhuang family’s quarters suddenly became incredibly lively.

The two children were close in age and were losing their baby teeth almost simultaneously; it was a memorable time regardless.

Later, after Lin Yiqiong had finished laughing, she picked up Shen Shuyi and comforted him, explaining that losing baby teeth wouldn’t kill him.

Lin Yiqiong made many promises to Shen Shuyi, even showing him embarrassing photos of herself losing baby teeth as a child, proving that her mother had lived for so many years after losing her teeth, proving it wasn’t a terminal illness.

Shen Shuyi was finally comforted a little.

Zhao Yuheng’s front teeth were wrapped in a small gift box and placed together with Shen Shuyi’s.

“I heard that when you lose baby teeth, if you put them under your pillow and make a wish on them, a tooth fairy will grant your wish at night.” Zhuang Xinrou patted the two children’s heads: “How about Shuyi sleeps with Yuheng tonight?” That evening, Shen Shuyi solemnly placed both his and Zhao Yuheng’s teeth under his pillow.

Zhao Yuheng grabbed him, brushed his teeth with a toothbrush, washed his face, changed him into his pajamas, and then carried him to bed.

Shen Shuyi nestled in his arms, just like when they were in kindergarten, and curiously looked up: “Brother Heng, when do you think the Tooth Fairy will grant our wishes?”

“Maybe a little later.” Zhao Yuheng didn’t really know, but he had never seen a fairy, so he deduced that fairies probably only come after children are asleep.

Shen Shuyi was too excited to sleep, hugging Zhao Yuheng’s neck, his short legs twisting and turning in the blankets: “Big brother, what did you wish for?”

“Do you want to hear?” Zhao Yuheng asked.

“But wishes that are spoken aloud won’t come true.”

“Oh.” Shen Shuyi thought for a moment and said, “Then can you sing it?” “That wouldn’t count as saying it.”

“That’s weird.”

“Okay!” Shen Shuyi was no longer curious.

Zhao Yuheng suddenly leaned close to his ear: “But I can tell you secretly, so no one will know I told them about Wangwang.”

Shen Shuyi nodded quickly and seriously, listening intently.

“I’ll tell the Tooth Fairy.”

“I won’t marry another wife.” Zhao Yuheng was still too young when she said this, but she vaguely felt that she should do it: “If Shen Shuyi really gets a terminal illness and dies, then I want to die with you.”

“I won’t live alone.”

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