Chapter Text
Pests, she thought as she looked at the lady of the Western Forests and her daughter. She hid her irritation behind a fan while sitting in her chair in the salon. "What is it that you want?"
"Ah, my daughter Ninghong has come of age," smiled the lady. "I was inquiring if your son, Mo Beijun, may be in the market for a second spouse."
She cast a jaundiced eye at the daughter and briefly thought about Shang Qinghua. Whatever his flaws, she knew that he made her son happy and that her grandchildren loved him. This Ninghong had a lean and hungry look, the type to covet her mother-in-law's estate and jewelry, something Shang Qinghua did not do. An ambitious second wife were rarely interested in remaining the second wife for a minute longer than was necessary. That was dangerous. "He has no desire for one."
"I was hoping you could make recommendations or open his ear to the idea . . ."
"I have had many offers over the years. What makes yours stand out?" she said. She gave a servant a secret signal to serve these guests the lowest level tea that was still palatable.
The lady coughed and said, "My daughter is skilled in music, hunting and dancing."
"Other ladies have professed that their daughter are skilled in those areas. Shang Qinghua inspired my son to write classics of modern demonic literature." Besides Snow White the Barbarian, he had written Blood Nunnery where Snow White's mentor had tried to meditate and find enlightenment but had to wage bloody war against perverted, corrupt monks with the help of brothel workers and rogue cultivators.
"He has no connections or standing with any other clan."
And that means his loyalty is solely to our clan, she thought. "I will forward your proposal to my husband. He will make the decision whether or not to forward it to our son." Seeing the lady was about to protest, she said, "If you have a problem with that, you may then take it up with him. If that is all, I need to attend to my lord."
Two guards escorted the visitors out. She went to the back of their manor where her husband was giving Mo Jin a piggyback ride. "Run, run!" said Mo Jin.
"Don't be foolish," she said because her husband would have done so. Meanwhile a servant was rocking the cradle where her granddaughter was sleeping.
"So, how was the interview?" he said.
"Bah! This is the sixth this month!"
"I am sorry to have burdened you with their visits instead of talking to them myself."
"It's better than the alternative." Some of the ladies wouldn't have minded presenting their daughters to her husband as HIS possible second wife and she wasn't having that. "At least she wasn't like that one girl who told her mother in front of me that she had her heart set on someone else!"
***
"It was so nice to have some alone time together," said Shang Qinghua as he wriggled his toes in the hotel room's bed. "I'm glad your parents were cool with having the kids overnight."
Next to him, Mo Beijun said, "They enjoy having them all to themselves. It is a treat for them as well."
Shang Qinghua sighed. "Someday, Mo Jin will be stronger than me."
Someday? Mo Beijun thought. He could easily lift you over his head if he wanted. "Go on," said Mo Beijun.
"I know demons respect strength. When I can no longer pick him up, he's going to look down on me." Shang Qinghua sniffled.
"He doesn't love you because of your strength. He loves you because you tell him stories, play with him and listen to him when he needs someone to talk to. When you are very old, he will be the one to give you a piggy back ride."
"Hahahaha, I hope not. I have some dignity, after all."
There was a knock on the hotel door. "Room service."
Mo Beijun got up, threw on a robe and walked to the hotel door. The service person rolled in two trays of seafood congee, youtiao, buns, tea and juice.
As they sat down to have breakfast together, Shang Qinghua said, "How do you think Li Na's lunch will go?"
"Hmm?"
"She said she's going to have lunch with a boy she once was a nanny for."
"She'll be fine. I know him. He's not bad."
***
"I didn't really expect you to be going to university in the human world," Li Na said to her former charge, Leiyu of the wind demons at the hot pot restaurant. "As the one and only son, I thought they'd keep you close at home."
"There are a lot of opportunities here. My clan would like to expand its holdings into the human world. Also, so many things are better here. Also as the only son, they spoil me. Also, it's not like I'm ever really alone. Weifeng is my shadow." Leiyu gestured towards his man servant. A sturdy man a decade older than Leiyu, Weifeng gave her a little bow but said nothing.
After giving him a little nod, she turned back to Leiyu. "You've grown up so much, and you look like a pop idol. Girls usually call the shots since there are more boys nowadays but you won't have to worry about that." Li Na was in no ways exaggerating. Leiyu's clan were one of the most attractively human looking demons. Leiyu had the perfect skin, a symmetrical face with eye catching cheekbones, and had a certain slim elegance that was already causing other customers to sneak glances at him.
"You're still working as a nanny . . ."
"For now but I've got enough money for the restaurant I want to open. I've even got a menu in mind. I could make you a few dishes from it if you like."
"I would deeply appreciate it. I . . . have missed your cooking."
"You were five when I left. Most children don't remember much before then."
He looked down. "I remember I bit you until you bled."
"You were trying to stop me from leaving. Besides, I don't even have a scar," she said, showing her unblemished arm. "Relax."
The waiter stopped by and turned on the range embedded into the table and put the hotpot on it before setting all the ingredients they had previously ordered, ranging from slices of beef to sliced vegetables to noodles.
"There were rumors that you might become a permanent part of Mo Beijun's household."
"You mean like a second wife? No. He's devoted to his husband."
"What are they like?"
"Hmm, they're good people. I'm actually hired by the grandparents but they're the ones I see all the time. They actually do quite a bit of childcare themselves. I take care of the children while they're at work or need to travel on business trips. Mo Jin is actually a good boy who does chores like put his dishes and glasses in the dishwasher and folds his clothes. Mo Meixiang is healthy and is starting to sleep for longer stretches of time."
"What are you going to do if they have another one?"
"I'll be leaving regardless. I made sure they understood that. Besides, Shang Qinghua wants to keep to two because the government is pushing two as the perfect number and doesn't want any officials to get nosy if they have more."
"I see."
"Young master," said Weifeng. "You should concentrate on eating as we have an appointment in ninety minutes.
"Ah, you should have some as well," said Li Na, noticing Weifeng's empty bowl.
"I . . ."
"You are allowed, Weifeng," said Leiyu.
***
"So, how was your lunch with Leiyu?" said Shang Qinghua to Li Na as they watched Mo Jin do gymnastics. He was in the advanced class due to his skill level.
"It was good to see him. I wouldn't have recognize him. It's been thirteen years."
"Wow, that's a long time. I'm surprised you haven't see him earlier?"
"His mother was concerned he was seeing me as his mother more than her. It was agreed that I would let her strengthen her bond with her son."
"Ah," said Shang Qinghua. "Still, thirteen years . . ."
"After I left, I went to France to work as a sous chef for a few years to acquire a few new skills and ideas before returning to China. I was debt free but with no real savings so I took another job as a nanny then your mother-in-law hired me soon after that one ended."
"I will be sure to visit any restaurant you set up."
"Having you visit my restaurant would really help spread the word about it."
"Shen Yuan loves good food and Luo Binghe will be sure to accompany him."
"Ah, Shang Qinghua?" said the senior coach, who waved him over to talk to him.
"Yes?"
"Mo Jin is quite talented."
"Oh, really?"
"I was wondering if I could interest you into allowing me to train him for the Olympics . . ."
"I . . . I don't know . . ." said Shang Qinghua. "He'd be away from home all the time and training would be hard on him . . . I'd rather he just be allowed to be a kid."
The senior coach scowled. "You're wasting his potential. Think about how many medals he could win for China."
"Are you bullying daddy?"
The coach turned around to see Mo Jin glaring at him with his dark black eyes. He felt a strange feeling like at any second, death would be striking him down. "No, no, we're just having a discussion."
Mo Jin narrowed his eyes at him and the oppressive pressure became stronger then faded. Mo Jin turned to Shang Qinghua and said, "I want ice cream."
***
"What's wrong, my king?" said Shang Qinghua as they were watching a movie on the couch. With both children finally asleep, they were watching a horror movie about yuan gui, vengeful spirits. As Shang Qinghua was easily scared and clingy when frightened, Mo Beijun liked these movies though he found them more amusing than anything.
"My mother complains about her frenemies coming over to push me to take a second wife. I also find it annoying."
Shang Qinghua sighed. "Maybe she should just put up a huge sign saying that the answer is no."
"There are rules that state she has to hear them out. However, it strains my mother's diplomatic abilities."
Diplomatic . . . abilities, thought Shang Qinghua. "I can only imagine."
There was a small buzz that informed that someone was at the door. "I'll get it," said Li Na. She peered through the peephole and said, "It's Weifeng, Leiyu's personal servant."
"Go ahead and open it," said Mo Beijun.
Li Na opened the door. "Weifeng, What are you doing here?"
"I had to speak to you privately."
"Has something terrible happened?"
"No, no. It's just a matter of some importance."
"Let's talk in the kitchen. I'll make you some tea."
"I can't stay too long. I am supposed to pick up young master in an hour. He is studying with some classmates."
Shang Qinghua and Mo Beijun continued watching the movie only to see Li Na and Weifeng walk out fifteen minutes later and Weifeng bow deeply to her before leaving. "Everything all right?" said Shang Qinghua.
"Weifeng told me something I needed to know. I'm thinking about how I should handle it."
"Is it something you need help . . ."
"It's really just a misunderstanding. I can take care of it."
"Okay." Shang Qinghua turned back to the television then shrieked when the evil spirit suddenly appeared.
***
Looking at the almost empty family refrigerator, Shang Qinghua thought, Ah, I need to buy food. "I'll be going to the grocery store and the book store," said Shang Qinghua. "Is there anything that you need?"
"Not today," Li Na said, drinking her tea. She usually preferred to do her own shopping as Shang Qinghua didn't see the difference between salted butter and unsalted butter and had problems finding certain items. She had her own private refrigerator for food ideas she wanted to try out.
"It's bright outside but it's cold," said Shang Qinghua. "Can I borrow your car? My car's in the shop for a recall."
"Sure," she said. She reached into her purse and tossed him the keys.
Shang Qinghua put on sunglasses and a hoodie. "I'll be back in a couple hours," he said, picking up a reusable plastic shopping bag.
***
Mo Beijun was at his work computer in his office, considering where they should go for filming when his phone rang. Frowning because he didn't recognize the number, he picked it up anyway. "Hello?"
"Mo Beijun?"
"Yes."
"This is the hospital. Your husband, Shang Qinghua, has been in an accident."