A month later, just as Yuetao had guessed, her haughty, picky little egg princess had finally chosen a mate. There was a baby in her belly now—and surely it would be the daughter she’d been longing for, a precious little girl as beautiful, clever, and adorable as she was.
With that man’s genes mixed in, their daughter would be a little smarter…right?
First Master, his hair graying, spread his hands and sank despondently to the floor. “The plan failed. Nineteen years of planning our escape, all for nothing.”
Second Master said, “Big Brother, we’ve made it through nineteen years. We can manage one last year.”
Third Master said, “Exactly. Once she’s had the baby, we’ll get out of here fast and won’t stay a moment longer.”
Fourth Master, who was making a crib, snorted. “Oh, please. Do you old geezers really think you can leave that hopeless woman to raise a child on her own?”
Fifth Master said, “It’s because she’s hopeless that we want her to find a man and get married.”
Sixth Master said, “We kept trying to make her a lovesick fool. Who knew she’d be so clearheaded—and even know how to keep the baby and ditch the father?”
Seventh Master said, “Enough useless chatter. I’ve worked it out: in three years, we’ll have one more chance to go back. At that point, no matter what, we’ll make her return to Kyoto.
“Whether she goes to wreak havoc on the Shang family or wipe out the Shen family, we have to leave then.”
“Mm-hmm!”
And so the seven masters firmly made their decision.
Four years later
In the dining room of the Shang Family’s Old Residence in Kyoto,
Old Master Shang looked at the only bloodline left by his eldest son—his most outstanding and stubborn grandson. He was so worried that the last black hair on his head had turned white.
“A-Zhan, you’ll be thirty soon. It’s time you got a girlfriend, got married, and started a family. Your grandpa’s already getting on in years. Who knows when I’ll close my eyes and kick the bucket?
“It’s pitiful that at my age, I still haven’t lived to see you marry and have children…Even if I kick the bucket, I won’t be able to rest in peace!
“Listen to your grandpa. Go meet some pretty, gentle, considerate, lively young women. You might find one you like.”
“Mm.”
That low, muffled reply sounded like heavenly music to Old Master Shang’s ears.
He was so startled his mustache nearly curled upward.
“A-Zhan, y-you actually agreed? You agreed to go on a blind date?”
The man seated beside him set down his chopsticks, took a napkin, and elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth. As though he’d thought of something, his handsome phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he gave the Old Master another affirmative reply.
“Mm!”
At eight o’clock, Shang Zhan left the old residence right on time, got into his car, and headed to the office.
The Old Master’s booming, delighted laughter rang out from the dining room.
“You little rascal! You only said two words over breakfast. Never mind, never mind. You were always a taciturn boy, and you’ve grown even quieter. What girl could honestly like a personality like yours?
“Oh, forget it. As long as you give me a few great-grandchildren, they can stay together if it works out; if it doesn’t, he can stay single. Afu, hurry, hurry and find the photos and contact details for those girls. We have to strike while the iron’s hot and set things up right away.
“Best if they meet today, marry tomorrow, and she’s pregnant the day after!”
Uncle Fu’s mouth twitched. Old Master, even TV dramas couldn’t move that fast…though a mini-series could.
…
Shang Group
After the morning meeting, Shang Zhan returned to his office. His assistant, Lin Fei, had already brought over the information the Old Master had sent.
“Mr. Shang, these are the blind-date profiles the Old Master sent. He asked you to choose a time.”
Shang Zhan glanced at them, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.
“Brother Zhan, I like you so much. I want to sleep with you every day. Hehe.”
“Brother Zhan, Tao’s craving you. Hurry up and let Tao have a taste…”
“Brother Zhan, you’re so delicious. What if Tao can’t get enough?”
Shen Yuetao, that Brother Zhan you find so delicious is going to be someone else’s meal from now on. Aren’t you going to hurry back?
Just as Lin Fei thought his boss would turn down the blind date, he heard a low voice.
“Tomorrow!”
Lin Fei froze. Good heavens, his boss had actually agreed to go on a blind date! Then what about that mysterious Miss Shen?
Shang Zhan opened his eyes, their depths icy.
Shen Yuetao, starve all you want. You’ll never get another taste of me for the rest of your life.
…Achoo!
Moon Valley
On a large golden nanmu bed in a room decorated all in pink, a young woman with tender, pale skin and exquisite features sneezed in her sleep.
The little pink dumpling beside her was so startled that she rolled over, clutching her beloved snow-wolf cub, and squeezed herself into the farthest corner of the bed.
“Awooo.”
The little snow wolf was pinned beneath its young mistress and let out a pitiful whimper.
“Tuantuan, shh. Don’t wake Mama up. Mama gets suuuper scary when she’s mad.”
The little girl sat up and whispered to the snow-wolf cub. Then she used her chubby little hands to make a big circle, showing just how bad her mother’s morning temper was.
The little snow wolf quickly swallowed its whimper and hid in the arms of its adorable little mistress.
Yuetao slowly opened her eyes, still sleepy.
Her lovely brows drew together slightly, then her red lips parted.
“Ahhh!”
A furious roar rang out.
The little boy beside the bed covered his ears with his chubby hands, then stretched out his little feet to cover his pet’s wolf ears too.
“If we can’t hear Mama’s angry voice, then we won’t be scared!”
Yuetao had a terrible temper when she woke up. Startled awake by her own sneeze, she angrily rolled around on the bed several times.
Then she saw her daughter, covering her ears and kicking the little wolf.
She gave a delicate yawn. The moment she saw her daughter, the cold fury on her face cleared like the sky after a storm, and she smiled.
The smile was like peach blossoms in March, delicate and radiant.
The little boy with his ears covered made a little O with his mouth.
Her daughter was so adorable. Yuetao’s morning temper vanished.
“Little Niannian, what are you doing?”
The little girl shook her head. “Beautiful fairy Mama, what are you saying? Niannian can’t hear you.”
Yuetao: “…” So much for those superior genes. She was already pretty clever, and that man was a top student. Why was their daughter such a little dummy?
She pulled the little girl’s hands away from her ears and asked again.
The little girl beamed. “Mama woke up so pretty that Niannian was stunned! Mama, why are you as beautiful as a fairy?”
Her childish words were sweet and soft, as if they’d been soaked in milk. Yuetao adored them.
Shen Yuetao: …Take back what she’d just said. Her daughter was a little clever imp.
“Don’t bully Xiaotuanzi.”
She lifted her daughter’s little foot off Xiaotuanzi’s head and got out of bed.
“Niannian, where’s your brother?”
“Mama, you chased Big Brother away!”
Yuetao: “…”