CHAPTER 105: 103, THE GIRL SANGSANG CAN SING

Tian Sangsang explained, "That’s different. We’re parent and child—you came out of my belly. But you didn’t come out of Chun Zisu’s belly. So... you can’t watch him take a bath."

Zhao Chun could only watch with puppy-dog eyes as Meng Shuyan got carried off by his mom.

Damn it. Even if he wanted to, how could Meng Shuyan possibly climb out of his belly? How would that even work? He’d suffocate, right?

"Uh..." Zhao Chun fluttered his long lashes pathetically and called after her, "Tian Sangsang, didn’t you say the Deputy Secretary likes hearing people sing? Why don’t you sing a song when the time comes? Put that cousin of yours in her place."

Tian Sangsang shook her head and said, "There are other ways to handle it—I don’t have to sing. Let’s wait and see when the Deputy Secretary gets here." Besides, just hearing the name ’Tian Tian’ these days made her feel sick. That kind of woman? It’s best not to even engage. Being compared to her was an insult in itself.

"But you could totally sing!" Zhao Chun suggested meekly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Your voice is perfect for singing; it’s so good to listen to—you’re a natural-born singer. Isn’t there that saying? When God closes a door, He always opens a window."

Just say I’m ugly, why don’t you? What about basic human trust?

Tian Sangsang smirked faintly. "Actually, it’s more like... when God closes a door, He adds a lock to it too."

"God is so mean!" Meng Shuyan pouted.

That... makes a lot of sense somehow. Zhao Chun was momentarily stunned. "Don’t be so pessimistic!"

"So, what song do you want me to sing?" Tian Sangsang smiled slightly, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth.

Zhao Chun suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and stammered, "Uh... uh... j-just one of your usual ones."

"Which ones?" Tian Sangsang parted her lips and began singing softly, "This one? Your deadly tenderness makes me tremble uncontrollably. No matter how many excuses, I can no longer hold your hand..."

Zhao Chun shuddered all over and shook his head.

"How about this—’The rain is deep, love runs strong; the world is in your eyes. Why meet so late, only to part so soon? Mountains and rivers stretch for miles; one passionate song brings a thousand tears, love stirring the depths of the soul.’"

There was amazement in Zhao Chun’s eyes, but he still shook his head.

"Or maybe this? ’Come on, follow my left hand, right hand, one slow motion. Left hand, right hand, repeat the slow motion. This song makes you happy—do you love me now?’"

Zhao Chun looked dazed but still shook his head.

"Then this one? ’Don’t use my love to hurt me; you know how fragile I am. What did I do wrong for you to punish me? Even if you still say you love me.’"

Zhao Chun was practically in tears and still shook his head.

Tian Sangsang’s expression turned stern. She walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and stared at him intensely.

"W-what are you doing?" Zhao Chun’s eyes widened, his lips trembling uncontrollably. What was she planning? He hadn’t meant to keep shaking his head—it was just that her song choices weren’t exactly suitable for performing in front of a leader. But he couldn’t deny that her singing voice was beautiful.

"Just messing with you." Tian Sangsang burst out laughing, her mood instantly lifting as she turned and walked away. Who knew men from the ’80s could be this pure? Shocking, absolutely shocking.

"Mom, you almost made Chun Zisu cry," Meng Shuyan said seriously, perched on her shoulder.

"Son, don’t you think scared Chun Zisu looks like a little bunny?" Tian Sangsang teased as she ruffled Meng Shuyan’s hair playfully.

Meng Shuyan propped his little chin on his small hand, "That kind of Chun Zisu is especially pretty~"

"Exactly, so Mom just couldn’t resist teasing him."

"Mom, you’re so bad~" Meng Shuyan puffed up his cheeks slightly. "But, I like Mom."

...

That day, Li Xiaoqin from next door ran over excitedly to find Tian Sangsang and said, "The village chief just said that tomorrow the Deputy Secretary from the city is coming here. People from the nearby villages are all gathering for some kind of meeting at the main hall. I’m letting you know so our families can go together tomorrow."

The main hall was the place where major village announcements were usually made.

"Tomorrow? What time tomorrow?" Tian Sangsang asked.

In the yard, Zhao Chun, who was holding a pencil and teaching Meng Shuyan how to draw, suddenly perked up his ears.

"Wait for the notice. Probably tomorrow afternoon—when we see others heading out, we just follow along." After saying that, Li Xiaoqin glanced into the yard at Zhao Chun. The young man had rosy lips and pearly teeth, with sleek dark hair and striking brows—he was just ridiculously handsome. She pulled Tian Sangsang aside and whispered conspiratorially, "Sangsang, how much longer is that young man planning to stay? Are you really thinking of getting him to be Yanyan’s dad?"

Tian Sangsang wiped the sweat off her brow before she even had a chance to reply. Li Xiaoqin continued in a low voice, "What does he mean by sticking around? Is he willing or not? I heard he’s from the city. Have you looked into his family yet? What’s their deal? Are they reliable? Sangsang, as women, our lives depend on men. You can’t let this chance slip through your fingers. I mean, just think of all the money you’ve spent fixing his leg—that money can’t go to waste. Trust me, hold on to him tight. Don’t let him pull a disappearing act like that guy from five years ago. He ran off without leaving you anything—wasn’t that such a waste?"

As she spoke, Li Xiaoqin let out a sigh. "Honestly, you shouldn’t have even treated his leg in the first place. If it hadn’t healed, he wouldn’t have been able to go anywhere."

"Um..." Tian Sangsang clutched her chest in alarm and instinctively stepped a meter away. Sister Xiaoqin, turns out you’re way darker than me! She finally understood why those who got trafficked into the mountains in later generations had such a hard time escaping—it was partly because the villagers were way too desperate.

"It’s not like that, Sister Xiaoqin. How could you believe the nonsense people are saying out there? It’s all baseless rumors! I helped him because I felt sorry for him, and besides, Zhao Chun’s legs will heal in a few more days, and he’ll head back to the city."

"What???" Li Xiaoqin saw the sincerity in her expression and realized she didn’t have that kind of intention. She chuckled and said, "Alright then, just pretend I didn’t say anything. But Sangsang, are you really going to let him go just like that? Opportunities like this don’t come around twice. Just look at how good he is with Yanyan."

Tian Sangsang followed Li Xiaoqin’s gaze. She saw Zhao Chun smiling at whatever Meng Shuyan had drawn, even reaching out to tousle the little boy’s curly hair. Both of them were laughing, their eyes curving into crescents. The warm sunlight poured over them, making the scene as picturesque as... something out of a movie.

Zhao Chun, I finally get it. You’re just here to steal my son.

But then again, her son rarely smiled as brightly as that with anyone else besides her.

Tian Sangsang turned to Li Xiaoqin and said, "Honestly, if they did become father and son, it wouldn’t be great either." Besides, Zhao Chun was pretty much a kid himself—how could he take care of another kid? Leave the two of them alone in the same house, and if she weren’t around, they’d probably starve to death within days.