Ruan Tang had only spoken two words before her sentence came to an abrupt halt.

Xu Lai couldn't help but ask, "Because of what?"

"Because I want to hold your hand. Is that reason enough?"

"..."

Xu Lai paused for a moment, then smiled radiantly. "It is. It's enough to hold for a lifetime."

Ruan Tang said nothing.

Wasn't the rest of her life already tied to him? How could she ever escape from Xu Lai's grasp?

Despite these thoughts, there wasn't a hint of resentment on her face. On the contrary, she squeezed Xu Lai's hand a little tighter, looking forward to their daughter's upcoming birthday party.

This will be Yiyi's first birthday with both of her parents by her side. She'll be so happy.

Xu Lai seemed to read her mind. "On her birthday," he said confidently, "our little girl will be the brightest star in the entire place."

"...If you can't think of a good compliment, you don't have to say anything."

"HA HA HA."

Xu Lai laughed heartily. He really hadn't complimented anyone in many, many years. Come to think of it, has it been at least fifty or sixty thousand years?

Ruan Tang didn't know why he was laughing so happily, but she found herself infected by his mirth. Her lips curved into a smile. "What are you grinning about?"

"I really am terrible at compliments. So, honey, why don't you praise me instead?"

"Huh?"

Ruan Tang's small face was a mask of confusion; she had never heard such a strange request.

Seeing the bewildered look on his beloved's face and her slightly pouting lips, Xu Lai's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but lean in for a kiss.

"Are you crazy? Yiyi and Ruan Lan are still downstairs."

Panic flashed across Ruan Tang's face as she tried to push him away. They were on the second-floor balcony, completely exposed. Down in the backyard below was the hot spring pool. This meant that if they looked up, her sister and daughter would see Xu Lai kissing her.

Fooling around in our room is one thing, but if they saw this... it would be so embarrassing! How could I ever keep a straight face and lecture them again?

"We'll save it for later, then," Xu Lai said, not pushing it.

Ruan Tang glared at him. How did I suddenly end up owing him a kiss out of thin air?

But she didn't dare refuse. Knowing his temperament, he might actually just force a kiss on her. That would be even more embarrassing.

"Come on, let's go for a soak," Xu Lai said before leaping directly from the second-floor balcony into the hot spring pool, splashing water all over the two of them below.

In an instant, his daughter and sister-in-law retaliated, furiously splashing water back at him.

"What a child," Ruan Tang sighed, touching her forehead. She didn't follow his chaotic example, instead walking down the stairs properly and wading slowly into the pool.

Just as Xu Lai had said, soaking in the hot spring on a cold day was pure bliss. It was so comfortable that Ruan Tang's eyes narrowed in pleasure, her expression one of utter contentment.

"Mommy, let Yiyi give you a massage." Xu Yiyi's small hands began kneading her shoulders. Her touch was light and gentle, melting away all of Ruan Tang's fatigue.

"A virtuous wife, a filial daughter, and a beautiful, cute, smart, skillful, and sensible sister-in-law... Brother-in-law, you're so lucky," Ruan Lan remarked from the side with a sigh.

"A bit too confident for a second-rate attraction, don't you think?" Xu Lai glanced at her, which immediately sent Ruan Lan into a rage. She lunged as if to strike him but was stopped by Ruan Tang's sharp command.

"If my sister hadn't stopped me, the weeds on your grave would be a meter high by next year!" Ruan Lan huffed.

"As long as you live long enough, I can make them ten meters high for you, never mind one. You could even throw a rave on my grave for all I care," Xu Lai said seriously.

Ruan Lan was speechless. She suddenly felt exhausted. How could her brother-in-law be so thick-skinned?

Ruan Lan suddenly lost all interest in the hot spring. She sighed, "I'm going back to bed."

Halfway there, she spun around. "Not only will I rave, but I'll also bring Xiaoxiao and Lili!"

"Sounds good. See you in a million years."

"A hundred years is long enough, who needs a million," Ruan Lan muttered.

After massaging her mother for a while, Xu Yiyi let out a yawn. Ruan Tang's heart ached for her. "Go on back to bed."

"No," Yiyi said, shaking her head. "Mommy works so hard. I want to help Mommy relax."

What a sweet, thoughtful daughter. Warmth flooded Ruan Tang's heart.

Xu Lai said sourly, "You go on. I'll take over your shift."

"Okay then."

Yiyi's eyes were practically sealed shut. She was indeed exhausted, so she didn't protest further. She left the hot spring and went to her room to sleep.

Xu Lai began massaging Ruan Tang's temples, her neck, and her spine.

Ruan Tang let out a soft moan of comfort.

Compared to their daughter's massage, Xu Lai's technique was far more pleasant, making her feel as if she were floating on a cloud. The warmth and sense of security felt like a loving embrace, and it was wonderful. She wished time could stop, freezing this perfect moment forever. But, of course, it couldn't.

"All done."

Xu Lai patted his wife's fragrant shoulders. Ruan Tang opened her eyes and praised him, "You're really good at this."

"Practice makes perfect. After getting so many massages myself, I naturally learned how to give them," Xu Lai said with a smile.

"Oh...?" Ruan Tang drew out the sound. "And which young lady was it that gave 'Mr. Xu' all this practice?"

"..."

Xu Lai was speechless.

Ruan Tang didn't press the issue. She decided not to get hung up on his past. Otherwise, wouldn't she just tire herself out? Life is too long to waste time on something as trivial as being jealous over things that are long over.

That guy, Xu Lai... She wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he had seven or eight close female confidantes. That Anna from before was probably one of them.

Only later would Ruan Tang realize how naive she'd been; it wasn't a matter of seven or eight.

BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ.

His phone vibrated with a text. Xu Lai ignored it, but it was quickly followed by five more messages in a row. He unlocked his phone, a slight smile playing on his lips as he looked at the screen.

The money had arrived.

There were five successive transfers, each for one hundred million. He had no idea which five buyers of his Magic Artifacts had sent the money.

"What are you grinning about? Did you find some money?" Ruan Tang teased.

"Something like that," Xu Lai smiled. "Just five hundred million."

Ruan Tang rolled her eyes, not taking him seriously at all. All of his money is with me. His pockets are completely empty, so how could he possibly have that much?

The sensitive number, five hundred million, came to mind. Ruan Tang said softly, "Don't worry about the five hundred million my parents mentioned."

"They were being quite practical. After all, it's only five hundred million, and I've already achieved that 'small goal' of mine," Xu Lai said seriously. After all, the betrothal gift he'd originally planned was five hundred million galaxies from level-ten civilizations. But surprisingly, they preferred cash, asking for five hundred million yuan. To each their own. He couldn't force the issue, so he could only respect their wishes.

"Stop bragging. If you have five hundred million in your account, I'll..." Ruan Tang trailed off, unsure of what to wager. She finally blurted out, "I'll drink all the water in this hot spring!"

"Trying to score a free drink?"

"What are you talking about?" Ruan Tang kicked at Xu Lai under the water, but her face suddenly flushed red as he caught her foot.

Flustered and annoyed, she demanded, "Let go."

"I won't."

As he spoke, a mischievous smile spread across his lips.

"AH! XU LAI, YOU BASTARD!"

Ruan Tang was so infuriated she couldn't help but curse. She was extremely ticklish, and that scoundrel, Xu Lai, was tickling the sole of her foot—and not just once.

"Hmm?" Xu Lai raised an eyebrow.

"Xu Lai, I was wrong! Please stop..." Ruan Tang begged for mercy, tears of laughter welling in her eyes as her body tensed up.

"Call me Hubby."

"..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.