When did Luan Nian start wanting to be a father? Probably when that grandson Chen Kuannian started posting photos of his child in the group chat every day. The child was quite cute.

Luan Nian previously had no concept of children. He even thought it would be better not to marry or have children, to be free as a single person. But now his thoughts had changed. Sometimes when he opened his eyes and saw Shang Zhitao’s sleeping face, he felt that having a child might be quite nice too.

He decided to talk seriously with Shang Zhitao about it.

After they completed an intense ritual on the table, while tenderness and languor still lingered in their bodies, he asked Shang Zhitao, “How about having a child?”

Shang Zhitao looked at him in shock: “You quit smoking and drinking really because of this?”

“I did it to live a long and healthy life,” Luan Nian lied.

Shang Zhitao sat up and looked at him.

“But the premise is that we should be responsible parents,” Shang Zhitao expressed her viewpoint seriously.

“You can’t even cook. You’re indeed a bit lacking as a good mother,” Luan Nian mocked her. Seeing she was about to get upset, he added lazily, “But I can cook. I can make up for your shortcomings.”

Shang Zhitao was nearly infuriated by Luan Nian. She kicked out, but he caught her ankle. “Shall we start now?”

“What?”

“Making a baby.”

Luan Nian pulled her to sit in his arms, and the two faced each other on the sofa. Outside, the heavy rain beat against the window, making Shang Zhitao’s heart a mess.

“I won’t allow my child to have an incomplete family, won’t allow mom and dad not to love each other, won’t allow mom and dad not to love her…” Shang Zhitao said.

“So? Are you planning to divorce me? Don’t dream of it, Shang Zhitao.” Luan Nian’s hand cupped the back of her head, drawing her toward him. “Just try divorcing me and see what happens.”

“No, I…”

Luan Nian sealed her lips with his, unusually gentle. Lips against lips, his tongue slipped in and out, brushing the corner of her mouth. “You know me. I only have things I don’t want to do, not things I can’t do well.”

His hand slid under her t-shirt. Shang Zhitao fell into his arms and softly uttered one word: “Okay.”

She hugged his neck tightly, feeling him slowly enter her, then suddenly thrust forcefully.

This was the first time they hadn’t used protection. Shang Zhitao had once chatted with Lu Mi about how Luan Nian, despite being so reckless in other ways, always insisted on using protection. This feeling was strange—it seemed much, much closer than before, with no gap left between them.

Both had extra passion, though they couldn’t explain why. During the process, they slid onto the floor. That moment truly took Shang Zhitao’s breath away—she moaned, as if something had stolen her ability to breathe.

This lovemaking was like the rain outside—sometimes intense, sometimes tender. Luan Nian’s dark, bright eyes locked on her gaze in the darkness. Occasionally, when he saw her frown or heard her voice change, he would ask, “Do you like this? Hmm?”

He was exploring her.

He was full of exploratory passion for Shang Zhitao. He couldn’t bear to do anything when in the same space with her. He most enjoyed being spontaneous, like now. He hated when intimacy became routine. His creativity allowed him to innovate constantly. He was confident that even when he was in his sixties or seventies, he could still be passionate with Shang Zhitao like this. Perhaps it wouldn’t be as intense then, but the passion in his heart would remain.

Shang Zhitao surrendered herself completely to him. She trusted him implicitly. But this was a bit too prolonged.

So this is how taxing making a baby is, Shang Zhitao thought.

They continued until the sky turned completely dark.

The rain was still falling. Shang Zhitao found a wall and did a handstand against it.

“What are you doing?”

“They say this makes it easier.”

“Are you crazy? Do you need to do a handstand?” Luan Nian pulled her down. “What nonsense is in your head?”

He scolded Shang Zhitao thoroughly. In the middle of his scolding, he couldn’t help himself and laughed, vigorously ruffling her hair and saying, “What an accomplishment!”

Then he got up to prepare something to eat for her and Luke.

Being together was like this; being apart was something else entirely.

Luan Nian caught the early Tuesday flight. The sky was still dark when he left. Shang Zhitao was still sleeping. He kissed her cheek and suddenly felt a bit reluctant to leave her.

Shang Zhitao held his hand, murmuring, “Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Come back soon.” She pressed his hand against her face. Luan Nian’s heart softened a bit, and he said, “I will.”

He went straight to the office in Beijing. In the hallway, he noticed Lu Mi’s slightly protruding stomach. “You’re pregnant?”

Lu Mi raised an eyebrow at him. “How about that? One step ahead of you. Are you a bit dissatisfied?”

Luan Nian pursed his lips and shrugged. He wanted to tease her, but remembered her relationship with Shang Zhitao. So he smiled at her, which was rare. “Have you been in touch with Flora recently?”