Chapter 14: Love is Patience

“Xingyao is Daddy’s good girl.” Wang Yan gently wiped the corners of Tong Xingyao’s mouth with a tissue.

He then began tidying up the dishes.

“You’ve sweated so much; the medicine must have worked well.”

He resolved that from now on, whenever possible, he would prepare at least one nourishing meal per day for her. Each meal cost nearly 1,000 emotion points for ingredients, seasonings, and even the recipe itself—a significant expenditure.

With the remaining emotion points, he could still make four more meals. Wang Yan mentally cheered himself on: work harder, earn more points, and keep Xingyao healthy and plump. Not a single day could be skipped.

Seeing Xingyao’s complexion return to a healthy rosy glow, his mood brightened further. He even hummed cheerfully while washing the dishes.

Tomorrow, he thought, after class he’d go see Pei Zhanxi—what should he bring along? He couldn’t wait to “collect rewards.”

“Hey, why are you still sitting there? Go shower, and get some rest early.” Wang Yan came out of the kitchen to see Tong Xingyao still sitting motionless.

“Mm… I… I’m fine.” Xingyao’s expression remained blank, her movements mechanical as she slowly stood and began walking.

“Wrong way. The bathroom’s at the back. Your clothes are folded and placed there,” Wang Yan pointed in the correct direction.

Xingyao nodded numbly and adjusted her path.

The water poured out from the showerhead, yet the bathroom remained cold. She used cold water, the icy tiles pressing against her back as she gasped, trying to calm herself.

Time passed, but she did not feel the peace she had hoped for. Everything seemed to escalate uncontrollably, like a wild stallion charging forward.

Her body felt flushed, full of restless energy. Even the cold drafts sneaking in through the window made her tremble.

She could not continue like this.

Xingyao remained under the shower for long enough; staying any longer would worry others. She focused her body under the ice-cold stream, adjusting the shower to a finer, faster flow. The stinging water offered a small measure of relief.

Beyond cleaning herself, she had no right to explore her own body. All her “firsts” were meant to be given to him.

Her head swam as she tried to maintain control. She pressed her hands firmly, knowing that if she let herself go, the outcome would follow naturally.

Her gaze sharpened, determination hardening.

Memories surfaced—her first experiences, a stormy night, a comic book that had sparked realization. From that point, she had been relentless, though real life often diverged from storylines, stopping abruptly as if the author had abandoned the plot.

She had always been cruel to herself, separating mind and body, mastering her own will. And now, as always, she did not fail.

“Finally out!” Wang Yan’s voice called. “Why isn’t there any steam?” He stood at the door, holding her clothes.

“I opened the window for ventilation,” Xingyao replied blankly, stepping aside.

Wang Yan followed her into the bathroom. It was late; usually, she would already be in bed. Yet Xingyao lingered, leaning against the frosted glass, watching quietly.

She gently touched her belly, then made small fists and tapped her fair stomach, sending tiny vibrations of reassurance to herself. She leaned weakly against the wall, her eyes squinting slightly, left hand covering her mouth, lower abdomen reddened from pressure.

Listening carefully to the sound of water in the room, she timed herself, then slowly retreated into the shadow of Wang Yan’s room.

“I’ll help you dry your hair, then off to bed, okay?” Wang Yan suggested, confident the medicinal meal had worked. Early sleep would help absorption.

Snap.

He stepped forward, suddenly bumping into someone.

“Xingyao?” Looking up, Wang Yan realized she had been standing at the doorway, hidden in darkness. She held a half-height teddy bear in one arm, and a small square pillow in the other.

The teddy bear had been a gift from him when she was first scared to sleep alone. She had always feared the dark.

“Hair dry yet?” Wang Yan reached out, smoothing her damp hair.

“Then come here.” He guided her to the living room.

The warm airflow of the hairdryer brushed through her damp hair, which quickly became neat and orderly.

“All done. Go to sleep now.” Wang Yan pushed her gently toward his room, yawning.

“No.” Xingyao darted inside, clutching her teddy bear and pillow.

“Daddy, I’m scared.”

Her words left no room for refusal.

It was the same cold night, the same dark room, the same oppressive clouds. Xingyao placed the teddy bear over Wang Yan’s face, obscuring his view, and played with his now-numb right hand.

“Daddy, I love you.”

Her kisses fell like raindrops on his face, soft and constant, making a gentle “smooch” sound.

In the quiet before dawn, she smiled wearily.

“Daddy, I will endure everything, until the day you take the first step.”

Smooch!