Chapter 22

Hang Wan still went insane anyway.
In her whole life, she had never shipped a couple this delicious:
A top who spoiled a “kid” like a dad, and a bottom who was soft and sweet like a kid—both impossibly good-looking.
Absolutely insane.
She couldn’t hide her grin at all. She immediately shared first-hand intel in the “Huada Sugar-Shippers” group chat.
This was “Group 1.”
There were already five groups now.
In places Xi Siyan and Jing Miao didn’t know existed, they had nearly five thousand “relationship observers.”
In other words: shipper fans.
“BREAKING: Campus heartthrob usually calls the crybaby ‘Miaomiao’! But I just overheard their call—he called him ‘baby’!”
“Damn, I’ve been thirsting to death.”
“Holy shit, I’m dead. I’m going to choke on sugar at lunch.”
“AHHHHHHHH!”
As the messages flew, the girls in the classroom all peeked over like little gremlins, then squealed into their screens.
“You’re outdated!!! My Materials School insider just reported: he heard Campus Heartthrob say ‘good baby’ to the screen!”
“Help, my dad-kink HP bar is empty!”
“I must’ve accumulated massive virtue in my past life to ship a couple this heavenly in this one!”
“I’m about to graduate and I still get to see Campus Heartthrob descend to earth. I can die without regret now!”
“I’m in my second year of grad school and I still got to see Xi Siyan smile. I swear I can keep doing a PhD just for that.”
“Anyone taking bets? When are they coming out publicly?”
“Publicly? My friend’s friend’s cousin’s uncle is a Xi family relative. He said their family suddenly started saying they have two sons. How one son becomes two—use your imagination.”
“Holy shit, for real? That’s so based. We’re betting on coming out while they’re directly getting married???”
“True. I went to the office to get a leave slip and heard department heads gossiping—said they saw Xi Siyan order a diamond ring at some ultra-luxury jeweler.”
“I’m going to die of sweetness today.”
“What are you dying for? Our class ends third period at 10:50. Let’s squat by Building 4 and watch Campus Heartthrob pick up the little crybaby.”
“Newbie here—Campus Heartthrob is the rotating Huada school hottie, Xi Siyan is forever, I get it. But why is Jing Miao called ‘little crybaby’?”
Hang Wan typed fast, then—mid-typing—turned to glance carefully at Jing Miao.
“Newbie, let me tell you: ‘little crybaby’ is not just a nickname. It’s a legendary sugar bomb.”
“At first Campus Heartthrob accompanied Jing Miao to class. After two weeks, Campus Heartthrob started working at the institute and stopped coming. Then little crybaby started going to class alone while quietly crying.”
“He thought his crying was subtle, but we all saw it!”
“My god, is that even the ‘I want to cry’ kind of cry?”
“Damn, I came too late. This kind of god-tier sugar can only be eaten as leftovers?”
“Don’t remind me. When we first realized it, we were stunned. It hit my exact kink. How can someone be this cute?”
“Now combine it with today’s ‘good baby’ for maximum effect…”
“Help! SOS!”
“I can already picture Campus Heartthrob holding a nonstop-crying little beauty and saying ‘good baby, don’t cry’…”
“HELP!!!”
…
Like this, through the days of unbearable longing, the year rolled from beginning to end.
Because of the birth-chart matching Su Wan did, they were “in conflict” this year and it wasn’t suitable for marriage. Xi Siyan couldn’t win against her, so he could only take time to register overseas first, and wait until next spring to hold the wedding.
During winter and summer breaks, Jing Miao was on vacation, while Xi Siyan still had to keep working.
At times like this, everything felt like it had returned to long ago—those days when Jing Miao waited at home for Xi Siyan every day.
Only now there were differences: a cute corgi by his side, and Su Wan often coming over to look after him.
At first Jing Miao wasn’t used to it. He preferred only staying with Auntie Jiang.
Later, he gradually lowered his guard.
When Su Wan saw him begin to grow close to her, she was so happy she took a photo and posted it in Moments: *My younger son is so cute.*
Mrs. Chen commented underneath: *Younger son? Since when did your family have a second child? He’s so handsome—like a little celebrity.*
Su Wan thought of the Chen family’s daughter—she had just returned to the country this year, pretty and smart, and had grown up knowing Xi Siyan. Su Wan used to consider matching them up.
Now that thought was long gone.
After her mindset improved, she found herself liking Jing Miao more and more—sometimes even disliking her own biological son by comparison.
Su Wan replied: *Added one four years ago.*
Mrs. Chen replied again: *That’s wonderful. Bring him out sometime so we can meet.*
Su Wan replied with an OK.
“Mom.” Jing Miao carried out a plate of freshly baked cookies. “Mom, want some? I baked them myself. Matcha flavor.”
Su Wan was flustered with joy. She hurried to take them. “Yes, I’ll eat. My precious son is amazing.”
Jing Miao said happily, “Gege likes matcha.”
After a while, he grew a little sad.
“But he’s come home too late a few times. I forgot to tell him I baked cookies for him.”
Auntie Jiang, hearing this, complained along too.
“Sir has been coming back very late recently. Miaomiao often cries while waiting.”
Caught being exposed, Jing Miao felt embarrassed and explained weakly, “No… not often.”
“How not? I’ve seen it several times!” Auntie Jiang huffed. “Didn’t sir say you can go find him at work, Miaomiao? Keep a closer eye on him, okay?”
Su Wan got angry too and immediately called Xi Siyan.
“What have you been busy with lately?”
On the other end it sounded lively, and Xi Siyan’s voice was clear. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
“What time have you been coming home recently?”
Xi Siyan answered honestly, “It’s almost midnight by the time I get home. The institute’s been busy these days…”
“You’re the only one busy? You’re the only one with a lot of work? Miaomiao misses you so much he cries, do you even know that?”
Xi Siyan sighed. “Mom… he cries every day.”
Su Wan froze. “What kind of line is that? How can you sound like such a jerk?”