When Ruan Zeyan arrived at the airport, he called Ling Tianya before he boarded the plane. He told her that he would call her again when he arrived in Country E.
It was a ten hour flight to Country E and Ruan Zeyan would arrive at night if he was taking off now.
Ling Tianya was planning to write her new book in the study when Ruan Zeyan was gone, but her mind wouldn’t focus. Her thoughts were all over the place and she was worrying about everything that might go wrong. She was on edge and filled with unease and anxiety.
She decided to shut her laptop and went to the nursery. Tiny Rice Ball had just been fed, and he was sleeping soundly in the cot. His lips were moving slightly, and he was cooing adorably.
The baby was growing by the day and he looked more distinct as well. He had his father’s eyes and gorgeous eyebrows.
Ling Tianya reached into the cot and gently touched Tiny Rice Ball’s hands. As if he knew his mother was around even when he was sleeping, Little Rice Dumpling grabbed onto her finger tightly.
Ling Tianya was surprised, but she started smiling. She was staring at Tiny Rice Ball gently, her gaze full of love.
Madame Ruan walked into the room. Ever since Tiny Rice Ball had arrived in the family, she had been surrounding the child. She spent more time with him than anyone else.
When she saw Ling Tianya, Madame Ruan asked, “Have you fed the child?”
“Yes,” Ling Tianya answered, her eyes not leaving the little baby.
Madame Ruan was sensitive and could tell that something was troubling Ling Tianya the moment she walked into the room. “What’s the matter, Ling girl? Something on your mind?”
“Nothing. Ling Tianya didn’t want to talk about it, especially not to Madame Ruan. She didn’t want to worry the elder for no reason.
“Pfft!” The old lady shook her head. “You can’t lie to me! You can’t bear that my grandson has left on his business trip?”
“Yes.” Ling Tianya nodded her head. Madame Ruan understood things and she didn’t want to clarify anything else.
“I knew it. You were so reluctant to part ways with him at the gates this morning. I could already tell then.” Madame Ruan smiled. “But little girl, it’s not easy being the man of the family, especially a big family like ours. It’s not easy being a woman of the family either. When I was still young, when your mother-in-law was still young, we spent far more time alone in the house than you did. Thank goodness my grandson is willing to let go of his work for you. Your father-in-law and your grandpa could not do that.”
Madame Ruan sighed as she continued, “So, you have to learn to let go. The Ruan family is a big family, and everyone is counting on your husband for food and money. He holds an incredible position and a massive amount of responsibility. You have to try to understand him.”
Madame Ruan was worried that Ruan Zeyan would go on more business trips in the future and not spend enough time with Ling Tianya. She was concerned that Ling Tianya might feel neglected and conflict might arise between the two lovers.
Ling Tianya quickly said, “Don’t worry Grandma, I know all of that. I just can’t bear to watch him work so hard. I would never fight with him over this.”
Madame Ruan smiled happily. “I knew that the girl I had my eyes on would be good. You two haven’t had an easy path to get here, but since you already have a child together, things will only get better from here.”
“Yeah, things will definitely get better.”
The two’s conversation woke Tiny Rice Ball up and he stared at Ling Tianya with his big round eyes. He was not crying or throwing a fit, just lying there quietly staring at Ling Tianya.
“Aiyo, little young master is awake now,” Aunty Wang said and she went to pick him up in case he started crying.
Ling Tianya looked over at Aunty Wang and said, “I’ll get him.”
Ling Tianya felt like an inadequate mother. Other than breastfeeding and playing with the child occasionally, Aunty Wang had been doing everything else in between.
