The little one Si Mingjing had led out was about to explode with anger!
How could his precious woman live in such a small house?
Was Dad treating her like a beggar?!
"Hmph! Daddy is just jealous that I have a wife and he doesn't, so he's trying to break us up!"
"Bad woman, just you wait! I'll definitely find a way to get you to sleep with me!"
Si Mingjing gently restrained the agitated Little Fire Dragon. "Stop making trouble. It's not appropriate for me to live in the same villa as your father. What daughter-in-law would want to live with her parents-in-law?"
The little guy, stomping his feet with a sense of great drama, tilted his head. After a moment's thought, it actually seemed quite reasonable.
But I just feel like my woman is being wronged!
"Baby, don't worry. I'll protect you from now on."
"Baby?" Si Mingjing's mouth twitched. "What kind of outlandish nickname is that?"
The little guy blinked his big, dark eyes, saying in a matter-of-fact tone, "Well, I can't keep calling you 'bad woman,' can I? Besides, my dad calls my mom 'Baby' too, you know."
He'd heard it many times. When Dad talked in his sleep, he would say, "Baby, Baby, Baby..."
Uncle Three said that was Dad calling for Mom.
Si Mingjing: "..."
Si Mingjing said with a serious face, "Call me Auntie."
"No way!" the little guy huffed arrogantly.
Si Mingjing asked helplessly, "Then what will you call me?"
"My name is Ye Nianbai," he announced. "My Uncle Three said it means my dad misses my mom, whose surname is Bai. It also means my dad thinks about my mom from night till day. Baby, you can call me Niannian."
Si Mingjing, however, decided to call him Xiaobai. "Xiaobai, isn't your dad's surname Mo?"
The little guy, clearly dissatisfied with the nickname Xiaobai, grumbled, "My dad's name on his household registration is Ye Sichao. Mo Yinhe is just a name he made up for himself. My grandpa said Dad is a real maverick, only using the name he picked for himself. That's why most people don't know his actual surname is Ye."
So that was it. Si Mingjing now understood: the man had two names.
Chatting as they walked, the adult and child soon arrived at the small building next door.
The butler opened the courtyard gate. "Miss Si, this is the place," he said. "The surroundings are quite nice. Mr. Mo is very grateful that you saved the young master's life; otherwise, he wouldn't have arranged for you to stay here."
Si Mingjing nodded. As she walked into the courtyard, she saw the ground covered in frost-red sycamore leaves that crunched under her feet.
This small building, adjacent to the main villa, was decorated in a relaxed, casual style, resembling a charming, high-class guesthouse. It had its own sunroom, enclosed in glass and adorned with green plants and roses. These offered a vibrant contrast to the sycamore tree in the courtyard, which was bare save for its gnarled branches.
A low tea table and floor cushions were set on the creamy-white tatami mats. It looked like a comfortable spot to read a book or bask in the sun.
Si Mingjing was very satisfied with her new accommodations.
"Miss Si, please let me know if you need anything. I'll have someone bring over daily necessities shortly. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
"Thank you, Butler."
After the butler left, Si Mingjing entered the guest room. A king-sized bed was covered with a soft silk quilt, and sunlight streamed in through the window, warming the entire room.
Ye Nianbai plopped onto the spring mattress and rolled around twice. "Baby, will you need someone to warm your bed tonight?"
"No need."
Si Mingjing pushed open the bathroom door to take a look. Inside, there was a large bathtub, which was a nice feature.
Ye Nianbai, however, wasn't ready to give up. He hopped off the bed and onto the floor, his eyes darting about mischievously. Suddenly, two adorable, coral-like Dragon Horns sprouted from beneath his fluffy bangs! He wiggled his little head, proudly showing them off to Si Mingjing.
"Baby, how about now? Still no need for a bed-warmer?"
Auntie said no one could resist the charm of my Little Dragon horns!
I refuse to believe I can't conquer my own woman!