Chapter 18: A Prophetic Remark

"Little Taro, I had a nightmare. In my dream, there was a huge, humongous monster. It opened its gaping, blood-red maw, and snap—it swallowed me in one bite!" Lingwei, suddenly recalling the nightmare she had last night, was eager to share the experience with Little Taro.

Little Taro’s curiosity was piqued, and she stopped crying. "Miss, what did the monster look like?"

Lingwei spread her hands to form a large circle. "Well, its eyes were this big, and its body was this big! It also had a long, black tail. It swished that big tail around and caught me. I couldn't run away no matter how hard I tried."

Little Taro asked curiously, "Miss, what did the monster look like?"

The little one hung her head and thought for a long while before saying, "Like... like a monkey! Yes, like a monkey, with its mouth wide open, swallowing me in one gulp."

Little Taro and the little one went back and forth, forgetting they had been crying, and began to discuss the nightmare with great enthusiasm. Mother Wang watched the two little ones chatting away, feeling helpless. Children were as fickle as the weather—crying one moment and laughing the next.

Seeing the water in the basin had gone cold, she resignedly carried it out.

As soon as Mother Wang stepped outside, Zhao Meng hurried up to her. "Sister Wang, the little mistress, is she..."

Mother Wang couldn't help but smack him on the forehead twice. "You're a grown man, how have you not gained an ounce of sense? Look what you’ve done, you’ve frightened the little mistress!"

"Sister Wang, I was just worried! Once I heard the little mistress crying, I forgot everything else." Being a big, burly man, Zhao Meng brushed his short hair back in embarrassment.

Mother Wang looked at Zhao Meng with suspicion for a moment. "Are you hiding something from me, kid? You never go near the little mistress’s chambers. Why this morning? Out with it!"

"Sister Wang, don't... let go..." Zhao Meng let out an odd cry as his ear fell into her grasp. "Alright, I'll talk, I'll talk, okay? Let go first."

Mother Wang released him, half-believing, and with a few quick movements, Zhao Meng vanished from sight. Mother Wang stomped her feet in anger. "You rascal! Just wait until I get my hands on you!"

At midnight that evening, a somber-faced youth stood once again by the little one's bedside. He looked with jealousy at the small figure sleeping soundly, blowing bubbles from her lips. His inner discontent only grew; how could this silly girl sleep so soundly without him by her side?

That night, he had tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He changed his position, swapped his pillow, changed his quilt, and changed his undergarments, but no matter what he did, he couldn't fall asleep.

In his agitation, he suddenly remembered the previous night. He didn't know what kind of magic the little girl possessed, but as soon as he thought of her sleeping face, a voice in his heart urged him to come to her.

He followed his heart and arrived here, only to see the little fool had kicked off her quilt again. A wave of irritation washed over him; with her sleeping so restlessly, what would happen if she caught a cold tomorrow?

The proud youth found a convenient excuse for himself, happily took off his boots, and wrapped his arms around the little one, sharing the quilt. Within a few breaths, his mind began to grow hazy, and a long-lost drowsiness swept over him. So, the little fool had a sleep-inducing effect after all.

As the first ray of morning sunlight hit the window sill, the youth opened his bright, sharp eyes and looked at the little one, who was sleeping in a total mess. As he watched, he felt inexplicably more agitated. How could he, in all his dignity... be unable to sleep without this wet-behind-the-ears little brat? He made a secret vow: he would absolutely not come back tonight!

The next night, at midnight, the youth arrived at the little one’s bedside, huffing and puffing with dark circles under his eyes. He truly wondered if the little fool had drugged him, as he had been unable to sleep at all! This was the last night he would sleep here! The very last time! If he couldn't stick to his word, he would punish himself to be a henpecked husband for the rest of his life!

Being a henpecked husband was the most useless thing imaginable! He hated such men the most. How could a real man be wrapped around a little woman's finger? The world belonged to men, and men belonged to the world! The youth swore to himself in secret!