Rock Sugar And Pear Stew Bonus Chapter 2

Bonus Chapter 2 – Tang Xue x Li Yubing (Translated and edited by Xing)

Li Yubing proposed to Tang Xue at a very early stage. The proposal was a huge affair and extremely romantic. Numerous people would talk about it bemusedly for years to come.

However, their official wedding was held after Tang Xue became famous and had retired.

A year after marriage, they bore the fruit of their love.

While pregnant, Tang Xue discussed with Li Yubing the issue of having a boy or a girl. When talking about a girl, Li Yubing planned extensively. From the stage of a baby to a grown child, he ruminated over the clothes, food, living conditions, transport, toys and books needed. He also contemplated how a daughter should be raised, taught and protected… it was rare that he was so engrossed.

After he finished speaking, Tang Xue tilted her head to one side and asked curiously, “What if it’s a son?”

Li Yubing startled. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

Tang Xue lost her smile.

Luckily, it was indeed a baby princess that graced them with her presence. Tang Xue nicknamed the baby princess “Jelly”. After hearing this, Li Yubing wiped his sweat furtively. Thankfully, it wasn’t “Eggy”.

——

As a young child, Jelly would sometimes say outrageous things. The deepest impression that Li Yubing had of this was when she was two years old. That year’s Singles’ Day, Tang Xue bought numerous things online. In the following days, Li Yubing would be at home helping her to unwrap her pile of items. Sometimes, Jelly would observe from the side and pipe up with the occasional question, asking curiously what was what.

Every time, Li Yubing would answer the curious baby’s questions with patience.

Then, Jelly asked yet another question. “Can you really buy anything online?”

“Mm, anything you want.” Li Yubing nodded.

Jelly tilted her head to one side. “Anything I want. Then… can I buy another daddy?”

Li Yubing sweated upon hearing her question. He immediately reflected and tried to recall if he had done anything wrong. Was he not a good father? Jelly actually wanted to change her daddy!

After pondering for a good while, Li Yubing was still unable to think of where he could have possibly gone wrong. He looked at her with reproach and asked, “Does Jelly not like daddy?”

“I do. Jelly likes daddy.”

“Then why do you want to buy another daddy? Is daddy not good enough?”

“Mm, I want to try a different daddy.”

“…” This can be tried?

Jelly continued, “Anyway, goods can be returned within 7 days without an excuse for the return.”

Li Yubing put his palm to his forehead when he heard this. “Who did you learn this from?!”

——

When she got a bit older, Jelly became more and more mischievous. Li Yubing felt that it was more appropriate to nickname her “Naughty” instead.

Sometimes when Li Yubing could not stand her rowdiness, he would say, “Look at other people’s kids.”

Jelly would reply, “Look at other people’s daddy.”

Tang Xue stood at the side, her lips quirked.

What made Li Yubing puzzled was that Jelly dared to retort him but not Tang Xue. In fact, Jelly often attempted to please Tang Xue and acted extremely obedient in front of her. Could it be that this child knew who the person on top of the food chain was?

Humph, kids these days are way too pragmatic. ^{Translated by Xing for only teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com.}

When Jelly was around four, five years old, she began to like dressing up. She not only liked to doll up herself but others as well.

Once, Li Yubing was reading in the study room. Jelly sat at the side playing with his hand. He did not take much notice of it. When he finished half the book and lifted his eyes, he saw that the five nails on his hand had been dyed five different colours—just like the bright plumes of a rooster’s tail.

That very instant, Li Yubing had the urge to chop off his hand.

Tang Xue step onto the study room carrying a plate of fruits. When she saw Li Yubing’s brightly-coloured claws, she burst into laughter. “HAHAHAHAHA!”

Li Yubing glared at her. Can’t you leave me a shred of dignity?

At night, Li Yubing wanted to teach Tang Xue a lesson.

While she was leaning against the headboard and fiddling with her phone, he snuck onto the bed soundlessly like a hunter closing in stealthily on his prey.

Tang Xue suddenly lifted her leg and pressed the tips of her toes against his shoulder, stopping his advance.

Li Yubing was slightly startled. He went with the flow and grabbed her ankle, his fingers massaging her smooth skin with languid strokes. His eyes were heated and sparked with mischief. “What’s this?”

“Li Yubing.” Tang Xue did her best to hold back her laughter. “Sorry, but I just can’t get the image of your pink, green and scarlet nails out of my head.”

Li Yubing sank back, his head lowered in defeat. He growled furiously, “Jelly, we’re now enemies for life!”

Tang Xue collapsed onto her pillow in laughter.

……

Tang Xue was no longer amused the very next day.

In the morning, the family of three went to the Wetland Park and had a wonderful time. In the evening, they bought some ingredients on the drive home. Li Yubing’s cooking skills had improved vastly over the years. Both Tang Xue and Jelly loved eating the dishes he cooked.

When they were home, Li Yubing began bustling in the kitchen. Tang Xue took two bulbs of garlic and began peeling it while watching television in the living room. Jelly stood on the sofa and bumbled around her, taking several hair ties and fiddling with Tang Xue’s hair. Tang Xue’s attention was on the drama plot and did not pay much attention to it.

After a while, Li Yubing yelled from the kitchen, “Tang Xue, we’re out of oyster sauce. Go grab one back.”

“Sure.” Tang Xue picked up her phone and keys and left the house.

When she was out, everyone she saw chuckled no matter who they were. Tang Xue felt terribly odd. Though she would often be recognized when she was out, people’s reactions were rarely so enthusiastic like they were now. Was there some special occasion that day?

She picked up the oyster sauce and went home. The moment she stepped into the kitchen, she immediately told Li Yubing, “Li Yubing, is today International Friendship Day or something? Everyone I met was smiling jovially.”

Li Yubing was stir-frying a dish. He turned and glanced at her when he heard her spoke. Immediately, he looked like he saw a ghost. “You….”

Tang Xue was perplexed. “What did I do?”

Li Yubing looked down at the wok, utterly amused. “Take a look in the mirror and you’ll know why the passers-by were smiling.”

Tang Xue began to feel an ominous feeling. She put down the oyster sauce and ran to the mirror. She was shocked with one look. Who was that person in the mirror spotting a tiny braid on the top and both sides of her head? As she kept her hair short, the tiny braids were exceptionally perky and attention-grabbing. It looked as if she had three antennas on her head.

The village fools depicted in dramas were not even half as bad!

Who did it? Who else could it be! ^{This chapter is a labour of love that should not be found outside of teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com.}

Looking in the mirror, Tang Xue hollered with rage, “Jelly, we’re now enemies for life!” After saying this, she rushed out, ready to deal with Jelly.

Li Yubing heard the commotion and rushed over. He trapped Tang Xue in his arms and cast Jelly a look.

Jelly immediately pitter-pattered back into her room.

Li Yubing patted Tang Xue’s back gently to calm her. He soothed, “Here, here. It’s pretty cute.”

“Li Yubing, aren’t you embarrassed to actually say that?”

Li Yubing hid his smile and patted her head. He said, “I’m telling the truth. You’re always cute no matter what.”

——

Jelly had one bad habit—she was a picky eater and loved snacking rather than having proper meals.

Tang Xue wanted to correct this bad habit and planned to starve her for a couple of meals.

Jelly was still quite stubborn after missing lunch. She refused to admit her wrong and proclaimed that she would never eat proper meals again. Tang Xue was infuriated and decided to withhold Jelly’s dinner as well.

After getting into bed for a short while, Li Yubing murmured Tang Xue’s name, “Tang Xue? Tang Xue?”

Feeling that he was up to something, Tang Xue pretended to be asleep and did not respond.

Thus, Li Yubing slipped off the bed with light movements and crept out of the bedroom.

Tang Xue did the same and tiptoed after him.

……

Li Yubing cooked some noodles and made a tomato salad. He had just placed the dishes on the table when Jelly snuck in with a probing look. She sat at the dining table and, despite already knowing the answer, asked, “Daddy, is this for me?”

“Eat up.”

“Thanks, daddy!”

Jelly lowered her head and began scarfing down the food. Li Yubing stood beside her and used his hand to fan the sweat beading on her forehead. He said, “Slow down. Are you afraid of getting scalded?”

“I’m hungry.”

“Oh, so now you’re hungry? You wouldn’t have starved if you apologized to your mom earlier.”

Jelly was unconvinced. “I’m a kid but that doesn’t mean I have no pride!”

“What a headstrong child. Let’s pretend to forget about this tomorrow, shall we? Mommy will pretend to forget this as well and you’ll have to eat properly.”

“Okay.”

“Jelly,” Li Yubing looked at his daughter who was relishing the food. He asked, “Is daddy great or mommy great?”

“Daddy’s great,” Jelly replied instinctively.

Leaning against the wall, Tang Xue scoffed. Her scoff attracted both of their attention. Li Yubing looked at Tang Xue with awkward embarrassment on his face.

Jelly’s reaction was quick. She added immediately, “Mommy’s even better.” She emphasized the word “even” and her eyes took on a resolute shine.

Tang Xue walked over and stroked her tiny head. “All right, eat up. Remember to brush your teeth when you’re done.”

Jelly nodded docilely. “Mm!”

Li Yubing felt utterly defeated. In fighting for affection, he had never won once.

—Rock Sugar and Pear Stew: Full Story—

Fin.

This is an original work of 酒小七 (Jiu Xiaoqi) translated by Tea Fragrance. If you are not reading this at teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation has been reposted without the translator’s consent. Head there for extra content or to leave feedback and comments on the novel translation.

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It’s a girl! Jelly is a mini Tang Xue.

And that’s it! With this, we close the chapter on Tang Xue and Li Yubing’s story. I hope that this has been a fun journey and a good distraction for everyone while it lasted.

As usual, sending lots of good vibes and well wishes to everyone reading this 🙂