1.9

Su Mo felt a wave of inexplicable shame as he heard Yin Yin's soft laughter. His ears gradually turned red, and in his embarrassment, he hurriedly got out of bed, picked up the book, and set it aside.

Just as he placed the book down, a hairdryer was thrust into his hands.

"Help me blow-dry my hair," Yin Yin said, settling on the sofa.

"Ah?" Su Mo was momentarily stunned before quickly recovering. "Okay."

This was the first time Su Mo had ever dried Yin Yin's hair. When they first got married, he had wanted to help, believing it was a husband's duty, but Yin Yin had declined, saying she could do it herself. When Su Mo insisted, she had responded, "Are you so free?" and the matter had been dropped.

Now that Yin Yin was asking him to help, Su Mo couldn't help but smile.

Yin Yin, being a meticulous and straightforward person, had no intention of rejecting his help. She was simply very particular.

As the hairdryer buzzed to life, Su Mo's slender, elegant hands gently ran through Yin Yin's hair. Her hair was thick, smooth, and free of tangles or split ends. Su Mo loved the feeling of it.

The faint fragrance of shampoo lingered as her hair moved, revealing her graceful swan-like neck, which was mesmerizing.

"All done," Su Mo said, feeling a bit awkward again.

"Then go to sleep."

Yin Yin lay down on the bed, and Su Mo joined her. The main lights were off, leaving only the warm, soft glow of the bedside lamp.

"Wait." Just as Su Mo reached to turn off the lamp, Yin Yin stopped him. In the next moment, she curled into him, her body pressing against his neck.

Su Mo looked down into her captivating eyes and was instantly transfixed.

Yin Yin lifted her head and kissed his lips. Su Mo responded by wrapping his arms around her slender waist, stirred by the touch.

"Su Mo, don't call me Ayin anymore," she said softly.

"What should I call you? Wife?" Su Mo's voice was uncertain.

"Remember what you used to call me when we first met?"

"Yes, I remember. Sister Yin Yin, Sister Yin Yin..." The name flowed gently from his lips, full of affection and deep love.

After their intimacy, Su Mo gazed at the woman sleeping peacefully in his arms, feeling a profound sense of contentment, as if the void in his heart was slowly being filled.

He lowered his head, kissed her smooth forehead, and whispered, "Sister Yin Yin, I love you. Before we were married, you were my goddess, my idol. After our marriage, you are my wife, the mother of our child, and the person I will cherish for the rest of my life. I love you."

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The next morning, Su Yuanjin woke up on time and immediately looked for his mother. Su Mo quickly got out of bed and quietly carried him out.

"Mom was tired yesterday and is still sleeping," Su Mo explained.

Su Yuanjin was relieved to find his mother still there but soon his expression changed. He tugged at Su Mo's shirt and whispered, "Dad, do you know what day it is today?"

"I do. It's Dudu's birthday."

Su Yuanjin lowered his head, his eyelashes trembling slightly as he said, "But Mom doesn't know." He had called Yin Yin earlier to remind her of his birthday, hoping she could come home to celebrate with him.

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Seeing the little guy's clearly downcast mood, Su Mo sighed softly.

He guessed that Yin Yin had likely forgotten Dudu's birthday. On Su Yuanjin's previous two birthdays, Yin Yin had been away filming. Su Mo had called to remind her, but she hadn't returned and only sent gifts.

The first two times, Su Yuanjin was still quite young, but now, at three years old, he was more aware and eager to see his mother.

"Why don't we wait for Mom to wake up and then tell her?" Su Mo suggested.

Su Yuanjin shook his head, looking a bit dejected. "Forget it. When the cake comes, I'll eat it with Mom."

With that, Su Yuanjin went to the bathroom.

There was a stool in the bathroom. He, being a bit short, stood on it, squeezed out the toothpaste, and began brushing his teeth with a somber expression.

Su Mo watched with a tinge of sadness.

After brushing his teeth, Su Yuanjin deftly wet a small towel, wrung it out, and started washing his face. He was more aggrieved than angry, as he had heard other children at kindergarten mention how their parents remembered their birthdays and held parties for them.

Su Yuanjin didn't care much about the parties; he just wanted to spend the day with his parents. He wanted them to remember his birthday and give him presents.

But his mother never seemed to remember.

Despite his disappointment and the likely absence of a gift, he still wanted to share the cake with her. The teacher had said that sharing cake on birthdays was a way of giving good wishes to others. Su Yuanjin wanted to wish his mother well.

"You're already three years old, a big boy now," he told himself. "Your mother works hard outside for the family. You need to be understanding."

Feeling somewhat reassured, he emerged from the bathroom after washing up, his mood brightened.

Su Mo, hoping to instill self-reliance, had taught him how to change clothes and make his bed. Although a nanny was present, Su Mo wanted his son to develop independence.

Since it was Dudu's birthday and Yin Yin was home, Su Mo had given Aunt Zhang the day off and was preparing breakfast himself.

Su Yuanjin, in the meantime, was leafing through a picture album in his room.

As he flipped through the pages, he thought about Yin Yin.

"I wonder if Mom is awake," he murmured. He put the album aside, climbed off the sofa, and headed toward Yin Yin and Su Mo's bedroom.

Suddenly, as Su Mo was frying eggs in the kitchen, he heard Su Yuanjin's distressed scream, causing him to nearly drop the egg he was flipping.

He quickly turned off the stove and rushed out of the kitchen.

"What's wrong?"

The little boy emerged from the bedroom, tears streaming down his face. "Dad, Mom is gone. Did she leave again?"

"Impossible," Su Mo said, entering the room to find no one there.

"I looked in other rooms but didn't find Mom. Woo woo…" Su Yuanjin clung to Su Mo's legs, crying and gasping for breath.

"No, Mom definitely didn't leave."

Just then, a voice came from the direction of the front gate: "What's wrong? Dudu, why are you crying?"

Su Yuanjin, hearing the familiar voice, looked up through his tear-filled eyes. He rubbed his eyes and, as they cleared, saw the familiar figure.

(End of this chapter)