Chapter 1228: Let’s Do Our Best To Be Kids

Today, at long last, Huang Fei had finally seized the opportunity.

Just as Huang Fei had long observed, the only time the usually hawk-eyed Xu family ever let their guard down was when Xu Sheng paid a visit to the Su household. During those rare, golden hours, no one tracked his every move.

That thought alone made her feel a surge of jealousy so fierce it bordered on irrational. Why was the Xu family so friendly with the Su family? What had they done to deserve such goodwill?

But there was no time to ponder the politics of affection now. Threatened and restricted by the Xu family’s iron grasp, Huang Fei had precious few moments to reconnect with her son. She had to make every second count.

“Xu Sheng,” she said urgently, crouching to meet his gaze, her voice trembling just slightly, “listen to Mommy, okay? Your father… he wants to divorce me. But Mommy—Mommy won’t let that happen. Not for your sake. You have to help me, do you understand? Go tell your father—”

Xu Sheng blinked, her words hitting him like a slap.

So it was true.

His father had spoken of “adult matters” not long ago. He’d gently but firmly told Xu Sheng that grown-up decisions weren’t for children to meddle in. Xu Sheng had nodded at the time, not entirely understanding. Now he realized—his father had been preparing him for this. The divorce. Setting the stage, so he wouldn’t interfere.

And in truth, what could he do? The more he listened to his mother, the more lost he felt. She always seemed to have her reasons. Always made herself the victim. And yet… she never acknowledged her faults.

Xu Sheng didn’t understand why his mother always had to drag him into things. Why she forced him to shoulder burdens far beyond his years. Every time he saw her, it was as though she demanded something of him—something heavy and complicated.

He was tired. Tired of being the bridge between two adults whose cracks had long since deepened into a chasm.

Only now, in this moment of clarity, did he finally realize: he had always been the one his mother expected to behave perfectly, to perform, to fulfill her expectations. But she had never held herself to the same standard. Her mistakes had stacked up like unread letters. Her apologies never came.

Ever since leaving her side, life—even if a little lonelier—had felt lighter, like a room with all the windows open.

The truth, which he had buried for so long, finally surfaced: he didn’t really want to go back to her. Over time, he had come to terms with something he had likely known deep down all along.

His mother didn’t love him the way mothers were supposed to love their sons.

He had always been her pawn. Her bargaining chip. Her trophy. Everything but her child.

And this time—this time—he wasn’t going to help.

Just then, the sound of laughter and footsteps approached. Su Li, tugging Gao Ming by the wrist, came racing around the corner.

“There you are!” Su Li cried out. But the moment he saw who Xu Sheng was speaking with, he stopped short. His voice pitched with surprise. “Auntie Huang Fei? What are you doing here?”

Huang Fei flinched. For a heartbeat, she thought she’d been discovered by the Xu family’s people. But when she saw it was only the Su and Gao boys, she let out a breath, narrowed her eyes, and pulled Xu Sheng aside one last time.

“Don’t forget what I told you,” she whispered, her grip tightening on his arm. “Repeat every word to your father, exactly as I said. Remember, Mommy is counting on you.”

Then she disappeared down the narrow path behind the melon trellis, like a shadow vanishing into dusk.

Xu Sheng stared after her until she was gone, his eyes glassy with tears. He wiped them away with the back of his hand, picked up his ball, and ran back to join Su Li and Gao Ming.

When he returned home that evening, he said nothing about the encounter.

He wasn’t going to help his mother. But neither would he expose her.

She already seemed to be living a life far removed from the one she used to have—her fall from grace unmistakable. That was punishment enough.

As Su Li once told him: We’re still kids. Let’s just do our best to be kids for now.

That night at the Su residence, it was time for Teddy’s midnight feeding.

Gu Zi glanced toward Su Shen as she unbuttoned her blouse, her voice sharp and commanding. “What are you looking at? Out. Wait outside.”

Su Shen rubbed the bridge of his nose and obediently slipped out of the room.

This had become a familiar routine. Every time she breastfed, Gu Zi made him leave. She didn’t want anyone around—even her husband. And while Su Shen respected her boundaries, there was still that trace of grievance lingering in his heart.

‘Even I’m not allowed?’ he thought a little glumly. What kind of husband gets kicked out of the nursery?

Later that night, when the house was quiet and the city beyond their windows had long since gone to sleep, Su Shen lay in bed holding Gu Zi in his arms. And yet, neither of them could quite fall asleep.

At some point, he noticed Gu Zi squirming.

Eventually, she sat up, wincing in pain, her expression contorted. She clutched at her breasts and let out a small gasp.

They were engorged, heavy with milk, and aching.

She touched one gingerly and felt the telltale hardness beneath her fingers. Teddy had missed a feeding earlier in the evening, and the milk had clearly started to accumulate.

Looking over at her baby—fast asleep, blissfully unaware—she knew she couldn’t wake him. That would be cruel.

Su Shen noticed her distress immediately. He remembered what the doctor had once said about postpartum mothers and engorgement. If needed, the husband could help relieve the pressure.

His face flushed.

He met Gu Zi’s eyes, and it was clear—they both understood.

During her pregnancy, there had been times when he had helped. Discreetly. Tenderly. Now, seeing her so clearly in pain, he couldn’t just stand by.

Gu Zi was hesitant at first, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. But the pain soon outweighed her modesty. She leaned over, kissed Su Shen lightly on the lips, and whispered, “Help me.”

Su Shen said nothing. He gently undid her blouse, easing the fabric away.

With the utmost care, he took her breast into his mouth, drawing the milk out slowly, carefully, not wanting to hurt her. Her breathing eventually softened. Her body relaxed.

After what felt like a small eternity, the woman in his arms finally drifted off, her breathing smooth and peaceful once again.

Su Shen looked down at her sleeping form and brushed a kiss across her forehead. His eyes were full of tenderness, but also a tinge of helplessness.

Silently, he slipped out of bed and padded to the bathroom.

He turned on the faucet and took a long, cold shower.

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