I Became the Mother of His Child

Shi Tao was standing there at this moment, having apparently followed along to the boy and girl twins' little bedroom without anyone noticing. He now stood where Song Chengguang had piled up toys for his little brother and sister.

Xu Xiuxiu adored Song Chengguang, and although Song Chengguang's own room was already filled with plenty of toys, he wasn't a selfish child. He happily moved a small portion of his toys to the twins' room, claiming they were for the twins to play with, and Xu Xiuxiu didn't stop him. However, right now, Shi Tao was playing with a rattle in his hand, and his pocket appeared to be suspiciously bulging.

Zhao Nan was aware of Shi Tao's behavior and knew he often helped himself to things without asking. Instantly disapproving, Zhao Nan furrowed his brow. Initially, he intended to ignore him, but he worried that Shi Tao might take something due to his sticky fingers, which would be utterly embarrassing.

"Hey, Shi Tao, that rattle you're holding is my sister's toy, don't touch it." Song Chengguang had actually forgotten he had ever met Shi Tao, but he was always warm and generous with other children. Since Shi Tao was a guest today, and Xu Xiuxiu had told him to treat guests well, Song Chengguang was inclined to comply. However, the rattle Shi Tao held was the one he'd given his sister, and he didn't want to share it with anyone else.

"I want to play with it," Shi Tao clung to the rattle, unwilling to let go. He twisted his body to dodge the hand Song Chengguang extended, and the rattle in his hand made a 'dong dong dong' sound as he did so.

"Why don't you play with the other toys? That toy car is really fun; it can run on its own," Song Chengguang said, his eyebrows knitted together, even taking out a small car to show Shi Tao.

Shi Tao glanced at the toy car, his eyes revealing a longing desire. Toy cars of the present day could be considered luxury toys, and most children surely hadn't played with them—undoubtedly, Shi Tao hadn't either. But for some reason, despite this, Shi Tao was stubbornly refusing to let go of the rattle: "I won't do it." Perhaps Shi Tao was used to snatching toys from Zhao Nan at the military residence; after all, whenever he seized Zhao Nan's toys, they eventually became his own. So, at that moment, he didn't think he was doing anything wrong. Seeing Song Chen trying to take it back, he purposefully refused even more, certain that if he made a big fuss, his mother would definitely indulge him—just like how he'd acquired Zhao Nan's toys.

"Give it back to me," demanded Song Chengguang. Despite being only about four years old, he had his own temper, being the pampered little darling of Xu Xiuxiu. Although he wasn't a child to throw unreasonable tantrums, the toy Shi Tao held was a rattle Song Chengguang had played with before. Xu Xiuxiu had told him about it, and ever since then, he would hold the rattle every night to gently coax the twins to sleep. Often, the twins would fall asleep, and he'd drift off gripping the rattle himself, his dream visits to the Duke of Zhou uninterrupted, yet he remained undeterred. Therefore, Song Chengguang truly valued that rattle.

And now, Shi Tao stubbornly refused to give the rattle back, and the little fellow's temper flared, feeling his property was being usurped.

"I won't give it, I just won't," Shi Tao seemed to be looking for a fight, defiantly yelling at Song Chengguang and then making a contemptuous face at him.

Song Chengguang's small fists clenched in anger.

"Shi Tao, put down the rattle and take out whatever you're hiding in your pocket," Zhao Nan said coldly, his tone filled with menace as he looked at Shi Tao. His dislike for Shi Tao was growing—he was dishonest, annoying to talk to, and simply had an irritating personality.

"I won't, why should I listen to you?" The moment Shi Tao heard Zhao Nan speak up and even demand he reveal what was inside his pocket, he gripped the rattle tighter. Then, covering the bulged pocket of his trousers with his other hand, he huffed and puffed as he turned to run outside.

He believed that a toy in his hand was his, and something stashed in his pocket was naturally his too. Why should he listen to that wild child Zhao Nan? He just wouldn't, wouldn't.

"Shi Tao, stop right there." Zhao Nan's eyes reddened with anger as he quickened his steps to chase after Shi Tao.

"Why should I listen to you?" Shi Tao huffed back at Zhao Nan and stuck out his tongue at him, then made a mocking face by rolling his eyes, "Hmmph, a wild child with no mother." Blatantly cursing, Shi Tao ran down the stairs to the living room on the first floor.

Upon seeing this, both Song Chengguang and Zhao Nan immediately chased out of the nursery, then down to the living room on the first floor, where they found Shi Tao already hiding beside Guo Cuiping. Zhao Nan's face looked very unpleasant, while Song Chengguang also seemed a bit at a loss, only reacting after a moment's delay.

"Mommy." Song Chengguang was always dependent on Xu Xiuxiu and when he entered the living room and saw her sitting at the dining table chatting casually with the group of military wives, he immediately ran to her side and hugged her legs.

"What's wrong?" Xu Xiuxiu knew that whenever Song Chengguang was upset or something had happened, he would seek comfort by hugging her legs. She immediately bent down to soothingly pick up the little guy.

"Shi Tao took my rattle." Song Chengguang pointed accusingly at Shi Tao who was hiding behind Guo Cuiping, his voice filled with grievance.

"You're talking nonsense; I didn't take it." Shi Tao, being older than Chengguang, retorted fiercely at Song Chengguang, then clutched the pockets of his pants even tighter, the very picture of 'hear no evil, see no evil' becoming all too obvious.

The table was occupied by mature individuals, with several military wives who were also mothers, having experience with children. They could usually tell at a glance whether a child was lying or not, especially since Shi Tao's words were clearly in conflict with his thoughts; he stubbornly refused to admit it, but his actions had already betrayed him.

"That one from Lieutenant Colonel Song's family, my Shi Tao has always been well-behaved and obedient. If he says he didn't take it, then he most certainly didn't. Could it be that your Chengguang is mistaken?" Guo Cuiping spoke with a polite tone, but her protective intent was obvious to everyone.

Usually, a sensible parent at such a moment, regardless of whether their child was right or wrong, would first scold their child and then, after finding out what had actually happened, discuss right from wrong. But someone like Guo Cuiping, who defended her child without even asking for his side of the story, was indeed rare.

"Chengguang, tell Mommy what really happened, okay? But no lying, you must tell the truth!" Xu Xiuxiu understood Song Chengguang's personality very well; he wasn't a petty child. Besides, Xu Xiuxiu had never shortchanged Song Chengguang of toys. She had already guessed that the reason for his strong reaction was due to Shi Tao taking the rattle, given that lately, Song Chengguang had been clutching that rattle every day to soothe the boy and girl twins to sleep, acting every bit the good brother.

"He took sister's rattle, and Brother Nan saw it too." Song Chengguang explained for himself, then pointed out his witness.

Upon hearing Song Cheng's testimony, Guo Cuiping immediately turned her gaze towards Zhao Nan who was standing on the side: "Zhao Nan, you are Shi Tao's brother. Out of the three children, you are the eldest. Tell us what you saw. Did you see Shi Tao take Chengguang's rattle?" Guo Cuiping asked, her eyes on Zhao Nan carrying a veiled threat.