Chapter 86: I Can Fly Now

The next morning, when Tao Ming opened her eyes, she found herself alone in bed again. From outside, she could hear the soft sounds of laughter—“Ha ha ha,” “So much fun.”

After washing up, she hesitated for a long time but finally decided on a short-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sneakers. After all, she was back in her own home—no need to be so formal, right?

Pushing the door open, she was nearly frightened out of her wits by the scene before her. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest!

There was Ruanruan, limbs flailing, floating back and forth in midair. Instinctively, Tao Ming dashed beneath her, arms outstretched, ready to catch her.

Ruanruan spotted Tao Ming and called out joyfully, “Mommy, look! I can fly! This is so much fun!”

Only then did Tao Ming realize, belatedly, that the courtyard was filled with people, all smiling as they watched Ruanruan. Just as she was about to ask what on earth was going on, a soft voice called from above, “Mommy, catch me!”

Something furry launched itself off Ruanruan’s back and leapt into Tao Ming’s arms.

The force sent Tao Ming stumbling back a few steps before she steadied herself. Looking down, she saw Nuonuo had taken on the form of a white tiger. Tao Ming grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and held her aloft, scolding, “That’s too dangerous! What if you fell?”

Nuonuo wriggled her paws in protest, twisting and turning but unable to escape Tao Ming’s grasp. At last, she replied obediently, “Ruanruan and I felt bored after breakfast, and Grandpa said he could let us fly for fun. So he used magic to lift us up into the air.”

“I can normally fly in my true form,” she added, “but only half a meter off the ground. This is the first time I’ve flown so high—it’s amazing!”

Tao Ming looked up and, upon careful observation, finally noticed the currents of wind swirling around Ruanruan.

Relieved, she glanced around the courtyard to see Qin Siyu, Tao Sisi, Doukou, Dingxiang, and Qingdai present, but no sign of Su Nanxing. She asked, “Where’s Dad?”

Nuonuo replied, “Daddy’s getting things ready. He said we’re going to the Su family today.”

Tao Ming acknowledged with a soft “Mm,” cuddled Nuonuo in her arms, and walked over to greet everyone.

“Father, Mother, Auntie, good morning.”

Qin Siyu slowly brought Ruanruan back down to the ground, and Tao Sisi caught her, laughing, “It’s been ages since we’ve had so much fun!”

Ruanruan, disgruntled, pouted, “But I haven’t had enough flying yet!”

Tao Ming reached out and flicked Ruanruan’s forehead, admonishing, “You nearly scared me to death, you little rascal!”

Ruanruan covered her forehead and protested, “You’re not allowed to hit me!”

“Did I hit you?”

“You hit my head!”

“Come here, I’ll show you what real hitting is!”

Tao Sisi carried Ruanruan out of Tao Ming’s reach, chiding, “What kind of mother are you?”

Tao Ming chased after them, feigning an attempt to swat Ruanruan’s backside, sending Ruanruan squealing, “Grandma, run faster! Don’t let Mommy catch me!”

After a while, Tao Ming was out of breath, gasping, “You’re all ganging up on me because I’m weak!”

Nuonuo nestled in Tao Ming’s arms, feeling her heart pounding fast, and called out, “Ruanruan, Mommy’s heart is beating so quickly!”

Ruanruan wriggled free from Tao Sisi’s arms, ran to Tao Ming, hugged her leg, and looked up in concern, “Mommy, are you okay?”

Tao Ming pretended to be unsteady on her feet. “Oh dear, I’m so dizzy! And I haven’t had breakfast yet!”

Ruanruan let go and dashed away, shouting over her shoulder, “You’re not convincing at all!”

Tao Ming could only sigh inwardly.

Leaving the two little ones to play in the courtyard with the others, Tao Ming sat down quietly to eat breakfast, thinking to herself that having others help look after the children wasn’t so bad after all.

After a while, Su Nanxing’s voice drifted in from outside the courtyard, “Father, Mother, is Mingming awake?”

Tao Sisi answered, “She’s awake, eating.”

Su Nanxing entered and saw Tao Ming raising her bowl to drink her porridge. He teased, “Don’t you have a spoon?”

Tao Ming tipped her head back, drained the last of the porridge, and said, “This is so much more satisfying! And no one’s watching right now.”

Su Nanxing walked over, wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind, and pressed a kiss on her head. “I’m taking you back to the Su family.”

Tao Ming’s heart tightened. “What if I’m a little scared?”

“Only ugly brides are afraid to meet their in-laws. What are you worried about?”

Tao Ming looked up at Su Nanxing. “Everyone says mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies. Of course I’m scared.”

“Then why weren’t you afraid of your mother-in-law on Earth?”

Tao Ming thought for a moment. “That was modern society—even if she was fierce, the worst she could do was scold me. It’s different here. I might get slammed into a wall with one palm and never be dug out again.”

Su Nanxing laughed. “My mother isn’t that violent. Don’t worry, she’ll definitely like you.”

Tao Ming was noncommittal and pointed at her clothes. “Is it okay if I wear these?”

Su Nanxing had her step out for inspection, circled around her, and saw how the fitted clothes accentuated her curves—a sight to behold. He shook his head. “Not suitable. Better change.”

“But no one in the courtyard said anything when they saw me just now!”

“They all lived in other worlds before. Of course they won’t say anything.”

Resigned, Tao Ming obediently changed, bid farewell to Qin Siyu and Tao Sisi, gathered the two little ones, and followed Su Nanxing out of the small courtyard.

A carriage was waiting at the gate, with Feng Ying standing by. When Su Nanxing appeared, Feng Ying asked, “Ready to go?”

Tao Ming glanced at Feng Ying in surprise. “You really are capable! Not only do you kill people, you drive the carriage too?”

Feng Ying’s mouth twitched, but he said nothing.

Su Nanxing helped the two children onto the carriage, then turned and lifted Tao Ming up as well. “I asked Father to let him come—since you’re more familiar with him.”

“I don’t feel familiar with him at all!” Tao Ming said, eyeing Feng Ying’s frosty expression and feeling as if the temperature around them had dropped several degrees.

Feng Ying shot her a glance, then silently took his seat at the front, turning his back to her.

Tao Ming, taking the hint, climbed straight into the carriage. Su Nanxing lowered his voice and said to Feng Ying, “That’s my wife. Can’t you say a few more words to her?”

Feng Ying replied, “Fine.”

Su Nanxing clapped his shoulder and got into the carriage as well.

Tao Ming sidled up to Su Nanxing and whispered, “Is that guy outside interested in you?”

Su Nanxing looked bewildered. “What do you mean, interested?”

Tao Ming waggled her brows suggestively. “You know what I mean!”

Su Nanxing glared at her, exasperated. “What goes on in that head of yours all day?”

Tao Ming gave a sheepish laugh, looked around the carriage, and complained, “I don’t even know what the Qin residence looks like, and now I’m back on a carriage again!”

Su Nanxing consoled her, “I’ll take you and the children for a good tour of the Su residence later.”

Ruanruan piped up, “Daddy, I want to go to the playground. It’s been so long since we’ve gone.”

Su Nanxing gathered Ruanruan onto his lap and coaxed her, “How about Daddy sets up a playground for you?”

“Yes, yes! I want one with a slide and a trampoline! And lots of little balls!”

Ruanruan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at Su Nanxing.

He readily agreed, adding, “Let’s make two slides—one straight, one spiral.”

Ruanruan called out to Nuonuo, “Nuonuo, what do you want?”

Nuonuo thought for a moment. “I want a sandbox, so I can build sandcastles.”

“And some buckets and little shovels!” Ruanruan added quickly.

Su Nanxing began to describe it for them: “A huge playground, with slides, a trampoline, a sandbox...”