Killing Marriage [ABO] - Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Bringing Up the Child
“The police, seeing I was an Alpha and a scientist, were already inclined to trust my account. Plus, that scoundrel’s initial assault on Lili was clearly caught on video, leaving him no room to deny it.”
Shang Liwei reclined comfortably on the sofa, munching on cake as she narrated the day’s events like a seasoned storyteller.
The four adults were currently gathered around the coffee table, enjoying the cake and snacks Zhang Qingyuan had prepared, making room for dessert in their already full stomachs.
Ren Zhong questioned, “The surveillance shows you and Mitong at separate tables, with no interaction. How will you prove your connection?”
“That’s simple,” Shang Liwei, putting on a dramatic show, explained, “Officer, it’s totally normal for girls to have a best friend come along for moral support when meeting a potential match. Mitong wanted to turn him down herself, and I was just discreetly backing her up. What’s wrong with that?”
Conveniently, Shang Liwei’s marriage deferment was nearing its end, meaning she’d face a forced match if she didn’t marry soon.
Rather than being paired with a stranger she had no feelings for, she figured helping Mitong and her daughter was a better option. It also neatly fulfilled Shang Liwei’s personal goal of “doing a good deed daily.”
Mitong humbly lowered her gaze, diligently slicing cake and pouring drinks for Shang Liwei, every action reflecting her profound gratitude.
Her cheeks were flushed, whether from drink or shyness. “That night, Sister Liwei took Lili and me in. I was crying, really lost, thinking how grim my future would be with a match like that.”
“And then, Sister Liwei said…” She looked at Shang Liwei, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Shang Liwei cleared her throat, “Why drag out a problem until divorce when you can just break up?”
“Exactly,” Mitong’s eyes shone with admiration as she looked at Shang Liwei. “Just as Sister Liwei said, he and I were only matched, not married. It’s like a suggested retail price for a convenience store owner; they don’t have to accept it. Neither do I.”
That night, Shang Liwei promptly submitted Mitong’s information to the matching center, expressing strong interest in being paired. Given Shang Liwei’s job, she had preferential matching treatment, so the system naturally prioritized her.
And so, the very next day, the two were swiftly and successfully married.
Zhang Qingyuan chimed in approvingly, “Serendipity truly is an elusive thing. You two really hit the jackpot with the perfect timing, place, and people.”
“Absolutely, Tongtong, Lili, and I were meant to be,” Shang Liwei said, her heart warmed by the sentiment. She happily embraced Mitong beside her, boasting, “I woke up not just with a wife, but a bonus grown-up daughter too.”
Meanwhile, the “bonus grown-up daughter” was currently mimicking a classic Lion King scene, holding Shang Liwei’s ragdoll cat aloft on the sofa armrest, providing a raw, live vocal soundtrack.
“Naaaaaants ingonyama bagithi Baba!”
Graceful?
How could a seven-year-old elementary schooler be graceful?
“Cygnet” was a stage-only persona for Mili; her true everyday self was an unrestrained, mischievous child.
What’s wrong with being good-looking? No matter how beautiful a child is, they’ll make silly faces, play in the mud, burp, fart, and get filthy.
Amidst the warm and harmonious atmosphere, only Ren Zhong truly knew the character of his long-time friend.
Shang Liwei, being completely captivated by beauty, was undoubtedly drawn to Mitong and her daughter’s stunning looks. Otherwise, while she might have defended Mitong at the police station out of a sense of justice, she would absolutely not have invited them into her home, let alone suggested marriage.
“Hakuna Matata!”
The electric wheelchair kept changing directions as Mili sang, zipping around the floor at varying speeds.
Ren Zhong’s wheelchair had become a remote-controlled toy car for the wild child. The excited child, clutching the cat, laughed, sang, and shouted on it.
“Lili, come down now. Don’t break your Uncle Ren’s wheelchair.” Mitong got up to stop Mili.
But Zhang Qingyuan intervened, stopping her. “No, no, that wheelchair is incredibly sturdy. Children are naturally playful; just let her have her fun. I’m sure Uncle Ren wouldn’t mind, would he—’Uncle Ren’?”
He deliberately emphasized “Uncle Ren.”
With words put that way, could “Uncle Ren” possibly refuse?
Ren Zhong, being called “Uncle” for the first time in his life, gave a stiff nod.
Zhang Qingyuan beamed with delight, then turned to relay the “misinformation”: “Lili, your Uncle Ren says you can play freely.”
“Thank you, Uncle Ren! Thank you, Uncle Zhang!” Mili was overjoyed, completely oblivious that her single sentence had simultaneously bruised the egos of two young men.
A certain Uncle Zhang had inadvertently shot himself in the foot, his handsome face contorted into a comically exasperated expression.
Ren Zhong let out a soft chuckle through his nose.
It seemed he wasn’t the only one who minded the new title.
“Oh, right,” Shang Liwei suddenly remembered. “Speaking of which, I need to ask a favor from both of you.”
Ren Zhong, ever loyal, naturally wouldn’t decline. “No problem, what do you need us to do?”
“So, um, can you help us look after the little one for a day tomorrow?” Shang Liwei flashed a triumphant, mischievous grin.
Ren Zhong: “…”
Before he could even voice a refusal, Shang Liwei quickly added, “Words spoken are hard to take back! You just said ‘no problem’!”
Due to the specialized nature of her research, Mitong, as a family member, needed to go to Shang Liwei’s workplace to sign confidentiality and informed consent agreements, and attend an information security briefing for researchers’ families.
The matter was crucial, requiring both of them to be present, leaving them unable to care for Mili temporarily.
Shang Liwei held up three fingers, reassuring him, “It won’t be long, just one day. Just make sure she gets lunch. When I get back tonight, I’ll treat you both to lobster.”
“She was just harassed by that Beta man. Aren’t you worried that two men like us might harbor ill intentions towards her?” Ren Zhong tried to use the excuse of “avoiding impropriety.”
Unexpectedly, Shang Liwei was completely confident in them.
“No, you won’t,” she patted Ren Zhong’s shoulder. “You’re allergic to children, so you can’t bully Lili. Honestly, I’m more worried that when I get back tonight, you’ll have a stroke and we’ll need to call an ambulance for you.”
Zhang Qingyuan let out a very ungracious laugh.
His laughter reminded Ren Zhong. He jabbed his chin toward Zhang Qingyuan and said, “Then you should at least keep an eye on him! A friend’s husband might be an acquaintance, but not necessarily a good person. He’s an adult Alpha, what if…”
“Mr. Ren, I trust you will protect Lili.” Mitong looked into his eyes earnestly. “You are a respected soldier. I believe in your character, and even more so, I believe in your uniform.”
With such words, Ren Zhong had absolutely no grounds to refuse.