Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 116 - 112 Because of love, therefore beautiful

Tian Sangsang placed three bowls of vibrant, aromatic oil-pulled noodles, their colors interwoven in red, green, and white, onto the table in the main room. Just as she was about to call out, Zhao Chun had already come out holding Meng Shuyan, drawn by the enticing smell.

"Come, Shuyan." Zhao Chun gently set Meng Shuyan down on a chair, handed him a pair of chopsticks, and then took a seat himself.

After bringing out three glasses of orange juice, Tian Sangsang softly said, "Let’s dig in."

Turning sideways, she reminded Meng Shuyan, "Son, if you think it’s too spicy, tell Mama, or have some juice, alright?"

Meng Shuyan obediently nodded.

Zhao Chun watched Tian Sangsang, who had calmly picked up her chopsticks and started eating the noodles. Each coarse strand, resembling leek leaves, coated with chili powder, was stimulating his fragile and aggrieved feelings.

Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you remind me? Zhao Chun thought, staring at Tian Sangsang with puppy-like, pitiful eyes.

"What’s wrong with you?" Feeling Zhao Chun’s intense gaze, Tian Sangsang raised her eyes curiously.

Zhao Chun immediately shook his head feebly, lowered his head, and started eating noodles. As he ate, he found the noodles exceptionally tasty—spicy to the extreme. Sipping some orange juice after a bite was truly a unique experience. Indeed, a country woman knows how to live. He thought again, Mom, you really should come and learn from Tian Sangsang. She’s even better at this than city folks.

The difference between having a child and not having a child is this: when the kid can’t eat on their own, the mother has to feed them first before she can take a bite herself. When the kid can eat on their own, you still have to keep a close watch, worried about whatever might happen. Fortunately, Meng Shuyan was always good at feeding himself. Tian Sangsang noticed that he seemed a bit overwhelmed by the spiciness—lips bright red, sticking out his tongue, watery eyes adorably innocent.

All three of them were eating the oil-pulled noodles, overwhelmed by the spiciness. Despite the heat, they couldn’t stop eating—getting more addicted with every bite. Zhao Chun, in particular, kept shoveling noodles into his mouth until his handsome face turned completely red, his eyes flushed, and rivers of tears streamed down like a small creek.

"So, you like your food extra salty, huh? Could’ve told me earlier." Tian Sangsang glanced at him casually.

Zhao Chun froze in place, thinking, I’m clearly crying out of sadness.

The night breeze was gentle, and the sky was filled with stars.

After cleaning up, they relaxed in the courtyard. Tian Sangsang brought out a large wicker chair and settled Meng Shuyan on her lap. The lingering spiciness still tingled on the tip of her tongue, even making her heart feel fiery.

Zhao Chun also dragged out a chair, setting his crutch aside. His sharp facial contours gleamed under the moonlight as he suddenly reached out his hand, saying, "Let me hold Shuyan."

"What, planning to snatch my child?" Tian Sangsang asked.

"Tian Sangsang," Zhao Chun pouted, "It’s my last day here, and you’re still depriving me of my time with Shuyan."

Oh, oh, oh—talking like he’s your son.

Tian Sangsang, feeling annoyed, plopped the little bun into his arms.

Meng Shuyan, curled up into a small bundle, looked at the two of them. With his beautiful little face scrunched up, he didn’t quite know what to say. He could only stick out his tongue, his eyes darting around, "It’s so spicy."

"I’ll tell you a story. Something refreshing and uplifting," Tian Sangsang grinned, flashing her white teeth.

Zhao Chun suddenly had an ominous feeling.

Meng Shuyan beamed, his eyes curving into crescents, "Mama, what story this time? I love stories! Is it another one of those ’365 Tales That Give You Goosebumps’? I really like those!"

"No," Tian Sangsang glanced at his youthful face, then gazed at the deep blue night sky. She said softly, "It’s ’The Little Mermaid.’"

Zhao Chun let out a sigh of relief. He had read ’The Little Mermaid’ before but had never heard someone recount it so earnestly.

"Far out in the sea, the water is so blue—like the petals of the prettiest cornflowers—and so clear, like the most brilliant glass." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"..."

Warm, bright ocean waves—it all looked so glorious.

"She said, ’I don’t care that I can never speak again. To truly love someone means not needing to tell them.’"

"..."

"Where the knife sinks, the waves sparkle red, as though splashes of blood have burst onto the water’s surface. Casting her hazy gaze towards the prince one last time, she leaps into the sea and feels her body dissolve into foam."

"..."

"Now the sun is rising from the sea. Soft, warm sunlight shines upon the cold foam..."

Zhao Chun was an adult, yet on this tranquil, refreshing night in the mountain village, listening to the tale of ’The Little Mermaid,’ his heart felt uneasy. Meng Shuyan, not even four years old, was hearing the story for the first time. He began sobbing, his tiny nose turning red, choking back tears, "The mermaid died—she died."

Yes, she died, for love.

"Mama, why did she have to die? She’s so pitiful—she was such a good person."

You silly child. The universe isn’t merciful to anyone. It won’t spare you just because you’re a good person.

Meng Shuyan’s tear-filled eyes glittered, "I like the mermaid, but I don’t want her to die."

"So would you have wanted the mermaid to stab the prince with the knife?"

Meng Shuyan paused, his dark eyes blinking as he thought. After a long moment, he shook his head, "I wouldn’t want that. If she really stabbed the prince, I wouldn’t like her anymore. She wouldn’t be the mermaid I like."

"That’s right." Tian Sangsang ruffled his hair. Her son’s thoughts were spot on. Smiling softly, she said, "Love is fulfillment, love is sacrifice, love is selflessness. If the mermaid had actually stabbed the prince, the story would lose its meaning. Humans are such conflicted creatures—they wish the mermaid could live but also cherish her kindness. However, for her to live, she must abandon her kindness. Would anyone then remember that version of her?"

"What’s all this talk about love?" Zhao Chun muttered, wiping Meng Shuyan’s tears. "Shuyan, don’t listen to your mom—listen to your uncle instead. This story isn’t about love. It’s telling us that princesses always end up with princes; only those who are equally matched in status can have a happy ending. Cinderella shouldn’t dream unrealistically. Silent sacrifices mean nothing if the prince doesn’t even notice you exist. Humans and fish can’t be together—it’s nonsense. Uncle asks you: can a person and a dog be together?"

Meng Shuyan instantly giggled, "Nope."

Zhao Chun patted his head, "Exactly."

"Woof woof!" Little Milk Tea barked wildly at their feet.

"Zhao Chun," Tian Sangsang sighed and narrowed her eyes at him, "You really take nonsense to a whole new level."

Zhao Chun frowned weakly, "I’m just stating the truth. People and mermaids can’t be together anyway."

You inexperienced boy clearly haven’t watched... *The Legend of the Blue Sea.*

Tian Sangsang pretended to head inside for a bath, but in reality, she went to her secret space for a soak. Feeling refreshed afterward, she planned to fetch some water to wash Meng Shuyan, but when she returned, Zhao Chun was standing at the door, whisper-shouting, "He’s asleep." He gestured toward the sleeping Meng Shuyan cradled in his arms.

He looked so absurd that Tian Sangsang chuckled softly.

Bewildered, Zhao Chun scratched his head: "What are you laughing at?"