Yao Zuizui felt it was truly a miracle.
Despite the torment from Suhei throughout the night, the child was born safely.
Giving birth for the first time was excruciatingly painful.
Yao Zuizui had never imagined that childbirth could be such a difficult and technical ordeal.
Showing up alone at the hospital, enduring the pitying gazes of doctors, nurses, and other patients—”Look at that young girl, pregnant out of wedlock and coming alone to give birth”—was one thing, but the pain was even worse than when she underwent tribulations in her cultivation!
Yao Zuizui had always been lazy in her cultivation precisely because she feared the agony of tribulations. This was the first time she realized there was something even more painful than that.
Had she known earlier, she would never have agreed to have a child. Let whoever wanted to bear children do it!
But now she was already in the delivery room, her water broken, and she could even feel the baby’s head struggling to emerge, eager to see the sunlight of this world.
What else could she do?
Push!
Following the doctors’ and nurses’ instructions, Yao Zuizui adjusted her breathing, her forehead damp with sweat-soaked strands of hair.
Around her, the medical staff were fully covered in sterile attire, professional and composed.
Behind a long blue-and-white curtain on the other side of the delivery room, another woman was also in labor.
That mother-to-be sounded just as much in pain as Yao Zuizui.
Yet, she was different.
Different because her husband was by her side.
Not long ago, Yao Zuizui had clearly heard him pleading with the doctors, begging to be allowed in to accompany his wife.
Now, Yao Zuizui, dazed from the pain, could only catch faint silhouettes cast on the curtain.
The man’s voice wasn’t particularly pleasant—just an ordinary one among countless others.
Yet it was so tender, filled with boundless heartache and helplessness.
“Darling, you can do it! I can see the baby’s head!”
“Sweetheart, you’re working so hard! Once the baby’s born, I’ll take you out for crayfish and crab, and to Disneyland!”
“Love, if only I could bear the pain for you. Bite me if it hurts! I don’t mind—bite as hard as you can!”
Yao Zuizui could imagine the man’s forehead bulging with veins from anxiety.
Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming sadness.
It was as if a peeled lemon had been placed in her heart, its transparent, sour juice endlessly trickling inside.
Perhaps it was the unbearable pain, or the ten months of pregnancy, or the bond that had formed.
In this world, her emotions weren’t as impenetrable or detached as before.
She seemed to have become an ordinary woman, longing for her husband’s care during pregnancy, wishing he could stay by her side during childbirth.
But she had nothing.
Alone, she had gone for prenatal checkups with her swollen belly.
Now, she lay alone on a cold bed, with only a team of dedicated doctors and nurses fulfilling their duty to deliver her baby.
Unable to hold back, fat tears rolled down Yao Zuizui’s cheeks.
Even the strongest fairy has moments when she can’t endure anymore.
Like now.
The doctors and nurses were focused on the baby’s arrival—its head was already visible, and with a little more effort, the doctor could touch its warm little skull.
Unbeknownst to Yao Zuizui, her tears vanished before they could even soak into the sheets, evaporating into thin air.
Lost in the pain, she pushed with all her might, and soon, the baby was born.
The labor hadn’t lasted too long, but the tears she shed surpassed what she had cried in a hundred thousand years in the immortal realm.
The doctor cheerfully showed her the baby. “It’s a boy.”
Exhausted, Yao Zuizui took a look and, in the midst of her emotional rollercoaster, burst into laughter. “So ugly.”
Having lived for over a hundred thousand years without ever feeling weathered, Yao Zuizui suddenly felt aged after childbirth.
During labor, she had regretted keeping the baby, but the moment she saw him, all regret vanished.
Maybe becoming a mother changes everything.
Yao Zuizui sighed, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.
She thought of her own mother, and the tears she had just managed to stop threatened to fall again.
She didn’t know where her mother was now, but she missed her terribly…
After giving birth, Yao Zuizui didn’t stay long in the hospital and soon checked into a postnatal care center.
Without a doting husband or mother-in-law, and with no experience in childcare, Yao Zuizui booked herself into the best postnatal center available.
Whether Suhei had a sudden pang of conscience or found the center too difficult to infiltrate, he didn’t show up for an entire month.
Yao Zuizui spent the month happily, aside from the occasional worry that he might appear in the middle of the night to pin her down again.
He was truly outrageous—even attacking her the night before her due date.
Didn’t he care about hurting the baby?
Holding her little one, Yao Zuizui felt nothing but relief and adoration.
The baby’s eyes were round and clear, like the sweetest grapes, making her heart melt.
His skin was so tender she barely dared to touch it, afraid her fingerprints might scratch him.
His tiny hands and feet were delicate and pink, so perfect she could play with them all day.
Surrounded by overwhelming happiness, Yao Zuizui floated in an ocean of maternal love, losing track of time.
Even when idle, the mere thought of her baby made her smile, and she’d roll over to cradle him, teasing his little nose.
The only downside was that the baby was still too young, sleeping around the clock and offering little interaction.
But Yao Zuizui adored him nonetheless, unable to bear being apart for even a moment.
After all, he was a piece of her own flesh.
On their first night back from the postnatal center, Yao Zuizui fed the baby and fell asleep with him in her arms, as usual.
A month had passed, and she still hadn’t named him—she wanted Suhei to do it.
This was his child too; he should at least fulfill some paternal duty. Did he think contributing a few tadpoles was enough?
Lulled by the baby’s sweet milky scent, Yao Zuizui drifted into a peaceful sleep.
…
When she opened her eyes, she found herself lying in a coffin.
A coffin spacious enough for two, with room to spare.
Square and sturdy, its lid bore the carving of an ancient, ferocious beast.
Startled, Yao Zuizui turned her head.
Suhei was there too, lying beside her, his dark eyes fixed on her.
The coffin was sealed, illuminated only by two faintly glowing pearls embedded in the walls.
In the dim light, Suhei’s already pale skin looked ghostly, his obsidian eyes unblinking.
It sent shivers down her spine.
Yao Zuizui shrank back, her back pressing against the cold, hard wood.
“Su-Suhei, your child has been born,” she stammered, grasping for conversation.
“Don’t care,” Suhei replied flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.
He didn’t like the child?!
Yao Zuizui’s anger flared.
How could he not adore such a precious baby?
Before she could protest, Suhei pushed open the coffin lid and stood.
Yao Zuizui hastily grabbed his sleeve and scrambled up.
Outside was just as dark, offering no clarity.
Just as she was about to speak, an elderly woman’s voice cut through the gloom.
“Ah, the bride has arrived! Quickly, girls, get to work!”
Yao Zuizui could see nothing but felt icy gusts of wind seeping into her collar. The darkness outside was even deeper than inside the coffin.
Then, she felt something tugging at her.
Her left arm, then her right.
Her legs, waist, back—all being pulled in different directions by unseen forces, human or ghostly.
Though unsure of what was happening, Yao Zuizui trusted Suhei.
Or rather, after so many worlds, she had unconditional faith in the Demon King.
He wouldn’t harm her without reason.
So she let herself be led forward.
Within five steps, the scenery shifted.
She was suddenly inside a grand, blood-red hall.
The space was vast, empty except for crimson veils fluttering between the beams.
No furniture, save for a single vanity.
A red vanity, its mirror pristine.
Behind her stood several young women, gazing at her with admiration and envy.
Yao Zuizui scoffed at their obvious envy but allowed them to fuss over her.
They applied the most exquisite makeup.
A touch of vermilion on her forehead, lips painted a striking red, her skin flawless—a beauty unlike any mortal.
Then, they draped her in a lavish red wedding gown, intricately embroidered.
But the gown’s crimson hue unsettled Yao Zuizui.
It was too vivid, too unnatural—not something dye alone could achieve.
The elderly woman, overseeing the preparations, noticed her unease and explained, “Madam, this gown was dyed with the blood of ninety-nine beautiful brides. Had time permitted, the Master intended to use nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine—”
“Enough,” Yao Zuizui interrupted, her face darkening.
Suhei was as wicked as ever.
Yet something felt different.
Before, his cruelty had only disgusted her, making her eager to purify his soul fragments and erase him.
Now, knowing his evil, she couldn’t help but recall the kindness he’d shown her in every world.
Suhei—why was he so cruel? If he was evil, why not be consistent? Why treat her with tenderness?
She didn’t want to dwell on it.
Dressed in splendor, a red veil was placed over her head.
Then, the women ushered her to the next location.
The place was noisy, bustling with the clamor of ghosts, accompanied by the festive music of ancient weddings.
“Master, the bride’s veil has yet to be lifted,” the elderly woman reminded, her voice hoarse with joy.
“Leave it,” Suhei replied coldly.
Confused, Yao Zuizui assumed it was a ghostly custom, like the human tradition of unveiling the bride in the bridal chamber.
Blindfolded, she muddled through the entire underworld wedding ceremony before being dragged into another hall.
Here, at last, it was quiet.
Her veil was yanked off.
Before her stood Suhei, his face as cold and unreadable as ever.
He seemed disinclined to speak, merely staring at her.
To break the silence, Yao Zuizui asked, “Your son still doesn’t have a name. What do you want to call him?”
“Black Cub.”
Suhei’s cub.
Yao Zuizui barely resisted the urge to smack him with a pillow.
Could he be any lazier in naming their child?!
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