In a childâs world, the protagonists were himself and his mom. Dad was a supporting character. At certain times, this assertion was indeed true. For example, right now. Little Wang cared a lot about sleeping with his mom. He didnât want to give up his sleeping spot next to his mom to his dad.
Little Wang couldnât keep any secrets. Even if Song Tingshen told him not to say anything about this to Ruan Xia, after his bath was finished and he climbed onto the bed, he blurted out, âDo you like to sleep with me, or do you like to sleep with Dad?â
Ruan Xia was bewildered by his question.
She forced herself to remain calm and asked him, âWhy are you asking this?â
Little Wang immediately sold Song Tingshen out. With an aggrieved expression, he said, âDad told me to sleep by myself in the future because boys have to be independent, but I know that he just wants to take over my spot. He thinks I donât know!â
Although he was young, it didnât mean that he could see through his dadâs ulterior motive.
Ruan Xia: â...â
They were both adults. Ruan Xia understood why Song Tingshen had said those words to Little Wang.
Their relationship was getting better and better. As long as something unexpected didnât come up, they were on their way to becoming a real couple. Moreover, they were husband and wife in name and lived under the same roof. Song Tingshenâs consideration wasnât without reason.
Ruan Xia wasnât an experienced person. Knowing Song Tingshenâs intention, she couldnât help feeling a bit shy. Of course, she still did her best to remain unperturbed in front of Little Wang. âYour dad is right. Boys have to be more independent. Itâs not like you can continue sleeping with Mom once youâre a big kid. That wouldnât be good.â
Little Wang was nervous. âMom, you donât want me to sleep with you either?â
âThatâs not it. Itâs just that your dadâs starting point is good. Itâs true that you canât continue sleeping with Mom once youâre older. Youâll have to sleep alone then.â Ruan Xia thought it over and added, âPeople will laugh at you if you continue to sleep with Mom when youâre older.â
Little Wang saw through her. âYou want to sleep with Dad?â
Ruan Xia: â...â
Did he have to ask such a straightforward question?
Little Wang simply lay down on the bed and rolled around. With his butt in the air, he harrumphed. âBoth of you donât want to sleep with me. You think Iâm a little light bulb and want to get rid of me.â
(T/N: Light bulb is the Chinese equivalent of a third wheel.)
Little Wang was stating the truth.
Ruan Xia took advantage by patting his fat butt. âYouâre not just a little light bulb. Youâre clearly an infrared heater.â
Little Wang wiggled his butt. âSo I can only sleep alone?â
âFor now, not necessarily. In the future, definitely.â
Little Wang looked as if there was nothing to live for.
Ruan Xia took this opportunity to educate him. âYouâre still young now. No one will say anything if you sleep with Mom. But when youâre older, people will laugh at you. Although Iâm your mom, our genders are different. Isnât that right?â
â... Yeah.â
Whether it was Song Tingshen, Ruan Xia, or the kindergarten teacher, they all instilled gender difference awareness in children at every opportunity.
So, Little Wang also knew that since he was a boy and mom was a girl, they couldnât keep sleeping together.