Chapter 382: Xie Three

Translator: CokeZero Editor: Rainystars

Lu Jiao immediately declined, “No.”

Xie Yunjin playfully clutched his chest, as if he had been hurt.

This act caused the four little ones to think that he was experiencing heart pain. They quickly rushed up, concerned, “Is Daddy’s heart hurting? Let me give you a massage.”

“Let mommy check what’s wrong with you.”

“Daddy, how about I tell you a story? Mommy said it distracts you and makes the pain feel less.”

The Fourth Born chimed in, “Daddy, how about I sing you a song? Mommy said my singing is very pleasant and listening to it makes you feel better.”

Observing the children react so anxiously due to a simple action, Xie Yunjin was about to speak to reassure them, but unexpectedly, the First Born suddenly turned to Lu Jiao.

“Mommy, daddy isn’t feeling well. Can you sleep with him tonight?”

Xie Yunjin’s words were halted instantly, and he turned his gaze toward Lu Jiao with an eager expression.

With a touch of exasperation, Lu Jiao rolled her eyes at him, then shifted her attention to the four little ones who were staring at her in anticipation.

She noticed that in the past few days, as she and Xie Yunjin had been getting along well, the four children were visibly happier and in better spirits.

Even though they seemed fine on the surface before, and the four children didn’t appear to have noticed any problems between their parents, the children were sensitive, and even if they didn’t voice it, they could sense something amiss in their parent’s relationship.

Now that she had given Xie Yunjin a chance and their interactions were positive, the four children could clearly feel the difference. Their current happiness was genuine.

Now that she had given Xie Yunjin a chance and their interactions were

positive, the four children could clearly feel the difference. Their current happiness was genuine.

Seeing her four little ones like this, Lu Jiao’s heart softened, especially when she recalled their past when they were frail and weak.

She addressed the children, “Alright, but just this once. If your dad tries to play tricks again, we will ignore him for ten days and not talk to him.”

Upon hearing Lu Jiao’s playful words, the four children immediately smiled and turned to tease Xie Yunjin.

“Daddy, did you hear that? You’re not allowed to play tricks next time. If you do, we won’t talk to you for ten days.”

“Yeah, and then mommy will sleep with us for ten days.”

Xie Yunjin glared at the Second Born, wondering what kind of cheeky kid he was. Snatching his wife like this and feeling so justified.

Third and Fourth Born, hearing Second Born’s words, immediately raised their hands in agreement. “That’s right, if daddy plays tricks again, we’ll sleep with mommy for ten days.”

The two little ones seemed quite pleased with the idea.

Lu Jiao, with a rather exasperated expression, watched the group of people in the room. Was she doomed to accompany them in bed all the time?

“Alright, it’s getting late. Hurry up and go to the back courtyard to wash and sleep. You still have classes tomorrow.”

The four children immediately came over and hugged Lu Jiao, taking the opportunity to kiss her cheek. “Good night, mommy.” “We’re going to sleep now.” “See you tomorrow.”

“Love you.”

As she watched her lively and adorable four children, Lu Jiao’s face was constantly filled with smiles. However, as soon as the four little ones left, her expression turned cold as she stared at Xie Yunjin.

Xie Yunjin immediately admitted his mistake with a docile tone, “I was wrong. I won’t do that again.”

Lu Jiao scolded him without holding back, “Are you three years old? Still acting up? If that’s the case, I should just call you ‘Xie Three’.”

Xie Yunjin fixed his gaze on Lu Jiao with clear, bright eyes and said, “If I can sleep together every day, then ‘Xie Three’ it is.”

Lu Jiao rolled her eyes at his response and looked at him, exasperated. Xie Yunjin then quickly revealed a pleasing smile and said, “Don’t be upset anymore and come to bed. Actually, I asked you to stay tonight because I have something to talk to you about.”

Seeing him look genuinely serious, Lu Jiao’s irritation subsided. She walked over and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Thinking he was going to discuss something important, she was quite serious.

However, to her surprise, Xie Yunjin asked, “I want to know how men in your era interacted with women.”

Lu Jiao didn’t know what to say for a moment. She thought he was going to talk about something significant, but he ended up asking about this?

Lu Jiao couldn’t help but grit her teeth, “Xie Yunjin, are you itching for trouble?”

After saying that, she reached out and pinched the flesh on Xie Yunjin’s arm without hesitation.

Xie Yunjin endured the pain in silence.

Lu Jiao only pinched him to vent her frustration, and since he didn’t make a sound, she let go.

“Next time, don’t act like this.”

Xie Yunjin nodded in agreement, “Alright, I won’t. Then can you tell me how men and women interacted in your era?”

He really wanted to know. This way, he would understand how to get along with Lu Jiao and where her boundaries were.

Seeing his persistence and his lack of objection, Lu Jiao got into bed beside Xie Yunjin and began to talk about her past.

“In our era, men and women were considered equals.”

“Equals?”

Xie Yunjin was very surprised. While women in the Great Zhou Dynasty had relatively higher status, they still lived in dependence on men. In families, decisions were made by men. For example, his father could divorce his mother whenever he pleased.

This constant disparity in status between men and women had caused such low status for women.

Lu Jiao turned to Xie Yunjin and asked, “Do you want to hear this or not? If you do, then don’t interrupt.”

“Alright, I won’t interrupt.”

Xie Yunjin reached out and held Lu Jiao’s soft hand, finding it incredibly comfortable to touch. He loved holding her hand in his palm.

Lu Jiao allowed him to hold her hand. She looked up at the canopy above and began to speak slowly.

“In our era, women could also go out to earn money and support the family. Some women were even more capable than men. Many important leaders in the country were women. So, isn’t it normal for men and women to be considered equals? Women could earn money, support the family, have children, and take care of them. Therefore, they held an equal status with men.”

Listening to this, Xie Yunjin was amazed. This time, however, he stayed silent and didn’t interrupt.

He couldn’t believe this. Women went out to make money? Many leaders were women?

Though he couldn’t really imagine such a time, he understood that only that kind of era could have shaped someone like Lu Jiao, making her so capable and different from the women in his era, who only knew about domestic affairs.

Thinking deeply, Xie Yunjin softly asked, “Jiaojiao, how did men and women who liked each other in your era interact?”

“They would go on dates, have meals together, go shopping, watch movies, and sometimes even travel. But the most important thing was that men and women were considered equals.”

As Lu Jiao spoke, she suddenly turned her gaze toward Xie Yunjin in the bed.

“I don’t know if we’re suitable for each other. Because I grew up in that era, I can’t act like the women in this era, who treat their husbands as everything. Many times, I can make my own decisions. I won’t always ask you and let you decide. Also, I have my own career.”

“I’ll often go out to handle things. Can you accept all of this?”

Lu Jiao didn’t mention the predestined wife part from the novel.

Listening to her, Xie Yunjin felt a little panicked, afraid that Lu Jiao would take back the opportunity she had given him.

He held Lu Jiao’s hand tightly and said earnestly, “Jiaojiao, I’ve known what kind of person you are from the beginning. I’m sure I can accept you the way you are. However, when you first arrived, I made quite a fool of myself.

At that time, I knew you were not the original her, but because of your various concerns for me, I suspected that you liked me. I even thought about giving you a chance. Now that I think about it, you were just doing what you thought was right..”