Madam, Please Behave
Chapter 434: The End

September 1st.

Summer vacation passed by in the blink of an eye. Before anyone realized it, the new semester had already arrived. As a father, Liu Changqing woke up early to buy breakfast.

After preparing everything, he went to wake his still-sleeping wife.

His mother-in-law had returned home over a month ago, and two days prior, Zhou Shiyan had also come back from City B to stay with them. In every sense, Liu Changqing was now Zhou Shiyan's guardian—an arrangement agreed upon after discussions with Lan Yixian.

The bathroom door opened, revealing Zhou Shiyan who had just finished washing up. She happened to run into Liu Changqing, who had just come out of the bedroom after waking his wife.

Both froze momentarily.

Looking at the girl who might very well become his future daughter-in-law, Liu Changqing gave her a warm smile.

"Go eat breakfast, I've already prepared everything."

"Thank you, Uncle Liu."

Her politeness remained unchanged, making Liu Changqing glance at her a few more times.

Perhaps it was because they hadn’t seen each other in a while, but ever since Zhou Shiyan arrived two days ago, Liu Changqing noticed something different about her.

She seemed… taller.

And…

Was she a late bloomer?

Compared to when he had sent her and her mother off at the train station, Zhou Shiyan now looked noticeably different. Her signature long black hair, which she usually wore loose, was now tied up, revealing her fair neck, giving her a fresh and neat appearance.

Though her expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever, she seemed much more mature now.

Maybe… this was the difference between a middle schooler and a high schooler?

Unable to figure it out, Liu Changqing could only rationalize it this way.

Liu Zhiyue also emerged from his room, heading to the bathroom to wash up. When he saw his father and Zhou Shiyan standing outside the bathroom, he curiously walked over and asked,

"What’s up? Is someone inside?"

"No, go ahead."

"Alright."

With that, Liu Zhiyue turned and entered the bathroom, while Zhou Shiyan headed toward the dining table.

Liu Changqing didn’t linger either. He went straight to his daughter’s room—today was her first day of school as well.

Perhaps still not fully adjusted from summer vacation, Liu Xiazhi remained completely unresponsive to her father’s repeated calls of "Wake up!" as if she hadn’t heard him at all.

Seeing his daughter stubbornly refusing to get up, Liu Changqing didn’t go easy on her.

He strode to the window and yanked the curtains open, allowing sunlight to flood the previously dim room.

Instantly, the bright light made Liu Xiazhi’s soft face scrunch up in discomfort. She instinctively turned away, burying her head under the blanket, determined to keep sleeping.

Watching his daughter’s antics, Liu Changqing sighed helplessly before marching to her bedside and attempting to pull the blanket off.

But… he had underestimated his daughter.

Feeling her father tugging at the blanket, Liu Xiazhi clung to it tightly with both hands, whining in protest.

"Mmm… five more minutes…"

"Get up and eat!"

"I’m not hungry…"

"You little—!"

Hearing his daughter’s declaration of rebellion, Liu Changqing didn’t hold back, yanking the blanket with all his might. However, to his utter surprise, as he pulled, his daughter—still gripping the blanket—was dragged up along with it.

Like a dried-up salted fish.

She swayed slightly in midair.

"……"

Staring at his daughter’s exposed belly, Liu Changqing remained merciless. He scooped her up with one arm and used his free hand to vigorously rub her cheeks.

This rough treatment finally forced Liu Xiazhi awake.

After all… her father wasn’t gentle.

Her face hurt from all the rubbing.

When she finally managed to pry her eyes open, the first thing she saw was her father’s face.

Liu Xiazhi let out a disgruntled whine, but after being plopped back onto the bed, she obediently started putting on the clothes laid out beside her.

As she dressed, her lips remained pouted, clearly unhappy.

But Liu Changqing couldn’t care less about his daughter’s mood. Once his mission of waking her up was complete, he left the room.

By the time he returned from rousing his daughter, Liu Zhiyue had already finished washing up and was sitting at the table eating breakfast with Zhou Shiyan, while An Yuanyao had just gone to the bathroom to freshen up.

Breakfast passed quickly. Unlike their sister, Liu Zhiyue and Zhou Shiyan ate efficiently, finishing in under fifteen minutes. In contrast, Liu Xiazhi took her sweet time.

Her appetite was as hearty as ever. Perhaps because the breakfast her father bought today was particularly delicious, she reached for her fourth steamed bun, cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk’s.

Once Liu Zhiyue and Zhou Shiyan finished eating, they got ready and left for school.

After seeing his son off, Liu Changqing—who had been quiet until now—finally spoke to An Yuanyao beside him.

"Later…"

Before he could finish, An Yuanyao—who had been eating—suddenly froze. Realizing something, she immediately kicked Liu Changqing under the table.

Feeling his wife’s warning, Liu Changqing abruptly remembered—

Their daughter was still here.

When the couple turned to look at Liu Xiazhi, they found her with her mouth full, one hand holding a half-eaten bun and the other gripping a milk carton.

Sucking on the straw, she stared at them with wide, curious eyes.

"What… are you guys gonna do?"

"What do you mean? You misheard."

"Dad’s lying! I heard it! Are you and Mom going out to have fun?!"

Faced with her daughter’s interrogation, An Yuanyao reacted swiftly.

"We’re not going anywhere. Your dad has to go to work later, and I need to stay home to take care of your little brother and sister. He just asked me to pack him some lunch to take with him."

"Really?"

"Mhm, really."

Unlike her father’s words, Liu Xiazhi trusted An Yuanyao’s explanation. Losing interest, she lowered her head and resumed eating.

The milk carton in her hand made a hollow sound as she sucked out the last drops.

Meanwhile, Liu Changqing and An Yuanyao exchanged a relieved glance, as if they had just narrowly avoided exposure.

Soon after, Feng Qian called.

Liu Changqing answered the phone.

Upon learning that Feng Qian and Feng Shuyan were already waiting downstairs, he hurriedly got his daughter ready and rushed her down, practically shoving her into Feng Qian’s car.

After watching the car drive off, Liu Changqing immediately sprinted back upstairs.

Now… it was time for some alone time with his wife!

---

Meanwhile…

Having successfully arrived at school, Liu Zhiyue and Zhou Shiyan discovered—to their subtle delight—that they had been assigned to the same class.

Neither mentioned it aloud, but both felt a quiet sense of relief and happiness as they walked toward their designated classroom.

Class 1-3.

Just as Liu Zhiyue was about to enter, someone unexpectedly stepped out from inside.

Neither noticed the other.

Predictably, the two collided.

Compared to Liu Zhiyue’s sturdy frame, the other person wasn’t as fortunate. Upon impact, she lost her balance and stumbled backward.

Just as she thought she was about to fall, a hand grabbed her.

Liu Zhiyue’s quick reflexes saved her from hitting the ground.

"Are you okay?"—he almost asked, but the words died in his throat when he saw the girl’s face.

Instead, he blurted out in shock:

"Zhang Yunjing?! What are you doing here?!"

Hearing her name, the girl looked up at Liu Zhiyue, who was still holding her.

Recognizing him, her initial panic faded, replaced by a grin.

"What, is it that surprising I got into No. 1 High School?"

"You—"

"Also… how long are you gonna keep holding my hand?"

"……"

Only then did Liu Zhiyue realize he was still gripping her wrist. He immediately let go.

His reaction was exactly what Zhang Yunjing expected.

A mischievous smile crept onto her face as she turned to Zhou Shiyan beside him.

"How nice—running into old classmates here. Looks like the three of us are in the same class again!"

"Mhm."

Though she responded, Zhou Shiyan’s eyes were far from idle. They swept over Zhang Yunjing like a scanner, scrutinizing every detail.

Just as the atmosphere grew awkward, a familiar voice called out from behind them.

"Excuse me… is this Class 1-3?"

Hearing it, Liu Zhiyue stiffened.

When he turned around… and saw the person standing behind them…

Zhao Xuanwen’s initially drowsy expression morphed into shock the moment she recognized Liu Zhiyue.

Then, delight.

Looking from Zhao Xuanwen to Zhang Yunjing…

Then to Zhou Shiyan beside him…

Liu Zhiyue took a silent step back.

This… was NOT the high school life he had envisioned!

Absolutely NOT!!!

---

Back in the bedroom, Liu Changqing lay on the bed, panting heavily.

Ever since his wife got pregnant, the two hadn’t been intimate even once.

It was as if the universe was conspiring against them—every time they tried, something interrupted.

For instance…

When his mother-in-law was around, she would inevitably call for An Yuanyao at the worst possible moment.

Every. Single. Time.

Once night fell and the household was asleep, they would attempt to sneak around, only for their two youngest—Liu Zhi’an and Liu Chunnuan—to wake up at the most inopportune times.

In the face of their children, desire became trivial.

After his mother-in-law returned to her hometown, Liu Xiazhi—who had watched a horror movie on VCD—refused to sleep alone and demanded An Yuanyao accompany her.

This went on for quite some time.

Though they managed a few covert encounters during this period, it never felt fully satisfying—more like they were doing something shameful, constantly on edge.

This was why Liu Changqing was so excited now that the kids were back in school.

After being pent up for so long, anyone would start acting a little strange.

Wrapping an arm around his wife, Liu Changqing exhaled deeply, his expression one of utter contentment.

Finally.

As if celebrating their small victory, he murmured:

"Good thing your period didn’t come today, or we’d be screwed again."

"Mhm."

Nestled in her husband’s embrace, An Yuanyao savored the moment.

She… had missed this too.

One second…

Two seconds…

Time passed leisurely as they enjoyed their brief respite.

The children were still asleep—this was their private world.

Suddenly, An Yuanyao’s eyes snapped open. Seemingly remembering something, she began counting silently.

"20… 23…"

After mumbling to herself, her expression shifted. She abruptly sat up, turning to her husband with visible anxiety.

"The… the dates don’t add up. My period’s over a week late…"

"……"

"Must’ve miscalculated. Try counting again?"

"I didn’t!"

An Yuanyao insisted.

"It’s never been this late before—a day or two at most!"

"……"

Hearing this, Liu Changqing’s smile vanished.

"No… no way?"

"Don’t you remember? That night two weeks ago, in the bathroom, you didn’t—"

"……"

Every word struck Liu Changqing like a hammer.

Lying there, he replayed that night in his head…

Realizing… that he really had…

His mind went blank.

All those months of restraint…

All that pent-up frustration…

After what felt like an eternity, Liu Changqing—still staring at the ceiling—finally uttered a single, eloquent word:

"Fuck."