Mad Dog

Chapter 96: Baby — A letter to Zhi Qi. [END]

The birth of the baby was a huge, joyous occasion, and both families celebrated with a lively dinner. It was late at night when Jiang Qi and Zhi Qi finally returned home.

Since he was driving, Jiang Qi didn’t drink, but Zhi Qi had two glasses of wine—her tolerance hadn’t improved in the slightest over the years, and two glasses were enough to turn her into a tipsy kitten.

After parking the car in the garage, Jiang Qi walked around to the passenger side and gently lifted her out.

“I’m tired.”

Zhi Qi frowned, grumbling in displeasure, “I want a bath.”

The weather was warm, and after being in her clothes all day, she felt sticky and uncomfortable. Even when drunk, she remained a clean-freak, feeling a strong need to freshen up.

“Okay.”

Jiang Qi carried her bridal-style, his voice gentle even through the mask he was wearing. “You can take a bath as soon as we get home.”

Zhi Qi didn’t reply, simply nuzzling into his chest.

Once they got home, Jiang Qi set her down on the sofa and immediately ran her a bath. After ‘serving’ her with a refreshing bath and meticulously drying her hair, he carried her to bed.

In the two years they had been married, there were times when Zhi Qi, feeling lazy, would refuse to shower herself and would sweetly coax him into pampering her. Over time, Jiang Qi had perfected the art of taking care of her.

Moreover, for the past few months, he had been intentionally learning how to be even more attentive.

Once Zhi Qi was comfortably settled in bed, Jiang Qi quickly took a short, ‘battle-speed’ shower. With his hair still dripping, he walked back out, sat slowly on the sofa, and bent over to pick up a fountain pen from the coffee table.

Next to it was a stack of brand-new stationery.

Zhi Qi had always been someone who cherished a sense of ceremony, enjoying the little surprises and secret joys in life. Even in this era of digital communication, she would occasionally get the urge to write letters.

Of course, most of these letters were addressed to him.

At one point, Zhi Qi had a habit of writing love letters as a way to show off their love.

Thinking about it, a faint smile appeared on Jiang Qi’s lips.

Then, his wrist moved, and his fingers began writing.

Though it had been a long time since he had written a letter, tonight he decided to pen one.

It was meant for Zhi Qi, but also for his future self.

–

The next morning, Zhi Qi woke up to an empty, cool bed—Jiang Qi had already been gone for quite a while.

Still feeling the effects of her hangover, she lazed around in bed for a bit before reluctantly dragging herself up to wash. With no work during the holiday, she slipped into a slothful mood, doing everything at a slow pace.

She sluggishly washed up, then slowly walked to the dining table… and, unsurprisingly, saw the clay pot there.

Jiang Qi always made breakfast for her on weekends when she didn’t have to work, tirelessly trying to break her bad habit of skipping breakfast.

Her eyes lit up as she lifted the lid of the clay pot, and a wave of fragrance hit her.

It was her favorite—century egg and lean pork congee. Satisfied, Zhi Qi ate contentedly, thinking to herself how Jiang Qi’s cooking skills had improved. Even something as simple as congee tasted incredible.

After finishing her meal, she obediently washed the dishes, then slowly wandered over to the sofa. That’s when her gaze landed on the letter.

…What’s this?

A bit confused, Zhi Qi instinctively sat down and picked up the lightweight letter. Jiang Qi’s neat and sharp handwriting covered the page, looking no different from the way it had in high school. He had always been a good student, and though he hadn’t written in a while, it seemed he could quickly regain his old skills.

A faint smile spread across her face as she thought about how Jiang Qi wasn’t the type to play romantic games by writing letters, so she cherished this one and began reading.

But as she read, she realized this wasn’t an intentionally ‘romantic’ letter. Yet, in its own way, it warmed her heart completely.

[To Qi Qi]

[Writing this letter might seem a bit abrupt, but I wanted to use words to seriously express something I’ve been meaning to say…]

After months of careful consideration, I believe we’re ready to have a child of our own. We can raise them in a warm and loving environment, ensuring they grow up safe and healthy.

When your sister-in-law was first pregnant, you brought up wanting a baby, too. I’m sorry I didn’t agree at the time—I was scared.

I once promised you that after marriage, I would fulfill all your wishes, but on this matter, I fell short.

I admit, I’ve been a coward.

Growing up wasn’t easy for me, and I feared how I could raise a child. To be honest, I didn’t know how. But that’s no excuse for denying you the chance to become a mother.

So, over the past few months, I’ve been trying to learn. I’ve sought advice from others and read countless books on raising a child. I know I may still not have all the answers, and while many say the mother bears the primary responsibility in child-rearing, I’ve always wanted us to share the burden together.

And I must take on even more.

Pregnancy itself is difficult, but it’s just the first step in a long journey. After the baby is born, it’ll need careful attention—from food to clothing, and even early education. It’s a huge ‘project.’

I don’t know how else to describe it, but I do feel a deep sense of responsibility.

That’s why I talked to Xiao-ge about my plan to take a three-year hiatus—not quitting the entertainment industry, just stepping back.

I want us to have a baby together. I want to care for you and our child. Do you agree with my decision?

The entertainment industry is so chaotic right now, and I’m too busy to focus on just one thing. Sometimes, taking a step back is the best way forward—not necessarily retreating, but choosing.

Over the past two years, I’ve taken on five films, countless magazine covers, and ads. The money I’ve saved is more than enough for us if we don’t live extravagantly.

Money is endless, and so is fame, but at the right time, we should focus on the right things.

Right now, I just want to raise a child with you, starting with preparing for pregnancy.

I know you want this, too.

Maybe I’m overstepping, but this is part of our connection.

This is the first time I’ve written you a letter, and some of these thoughts have been buried inside me for a long time. My words might seem scattered or nonsensical… but I believe only you can understand them.

Qi Qi, I only feel prepared for this because I’ve studied and learned. And once again, I ask you to forgive my earlier hesitation when it came to having a baby.

]

At the end, his name was signed simply: ‘Jiang Qi.’

A single tear dropped onto the beige paper, slowly spreading, and Zhi Qi suddenly realized she had been crying without even noticing.

It was kind of funny.

She wiped her face with a laugh, quickly blotting the tear from the letter, then carefully folded it up and stored it away.

Just as Jiang Qi had said, this was the first letter she had ever received from him.

The contents of the letter were like an emotional self-dissection, but it was so sincere and heartwarming that it was incredibly romantic in an understated way.

Her Jiang Qi was, without a doubt, the most perfect man in the world.

From his youthful immaturity to his growth, Jiang Qi had changed a lot, becoming more mature, but one thing had always remained constant—his kind heart and his deep, passionate love for her.

Zhi Qi pressed the letter to her chest, feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth.

There were many things she didn’t say, but that didn’t mean she didn’t care.

When Ji Liang had first gotten pregnant, Zhi Qi had brought up the idea of having a baby, but Jiang Qi had turned her down. She had said it was fine at the time, but deep down, she couldn’t help but wonder—did Jiang Qi dislike children?

But now, thinking back, how could he dislike children?

Jiang Qi wouldn’t randomly dislike anyone. The only time he ever harbored resentment was when he directed it at himself.

He had been afraid of having children, afraid that he wasn’t capable of raising one.

And so, burdened by that fear, Jiang Qi had gone and learned how.

Thinking about how Jiang Qi had said in the letter that he had been studying how to make baby food, how to provide early education, how to care for a child… Zhi Qi couldn’t help but laugh.

At the same time, her heart softened completely.

She realized that she missed Jiang Qi.

She wanted him to come home quickly, so she could whisper in his ear and firmly tell him: she was ready. She also wanted, more than anything, to raise a child with him.

It wasn’t until the evening that Jiang Qi returned home from the set.

He had been filming an outdoor scene, rolling in the dirt for several takes. His clothes were filthy, so he had showered at the set before heading home. His hair was still damp, and he carried the scent of fresh water with him.

As he entered the door, Jiang Qi thought about the letter he had written the night before and felt a wave of nervousness.

…What would Zhi Qi think?

With complicated feelings, he stepped inside. The house was quiet.

Jiang Qi wondered if Zhi Qi hadn’t seen the letter and had gone out instead. Just as he was thinking this, soft arms suddenly wrapped around his waist.

Zhi Qi appeared out of nowhere, sneaking up behind him and hugging him tightly, her face pressing into his back. “You’re back.”

Her voice was sweet, but Jiang Qi felt a strange flutter of anxiety, only able to respond with a soft hum.

“Jiang Qi, I saw the letter you wrote me.”

Her voice was still filled with that sweet smile, but she sniffled as if holding back tears. “I haven’t received a love letter like that in years—it made me cry.”

Jiang Qi’s mind wandered. “You’ve received love letters before?”

…

Even now, nothing could stop Jiang Qi from getting jealous!

Zhi Qi couldn’t help but laugh and, after a moment of silence, asked, “When you proposed the idea of a three-year hiatus, was Xiao-ge angry?”

From what she knew of Xiao Yongfei, he’d probably be furious.

Jiang Qi chuckled. He thought to himself, not only Xiao Yongfei, but Shen Lei, Qiu Mi, and Qu Heng couldn’t understand his decision either… but that didn’t matter. He understood himself, and that was enough.

Jiang Qi: “He was, but it doesn’t matter.”

…

So that’s what they call powerless rage?

Zhi Qi felt like her husband was really good at breaking all expectations, but she couldn’t help but laugh.

She knew Jiang Qi was a man who made careful plans, and once he decided to do something, no one could sway him.

So, still holding him tightly, Zhi Qi slowly said, “Jiang Qi, I’m ready.”

She was ready to have a child with him.

No longer afraid, no longer worried about what it meant to be parents…

Together, they were ready to take on the next chapter of their lives.

—The End—