Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 808: Extra Story (Part 4)

Ever since he was a small child, Xiao Long had rarely experienced the embrace of a man.

In his memory, only his mother and Grandma Jia had ever held him close.

When He JianShe scooped him up, a brief moment of shock was quickly replaced by a wave of excitement and joy.

Uncle He’s chest was broad and his arms felt incredibly powerful. It was a stark contrast to being held by his mother, where he often felt himself slipping and required constant adjustments as they walked.

Supported securely by Uncle He, he didn't feel the need to wrap his arms tightly around the man's neck just to stay balanced.

"Mom, Uncle He is so strong!" Xiao Long cried out with delight. "Uncle He, you’re truly incredible."

He JianShe let out a low chuckle at the boy's praise. "You really think that's amazing?"

Xiao Long nodded his head enthusiastically. "Uncle He is so big and strong, is he just like a dad?"

"Xiao Long," Wang Tianxue interrupted swiftly, "You shouldn't say things like that."

"But I'm not lying. All the other kids at school say that dads are the strongest people there are."

Though he lacked a father of his own, Uncle He was easily the most powerful person he had ever encountered.

While Wang Tianxue struggled to find the right words to explain, He JianShe stepped in. "Don't worry about it. He’s just a child; there’s no need to take it to heart."

Wang Tianxue could do nothing but offer He JianShe an apologetic look.

Luckily, the boy's attention shifted, and Xiao Long moved on to a new topic.

Conversing easily, the three of them made their way toward the market.

Because the market was crowded with people, He JianShe kept Xiao Long in his arms the entire time rather than letting him walk.

Feeling slightly guilty about the arrangement, Wang Tianxue took charge of selecting the produce.

She handled the shopping, yet every time she reached for her purse, a large hand would beat her to it, offering the payment before she could react.

This gesture prompted a compliment from a woman selling meat. "Oh my, you're quite lucky to have such a thoughtful husband. Your son is very well-behaved too; he’s the spitting image of his father."

A deep blush crept up Wang Tianxue’s neck. She opened her mouth to clarify that he wasn't the boy's father, but He JianShe had already accepted the meat and offered the woman a polite smile of thanks.

Once they reached a quieter spot, Wang Tianxue caught up to He JianShe and asked awkwardly, "Why didn’t you correct her?"

He JianShe tilted his head slightly. "Correct what? She isn't an acquaintance of ours, so there's no reason to explain. She’s just a merchant being friendly; she likely says the same thing to every customer."

Wang Tianxue found herself at a loss for words.

Upon reflection, she realized He JianShe was right. The woman was a stranger, so her assumptions didn't really matter, and a correction wasn't necessary.

Just as she reached this conclusion, Xiao Long spoke up cheerfully, "Mom, I want Uncle He to be my dad. Why don’t you just let him be my dad?"

Wishing she could simply cover her son's mouth, Wang Tianxue quickly hushed him and turned to the man. "Brother He, please forgive him; the child doesn't understand what he's saying."

"It really is fine."

Noticing that he truly wasn't offended, Wang Tianxue let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Xiao Long was beaming with happiness by the time they arrived at He JianShe’s residence.

His mother rarely took him to visit anyone; aside from Grandma Jia’s place, he had only ever been to Grandpa He’s and Aunt Lin’s homes.

Uncle He’s house felt spacious, and a police cap hanging on the rack immediately caught the boy's eye.

With wide, shimmering eyes, Xiao Long asked with pure admiration, "Uncle He, are you actually a police officer?"

Entering the house, He JianShe noticed where the boy was looking. He reached out, grabbed the cap, and settled it onto Xiao Long’s small head. "That's right. Uncle He is a police officer."

"Wow, Uncle He, you’re so cool!"

"Mom, Mom, did you hear that? Uncle He is a policeman..."

"Mom, look at me! I’m going to be a police officer when I grow up..."

There wasn't a young boy alive who didn't look up to soldiers and law enforcement.

Once inside, He JianShe shed his outer jacket, revealing a military-green shirt that seemed to be a relic from his time in the army.

Xiao Long’s eyes sparkled as he peppered He JianShe with one question after another.

He JianShe showed great patience, giving serious answers to every single one of the boy's inquiries.

Eventually, Wang Tianxue felt the need to intervene. "Xiao Long, stop pestering Uncle He. He has work to do."

He JianShe was currently occupied with washing the meat.

As a guest, Wang Tianxue tried to assist, but He JianShe insisted she only handle the vegetable prep while he took charge of the heavy work in the kitchen.

Hearing his mother’s scolding, Xiao Long obediently sat down to help her sort through the greens.

As he worked, he kept casting glances toward the kitchen, whispering, "Mom, is it really impossible for Uncle He to be my dad?"

Wang Tianxue gave his nose a playful pinch and whispered back, "Who put those ideas in your head? You can't just pick a random man to be your father. Dads don't work that way."

Xiao Long shook his head to escape her hand. "I didn't just pick anyone. I've been searching for a long time. I really want Uncle He to be my dad so the other kids won't pick on me anymore."

Wang Tianxue’s heart tightened. "Kids are bullying you? What do they do? Did someone hit you? Why didn't you tell me? Did you inform your teacher?"

Xiao Long shook his head. "No one hits me. They just call me a wild child because I don't have a father."

Hearing this, Wang Tianxue felt a bit of relief.

Raising Xiao Long in a fatherless household, she had expected him to face such remarks eventually.

"Don't pay attention to their talk. Not having a dad doesn't make you a wild child. You have a mother, so you aren't alone. Some children with two parents aren't as loved or happy as you. I'll give you twice the affection, and even with just my love, you won't fall behind any other kid."

After considering her words, Xiao Long nodded. "I get it, Mom. You love me so much that I don't need to be jealous of others. I can even share some of your love with Xiao Jun; he's the one who is truly lonely."

"That's my good boy."

Wang Tianxue patted his head, but when she looked up, she froze. He JianShe was standing right there in the kitchen doorway.

How long had he been standing there?

How much of their conversation had he overheard?

The thought that he might have heard Xiao Long’s wish for a father made Wang Tianxue’s face burn with heat.

She began to wonder if she and He JianShe were simply cursed to have her constantly making a fool of herself in his presence.

During her years managing the Xiyang Clothing Factory, she had dealt with all sorts of people.

She was usually poised and capable of handling any social situation, yet today she felt nothing but repeated embarrassment.

Fortunately, He JianShe acted as though he hadn't heard a word. He pointed toward the greens. "I came for the vegetables. Are they ready for the pot?"

"Oh, yes, here they are," Wang Tianxue said, hurriedly passing them over.

As He JianShe returned to his cooking, Wang Tianxue resolved to praise the meal regardless of how it tasted.

He had been so complimentary toward her simple bowl of noodles, after all.

Even if his cooking was subpar, he had put in so much effort; she couldn't possibly be more critical of him than he had been of her.

It wasn't long before the meal was ready to be served.

The spread included braised pork, shredded potatoes, stewed fish, and a side of green vegetables, all accompanied by bowls of rice.

"This looks wonderful."

Wang Tianxue had planned to say those words as a courtesy, but looking at the spread, the compliment felt entirely genuine.

The meal truly did look appetizing.