"Ugh, it’s a total food desert over here! I miss you guys so much, and I miss Boss Li. [Crying Cat Face.jpg]"
From far across the ocean, Yu Tianwu would pop into their small dormitory group chat from time to time. She was either sharing interesting sights or wailing about the lack of good food.
"How has everyone been lately? Are your jobs and internships going smoothly?"
Li Zi was the first to reply, as she happened to be looking at her phone. "Everything is fine. What about you?"
"I’m doing okay! I feel like I’ll be a master of my craft and ready to head home any second now!"
"Oh, right! Congrats to Li Zizi on becoming a parent! You have to save the godmother spot for me!"
*Doing okay, my foot.* Every day, her teacher called her a dunderhead. She wanted to go home; she wanted to see Yan-ge. Yu Tianwu sat in a sidewalk café, having ordered the simplest Americano, and pouted at her phone.
Although Liu Yan still replied to her messages like he used to, and they spoke on the phone often, he refused to video call. At the same time, he skillfully avoided any topic regarding a reconciliation.
Yu Tianwu was so frustrated by his ambiguous attitude that she wanted to reach through the screen, pin him down, and demand to know if he still liked her or if he was still angry. It wasn't that she didn't have the time to fly back and see him; it was that her finances were truly stretched thin. The cost of a round-trip ticket was enough to crush her current budget.
Living frugally and burying her head in her drawings—that was her daily life abroad.
"Where are Little Bingbing and Little Yiyi? Come out, come out! @Hua Yi @Xie Bing"
"...You’re so annoying."
Hua Yi was currently standing at a school gate waiting for someone. She had intended to call the person, but the constant notification pings were distracting her.
She bubbled up in the chat helplessly: "I’m busy with a case. I have to discuss things with a client in a moment, so I don't have time for you."
"Hmph, heartless woman." Yu Tianwu sent a broken heart emoji.
Seeing Hua Yi’s reply, Li Zi felt a surge of alertness instead.
"You’re taking on cases this quickly? Did the firm assign it to you?"
If she remembered correctly, this particular client was very special. He was also the greatest hurdle in Hua Yi’s life.
"It’s a long story. It’s not exactly a formal retainer yet."
"Anyway, this case should be relatively easy to solve. I’ll tell you guys about it later."
After sending that message, Hua Yi didn't appear again.
It was time for the primary school to let out, and the person she had been waiting for finally appeared in her line of sight.
He didn't look very old, perhaps twenty-three or twenty-four. He had a gentle temperament and a lean build. He was surrounded by several young children carrying backpacks. Even though being surrounded slowed his progress, he merely wore a friendly smile, patiently answering every word the children said.
"Teacher Lian."
Hua Yi straightened her clothes and greeted him.
Before Lian Zhi could speak, a little girl by his side cheered and lunged at Hua Yi.
"Auntie, you’re here!"
"Mm. Did you study hard today?"
"Of course! I’m a good girl."
The little girl leaned affectionately against her ear and whispered a secret report: "Nannan said his dad hit Teacher Lian again yesterday. Auntie, hurry up and help drive that big bully away."
Their quiet exchange wasn't overheard by others, but hearing her niece say this made Hua Yi’s heart sink.
Lian Zhi smiled bashfully and said to Hua Yi, "There were some things to handle in class just now that delayed me. I’ve kept you waiting."
"It’s fine, I just arrived myself. Take the child and come to the car with me; we can talk there."
Hua Yi shook her head, telling him not to worry, then instructed her niece, "Keke, I’m leaving with the teacher first. Wait here at school for your parents to pick you up, and don't run off."
"I know!"
The little girl nodded obediently and waved at them. "See you tomorrow, Teacher Lian! See you tomorrow, Nannan! Bye-bye, Auntie!"
"Bye-bye, Keke. See you tomorrow."
Lian Zhi leaned down, gently stroked her hair, and said goodbye.
At that moment, the little boy who had been standing quietly by his side finally spoke: "Goodbye, Keke."
Once she had Lian Zhi and Nannan in the car, Hua Yi first gave Nannan a cup of milk tea. Then, she pulled out some topical ointment and handed it to Lian Zhi. "Did he lay hands on you again?"
Lian Zhi held the medicine in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly pulled back his sleeve, revealing a patch of dark bruising.
Anger flared in Hua Yi’s heart. She took out her briefcase and asked, "Have you made up your mind? Do you want to file for a litigated divorce?"
"Your husband is an alcoholic and a gambler. He frequently uses physical violence against you and the child, and he hasn't provided for the child’s living expenses. All of this will serve as powerful evidence in court."
Lian Zhi still seemed hesitant. He asked Hua Yi, "Lawyer Hua, if I divorce him, can I win custody of Nannan? I can't let Nannan live alone with him."
"That’s a bit complicated."
The case itself was actually quite simple; no judge would refuse to grant the divorce. However, Lian Zhi’s specific demand was difficult to satisfy.
"After all, Nannan isn't your biological child."
It was indeed a long story.
Previously, Hua Yi had only been picking up her niece as a temporary favor for a relative.
She hadn't expected that her niece, who had always been fond of her, would run to her room and bring out her piggy bank after learning Hua Yi had joined a law firm. She told Hua Yi she wanted her to fight a lawsuit.
At the time, Hua Yi doubted her own ears. A child looking for a lawyer?
After asking for details, she learned the truth from Keke. Keke had a male classmate she was very close to, and his father was a substitute teacher in their class named Lian Zhi. Everyone liked Teacher Lian because he was handsome, had a very gentle personality, almost never lost his temper with the students, and always cared for every child.
But one day at school, she noticed that both Nannan and Lian Zhi had visible injuries. She pressed Nannan for details. At first, Nannan kept his mouth shut, refusing to reveal a single word. It was only when she threatened their friendship that he got scared—fearing he would lose his only good friend—and tearfully told her everything.
His father was an Alpha with a terrible temper. He used to hit Nannan’s other biological father, which was why, shortly after Nannan was born, that father had insisted on a divorce, even giving up the child.
Later, his father had somehow found another Omega—Lian Zhi, who had only just reached adulthood. After forcing the clearly reluctant man into marriage, he pushed all the household chores onto him. Even though the father had money, he often failed to pay for living expenses, spending his time carousing outside.
In the beginning, Lian Zhi didn't want to be close to Nannan at all, avoiding both father and son like the plague. He had even tried to run away, only to be caught and brought back.
However, after living together for a long time, he realized that Nannan was also a victim. Sometimes, after the boy was beaten by his father, he would even share his medicine with Lian Zhi. Being naturally kind-hearted, Lian Zhi couldn't bear to see a young child suffer. He gradually began to care for him. In this dysfunctional family, the two came to depend on each other. Though they shared no blood relation, they were closer than most biological parents and children.
Keke had grown up in a happy, justice-minded extended family. Hearing this story made her both angry and heartbroken. Seeing Hua Yi, the idea popped into her little head to have her aunt help the teacher.
Hua Yi found the situation despicable as well, but she had to explain to Keke: "Only if your teacher wants to go to court and leave his partner, and contacts us himself, can I find a way to help him. Keke, you can't make the decision for them."
But she was also somewhat soft-hearted. Lian Zhi was the one who met her when she picked up the child, and she had a very good impression of the male teacher.
She left her business card with Keke, saying, "You can give my contact information to your friend. If they truly need help, they will contact me."
A month after giving out the card, she unexpectedly received a call from Lian Zhi.
After Nannan was nearly injured again, Lian Zhi—who was covered in bruises himself—could no longer suffer in silence.
The two met privately several times. Lian Zhi gradually provided information as Hua Yi requested.
However, the progress of the case always got stuck on the issue of Nannan.
"If we can get evidence that he is unfit to raise the child, perhaps we’ll have a better chance," Hua Yi could only say.
After all, Nannan wasn't Lian Zhi’s biological child. While the father was abusive, his economic status completely crushed Lian Zhi’s. Simply saying he was domestic violent wouldn't be enough support in court for a non-biological parent to take custody.
"What kind of evidence?" Lian Zhi sensed a glimmer of hope. He reached out and grasped Hua Yi’s hand where it rested on her lap, asking excitedly.
Hua Yi’s hand stiffened. Her calm expression nearly cracked. She cleared her throat to mask her unease and said, "Actually, his alcoholism and domestic violence already constitute part of the evidence. But in the materials you provided before, the injuries to the child weren't very severe, and there were no definitive medical records. If we could get photos or audio that directly demonstrate child abuse, that would be even better."
"At the same time, if he has committed any illegal acts, his parental rights could be stripped."
Lian Zhi listened intently, his thick eyelashes fluttering before Hua Yi as he blinked. Hua Yi watched him for a moment before averting her gaze from his eyes.
"Yes, alright. I understand. Thank you, Lawyer Hua." Lian Zhi nodded repeatedly, filled with gratitude.
As he was about to leave, he hesitated again and took a box of cookies from his bag. "I made these cookies for you yesterday. I really don't know how else to thank you. Other than you, I don't know who else could help us..."
He didn't have much money to pay legal fees, and Hua Yi had waived the vast majority of the costs on the grounds that he was her niece’s teacher.
"I hope you don't mind."
The cookie box seemed to be hand-wrapped in cardboard, with a ribbon tied into an exquisite bow. The sender’s care was perfectly evident.
Hua Yi took the box and slowly unwrapped it in front of him. She folded the ribbon and wrapping paper neatly to the side, picked up a cookie, and put it in her mouth. She offered her praise without stint: "It’s delicious. Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Lian."
Lian Zhi’s face flushed slightly. He said softly, "Lawyer Hua can just call me Lian Zhi from now on. I’m just a substitute teacher, after all."
"Alright. Then Lian Zhi can just call me Hua Yi."
The corners of her mouth curled up, and a trace of tenderness softened her capable, heroic features.
For some reason, Lian Zhi felt a bit flustered. He nodded and led Nannan out of the car.
Hua Yi watched their retreating figures, her smile fading. She looked back at the documents in her hand, her expression gradually becoming serious.
This wouldn't be easy. She would have to consult her parents more.
***
Perhaps stimulated by Li Zi’s less-than-warm attitude after returning home the previous day, Li Zhenting—already sensitive due to fluctuating hormones—slept fitfully.
The next morning, he experienced his first bout of morning sickness.
"Ugh..."
He leaned over the toilet, his face pale as he vomited painfully.
The breakfast he had just eaten was already being surrendered to the drain.
"Are you okay? Do you still feel a strong urge to vomit?"
Li Zi was by his side, gently patting his back, terrified he might choke.
Li Zhenting closed his eyes and shook his head, his complexion still awful.
Li Zi saw him pause for a moment and quickly handed him some water. "Here, Ting-ge, have a sip of water to settle your stomach."
Li Zhenting opened his mouth and took two small sips from her hand. Then, a surge of acidity rose to the back of his throat. He pushed the cup away, buried his head again, and began to vomit heart-wrenchingly once more.
"Blegh..."
He arched his back, his hands gripping the toilet seat tightly. He felt as if everything he had eaten yesterday was coming up along with his bile.
Li Zi was anxious, but there was nothing she could do. She could only pull him into her arms when he slumped back in exhaustion, gently massaging his stomach.
"Ting-ge, does it hurt a lot? I’ll make you some lemon honey water in a bit to see if that helps."
Li Zhenting leaned his head on Li Zi’s shoulder, burying half his face against her as he said miserably, "It’s all your fault. You must have scared the baby yesterday."
A pregnant person’s temper always flared up out of nowhere.
Li Zi felt helpless hearing this, but she still coaxed him heart-fully. "Yes, it’s my fault. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you two."
"...I was wrong too. I won't ride the motorcycle anymore," the man said muffledly.
"Good. If you really want to drive, Ting-ge, just take my car. You know where the keys are."
"Mm."
Li Zi stayed with him in the bathroom for a while longer. Seeing that he no longer had a strong urge to vomit, she led him back to the living room.
"Maybe you shouldn't go to the restaurant today?" she asked worriedly while mixing the lemon water.
"I should still go. Maybe I’ll be fine in a bit?"
Li Zhenting didn't want to neglect his career. He didn't want to become someone who couldn't do anything just because he was pregnant.
"Alright then." Li Zi didn't argue with him. "But don't push yourself. If you feel unwell, come home and rest. Boss Li is there anyway."
A restaurant was, after all, a place with crowds and a mix of smells. She was truly worried that staying there would only make things worse for him.
"I know."
An hour after leaving the house, Li Zhenting returned home dejectedly.
He hadn't expected that he wouldn't even last ten minutes in the shop. He had nearly vomited right onto the stove.
Then, Li Qingliu had unceremoniously kicked him out.
He had said, "A pregnant person should have some sense. Get your body healthy before coming back. We won't go bankrupt without you."
Fortunately, this was only a very brief period of acute stress.
After Li Zi patiently cared for him—even using her pheromones to soothe him for a week—his morning sickness symptoms finally disappeared.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
美食荒漠 | Food desert | A term used to describe a place with poor culinary options.
流泪猫猫头 | Crying Cat Face | A popular internet meme.
连枝 | Lian Zhi | A character name; literally means "intertwined branches."
南南 | Nannan | A nickname for the child.
可可 | Keke | A nickname for Hua Yi's niece.
代课老师 | Substitute teacher |
诉讼离婚 | Litigated divorce | A divorce settled through court proceedings rather than mutual agreement.
信息素 | Pheromones | A key element in Alpha/Omega (ABO) settings.
孕吐 | Morning sickness | Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
