Rebirth from the Ashes Chapter 792 Life After Marriage (1)

Li Yuan had been down in the dumps and feeling lonely these days. Ever since his beloved wife became a mother, all her focus shifted to the infants, leaving her husband pushed to the side.

He hadn't enjoyed any close moments with Shen Xi, neither at night nor during the day. Daytime was out of the question, as she was overwhelmed with countless concerns and refused to let her mothers handle the kids at night.

Less than a week had passed, but Shen Xi's face looked pale and worn from sleep deprivation, even though she tried piling on vitamins and supplements. She shed a ton of weight from tending to the newborns around the clock. Li Yuan's heart ached for her, yet she wouldn't heed his words. Any advice just sparked her temper.

Mom and Dad explained that postpartum women often experienced emotional ups and downs. Not daring to push too firmly, Li Yuan opted to soothe her and seek methods to help her recover.

Yu Yuanxi suggested waiting it out. Song Wenye monopolized the baby during the first month, determined to do everything herself, and nobody could sway her.

Still, after a month, the situation improved greatly, perhaps as the initial thrill of motherhood faded somewhat. Song Wenye at last permitted Mom and Granny Yu to mind the child overnight.

Yu Yuanxi felt guilty seeing his wife endure so much through birth and childcare. They had just one kid, whereas his dear wife carried twins at once.

On that night, the pair of babies drifted off to sleep early with little trouble.

Li Yuan transported the newborns to their bed and gazed at the exhausted new mother slumbering away. He pulled back the covers, embraced her gently, and pressed soft kisses to her eyelids.

As the girl's eyelashes trembled, she awoke and pushed him off, murmuring sleepily. "Bring Tangtang and Mianmian here."

"No." Clinging to the girl firmly, Li Yuan refused to budge. "Don't get out of bed at night to nurse them. I'll feed them when they wake up."

"They say mother's milk is best." Shen Xi nestled into his hold, her voice soft and hoarse. "Bring them here."

"No." Though his words came out gritted, Li Yuan couldn't bear to scold her. Finally, he let out a sigh. "The milk you expressed this morning is in the bottle. I'll warm it when they get hungry."

"The milk's not fresh anymore." Shen Xi's tone softened as she fought drowsiness. She whispered, "Fresh is best."

"It's fresh. The milk is preserved with cutting-edge tech to keep it fresh. There's no real difference between direct from you or the bottle." Li Yuan rubbed her back soothingly, treating her like a little one. "Go to sleep and quit fretting over them."

If he'd realized childbirth and child-rearing would drain her like this, Li Yuan would've made sure birth control was foolproof to prevent kids. But now with the two little rascals out, what choice did they have?

He initially believed his beloved was too laid-back to turn into Song Wenye post-delivery. Shockingly, Shen Xi clung even tighter to the babies nonstop.

After hearing a faint snore, he glanced down to see the girl soundly asleep. From the cot nearby came kittenish cries, stirring the girl in his arms slightly.

"Sleep." Li Yuan whispered tenderly into her ear. If she kept tending these tiny mischief-makers without rest, he'd consult Fu Qingxuan to force some proper sleep on her.

Maybe at her breaking point, the girl in his arms whimpered once before dozing off again. Li Yuan rose quietly and wheeled the cot out on tiptoe.

"Is Xixi asleep?" Shangguan Yanqiu waited just outside. Spotting the babies, she noted one was alert. The infant's large, sparkling eyes resembled black pearls. It was her granddaughter, Tangtang.

Distinguishing the twins was simple. Her grandson, Mianmian, was a fussy crier, mirroring a young Qingxuan. He slept full-bellied and woke wailing.

Tangtang resembled Xixi, appearing serene even awake. She grinned when delighted and cooed when peckish. Such a good baby.

"Yes." Li Yuan nodded. "Mom, thanks for helping tonight."

"It's no trouble at all. I adore these precious babies most." Shangguan Yanqiu saw his dark circles. "You need rest too."

Xixi hadn't rested well that week, nor had he. Her mom watched the two little ones while he cared for all three, counting the eldest baby at home.

As the little ones were ushered out of the room, Fu Qingxuan dashed forward to scoop up the babies, only to get blocked by Shangguan Yanqiu. "Don't start. Xixi will get up if you make them cry."

Fu Qingxuan wasn't the type to obey. He'd already lifted one into his arms. "Mom, this is Tangtang we're talking about. Tangtang won't cry. Right, Tangtang?"

Shangguan Yanqiu flashed a grin. "Yes. Tangtang won't cry, just like Xixi when she was little. This little guy is totally you. His wails could shatter mountains, and wow, those temper tantrums."

"Tangtang, say Uncle." Fu Qingxuan acted foolish while coaxing the baby girl he held. Spotting Li Yuan still hanging around, Fu Qingxuan shot him a dirty look over his shoulder. "What are you staring at? Head back in and watch over my little sister."

"Oh, you." Shangguan Yanqiu shook her head in exasperation. Qingxuan just loved teasing Yuan. Good thing Yuan kept his cool, or it'd erupt into a massive brawl.

Li Yuan slipped quietly back into the room, yet his steps still roused the girl on the bed. As she blinked her eyes open in confusion, Li Yuan drew near with a gentle smile. "I handed the children to Mom. Now catch some solid sleep."

In her sleepy haze, Shen Xi clung to his waist and nestled closer, murmuring a faint hum as he leaned in. It was unclear if she'd even caught his words.

Li Yuan tenderly stroked her cheek, his gaze brimming with heartfelt concern. "Show yourself some care and stop fussing over the babies."

He'd wanted to hire a confinement nanny for the newborns, but Shen Xi wouldn't hear of it. Mom and Dad shot down the plan too, since the grandparents and uncles were eager for their own time with the kids.

Putting aside Qingye and Fu Qingxuan, Qingli excelled with the infants—probably thanks to fathering Guoguo and Lil' Zhen. He dropped his typical ruthless edge and even handled the diaper duty forms.

"Mianmian will cry if I take my eyes off him." Shen Xi piped up after hearing him.

"You can't spoil him like that, or he'll never leave your side." Li Yuan knew that habit needed curbing, or it would bite them later.