Chasing a Wife Across Thousands of Miles with a Baby

“You… stop it…” came the embarrassed, stammering voice through the speaker.

“Liu Tingsong!”

The provoked little dog loved to bark her full name, thinking it carried weight, though tears still clung to her eyes.

Through her sunglasses, Liu Tingsong saw her reflection in the airport’s glass window, her eyes curving with a radiant smile, brimming with springtime warmth.

“Baby,” she called softly, her tone thick with longing, unmasked.

“I miss you so much.”

They’d endured long separations before, but now, even a brief parting wrapped her in aching yearning.

“Haicheng’s weather is nice today,” she said, gazing at the distant blue sky and clouds. “But I prefer S City’s rain.”

The other side stayed silent, the note in her hand crumpled into a hard ball.

Light slipped through the heavy curtains, splitting Xu Fengluan’s face—half with red, misty eyes, half with a barely suppressed, upturned lip.

She didn’t know how to respond, murmuring, “Liu Tingsong, stop it.”

Stop it. Though alone, she felt like the guilty one, lowering her voice as if someone might overhear.

“Baby doesn’t like me saying this?” The reflected figure tilted her head, hair spilling over her shoulders.

“When did you get so slick, Liu Tingsong?” Xu Fengluan dodged the question.

“Then does baby want more praise?”

“Hmm…” Liu Tingsong drew out the sound, as if recalling earnestly, then gave a sincere answer. “My legs are weak, my waist aches. If Li Zi hadn’t kept calling, I’d have slept in late.”

“Liu Tingsong!” Xu Fengluan’s voice spiked, dreading more outrageous words.

But Liu Tingsong took it as a compliment, continuing, “Yeah, baby was a bit much last night, refusing to help, making me do it myself. But it’s okay…”

Li Zi, waiting behind, idly kicked the glossy floor, glancing around before looking down.

Passersby hurried, some casting admiring glances, lingering briefly before moving on.

Liu Tingsong, facing away, smiled slowly. “As long as I see baby, in your arms, I react so easily, so quickly…”

“Liu Tingsong!” A startled, angry cry cut in, too late to stop the word on her lips.

“High.” @Infinite Good Stories, Exclusively at Jinjiang Literature City

Xu Fengluan gasped, words stuck in her throat, face burning, mind echoing that drawn-out, teasing “high.”

High?

High.

High!

Good grief!

Did Liu Tingsong even know what she was saying?!

If Xu Fengluan weren’t already sitting up, she’d have curled back into the blankets to hide.

Her lips parted and closed, unable to form a sentence, looking like a fool swallowing sunlight.

How could someone, in public, say such things so shamelessly?

It reminded her of Ji Lunan.

Before marriage, Ji Lunan was just as wild, fielding calls from lovers upon landing, cooing “darling” and “baby” through Bluetooth earphones, tossing out cheesy lines while chatting with fans and signing autographs, juggling all flawlessly.

But Xu Fengluan knew Liu Tingsong wasn’t like Ji Lunan—she’d only be this way with her.

Liu Tingsong chuckled, her teasing tone shifting. “Baby hungry? There’s milk in the fridge—”

She paused, switching gears. “Should I order you takeout?”

The topic changed so fast, Xu Fengluan couldn’t tell if someone passed by or if Liu Tingsong finally felt a shred of guilt, easing off the teasing.

She exhaled, but the lingering feelings settled lightly, an indescribable emotion.

“There’s a good place nearby,” Liu Tingsong continued.

“I want to shower first,” Xu Fengluan said, forcing her awkward tone down.

“Showering on an empty stomach isn’t good,” Liu Tingsong advised gently.

“Eat first, then shower, okay?”

Xu Fengluan pursed her lips, her dangling legs swinging.

Her silence was reluctant consent.

Knowing her temper, Liu Tingsong added, “Want a fruit platter? No apples, fish okay?”

Xu Fengluan mumbled, “Mm.”

“Okay, check your phone later. Don’t miss it because it’s on silent.”

“Got it,” Xu Fengluan said, a bit impatient, finding the conversation odd, like—
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Liu Tingsong coaxed, “After eating, give San Jin a treat.”

“Fine.”

“I’ll be here three days. Look after San Jin, make it exercise.”

Li Zi, behind her, stepped back, baffled by how such trivial matters stretched so long.

Love was such a hassle.

But Xu Fengluan didn’t agree immediately, hesitating before saying, “I want to come to you.”

Liu Tingsong paused, then smiled warmly. “Should I have Li Zi book your flight?”

Knowing her unease, needing to see her, Liu Tingsong agreed without hesitation.

Xu Fengluan, slower, mumbled, “I can do it myself.”

Liu Tingsong sighed, regretful. “I might not have time to pick you up.”

“It’s fine. Send me the hotel,” Xu Fengluan said, unbothered. She was working; it was normal not to have time.

Liu Tingsong paused, then asked carefully, “Can I add you?”

She still hadn’t added Xu Fengluan’s contact.

After a silence, Xu Fengluan said, “Okay.”

Liu Tingsong’s face lit up. They spoke a bit more before hanging up. Turning to Li Zi, she said, “Send me A-Feng’s contact.”

Li Zi, stunned, took a moment to process. They hadn’t even added each other on WeChat?

Blinking, she swallowed her words. Adding the boss’s girlfriend before the boss? Better stay quiet to avoid risking her long-awaited bonus.
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Having lingered too long, the driver waiting outside urged them twice, so they hurried out.

Wheels rolled swiftly on the ground. At the exit, Liu Tingsong glanced over and suddenly turned toward a crowd.

“Sis!”

Li Zi’s face tightened. What now?!

Today was weird. Liu Tingsong, usually punctual, nearly overslept, needing four or five calls to wake. They rushed to the airport.

In Haicheng, her phone exploded with hundreds of calls. Li Zi, thinking it was a stalker, panicked, brainstorming solutions, only to learn it was Xu Fengluan.

No choice—she watched Liu Tingsong find a quiet corner, waiting anxiously. Just when she thought it was over, Liu Tingsong ran off again.

Li Zi, grimacing, followed reluctantly.

Good grief, was love this terrifying?

Even the cool, elegant diva wasn’t immune.

But nearing the crowd, Li Zi realized something was off.

An older woman was surrounded by four or five staff, seemingly talking.

The staff, frustrated, gestured repeatedly.

The woman, mouth open, made only muffled sounds, her hands a blur of motion.

A deaf-mute person?

Li Zi hurried forward.

Liu Tingsong stepped into the group, standing before the woman, signing fluently, matching the staff’s skill.

The woman, delighted, signed back eagerly.

After several exchanges, Liu Tingsong translated for the staff, who thanked her profusely, resolving the issue.

Some seemed to recognize her, but before they could dwell, Liu Tingsong turned and left, leaving them puzzled.

—

Hours later, the scene shifted to a hotel.

A black G-Class pulled into the underground parking. Moments later, someone with a massive pet carrier stepped out.

Dressed in black, Xu Fengluan tilted her head, holding her phone with her shoulder until she closed the car door, freeing a hand.

Chu Cheng’s voice blared through the speaker.

“My God, what drama is this? No flights, so you drove?! Thousand-mile wife-chasing isn’t this intense.”

“How long did you drive?”

“Four hours,” Xu Fengluan said, heading to the trunk for her luggage.

Hotel staff approached—one opened the trunk, another reached for the carrier.

Xu Fengluan didn’t stop them, too busy to manage alone.

The carrier was heavy. The staff, prepared for its size, still struggled, needing both hands.

Xu Fengluan’s gaze followed, her voice low. “Careful.”

The other staff lifted her smaller suitcase, mostly filled with San Jin’s things.

With a thud, the trunk closed. Xu Fengluan slowed, letting the staff lead, then addressed Chu Cheng.

“What’s up?”

She’d just answered Chu Cheng. Earlier calls—morning and noon—were hung up for reasons. Now, in Haicheng, Chu Cheng called again.

“Nothing now,” Chu Cheng said, exasperated. “We were planning to check out Kuang Ye’s crush.”

“Didn’t she get dumped? She still wants to meet?”

“She runs a nail salon, right? Can’t kick out customers.”

In the elevator, Xu Fengluan frowned. “You’re getting manicures?”

The two staff lowered their heads, minimizing their presence.

“Yeah,” Chu Cheng said confidently. “I looked it up—extension nails with diamonds, pearls, and glitter take five or six hours.”

Xu Fengluan stifled a laugh, managing, “Who’s doing it?”

“All of us!” Chu Cheng declared. “Her shop has three staff. If she avoids us, she’ll send them. Four of us, lined up, nowhere for her to hide.”

Xu Fengluan paused, following the staff into the room—a presidential suite with a living area first. She waved off their help with her luggage.

They exchanged a few more words before the staff left.

Xu Fengluan crouched, opening the carrier.

The big cat, cooped up long, didn’t emerge, meowing cautiously, scoping the place.

Hearing the cat, Chu Cheng gasped, “You brought the cat?”

“This plot’s wild—sexy stepmom chasing her wife with a kid? Xjiang novels don’t have this.”

Xu Fengluan ignored her, saying, “I’m not doing a manicure.”

Chu Cheng huffed, “You’re not here, so why would we? Canceled.”

Xu Fengluan stroked San Jin’s head, soothing firmly, “I’m not doing it.”

“Why can we, but not you?!” Chu Cheng’s voice rose. “Got some straight-guy bias? We’re women—manicures are fine! Ten little diamonds, a stage, a few songs, we’ll charm her fans.”

Xu Fengluan gave a fake smile. “Not doing it.”

“Think of your sister’s happiness! If you don’t, I won’t. When will Kuang Ye move on?”

“You’re chasing your wife with a kid, while Kuang Ye’s wallowing in heartbreak. Pitiful.”

Seeing San Jin peek out, Xu Fengluan relaxed, saying, “Can’t do it.”

She wasn’t opposed—many in their circle loved manicures, especially bassists and guitarists, rocking black polish for a cool vibe.

But extensions, diamonds, glitter? No way. Playing bass, the nails would crack, diamonds fly, or worse, scratch the fretboard or snap strings. No place to cry then.

If fans mistook it for dropping gear, thinking it’s a giveaway, rushing to grab it, the chaos—stampedes even—would be a nightmare.

Chu Cheng didn’t get it, yelling, “We can, why can’t you?!”

“Sisters or not? Good sisters?!”

Xu Fengluan pursed her lips, unmoved. “Not convenient.”

“How’s it not—” Chu Cheng stopped, realizing.

“Yeah,” Xu Fengluan confirmed, emphasizing, “Very inconvenient.”

If Liu Tingsong heard, who knows what she’d think. Stammering with her, Xu Fengluan was blunt with friends.

“You, you, you,” Chu Cheng faltered, huffing, “Cool it, or in two days at rehearsal, you won’t hold your bass steady. We’ll end up doing stand-up at S City’s big stage.”

“Not that bad,” Xu Fengluan said, watching San Jin cautiously explore, a huge cat acting like a timid mouse.

She laughed, unsure if at the cat or else, saying, “She’s not that great.”

“You, you, you,” Chu Cheng, single too long, couldn’t retort, hanging up in a huff.

Xu Fengluan didn’t call back, glancing at her phone, texting Liu Tingsong, then closing it to unpack.

The trip was rushed, her shower plans delayed. After a quick bite, the long drive made her restless. Opening her suitcase, she grabbed clothes.

As she pulled them out, a medicine box fell. She stiffened, touching her nose before setting it on the table.

Last night was intense, and in her daze, she hadn’t dealt with it, bringing the ointment to apply when Liu Tingsong returned.

Pushing thoughts aside, she grabbed her clothes, heading to the bathroom.

Soon, water ran.

Outside, the silver Maine Coon circled, scoping the new turf, then picked a cozy sofa spot, flicked its tail, curled up, and licked its fur leisurely.

Meanwhile, Liu Tingsong glanced at her phone, her cool, distant features softening, a fleeting warmth caught by a camera.

“Great state, Sis Liu. Change clothes, a few more shots?” the photographer nodded, pleased.

But Liu Tingsong said, “That’s it for today. I’ve had my assistant book a restaurant nearby. You all worked hard—I’m treating.”

“Been a long day, I’ll step out.”

The crew laughed, agreeing enthusiastically.