Chapter 207

Chapter 207

Han Zhang was an orphan in his previous life and had never experienced true familial affection.

So in this life, once he had real family, he truly cared deeply about the Han family, especially his two full-blooded younger brothers, Han Qinnian and Han Dong.

Han Qinnian was a man, and in this male-dominated society, there wasn't much need to worry about him.

But Dong Geer was a source of concern for him.

Afraid that in the future this younger brother would be bullied by his in-laws after marrying out, Han Zhang thought long and hard, and ultimately sent him to study by the side of Brother-in-law Han Jiu.

Brother-in-law Han Jiu was a "universal charmer" who could appeal to everyone. Even if Dong Geer couldn't inherit all of his skills, learning just a fraction of them would be more than enough!

What Han Zhang hadn't expected was that his younger brother truly had talent, and in the end, he managed to snag three suitors from distinguished families.

To this, Han Zhang had no blame, only satisfaction and gratification.

So what if his brother was fickle-hearted? Men could have multiple wives and concubines—why couldn't his brother like a few handsome lads?

Dong Geer wasn't like Chang Gongjun Jiayou, who forcibly seized what he wanted. It was mutual consent—what did it matter if his brother had more suitors and a bit of a wandering heart?

Anyway, since his younger brother was this capable, Han Zhang no longer planned to marry him off. He wanted his Dong Geer to marry husbands!

With this thought, seeing Han Dong bounding up with joy, Han Zhang smiled and said:

"Our Dong Geer has grown up and become more and more beautiful. Your big brother can't stand the thought of you marrying into another family and being bossed around."

"Now that your big brother has the means, would Dong Geer be willing to stay at home and keep your big brother company? Your big brother will take charge and find you a husband—how about that?"

Han Dong had just been saying he didn't know which of his three sweethearts to choose, couldn't bear to break any of their hearts, acting like a player with a lovesick brain.

But having inherited Brother-in-law Han Jiu's techniques, how could he truly be getting lost in matters of the heart?

The reason he was playing the field among several suitors without committing to a match was that Han Dong actually had the intention of deliberately letting his reputation go to seed, stalling until he was past the usual marrying age!

Because having this open-minded elder brother who had transmigrated made life in his birth family's home too comfortable—he truly had no desire to marry out.

After all, no matter how wonderful the in-laws might be, they could never spoil and tolerate him the way his big brother did!

So when he heard Han Zhang's words, Han Dong's eyes suddenly sparkled, and even his voice was bubbling with excitement:

"Really? Big brother, you truly mean you'd let me stay at home and marry husbands for me?"

Seeing his younger brother's delighted expression, Han Zhang smiled and nodded: "Of course I'm serious. When have I ever joked about something like this? As long as you're willing, your big brother will take care of you for the rest of your life."

"But as for marrying husbands, your big brother can take care of it for you—as long as you can get those young men to willingly marry you."

Though he had a double standard, he wasn't spoiling his brother without any limits.

The only one in the world who could make him break his rules was his husband.

Han Dong naturally knew the resentment his brother held about being forced by Chang Gongjun Jiayou back then, and hearing these words, he didn't find them unpleasant—only filled with joy:

"I know. Don't worry, big brother. I have my wits about me, and I won't coerce anyone into anything. Men? They're nothing compared to my big brother."

With that, he clung to Han Zhang's arm, acting spoiled and deeply moved: "Big brother, you're so good to me!"

Han Zhang was quite pleased by his brother's closeness: "You're already a grown lad of nineteen, still acting spoiled with your big brother like this—aren't you embarrassed to be seen like this? Besides, we're own brothers. If I'm not good to you, who should I be good to?"

Beside them, Shao Langzhou and Jiang Liu smiled and joined in teasingly: "Exactly! In our family, besides Lan Geer, Dong Geer is the best at wheedling. If big brother doesn't spoil you, who would he spoil?"

Han Dong wasn't embarrassed in the least. With a cheeky grin, he ran over and hugged Shen Qinglan's arm, shaking it proudly:

"That's right! I learned it all from my brother-in-law! My brother-in-law said that big brother is all bark and no bite, so acting spoiled with him is always the right move."

Then, with a sly turn of his eyes, he teased: "And this is nothing—when my brother-in-law acts spoiled, my big brother's soul practically floats away!"

Shen Qinglan's face flushed red from the teasing, utterly embarrassed, and he reached out to pinch Han Dong's cheek: "Dong Geer! You... what nonsense are you spouting? You never learn anything good, always picking up these frivolous words."

"It's true though..."

Han Dong nimbly dodged behind Han Zhang, poking only half his head out, and continued teasing with a mischievous grin: "Big brother loves brother-in-law the most. As long as you speak up, I guarantee big brother would even fish the moon out of the sky for you..."

"Oh, brother-in-law, tell me—what kind of love potion did you feed my big brother to make him like you this much?"

Shao Langzhou and Jiang Liu watched this playful scene from the side and couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha, Dong Geer really hit the nail on the head!"

Shen Qinglan's ears were burning red from embarrassment, and unable to actually chase after his brother-in-law, he could only glare at Han Zhang in exasperation: "Husband, are you just going to watch Dong Geer make fun of me?"

"How is it making fun? Dong Geer spoke the truth—you are the most important person to me. What's wrong with saying that?"

Han Zhang leaned close to his beloved's reddened ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Actually, no matter what you look like, I love you dearly."

Hearing such a straightforward confession of love, with the two brothers-in-law watching with teasing eyes, Shen Qinglan felt his face grow even hotter, as if steam were about to rise from his head.

He was utterly flustered: "Shameless..."

Seeing his husband so shy he was about to bury himself in his arms, Han Zhang smiled with immense satisfaction—he loved watching his husband get embarrassed.

Seeing this, Shao Langzhou, Jiang Liu, and Han Dong quickly laughed and left, giving the couple space to enjoy their affection.

Once no outsiders remained.

Han Zhang pulled Shen Qinglan into his arms, reached out to stroke the other's round, bulging belly, and asked with concern:

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you. Have these two little rascals in your belly been giving you trouble? Do you still sleep well at night?"

Yes, after five years, Shen Qinglan was pregnant with their second child.

Actually, given Shen Qinglan's healthy constitution, if they'd wanted more children, they could have had them years ago.

But although thanks to his Power, Shen Qinglan would have an easier labor than ordinary mothers, there would still be some pain.

His husband had been pampered since childhood and couldn't endure hardship, so Han Zhang truly didn't want Shen Qinglan to go through the pain of childbirth again.

So after giving birth to Xiao Tao'er, he had been secretly taking precautions.

However, in recent years, as Shao Langzhou, Jiang Liu, and An Ge'er all had second children one after another, Shen Qinglan began to yearn for another, talking about it and hoping for it every day.

Han Zhang also thought that after he ascended the throne in the future, if Xiao Tao'er were an only son without full-blooded brothers to support him, he might be too isolated and vulnerable, easily targeted by ambitious collateral branches.

After weighing the options several times, he went along with his beloved's wishes and they had a second child.

And to Han Zhang's delight, this time it was twins!

Thus, with three children under his husband's care, the family could be considered flourishing.

In the future, when he ascended the throne and chose not to take concubines, those pedantic court officials wouldn't be able to use "thin progeny" as an excuse to criticize his husband.

After all, he could not care less about his own reputation, but his husband could not afford that luxury, for his husband still had to consider the reputations of the young ladies and lads of the Shen clan.

And Shen Qinglan himself was overjoyed at carrying twins this time. The moment the topic of the children in his belly came up, everything else was forgotten, and his face beamed with pride:

"The children of my husband and me are naturally the most well-behaved! These two are just like Xiao Tao'er was back then—they're so considerate of their papa and spare me much suffering..."

That wasn't quite true. The twins were a bit more lively than Xiao Tao'er had been, with stronger fetal movements, which made this pregnancy harder on Shen Qinglan than the first.

But Shen Qinglan saw his own kids through a loving filter, so no matter how much they kicked and squirmed, he found it all endearing.

Han Zhang could only shake his head helplessly: "Husband, you just indulge them! Just now Qiao Dong and the others reported to me that these two little monkeys have been raising a ruckus lately, kicking you several times every night and keeping you from sleeping well."

"That's not true! Qiao Dong and the others only know how to talk nonsense!"

Shen Qinglan would not stand for his little ones being criticized. He immediately came to their defense, shamelessly making up excuses:

"Husband, you have to believe me—our Er Bao and San Bao are truly the sweetest. I've been getting up a lot at night lately only because I missed you so much."

With that, he leaned in and gave Han Zhang two loud kisses on the cheek, skillfully using his seductive charms to change the subject:

"Husband, why were you away for so long this time? I missed you terribly. When you're not home, I lose my appetite and can't sleep well. Don't you think I've gotten thinner?"

As he spoke, he spread his arms and slowly spun around in front of Han Zhang, looking every bit like he was saying, "Take a good look at me."

Losing weight was out of the question—his husband was never one to deprive himself. He still had a healthy glow and rosy cheeks.

Moreover, with child, his husband carried an extra softness and languid, husbandly charm, a captivating allure in every glance that Han Zhang adored beyond words.

Oh my goodness, how could his husband be this beautiful?!

"Hmm... you do look a bit slimmer. Holding you isn't as satisfying as before."

Han Zhang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He held back, then couldn't resist any longer—he scooped Shen Qinglan up in his arms and strode toward the bed. "Your husband needs to fatten you up a bit."

Shen Qinglan was startled, his cheeks flushing crimson as he lightly pounded Han Zhang's shoulder: "Shameless! Put me down... The doctor said we can't—not now."

"I know." Han Zhang's voice dropped low, his eyes blazing at him. "Just kisses... Husband, I've missed you too. So much."

The tips of Shen Qinglan's ears burned at that. Their breaths drew closer, warm and mingling, and just as the romantic tension grew, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

"Papa, Papa! Is A-fu back? I want to see A-fu!"

Xiao Tao'er's bright, babyish little voice came through from outside.