Zhou Wan: Dare bully Xiao Die, and I'll break your legs!

An immense joy, like an expanding bubble, filled Luo Li's chest, almost overflowing.

Upon confirming Castorice's pregnancy, especially after learning that it was twins, Luo Li couldn't wait to video call her mother the very next morning.

"Mom! Mom! Great news!"

As soon as the call connected, Luo Li's face was almost pressed against the screen, her mouth stretched to her ears, and her excitement was so great that it could make Zhou Wan stumble.

Zhou Wan was clearing the dishes at home when her son's loud noise startled her. She said irritably, "What's all this fuss about? Did you find some contribution points?"

"A million times better than finding contribution points!"

Luo Li's voice was loud and clear, filled with barely suppressed pride and boastfulness. "You! Are going to be a grandmother! And two at that!"

Clang!

A crisp sound of porcelain shattering came from the other end of the video call.

The plate in Zhou Wan's hand slipped and fell to the ground, but she didn't notice. Her eyes widened instantly, and she froze for a full three seconds, as if a pause button had been pressed.

"You... what did you say?!" Her voice suddenly rose, trembling with disbelief. "Xiao Die... she's pregnant?! Twins?!"

"Absolutely true! It was just confirmed yesterday!"

Luo Li thumped his chest loudly, held his chin high, and looked as if he had accomplished some world-saving feat.

"Oh my God! May our ancestors bless us! May our ancestors bless us!"

Zhou Wan was instantly overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes welling up with tears. Forgetting about cleaning up the broken pieces, she repeatedly asked the camera, "Where's Xiao Die? How is Xiao Die? Is her reaction bad? How are you taking care of her? What is she doing now? No, no, I have to go! I'm coming right now!"

"Mom, don't worry, Castorice is fine, she's just a little sleepy, she's still asleep right now..."

Before Luo Li could finish speaking, Zhou Wan interrupted her.

"Good that you're asleep! Being sleepy is normal! Take good care of her! I'll be there soon! Oh, and I still have some pickled cucumbers I made last time; Xiao Die might like them, so I'll take them with me!"

Zhou Wan spoke hurriedly, and the camera started to shake, clearly indicating that she was rushing to put on her coat and grab her keys.

"Mom, there's really no need to rush..."

"What do you mean 'no rush'! How can I trust someone as clumsy as you? Just wait!"

Zhou Wan didn't give Luo Li a chance to refute her at all, and hung up the call with a "snap".

Luo Li looked at the black screen, feeling both amused and exasperated, but also warm inside.

He knew that his mother was genuinely happy, but also genuinely worried about Castorice.

He turned to look at the bedroom. Castorice was still sleeping peacefully, the morning light shining softly on her face through the gaps in the curtains, serene and beautiful.

However, this Tranquility was broken an hour later.

"Thump thump thump! Thump thump thump!"

A rapid, drum-like knocking sounded at the door, accompanied by Zhou Wan's loud, slightly breathless cry, "Xiao Li! Open the door! Mom's here!"

Luo Li jumped in surprise and quickly ran to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, Zhou Wan stood there, carrying large and small bags, looking travel-worn, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead, clearly having run all the way after getting off the tram.

She was dragging a rather large suitcase behind her; anyone who didn't know better would think she was moving in to stay permanently.

"Mom, you're moving way too fast..." Luo Li stepped aside to let her in.

"How could I not be excited? My heart is already with Xiao Die!"

As Zhou Wan changed her shoes, her eyes swept across the room like searchlights. "Where's Xiao Die? Is she still asleep? Keep your voice down, don't disturb her."

She put down her things, tiptoed to the bedroom door, peeked through the crack to make sure Castorice was still asleep, then breathed a sigh of relief and gently closed the door.

Back in the living room, Zhou Wan immediately went into "high alert" mode.

She first carefully inspected the contents of the refrigerator, her brow furrowing so deeply it could trap a fly. "What did you buy? It's not fresh enough! Pregnant women need to eat the freshest food! And this, it has too many additives, you can't eat it!"

Then she began inspecting the room. "The floor isn't clean enough, there's dust in the corners! The windows need to be kept open to keep it ventilated, but don't let the wind blow directly on Xiao Die! And this chair, the edges are too sharp, we need to cover it up, what if she bumps into it?"

Luo Li followed her mother like a lackey, listening to her one "instruction" after another, and could only nod repeatedly. "Yes, yes, Mom, you're right, I'll change it right away and do it immediately!"

Zhou Wan finally stopped, put her hands on her hips, looked at Luo Li with a serious expression, and began her "lecture":

"Xiao Li, let me tell you, Xiao Die is our family's biggest contributor right now! Do you know how hard it is to be pregnant with twins? You better be on your guard!"

"From today onwards, you'll be in charge of all the housework! Xiao Die isn't allowed to lift a finger!"

"Whatever she wants to eat, no matter how troublesome, you make it for her right now! If you can't buy it, find a way to buy it!"

"She's in a bad mood, you have to comfort her! Whatever she says goes, no talking back!"

"Be more vigilant at night; you'll have to help Xiao Die get up if she needs to!"

"Also, put your livestream and those dangerous guild missions on hold for now! You can make money anytime, the most important thing right now is for Xiao Die and the baby to be safe!"

Zhou Wan listed them off one by one, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Luo Li felt a chill run down her spine, but she felt no resentment. She simply forced a smile and replied, "Mom, I know, I know everything. I'll definitely take good care of Castorice..."

"You know nothing!" Zhou Wan glared at him, then lowered her voice, leaned closer to him, and pointed at his nose in an almost threatening tone:

"Luo Li, listen to me carefully! If I find out you dare to make Xiao Die angry, dare to let her suffer even the slightest grievance, or fail to take good care of her..."

She paused, her eyes sharp as knives, and said, enunciating each word clearly:

"I'll break your legs! Did you hear me?!"

Luo Li: "!!!"

He instinctively brought his legs together, feeling a chill run down his back. He quickly raised his hand and swore, "Listen carefully, Mom! I promise! I'll treat Castorice like royalty! No, even better than royalty!"

Seeing her son's determined yet somewhat timid expression, Zhou Wan nodded in satisfaction, her serious expression softening as a joyful and expectant smile returned.

Just then, the bedroom door opened gently.

Castorice, wearing a soft nightgown, walked out sleepily, clearly awakened by the noise outside.

"Mom? What brings you here?" She was surprised to see Zhou Wan, and then an embarrassed blush appeared on her face.

"Oh! My dear child! Why are you up? Sit down, sit down!"

As soon as Zhou Wan saw Castorice, her expression immediately changed to one of extreme love and concern. She rushed forward to support her and carefully helped her to sit down on the sofa, as if Castorice were a fragile piece of glass.

"I'm fine, Mom." Castorice was somewhat at a loss because of Zhou Wan's excessive anxiety.

"What do you mean 'nothing's wrong'! You're carrying two babies now! You have to be extra careful!" Zhou Wan held Castorice's hand, looking at her with concern. "How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you? What would you like to eat? Tell Mom, and Mom will make it for you!"

Seeing the genuine concern and joy in her mother-in-law's eyes, Castorice a warm current welling up in her heart.

In this unfamiliar world, she seemed to have truly found a "home" to rely on.

She gently shook her head, giving a reassuring smile, "I'm really fine. Luo Li... he's taking very good care of me."

Zhou Wan then glanced at Luo Li, her eyes conveying a sense of "at least you're not completely useless," before smiling broadly at Castorice and saying, "That's good! If he dares to slack off, tell Mom, and Mom will deal with him!"

As she spoke, she proudly displayed the large and small bags she had brought. "Look, Mom brought you pickled cucumbers, they're good for whetting your appetite! And these free-range eggs, they're so nutritious! And these red dates, walnuts..."

Watching Zhou Wan busily displaying the "charity supplies" she brought, and Luo Li's helpless yet amused expression, Castorice couldn't help but smile softly, her purple eyes radiating a happy glow.

She gently stroked her still-flat belly, feeling the two tiny lives quietly growing inside.

Perhaps, in this blood-soaked era, such ordinary yet heartwarming noise is the truest form of happiness.

As Luo Li watched his mother and wife enjoying a harmonious scene, the gloom in his heart caused by the fragments of the future seemed to be somewhat diluted by this strong sense of life.

He clenched his fist, his eyes regaining their resolve.

No matter what, he was determined to protect this happiness.

For his mother's smile, for Castorice's dependence, and also for... those two children who, though not yet born, already tug at his heartstrings.

The threat of breaking legs... it's better to leave it as a threat forever!