Spoiled by Love – Sweetheart, Don’t Tempt Me

Xia Zhennan watched his wife’s comical actions with amusement. She looked like an obedient servant from ancient times, bowing with a tray held high, awaiting the king’s approval. Playing along, Xia Zhennan assumed the role of the monarch and leisurely took the ‘self-criticism letter’ from her hands.

The moment her task was done, the little woman scampered onto the bed, burying her face beneath the covers, feeling too embarrassed to face the world.

As she lamented her situation, she felt the bed dip slightly beside her.

Oh no, he had joined her on the bed!

No worries, she had the blanket. Who was she afraid of? She just needed to cover her face.

Xia Zhennan, eager to read his wife’s ‘self-criticism letter,’ let her be. He unfolded the A4 paper, revealing a lengthy piece of over two thousand words that quietly blossomed in his hands.

As he read the simple yet heartfelt words, warmth spread through him like a gentle spring, enveloping him in a cocoon of happiness and contentment.

After a long while, he carefully folded the letter and placed it in the bedside drawer. Then, he scooped up the shy little ostrich, blanket and all, into his arms. Seeing her still trying to hide her head under the covers, his smile widened. He lowered his head and, through the thin blanket, pressed his forehead against hers. His deep voice, tinged with a teasing note, revealed his excellent mood, as if he had just gained the whole world.

“Wife, is this what you call a self-criticism letter?”

The little woman, wrapped in the blanket, squirmed in protest, thinking to herself: He’s definitely laughing at me!

Watching her childish sulking, the ripples of amusement at the corners of his mouth grew even more pronounced. He continued speaking, confident that his shy wife was listening: “Why do I feel like this ‘self-criticism letter’ is more of a love confession?”

Oh, come on! The little woman, embarrassed by her own mushy words for the first time, grumbled quietly to herself but still refused to come out, choosing to remain an ostrich under the covers.

Being shy was fine, but staying under the blanket for too long could be unhealthy. Her dear husband was concerned about her well-being, yet she remained hidden. No matter, the third young master had his ways to coax her out.

“Why don’t you help me see how these words relate to admitting fault?” He cleared his throat, having memorized the entire ‘self-criticism letter,’ and began to recite it with the deep emotion of a poet: “…Husband, you don’t know this, but from the moment I first saw you, I was captivated. Your eyes are so deep; with just one look, I was lost, unable to find my way out. From then on, my eyes could see nothing else but you, only you. I think this must be-love, husband, I…” love you!

“Ahhh…” Just as he was about to read the heartfelt “I love you,” the bashful girl couldn’t hold back any longer. She suddenly emerged from the covers, straddling his waist, and clamped her hand over his mouth. “Don’t read it, don’t read it out loud!”

Writing it down was embarrassing enough; hearing it spoken would make her want to hide from the world.

“Alright, alright, I won’t read it. I’ve got it all right here.” He pulled her hand to his chest, letting her feel the heartbeat that thumped powerfully for her with every beat.

Though shy, her heart was filled with sweetness. Hearing him say he’d remember it in his heart, she decided not to be shy anymore. She looked up into his tender gaze, puffed out her cheeks playfully, and poked his firm chest with her finger. “You better remember it!”

“Yes, this is the first love letter my wife wrote for me. I’ll remember every word.” With his photographic memory, and knowing it was a love letter from his wife, he would remember it for a lifetime. Occasionally recalling it would be sweeter than honey, and reading it again in their old age would surely bring a unique flavor.

Her husband was doing so well that Zhan Niantong began to get cheeky, but these were just little games between a couple, harmless and only adding to their fun and affection. “Alright, I’ll sneak up and check if you remember.”

Who checks if their husband remembers their love letter? But her mischief was met with his playful cooperation, and it seemed they were addicted to these little games. “Yes, ma’am, I won’t let you down.”

Seeing his wife grinning from ear to ear, he couldn’t help but ask, “Wife, is this your first love letter?”

“Yes, yes, it’s my first time.” The little thing was smug. “All my firsts are yours.” All sorts of firsts, naturally including that most embarrassing first time!

Though it couldn’t be verified, he fully believed his wife’s words and cherished her even more. When she entrusted herself to him, she was like a budding flower, pure, sacred, and untouched by the world. This greatly satisfied his masculine possessiveness and pride. “Wife, I feel so happy. I’m the happiest man, the happiest husband in the world!”

Seeing her husband smiling so blissfully, as a wife, she felt an immense sense of fulfillment. “It’s just a love letter, and it makes you so happy. If you really like it, I’ll write them for you often in the future.” To make you even happier.

“Whether you write them or not, I know that in here, there’s only me. Your feelings are my greatest happiness.” He gazed deeply into her eyes. “Wife, didn’t you say the self-criticism letter wasn’t long enough? Actually, the rest is right here.”

He reached towards the bedside table, opening the drawer and magically pulling out a pink envelope. The envelope was clearly handmade, adorned with two paper-crafted pink hearts. Its adorable appearance left her utterly delighted, and the thought of what it contained made her heart almost stop beating. Her bright eyes turned to him, “Is this…”

Silly girl, does it even need asking? He affectionately ruffled her hair and handed the exquisite love letter to her still-stunned hands. “Just as you guessed.”

“A love letter for me.” The surprise was so sudden she could hardly believe her eyes.

“Yes, and maybe no,” he replied with a proud smirk. “Go on, open it!”

Though eager, she took her time with the beautiful envelope, careful not to damage it. Slowly, she unfolded the simple heart-shaped letter inside, glancing up at her dear husband with each step, meeting his tender gaze every time.

Finally, the heart-shaped paper opened in her palm, and the contents of the love letter gradually revealed themselves to her.

She had received countless love letters before and curiously opened them, but they were all similar, using common language to boldly express admiration-phrases like: “You’re so cute, so beautiful, I really like you!” or “Niantong, I’ve secretly liked you for a long time, can you give me a chance to be your boyfriend?” But none were as short and deeply heartfelt as her dear husband’s.

Because he had written a heartfelt love poem!

Dear Wife,

Meeting you was like a ray of sunshine lighting up my life

From then on, warmth was boundless;

Meeting you was like a gentle breeze brushing into my life

From then on, freshness was delightful;

Meeting you was like a clear spring flowing into my life

From then on, tenderness was entwined.

Having you, my life

Is like a sharp sword finding its perfect sheath;

Having you, my life

Is like a galloping horse finding its direction;

Having you, my life

Is like a wandering boat finding its warm harbor;

You are my sunshine, you are my breeze;

You are my spring, you are my sheath;

You are my direction, you are my harbor.

……

From now on, my little heart houses little you

Little you, locked with a little lock

Thus, little you can’t leave, and no one else can enter

Only little you!

Still little you!

Wife, may I ask, little you, are you willing to stay in my little heart? To guard my little heart, never leaving, for a lifetime?

As Zhan Niantong finished reading the thousand-plus words, filling three pages of the letter, her eyes were already blurred with tears.

She lifted her gaze, tears glistening, yet her lips wore a smile of happiness.

Through tear-filled eyes, though she couldn’t clearly see him, she knew he was surely gazing at her with deep affection. She trembled as she spoke her heartfelt words from deep within, “I am willing, I am willing, husband, I am willing.”

He leaned in, capturing her lips, “Thank you, wife, for being willing to stay with me for a lifetime.”

“Not just a lifetime, but the next, and the one after that, we will still be together.”

“It’s a promise.”