The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)

"But..."

Zion wanted to say something but Mango stopped him.

"No buts about it. I know that you're very capable and that you want to share daddy's and mommy's burdens but you're still very young, my son. You have your own business and your own life to live while daddy and I will settle our own problems too. We'll surely seek your help if we need it without doubt but we won't rely on you if we can solve the issue on our own, do you understand? Daddy and I want nothing else other than to have all of you living happily and safely in good health. It will be the most rewarding to us if you can achieve this."

Zion paused for a moment before nodding his head.

"Okay, I will take good care of myself and my brother and sister."

"Good boy!"

Mango caressed Zion's forehead and she felt really grateful to have a son.

"Alright, I'm curious to know whether you're used to the meals in the military camp?"

"It's fine and the taste is still acceptable although it's not as good as uncle's cook. Everything tastes good when I'm exhausted."

Zion was smiling as he spoke but Mango's heart ached as she felt really sorry for him.

"I'll go make pork ribs with lotus root for you since it's your favorite dish, okay?"

"Mommy, you don't have to do that as you're still carrying a baby with you. Also, the kitchen is really smoky and the smell might suffocate you, so just let Mr. Ye and uncle do it."

Mango was amused by Zion's words as she felt that his tone resembled Nathaniel.

"I'm just pregnant and it's not like I can't move... Is it necessary for you and daddy to treasure me like this?"

"Of course! That's for sure as you're my most beloved and cherished mommy!"

Mango felt really pleased deep down hearing Zion's sweet words.

On the other hand, Nathaniel entered the kitchen and saw that Mateo was really busy, so he quickly rolled up his sleeves to help Mateo out.

"Oh, you're finally willing to show up now? I thought that you were going to let me cook all alone while you can just enjoy the food when it's done."

Mateo said in a peculiar tone.

Nevertheless, Nathaniel wasn't affected by it as he whispered to him, "I'll introduce a nice girl to you. She is a doctor working in a hospital and she's really pretty alongside having a good character. I'll arrange a blind date for the two of you if you are interested in her."

"Wait, what are you planning on? There must be something you need my help with, isn't it?"

Mateo ended the topic that Nathaniel started.

He almost fell into the trap that Nathaniel set up.

However, Nathaniel looked at Mateo and said nonchalantly, "It's not a big deal, just take Rita and Wisdom with you when you leave with Zion."

"Oh my god, is this not a big deal? Nathaniel, do you think that the military base is my house and that I can recruit anyone into the barracks as I like?" Mateo refused without a second thought.

"Will you still reject my request if I tell you that the kids are in danger outside but Mango and I can't protect them individually? I'm fully aware that your military base organized a closed training program during the summer recently and that the registration is closed, but you could surely find a way to include the two of them, isn't it? They don't have to be there for long and just a month or so will do." "Is a month or so not long? The summer camp is only around a month!"

"Then let them join until the summer camp is over and I'll pay you no matter how much it costs."

Mateo was hopping mad as Nathaniel was taking his authority for granted but Mateo still looked at Nathaniel and asked, "What trouble did you stir up this time?"

"I didn't stir up any trouble but someone is deliberately picking fights with me."

Then, Nathaniel told Mateo about the jade incident.

Mateo's brows furrowed.

"Who else knows about this?"

"Just a few of us including my father, Isla, Nanny Zhang, and my brother. Even Mango had no idea about it, let alone Macy."

Mateo frowned in deep concern after hearing Nathaniel's words.

"All four of them are no longer alive and you're the only one left, so the person must be someone close with one of them or perhaps he had heard it from others. Now, the other party is using the jade as bait though I have no idea what he wants you to do, so you'd better keep an eye on your doings these days as I don't want anything to happen to Mango during her pregnancy."

Nathaniel nodded after hearing Mateo's words.

"Don't worry as I'll take good care of her."

"I hope so but if anything happens to her this time, I'll bring her back to the Hans family no matter how much she loves you. I'd rather keep her home so that Terrance and I can protect her instead of letting her stay beside a man who can't ensure her safety."

"I won't give you the chance to do so."

Having said that, Nathaniel put down the things on his hands.

"What are you doing?"

Mateo was confused by his action.

Then, Nathaniel said with a faint smile, "I will leave the kitchen to you, uncle."

"Are you kidding me? This is your home!"

"It's okay as I'm not that particular about it, so hang in there, uncle."

Nathaniel turned and walked out of the kitchen after saying that.

At that instant, Mateo had a strong urge to sabotage the chores but he endured it at thought of the children and Mango!

Nathaniel went from the cooking area to the living room and he saw Mango leaning on the sofa while watching the TV in boredom. Frankly, she had no idea what the TV show was about as her eyes were blank and she wasn't focusing on the TV program at all."

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"

Nathaniel wrapped Mango in his arms and only then did Mango come to her senses.

"Nothing, I'm just contemplating something... You said that everyone who knew of the jade is dead but why would the jade appear again? So, I'm wondering if one of them is actually still alive."

Nathaniel paused when he heard Mango's words.

"Alive? Who are you referring to?"

"I'm not sure either but I have a hunch that perhaps some of the people who we thought should be dead by now are actually still alive and manipulating these issues behind our backs. I have a subtle feeling that some of these incidents are related but I don't know how and I can't really put it in words as it's just my feeling... I'm not sure if you understand me."

Mango voiced out her thoughts in a hurry but she couldn't explain herself well.

So, Nathaniel said hurriedly, "I know what you mean. You're saying that someone in the dark is driving all these incidents to happen?"

"Yes, that's what I felt but I couldn't seem to figure out how they are connected now that I think about it carefully, though it's a strange hunch, I..."

"Alright, I understand you and I also feel the same in fact but don't worry as the mastermind would surely leave behind some clues if he really exists and is the driving force behind all incidents. We don't have to be so anxious about it as your top priority now is to take good care of yourself and apart from that, we'll let nature take its course."

Nathaniel caressed Mango's arm gently to comfort her.

Mango adjusted her position and snuggled in his chest comfortably as she whispered, "You might be more burdensome recently as I'm feeling really tired these days."

"What do you mean? You and the children have never been my burden and you should just leave all issues to me without worrying about it, okay?"

"Okay, what did Mateo say?"

"Don't worry as he'll surely sort it out."

Nathaniel smiled as he poured a cup of warm water for Mango.

On the other hand, Mango was yawning and she no longer keep her eyes open.

Nathaniel felt heartbroken as he saw how tired she was.

"Mango...should we just abort this child?"

"Why?"

Mango rubbed her eyes as she felt sleepy.

Then, Nathaniel said softly, "You're too tired and it's not like we don't have any children. In fact, we already have a son as well as a daughter and you're not in good health now, so why not..." "No, I want this child!"

Mango held her belly willfully as if Nathaniel was going to snatch her child away from her.

In truth, Nathaniel was also really conflicted deep down as he was really surprised and excited when he first found out that Mango was pregnant. He wanted to make up for what he owed to the children and Mango in the past and re-experience the feeling of being a father. However, he started doubting his decision again when he saw how tired Mango was.

Was it really good for him to put Mango at such risk just to fulfill his wishes?

On the other hand, Mango could see through Nathaniel's thoughts and she held Nathaniel's hand as she said with a smile, "Don't worry as I feel really happy even though I'm tired and it's only at times like this that I feel noteworthy. Also, I want to be a mother again by giving birth to another child and raise it with you. So, don't feel troubled as I'm supposed to be tough as a mother and I'll be fine."

"It's not necessarily the case that you have to be tough as a mother and I feel really sorry for you. It's all my fault for not using contraceptives as I thought that you would never get pregnant again considering your physical condition. It's all because of me that you have to experience such hardships now."

Nathaniel's heart ached and he was increasingly sad as he spoke.

Mango was really afraid that he would have the wrong idea, so she hurriedly said, "Alright, let's end this topic here as it is fate that brought us this child and it's a gift bestowed by the deities, so don't think too much about it. I'll go up and have a rest while you take the children to have some food. Wake me up when they leave as I want to send them off."

"Alright."

Nathaniel helped Mango up the stairs as he spoke.

In the kitchen, Mateo was done preparing the food when Nathaniel put Mango to bed.

Nathaniel told the children to wash their hands and come to have lunch.

Then, Mateo asked in confusion as he didn't see Mango, "Where's Mango?"

"She's sleeping as she's a little tired but I'll make her some food myself when she wakes up. She doesn't have a good appetite and prefers light foods as she's in early pregnancy now, so I'll go to the supermarket to buy some fresh millet and cook porridge for her later."

Mateo nodded as he was pleased by what Nathaniel said.

The children came to the dining table but they didn't see Mango, so they asked, "Daddy, where's Mommy?"

"Mommy's sleeping as she's a little tired, so be good and have some food on your own, okay?"

"Okay!"

The kids were really obedient and they ate quietly.

Nathaniel said after he and Mateo sat down, "I was going to have a drink with you but we can't today as you'll need to leave with the children later, though I'll be sure to buy you a drink next time." Mateo felt really frustrated after hearing Nathaniel's words.

"You're telling me to take them today? Nathaniel, you're really forcing me to do the impossible..." "There's no other way as we don't have much time left and I really need your help to take care of the kids."

Nathaniel said with a smile.

At that moment, Mateo had a strong urge to beat Nathaniel up and he wondered how on earth could such a person exist.

Then, someone knocked on the door before Mateo could react.

Nathaniel's brows furrowed.