Chapter 24

Spring deepened day by day. The weather these days was good. Willows stretched and flowers bloomed. Wen Yi’s mood was good as well.

She had not contacted Mrs. Wen for a long time. When she called that day she only then learned the other person had gone traveling.

Wen Yi was startled. “Where? Did that Xu go with you?”

“Do not make a fuss. I did not go with him. I went to the northwest. I signed up for a group tour with a few friends.”

Wen Yi was quiet for a while before saying, “Send me a message every day.”

“You do not find it annoying? I am hanging up.”

The call ended. Wen Yi stood dazed in place.

Xia Tian wagged his tail beside her.

Wen Yi directly opened Alipay and transferred a hundred thousand to Wen Hongyu.

In this lifetime Wen Hongyu had gone nowhere for her sake. Something like traveling would never have happened before. Wen Yi felt guilty in her heart. After starting work she had often made her angry and even moved out. Work was busy. Only occasionally could she squeeze out time to go home. Not long ago she had angered her again over the marriage. Meeting a daughter like her, Wen Hongyu had truly had eight lifetimes of bad luck.

Now it was good. Mrs. Wen was dating and going traveling. Her daughter was married and having a child. She could finally live well. Wen Yi was happy for her.

Qin Nanshan happened to walk over. Wen Yi said, “When the child is born I want my mom to come take care of us.”

He did not think and responded directly. “All right.”

But Wen Hongyu’s northwest trip did not go smoothly. In less than two days it ended early and she went home. Wen Yi immediately received a message. Her mother’s boyfriend’s daughter had returned to the country. Both sides were going to meet.

Wen Yi went straight back to Changle Alley after work. The moment Mrs. Wen saw her she peered behind her. “Where is Xiao Qin?”

“Your Xiao Qin did not come. Tomorrow we will go straight to the meal.” Wen Yi put down her bag and hummed lightly. “In the end am I your daughter or is he your son.”

“Xiao Qin is good to me. He is my son.”

“Wow, Mrs. Wen. I transferred a hundred thousand to you. You are too much.”

Wen Hongyu glared at her with a smile. “Enough. Stop being poor. You do not need to come over for this. It is just eating a meal together. How big a deal can it be.”

Wen Yi sat down, drank a sip of water, and asked her seriously, “Mom, do you plan to make this real?”

Wen Hongyu’s hands did not stop. She walked back and forth. “What making it real. Take one step and see.”

“If it is not real, why meet his daughter?”

“Did Xu Lang not also meet you? It is just a meal. It has no special meaning.” Wen Hongyu went to the balcony to hang the washed clothes.

Wen Yi sat quietly. When she came in she would not let her leave. She pulled her down to sit. “Mom, I support any decision you make. If you have thought it through, then do it. Whether you register or not is fine. His family has a house, right? When it is time to move, call me back.”

Wen Hongyu had been single for thirty years. Now that she could have someone to live with, Wen Yi had no reason to oppose it.

She had been having a good time in the northwest. Now she said she was coming back and came back. Clearly she took meeting his daughter to heart.

Wen Hongyu looked at her, still stubborn. “What nonsense are you talking.”

“Having a companion in later years is very normal now. Besides, neither of you is old. If you try a bit harder you can still have a child.”

Wen Hongyu directly gave her a knock on the head, then continued unhurriedly, “We will talk later. First see what his daughter thinks.”

“It is the two of you dating, not dating his daughter. If she disagrees, will you not stay together?”

Wen Hongyu looked at her, her expression serious. “Wen Yi, if you disagree, I will not be with him. Can you understand?”

Wen Yi sighed softly at those words, moved over, and affectionately put her arms around her neck. “Mom…”

Mother and daughter were quiet for a while. Wen Yi asked, “Tell me about his daughter. Tomorrow I will go please her.”

Wen Hongyu found it funny. “No need.”

But Wen Hongyu still told her. Xu Lang’s daughter had grown up spoiled without a mother. Her personality was delicate and overbearing. She spent money like water. While studying abroad she had gone missing twice. Xu Lang had been so anxious he even bought plane tickets and prepared to go abroad to find her. In the end she had gotten drunk and slept at a friend’s place.

Now it was because she could not finish her studies on time and had returned early.

Wen Yi suddenly understood why Wen Hongyu had rushed back. This one was not as easy to handle as she was.

She comforted her. “It is fine, Mom. We are still young. If this one will not do, change to the next.”

Wen Hongyu glared at her again. “Is that how you talk?”

“Hehe.”

Her mouth spoke lightly, but Wen Yi still hoped Mrs. Wen’s feelings would go smoothly. At this age, truly being hurt in love was quite hard.

At night when she slept, Qin Nanshan called. Wen Yi curled in the quilt to answer, her voice lowered. “Hello?”

Qin Nanshan: “Why is your voice so small?”

“The soundproofing at my house is not good.”

A pleasant laugh came from the other end. “We are not doing anything sneaky. Or has Mom already gone to sleep at this hour?”

That was not it. Wen Yi came out of the quilt. “What is it?”

“What time tomorrow?”

“Seven. Anhua Hotel.”

“All right.”

The faint current sound enlarged in the silent late night. Breathing went deep then shallow.

After coming back from the eastern suburbs there had been some subtle changes between the two of them. It was hard to say what. It was as if the plastic husband and wife had grown a little closer. Both were working toward the same direction, trying to break through the boundary he had spoken of.

Yet it had not reached the degree of being loving… There was just a bit of vague, hard-to-catch ambiguity in it.

Wen Yi: “Is there anything else?”

After a long time he asked softly, “Is the baby kicking you?”

“No. Not tonight.” The man’s voice was gentle. Wen Yi’s eyes moved. She turned on her side, pulled the quilt over again, and also said in a small voice, “Maybe it is because Dad is not by her side tonight.”

These past few nights after Qin Nanshan finished being busy he would come into the room on time to apply oil and tell stories, very actively. The baby gradually grew used to his voice. The moment he told a story she moved wildly. Tonight he was not there. The baby was quiet.

Qin Nanshan laughed. “It has only been one night of not seeing each other.”

Wen Yi’s heart went still. She suddenly realized something, panicked a little, and returned to her usual tone, even carrying a bit of coldness. “Sleep. Do not be late tomorrow.”

“Mm. Good night.”

The call ended. Wen Yi lay on her side, touched her chest, and soothed the heart that was restless for no clear reason.

…

The next day Wen Yi arrived at Anhua Hotel on time. Qin Nanshan had already arrived early, holding two bags in his hand.

She asked what they were. He said, “Shawls. My mom knows a bearer of Suzhou embroidery intangible cultural heritage. She made them by hand.”

“So valuable?”

“It is fine. Leaving them unused is also a waste.”

Wen Yi nodded. “You spent too much. Help me thank Mom.”

In the private room Xu Lang and Wen Hongyu were already there. The two middle-aged people’s faces were stiff. One could see they were nervous. Wen Yi smiled in her heart. She had not expected she would still get to see this kind of scene.

Xu Lang gave a preventive shot in advance. “Nanshan, Yiyi, Xiaoyi’s temper is sharp. If she says something later, do not mind.”

It seemed she really was hard to get along with. Wen Yi began to worry about the days her mother would live together with his daughter.

The meal had been set for seven. At a quarter past seven Xu Xinyi had not arrived. Xu Lang called to ask. She said she was on the way. At half past seven she still had not come.

Apart from Xu Lang, the three people present still waited patiently.

At twenty to eight the person finally came.

A girl in her early twenties, makeup done finely. Her gaze swept from Qin Nanshan at the far side to Wen Hongyu, and finally stayed on Wen Hongyu for a long time. She sat down and told them to serve the dishes.

No explanation and no greeting. Wen Yi’s brow tightened a little.

Wen Hongyu opened warmly. “Xiaoyi just returned to the country. Has it been a long time since you ate Chinese food? Your dad and I specially chose a Chinese restaurant. Whatever you want to eat, just order.”

Xu Xinyi let out a “heh,” her tone scornful. “Auntie, there are several Chinatowns abroad now. Chinese restaurants are everywhere. It is not as if I cannot get a meal.”

The atmosphere stalled. Wen Hongyu’s face was awkward. Xu Lang reached out, pulled Xu Xinyi, and gave her a warning look.

Wen Yi’s fists even clenched. Wen Hongyu also pulled her, telling her not to act rashly.

Dishes arrived one after another. Xu Xinyi picked up a piece of Beijing roast duck, ate two bites, and “ptui” into the bowl. “This is too gamey. What kind of restaurant is this.”

Everyone froze again.

“Then we will not eat this.” Wen Hongyu smiled gently and handed over the gift she had not yet given. “Xiaoyi, this is the gift your sister and brother-in-law prepared for you.”

Xu Xinyi hummed. “I do not have a sister.”

Xu Lang accepted it for her. Xu Xinyi glanced toward Wen Yi and the two of them. Her gaze stayed on Qin Nanshan for a few extra moments. Then she reached out, took out the shawl, looked at it a few times, and tossed it down with disdain. “This is stall goods, right?”

The husband and wife’s faces sank at the same time. Wen Yi could not hold back. “Miss Xu, this is not stall goods. This is a handmade Suzhou embroidery shawl of intangible cultural heritage. This hotel is also a place my mom and your dad carefully chose. Last night they spent the whole night on the phone discussing what you like to eat and what you do not. These are all our goodwill.”

The corners of Xu Xinyi’s mouth tugged. She did not care at all and casually poked at the dishes in front of her.

Wen Hongyu still wore a smile and enthusiastically put food into Xu Xinyi’s bowl. After a few chopsticks Xu Xinyi said coldly, “Auntie, do not waste your effort. I will not agree to you being with my dad.”

The scene fell into a deadlock again. Wen Hongyu put down her chopsticks. The smile hanging on her face came off with them.

Xu Xinyi was young and full of vigor. Her words were blunt without passing through her brain. “I heard you have not married for more than twenty years. I feel that pitiful people must have something hateful about them. I see that you and your daughter both look quite pretty. My dad is honest and easy to cheat. As a daughter I have to keep an extra eye.”

Xu Lang suddenly stood up and snapped, “Xu Xinyi, what nonsense are you talking!”

Wen Hongyu also quickly stood up, pulled Xu Lang, and spoke in a small voice. “Xu Lang…”

Wen Yi was so angry her hands were shaking. Qin Nanshan reached out, held her, and gave comfort.

Xu Lang’s voice was severe. “Today I asked you to come eat not to hear your opinion. Whether you agree or not, we will still be together.”

Xu Xinyi lifted her face, aggressive. “Since it is like this, why did you call me here! The two of you can fly off together! Then have another boy and give the whole family fortune to him! Do you think I do not know what you two are thinking?!”

Xu Lang raised his arm and was about to strike. Beside him Wen Hongyu caught him in time.

“Hit me! If you have the ability, hit me!” Xu Xinyi grew even angrier, suddenly stood up, and in the movement pulled the revolving tray of the round table. The tray moved. The plate with the fish jutted out and hit the glass cup in front of Wen Yi. The glass cup clattered over and smashed onto Wen Yi’s pregnant belly.

Wen Yi instantly felt pain and cried out. The tea in the glass quickly soaked her clothes. In spring the temperature was not high. The cooled water met her skin and a wave of cold followed.

The people arguing in the room stopped and all looked over. Qin Nanshan immediately asked, “Are you all right?”

She had been pregnant this long without being hurt. This smash, who knew whether it would smash out some consequence. Wen Yi was also afraid. She looked at him, her voice weak. “I do not know…”

Wen Hongyu could no longer care about anyone else and was extremely flustered. “Yiyi, are you all right or not? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

Wen Yi was at a loss.

Qin Nanshan handed the car keys to Wen Hongyu and said calmly, “Mom, first take her to the car to change clothes. I remember there is a dress in the bag on the back seat. I will come out later. Then we will go to the hospital.”

“All right, all right.” Wen Hongyu hurriedly supported her up. Before leaving Wen Yi looked at him once. He looked back and nodded lightly.

The moment they left, Qin Nanshan turned to look at the father and daughter opposite. The usually gentle face sank. A few traces of anger stained his brow.

Xu Xinyi knew she had just hurt someone. Facing the man’s sharp gaze, she shrank in fright.

“Miss Xu, I have a few points to explain about your words.” There was not much time. Qin Nanshan’s tone was low and he spoke directly. “My mom, like your dad, did not marry for the sake of her own daughter. There is none of the extra business you guessed. Please do not wound people with vicious words.”

“Besides, our family does not lack money. My wife and I have the ability to give her a happy second half of life. We do not covet your family’s estate. As far as I know, my mom also does not plan to have a child.”

“And also, the two elders met and came to know each other properly. Making the decision to be together was not easy. I believe their feelings are sincere and pure. That is not a reason for you to attack my wife’s and my mom’s looks.”

Qin Nanshan’s gaze tightened slightly. “Miss Xu, this was originally a good thing. There is no need to make everyone unhappy. Since you were willing to come today, you might as well consider your father a bit more.”

After speaking he faced Xu Lang. “Mr. Xu, please advise her again properly. If the matter cannot be resolved, we also do not want my mom to be wronged.”

Xu Lang was still stunned and hurriedly answered, “Yes, yes. Nanshan, rest assured.”

Qin Nanshan nodded, picked up the bags the mother and daughter had left, and quickly strode away.

…

At night the hospital only had emergency. After the doctor finished examining he said it was fine, told them to be careful afterward, listen to the fetal heartbeat anytime these few days, and come back for a check if anything was off.

They bought a fetal heart monitor at the pharmacy by the hospital gate. Wen Hongyu was not at ease and wanted to go back with them.

The house on University East Road was not livable. The three of them went straight back to Changle Alley.

On the way Wen Yi recovered some strength and asked Qin Nanshan what he had stayed behind to say later. He did not say. Wen Yi could only go comfort Wen Hongyu. “Mom, this Xu Xinyi I see has not grown up yet. Do not take her words to heart.”

Wen Hongyu pulled out a smile. “I know. Xu Lang has told me some things. It is just that today you and Xiao Qin came for nothing and also had to listen to this for no reason.”

“What are you saying. It was not for nothing.” If they had not come they would not have known Xu Lang’s daughter had this personality. Wen Yi asked, “What do you plan to do next?”

Wen Hongyu: “Look again. There is no rushing it.”

Right now this was all they could do. Wen Yi shook her head in her heart. She had not expected Mrs. Wen’s emotional journey to be even more winding than hers.

When they arrived home and finished tidying up, Wen Yi began to fiddle with the fetal heart monitor. Generally one only needed to monitor the fetal heart around twenty-eight weeks. Now it counted as early.

Wen Yi read the instruction booklet once and understood how to use it. At first she did not dare use it on her belly and also did not want to smear coupling gel on her own chest. She called out, “Qin Nanshan.”

Qin Nanshan happened to finish showering and come in. “What is it?”

Wen Yi lifted the small machine in her hand. “I want to try whether this can work.”

Qin Nanshan understood at once. “Wait for me to blow-dry my hair.”

“Oh.”

After waiting a while he finally came in, sat on the bed of his own accord, and took off his top.

Qin Nanshan was not a gym-built figure, but his height and frame were there. His body was well-proportioned and healthy. The lines of his arms were smooth. Thin muscle was distinct like chocolate blocks. His waist was lean and strong. There was not a single fault to pick in the whole person.

Wen Yi’s gaze moved up and saw a small mole under his collarbone, just below the bone, as if stamped on, a bit unreal, making one want to touch it.

Before, clothes had always covered it. Only when he took them off could one see this small mole.

A small mole only she could see.

Wen Yi’s face gradually turned red. She did not dare look anymore and hurriedly glanced away. She smeared coupling gel on the probe. “Here it comes.”

Qin Nanshan answered low. “Mm.”

Wen Yi quickly placed the probe over his heart, lowered her head to adjust the volume key on the instrument, and at the same time gently slid her hand. Before long a strong, powerful heartbeat expanded through the machine. Wen Yi looked up in surprise and crashed straight into the man’s dark, deep eyes.

The words in her mouth stopped in her throat. She swallowed and slowly spoke the delayed surprise. “You really can hear it.”

Thin lips again let out a single syllable. “Mm.”

Wen Yi’s hand was still moving. The heartbeat came one after another, “da da da,” like hooves striking.

Yet the steady heartbeat for some reason gradually grew urgent, like a horse startled and losing its direction.

“Eh?” Wen Yi withdrew the probe and turned it left and right. “Is it broken?”

Qin Nanshan sitting was still taller than her. Wen Yi’s pajamas were loose. Her full chest trembled with the movement. At this moment looking down, nothing was hidden.

The man’s breathing grew heavier. His gaze shifted slightly. He caught her hand and said, holding his voice, “It is not broken. Measure the baby.”

“Oh.”

Wen Yi lay down and left the other work to Dad.

She had had many ultrasounds. Wen Yi was familiar with the feeling of the cold liquid and the probe moving. Before long the instrument transmitted the baby’s heartbeat, a bit faster than Qin Nanshan’s, but weaker.

Wen Yi no longer had her initial delight. In its place was comfort. Fortunately the cup had not smashed out any problem.

After listening for two or three minutes and confirming the baby was fine, Qin Nanshan put away the instrument, then pulled tissues to wipe off the coupling gel. “Apply oil?”

“All right.”

His movements were skilled. Wen Yi did not need to explain much. She watched his movements for a while, then remembered to ask, “What did Xu Lang and Xu Xinyi say later?”

“Xu Lang naturally still stands on Mom’s side. But Xu Xinyi will probably need some time to accept it.”

“I am quite worried. My mom looks as if she has truly taken it to heart. If it does not work out in the end, how sad will she be. Tell me, Xu Xinyi is already an adult. How can she not think more for her dad. And those things she said…” The more Wen Yi thought the angrier she became. “She must not force herself. If later she only nods with her mouth and they truly live together, will it not still be my mom who has a hard time?”

“Do not make so many assumptions first. The Xu family has some foundation. Xu Xinyi should not live together with her father. It is just…” Qin Nanshan let out a light sigh and softened the movement of his hand. “If it truly comes to choosing one of two, Xu Lang may not fall out with his own daughter. Keep in contact with Mom.”

“I know.”

Wen Yi looked at his side profile. Qin Nanshan’s face gradually overlapped with the one at dinner that evening. Her thoughts drifted far.

At that time her heart had been full of helplessness. She had not only been afraid of hurting the child. She had also lost judgment of the situation in front of her.

For more than twenty years there had been no man in their home. Wen Hongyu was the pillar of this family. Jobs like repairing small appliances, taking apart and washing the air conditioner, and changing light fixtures she all did herself. Only when she truly could not do them would she find her uncle or hire workers.

Parent-teacher meetings were attended by Wen Hongyu. Some children who did not know, seeing it was always Wen Hongyu who came, curiously asked her whether she had a dad. Wen Yi did not even know how to answer.

Before elementary school they had not lived in Changle Alley. They moved out because the landlord sat on the ground and raised the price. Wen Hongyu refused. The landlord saw there were only mother and daughter in the house, went straight in, packed their luggage for them, and threw them out. Wen Yi was seven then. Wen Hongyu held her hand and stood at the doorway, her eye sockets red, her lips almost bitten through.

Later they stayed one night in a hotel. The next day her uncle came and helped them demand the remaining year’s rent. After that Wen Hongyu clenched her teeth, used up her savings, and took out a loan of two hundred thousand to buy this small house in Changle Alley. They no longer had to live a life of being driven out.

When she had just graduated from university Wen Hongyu had surgery. The doctor asked a family member to sign. It was all Wen Yi who signed. The doctor did not ask, but the curious look in his eyes left a deep impression.

After the surgery Wen Hongyu could not get out of bed for several days. Using the toilet and eating, Wen Yi attended to her alone. She did not feel it was hard. She only felt a bit sour watching the happy, harmonious complete families in the ward.

After so many years she had long grown used to it. She had also once planned that for this lifetime it would just be her and Wen Hongyu living on. The missing company and fatherly love no longer needed to be needed after growing up.

Yet now for the first time someone stood up for the two of them, mother and daughter. The moment Qin Nanshan stood up, her heart seemed to be plucked by something, bounced high, then set down steadily.

She clearly knew that perhaps her childhood background made her put a filter on him, yet she still, because of the sense of being protected that she experienced in that instant, felt a shallow moved feeling from escaping an environment she did not want to face.

Wen Yi called his name softly. “Qin Nanshan.”

He was focused on the work in his hands and did not look at her. The ending of his low voice was gentle. “Mm?”

Wen Yi’s heart stopped. That day Qin Xi’s words entered her mind.

Like. Did she like Qin Nanshan?

Wen Yi lost focus for a moment and resentfully blamed pregnancy hormones for always stirring things up, equating being moved with liking.

But what was this. Right now she really wanted to hug him.

It must be that the baby was being rubbed too comfortably and was controlling her brain.

Wen Yi argued a round with the baby in her heart, lost, and uncontrollably bent her body to embrace the man who was seriously applying pregnancy oil for her.

Qin Nanshan froze. Between his breaths was all the woman’s sweet shower-gel scent. He did not know where to put his hands.

“Wen Yi?”

“Do not move. Just a hug.”

…

The next day happened to be the third prenatal checkup.

It was a workday. Qin Nanshan had no time to accompany her. He said he would take leave. Wen Yi would not let him. She had her own hands and feet. The hospital was all familiar people. There was no need to be so delicate that Dad had to accompany her.

This time it was a 4D color ultrasound. The baby moved freely in the amniotic fluid, like a flexible big banana, sliding here and there. Zhao Ling at the side watched and clicked her tongue in wonder. “Wen Yi, why do I feel it looks like a boy?”

Wen Yi went blank, froze, and was about to cry. “Director Zhang…”

Director Zhang was familiar with Zhao Ling, but still kept good medical ethics and said nothing.

Because of Zhao Ling’s one sentence Wen Yi’s mood sank to the bottom. Last was measuring height and weight. Wen Yi, whose net height was 163 centimeters, had been 96 jin before pregnancy. Now she was 113 jin.

If Zhao Ling had not been beside her holding her up, Wen Yi would probably have fainted and not gotten up.

Seventeen jin. Only at twenty-two weeks she had already gained seventeen jin!

Wen Yi looked at herself in the hospital restroom mirror, wanting to cry but with no tears. “Wuwu Zhao Ling, I am so fat. My face is round.”

Zhao Ling comforted her. “Just a little over a hundred and you say you are fat. How are people like us supposed to live?”

“It is not a little over a hundred. It is one hundred thirteen!” Wen Yi pinched her own face, wishing she could pinch off the extra flesh that had increased on it.

After the checkup Zhao Ling kept her for a meal. Wen Yi said she would not eat and wanted to lose weight.

She left the hospital with her mind made up. Just as she reached the company gate she sighed deeply, turned, and went to a nearby restaurant. She would not eat. The baby had to eat.

She was down for a whole noon. In the afternoon she still had to pick up her spirits to work. It was truly worrying.

Qin Nanshan’s meeting ran late today. When he arrived home in the evening the pair of small leather shoes she often wore was already messily placed under the shoe cabinet. He set them straight and called inward, “Wen Yi?”

No one answered. Qin Nanshan walked in, took two steps, stopped, and turned to look at the living room coffee table.

He had put the snacks away in the master bedroom before, but it was impossible to stop her. Now the only difference was that the snack warehouse had changed places.

On the coffee table there would always be what she had not finished and what she planned to eat. Before, whenever he saw them he would put them away, but the next day they still appeared again. He gave up struggling. Yet now the surface was so clean that only the remote was left.

Qin Nanshan went to the second bedroom and pulled open the drawer. The drawer was likewise empty.

His brow jumped. There was an ominous premonition.

Wen Yi heard the movement and came out. Her first sentence was, “Are you walking Xia Tian today? I will go down with you.”

Before Qin Nanshan could answer she spoke on her own. “Spring has come. Staying cooped up in the house is such a waste of spring light.”

He asked first, “Have you eaten?”

Wen Yi said she had not. Qin Nanshan: “Eat first.”

“I do not have much appetite. Do not cook too much.”

“All right.”

With Qin Nanshan there they basically ate at home in the evenings, but he would not specially make complicated dishes. Sometimes a bowl of noodles piled with toppings, sometimes a pot of soup full of ingredients, simple but good-tasting. Wen Yi always unconsciously ate more.

Tonight he stir-fried one meat dish and one vegetable, and there was also steamed egg. Wen Yi ate with restraint. The usual amount of one bowl of rice today was half a bowl.

Qin Nanshan’s brows furrowed slightly. “What did they find at the checkup today?”

“Nothing. Everything is normal. The baby is healthy.”

“Then why eat so little?”

Wen Yi put down her chopsticks and looked at him. In the end she could not hold back and said pitifully, “Qin Nanshan, do you feel I have gotten fat?”

Qin Nanshan immediately understood why the snacks had vanished without a trace. He curved his lips and smiled. “You have not gotten fat. It is very normal.”

“That is because you are with me every day and have not noticed. I have gained seventeen jin. My face has rounded a circle.” She added, “It is all your fault, making me eat this and eat that every day.”

Her blame always came out of nowhere. Qin Nanshan was used to it and said nothing. “Then later we will walk the dog together.”

“Mm. I want to walk five laps! No, six laps!”

Qin Nanshan glanced at her sworn look. The corners of his eyes lifted and he continued eating.

At half past seven the two of them went downstairs.

April. Spring rain moistened the leaves. The compound was a stretch of oily green. Magnolias on the bare branches were in full bloom.

Xia Tian ran ahead in delight. Qin Nanshan tugged the leash and pulled him back. “Slow down.”

Wen Yi was puzzled. “Does Xia Tian not bite people? Why are you still using a leash?”

“There are always neighbors like you seeing Xia Tian for the first time. He is large and easily scares people. Raising a dog also requires public morals and order.”

Wen Yi thought, if all people who raised large dogs had this level of thinking, would there still be so many news stories of dogs biting people?

The weather was no longer that cold. Many people were walking in the compound. Children, old people, families of three, walking and stopping.

There were also pregnant mothers like her. The moment they drew near the topic did not stop. The other woman’s month was larger than hers. The due date was still a month away. She enthusiastically passed experience to Wen Yi, including the hospital bag to prepare for labor later, points to note in delivery, even how to handle lochia after giving birth.

Wen Yi listened until her scalp went numb. For now she did not want to worry about a situation that had not arrived. She quickly ended the chat and left.

But after walking only a few steps her mood was still affected. Wen Yi looked as if she were about to weep. “It is so scary. What if I do not want to give birth anymore?”

These past few months besides reading research papers, Qin Nanshan in his spare time would also learn about pregnancy and delivery. He knew that was a great pass. He comforted her. “The obstetrics department at First Affiliated Hospital is experienced. We will also prepare in advance. Nothing will go wrong. I have looked at some confinement centers recently. The services they provide are all quite good. Do you want to go, or hire a maternity matron to come to the house?”

Wen Yi sniffed and chose from the options he gave. “Stay at the confinement center.”

“Mm.”

When they reached the compound gate Wen Yi stopped. “Qin Nanshan, I want something sweet.”

Her mood was too bad. She needed something sweet to change her mood.

The two of them bought ice cream at the convenience store by the compound gate and walked back while eating.

If it had been an hour earlier Qin Nanshan would certainly not have let her eat anything icy. Wen Yi felt emotional. Truly, the child who cries gets candy.

But when they got home and she looked in the mirror at her increasingly rounded face and chest, the person who had finished the ice cream regretted it again. In the bathroom she shouted, “Qin Nanshan, why did you not stop me!! Ahhh!”

Qin Nanshan covered Xia Tian’s ears and silently closed the door of the second bedroom.

…

At half past nine he entered the master bedroom. The woman on the bed was curled up playing on her phone. He asked, “Are you not attending class anymore?”

“Not attending. It ended.”

He nodded, found clothes, and went out to shower. When he came back she had changed posture to play on her phone. Qin Nanshan reminded her, “Do not look too close. It is bad for the eyes.”

Wen Yi threw the phone away, closed her eyes, and lay flat.

The irritable temper was gone, which meant her mood was not good. Qin Nanshan thought she was still thinking about the matter from the walk. “I looked at the checkup report. The child’s height and build are normal. Your various data are also normal. There will be no accident. If you are truly afraid, we can check into the hospital in advance then and make full preparations.”

The woman’s voice was muffled. “Mm…”

Her interest was still not high. Qin Nanshan weighed it for a while and continued, “You do not need to think too much about Mom’s matter. If Xu Lang cannot even give this bit of security, then coming together is not a good thing.”

“You are not fat either. I just sent a message to ask Mom.” Afraid she would misunderstand, he specially added, “I asked your mom. She said when she was carrying you she did not gain much, and after giving birth she recovered quickly too. So the possibility of you getting fat is very small.”

Wen Yi opened her eyes and spoke bashfully. “How could you still ask her this.”

“I had something and asked in passing.”

“What something?”

He would not say. “Nothing.”

Wen Yi pursed her lips. He even had secrets now.

Qin Nanshan half leaned against the head of the bed and looked at her along the warm yellow light overhead. After a moment he spoke. “We had a meeting this afternoon.”

“What meeting?”

“Before the meeting the department head said to bring the tools for eating. All of us brought laptops. Only one newly arrived teacher did not. Guess what he brought?”

Wen Yi understood. A dry, cold joke paired with his tone that did not know how to tell jokes was even funnier. She finally showed a smile. Her pretty brows curved. “He brought a bowl. Qin Nanshan, you are so boring!”

Qin Nanshan also laughed lightly twice. After the cold-joke time passed he picked up the pregnancy oil from the nightstand and automatically prepared to work.

Wen Yi was indeed bothered by the things he had spoken of, but there was one more. After thinking for a moment she decided to pass her worry to him. “Qin Nanshan, I feel the one in my belly may be a boy. What should I do?”

Qin Nanshan was stunned. “Why? Did Director Zhang say so?”

“No…” The words had just left her mouth when Wen Yi’s eyes instantly widened in terror. Qin Nanshan saw something was wrong and quickly asked, “What is it?”

Wen Yi shed two tears and complained wronged. “Wuwu he moved. He moved so strongly. He really is a boy. Wuwu I bought so many girls’ clothes. What now. It really is a boy! Qin Nanshan! It is a boy. I am so sad!”

Qin Nanshan was speechless. He put down the pregnancy oil and directly covered her fair belly with his hand to feel the fetal movement.

The baby was indeed like a flexible little fish, swimming here and there and blowing bubbles at the same time.

The corners of Qin Nanshan’s mouth lifted slightly. Star fragments rippled at the bottom of his eyes. “Do not overthink. Fetal movement is a normal phenomenon. Girls also move strongly.”

Wen Yi sniffed, her eyes hazy with tears. “Really?”

“Mm. It will be a girl.”

“But I am still afraid.”

“No need to be afraid.”

Wen Yi lay flat, her gaze upward, staring straight at the man who was turned sideways looking at her. Why did she feel he was glowing? There were stars in his eyes. Was the light too bright or were her eyes blurred?

She pressed her lips together. This time she could not tell whether it was pregnancy hormones acting up.

After a long while she carefully tested his so-called boundary. “Then kiss me. Kiss me and I will not be afraid.”

Qin Nanshan froze. “Wen Yi…”

“It is me asking you. You do not need to have pressure, and it is not disrespecting me.” After waiting two seconds he still did not move. She got angry. “Hmph. If you will not kiss then forget it.”

Wen Yi closed her eyes to sleep.

Three seconds, ten seconds, or fifteen seconds. A faint sandalwood scent drew close. The scent of male hormones blended perfectly with the pregnancy estrogen on her. When her heartbeat thundered she felt a light kiss on her forehead.

A bit cool, soft and cottony, full of gentle lingering.

The spring wind rippled. Outside the window the pure white, clean magnolias rustled down and covered the ground.

Wen Yi’s earlobes gradually turned red. She pulled the quilt over and covered her face.