IJLHTW - 75

When Xu Di arrived, Huo Mingzhou’s examination wasn’t over yet. Xu Di had visited Huo Mingzhou when he was first hospitalized after returning to China, and even Yi Huaize had come once.

So Xu Di knew where Huo Mingzhou’s ward was. Upon reaching the door, she saw the young couple in the ward, sitting on the sofa, talking. Yi Zechen had one arm draped over Huo Ci’s shoulder; they were sitting quite close, and their faces wore smiles as they spoke.

“Auntie, you’re here,” Huo Ci was the first to spot Xu Di standing at the doorway and immediately stood up.

Xu Di’s eyes involuntarily drifted to Huo Ci’s stomach. She had originally thought that a young woman like Huo Ci wouldn’t get married and have children so quickly. After all, Huo Ci’s career was excellent, and Xu Di didn’t want to rush her. After all, Yi Zechen had just fulfilled one of her wishes: finding a girlfriend.

She wasn’t a rigid mother and knew that if she had too many wishes, not all of them would be fulfilled.

But who would have thought the surprise would come so quickly?

“Quickly, sit down, sit down,” Xu Di quickly urged her to sit.

Yi Zechen turned to Xu Di and said, “She came for a check-up today because of abdominal pain. The doctor said her condition isn’t very good.”

This statement greatly alarmed Xu Di, who immediately asked, “Then what are we waiting for? We should quickly hospitalize her to protect the fetus!”

“It’s not that serious. The doctor said I just didn’t rest well, and I’ll be fine with a few days of rest at home. Besides, hospital beds are tight right now, so my small issue doesn’t warrant hospitalization,” Huo Ci secretly glared at Yi Zechen for speaking carelessly. He was deliberately making Auntie worry.

Xu Di didn’t think so. She said to Huo Ci, “Anything concerning the child is not a small matter. Well, if we don’t use public hospital resources, aren’t there private hospitals?”

“If she doesn’t want to stay, then don’t force her. Let Sister Qian come home to make her soup. I’ll stay at home with her these few days; it’ll be the same,” Yi Zechen saw that Huo Ci genuinely didn’t want to be hospitalized, so he didn’t want to force her.

Xu Di looked at him and immediately said, “How could you take care of her? You’re clumsy.”

Yi Zechen: “...”

He had to remind her, “Mom, I’m also a doctor.”

“You’re a surgeon. How can you compare to a specialized obstetrician and gynecologist? Besides, how would a man know how to take care of a pregnant woman?” Xu Di was genuinely worried about Huo Ci, but she also knew that young people nowadays were less willing to live with elders. She couldn’t possibly ask them to move back in, could she?

Fortunately, Xu Di was never one to force others to listen to her.

“Alright then, I’ll have Sister Qian make soup for you two later, and then I’ll call a housekeeper to clean up your place. The most important thing for Huo Ci right now is to get good rest,” Xu Di said, though still uneasy, but this was the only option for now.

After she finished speaking, she glanced at the bed next to her and then asked, “By the way, where did Teacher Huo go?”

“Dad just regained consciousness; the doctor took him for a check-up,” Huo Ci then remembered she hadn’t told Xu Di about this.

Xu Di was overjoyed. She held Huo Ci’s hand and said softly, “You’ve suffered these past few days. He’s finally woken up. Today is truly a good day; all good things are happening at once.”

As they were talking, Huo Mingzhou was wheeled back by the doctor. When he was back in bed, Huo Ci saw his eyes closed and anxiously asked, “Doctor, how is my dad now?”

“Miss Huo, please rest assured. Mr. Huo’s condition has improved. I’ve also reported it to the hospital and the Health and Family Planning Commission. I believe there will soon be another expert consultation for Mr. Huo,” Director Yan, who was responsible for Huo Mingzhou’s daily care, reassured her.

Huo Ci finally felt relieved. Director Yan looked at them and said, “Teacher Huo is tired today. Why don’t you all go back first? Come back tomorrow.”

Although she felt a little reluctant, since the person had woken up, she was naturally happy.

“Huo Ci, you go back first. Tomorrow, let Zechen bring you to the hospital. You’re tired today,” Xu Di urged her.

After going downstairs, Xu Di had come by car, and she was still worried, so she simply gave them a ride home. She had already called the Xu family on her way to the hospital, asking Sister Qian to come back by car. So, while in the car, she simply made another call, telling Sister Qian to go directly to their home.

It was Xu Di’s first time here. She had only known that Yi Zechen wasn’t living in his own house because Xu Siyang had let it slip before.

“I see this area is quite convenient,” Xu Di was quite satisfied.

Huo Ci really felt tired as soon as she arrived. Her complexion was still not looking good. Yi Zechen told her to go back to her room to rest for a while. Huo Ci glanced at Xu Di, who immediately waved her hand and said, “You go in and rest quickly. When Sister Qian arrives later, I should head home too.”

“Go on,” Yi Zechen held her hand, watching her change into her pajamas and lie down on the bed.

A short while later, after she fell asleep, Yi Zechen came out and saw Xu Di still sitting on the sofa. He walked over, a slightly apologetic smile on his face: “Can I get you a glass of water?”

“No need, come and sit down,” Xu Di looked at him, her smile genuinely heartfelt.

After Yi Zechen sat beside her, Xu Di asked him, “When do you two plan to get your marriage certificate? And the wedding, do you have any plans?”

“As for the marriage certificate, I need to discuss it with Huo Ci. But regarding her parents, I’ll have to trouble you and Dad,” although the arrival of this little one was truly unexpected, he now only felt surprise and anticipation for the future.

Xu Di looked at him, showing a gratified expression: “You are our child; these things should be done by me and your father. However, premarital pregnancy might not get you a good reception from Huo Ci’s parents. After all, you ‘abducted’ their precious daughter, so you’ll have to apologize to your in-laws then.”

“I understand,” Yi Zechen couldn’t help but rub his nose, like a child who had just made a mistake.

Xu Di looked around the house, praising, “This home is really beautifully decorated.”

“But you can’t live here forever, after all, this is Huo Ci’s house. Later, I’ll have someone tidy up the villa in Yuefu Garden. It’s a large place, and it can be a wedding gift from your mother. You can have your secretary transfer the property, putting it under both your and Huo Ci’s names,” Xu Di said.

Yi Zechen chuckled, “We’re quite comfortable living here.”

“If you don’t want to move, that’s fine. Anyway, have someone transfer the house; this is for the two of you,” Xu Di knew that Huo Ci actually didn’t lack these things, but she just wanted to give. She had never had a daughter, so she didn’t know how to be good to a girl.

She recalled that when she married Yi Huaize, his old mother, without a word, gave her a pair of jade bracelets passed down from their ancestors. Yi Huaize’s mother was once the daughter of a capitalist from Shanghai, but later, when she participated in the revolution, most of her possessions were donated, leaving only a few pieces.

“Oh, right, the pair of jade bracelets your grandmother gave me, I’ll give them to Huo Ci later. I’ve also saved some jewelry over the years, which will be perfect for your wedding,” Xu Di grew happier the more she thought about it.

Yi Zechen couldn’t help but say, “Those are all yours, keep them yourself. I’ll buy Huo Ci her own.”

Xu Di glanced at him, raised her hand, and playfully punched him, laughing, “You really put your father to shame like this; he’s so stingy.”

How could Yi Huaize be stingy? It’s just that his salary was only so much. Of course, he couldn’t afford jewelry that cost millions or tens of millions at every turn.

Yi Zechen knew Xu Di was just talking. If Yi Huaize really gave her diamonds and jewelry one day, she would be the first one to be shocked.

“If you like them, tell me, and I’ll buy them for you too.” Yi Zechen chuckled, coaxing her.

Xu Di immediately brightened up, but then turned and said, “I don’t want those jewels or anything. I just want you two to give me a granddaughter. Then, Mom will take care of the child for you.”

Yi Zechen smiled faintly.

When Yi Huaize arrived home in the evening, he smelled a fragrant aroma wafting from the kitchen as soon as he entered the living room.

It was braised pork.

Xu Di was an excellent cook, especially her braised pork. No matter how many places Yi Huaize had eaten braised pork, his favorite was still his own wife’s version.

He took off his military jacket, entered the kitchen, and saw Xu Di wearing an apron, standing in front of the stove. The braised pork in the pot was already emanating a rich aroma.

“What’s the occasion today?” Yi Huaize’s health check-up results this year weren’t great. While he maintained his figure well, his blood sugar and lipids were slightly high.

So, for greasy foods like braised pork, the doctor advised eating as little as possible.

Xu Di, being cautious, simply cut it off entirely, not letting him eat even a single piece.

At this moment, Xu Di waved him out, “Tell Xiao Tang to set the table first.”

When Yi Huaize saw Xu Di open a bottle of red wine, he chuckled again and asked her, “Did something good happen today?”

Xu Di didn’t speak until she poured the red wine into a glass, raised the cup, and said to him, “General Yi, let’s celebrate.”

Yi Huaize was a bit helpless and asked her, “Celebrate what?”

“Of course, we’re celebrating becoming grandparents!” Xu Di finished, then chugged the entire glass of red wine.

Yi Huaize stood there holding his cup, stunned for a long time: “Grandparents?”

“Huo Ci is pregnant, so you tell me if we should be grandparents,” Xu Di was truly overjoyed. Many little ones had been born in the compound in the past two years. In the evenings, when she and Yi Huaize went for walks, they would see others pushing strollers out.

Looking at those fair-skinned, chubby babies, she couldn’t help but feel envious.

But before, her own son wasn’t doing well; he was old enough but hadn’t even found a girlfriend. Who knew happiness would come so quickly? Finding a girlfriend, getting engaged, and getting pregnant—how could Xu Di not be happy? Thinking that in a few months, she would also be able to push a baby stroller and stroll with the other grandmothers in the compound, Xu Di felt truly beautiful inside.

Yi Huaize really didn’t expect to hear this news. He looked down and smiled, cursing under his breath, “This kid...”

But after he spoke, he also chugged the red wine in his glass.

________________________________________

Huo Ci slept until past 6 PM. Yi Zechen, seeing it was getting too late, went into the room to wake her up. Sister Qian had just left, but the soup she stewed was still on the stove.

As she sat down at the dining table, Yi Zechen placed a bowl in front of her, the rich, steaming soup warming the air.

Before she could take a sip, her phone rang. It was Liu Ruhan.

Huo Ci answered, and immediately heard the anxious voice on the other end, “Xiao Ci, do you know your father woke up?”

“I know. When I went to see him today, I happened to be there when he regained consciousness,” Huo Ci said softly.

The other end fell silent for a moment, then said, “Why didn’t you call and tell me?” If Shen Fangtang hadn’t come back and told her, Liu Ruhan wouldn’t have known about this.

Huo Ci stirred the soup in her bowl with a spoon, and softly said, “I have something else I want to tell you.”

“What is it?” Liu Ruhan detected hesitation in her voice.

Huo Ci looked up at Yi Zechen across from her; he was sitting right opposite. Then she whispered, “I’m pregnant.”

Clatter! A crisp sound, as if Liu Ruhan had bumped into something on her end. She let out a low “oh,” likely genuinely hitting herself, which startled Huo Ci, who immediately asked her, “Mom, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Liu Ruhan had already sat on the sofa, but she felt her heart pounding. After a while, she softly asked, “Are you sure? Have you had it checked at the hospital? I’ll come over tomorrow and go to the hospital with you again.”

“No need, I already had it checked at the hospital today. It’s confirmed to be six weeks,” Huo Ci bit her lip, speaking in a low voice, like a child who had made a mistake.

For some reason, Liu Ruhan felt both sad and happy.

After Huo Ci hung up, Yi Zechen immediately stood up, sat beside her, and hugged her, helplessly saying, “What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly crying?”

Huo Ci leaned on his shoulder, saying somewhat aggrievedly, “I’m not ready to be a mom yet.”

The new father choked up. In fact, he wasn’t ready either. He was still confused, wanting to take care of her but not knowing where to start.

He softly said, “How about we learn together?”

“Where do we learn from?” Huo Ci looked up at him, a bit aggrieved.

Yi Zechen pondered for a moment, then pulled out his phone and called Yang Ming. As soon as the call connected, he instructed, “Help me prepare a set of parenting books.”

Yang Ming was dumbfounded, but Yi Zechen specifically added, “Preferably with detailed instructions on how to be good parents.”