Chapter 91: Pregnancy (3)

The five words she spoke left the table in silence.

Song Miaoli couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into uncontrollable laughter, burying her face in Su Mian’s shoulder. She was used to Chi Suisui’s usual personality, so seeing her act coy was a rare sight.

Su Mian, on the other hand, was more focused on the juicy drama unfolding before her.

He Xingwang, for his part, didn’t dwell on Chi Suisui’s sudden change in demeanor and asked again, “Where are you having afternoon tea?”

This time, Chi Suisui obediently gave the location.

After hanging up, Song Miaoli mimicked Chi Suisui’s earlier tone, speaking in a high-pitched voice, “Husband, you’re so sweet~”

Chi Suisui shot her a glare.

“Sui, I can’t believe you have a side that’s so sweet,” Song Miaoli asked with wide eyes. “What does Little He do when you act this way?”

“What do you think?”

Chi Suisui chuckled. “When you act sweet toward Gu Nanxuan, how does he react?”

Song Miaoli fell silent.

But Su Mian grew curious. “Dr. Song, what’s his reaction?”

Song Miaoli pinched her cheek and brushed her off with a single sentence, “Adult matters—kids shouldn’t ask too many questions.”

“…??”

After hanging up, He Xingwang sighed deeply.

Chi Suisui’s temper had grown significantly since becoming pregnant. During the first few months, her morning sickness was severe, and her appetite suffered as well.

He Xingwang knew pregnancy was difficult, but he had never experienced it firsthand.

All he could do was watch as Chi Suisui endured morning sickness, trying every method to meet her needs. Perhaps because he indulged her too much, she ended up feeling uncomfortable herself.

The two aunties at home weren’t able to cook dishes to her liking, so Auntie Song from the Qi family came to stay for three months. After her belly began to show, things gradually stabilized.

Once stable, Chi Suisui’s adventurous spirit reawakened.

Having suffered so much during the first few months, she now felt relieved as her morning sickness subsided and her appetite improved. Naturally, she began wanting to explore here and there.

But He Xingwang kept her confined.

This led to today’s secret escape for afternoon tea.

Chi Suisui had only complained mildly before, nothing like the tirade she unleashed over the phone today, complete with references to primitive humans.

He furrowed his brow and left the office.

After thirty minutes of playful banter with Song Miaoli, He Xingwang entered. Nodding at them, he then took Chi Suisui away.

Having already made her point earlier, Chi Suisui didn’t say much this time. She allowed He Xingwang to lead her out, their steps slow and deliberate.

“Have you had dinner yet?” Chi Suisui asked.

“No.” He Xingwang placed his hand behind her, subtly shielding her. He glanced at her. “Are you full from your afternoon tea?”

“…”

Chi Suisui paused for a few seconds. “I only had a small cup.”

She gestured with her hands, revealing her slender wrist—a stark contrast to her visibly rounded belly below.

He Xingwang gazed at her for a moment before speaking. “Then let’s go home and eat.”

The fiery hues of the sunset clouds grew richer.

As for the “primitive human” or “ape” remarks, they were conveniently forgotten by her.

Su Mian watched the couple leave and asked, “Dr. Song, do you think Boss Chi and God He will argue when they get home?”

“Have you ever seen them argue?” Song Miaoli asked.

“No.”

“All the fights they needed to have were settled ten years ago,” Song Miaoli said casually, sipping her tea. “They’ve long since smoothed out their differences.”

Su Mian rested her cheeks in her hands. “How wonderful.”

It was the ideal marriage she imagined.

Song Miaoli had known Chi Suisui since childhood, and they shared everything. She understood the deep bond between Chi Suisui and He Xingwang.

Their childhood together was no fabrication.

With Chi Suisui’s emotional intelligence and He Xingwang’s meticulous nature, they practically read each other’s minds. As long as they communicated clearly, there were no issues.

Song Miaoli suddenly realized how truly wise Uncle and Aunt were.

In the southern city, many prestigious families sought arranged marriages, but most ended up living separate lives, feeling bound by familial obligations.

Whether an arranged marriage worked or not depended entirely on the individuals involved.

________________________________________

Back at home, neither Chi Suisui nor He Xingwang brought up the afternoon tea incident.

The two aunties returned from their training at the Qi family, eager to showcase their newfound skills.

As for the fact that the mistress had sent them away while sneaking out for afternoon tea, the two aunties remained blissfully unaware.

That night, the couple lay in bed.

By the fifth month of pregnancy, Chi Suisui’s weight had noticeably increased.

Regarding the changes brought on by pregnancy, she had researched extensively upon confirmation. Each pregnant woman experienced different transformations.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy about them.

What if she became ugly? What if spots appeared on her face? What if she gained too much weight?

Whenever she imagined attending a tea party, surrounded by youthful beauties while struggling to fit into a dress due to her expanding waistline, she felt suffocated.

To combat this, she hired a personal trainer and skincare specialist.

Months later, not only had she avoided negative changes, but her skin had become smoother and more radiant than ever.

During her pregnancy, Chi Suisui developed a craving for sour foods, and the house was stocked with various sour snacks. Her doting father, Qi Xincheng, even created special snacks tailored for pregnant women.

Because of this, Qi Corporation even trended once on social media.

At first, people found it intriguing that someone was developing snacks specifically for pregnant women. It wasn’t until a later interview that they learned—

Oh, it was made for his daughter.

They were all beneficiaries.

Afterward, Qi Xincheng proudly earned the title of “Father of the Year,” leaving him thoroughly satisfied.

Before bed, Chi Suisui would snack on some treats.

Since these were designed for pregnant women, they were tangier than regular snacks. She chewed them without flinching, making loud crunching sounds.

“Do you want some?” Chi Suisui offered.

“No.” He Xingwang had tasted them once and didn’t want to experience the tooth-aching sourness again. “You shouldn’t eat anymore either.”

He reached to take the snacks away.

“I’ve barely eaten anything!” Chi Suisui blocked him half-heartedly, knowing she wouldn’t succeed. Finally, she called out, “He Xingwang.”

“You had afternoon tea today and ate too many snacks,” He Xingwang said sternly. “This isn’t good for your health.”

“You can’t deprive me of my right to eat,” Chi Suisui pouted, pretending not to listen.

“Save it for tomorrow,” He Xingwang murmured softly.

Leaning down, he kissed her lightly, catching a faint whiff of sourness.

Since her pregnancy, they hadn’t been intimate. Occasionally, they kissed, but He Xingwang was cautious about anything more.

Now, Chi Suisui felt completely different from before.

“We’re arguing, so why are you kissing me?” Chi Suisui pushed him away, her smile mischievous. “Kissing won’t work on me.”

He Xingwang hadn’t expected it to.

Just as he was about to speak, Chi Suisui suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!”

“What’s wrong?” He Xingwang asked anxiously.

After a long pause, Chi Suisui finally replied, “I think the baby just moved.”

She grabbed He Xingwang’s hand and placed it on her belly. Both of them held their breaths, motionless, as silence enveloped them.

Chi Suisui began to doubt whether it was just her imagination.

However, just as He Xingwang was about to comfort her, saying it was normal to overthink during pregnancy, he felt a kick beneath his palm.

The sensation was indescribable, stirring something deep within his heart.

“The baby must think it’s unfair that you’re stopping me from eating,” Chi Suisui teased, steering the conversation back.

“…”

He Xingwang focused intently, but after a moment, there was no further movement.

Seeing him become absorbed, as if he wanted to press his ear against her belly, Chi Suisui pushed his hand away. “Let’s sleep.”

When she said she was sleeping, she meant it. But He Xingwang didn’t.

Experiencing his child’s first movements and being a first-time father, how could he possibly fall asleep? Meanwhile, Chi Suisui slept soundly beside him.

Finally, He Xingwang wrapped his arm around her waist and drifted off.

________________________________________

After her tirade about “primitive humans” and “apes,” Chi Suisui’s life underwent significant changes.

Perhaps He Xingwang had a change of heart.

Chi Suisui finally became a pregnant woman who enjoyed life to the fullest.

Following that initial fetal movement, the sensations became more frequent. From the initial excitement, she eventually grew accustomed to them, reacting with a calm expression.

Summer vacation for university students was approaching. Earlier, Chi Suisui had promised Qi Churui a surprise during the summer break, and now it was time to fulfill that promise.

“Churui won’t be back until the afternoon,” Chi Meiyan said, then asked, “How have you been feeling lately? No discomfort?”

Chi Suisui shook her head. “None.”

Since her morning sickness subsided, she felt like a new person.

Chi Suisui told her about the fetal movements, and Chi Meiyan gave her some advice. Lowering her voice, she asked, “Has Xingwang mentioned whether he prefers a boy or a girl?”

“Of course not,” Chi Suisui replied. “But his younger aunt has plenty of opinions.”

The He family didn’t care whether the child was a boy or a girl, but He Xingwang’s younger aunt had always been difficult. Even before the wedding, she made snide remarks during a meal.

The last time they visited the He family, she subtly suggested that having a son would be better than having a daughter.

Then she mentioned that the baby’s gender could be determined around five to six months and urged Jiang Huiming and others to have He Xingwang take Chi Suisui for a checkup.

He Xingwang ignored her outright.

Chi Suisui simply rolled her eyes at her.

Her younger aunt had ruined her own hand. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she meddled in others’ lives.

Chi Meiyan said, “Don’t pay attention to her.”

She knew about He Xingwang’s younger aunt.

In the afternoon, Qi Churui finally returned home. The first thing he saw was Chi Suisui sitting on the couch, eating snacks, her belly round and prominent.

He immediately became cautious.

A young man who had never interacted with pregnant women before felt incredibly nervous.

Chi Suisui waved at him teasingly. “Why aren’t you coming over? Did going to school make you shy?”

“…”

Qi Churui sat on a small sofa farthest from her.

Chi Suisui couldn’t help but laugh at how tense he was, more so than during his college entrance exam. Unable to contain herself, she teased, “I’m not scary.”

“Sis,” Qi Churui called out.

“Aren’t you going to greet me?” Chi Suisui said. “The baby’s been quite active lately. As the uncle, you should experience it.”

Thus, Qi Churui carefully placed his hand on her belly.

When the baby kicked, he was utterly shocked. Knowledge from biology class turning into reality was quite astonishing.

Chi Suisui asked, “What do you think?”

As she spoke, the baby moved again.

Qi Churui asked, “What does this mean?”

Seeing his bright, curious eyes, Chi Suisui explained, “It’s probably excited to meet its uncle for the first time. Try again.”

Qi Churui found this explanation reasonable.

He had always been the youngest in the family. Now, with an unborn child, he suddenly transitioned from a junior to a senior member.

“Uncle” Rui felt honored.

If allowed, he might have started teaching his unborn nephew or niece.

The prodigy’s ambitious plans ultimately failed to materialize.

________________________________________

By the seventh month of pregnancy, everything had been meticulously arranged. Numerous postpartum nannies were interviewed before finding one satisfactory candidate.

Everyone around them was tense, and even He Xingwang gradually returned home earlier each day. However, Chi Suisui herself remained calm.

Perhaps it was the “heart-wide-body-fat” phenomenon.

She even found time to invite Song Miaoli and Su Mian over for a visit. There was dressing up, music, and lively chatter—it was as if she had turned her home into a tea party venue.

Chi Suisui hadn’t posted much on Weibo since becoming pregnant. After the initial program ended, she posted a couple of updates, but now, four to five months later, her account remained inactive.

Every day, fans eagerly awaited updates.

These days, her body felt heavier, and her daily walks were scheduled. With nothing else to do, she browsed the news and posted on Weibo.

She alternated between sharing food photos and daily life snapshots.

Life passed leisurely and peacefully.

[Chi Suisui is truly...]

[Why hasn’t she given birth yet? I’m dying of anticipation.]

[This is what they call the emperor not worrying while the eunuchs fret—I want to see the baby!]

[Have you thought of a name for the baby yet?]

[He Xiaosui? Chi Xiahe?]

Inspired by fan comments, naming Chi Suisui’s unborn child became their favorite pastime.

One fan wrote, “I finally finished reading The Book of Songs I bought untouched.”

Another chimed in, “I even flipped through a dictionary—facepalm.”

Among Chi Suisui’s followers were also mothers-to-be who privately messaged her with pregnancy tips.

She clicked on one fan’s profile and saw a maternity photo.

This fan had already given birth. The photo was taken in her seventh month, with her husband by her side.

Chi Suisui was inspired and immediately contacted a familiar photographer to recommend reliable professionals specializing in maternity photography.

After reviewing several portfolios, she finalized her choice.

This photographer had excellent skills and innovative compositions—cute, warm, and creative.

Before bed, Chi Suisui mentioned it to He Xingwang. “Little He, I want to take maternity photos as a keepsake.”

“Alright,” He Xingwang didn’t object and followed up, “Who’s the photographer?”

Chi Suisui named the person.

He Xingwang hadn’t heard of them, which was normal since he never paid attention to such matters or memorized photographers’ names.

Of course, everything could be investigated.

Nestled in his arms, Chi Suisui chattered about the styles and poses she envisioned. As she spoke, sleepiness overtook her.

Sliding down slightly, she half-reclined on the bed. Concerned he might think maternity photos were solely for the mother, she reminded him, “By the way, you’re taking photos too.”

“I know,” He Xingwang said. He wasn’t clueless about this.

“Do you want to create beautiful memories with me?” Chi Suisui blinked sweetly.

“Yes,” He Xingwang answered without hesitation.

Chi Suisui smiled, her soft hair spread across the pillow. Looking up at He Xingwang sitting beside her, she suddenly said, “I love you.”

Then, she promptly fell asleep.

Without a word, He Xingwang watched as the person beside him closed her eyes, her breathing gradually steadying. She looked peaceful and delicate in slumber.

He lay down beside her.

He Xingwang wasn’t one to express everything verbally. Sweet words were rare, but at this moment, he whispered softly, “I love you too.”

Chi Suisui’s ears sensed the warmth of his breath and twitched slightly.