To be safe, Jian Xi tested again, this time using a different brand.

She stared at the test strip, not missing the process of the color deepening.

Two clear lines appeared—she was pregnant.

Jian Xi stared at it for a long time, raising an eyebrow and smiling like a little girl.

As an obstetrician, she was quite sensitive to bodily changes. Calculating the timeline, it was during that time in Shenzhen when she and He Ran didn’t use protection—a direct hit.

This man would surely gloat once he found out.

With many things happening at the hospital, Jian Xi was busy and didn’t have much time to go home. The first person to know about her pregnancy was unexpectedly Tao Xinglai.

That evening, Tao Xinglai invited Jian Xi to dinner. Jian Xi didn’t want to go, “I’ve already ordered takeout, I’m not coming.”

“Sis, you don’t love me.” Tao Xinglai whined over the phone, “Come on, come on, I’ll treat you.”

“Every time you say that, but which time wasn’t I the one paying?” Jian Xi didn’t believe him.

“I’m downstairs at your place, hurry up. You know how popular I am, right?” In case fans recognized him, it would be troublesome.

Jian Xi peeked down through the curtains. Tao Xinglai, dressed in early spring fashion, leaned against a white jeep, posing with sunglasses.

“You can be more flamboyant; make sure everyone recognizes you, right?” Jian Xi opened the window, and Tao Xinglai waved exaggeratedly at her.

“Wait, I’ll change and be right down.”

After hanging up, Jian Xi changed into casual clothes and went downstairs wearing flats.

Tao Xinglai opened the car door for her, “How about Thai food?”

Jian Xi sat in the passenger seat, “Sure, I want pineapple fried rice. Anyway, you’re treating, I didn’t bring my wallet.”

“Wow, don’t be so realistic. We have the same parents.” Tao Xinglai got into the driver’s seat, fastening his seatbelt while grumbling, “You’re breaking my heart.”

Jian Xi smiled, “Why do you have time to come today?”

“The filming is done, I have half a day off, tomorrow I’ll move to another set.” Tao Xinglai said, “It’s in Shenzhen, I can see Brother He. He must miss me to death.”

Jian Xi: “Alright, stop forcing yourself into the story. If he misses anyone, it won’t be you.”

Tao Xinglai snorted, “Nonsense, if you don’t believe me, call him now.”

“Don’t bother him, he’s very busy lately, long-distance trucking is exhausting.” Jian Xi reminded.

He Ran’s transportation business had gradually stabilized recently, and he secured another out-of-province route, working until the wee hours every day.

Tao Xinglai drove onto the road, “This long-term separation isn’t sustainable. Actually, joining Mom’s company as a minor official, living comfortably without worries, wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Whatever decision he makes, I support him. As long as he’s safe and sound.” Jian Xi calmly said, “Even if he doesn’t succeed, even if he can’t make it, I’ll support him.”

Tao Xinglai felt moved, “Sis, you’re towering today.”

Jian Xi laughed, “What a weird metaphor.”

Tao Xinglai raised his chin, “Sis, give me a piece of candy, strawberry-flavored, don’t get it wrong.”

Jian Xi did it on purpose, peeled the wrapper, and extended her hand, “Open your mouth.”

Tao Xinglai didn’t pay attention, took a bite, and almost vomited, “Oh! Durian flavor! You’re killing me!”

Jian Xi laughed, leaning back, and turned up the radio volume leisurely.

At the restaurant, they found a secluded spot.

Both siblings were hearty eaters, ordering a full table. When the waiter asked if there were any special requests, Jian Xi quickly said, “Add more chili to mine.”

Tao Xinglai didn’t pay attention, munching on fruit, “Huh, I thought you didn’t like spicy food?”

Jian Xi hummed, “I like it now.”

“Why? Sudden change in taste?”

“There’s a reason.” Jian Xi lowered her head to sip the soup, “Hmm! This soup is good.”

Tao Xinglai opened his mouth, “Let me try.”

Jian Xi switched spoons and fed him, “Just this one spoonful, no more.”

“Right, what’s the reason?” Tao Xinglai sipped a spoonful, not liking it, “Too sour.”

Jian Xi blew on the soup to cool it, her tone very calm, “I’m pregnant.”

Tao Xinglai got so excited he bit his tongue, “Ouch—” His eyes widened, “Really?”

Jian Xi nodded, “Really.”

“Does Brother-in-law know?”

“He’s been so busy lately, I didn’t want to distract him, so I haven’t told him yet.”

Tao Xinglai was thrilled, “How many months?”

“Two months.”

“You need to take good care of yourself.” Tao Xinglai quickly pushed all the delicious food towards her, “Eat, eat, eat, you don’t have to conquer pandas, you’re the national treasure now.”

Jian Xi sneered, “Not that delicate, I’ll be careful.”

Thinking of letting nature take its course, she planned to tell He Ran after he finished this busy period. But Tao Xinglai went to Shenzhen with the crew the next day and met He Ran during a break.

He Ran had just returned from trucking, wearing a solid-colored T-shirt, loose but fitting, highlighting his upper body. Tao Xinglai was excited, “Brother-in-law! You’ve tanned!”

He Ran smiled and gave him a high-five, “From the sun.”

“Brother-in-law, do you miss me?”

He Ran handed him a bottle of water, “Why would I, a man, miss you?”

“You don’t even love by association.” Tao Xinglai chattered, “Then I was imagining things.”

He Ran was in a good mood, “Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat.”

“Order lots of dishes.” Tao Xinglai’s mood improved instantly, “Brother He, where did you buy these pants? They look great.”

“Wholesale market.”

“...”

He Ran stopped teasing him and smiled, asking, “How’s your sister recently?”

Tao Xinglai looked dejected, “Not good.”

He Ran slowed his steps, his tone tightening, “What’s wrong? Is she sick? I talked to her the other day; she was on night duty.”

“Forget it, it’s not good.” Tao Xinglai acted dramatically, looking miserable, “Working so hard, might die from exhaustion. Eating takeout every day, might die from bad food. Always thinking about having such a handsome younger brother, might die from distress.”

He Ran was serious, “Speak properly.”

Tao Xinglai sneered, “Can’t take a joke, boring. Brother He, my sister has been especially hardworking lately, carrying a little one, her reactions are huge.”

He Ran was initially confused, frowning slightly.

“One person’s loneliness, two people’s mistake.” Tao Xinglai pretended to be profound, placing a hand on He Ran’s shoulder, lowering his voice gravely, “Mr. He, congratulations, you’re unexpectedly becoming a father.”

He Ran’s scalp exploded, understanding the literal meaning.

Jian Xi was pregnant.

________________________________________

First Municipal Hospital.

Since the two-child policy was introduced, the obstetrics department became even busier. The nursing department expanded recruitment at the beginning of the year, adding five or six new colleagues. After Jian Xi’s hand healed last time, she resumed work in the delivery room.

She entered at nine in the morning and hadn’t come out by four in the afternoon. Even lunch was eaten in shifts, each person getting twenty minutes, wolfing it down.

Jian Xi delivered five babies, and encountered some trouble with the sixth.

This was a 35-year-old high-risk primipara who conceived via IVF, making it particularly difficult.

The mother screamed at the top of her lungs. Jian Xi consoled her:

“Don’t breathe irregularly, don’t be nervous, follow my instructions, slowly now.”

Finally, she quieted down a bit.

Jian Xi said, “Breathe out through your mouth, take a deep breath, exhale in three or four short breaths.”

The midwife observed the situation and made a gesture. Jian Xi instructed the mother, “Alright, take a big breath, hold it.”

The midwife coordinated, shouting, “Push!”

The mother’s expression was painful, sweat pouring down her forehead.

The baby’s head still hadn’t come out.

Jian Xi went over, performed an internal examination, “Low pubic arch, help her up, switch to squatting position.”

There were only two midwives, so Jian Xi also had to help. The three of them lifted the mother, stabilizing her, and started a new round of delivery.

After several attempts, Jian Xi was nearly exhausted.

She instructed the nurse, “Go notify the family, explain the mother’s low pubic arch condition, call the eighth-floor operating room, prepare for a cesarean section.”

Outside, a large family waited. This man was an only child, conceiving was difficult, so they were particularly agitated.

“What are you doing?! Suddenly saying to change to a cesarean, if there’s danger, can you compensate for it?!”

The nurse was new, patiently explaining, “Please don’t be agitated. The mother’s pubic position shifted, this could only be discovered temporarily during labor. Our doctor will do her best, we’re just preparing you for the possibility of a cesarean.”

“I won’t sign! I want to see Doctor Jian!” The family was emotionally charged.

The nurse was somewhat intimidated, “Doctor Jian is inside delivering.”

The family continued to rant and rave when suddenly a male voice interrupted—

“Hey.”

“Who are you?” The family turned around, not in a good tone.

But He Ran was tall and imposing, commanding presence even without showing emotion. That single syllable carried enough threat.

His tone was cool, lips curling into a smirk, pointing at the delivery room door, “My wife is in there too.”

The family had an indifferent look. Continuing to threaten the young nurse, “Tell the doctor to be smart, or I won’t let her off.”

He Ran grabbed the back of his collar, dragging him backwards.

“Ow, what are you doing?!”

“Kid.” He Ran pinned him against the wall, eyes cold, “Try cursing one more time.”

The family member shivered, not daring to retort.

He Ran closed in, jawline tight, eyes narrowing in warning, “Your wife is giving birth, my wife is also pregnant, struggling inside for two hours.”

His voice was slow, like a thin blade, “If your wife has an issue, you go after the hospital. If my wife has an issue, I’ll kill you.”

The man already felt guilty, being cowardly and bullying the weak, completely deflated.

He Ran released him, and the young nurse quickly interjected, “Are you signing or not? If you don’t sign, you bear the consequences.”

“Sign.” The man stammered, turning into a coward.

“Hey, nurse,” He Ran called out, quickly asking, “Is Dr. Jian alright?”

“Dr. Jian is very tired.” The nurse said, “It’s been so busy today; she ate standing up.”

Not able to stay long, the nurse said a few words and went back to work.

Finally, after trying squatting, standing, and lithotomy positions without success, Jian Xi decisively opted for an episiotomy. After a three-layer tear in the perineum, the baby was finally born.

A boy, with a loud cry.

The mother placed her hand over Jian Xi’s, mouthing weakly, “Thank you.”

Jian Xi gave her a thumbs-up, “You did great.”

In truth, she herself was on the verge of collapse, feeling utterly drained. She leaned against the wall for a long time before changing clothes.

Walking out of the delivery room, she looked exhausted, staring listlessly at the floor.

He Ran approached slowly, step by step, softly saying, “Mother of my child.”

Jian Xi was startled, looking up.

He Ran’s smiling face was right before her eyes.

She opened her mouth, thinking she was seeing things, “You, how did you come back?”

Before getting an answer, she rushed into his arms, hugging his neck tightly, “Hey, this surprise is cheating!”

“Slow down.” He Ran held her tight, his voice filled with laughter, “You’re the one who cheated, not telling me. What were you planning? Some mischief?”

Jian Xi understood, suppressing a smile, “Did my brother tell you?”

“Mm.” He Ran loosened his hold, his gaze soft, “Dr. Jian, congratulations.”

Jian Xi beamed with joy, reciprocating, “Brother Ran, congratulations to you too.”

Then they exchanged smiles.

“Are you off work?” He Ran asked.

“There’s one more medical record to write.” Jian Xi said, “Wait for me.”

“Go ahead, I’ll be right outside.” He Ran said, “Tonight, we’ll go to Lu Hanxiao’s place for dinner.”

Jian Xi made an OK gesture, “I won’t hold back.”

After waiting half an hour, Jian Xi clocked out.

He Ran handed her a bottle of warm milk, “Have something to tide you over.”

“Did you just buy this?” Jian Xi took it, turning it in her hands.

He Ran put his arm around her, walking forward, “Mm. What do you feel like eating later?”

Jian Xi tilted her head, deadpan, “How about eating you?”

He Ran ruffled her hair, “Don’t cause trouble.”

Jian Xi looked up at him pitifully, “Oh.”

He Ran chuckled, “What does ‘oh’ mean?”

Jian Xi remained calm, “Its literal meaning.”

The literal meaning after unpacking.

Oh. Mouth me.

He Ran felt a rush, “I think your thoughts are running wild.”

Jian Xi looked incredibly innocent, “I didn’t say anything, you’re imagining things. Hand.”

Reluctantly, He Ran extended his right palm.

Jian Xi’s eyes softened, holding it and lowering her head to place a kiss on the back of his hand.

He Ran’s heart melted.

At the appointed restaurant, Lu Hanxiao complained incessantly, “So hard to wait, I’ve already eaten three plates of pickled radishes.”

“You bastard, eating radishes again.” He Ran was starting to suspect, “Do you have some special fetish?”

“Tsk,” Lu Hanxiao sneered, self-deprecatingly, “I sleep with radishes and jerk off at night. Got a problem with that?”

He Ran quickly covered Jian Xi’s ears, “Mind the prenatal education.”

Jian Xi burst out laughing, “Can you two stop setting off verbal landmines every time you meet?”

Lu Hanxiao exclaimed, “Prenatal education?”

He Ran smugly said, “I’m gonna be a dad, go cry in a corner.”

Lu Hanxiao was envious, “At most half a level below you, I’ll be the godfather. Oh, heavens bless us with a little princess, just like Xiao Xi.”

Jian Xi corrected, “According to genetics, girls are highly likely to look like their fathers.”

Lu Hanxiao cast a complicated glance at He Ran’s features, extremely troubled, “Then let’s hope for... a boy.”

“What the hell, am I that ugly?!” He Ran was furious.

Lu Hanxiao gestured for a pause, grinning without showing teeth, “Mr. He, mind the prenatal education.”

Jian Xi ignored their banter, heading to her seat and noticing a young girl sitting there quietly, very well-behaved.

Curious, she asked, “Did you bring a friend?”

Lu Hanxiao came over, summarizing in one sentence, “No, a relative’s kid.” He lowered his voice, “Her parents are on a business trip, so she’s with me. Three meals a day, quite a hassle.”

The girl’s bright eyes glanced at Lu Hanxiao, her gaze clear and clean.

Jian Xi took a liking to her.

“Truly, birds of a feather flock together, weirdos stick together.” Lu Hanxiao sighed, shaking his head, nudging He Ran’s shoulder, “How’s it going? Still alive in Shenzhen?”

“Barely, surviving.” The dishes weren’t fully served yet, so they walked outside to chat.

Lu Hanxiao asked, “No trouble encountered?”

“Frequently. But all solvable.” He Ran took out a cigarette, biting it unlit, savoring the tobacco scent dry.

Lu Hanxiao preferred strong cigars, puffing one, blowing smoke rings.

“I need you to help me with something.” He Ran said, “I’m preparing to establish a freight line from Shenzhen here. When handling the route, I’ll need you to smooth things over with the relevant departments.”

“Alright, I’ll find my old man who’s a big shot in the Public Security Department.” Lu Hanxiao said, “Just go ahead and do it.”

He Ran hummed, very calm.

Lu Hanxiao waited a moment, “Why aren’t you thanking me?”

“Oh.” He Ran was extremely perfunctory, “Thanks.”

Lu Hanxiao: “...” He even lost interest in blowing smoke rings.

He Ran wanted to expand his business, weighing the options, and chose this city as the first station—firstly for the advantage of connections, secondly for convenience of returning home, allowing him more time to take care of Jian Xi.

“Lu Hanxiao, your kid is looking for you.” Jian Xi’s voice came from inside.

“Damn.” Hearing this, Lu Hanxiao grimaced, muttering darkly under his breath, “Annoying little shadow, so troublesome.”

Despite his words, he still strode to the interior with the biggest steps.

He Ran softly snickered, “Idiot.”

He got up, heading to the restroom.

The restroom was at the far end of the corridor. He Ran stepped out onto the small terrace, turning the corner.

While checking freight messages on his phone, he walked, taking only a few steps when someone called his name.

“He Ran?”

A woman’s voice.

He Ran slowed his steps, familiarity filling his ears.

The person called again, “He Ran.”

This time, it was an unquestionably affirmative sentence, the tone of surprise unable to hide the underlying excitement.

He Ran finally stopped, lifting his eyes slowly from the phone screen.

A few meters away, the woman stood opposite him, red lips, exquisite makeup, exuding charm with a smile.

Yao Yizhi couldn’t hide her delight, approaching him, “Long time no see, what a coincidence!”

He Ran stood firm, his expression unchanged. It was impossible to tell if he was pleased or angry.

His unruffled demeanor made Yao Yizhi feel a bit dissatisfied, so she batted her eyes, smiling more sweetly.

She took a few more steps closer, looking at He Ran, “What’s wrong? Don’t recognize people after breaking up?”

Just then, Jian Xi’s voice came from behind, growing nearer, “Lu Hanxiao has been asking several times where you are, old...”

Jian Xi’s gaze fixed on Yao Yizhi, and her words abruptly stopped.