Jian Xi picked up her phone and looked at the number again.

Then she noted it down, inputting it into the dialing bar, showing it was from Yao Province.

He Ran’s hometown was also there.

No need for much thought; at this point, Jian Xi could guess what was going on.

The ex-girlfriend had found her. Presumably, the male lead’s side must have already been in chaos.

Jian Xi lowered her eyes and flipped her phone over, placing it on the table.

Tao Xihong called her from the living room, “Xixi, come eat some fruit.”

Jian Xi quickly finished the remaining bird’s nest soup in two gulps and walked over, saying, “Strawberries again?”

“Your brother sent them over. Look, those two big boxes of kiwis too.” Tao Xihong handed Jian Xi some fruit, “Eat more; it’s good for you.”

She sat down, popped one into her mouth, chewing while saying, “Xinglai is coming back these couple of days. He texted me yesterday.”

“Let him be. This child has always been lively since he was young, and even as an adult, he remains carefree. Your personalities are completely opposite.” Talking about her son, Tao Xihong felt both sweet and burdened.

Mother and daughter chatted idly for a while when Jian Xi’s phone rang twice and then hung up.

Jian Xi looked at that string of numbers, without hesitation, directly sending a text—

[What do you want with me?]

After waiting a few seconds, the reply came:

[Is He Ran there?]

[No.]

[He left something with me last time. Tell him to come get it.]

[No need.]

[It’s a wool coat. Or you can send me the address, and I’ll bring it over.]

Yao Yizhi fully expected Jian Xi to doubt, overthink, and question her.

But the reply she received was:

[Shenzhen’s temperature has been above thirty degrees recently. Try wearing a coat yourself?]

Jian Xi used rational thinking to discern the clumsy flaws in her words, calmly exposing them, and then typed out the message, “Miss Yao, please respect yourself,” in a calm manner.

She tossed her phone aside and ate another strawberry, telling Tao Xihong, “It’s especially sweet.”

Her phone remained silent after that, presumably too frightened to reply.

Two days later, Tao Xinglai returned from filming in Shenzhen, his skin a shade darker. He wore a slanted baseball cap, looking like someone collecting protection money.

Upon hearing this evaluation, Tao Xinglai immediately turned on Jian Xi, “Look around the entire municipal compound. If you can find someone handsomer than me, you win!”

This time, Jian Xi took a closer look, “Oh my god, what happened to your skin?”

Tao Xinglai complained, “That damned Li Xiaoqiang must have used substandard products when applying makeup on me, causing an allergic reaction.”

Li Xiaoqiang was his agent, reportedly extremely unreliable.

Later, Jian Xi reflected that Tao Xinglai had been in the industry for two years but hadn’t made it to the Weibo headlines once. This agent indeed seemed unreliable.

“Let’s go to our hospital tomorrow. I’ll let you know; you don’t need to register, just visit directly.”

“We’ll see. I’m applying aloe gel.” Tao Xinglai lay down on the sofa, “Finally, I can rest for a week. Sister, I noticed your belly is quite big.”

Jian Xi: “It’s been more than five months. Hey, rest a bit before eating.”

Tao Xinglai said, “Give me your phone. I need to jot down a number.”

“Here.” Jian Xi handed it to him and went to the kitchen to pour water.

Tao Xinglai entered the password skillfully, unlocked it, and upon seeing the screen, his eyes widened.

Jian Xi had just sent messages to her colleagues at work, so the SMS page was still open.

Tao Xinglai scrolled down three or four messages to see the previous conversation between Jian Xi and Yao Yizhi.

“I’ll be damned!” He was almost enraged, “Who is this woman? How dare she be so arrogant!”

Jian Xi didn’t hear him in the kitchen, holding a cup of water and walking out.

Tao Xinglai acted naturally, calmly noting down the number, and stealthily memorized the mistress’s number as well.

He was a righteous avenger, annoyed by anyone bullying his sister.

It was early summer, with only slightly lower temperatures in the morning and evening. By noon, short sleeves were sufficient. With lighter clothing, Jian Xi still appeared slender from the waist, making her belly appear larger compared to other pregnant women.

He Ran was still in Shenzhen and would return next week to shift his business focus to this city.

During this month when he was away, Lu Hanxiao took good care of Jian Xi, often inviting her to his place for meals.

That relative’s child had quite an impact; Lu Hanxiao was almost turning into a homebody uncle, cooking and making soup, then transforming into a tutor after meals to help her solve math problems.

Jian Xi found it amusing. After he finished, she commented, “I barely recognize you anymore.”

Lu Hanxiao washed an apple for her, “As long as I recognize you. Here, eat.”

Jian Xi pushed it away, “Not the whole thing. Cut it into small pieces.”

Lu Hanxiao: “...” He snorted, “Look how spoiled He Ran has made you.”

Jian Xi, holding her belly, leaned against the doorway watching him cut the apple.

Lu Hanxiao remembered something and said, “Isn’t Xinglai on vacation lately?”

“Yes, why?”

“He borrowed a pair of nunchucks from me a few days ago.”

Jian Xi raised her head, “What does he want nunchucks for?”

“I think he’s practicing muscles.”

“...”

Jian Xi found this increasingly suspicious and sent Tao Xinglai a message: [Where are you?]

At Jinjing Community.

Tao Xinglai, wearing a baseball cap and holding nunchucks, waited from 4 PM until 10 PM, hiding in the bushes through sun and rain.

He hired a private detective who thoroughly investigated Yao Yizhi’s movements over the past few days.

Tonight, the woman had dinner, drank a bit, and was currently on her way home.

Tao Xinglai thought this was a perfect opportunity. At 10 PM, Yao Yizhi finally appeared. She got out of the taxi alone, carrying a small handbag, slightly staggering.

This spot was a blind spot for surveillance, desolate.

Tao Xinglai put on a mask, shed his idol image, and rushed forward swiftly.

Before Yao Yizhi realized the situation, a pair of nunchucks clamped her neck from behind. Tao Xinglai dragged her into the bushes and wrapped duct tape around her mouth several times.

Yao Yizhi sobered up halfway, unable to speak clearly.

“Are you Yao Yizhi?!” Tao Xinglai lowered his voice, twirling the nunchucks.

She frantically shook her head.

“That’s right! I’m not looking for Yao Yizhi.” Tao Xinglai continued to show off his nunchuck skills, pretending to be very intimidating.

“I thought you’d be prettier. You’re breaking every rule. Look at yourself; do you think you can chase men? Pfft!” Tao Xinglai stopped playing with the nunchucks, hands on his hips, angrily confronting her, “I’ve recorded you. The title is ‘Street Brawl with the Mistress.’ All the big marketing accounts on Weibo are under my control. Want fame? I’ll make you famous!”

Tao Xinglai wasn’t satisfied, “Don’t think I’m bluffing. My dad’s a butcher, my brother’s in the underworld, and I just won first place in a nunchuck competition yesterday.”

He squatted down, tore off the duct tape, and messily stuck her hair together.

For the final move, “Do you know who I am? I’m his true love!”

He couldn’t stay long, after all, Tao Xinglai still had his idol image to maintain.

Yao Yizhi was utterly terrified. This was like a nightmare! Where did this lunatic come from?

And most confusing of all, since when did He Ran become gender-neutral and prefer men?

After returning home, Tao Xinglai carefully reviewed the practical exercise just now, feeling many details needed improvement.

But thinking of the exciting parts, he couldn’t help but grin foolishly.

Jian Xi, sitting on the sofa watching TV, threw a walnut at him.

“Nervous?”

Tao Xinglai chuckled, cracking the walnut.

Jian Xi put down the pliers, “Where did you go tonight?”

Tao Xinglai: “Practicing nunchucks.”

Jian Xi threw another walnut, “Hurry back to set for filming.”

“Tch. You’re rushing me, pushing me away, you don’t love me.”

“Exactly.”

Jian Xi ignored him, just then her phone rang, receiving a call.

She glanced at the screen, her expression changed slightly, waited a few seconds, and answered.

Jian Xi didn’t speak; Yao Yizhi came prepared.

Opening her mouth, she asked, “Miss Jian, isn’t there some misunderstanding between us?”

Jian Xi stood up, walking towards the window, her voice calm, “What misunderstanding?”

“Between me and He Ran.” Yao Yizhi emphasized each word deliberately.

She controlled the atmosphere, attempting to pressure Jian Xi with silence.

Jian Xi remained unfazed, extremely dismissive with a single word: “Oh.”

Yao Yizhi grew anxious under her composure, “He Ran and I are clean. Without investigating, you sent people to beat me. Isn’t that a bit unfair?”

Jian Xi: “Beat you?”

Tao Xinglai attentively monitored the situation here. Upon hearing the keyword, he immediately jumped out, “Sis, give it to me! Let me talk! Roast her!”

Jian Xi covered his mouth with her hand, her voice and demeanor calm: “Did you get hurt?”

“Yes!”

“Serious?”

“Very serious!”

“How serious?”

“...”

“Are you dying?”

Yao Yizhi finally couldn’t hold on and raised her voice, “Miss Jian!”

Jian Xi moved the phone away a bit, cleared her ears, then continued, “What is it?”

This kind of soft response made the troublemaker unable to endure. Yao Yizhi’s calculations were disrupted, prematurely exposing her sinister intentions, and her tone became more intense.

“Are you afraid? Afraid that I’ll snatch He Ran from you? As women, I can understand you. But you don’t need to resort to such despicable means for retaliation, do you?”

Tao Xinglai was listening with his ear pressed close, damn, he was about to explode!

Jian Xi wasn’t angry at all, smiling as she said, “Ms. Yao something, as a woman, I can actually understand you too. After all, being average in looks and wit, there’s some truth to the saying ‘ugly people tend to make trouble.’”

Yao Yizhi got angry, “What do you mean?!”

“Then ask yourself what you mean first.” Jian Xi narrowed her eyes, her tone becoming sharp, “Who do you think you are to challenge me? Yes, I sent someone to beat you up. Look in the mirror, and you’ll know why I hit you!”

Yao Yizhi trembled all over, “I’m calling the police. I’m calling the police!”

“You call,” Jian Xi sneered, “Am I afraid of you? — Listen carefully, if you dare to covet my man again, I will kill you!”

Tao Xinglai was boiling with excitement, unable to resist clapping, “Good!”

Jian Xi pressed on, “Ms. Yao, remember this: what kind of person you are determines how I treat you!”

Then without giving the other party a chance to speak, Jian Xi personally ended this clown show.

She and He Ran didn’t have an easy love journey, experiencing so much to finally be together.

In defending her family, Jian Xi would never be a pushover.

“Wow, sis, I absolutely adore you.” Tao Xinglai had a look of admiration.

Jian Xi gave him a cool glance, “Did you go beat that woman today?”

Tao Xinglai nodded, mimicking the action of wielding nunchucks, moving while talking, “I’m just a little handsome devil! I scared her so bad her features shifted.”

Jian Xi painfully turned her head, not wanting to look at him. “You’re always causing trouble.”

“Anyone who troubles you, I’ll beat them up.” Tao Xinglai’s habit of protecting his sister was ingrained since childhood, impossible to change in a lifetime. “When brother-in-law comes back, make him kneel and apologize, messing around with relationships like that!”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Jian Xi looked at him, “I warn you, don’t provoke your brother-in-law.”

“With all this, you still don’t blame him?” Tao Xinglai was puzzled.

“Why should I blame him?”

“He’s entangled with his ex-girlfriend.”

“It’s the ex-girlfriend who doesn’t get it; he’s also a victim.”

“But he’s also at fault.”

Jian Xi supported her belly; the earlier outburst had taken its toll. Tao Xinglai quickly helped her, “Sis, sit on the sofa, put a cushion under you.”

Jian Xi asked Tao Xinglai, “Where did He Ran go wrong?”

Tao Xinglai acted on instinct to protect his sister, spreading the blame around to feel better. Now being questioned closely, he really couldn’t come up with a reason.

Jian Xi pursed her lips, her thoughts very clear, “Is He Ran wrong for cheating?”

“No cheating.”

“Is he wrong for actively seeking out his ex-girlfriend?”

“Not actively.”

“Is he wrong for being betrayed by a woman?”

“That woman has low morals.”

“Then there you go.” Jian Xi asked three consecutive questions, leaning back on the sofa, “Tell me, what else is he wrong for?”

Tao Xinglai remained silent.

Jian Xi sighed softly, “It wasn’t easy for us to get together, and even harder to become husband and wife. I won’t unjustly resent him. He’s my husband; even if the whole world negates and excludes him, I will always affirm and embrace him.”

Jian Xi’s voice was soft as she spoke sincerely to her brother, “Men don’t have to always be strong and tough. When he wants to rest — he can just come to my arms.”

Tao Xinglai opened his mouth wide, dumbfounded.

He mechanically raised his right hand, shaking his phone, “I’ve already recorded what you just said and sent it to Brother He.”

Tao Xinglai’s WeChat page stopped at the chat box with He Ran.

It was already sent.

Jian Xi threw a pillow at him, “You’re so annoying.”

________________________________________

Half a month later, He Ran finally returned from Shenzhen.

Entering the late stages of pregnancy, Jian Xi’s belly grew rapidly. She had already changed into two sizes larger white coats. During pregnancy, only her belly grew, while her limbs and waist remained slim.

That day, Jian Xi was on outpatient duty. The department took good care of her, reducing her number of consultations by a quarter.

He Ran didn’t even return to the apartment, heading directly to the hospital.

When he pushed the door open, the first to react was the nurse, “Name of the pregnant woman, weeks of pregnancy please report...”

Halfway through her sentence, the nurse looked up.

He Ran gestured with his finger to his lips, “Shh.”

Jian Xi was writing the medical record, not noticing anything unusual, asking while writing, “What’s the name?”

“He Ran.”

Her pen paused, and she looked up.

He Ran’s face was smiling, his brows full of tenderness.

This surprise was quite big, and Jian Xi was still dazed, “When did you come back?”

“Just now.” He Ran smiled, “The truck dropped me off right at the hospital entrance.”

Jian Xi picked up her fountain pen and gently tapped his head, “Another ambush.”

He Ran smirked, holding her hand and scratching it lightly, leaning closer to say, “I missed you too much, couldn’t help it. Work well, I’ll wait outside for you.”

Jian Xi took out two packs of cookies from the drawer and stuffed them into his hand, “Have something to eat first.”

He Ran chuckled softly, “Alright.”

After he left, the young nurse sighed, “Wow, Dr. Jian, your husband is so handsome.”

Jian Xi modestly said, “Just average, I guess.”

But inside, uncontrollable bubbles of joy were bubbling up.

During the subsequent consultations, every time a patient entered the consultation room and opened the door, they could see He Ran standing in the corridor, looking inside similarly.

The gazes of the two met briefly through the gap of the door, then exchanged knowing smiles.

Finally, after work, Jian Xi’s heart almost flew out.

Seeing her hurried steps, He Ran quickly said, “Slow down, slow down, your husband is here.”

Jian Xi simply stopped walking, staying in place, opening her arms for a hug.

He Ran laughed as he approached, pressing her back with one hand, gently pulling her into his arms.

He murmured, “Mother of my child, you’ve worked hard.”

Jian Xi’s heart warmed, and she hummed, thinking of Yao Yizhi not long ago, feeling a bit sour inside.

So she moved her hand to He Ran’s waist, pinching lightly, “...If you don’t come back soon, my jealousy jar will overturn.”

He Ran’s nasal voice quivered, and he laughed, “I have compensation.”

Jian Xi looked up, “Hmm?”

He Ran didn’t say anything, taking her hand and quickly placing something in her palm.

Cold, hard, and small.

Jian Xi looked down, unfolding her palm to see a key.

“The house we liked when we got married, I bought it.” He Ran was very calm, “Full payment, fully furnished, we can move in whenever.”

Jian Xi was stunned.

He Ran: “What I owe you, I’ll repay piece by piece. You bet your second half of life on me — I definitely won’t let you lose.”