âDonât scare yourself.â Mu Huaisheng was worried about her getting a disease, but he could only pretend to be calm. He said to Mu Sisi composedly, âWeâre just doing this for precaution. The probability of you getting a disease from him is smaller than the probability of Qi Chengzhi falling for you. Thereâs no need to worry about it before we have the results.â
âYouâre not me. How can you understand what Iâm feeling!â Mu Sisi yelled furiously.
âEnough,â Mu Huaisheng said unhappily. âIâve been running up and down for your sake today. How can you say that I donât understand how you feel? If I donât understand, why would I spend so much energy investigating this and trying to clean up your mess? If you didnât run away on your own, this wouldnât have happened at all. Who else can you blame for your wrongdoings? Mu Sisi, if you continue to throw tantrums at me, I will not care about what you do anymore.â
Mu Sisi was stunned for a moment before she wailed loudly, âBrother, you have to help me. You have to! Donât leave me behind.â
Mu Huaisheng pursed his lips tightly and let out a heavy sigh. He glanced at Mu Sisi one more time before bringing her to Chutian Hospital and did not say another word after that.
This time, Mu Sisi was unusually obedient, even when she was in the queue. She was not as frustrated and arrogant as the previous time when she came here to stitch her wound. She just stayed aside and sobbed. Her helpless look made others feel sympathetic towards her.
Mu Huaisheng brought Mu Sisi to take a blood test. After finishing the other examinations and tests, they stayed in the hospital for the report. While they were waiting, Mu Huaisheng went to buy Plan-B pills for Mu Sisi.
The report came out and showed that everything was normal. Both of them were so relieved. The doctor told them if they were still worried, they could come around three months later to do another test. That would be a more accurate indicator.
Mu Huaisheng took a mental note and brought Mu Sisi home. On the way back, Mu Huaisheng called the companyâs lawyer and told him to get rid of the surveillance footage at the bar. He told him to erase the recording to prevent any risk of it leaking out. Mu Sisi was unmarried yet and the Mu family still wanted to survive in B City. This must never get out.
When Mu Huaisheng and Mu Sisi reached home, they saw that Fang Anci was already waiting at the hallway entrance once they opened the door. She was restless and fuming. âWhere did you go all night? How can you go and make a scene at Qi Chengzhiâs place so early in the morning? Mu Sisi, havenât you done enough?â Fang Anci said.
Mu Sisi plunged into Fang Anciâs arms once she saw her and burst into tears, âMum!â
Fang Anci was stunnedâMu Sisi really shocked her. Looking at her trembling daughter, she knew that something was wrong and this was not merely a pretense, âWhat happened? Huaisheng, whatâs wrong with your sister?â
Mu Huaisheng clenched his jaws and told Fang Anci and Mu Sisi to sit down.
Fang Anci grew more anxious. What could it be that it was so difficult for Mu Huaisheng to tell her?
She brought Mu Sisi to the living room to have a seat. Mu Huili was sitting opposite of them with a long face.
After Mu Huaisheng sat down, he told them about what happened to Mu Sisi with a heavy expression. Fang Anci was dumbfounded. Suddenly, darkness clouded her vision and she pressed her hand on her head. She could not accept that an accident like this happened within such a short period of time.
Mu Sisi was still sobbing in her arms. Mu Huaisheng said, âIâve already brought her to the hospital for a checkup. Thereâs no problem. Weâll have to visit again after three months. Iâve also given her Plan-B pills and told Lawyer Gu to search for the barâs surveillance footage to prevent any possibility of leakage. If weâre able to find the man, thatâll be the ideal. If we canât, we can only hope that he doesnât know Sisi and wouldnât tell others about it.â
âMum, what should I do? Iâve been ruined by that man... Mum, I hate this. I really hate this!â Mu Sisi shrieked at the top of her voice while she bawled her eyes out.
âYouâre only regretting your actions now. What were you doing earlier on? Youâve always been so arrogant and spiteful of everyone else. Now, youâve been humiliated by a nobody,â Mu Huili said coldly. How shameful it was for something like this to happen.
âEnough. Our child is already hurt and feels bad enough. What help can you do by saying stuff like that?â Fang Anci hugged Mu Sisi tightly while she comforted her and looked across angrily.
Mu Huili let out an annoyed âHmphâ. Suddenly, Mu Sisi got out of Fang Anciâs embrace and said, âI want to take a shower.â
Then, she ran back into her room.
Mu Sisi sat in the bathtub filled with water and body shampoo. She kept on rubbing her body with the loofah, trying to clean off the scent and saliva from the perverted man. Then, she reached inside of her and repeatedly curved her fingers, hoping that she could dig out the semen that he forced into her. However, no matter how hard she tried, she did not manage to get anything.
Even though she knew that she was fine and already took the Plan-B pills, she still felt disgusted. She felt like his stuff would be rooted inside her and spread out.
The incident last night kept flashing before her again and again. The more she thought about it, the more she felt nauseated and disgusted. However, she could not suppress those memories from surfacing. It came to a point where she could not take it anymore, and she started pulling her hair forcefully. Suddenly, she crouched down beside the tub and started gagging.
Nothing came out from her heaving and she felt her stomach cramping. Mu Sisi slammed her hands on the foamy water, closed her eyes, and shrieked insanely.
The bathroom door opened suddenly and Fang Anci came running in. âWhat happened, Sisi?â
âMum, I canât take it. I keep thinking about it. It drives me mad every time I recall what happened,â Mu Sisi was still ripping her hair and her facial features looked as if they were distorted.
âStop thinking about it. You donât have to torture yourself. Yesterday night was an accident. You just take a good bath and then get some sleep.â Fang Anci could only comfort her. It was still up to Mu Sisi whether she can get out of that headspace.
However, with Mu Sisiâs arrogance and her idealistic standards, she would never be able to accept the incident that happened to her.
âI was drugged last night. I thought that he was Brother Chengzhi. I was so happy, but...â Mu Sisi said sobbingly, âBrother Chengzhi also knows about this. Heâll never want me ever again.â
Fang Anci sighed and said, âSisi, even if this didnât happen, he wonât accept you. Thereâs no difference to him whether something like this happened or not. Sisi, what was Chengzhiâs reaction after he found out about this? Your brother already told me. Havenât you given up by now?â
Mu Sisi curled her body into a ball, leaned her forehead against the side of the bathtub, and started crying.
Fang Anci comforted her by stroking her hair while gently saying, âJust now, weâve discussed about it. No one can guarantee that the man wouldnât tell others in the future. Weâre worried that he might have taken images or videos. There are so many perverts out there now. Wasnât there multiple news report about incidents like this? Your brother will try his best to find the man and seal all possible sources to prevent it from getting out. Sisi, since no one knows about it now, you should get married as soon as possible.â
Mu Sisi raised her head all of a sudden. She heard Fang Anci said gently, âYou know clearly that itâs impossible to be with Qi Chengzhi no matter how much effort you put in. If... Iâm just saying if the incident from last night leaked out, how are you going to handle it? Other than the surveillance video, the hotel receptionist, the waiter, and customers at the bar knows about this. You canât be sure that they wonât tell the others even if we give them money to seal their mouths. If weâre able to use money to buy them, they could be bought by others with a higher price.â
âMum, what are you trying to say?â Mu Sisi asked unwillingly.
âGo according to our plan we discussed last night and get married. Use this window of opportunity while no one knows about this. We can still use our family status to find you a decent husband. We wonât be going to America. Your dad decided to stay here and continue his business. Since you donât want Li Zhuohui because heâs a divorcee, we wonât force you to marry him. The Gao family is not bad, can you consider meeting them please?â Fang Anci did not tell Mu Sisi that under her circumstances, she would not be good enough for Li Zhuohui.
Li Zhuohui was different from Gao Jingqiu. Mu Huaisheng had investigated that man beforehand. He had some skills and would not be easily fooled by others. If things got out, Mu Sisi might get kicked back to them.
Li Zhuohuiâs ex-wife did not get a single penny when they got a divorce. It would be the same case for Mu Sisi. That was the reason they chose Gao Jingqiu.
There were rumours that Gao Jingqiu was quite a player on the field, but he was very obedient to his family. She thought that a man like him was easier to control in comparison to Li Zhuohui.
âGive it some time and think through this.â Fang Anci wiped off the tears from Mu Sisiâs face and left.
...
...
Qi Chengzhi said that he would only buy the device that helps them communicate with Qi Youjin, but he could not resist once he entered the shop. He saw that there were many new items in the shop, including a baby pool and float. Qi Chengzhi just could not help but to buy it all.
Luckily, Song Yu and Aunt Yang cleared out the guest room at home as Qi Youjinâs nursery. The other room would be used as his playroom and to store all the toys that Qi Chengzhi bought for him.
When Song Yu saw the pile of purchased goods that Qi Chengzhi was getting, she said hurriedly, âStop buying, we have too much already. The things youâre buying are all for infants around zero to six months of age. He wonât be able to use all of them even if he plays with a new toy every other day. I havenât even mentioned you making repeated purchases of the same toy. Heâs going to change into new toys when heâs six to twelve months old.â
It was not the only time that Qi Chengzhi shopped together with her. Previously, when she took the leave to stay home and rest, Qi Chengzhi would carry a box of stuff full of things home from time to time that he had bought for Qi Youjin. Qi Chengzhi had turned into a shopaholic for Qi Youjin who had not even been born yet.
Qi Chengzhi looked at the shopping cart that was filled to the brim silently. He did not know how this happened. He seemed to find everything he sees interesting. Unknowingly, his cart was already full.
He nodded his head and said that he would shop sensibly before he headed to the cashier to pay. Song Yu looked at his back while he was in the middle of the transaction. She was amused to see a refined, tasteful man like him buy baby products with his sleeves rolled up.
After paying, Qi Chengzhi was pushing the cart back when he saw Song Yuâs smile. He raised his eyebrows in curiosity.
Song Yu did not explain. She just held onto his arm laughingly. When they walked to the entrance, Song Yu started having a slight migraine when she saw how hot it was outside. The shop was air-conditioned, so she felt rather comfortable. However, she would sweat a lot once she stepped out. She had growing more sensitive to heat ever since her belly grew larger.
Qi Chengzhi looked at her worrisome face and said softly, âLetâs get in the car first, Iâll turn on the air-conditioner for you.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Song Yu nodded. Qi Chengzhi sent her to the car and started the air-conditioning before heading out again to move the stuff they bought into the car.
When Qi Chengzhi got back to the car and was about to drive home, he received a call from Qi Chengyue. âBig brother, are you guys heading back now?â
âWeâre about to,â Qi Chengzhi said. When he turned around, he saw Song Yu sweating after walking from the shop to the car. He took out the tissue from the storage box in the car to help her wipe off the sweat.
He extended his hand and used his slender fingers to push aside her long locks that were dampened by her sweat.
âGreat, Dongge and I are looking at houses nearby. Can we have dinner with you guys?â Qi Chengzhi said.
Qi Chengzhi chuckled, âYouâre welcome.â
After hanging up, Qi Chengzhi told Song Yu about Qi Chengyueâs plan. Song Yu said, âIf theyâre able to choose a place near ours, thatâll be nice.â
âI remember thereâs a residence nearby our place that was under Qilinâs construction. Itâs rather decent,â Qi Chengzhi said while he started the car. Then, he glanced at Song Yu again, âAre you becoming more sensitive towards the heat nowadays?â
âUhm,â Song Yu could not help but to fan herself with her hands even though the car was air-conditioned. âI hope that summer passes sooner.â
...
...
When they arrived, Qi Chengyue and Cheng Dongge were already waiting at their house.
Song Yu let out a sigh of relief when she felt the cool, dry air in the house. She scooted over to sit on the sofa hurriedly. Qi Chengzhi did not follow. Instead, he went into the kitchen and poured a glass of milk for Song Yu.
Song Yu received the milk from Qi Chengzhi. After sitting down, he said, âIâll massage your legs.â
Qi Chengyue choked and stared at Qi Chengzhi with an astonished expression on her face. She never thought that he could speak such words so openlyâhe even said it so righteously.
Song Yuâs face blushed instantly. She felt embarrassed getting a massage from Qi Chengzhi in front of Qi Chengyue and Cheng Dongge. Most importantly, she did not want to ruin Qi Chengzhiâs image, and so she hurriedly said, âNo need.â
Qi Chengzhi raised his eyebrows and stared at her with a piercing gaze. âYouâve been following me around the whole day. Just listen to me.â
Song Yuâs face got even redder since Qi Chengyue and Cheng Dongge were staring. She got closer to him and said softly, âChengyue and Dongge are here.â
âWhat are you afraid of?â Qi Chengzhi looked at her very seriously and said, âItâs not like weâre doing something that shouldnât be seen.â
â...â Song Yu was speechless. Since he did not take up her offer to protect his image, Song Yu could only put her legs on his lap. Qi Chengzhi took two pillows and placed them on the sofa arm for Song Yu to lean against. Then, he started to massage her legs and calf.
Qi Chengyue and Cheng Donggeâs wedding was set for the next month. Octoberâs weather was not too cold or too hotâit was perfect for weddings. Qi Chengyue mentioned that she was going to have a wedding photoshoot next week. Qi Chengzhi asked, âHowâs the quality of that photography studio?â
âNot bad. The photographer had taken wedding photos for many celebrities. They all look quite pretty,â Qi Chengyue said while she tried her best not to focus her eyes on Qi Chengzhiâs hand movements where he was massaging Song Yuâs legs. She could not get used to it.
âWhat about photos for pregnant ladies?â Qi Chengzhi asked.
âYou guys want to document your pregnancy?â Qi Chengyue took her cellphone out. âHold on for a moment. I have the WeChat number of the studio. They have all sorts of albums.â
Qi Chengyue searched for photos of pregnant ladies and showed them to Qi Chengzhi. He was quite satisfied with them and took the number from Qi Chengyue.
âOh right, Iâm thinking of asking Ruan Danchen to be my bridesmaid too,â Qi Chengyue told Song Yu. She could not decide on the ladies from noble families. Furthermore, she was not that close to them anyway.
Before this, they would meet during gatherings, but after she got divorced from Jian Yi, she heard the way they were gossiping about her and started to stay away from them.
âFourth brother is not free to be the groomsman because he has to return to the army after attending the wedding,â Qi Chengyue ate a piece of watermelon and continued, âIâm thinking whoâs more suited to be the best man. Donggeâs family all live in Li City. We plan to invite his parents to attend the wedding here and have another wedding dinner in Li City. Then, his cousin sisters and brothers can be the groomsmen and bridesmaid. The others are already married, and thatâs why I donât know who to look for here.â
âWe still have Chenglin, right?â Qi Chengzhi received a pinching on his thigh from Song Yu.
âWill second brother accept?â Qi Chengyue said uncertainly.
Qi Chengzhi arched his eyebrows and gave an ambiguous smile, âDo you think he can reject? Itâs your wedding. If you donât believe me, you can call him up and ask now.â
Qi Chengyue glanced at Qi Chengzhi with a doubtful look before calling Qi Chenglin, âSecond brother, can I ask for a favor from you?â
â...â
âUhm, itâs just a small matter. I canât find anyone to be the groomsman for my wedding. Can you be our groomsman?â Qi Chengyue asked unsurely.
â...â
âBridesmaid? Itâs Ruan Danchen.â
â...â
âReally?â
â...â
âThank you, second brother!â
Qi Chengyue hung up with an unbelievable expression. âSecond brother just accepted it straight away after asking whoâs the bridesmaid.â
Qi Chengyue blinked her eyes and thought, âThis isnât Qi Chenglinâs usual behaviour at all!â
Qi Chengzhi curved the corner of his mouth and put on a shallow smile but he did not say a thing.
âRight, you said that youâre here to see houses. How did that go?â Song Yu asked after gulping a mouthful of cold milk.
âWe really like them, but we still have to compare it to the one yesterday,â Qi Chengyue looked at Song Yu and Qi Chengzhi smilingly, âYou guys wonât mind if we move nearby to your place, right?â
âOf course not. What are you thinking? Itâs nice to gather like this once in a while,â Song Yu said gleefully. âAlso, I plan to work from home after giving birth to Youjin so that I can take care of him. You will also stay at home for quite some time after you get pregnant. We can be each otherâs company so that you wonât feel so lonely then.â
Qi Chengyue gave it a thought and felt that it was a good idea. âNow that youâve mentioned it, what happened to our honeymoon plans?â
âWell, your older brother had already done quite some research on Greece. We can go together when the time comes,â said Song Yu.
...
After dinner, Qi Chengyue and Cheng Dongge left. Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu went back to the bedroom.
Qi Chengzhi took out the small toy that he just bought and tried to figure out how to use it. He stuck the two strings on Song Yuâs belly and held a microphone-shaped thing on his hand, except that there was no speaker function.
Qi Chengzhiâs thick eyebrows furrowed slightly and said, âDid I get cheated. Is this even working?â
âYou just try and say something to Youjin,â Song Yu said excitedly.
Qi Chengzhi was sitting beside Song Yu with both of his long legs crossed. He frowned again and coughed dryly when he looked at Song Yuâs stomachâhis charming face grew a little redder.
Song Yu could not resist his smile. At this moment, she felt that this elegant, mature man looked like a kid.
âIâm your daddy,â Qi Chengzhi said in a low, mellow voice with a frown. âIf you hear me, move something.â
Song Yu was skeptical on whether Qi Youjin could really understand what Qi Chengzhi said. However, she could feel that he moved gently inside after a while.
âDid you feel that?â Song Yu asked excitedly.
Qi Chengzhiâs hand was placed on her stomach. He put on a gleeful smile, his eyes looking extraordinarily charming.
âSon, we... are very happy to have you. Daddy will definitely protect mommy and you,â Qi Chengzhi said seriously. âOf course when you grow older, youâll have to protect mommy together with me.â
Shortly after, he felt another movement from Qi Youjin. It was even more obvious that before.
âDaddy chose a name for you. Itâs Qi Youjin. Youjin, mommy and daddy love you. You need to grow faster. Please donât let your mommy suffer and make a smooth entrance, okay? Your mommy suffered quite a lot when sheâs carrying you so you have to be more thoughtful,â Qi Chengzhi said with a mellow voice.
Song Yu placed her hand on top of Qi Chengzhiâs hand gently. This charming man in front of her had such a warm expression, but the way he spoke was still quite reserved. It took him some courage to say those words as his voice was a little stiff, and the tips of his ears had turned red. It must have been rather embarrassing for him to say that out loud, but she felt very touched by his effort.
âYoujin, daddy is thirty-five this year and mommy is twenty-six. Fifty years later, if daddyâs not around anymore, you need to help me take care of mommy. Donât let her suffer, and donât make her angry or upset. The only thing that can be on her face is a smile, do you understand? She is your fatherâs most beloved woman in this lifetime. One day, daddy will have no choice but to hand her over to you to take care on behalf of me. You canât let her be hurt. After youâre born, I will show you how I love mommy. Then, youâre only allowed to love her more than me, okay?â Qi Chengzhi looked at Song Yuâs tummy with such a serious expression as if Qi Youjin was right in front of him.
Song Yuâs eyes reddened instantly when she heard him said all these with a throaty voice. âQi Chengzhi, what nonsense are you talking about!â
Qi Chengzhi lifted his head and saw tears rolling down her cheeks. He frowned heavy-heartedly. âWhy are you crying?â
He threw the microphone aside and held her face with his elegant hands and wiped her tears away gently.
Song Yu punched his chest unhappily. âItâs all because of you. Why are you saying things about when youâre gone?â
âIâm educating our son to treat you nicely. Might as well start earlier while heâs still inside your tummy,â Qi Chengzhi smiled and said with a mellow voice. âThatâs for us to worry a few decades later. Why are you crying now, silly?â
He closed in towards her and planted a kiss on her delicate cheek. Then, he wrapped her in his embrace and said in a throaty, empathetic voice, âDonât cry.â
âTime flies. A few decades is not that far away.â Song Yu tightened her grip around Qi Chengzhi. She pouted her mouth and sobbed, âHearing what you said made me think, and it felt sad and scary. I donât want you to say anything about how youâre not going to be around, not even hypothetically. I donât care how far in the future itâll be. You canât say that.â
âOkay,â Qi Chengzhi tapped on the back of her head gently and softly said, âIâm sorry, I wonât say it ever again. If I knew that itâll make you cry, I wouldnât have touched this topic in the first place.â
Song Yu sniffed and hugged him even tighter. Her sobs were sorrowful but in a coddling way. âChengzhi, I wish that you can be with me forever.â
Qi Chengzhi lowered his head, his searing lips were right at the level of the corner of her eye. He kissed away the teardrop that was hanging on her lashes and said in a raspy voice, âDefinitely.â
Qi Chengzhi made Song Yu cry with his unintentional words, so he did not continue the conversation with Qi Youjin and focused on comforting Song Yu. He lowered his head and kissed her eyes, taking those tears away with his kisses. When he sensed the flowery scent from her face, he could not resist rubbing against her face and her nose. He peppered kisses on her delicate skin, making Song Yu blush red.
She remained still in his embrace. Her submissive appearance almost drove Qi Chengzhi mad. He got even more flustered the more he kissed herâit was never enough. He lowered his vision and saw her pink supple lips which were half-opened, and he dived right in to suck on them.
Song Yu also raised her head to meet him and returned the kiss. She traced gently on his charming face with her soft fingertips while she looked at him with a focused gaze. A thirty-five-year-old man still looked so elegant. It was as if his charm would never fade throughout his lifetime.
âHow nice would it be if we wonât ever grow old. Then, we can always be together,â Song Yu said softly while she kept brushing against his chest as if she wanted to bury herself in it.
Qi Chengzhi put her down onto the bed gently and kissed her softly from her eyebrows to her eyes, then onto her nose and lips. He stared into her clear eyes and saw that they were filled with affection and tenderness.
Qi Chengzhi put on a huge warm smile, âIâm looking forward to seeing how you look when you get old.â
Song Yu burst into laughter. Her mood lightened with his words. âIâll look ugly.â
âYou wonât.â Qi Chengzhi chuckled, paving thin wrinkled patterns from the corner of his eyes. He pointed towards the corner of her eyes and mouth with his slightly roughed fingertips and said, âI want to see wrinkles forming here, there and there.â
Suddenly, Song Yu recalled that he had known her since she was in her infant years. He was there all along, from when she was still changing diapers, to a little girl, up until she became a teenager.
âChengzhi,â Song Yu called out suddenly.
âHmm?â Qi Chengzhi pushed her hair aside and kissed her.
Song Yu hugged him tightly. âItâs great to have you protecting me all along.â
Qi Chengzhi lowered his head to look at her silky hair and saw a small patch of her exposed forehead. He kissed her hairline with a smile and remained silent. Song Yu felt especially secured while she laid in his arms.
...
...
Qi Chengzhi made an appointment to have the pregnancy photoshoot next Sunday with Qi Chengyue so that they could go together. The schedule was not affected since the photographer for the wedding and pregnancy photoshoot were two different people.
Song Yu and Qi Chengzhi ended the session earlier as their clothing were not as complex as Qi Chengyue. After they finished selecting the photos they wanted, Qi Chengyue and Cheng Dongge still had not returned from the outdoor shoot. Soon enough, they called up Song Yu and Qi Chengzhi and told them that they were already on their way back.