Shen Chi slept lightly, and as soon as he heard a noise coming from Xu Chaomuâs room, his eyes snapped open.
He practically threw off the blanket and ran over, pushing open the door to her room. When he turned on the light, he just caught Xu Chaomu clutching her stomach in agony.
The floor was littered with broken glass, shards scattering everywhere.
âMumu!â he called out anxiously, striding to her bedside to support her.
âMy stomach hurtsâ¦â
Her eyebrows were furrowed, and she looked at Shen Chi with watery, large eyes, biting her lip weakly.
âIâll call the doctor for you.â
Shen Chi propped her up with a cushion and hurried to call Wen Zhiyuan.
Wen Zhiyuan lived close to the Shen Family, but being summoned by Shen Chi in the middle of the night was still somewhat disconcerting.
Fortunately, he was good-natured and came over with a medicine box upon receiving Shen Chiâs call.
Shen Chi draped a coat over Xu Chaomu, allowing her to lean into his embrace.
âDoes it hurt a lot? Did you eat something bad?â
âI think itâs because Iâm feeling upset.â
âUpset? What happened? Didnât Butler Cheng take you out to have some fun?â
âJust give me my phone back and let me leave the Shen Family, and Iâm sure my mood will improve.â
Shen Chi fell silent, his austere face under the light taking on a few shades of gloom. His piercing eyes hid unseen depths, like the bottomless waters of a dark pool.
It was a long while before he spoke indifferently, âChaomu, if I let go this time, itâs for a lifetime.â
âYou know full well Iâm about to get engaged.â
âBut we married five years ago.â
âYouâve got some nerve to bring that up. That marriage certificate, with its significant deception and coercion, is invalid!â
âI donât care. All I know is that itâs legally recognized, stamped by the Civil Affairs Bureau.â
âThen letâs get a divorce.â
âImpossible.â
Xu Chaomu huffily glanced at Shen Chi, finding him utterly shameless.
But her stomach pain kept her from arguing further.
Shen Chi held her in his arms, resting his large hand gently on her belly, and whispered, âSay less, or your baby will find you noisy and start protesting again.â
Thatâs when Wen Zhiyuan arrived.
The butler led him into Xu Chaomuâs room just in time to see Xu Chaomu nestled in Shen Chiâs arms.
Wen Zhiyuan chuckled to himself; they were really torturing a single guy like him.
âAlright, Mumu, Zhiyuan is here. Let him take a look at you,â Shen Chi said, helping her sit up.
âSo late, and Iâm still calling Dr. Wen over,â Xu Chaomu said, feeling somewhat guilty.
âItâs fine. Iâll put this on Young Master Fourâs tab,â Wen Zhiyuan replied with a smile.
He approached with the medicine box. This time, he had specifically brought medicine for pregnancy protection.
âTake this medicine three times a day, two pills each time. Take one dose now, and go to the hospital for a pregnancy check-up tomorrow,â Wen Zhiyuan instructed.
âTake medicine? Can she even take medicine?â Shen Chi frowned.
âThis is medication to prevent miscarriage, of course itâs fine,â Xu Chaomu pushed Shen Chi away as if he were ignorant.
âYeah, itâs fine,â Wen Zhiyuan said with a smile.
Wen Zhiyuan, although not very chatty, was serious about his work and performed a cursory exam on Xu Chaomu.
The moment Wen Zhiyuanâs hand touched Xu Chaomuâs, a certain manâs long, clean hand blocked the way: âIâll do it.â
Wen Zhiyuanâs face was covered with black lines. So dominant.
âWhat are you doing? Can you even treat illness? Do you really believe youâre a jack-of-all-trades?â Xu Chaomu scoffed.
âQuiet,â Shen Chi said, knitting his brows.
âFine, Young Master Four, you do it. Start by taking Chaomuâs temperature,â Wen Zhiyuan said with the gentle, laughing demeanor of a refined character.
âMm, turn your head away,â Shen Chi looked at Wen Zhiyuan.
Wen Zhiyuan was speechless. Turn his head away for a temperature check?
He complied, turning his head away to prepare the medicine for Xu Chaomu.
Shen Chi pressed Xu Chaomu down and slid the thermometer up from under her clothing.
She could have done this herself, but for some reason, he wouldnât let her.
âWhat are you doing?â Xu Chaomu glared at him with wide eyes.
When his cool hand brushed against her warm body, she shivered all over.
âHold it tight, donât move.â
Xu Chaomuâs face turned red: âHurry up, will you?â
âAlmost done, itâll be out in a minute.â
Xu Chaomuâs face grew even redder. Couldnât he speak properly?
These few sentences sounded particularly suggestive, especially the, âHold it tight, donât moveâ part⦠utterly absurd.
Indeed, when Xu Chaomu saw Wen Zhiyuan trying to suppress a laugh without saying a word, she felt confirmed.
As Shen Chiâs hand emerged from under her clothing, he took the opportunity to give a certain part of her a squeeze.
Mmm⦠the feel wasnât badâprobably would be better if she ate more.
Xu Chaomu hurriedly pushed him away, but when she glanced up, he seemed calm, completely unaware of the flirtatious act.
âDonât wiggle around,â Shen Chi warned her.
âGet lost!â Xu Chaomu hissed in a low voice, glaring at him.
Shen Chi lifted the corner of his mouth; Xu Chaomu really had become much more reserved after five years.
If it were in the past, she wouldâve probably been clamoring to pinch him back by now.
Wen Zhiyuan chuckled again, âAre you two deliberately flaunting your love in front of this single guy?â
âYouâre asking for it,â Shen Chi stood up, âDidnât you rant about getting married five years ago? How come, after five years, youâre still a single guy?â
âShen Chi, you sure know how to repay kindness with enmity. Roused from sleep by your phone call, and this is what I get?â
Xu Chaomu spoke up, âDr. Wen, go back to sleep. I feel better.â
âFine, but since your husband is all-powerful, you donât need me. Iâll instruct him for a bit, and then Iâll leave.â
âMmhmm, Iâm listening,â Shen Chi said.
âDuring the first three months of pregnancy, itâs easy to miscarry. Pay attention to a balanced diet, avoid physical labor, and limit contact with animals. Rest more. Go for a pregnancy check-up tomorrow, and when you come back, Iâll create a nutrition plan for you. Just follow the diet plan, and youâll be fine.â
âAnything else?â Shen Chi frowned, finding it all troublesome.
âAhem, avoid⦠intercourse.â
As soon as Wen Zhiyuan uttered those words, Xu Chaomuâs face turned completely red. In fact, except for the night she conceived the child, she had not been with any man in bed.
Moreover, that night, she was drunk, and didnât remember any feelingsâ¦
She only vaguely remembered that the first time was painful, and yet the man showed no pity, wanting her several times over.
She only woke up groggy the following afternoon. At that time, Nie Chenglang sat on the couch in the suite, his eyes somewhat complicated.
He said: âChaomu, I had too much to drink last night. Iâm sorry, Iâll take responsibility for you.â
Xu Chaomu had never doubted it, she always trusted Nie Chenglang. But ever since that day, when she smelled that familiar scent in Shen Chiâs closet, and thought back to that night, her heart was filled with doubts.
âThatâs enough, Wen Zhiyuan, you can go,â Shen Chi said.
Shen Chi helped Wen Zhiyuan pack the medicine box, handing it to him, wishing he would leave immediately.
âAfter reaching the other shore, dismantling the bridge,â Wen Zhiyuan sighed resignedly.
He picked up the medicine box and went downstairs, conveniently closing the room door for them as he left.