Chapter 23: Documentary about comforting a pregnant husband

In the midst of the chaos, only the pain made one dizzy; the ceiling was a square white wall, and all that could be heard were suppressed, heavy breathing.

Qin Lingchuan couldn't believe that it was his own voice.

The medicine was prepared by Zhou Yuanli, so it must be very potent.

I estimate she'll miscarry soon.

My stomach was churning violently, but I felt like a fish out of water, too weak to even try to calm myself.

Dr. Huang disagreed, believing that he wasn't lacking strength, but rather willpower.

He was probably completely heartbroken by Miss Youzhen this time. If his employer didn't want to protect the baby, he couldn't save the fetus even if he used all his medical skills.

His hands, kneading the quilt, tightened and loosened repeatedly. He longed to return to that little courtyard, or even just that rented room. He longed to eat the pig's head pancakes Youzhen had rolled for him, paired with a bowl of savory tofu pudding.

Ultimately, he was still grateful to Youzhen.

Thank you to her for making him mistakenly believe that he too had briefly had a home.

These days, even during the long nights he spends alone, his baby is there to keep him company.

He then found it less unbearable. But this beautiful dream ultimately crumbled...

"Master, should we let Miss Youzhen in? If the fetus receives comfort from its mother, there may still be a glimmer of hope."

Qin Lingchuan seemed not to hear, staring blankly at the ceiling, waiting for the life inside him to slowly leave his body, accompanied by excruciating pain that felt like his skin was being peeled off and his bones were being eroded.

Without receiving a positive response from his employer, Dr. Huang dared not make a decision on his own.

Outside the frosted glass of the door, one of the two blurry white-faced figures seemed to be missing.

Miss Youzhen has left.

At the other end of the corridor, in the studio on the second floor of the east courtyard of the Zhou family's old house, the frames of paintings placed against the wall were covered with white silk.

Even though the silk cloth only covers the eyebrows and eyes of the person in the painting, the jawline and the graceful shoulders and neck are still clearly visible.

That was a face that was exactly like Xia Ruozhen's.

Qin Lingchuan didn't avoid her in other aspects, but she couldn't even touch these paintings.

She was the model, yet she wasn't even allowed the right to look at the painting.

She picked up the nearest one and ripped the white silk off.

He had willow-leaf eyebrows and bright eyes, but a red mark under his left eye—he had that mole removed!

Youzhen looked at each one one by one, and finally simply lifted the entire canvas—

She was in the orphanage; she was in her school uniform; she was in a London street café; she was sculpting porcelain in an apron; she was aloof at her engagement party…

She with pigtails, she with braids, she with long, flowing hair, she with a yellow ribbon fluttering in the wind, she with wavy curls...

It turns out that he had been watching her all along, and he had always known that she wasn't his 'older sister'.

“My boss has never mistaken you for someone else. He once said that people who are truly in love can recognize each other instantly, even if they are facing two identical faces. That day, I went to deliver the letter and necklace to you, but I didn’t expect Miss Ruozhen to come back at that time. I had mistaken you for someone else.”

Tao Bei's words still echoed in her ears. You Zhen stroked the edge of the picture frame, unable to hold back any longer, and tears fell like stars.

The last few paintings were not yet framed, and the coloring was not even fully completed. In the paintings, she lay on her side next to him, one hand resting on his slightly protruding belly.

He used this method to record the little things in their lives, and he never stopped, even when he was busy with work.

The next day was another rainy day.

The endless rain really dampened my spirits.

The water droplets on the windowpane added to the sense of alienation, separating the inside from the outside.

The water column lingered at the windowsill, swelling, but refused to fall for a long time, neither able to be lifted nor put down.

His lower back was still very sore and swollen, and it was even worse on rainy days. Qin Lingchuan lay on his side, helplessly trying to regulate his breathing.

"Master, Miss Youzhen has arrived." Tao Bei lightened his footsteps and stood at the foot of the bed.

Qin Lingchuan didn't even lift his eyelids: "I won't see you!"

"She's come three times today. The first two times you were asleep, so I sent her away. Are you still not going to see her?"

Qin Lingchuan tucked the blanket around his stomach again and looked out the window, but didn't focus on any particular spot.

Tao Bei approached, half-squatting down, looking somewhat conflicted: "I see she's quite worried about you, are you really going to ignore her?"

"What's there to argue about? My belly was already so big before, and she actually dared to drug me for another man. I'm not seeing her!"

"But……"

Qin Lingchuan finally gave him a cold glance: "You're getting better and better at handling things..."

Tao Bei was speechless: "Then I'll tell Miss Youzhen to go back."

Qin Lingchuan turned his head and saw a slender figure reflected in the frosted glass, seemingly with her head down. Tao Bei said a few words to her, and the figure quickly disappeared from his sight.

Qin Lingchuan ate half of his dinner, then vomited it all up.

He felt unwell all over and couldn't eat anything.

He watched the TV all afternoon with it on.

Tao Bei went downstairs to get him some hot water, but turned back as soon as she stepped out the door.

"Master, Miss Youzhen is here again."

Qin Lingchuan was frowning as he placed the remote control on his stomach, when he heard this, he turned off the TV and said, "I'm not going to see it!"

"Hmm... we've arrived at the door."

Qin Lingchuan gave him a reproachful look, then quickly lay down and covered himself with the blanket.

Tao Bei turned his head and was facing You Zhen.

Tao Bei reacted quickly: "My boss hasn't been feeling well these past few days. Dr. Huang specifically instructed him to rest, and he just fell asleep."

Youzhen sensed the deliberate distance in his words and gently placed the tonic on the bedside table. Qin Lingchuan was sleeping peacefully with his face turned inward, one hand resting on his stomach.

He had become even thinner, and his taut jawline made him look even more stern.

Her gaze fell on the remote control beside her pillow again, and she lowered her voice, saying, "Then I'll head back now. Please tell him I've been here."

Before leaving, she walked around to the TV and touched the still-hot trunk.

Once he figured she was out of sight, Qin Lingchuan turned and stood up: "Gone?"

"Hmm, why are you avoiding her?" Tao Bei carefully helped him up.

He had lay down too hastily, and the baby inside him was protesting again. He hissed and frowned.

Just as he was about to say something, his gaze suddenly met the figure at the door.

Youzhen was also taken aback for a moment, but walked in naturally and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Qin Lingchuan wanted to dodge, but dared not make any big moves, so he simply turned his eyes away from her.

"woke up?"

Qin Lingchuan did not respond.

Youzhen took the remote control from beside her pillow and placed it on the bedside table. Qin Lingchuan thought she was going to touch him, so he froze. He looked up and saw her red, swollen eyes.

"Does it still hurt?" she asked naturally, and Qin Lingchuan subtly looked away.

Youzhen knew she was not well received, so she sat silently for a while before getting up and leaving: "Eat well and take good care of yourself."

She made a mental note of what Qin Lingchuan was looking at, as if he was afraid she would find out.

Before she could find a chance to figure it out, news of Qin Lingchuan and Li Xiaotan's marriage spread.

According to the old man's previous wishes, this was a double celebration.

Skipping over the hassle of an engagement banquet, the formal wedding is scheduled for just two weeks from now.

Qin Lingchuan is now able to get out of bed, and today he even accompanied Li Xiaotan to pick out a wedding dress.

When I got back that evening, I urgently called Dr. Huang over.

The feelings that were stirring in Youzhen's heart could no longer be suppressed.

She came down from the second floor on the west side and went straight to Qin Lingchuan's room.

Neither Dr. Huang nor Tao Bei were there; he was all alone, and under the thin blanket, he felt rather lonely.

Dr. Huang said he had been feeling depressed and unable to eat or sleep well lately. Youzhen slowly squatted down beside him and reached out to touch his abdomen.

This surprised even herself.

It was bulging and still round, even bigger than when she last touched his belly.

The baby is still there?!

His seven-month-old belly rose and fell gently with his breathing.

Where her palm touched, the internal energy calmed down; the baby still recognized her internal energy!

As she moved upstream, Qin Lingchuan opened his eyes.

Qin Lingchuan was extremely vigilant, and his eyes were still wary when he woke up.

Youzhen was slightly taken aback, and looked away somewhat embarrassed. Then, remembering what she had come there for, she looked back at him calmly.

Qin Lingchuan's eyes had lost their previous wariness. When he saw that it was her in front of him, he stiffened and avoided her touch: "What are you doing here?"

"I heard Dr. Huang is here..." She looked at him with unusual focus today, her eyes full of heartache. "Did the child bother you again?"

Qin Lingchuan subconsciously touched his belly and pushed her hand away: "It's just a routine prenatal checkup, you're overthinking it."

Youzhen's hand hung awkwardly in mid-air. Seeing his cold and sarcastic expression, she said pitifully, "You're so heavy now, don't be willful, okay?"

Qin Lingchuan turned around, his back to her: "Running into a man's room in the middle of the night... Please have some self-respect. If there's nothing else, second sister-in-law, you can go back now."

Youzhen refused to let go, continuing to hug him from behind, pressing against his strong back, and said bluntly: "You are not allowed to marry Miss Li."

Qin Lingchuan hadn't expected her to act this way. He glanced down at the arms wrapped around his waist and let out a soft snort: "Why?"

I disagree.

Qin Lingchuan said dismissively, "You disagree? What kind of relationship do we have now? What gives you the right to disagree?"

Youzhen said matter-of-factly, "Because you also demanded that I not marry Zhou Yuanli back then."

Qin Lingchuan pushed her away, suddenly stood up, and got off the bed while holding onto the edge of the bed.

Youzhen saw his face turn pale for a moment when he made a movement, and knew that he was in pain, but she didn't dare to help him, afraid that he would hurt himself more by being stubborn.

Qin Lingchuan stepped back: "You're really good at sophistry. I never intended to abort this child."

Youzhen followed him, hugged him from behind, and clasped her hands together on his stomach, locking them in place: "I know, it was my fault. But I didn't mean it. I thought it was my sister's child, and I was also instigated by Zhou Yuanli. I'm a fool who has lived for more than 20 years and only just learned what love is like. Can't you forgive me just this once?"

Qin Lingchuan turned his head slightly, looking aloof: "Don't flatter yourself. I approached you for the Xia family's business, don't you know that?"

Youzhen stood there blankly for a moment after being pushed away, and said, "If you were someone who suddenly appeared in my life, of course I would think that way. But, back in the orphanage, back in high school, back in London, back when I was 'Little Seven,' didn't you already like me?"

“Xiao Qi…” Qin Lingchuan murmured.

“But I’m not ‘Little Seven’, that’s my older sister’s nickname, not mine. I’m ‘Little Nine’, a code name that will never be used.”

Qin Lingchuan's thick eyelashes trembled, his lips were pale and dry, and he remained silent.

He secretly learned so much about her, but he never learned the name 'Xiao Jiu' that Zhou Yuanli had kept hidden.

She cautiously reached for his arm, and seeing that he didn't pull away, she gently stroked his forearm with her warm palm, and finally took his hand: "I'm so scared."

"What are you afraid of? Given your relationship with your senior brother, wouldn't he protect you?"

Youzhen looked at him intently and said, "I'm afraid I'll lose you. I'm afraid you'll never talk to me again."

Qin Lingchuan felt a sharp, aching pain in his heart, even more unbearable than the torment in his lower back and abdomen. He gently raised his arm, and Youzhen clung to him even more tightly.

Qin Lingchuan slowly turned around, met her gaze, and still shook off her hand.

"None of these are reasons. Why did you come here tonight? Why are you so domineering in preventing me from marrying Miss Li?"

Youzhen retorted confidently, "I learned my domineering ways from you."

Qin Lingchuan wouldn't allow her to evade the main point: "What exactly is the reason?"

“Because…” Youzhen closed her eyes tightly as if she were bravely going to her death, “because I only want to be with you. When I see you with other people, I feel jealous, I feel envious, and I feel awkward. It’s been like this ever since we were in the small town.”

Youzhen pressed down on his arm, threw herself on him, hugged him tightly, and shielded their child between them: "I can't watch my man marry another woman while he's heavily pregnant, I can't do it!"

Qin Lingchuan finally turned around completely. Just when Youzhen thought he was going to push her away again, Qin Lingchuan grabbed her shoulders, leaned down and looked at her incredulously: "You admit it?"

Youzhen nodded emphatically: "Yes, I admit it. I am Youzhen, not my sister Ruozhen. The child is mine, and you are mine too."

She clung to him again, but Qin Lingchuan maintained an arm's length distance, not allowing her any room for deception or uncertainty: "You finally... admit it?"

Youzhen nodded vigorously: "I finally admit it, I'm sorry..."

His hands, which had been clenched into fists and refused to make physical contact with her, finally gave way and he held her tightly in his arms.

"Youzhen, if you don't admit it, I'll go crazy."

Her warm, soft body leaned against him trustingly, the scent of rose hydrosol lingering in her hair, a few strands of hair inadvertently wrapped around his shoulder.

It's been almost eight months, and I've found it again!

Qin Lingchuan suddenly snapped out of his ecstasy; the moment felt surreal.

He cupped her face in his hands and focused intently, scrutinizing every detail, from her hair to her brow, from her tear-filled eyes to the tip of her nose, from her lips to her chin. He wanted to see every single thing about her clearly.

Finally, his trembling fingertips landed on the corner of her left eye.

There used to be a mole there.

Youzhen obediently tilted her head and pressed it against his palm.

She and her sister are completely different, and they don't even look alike. You can't judge them just by their appearance. Even if she wears heavy makeup, he can recognize her at a glance.

Because he loves her.

Like an arrow piercing the bullseye, breaking through all obstacles, Qin Lingchuan finally felt confident and bold enough to embrace her tightly once again.

He always embraced her without reservation, and the warm, dry embrace finally eased her anxious brows.

Youzhen hugged him tightly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Youzhen kissed him with tears in her eyes, and tried to trace his lips in a messy and clumsy way.

Qin Lingchuan kissed her cheek, holding back her tears, but not letting his own tears fall onto Youzhen's face.

He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Let's...stop torturing each other, okay?"

"Okay!" Her answer overlapped with his words, and she agreed immediately without even fully hearing what he said.

She would agree to whatever he said, and she would never go against his wishes again.

Youzhen rested her face on his shoulder, her body pressed tightly against him, the movements from her pregnant belly making her kick painfully.

"How did you manage to save the baby? Why won't you tell me even this?"

Qin Lingchuan, feeling both pity and tenderness, placed her hands on his sides and cupped her face in his hands: "If one day you forgive me and are willing to stay by my side, I don't want it to be for this reason."

He stared at her for a while before saying, "I got engaged to Li Xiaotan just to spite you."

The room was so quiet that only the ticking of the clock could be heard. Youzhen suddenly laughed: "Qin Lingchuan, how childish are you!"

Qin Lingchuan's deep voice carried a hint of warning: "My beloved woman not only doesn't want me, but she doesn't even want our child. Can't I even be angry?"

Youzhen unconsciously gripped his shirt tightly: "Do you resent me?"

"I resent you, I'm angry with you, I'm annoyed with you, I blame you. Who told you to keep pretending to be Ruozhen and lie to me?"

Although he had already recognized her as Youzhen, he was determined to get her confirmation in person.

She denied her identity, and even denied their relationship.

Youzhen playfully punched him: "You've lied to me so many times, can't I lie to you just once?"

Qin Lingchuan pressed down on her fist and clenched it tightly: "Okay, as long as you don't push me away anymore, even if you lie to me every day, I'll be willing."

Qin Lingchuan rested his head against her neck, his arms tightening as if he wanted to meld her into a part of himself.

He was holding her too tightly, and Youzhen whispered a reminder: "Lingchuan, I can't breathe."

Upon hearing this, Qin Lingchuan loosened his arms slightly, but his hands refused to let go of her, as if afraid that she would disappear again if he let go.

He suddenly bent down and lifted her up in his arms. Youzhen gasped silently in surprise. How could a man who was more than seven months pregnant lift her up so easily and steadily?

He kept laying her down on the bed, unwilling to let her leave his arms for even a moment.

Youzhen gently touched his belly with some concern, listening to his question: "Do you know what kind of comfort is the most effective?"

Youzhen seemed to understand, and hid in his arms, saying, "I...I don't know."

"You really don't know? You're lying to me again."

"I know... but I don't know."

After another lingering kiss, Qin Lingchuan reached out to untie her sash. "Lingchuan, your ears are so red..."

She had assumed he was a seasoned player in love, but he turned out to be surprisingly composed, blushing at the slightest provocation.

She was feigning ignorance! Qin Lingchuan retorted, "Aren't you the same?"

Youzhen had already pulled his house clothes up to the back, and now he was truly red-faced.

But his movements stopped.

Her elbow was bruised and even a little swollen.

With a slight frown, Qin Lingchuan released her and went to fetch the medicinal wine.

Youzhen snatched the bottle cap, pulled out a cotton swab, and said in a trembling voice, "I can do it myself—"

Without saying a word, Qin Lingchuan pressed her down to sit on the edge of the bed, looked at the injury on her elbow, and took the cotton swab back into his own hand.

"Was this caused by Zhou Yuanli that day?" Qin Lingchuan asked as he gently applied the medicine with a cotton swab.

After the medicine was applied, the swollen area felt cool and refreshing. Youzhen covered it to prevent him from seeing it: "I accidentally did this myself, it has nothing to do with him."

Qin Lingchuan leaned closer to her, somewhat displeased, and squinted his eyes: "Are you taking his side?"

This man is really good at taking advantage of others; if she's even slightly out of line, he'll seize the opportunity. She recalled how he relentlessly pursued her in the small town, leaving her feeling helpless: "I... I just don't want you to be angry about this."

When Qin Lingchuan is silent, she only has one move.

She quickly changed the subject: "Um, what were you watching on TV the other day? Want to watch it together?"

That's a stupid move and it ruins the atmosphere.

Qin Lingchuan's expression clearly changed: "I didn't see anything."

But Youzhen felt that it must be something extraordinary, otherwise why would it be avoiding her? Whether it was watching TV dramas or variety shows, it should be able to name it.

Besides, Mr. Qin never watches these things. The TV in his room is just for show. What could possibly keep him watching it all afternoon?

Youzhen asked again, "You're not watching porn, are you?"

She regretted it as soon as she finished speaking, and didn't even dare to look at his expression. She stood up cowardly, intending to walk out.

"I have to go back."

Qin Lingchuan quickly grabbed her: "You mustn't go. Now that you've recognized me, why do you want to go back?"

“Senior brother… I’m afraid we’ll have to keep up the act with Zhou Yuanli and keep things going for now. I’m worried that if he finds out that I’ve reunited with you, he’ll do something desperate.”

Qin Lingchuan pulled her into his arms, and Youzhen lost her balance and fell to the ground, her hand accidentally landing on his abdomen.

Qin Lingchuan frowned, feeling a throbbing pain in that area.

Youzhen hurriedly withdrew her hand, but Qin Lingchuan pressed her hand to his abdomen, a gentle smile spreading across his lips, his eyes indicating that she was alright: "Okay, I'll show you, I was just afraid you'd be scared."

He pressed a button on the remote, but the TV remained stuck on the image from the day it was turned off.

The video shows a documentary about male childbirth.

The scenes include operating rooms, homes, cars, and water.

Without exception, the pregnant men suffered unbearable labor pains, becoming restless and their groans gradually turned into screams of agony.

Some changed their postures, kneeling or sitting on yoga balls, constantly straining and twisting, veins bulging, screaming and groaning. Their bellies weren't round and attractive like Qin Lingchuan's; instead, they sagged heavily downwards. Yet, watching the progress bar tick away for hours in seconds, they made no progress at all.

The doctor even picked up scissors...

Youzhen covered her eyes and leaned on Qin Lingchuan's shoulder, unable to look any further.

Qin Lingchuan immediately turned off the TV and comforted her with a light laugh.

Youzhen clung to his strong arm. At first, she was thinking that although they were both pregnant, her Mr. Qin was still more handsome. But as she looked at him, her heart clenched—why was he in so much pain? Would he also be in pain for so long?

The cries of pain from the men still echoed in her ears as Youzhen hugged his pregnant belly tightly: "How about we have a C-section?"

Qin Lingchuan took her hand and said, "I can give birth on my own. I don't want to have a scar on my abs."

"..." Youzhen's brows remained furrowed. "Is your safety more important, or your vanity?"

Qin Lingchuan pulled her close and silenced her with a kiss: "I'm fine."

Youzhen, however, was skeptical and complained, "That bowl of... medicine, won't it leave any side effects?" Qin Lingchuan slowly shook his head: "I only drank a small amount; didn't you spill most of it? Dr. Huang has already examined me carefully; I'm fine."

"Does your stomach hurt right now? Is there anything that's bothering you?" Youzhen insisted on checking him, almost pinning Qin Lingchuan down.

His physical reaction was obvious; he put one hand behind his head and said, "If you move again, I'll really feel uncomfortable."

Youzhen stopped what she was doing. It was clearly too strenuous for him to roll over on top of her, so she bit her lip and asked, "If you need any help..."

"I need it," he answered quickly, cupping her lower back to make Youzhen sit on his lap, completely surrendering himself to her.

·

The weather cleared up, and I felt refreshed all over.

The water droplets on the grass had not completely evaporated. Qin Lingchuan sat comfortably in the courtyard, facing Li Xiaotan.

"Brother Lingchuan, you're so talkative today, you look radiant."

Qin Lingchuan didn't notice, but he always had a smile on his lips.

"Xiaotan, thank you so much this time."

"Oh?" Li Xiaotan raised an eyebrow, playing with her dreadlocks. "So you got her?"

Qin Lingchuan nodded, and Li Xiaotan leaned over and punched him on the shoulder: "Look at you, so shy and timid, you look just like a young bride waiting to be married."

Qin Lingchuan clenched his fist, pretending to hit her: "What did you say!"

Li Xiaotan immediately returned to her seat, keeping her distance from him: "You can't hit me. If Youzhen sees you hitting a woman, she might suspect you have a tendency to commit domestic violence, and your life will probably be difficult again."

Qin Lingchuan cracked his knuckles: "So you still know you're a woman."

"Of course I'm a woman, and a very charming one at that. You've always used me to fend off unwanted suitors since we were kids, and this time it's all thanks to me."

Li Xiaotan reached out her hand to him.

Qin Lingchuan, confused, asked, "What are you doing?"

"Where's my appearance fee?"

Qin Lingchuan chuckled: "I'll transfer it to you right now, you money-grubber. Don't forget about your 3% stake."

"Huh?" Li Xiaotan withdrew her hand. "I want to personally hand over these 3% of the shares to Youzhen."

Qin Lingchuan's alarm bells rang: "Why?"

"Why else? This originally belonged to someone else. Do you want to keep it as your own secret stash?"

Li Xiaotan was in a hurry; she picked up her bag and was about to leave.

Qin Lingchuan pressed her from behind, saying, "Don't tell her anything."

Li Xiaotan walked with a brisk pace, turning back as she said, "Are you talking nonsense about how you wet the bed when you were little?"

They walked away with a burst of giggles.

There's a banquet tonight, and Youzhen is trying on a cheongsam.

When Li Xiaotan saw her slender waist and curvaceous figure, she couldn't take her eyes off her; she was truly a sight to behold.

Upon hearing her explanation, Youzhen was utterly shocked. She had already devised a plan to reclaim those shares, but now, they had come to her effortlessly: "3% of the shares? Why would Miss Li willingly give them to me?"

"Go ask your man. He's spent a fortune on this."

Li Xiaotan said, "Cherish it while you can. Where else can you find such a handsome and pure-love god of war?"

Youzhen said apologetically, "I apologize to you on behalf of Lingchuan. He shouldn't have taken advantage of your feelings for him to set up this engagement."

Hearing her say that, Li Xiaotan laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "Hahahaha, what? I like him? That's hilarious, Youzhen, you're a comedian. There's absolutely no way I could like him. We're just good buddies."

She laughed so hard she could barely stand, and Youzhen kindly helped her by the waist. But Li Xiaotan took the opportunity to put her arm around her shoulder and breathe into her ear:

I still prefer you.