Chapter 90 His Expectations, Her Shyness

"Eugenics and good parenting. This is a responsibility."

Huo Tingxiao's calm, pragmatic, even slightly militaristic statement was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples of shy sweetness through Su Wanqing's heart. In this very Huo Tingxiao-esque way, the topic of pregnancy preparation officially and seriously entered their daily routine.

There were no romantic visions of being together under the moon and flowers, no sweet words, only his vigorous and decisive actions.

The next morning, Assistant Chen showed up at the door on time, holding a brand new folder in his hand. His expression was as respectful as usual, but there was an imperceptible... subtle smile in his eyes.

"Commander, Madam, this is the information I've compiled according to your instructions." Assistant Chen handed the folder to Huo Tingxiao with both hands, speaking calmly, "It includes the appointment information for national team player Zhang Lao (already scheduled for next Tuesday morning), the contact information for the director of the reproductive medicine department at the Military Region General Hospital, and... a draft of dietary supplement recommendations for pregnancy preparation based on the latest nutrition and obstetrics and gynecology guidelines."

Su Wanqing was sipping soy milk when she heard the words "Draft Recommendations for Dietary Nutritional Supplements." She nearly choked, her cheeks flushing crimson. She stole a glance at Huo Tingxiao, who took the folder with a calm expression and flipped it open with remarkable ease. His eyes scanned the various rules and regulations sharply, as if he were reviewing an important battle plan.

"Yes. The content of vitamin D and folic acid should be clearly marked, with active folic acid given priority. Pay attention to the calcium-phosphorus ratio." He pointed to a line on the draft and instructed Assistant Chen, his tone as professional as that of a nutrition expert.

"Yes, Chief." Assistant Chen took note of it carefully.

Su Wanqing lowered her head, unconsciously stirring the soy milk in her bowl with a spoon, her ears flushed red. He... he actually knew this? And he was discussing it so seriously? This feeling... was so strange! Embarrassing, yet... a sweet feeling of being cherished.

In the following days, Su Wanqing felt as if she had entered a special combat readiness state strictly managed by the "Huo Standard".

Every morning, a cup of milk at just the right temperature is placed at her fingertips, along with precisely measured nutritional supplements.

The three meals a day menu is strictly formulated by a nutritionist, and the freshness of the ingredients is controlled by a dedicated person. Huo Tingxiao even occasionally asks whether the cooking method retains the nutrients to the greatest extent.

The coffee and strong tea in her studio were quietly replaced with wolfberry and red date tea or warm soy milk.

Even when she occasionally wanted to be lazy and stay on the sofa to draw, he would "order" her to get up and move around regularly on the grounds that "sitting for a long time is not good for blood circulation", and he even personally supervised her to complete a set of extremely simple pregnancy preparation exercises that he had learned from somewhere.

His concern was meticulous, yet tinged with an unquestionable, almost demanding seriousness. He seemed to treat the task of "preparing for pregnancy" as another important project that required meticulous planning and strict execution, and Su Wanqing was the "core target" that he needed to devote all his resources to protecting and optimizing.

Su Wanqing, initially shy and slightly uncomfortable, gradually grew accustomed to him, even beginning to enjoy the feeling of being cared for by him, clumsily yet attentively. However, every time she saw him seriously discussing his "dietary plan" with the nutritionist, or solemnly studying a prenatal yoga video, she couldn't help but smile, her heart softening.

The way he expected was always so direct and hardcore, yet... so cute that it made her heart flutter.

What really made Su Wanqing feel his deep expectation was a weekend night.

Huo Tingxiao seemed to be in a good mood that day. Instead of handling official business in the study, he sat on the sofa in the living room reading a military journal. Su Wanqing, on the other hand, was nestled in the single sofa next to him, flipping through a book on traditional pattern design.

The air is quiet and warm.

Suddenly, Huo Tingxiao put down the journal in his hand, turned his gaze towards her, and asked casually, "Do you like boys or girls?"

"Huh?" Su Wanqing was startled. She raised her head from the book and met his deep gaze. Her cheeks felt slightly hot. "...Everything is fine. Why are you asking this suddenly?"

Huo Tingxiao was silent for a moment, his eyes drifting into space, as if he were seriously considering this question. After a while, he slowly spoke, his voice low and steady, yet with a subtle sense of... yearning?

"If it's a boy, you can take him to target practice, teach him how to fight, and show him how to be a responsible man." His tone was very natural, as if he was planning something that was a matter of course.

Su Wanqing couldn't help but chuckle: "What if he doesn't like it?"

Huo Tingxiao frowned slightly, as if he hadn't considered this possibility. After a pause, he said, "It doesn't matter if he doesn't like it. Do what he likes. But he has to know the basics, self-defense."

Su Wanqing felt warm in her heart and asked again: "Then...what if it's a girl?"

When Huo Tingxiao mentioned the word "girl," his expression softened noticeably, and even his cold and hard aura seemed to dissipate. He remained silent for a while longer, his eyes becoming somewhat distant, and his voice unconsciously softened.

"Girls... are fine too." He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "Be quiet and well-behaved. Like you."

He spoke the last two words very softly, but they were like a feather, gently scratching Su Wanqing's heart, causing her heartbeat to suddenly accelerate.

"And then?" She couldn't help but ask, wanting to hear him say more.

"Teach her how to write and draw." Huo Tingxiao's gaze fell back on her face, his eyes deep. "You teach. I... will protect you."

It was a very simple sentence, even a little unclear in words, but it made Su Wanqing's nose suddenly sore and her eyes instantly hot.

She could almost see a picture: a little kid who looked like him, or a little girl who looked like her, running and laughing in this house. And he, this man who was cold and hard and followed orders from the outside, would put aside all his dignity and, in his clumsy way, carefully protect their child and this home.

That deep, unexpressible expectation is hidden in this simple and plain vision.

"Yeah." Su Wanqing lowered her head to hide her red eyes, her voice choked with sobs, "We will protect her together."

Huo Tingxiao looked at the tips of her ears, which were slightly red. He said nothing more. He simply reached out, crossed the coffee table between them, and gently grasped her hand, which was resting on the page. His palm was warm and dry, carrying a reassuring strength.

A few days later, when Su Wanqing was tidying up the study, she accidentally discovered a folded document that seemed to have been read repeatedly, tucked inside a thick military theory book that Huo Tingxiao often used.

She opened it out of curiosity and was instantly stunned. Her cheeks suddenly became hot!

It wasn't a document at all, but a very detailed printout... "Precautions for Each Stage of Pregnancy and a Guide for Husband's Cooperation"! It even had a lot of annotations and notes made in red pen!

For example, next to the entry for "Early Pregnancy Mood Swings," he wrote in sharp handwriting: [Pay attention to observation, timely guidance, avoid stimulation. Consult a psychologist.]

Next to "Sleeping Positions for Mid- and Late Pregnancy," write: [Purchase a pregnancy pillow and research the best angle.]

He even highlighted the "Postpartum Recovery" section, writing next to it: [Investigate confinement centers and compare plans. Make an appointment with a rehabilitation therapist in advance.]

The handwriting was sonorous and powerful, but the content was... so lifelike and down-to-earth, forming a huge contrast with the cold and hard military documents he usually dealt with!

Su Wanqing held the papers, her fingers trembling slightly. Her heart felt like a pot of honey had been spilled, sweet and yet so embarrassing she wished she could find a hole to hide in! He… he was actually secretly researching this?! And working so hard on it?! It was simply… too adorable!

When Huo Tingxiao returned that evening, Su Wanqing suppressed a smile and pretended to ask casually, "Captain, what new tactics are you researching lately?"

Huo Tingxiao paused as he took off his coat, his expression unchanged as he spoke calmly, "Routine battle preparations. What's wrong?"

Su Wanqing looked at his serious expression and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, her eyes curved into crescents.

Huo Tingxiao was somewhat puzzled by her laughter, but a suspicious blush appeared on his ears. His eyes drifted away and he said in a stiff tone, "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing," Su Wanqing walked forward, hugged his waist, and buried her hot cheeks in his chest with a faint scent of soapberry. Her voice was muffled, but full of a happy smile, "I just feel that... Commander, you are really amazing... You know everything..."

Huo Tingxiao's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed. He put his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head. He was silent for a moment before he murmured "hmm" and tightened his arms.

His expectations are deep and pragmatic, hidden under a cold and hard shell, and require careful experience to discover.

Her shyness, sweet and warm, quietly blossomed in his clumsy care.

Regarding the little life in the future, both of them have different but equally sincere expectations in their hearts. In this gradually warming home, they quietly flow, waiting for the best opportunity.