Chapter 5... I'm going to be a dad, no, a mom!
Su Mu stared at the latest unfamiliar number on his phone screen and hesitated for a moment.
Should I block him/her?
The thought had barely formed when my fingers, as if by muscle memory, moved faster than my brain, clicking, selecting, and blocking.
Seeing the message on the screen that I've been added to the blacklist, I'm speechless.
The main reason is... I've been blocking all of Jiang Ran's numbers these past two days, and it's become so habitual that my fingers have developed a kind of inertia.
He tossed his phone aside and lay back on the bed.
He didn't understand. He couldn't comprehend Jiang Ran's intentions behind her series of actions at all.
If it's regret or guilt, shouldn't a normal person apologize sincerely and give each other time and space to calm down? Or simply disappear completely, let it fester inside, and pretend it never happened.
But Jiang Ran just wouldn't.
He was like someone having a hysterical episode, sending messages from different numbers, the content of which... was still recounting what happened that night.
Su Mu didn't want to recall it; just thinking about it made him feel like all the blood in his body was rushing to his face.
He couldn't recall the details of that night in their entirety. The more he tried to escape, the more those fragmented images would uncontrollably resurface and play repeatedly in the dead of night when his consciousness was hazy.
At first... it was indeed him who took the initiative.
He hooked his arm around Jiang Ran's neck and pressed his body against hers; the way he looked was... pretty annoying...
But Jiang Ran is no good either.
He neither pushed him away nor stopped him.
And then... just like that, he was...
Their brotherhood of so many years, attending classes together, skipping boring lectures together, bragging together at late-night barbecue stalls, sharing each other's most naive yet most genuine worries and dreams—all that friendship was ruined by Jiang Ran's one... no, more than one.
It was that chaotic, seemingly endless night.
brute.
Su Mu cursed inwardly.
But after he finished cursing, he wondered if... Jiang Ran had also drunk too much that day? The alcohol, combined with his reckless invitation, led to this complete loss of control?
This reason is barely plausible.
Su Mu didn't dare tell his parents about his resignation.
For his parents, who had lived in the village their whole lives, had limited experience, and were simple-minded, the word "resignation" was almost synonymous with instability, uncertainty, and impending disaster.
They toiled their whole lives, and their greatest wish was to raise their son, let him study hard, escape rural life, and find a stable job, preferably as a civil servant, teacher, doctor, or in a large company, where he could have a secure and respectable life.
Once he dares to say he's resigning, he won't have a moment of peace. The phone will ring from morning till night, and the calls will be nothing more than questions like, "Were you bullied?", "Did you make a mistake?", "It's so hard to find a job outside, why were you so impulsive?", "Go back and apologize to your boss right away..." and so on.
Various concerns, anxieties, and even blaming concern.
Su Mu has been away from home for several years.
Even after resigning, the option of returning to Phoenix Village never crossed his mind.
That's so strange.
For no apparent reason, a person suddenly runs back to the village from the big city. In the eyes of the villagers, this means either that they couldn't make it outside or that something terrible has happened.
He plans to find a less demanding job as a temporary measure.
I don't care about high salaries or career prospects; I just want a place to settle down temporarily, with some income to maintain a basic standard of living, so I don't run out of money.
Ideally, it should be a job that doesn't require too much brainpower, doesn't require reading people's faces, and doesn't require dealing with too many people.
This was an easy task for Su Mu, the "Little Emperor of Migrant Workers".
Then, Su Mu found a job at a convenience store.
The application process was excessively simple.
The store manager was a middle-aged man. He glanced at Su Mu's ID card and diploma, which were completely useless to him, and asked if he could work the night shift. "We're open 24 hours a day, and we're short-staffed for the night shift," Su Mu replied. The matter was settled just like that.
The salary isn't high, but it's enough for him in his current situation where he just wants to make do.
The job duties are simple: cashier, stocking shelves, minding the store, and keeping it clean.
night shift.
From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day.
Many people complain about the reversed day-night cycle, the deserted atmosphere, and the lack of security.
Su Mu, a grown man, had nothing to be afraid of.
The city streets late at night seem much purer than the complex interpersonal relationships and backstabbing in the office.
The convenience store is open 24 hours a day, and the bright incandescent lights are so dazzling that they illuminate the small space as if it were daytime, creating a stark contrast with the deep night outside.
Su Mu, wearing a dark blue apron with the convenience store logo, stood behind the checkout counter, watching the occasional car headlights rushing past outside the glass door, or the few hurried night travelers passing by.
Scan the goods, bag them, collect money, give change, tidy up the shelves that have been messed up by customers, and replace the empty instant noodle racks and beverage cabinets.
The actions are mechanical, repetitive, and require no thought.
My mind felt empty, as if it had never been before.
So much free time...it even felt a little unfamiliar.
Previously, my mind was filled with data, project progress, boss's mood, difficult clients, next month's rent, and performance evaluations.
Now, all of that is gone.
Only the monotonous beeping of the cash register and the low hum of the freezer remained.
The feeling was strange, like being suddenly pulled out of a long, suffocating marathon and thrown into an excessively quiet, empty room.
At first, I felt a little uncomfortable, but soon, that emptiness turned into a kind of luxurious relaxation.
Some thugs, with brightly colored dyed hair and smelling of cheap tobacco and alcohol, would wander in in the middle of the night, buy a few cans of beer or the cheapest cigarettes, their eyes darting around when they paid, and their fingers might even have traces of cheap tattoo ink on them.
There were also delivery guys rushing in, not even having time to take off their helmets, heading straight for a certain shelf, grabbing a box of brightly colored condoms, slapping it on the checkout counter, and panting as they scanned the code to pay.
After scanning the code, Su Mu put the items into a small plastic bag and handed it over, casually asking, "Is...is there enough time?"
The young man took the bag, a hint of dark humor in his voice: "Who knows? Let's see if that guy's fighting spirit can hold out until I get there."
After saying that, he turned around and rushed into the night, the taillights of the electric bike flashing by on the street corner.
Su Mu looked at the empty doorway, then glanced down at the price of the box of condoms in the POS system, and couldn't help but click his tongue: "These things... they've gone up in price way too much now, haven't they?"
Another employee, who looked like a student doing odd jobs, was arranging drinks on the shelf next to him. Hearing this, he leaned over and chimed in: "Expensive? Expensive is good. It's expensive so that some people who are reluctant to spend the money will save it and then, without realizing it, have a baby."
Su Mu was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing: "Isn't that a bit too carefree? How much does this thing cost? How much does it cost to raise a child?"
Months later, Su Mu wanted to slap his past self for laughing so hard back then.
Su Mu works the night shift at a convenience store. His days are as regular and peaceful as a pendulum, allowing him to temporarily stop thinking about those messy things.
That night, my phone, which was in the pocket under the cashier's counter, close to my thigh, suddenly vibrated.
He took it out and saw that the screen was lit up, displaying an unfamiliar number from Jiangzhou.
My heart skipped a beat, and my fingers froze on the top of the screen; I didn't dare to swipe the answer button.
There's no need to guess who it is.
The bell rang persistently for a long time before finally stopping.
The screen went dark for less than two seconds before lighting up again, this time with a text message notification.
Su Mu clicked on it, and a simple, straightforward sentence jumped into her eyes: You resigned? You resigned to avoid me?
Jiang Ran believed that Su Mu resigned to avoid him.
Holy crap!
Su Mu's mind went blank. His first reaction wasn't anger, but terror. Jiang Ran... really made it to City B? And even found his old company? He went to the company to look for him? Could it be... already waiting for him downstairs at his rented apartment?
No, Jiang Ran probably doesn't know exactly where he lives now... right? But then she thought again, and wasn't so sure. Jiang Ran had sent him a birthday present before; the address was the apartment he was renting at the time.
Good heavens, just leave him alone! Why are you so relentless in pursuing this? What is it that absolutely has to be discussed in person? Can't we just talk it out over the phone? Or rather, what else is there to say?
Su Mu now truly admires himself, admires himself to the point of prostration. What was wrong with him before? How could he have had the audacity to...sleep with Jiang Ran?
Now, whenever Su Mu thinks about possibly seeing Jiang Ran again, he wants to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, or simply evaporate on the spot.
My phone vibrated again. It was the same number. I didn't call again; it just left a question mark.
Su Mu: ...I'm not in City B.
The reply came almost instantly after the message was sent, as if I had been waiting on the other side of the screen: Where is it?
Su Mu: Anyway, I'm not in City B. You...you shouldn't bring that up again.
Su Mu was really embarrassed.
Shame, embarrassment, awkwardness, and a hidden panic that even he couldn't quite sort out. He didn't want to face it, didn't want to recall it, and even less did he want to be brought up again and again by this relentless pressure.
Su Mu suddenly realized that his mother's advice on the phone was absolutely right. He now deeply understood what the consequences of acting recklessly meant.
He's not the kind of person who can easily take risks and then let go of the past.
Deep down, he's still the same rule-abiding, hesitant Su Mu.
Whether it's a one-night stand or a drunken affair, he simply can't handle such unexpected events that are beyond his control and disrupt established relationship patterns, let alone have the ability or courage to deal with the mess that follows.
He overestimated himself and underestimated Jiang Ran's... relentless pursuit.
My phone vibrated again. It was that unfamiliar number: "Can't you accept this?"
Su Mu felt like he was going to vomit blood when he saw those words.
He thought, the point wasn't whether he could accept it, the problem was... what if Jiang Ran really came to his door, recounted the details of that night in front of him, and then said, "We slept together that night, but consider it an accident. We'll still be good brothers. By the way, you'll be at my wedding next month, right?"
Just imagining this scene made Su Mu feel like the top of his head was about to be blown off by this absurd and cruel possibility.
He really will explode on the spot, shattering into pieces that can never be pieced back together.
That would be even more painful than killing him outright.
He didn't want to dwell on the issue anymore; he just wanted Jiang Ran to stop asking and looking for him.
Unknown number: Where did you go?
Sumu: Tourism.
Unknown number: When will you be back? I must see you in person.
He took a chance and began to delay: "Two months later."
Give a vague but sufficiently long timeframe.
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the screen. Then, a new message popped up, following up on his question: Where did you go on vacation? Tibet? Didn't you say you wanted to go with me?
That was something Su Mu had mentioned before during college. At that time, some of his classmates drove to Tibet, and Su Mu was busy doing part-time work.
Jiang Ran offered to drive him there, and Su Mu, touched, said he was a good brother and that he would definitely go to Tibet with Jiang Ran.
Su Mu: We went to the moon.
Unknown number: ...Bring me some soil back.
Calm, natural, even with a touch of absurd seriousness as he continued his ramblings.
Su Mu stared at the words for a good ten seconds. Then, he performed a simple yet practiced action.
He clicked on the number and found the option to block it.
There's nothing special about it; it's simply a matter of practice makes perfect.
He needs peace and quiet.
Su Mu casually made up a story about how after his "trip," he hadn't had a chance to relax for more than two days before trouble began to follow.
First came Skinny Monkey. That guy probably heard Jiang Ran mention it, or found out about Su Mu's resignation from some other source. He called, his tone incredibly exaggerated: "Holy crap! Mu Mu, you really resigned? That was fast! Just like that, you left. Pretty cool!"
Skinny Monkey clicked his tongue in amazement on the other end, then eagerly pressed on, "You really went on vacation? Come on, send me some photos so I can't help but envious! Let me feel the breath of freedom too!"
Su Mu was standing behind the convenience store checkout counter, making a phone call during a lull when there were no customers.
Send photos? Where is he supposed to get travel photos? He can't even keep up with the demand.
He could only give a vague reply: "Well, scenery is something you can just look at with your own eyes. I'm too lazy to take pictures; they'll just take up memory space anyway."
Skinny Monkey made a few more jokes, but didn't delve any deeper, and hung up the phone with a laugh.
But just as they finished dealing with the skinny monkey, the harassment from the other side intensified.
Jiang Ran changed to a new, unfamiliar number, I don't know how many times it's been. She stopped obsessing over what happened that night, and stopped asking where he was. Instead, she started... sending him all sorts of travel guides.
The details are outrageously detailed.
Unknown number: Early symptoms and coping measures for altitude sickness (with pictures).
Tibet has strong ultraviolet radiation, so sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher is required, and it is recommended to reapply it every two hours.
Stop strenuous exercise and avoid drinking alcohol a week before traveling to Tibet.
With large temperature differences between day and night, a windproof jacket or down jacket is a must.
...
One message after another, what's wrong with this guy? How come Jiang Ran believes everything he says? And believes it so... earnestly?
Frustrated, he blocked the new number.
But less than half a day later, another unfamiliar number, located in Jiangzhou, sent a new message. The message contained a screenshot of a niche but well-regarded altitude sickness medication.
Su Mu finally couldn't hold back anymore and replied in despair: Where did you get so many numbers?!
The reply came quickly: "It's from my relative. Are you still going to continue? I've already borrowed from my third aunt, and I have spares from my eldest and second aunts."
Su Mu: "…………"
Su Mu: ...Big brother, I give up, I won't poop anymore, okay?
The message was sent, and a simple "OK" emoji followed. Then came the next message: "Add me back on WeChat and send me your location."
Upon seeing this sentence, Su Mu's fleeting thought of a truce vanished instantly, and he quickly replied: ...No.
Jiang Ran, this guy, his family is clearly arranging a marriage for him, he's about to have a fiancée or even a wife, so what's with this relentless pursuit? Could it be... that after sleeping with him once, he's gotten a taste for it and wants to continue this chaotic, shameful, and clandestine relationship? What does he take him for?
A discreet pastime that allows you to satisfy your desires anytime without taking any responsibility?
Su Mu's parents taught him from a young age to be an honest and upright person and not to mess around with relationships. That night, the alcohol and impulsiveness had already gone too far astray; he absolutely could not let himself sink any deeper and become the kind of person he himself despised.
However, he did feel a bit unwell during that month.
I can't pinpoint exactly what's wrong, but I just feel lethargic and lack energy. Sometimes I also feel inexplicably nauseous, especially when I smell certain greasy foods.
My appetite has also become strange. I used to have little interest in snacks, but now I always crave something sour, spicy, or with a unique texture.
He attributed it to the irregular work and rest schedule after resigning, coupled with the hard work of night shifts, and didn't pay much attention to it.
Until one day, a new batch of goods arrived at the convenience store, consisting of relatively heavy boxed beverages and mineral water.
He helped unload and move the goods into the warehouse as usual. After moving a few boxes, he felt something was wrong with his lower back; it was sore and swollen, like he had twisted it.
He didn't take it seriously at the time, thinking that he just needed to rest.
The next day, the soreness not only did not lessen, but became more pronounced, and there was also a faint feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen.
The store manager, a middle-aged man, saw him grimacing as he moved goods and forced him to go to the hospital to get checked out, just in case he had injured his bones.
Su Mu couldn't refuse, and since he was indeed feeling unwell, he went to the nearby community hospital and made an appointment. After the examination, the doctor said there was no bone injury, it was probably just a muscle strain, and advised him to rest, avoid heavy work, and prescribed some topical ointment.
Su Mu rested diligently for a while, and his back pain subsided. But when he stood on the scale, he was stunned.
The number had increased by several pounds compared to before, and in a very short time. He lifted his shirt to look at his stomach; his once flat and firm abdomen now seemed... to have a soft curve?
That's impossible.
He has a body type that doesn't easily gain weight, and his weight has remained relatively stable since adulthood. How could he suddenly gain weight? And the weight gain seems to be... concentrated in one area?
He felt a little uneasy and searched online for reasons why someone might suddenly gain weight.
The answers that popped up were all over the place. Some said it might be stress-induced weight gain, some said it might be edema, and others said... it might be a sign of certain diseases, or something more serious...
Su Mu stared at the screen. "No way? Could I really have some serious illness? All this discomfort, the change in appetite, and this inexplicable weight gain..."
He became increasingly panicked and couldn't sit still any longer. The next day, he took leave and went directly to a top-tier hospital in the city, registering with the endocrinology department. The doctor asked him some basic questions, ordered several lab tests, and told him to get his blood drawn.
The blood draw was quick, and the stinging sensation of the needle piercing the skin was minimal. Su Mu held the several test tubes filled with dark red blood, his heart pounding with anxiety.
The wait for the results was exceptionally long.
He sat on the cold plastic chair in the hospital, watching the patients and their families coming and going with different expressions, his mind a jumble of thoughts, thinking of all sorts of possibilities.
Finally, his number was called. He walked into the examination room and handed the doctor the test results.
She was a middle-aged female doctor who wore glasses and seemed quite kind. She took the form, adjusted her glasses, and carefully examined the data and indicators on it. After looking at it for a long time, her brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed, her expression somewhat subtle.
Then, she raised her head, her gaze falling on Su Mu's face. She looked him up and down, her eyes filled with obvious confusion and... disbelief.
When Su Mu saw her reaction, his heart jumped into his throat: "Doctor... what's the result? Please... please tell me directly."
The female doctor glanced at the lab report again, her voice carrying a professional calm, yet sounding somewhat strange due to the bizarre nature of the contents.
“Well… according to the data in the report,” she paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully, then looked at Su Mu’s face again and uttered a few words: “You’re pregnant.”
oh.
Su Mu patted his chest, feeling relieved to have survived the ordeal.
So she was pregnant.
It's not that I'm sick.
It's not a tumor, not a hormonal imbalance, and not a terminal illness.
Wait, it's...pregnancy!
Su Mu suddenly realized what was happening, and his mind went blank. He opened his mouth, but just stared at the doctor in a daze.
Su Mu: "...I'm going to be a dad, no, a mom?"
A note from the author:
Bao: Daddy, if you keep doing this, I'll die soon.
Little Wooden Head: ...[rainbow fart][rainbow fart][rainbow fart]
Young Master Jiang: I had a dream last night. When I got up to check, it turned out to be a pregnancy dream. Who wants to harm me?
I need to make a correction to the previous chapter. It turns out that one person can only apply for one card per month. Thank you for pointing it out; I'll go and revise it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com