Chapter 21 Pregnancy
Once Zhan Lintian's thoughts started, he couldn't stop them.
He couldn't help but think of Jiang Xia, and the image of Jiang Xia being kissed, from a light touch to a gradual deepening, wanting to entice him to interact as well.
His soft tongue will be licked and kissed by a man.
Jiang Xia might be at a loss at first, perhaps standing there dumbfounded, until the other party goes deeper and deeper, at which point she belatedly realizes what's going on and tries to struggle and push him away.
The kissing continued until Jiangxia's pale lips became red and swollen.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that Wenwen, who was in his arms, squirmed and turned over because she was uncomfortable. He was suddenly startled and put his fingers to his forehead, trying to suppress the erotic images in his mind.
It was all because of Wu Zhou and Jiang Xia's affair that he had such thoughts before.
When I was studying in the Foggy country, all I wanted to do was eat well.
He reads the PDF "Study Abroad in the Foggy Country" every day; people's hearts are fickle.
My sister's marriage was unhappy, and the couple had a "love child" together. They went from being a perfect match to becoming enemies.
It made him even more exhausted.
Zhan Lintian looked at his phone, which was still showing the chat page between the two of them.
Seeing that he hadn't answered for a long time, Jiang Xia said first, "It's getting late, I won't bother you any longer, Mr. Zhan, good night."
Zhan Lintian looked at the sentence and typed with a smile: "Good night, you should get some rest too."
*
Jiang Xia said goodnight—but he wasn't actually asleep; he sat on the bay window, gazing out at the misty view.
During this period, I intentionally controlled my contact with Wu Ming, making it less and less frequent, and each time I would reply to a few words and then quickly end the conversation.
Wu Ming was busy with dating and getting engaged, deceiving himself and not noticing any of this. He just thought that I was being sensible and not bothering him.
Wu Ming once said, "Jiang Xia, I really want to take you to the party, but you're not familiar with them, so you'll definitely feel uncomfortable there."
Jiang Xia tilted his head and chuckled. It must have been very difficult for him to keep this from her. From now on, Wu Ming would also be a "not-so-familiar" friend.
There's a similar line in the film "The Coffin in the Mountain": when others maintain a lie, the stone remains weighing on his heart.
But once you speak out, the stone weighs on your heart.
Jiang Xia willingly watched the stone fall, waiting for it to crash to the ground and shatter Wu Ming's mask.
Just as he was thinking about this, Wu Ming's message suddenly arrived.
Are you asleep?
"No."
"Jiang Xia, I didn't come to see you. You've been staying at home a lot lately. Staying cooped up at home isn't good. Don't get sick from it."
Wu Ming had just sent the message when Jiang Xia replied.
"No, I went out to eat today."
Wu Ming sat cross-legged on the sofa, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he straightened up abruptly, pausing before asking, "Where did you go to eat?"
"It was just an ordinary restaurant; I don't remember the name."
Jiang Xia didn't remember the name at all, only the scene of Wu Ming's marriage proposal.
Wu Ming sensed something was wrong. He had just proposed to Jiang Xia at a restaurant that day, and now... He gripped his phone tightly.
Has she given herself away? She clearly didn't tell him, and even told Xie Xingzhang not to post a proposal vlog.
Jiang Xia probably doesn't know. If he did, he would definitely ask me.
Thinking of this, Wu Ming let out a long sigh and typed, "Did you go to eat alone? Why didn't you invite me?"
Jiang Xia replied, "I thought you were busy, so I didn't call you."
In the chat box, messages kept coming in one after another, and Wu Ming sent several more grinning emojis.
"Next time you need something, just tell me. Even if I'm busy, I'll make time for you!"
"By the way, do you want to see meteors?" Wu Ming sent a voice message, saying mysteriously, "I heard there's a meteor shower tomorrow night, let's go to the observatory and watch it with a telescope."
Jiang Xia lowered his eyes and typed: "The Astronomical Observatory must be packed with people."
Ding-dong, Wu Ming sent a picture.
"Look, I've used my connections to book a private planetarium on Jing'an Mountain. I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon."
"I remember you've never seen a shooting star? You said back in high school that you would definitely see one with your own eyes if you had the chance."
It was the night before their high school entrance exam. They were squeezed into one bed, lying face to face. Cars occasionally passed by on the street outside the window, and the lights illuminated a corner of the room.
This is a late-night chat unique to teenagers.
A cold made Jiang Xia drowsy, and he was afraid that he would wake up too late the next day and miss the exam.
"I'll be your human alarm clock. I won't sleep tonight; I'll just keep an eye on you." Wu Ming ruffled his hair.
"Don't be nervous, our Jiang Xia is a top student."
"Oh, if there were a meteor shower, I would wish for you to get first place in the city in your exam."
Wu Ming chattered on for a while, but Jiang Xia's voice was muffled: "Meteor shower? Never seen one."
"Many meteors are not visible to the naked eye; it's best to use a telescope to see them. I've heard that meteors can grant the wishes of those who make them."
Jiangxia murmured, "Can my wish be granted?"
"I'll take you to see it later, I'll lie to you I'm a puppy, pinky promise."
Two people's little fingers intertwined in the dead of night, pulling and tugging at each other, fulfilling a promise made in high school.
In the quiet room, Jiang Xia stared at the message for a long time before finally replying, "Aren't you going with your girlfriend?"
Wu Ming's device displayed a message that had been in progress for a long time: "Message being typed..."
He first sent a pitiful puppy emoji, then sent a voice message: "But this is our wish, I only want to watch it with you, Jiangxia."
Jiang Xia responded with an "okay".
Then he sent a message to Wu Zhou: "Mr. Wu, there will be a meteor shower tomorrow."
Wu Zhou: "Hmm? You want to see?"
"I think it's a good opportunity to cultivate the relationship between Wu Ming and Miss Xie."
Wu Zhou replied a little slower this time: "I understand, I will make the arrangements."
He was very efficient. After finding the relevant news, he went straight out of the building and walked up to his younger brother, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room.
When Wu Ming saw his older brother approaching, he couldn't help but shiver.
"Good evening, brother. Are you going out?" he greeted reluctantly.
Wu Zhou stopped beside him, his tone cold, and repeated Jiang Xia's original words: "Tomorrow you can take Xie Xingzhang to see the meteor shower and cultivate your relationship."
Wu Ming suddenly stood up, hesitant yet unwilling, and said, "Big brother, I have plans. And where did you find out about this?"
Wu Zhou shoved his phone in front of his face: "Social news, I'll have someone arrange it for you."
Wu Ming retorted, "I really have something to do and can't get away."
Wu Zhou sat opposite the sofa and waved to the aunt: "Black tea, thank you."
He gently blew on the tea, causing ripples to appear on the surface, showing his determination to keep going until Wu Ming agreed.
Wu Zhou sneered: "You've stopped all your work recently, focusing entirely on preparing for your wedding. I can't think of anything else you're doing besides marriage."
At that moment, Old Master Wu was also standing to the side, nodding: "The eldest son's idea is good."
Wu Ming's face flushed red: "I disagree, I really have something to do."
Wu Zhou watched him go crazy with a cold eye: "Can we postpone it? We can't wait two days to see the meteor shower."
Wu Ming picked up a cushion and threw it on the sofa, venting his anger that had been building up for days: "Big brother, what right do you have to tell me what to do? Grandpa is still alive, Mom and Dad are still alive, I'm an adult now, I have my own private space!"
"I've already agreed to the engagement and marriage. How I date is none of your business."
Wu Zhou looked at him: "You really don't know why I forced you to marry Xie Xingzhang?"
"You have a strong fatherly smell, what else can I do!" Wu Ming gritted his teeth.
Wu Zhou's expression was indifferent as he said to his grandfather, "Grandpa, I have something to say to Wu Ming. I'm afraid it will disturb you, so you should go and rest first."
Seeing the two brothers arguing, Old Master Wu stood up and nodded.
Only after the old man left did Wu Zhou slowly stand up and look down at the blond-haired boy in front of him.
He said, word by word, "Half a month ago, Xie Xingzhang had an abortion; it was yours."
Wu Ming's head was buzzing, and he immediately retorted, "How could that be?!"
Wu Zhou narrowed his eyes: "It's your irresponsibility. You should take the initiative to tell your family about your relationship. Whether to get married or not, the decision is in your hands."
"But the Xie family discovered that Xie Xingzhang had an abortion half a month ago, and then another half month later they found out that you and her had a late-night rendezvous, which was deliberately captured by paparazzi, causing a huge scandal. And you still haven't mentioned your relationship!"
"You should be glad that your public image is now that of the happy and fulfilled second young master of the Wu family, instead of the scoundrel who got the woman pregnant and forced her to have an abortion after getting drunk together at the birthday party."
Wu Ming staggered back a step, grabbing the sofa for support: "Nonsense! She didn't tell me!"
Wu Zhou glanced at his watch: "I have other things to do. You need to understand that the Xie family is only arranging for their daughter to marry into the Wu family. It's no use if you disagree! Besides, you don't want this matter to escalate."
Wu Ming clutched his head with both hands, his lips trembling. Half a month ago—that was more than two months ago, when he got drunk at his birthday party.
Seeing his breakdown, Wu Zhou calmly said, "Take her to see the meteor shower tomorrow. Of course, you can refuse, but at least until we quell the Xie family's anger, your marriage to Xie Xingzhang must proceed steadily."
Wu Ming muttered, "Impossible. Xie Xingzhang has never said this to me."
Wu Zhou's words were like daggers: "Wu Ming, you've been playing around for so many years since graduation. When you walk by the river, you're bound to get your shoes wet."
Wu Ming slumped onto the sofa; everything had taken an unexpected turn.
No, this absolutely cannot be exposed.
In his daze, he saw Jiang Xia's eyes before him. How would he see him...? Jiang Xia hated irresponsible people the most...
In a daze, the next day arrived.
Jiang Xia received the engagement banquet invitation from Xie Te's assistant: it was white with gold thread, and the words "Wu Ming & Xie Xingzhang" were printed on it in small seal script.
He glanced at it, then put it away and devoted himself entirely to the work of the two project teams.
Besides his work, he also added several meeting coordinators on WeChat from Zhan Lintian.
After a busy day, he sat in his car for half an hour and then took a nap before driving home.
Before going home, he went to buy groceries. On the way, he received a text message from Wu Ming: "I have some things to do and can't go see the meteor shower. If you... still want to go, you can go by yourself. I've already let you know."
Jiang Xia replied, "Okay, you can go ahead and get busy."
He then sent a message to Wu Zhou: "Mr. Wu, thank you."
Wu Zhou replied: "Meteor showers are indeed a great place to cultivate feelings. What about you? Do you want to go see one?"
Jiang Xia stumbled and almost fell, then quickly declined, saying, "Mr. Wu, I'm very happy with your invitation, but unfortunately, I have some things to do tonight."
He quickly put his phone away.
Why did I go to see shooting stars with Wu Zhou?
When Jiang Xia returned home and was about to wash the vegetables, the doorbell rang, and a child's sweet voice faintly came from behind the door: "Uncle Jiang, I'm here!"
Jiang Xia quickly opened the door. As soon as she opened it, she saw President Zhan holding a little girl. Wenwen had two braids and was wearing a cream-colored cake dress. She exclaimed, "Wow!"
Jiang Xia imitated her cute manner and let out a soft "Wow".
As President Zhan watched Jiang Xia comfort the child, his gaze unconsciously fell on Jiang Xia's lips. The lips were well-shaped, but the color was very pale, and they looked bloodless. He should get some nutrition to make them more rosy.
He forcefully changed the subject: "Wu Zhou didn't come?"
Jiang Xia shook his head: "No, he only sent Assistant Xie to deliver the invitation today. The invitation says that the engagement banquet will be held at a manor owned by the Wu family at the end of this month on the 30th. Assistant Xie said it was an outdoor banquet."
Zhan Lintian chuckled softly, "That's good."
"Also, please help me, she wants me to tell her fairy tales in a high-pitched voice."
Wenwen stood angrily in his arms, hands on her hips, tears welling up in her eyes: "It's because Uncle's voice is so awful, not gentle at all."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia felt sorry for General Manager Zhan. His voice was slightly hoarse, a mature male mid-to-low tone. Voice actors with this kind of voice are very popular in the company's audiobook project team.
Unfortunately, the kids didn't like it.
Jiang Xia took the child in her arms and went to the bookshelf to get a translated fairy tale.
"But Mr. Zhan, I haven't finished cooking yet. What are we going to eat later? Should we eat out?"
Zhan Lintian said, "I came because she has a cold recently and wants to eat something light."
Jiang Xia stood in the kitchen, holding the child, and looked at Zhan Lintian, a tall and imposing man, cramped in the small kitchen. She asked with concern, "Mr. Zhan, do you have much experience in cooking?"
Jiang Xia wanted to ask him if he had ever had a partner, like a young couple staying at home, researching food together, and feeding each other.
But asking it so directly is quite inappropriate.
Zhan Lintian rolled up his sleeves, revealing his thick forearms. He pointed to the bulging muscles on them and grinned, "I once studied in the Fog Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia felt it carried considerable authority.
A note from the author:
The Xie family (threatening with photos and hospital reports): Mr. Wu, I know you don't agree to the marriage between the Xie family and the family, but...
Wu Zhou (interrupting): Isn't it a bit late to let them get their marriage certificate tomorrow?
Xie Jia (stunned): Huh?
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