Yan Ningbai"s face was red as he explained, "I"m very happy that big nephew and big niece-in-law moved here. I"m so excited that I can"t sleep."
"Well, master and mistress haven"t woken up yet," Aunt Zhuang informed him.
"It"s okay. There"s still Chu Xi. Grandma Zhuang, you can get back to your work. Chu Xi can entertain me. I know Chu Xi needs its morning walk. I"ll walk Chu Xi and help lighten the burden of big nephew and big niece-in-law," Yan Ningbai said.
Aunt Zhuang, "…"
This little boy was here for Chu Xi.
Yan Ningbai knew that Lin Chu and Yan Beicheng were still asleep, so he went to look for Chu Xi while speaking in a low voice. He found Chu Xi still sleeping in its mini villa with its four paws in the air.
Hearing Yan Ningbai calling its name, Chu Xi flipped over to get up. It shook its head and climbed out of its mini villa sleepily.
Aunt Zhuang felt bad for Chu Xi while watching it.
Chu Xi usually did not need to wake up so early.
By the time Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu woke up and came downstairs for breakfast, Yan Ningbai had already returned from walking Chu Xi. Aunt Zhuang had served up hot, steaming bowls of Dough Drop and Vegetable Soup on the table.
Little did Yan Ningbai knew that his parents were in a shock next door when they found him missing.
The doorbell rang when Aunt Zhuang served up three bowls of soup.
Aunt Zhuang opened the door and Lin Chu heard Yu Zi"s voice asking, "Is Ningbai with you?"
Aunt Zhuang replied, "Yes, he came here really early in the morning to walk Chu Xi. He"s having Dough Drop and Vegetable Soup now."
Yu Zi, "…"
"Wait until I get my hands on him!" Yu Zi rolled up her sleeves as she came in. Her temper rose and she itched to give him a good beating as she watched the heartless little fatso pursing up his lips to blow on the soup to cool it down.
Yan Ningbai instinctively detected danger as he threw down his spoon and hid behind Lin Chu.
"Come out here! Don"t you dare use your big niece-in-law as a s.h.i.+eld! You"re her uncle, how could you have the gall to hide behind your junior?" Yu Zi pointed at Yan Ningbai as she scolded.
Lin Chu, "…"
On a usual day, it was a term that would be used jokingly. Now that Yu Zi was mentioning it in such a serious tone, it made Lin Chu feel out of sorts about it.
Yan Ningbai twisted around behind Lin Chu before walking out slowly. He stood before Yu Zi with his head lowered. He had a look expressing that he did something wrong.
Yu Zi would not usually reprimand her son so sternly in front of others, even if they were relatives.
The more familiar the people are with them, the more bruising it would cause the child"s ego.
When Yu Zi glanced calmly at Yan Ningbai in silence, Yan Ningbai obediently followed behind her.
Yu Zi turned to Lin Chu with a smile and said, "We"ll be heading home to clean up. We"ll come over again later. He still has breakfast at home that he shouldn"t waste."
Lin Chu nodded. After Yu Zi left with Yan Ningbai, Lin Chu looked at Yan Beicheng with admiration in her eyes and complimented, "Yu Zi is so skillful in educating her child. I"ll have to learn from her."
Yan Ningbai did not get beaten when he got home with Yu Zi. All Yu Zi did was telling him to inform the family of his whereabouts, even if it was somewhere as close as next door. If his family was not around, he would still have to leave a message by informing their housekeeper. It was not right of him to disappear without a word to his parents.
Yan Ningbai agreed because he knew he was in the wrong.
Chu Zhaoyang and the others came by cheerfully during noontime.
It was a mutual understanding amongst them to not mention anything about Zhao Zhide and the fatty. Qi Youxuan was forced to go on a diet by his parents and was now thinner. When he saw Wei Muran, he immediately swept the top of his permed hair to give it a playful curl and asked, "Mumu, have you noticed that I"ve become even more good-looking recently?"
Yan Ningbai was stunned by how shameless this fatso was. He said, "I… I saw you sneaking into the dining room the other afternoon to get two sticks of roasted chicken skin, two sticks of roasted chicken thigh and a deep-fried fishcake. And that was just teatime!"
Qi Youxuan, "…"
Could we still be friends?
Qi Youxuan felt a chill behind him and turned back to see Qi Chenglin sneering at him!
"You… You… How can you be so heartless?! Don"t you dare borrow my old elementary school homework to copy in the future!" Qi Youxuan was so angry, he pointed at Yan Ningbai and spluttered.
Yan Ningbai, "…"
Where was the love between them?
Yan Ningbai turned back to see Yu Zi"s eyes narrowed. There was no way he could get away from this.
The two little fatsos started railing against each other, determined for the other to go home with a bigger, fatter b.u.t.t.
Yan Beicheng was looking around as if waiting for something to happen.
Finally, Lin Chu got up for something and Yan Beicheng immediately stood up, holding Lin Chu and asked, "Where are you going? Let me help you!"
Everyone had already experienced his numerous attempts to show off. This had to be another one of those moments he was waiting for!
Han Zhuoli and Wei Zhiqian looked at each other and then, back at the others. There was a wordless agreement signaled through their eyes.
They decided not to say a word, not even sarcastic words. They pretended not to notice Yan Beicheng"s actions, so he would not have the opportunity to say anything.
Lin Chu was worried Yan Beicheng would explode from not being able to show-off, so she decided to play along with him and replied, "You don"t need to be so anxious, I"m just going to the washroom."
Yan Beicheng was immediately energized by the given opportunity and said in a loud voice, "That can"t do, you"re doing everything for two now! Let me help you there."
Everyone else, "…"
They gave Lin Chu a glance of distaste. How could she aid and abet such a behavior?!
"…" Lin Chu blushed red. She pretended not to notice their glances and let Yan Beicheng helped her to the washroom.
Not long after, they could hear Yan Beicheng shouting toward the living room, "Dear, I"ll wait for you outside here! I"ll help you back in a while! We"ve got to be careful with your pregnancy!"
Han Zhuoli covered his face in grief and said, "What the h.e.l.l! My grandma wouldn"t even let me eat at the dining table and now, I have to listen to him reminding me why. I"m wondering if we should continue to be friends!"
Nan Jingheng did not say anything but silently rubbed his ears. Old Lady Nan had wrung it a few times this morning.
This was all because Old Lady Yan had dropped by their house again this morning.
Since Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu had moved out, Old Lady Yan had more time on her hands as usual, which were all given to Old Lady Nan!
After a while, Yan Beicheng carefully helped Lin Chu back. He did not sit down but gave a mysterious look at the others and said, "I"ve got something good to show everybody."
Wei Zhiqian could feel a chill down his spine. He looked at Song Yu, then Ruan Danchen, then at Yu Zi and Lin Chu.
He gave a dry laugh, "I… I don"t think that"s a good idea. Lin Chu and the others are here. You can wait… Wait until there are only us brothers together and show it to us!"
Yu Zi shot a look towards Wei Zhiqian the moment he said the words.
What did he think it was that could not be shown in front of the ladies?
"What dirty thoughts are in your mind?!" Yan Beicheng looked at him condescendingly and turned away. He walked away with his head held high and looked das.h.i.+ng and upright as if all the dirt in this world could never contaminate someone as pure as him.
Yan Huaian jumped in to add, "We understand that a bachelor like you is always thinking about all these dirty things in your head, but don"t you dare place us in the same category as you!"
Wei Ziqi subconsciously tried to flick off an imaginary cigarette. It was only when his fingers moved that he realized that it was just a candy in his hand that Wei Ran had bought to help him quit smoking. He pursed his lips, took the candy, and said, "After the few of us started families, we"ve got less time to look after you. Just a moment of turning away from you and you"ve learned to be bad."
Qi Chenzhi cuddled Song Yu by her shoulders and said casually to Wei Zhiqian, "Tell us, what else are you hiding from us?"
Qi Chenglin did not speak directly to Wei Zhiqian. He turned to Ruan Danchen instead, "If I knew that he was this sort of person, I"d never introduce you to him."
Nan Jingheng stood up suddenly and pointed at Wei Zhiqian in grief before exclaiming, "Big Brother Zhiqian, I had no idea you were this kind of person. I"m so disappointed in you!"
Chu Zhaoyang gave Wei Zhiqian a look of distaste and sneered, "Hoho!"
Han Zhuoli moved carefully in his seat to sit closer to Chu Zhaoyang and said, "You"ve always been close to me, but why can"t you learn something good from me? Men like us have good character and are pure in heart. Should we be looking at dirty things?!"
Wei Zhiqian, "…"
d.a.m.n this group of people! He no longer wanted to be friends with them!
Later, Yan Beicheng returned excitedly with a pregnancy result and a picture of the baby"s ultrasound. "Come on round, I"ll show everyone this. The few of you without wives can learn about this and whet your appet.i.te first!"
Everyone, "…"
"Even though most of you are bachelors, it won"t hurt to have an early understanding. Otherwise, you"d know nothing when your wife gets pregnant," Yan Beicheng said. He sat next to Lin Chu and had an expression of doing them a favor.
Chu Zhaoyang raised his thick eyebrow and asked, "You didn"t know?"
They had known Chu Zhaoyang for a very long time and were aware of how he generally expressed himself. It was always succinct and never in full. They knew what Chu Zhaoyang meant.
"That"s right. So, you knew nothing when Lin Chu was pregnant?" Han Zhuoli pursed his lips and had an arrogant look on his face that probably was asking for a beating.
Yan Beicheng tightened his lips as he picked up his cup of tea. He sipped the hot tea slowly. The fragrance of the tea spread in his mouth as he carefully savored it before saying, "You bachelors would never be able to understand this kind of surprise. When I was celebrating Lin Chu"s birthday, she felt nauseous at the smell of the birthday cake. When we went to the hospital for a check-up and found out she was pregnant, that feeling was really, hohohoho…."
All unsaid words were encompa.s.sed into his "hohoho".
Everyone, "…"
In the end, Lin Chu discreetly tugged at Yan Beicheng to get him to put a stop to all the showing off. It was not nice to keep distressing them.
Yan Beicheng relented.
As Lin Chu was pregnant and Qi Chengzhi and the others had brought their children, who could not last through the day, everyone left after having lunch and gathered a while more so Lin Chu could rest.
Lin Chu had a tiring day. Even though she did not do the cooking and only had to chat with everyone, it was still exhausting. After everyone had left, Lin Chu yawned so much that Yan Beicheng made her go to bed.
She slept until midnight and missed dinner.
When Lin Chu woke up groggily at night, she realized she was hungry.
As soon as she moved, Yan Beicheng woke up. He did not sleep well as he was worried about Lin Chu not eating. Lin Chu was sleeping deeply when he checked on her at night and he decided not to wake her up so she could rest properly. At the same time, he was concerned that she would wake up hungry at night and hence he could not sleep well.
"Are you awake?" Yan Beicheng touched Lin Chu"s forehead as he asked quietly.
The room was dark. Hearing his voice, Lin Chu felt warm and lazy.
"I"m a little hungry. What time is it?" Lin Chu asked.
Yan Beicheng grabbed his phone and took a look at the time. "It"s 12.30 am."
"There"s some rice kept for you from dinner. What do you want to eat? I"ll go buy it for you," Yan Beicheng placed his phone back as he asked.
Lin Chu rubbed her belly as she replied in embarra.s.sment, "I"m suddenly craving for grilled meat. The kind that"s grilled with charcoal by the roadside stalls. Grilled pork belly, chicken wings, chicken feet, pork tendons, grilled mushrooms, grilled garlic, grilled eggplant. I want plenty of c.u.min on them…"
She could not help salivating as she listed the food items. She swallowed hard as her saliva filled her mouth at the thought of them.
Yan Beicheng was tickled by her hungry look. "No problem. There"s still plenty of places selling supper at this hour. I"ve kept some of Aunt Zhuang"s freshly made savory onion pancakes. There"s even cuc.u.mber prepared. If you feel like having them, you can just add vinegar and salt to them."
Lin Chu rubbed her belly and said, "I"ll wait for you to get the grilled meat back. It would taste so refres.h.i.+ng to have it with the cuc.u.mber."
"Sure," Yan Beicheng laughed out loud as he quickly got up to change.
Lin Chu laid in bed lazily as she watched Yan Beicheng changing quickly.
She suddenly felt that it was too much of her to be sending Yan Beicheng out in the middle of the night. It was a cold night and he was not able to sleep well in the warm bed. He had to climb out of the warm covers to go out.
Lin Chu started to sniffle and said moodily, "Forget about it, come back and sleep."
Yan Beicheng was putting on his belt. Hearing what she said, he turned around and questioned, "What"s wrong?"
He saw that Lin Chu"s eyes had turned red and quickly hugged her. "Why are you suddenly crying?"
A pregnant woman has a roller coaster of emotions!
Yan Beicheng felt slightly distressed. Their baby would not turn out to be a crybaby, would it?
"It"s so cold outside and I"m still making you go out in the middle of the night. The thought of it makes me feel so bad. Don"t go. I don"t want to eat anymore. There"s nothing I"d like to eat in particular," Lin Chu said.
Yan Beicheng patted her head and a.s.sured, "I thought it was something serious. If you feel bad for me, then come with me. I"ve thought about it. I think it"s best to have grilled meat as soon as it"s cooked. It will turn cold when I come back with it and won"t taste the same even after I heat it up."
Lin Chu nodded immediately at his words. They could endure the cold together out there. She would not feel so guilty if they suffered together.
She quickly got up to change and went out with Yan Beicheng.
Yan Beicheng was not hungry but when he got to the stall, the fragrance of the grilled meat enticed his appet.i.te and he had a few sticks of it with Lin Chu.
He scrolled through his phone with one hand and held on to a stick on the other hand as he entered the "8x8 is 64" chatgroup.
Those with families had already gone to sleep. The remaining people in the chatroom were bachelors like Han Zhuoli. There was also Chu Zhaoyang who posted random punctuation marks to indicate his existence.
Han Zhuoli, "Old Chu, Old Chu, are you still there?"
Chu Zhaoyang, "."
Chu Zhaoyang would be too lazy to even send a punctuation mark if it was not for the fact that he could not send a blank message.
Yan Beicheng"s lips curved up as he sent an arrogant looking emoji with sungla.s.ses on.
Wei Zhiqian, "Wow, what are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of servicing your wife?"
Yan Beicheng, "You wouldn"t understand. Pregnant women are always suddenly craving for certain food. Lin Chu suddenly wanted to have grilled meat, so I took her out for some. Sigh, this feeling of being happy because you managed to cheer up your wife is a feeling you will never understand."
Wei Zhiqian, "…"
What the h.e.l.l! He will never talk to Yan Beicheng again!
Lin Chu chewed on a mushroom as she asked helplessly, "Are you showing off in the group again?"
Yan Beicheng poured Lin Chu a gla.s.s of warm water, "I"m just chatting with them in there."
"You need to show them some love sometimes!" Lin Chu advised.
Yan Beicheng nodded, "Sure."
Even though they were out at midnight, Lin Chu still woke up energized on Monday morning as she had slept the full afternoon the previous day.
Yan Beicheng sent her to the entrance of her office building and watched her go in before driving off.
Lin Chu heard someone calling out to her from behind when she was walking up the stairs.
She turned back to see Zheng Yuntong running to her with a cheerful look on her face. She held on to Lin Chu"s arms, "Are you free next weekend? Moyan is coming back the day after."
Lin Chu gave it a thought and said, "I"ll call the old Princ.i.p.al and my mum"s house later to set a time."
"Sure," Zheng Yuntong replied happily.
As they were walking in, Lin Chu heard someone calling out her name again. The difference this time was that Lin Chu"s facial expression changed. It was going to be annoying facing this person.
They paused in their footsteps and turned to look. It was Zhu Hexuan.
She did not look good. There was a thick bandage on her head that seemed to be layered up. Even her ears and jaws were bandaged. Her whole head was wrapped up like a mummy. Even so, they could still see the bruises on her cheeks and the corner of her lips through the bandage.
Her right arm was also bandaged. The bandage went around her shoulders and hung on her arms. They had no idea how she had broken it.
Lin Chu knew the wound on her face was from Friday night at Sheng Yue. She had watched as the fatty grabbed Zhu Hexuan"s hair and smashed her face hard on the marble floor.
Lin Chu was curious about how she had broken her arm. As she gave it a deeper thought, what happened at Sheng Yue was not enough to keep Zhao Zhide and the fatty in jail. If Zhu Hexuan was released, so would those two.
Zhu Hexuan had brought them so much trouble. Those men would never have let her go free. Her arm might have been broken by people they had sent to her.
Lin Chu took a deep breath. Zheng Yuntong pulled at her arm.
Lin Chu turned and heard Zheng Yuntong said quietly, "Let"s talk at the bottom of the stairs. The road is much more leveled. If you"re going to have a conversation here, it would be terrible if she decides to do something bad."
It was not Zheng Yuntong trying to bad-mouth anything. It was more of a precaution. What if Lin Chu fell from the stairs?
It"s better to be extra careful when it came to Zhu Hexuan.
Lin Chu remembered what Zhu Hexuan tried to do to her at Sheng Yue. Her face paled slightly as she nodded in agreement.
They walked down the stairs and heard Zhu Hexuan called out again, "Lin Chu, can I talk to you?"
Zhu Hexuan seemed subdued. This was the first time she spoke to Lin Chu without any signs of grievance; in fact, she sounded as if she was begging.
Lin Chu thought about what she had gone through, but at the thought of her trying to kill her child, she could not feel merciful.
"There"s nothing for us to talk about," Lin Chu replied coldly.
If Zhu Hexuan had not tried to kill her child, Lin Chu might have helped her because they had grown up together.
However, she was heartless and had tried to kill her unborn child. Lin Chu was disgusted at the sight of her.