Chapter 462: Husband’s Reaction

Chapter 462: Her Husband’s Response

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled.

She didn’t think marriage was a must anymore. Although she was quite satisfied with her own married life, she understood that everyone had their own way of living.

Besides, Qu Miao was still young—no need to rush things.

But Gao Yanfei, ever the busybody, wouldn’t let it go.

"You kids always say ‘no rush,’ but by the time you realize you should be worried, it’ll be too late. Qu Miao, if you want to find a wife, I can introduce you to someone!"

Qu Miao shook his head hard, bowl still in hand.

Gao Yanfei was obsessed with Qu Miao’s love life. In her eyes, Qu Miao was fair and delicate—honestly, too pretty, making it difficult for him to find a partner.

What girl wants a husband who’s prettier than her?

Qu Miao: "Yanfei-jie, I’m really not looking to settle down yet."

Ye Xiaoxiao urged everyone to eat, giving Qu Miao a temporary out.

That finally got Gao Yanfei off his back.

"Qu Miao’s ethnic—maybe he’s supposed to marry within his group," Ye Xiaoxiao suggested.

Gao Yanfei: "Oh, so his family’s got it handled?"

Qu Miao said nothing, neither confirming nor denying it. The topic finally came to an end.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Qu Miao shared a look—topic closed.

After dinner, they all pitched in to clear the table.

It was freezing out, so Gao Yanfei sent her two children home to do their homework while she stayed in the living room with Xiaoxiao and the others.

With Lu Hanchuan gone, they could stay as long as they wanted.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Kong Xuelan chatted a bit more about pregnancy.

These days, gender testing wasn’t as tightly controlled. Kong Xuelan was dying to know the baby’s sex but hadn’t gone for a check-up yet.

Ye Xiaoxiao could actually guess the baby’s sex herself, but she didn’t care—she’d be happy no matter what.

She was also certain Lu Hanchuan felt the same, so she kept quiet and didn’t volunteer to check.

Qu Miao asked with concern, "You gonna tell your family you’re pregnant?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I’ll hold off for now."

She wanted to discuss it with Lu Hanchuan first. Besides, she wasn’t far along yet and didn’t need extra care.

Qu Miao: "The master would be over the moon if he knew."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "But they’ll just fuss over me. I’ll tell them after things calm down here in a few days."

Qu Miao and Lin Xining didn’t head back to the sanatorium till after seven.

The lights were still on in the sanatorium, and Qu Miao went to check on the two patients staying there.

Xu Yang had already gone to rest.

Huang Yuning, Qu Miao's difficult and aloof patient, was still awake. He gave Qu Miao a cool glance when he saw him return.

However, Huang Yuning was in a much better mood now. Back when he first arrived on the island, he hadn’t even felt like talking.

Now, he could at least manage a civil conversation with his doctor.

"I really don’t understand why you had to open a clinic on this remote island," Huang Yuning remarked, seemingly finding life here too dull. The island lacked entertainment, and even New Year's Day had been pretty low-key.

Qu Miao replied, "You were the ones who insisted on coming. Nobody dragged you here."

Huang Yuning was used to Qu Miao’s attitude by now.

"You really aren’t afraid of me filing a complaint, are you?"

Qu Miao shrugged. "Be my guest."

He had been at Rende Pharmacy for so long and still didn’t know where the complaint window was.

Besides, what he had just said was the truth. If it weren’t for these people insisting on seeking out Mr. Song, Ye Xiaoxiao could've kept enjoying her peaceful life on the island.

After a brief exchange, Qu Miao, now full and satisfied, checked that his patient was stable and felt reassured.

"Your symptoms are fading. I think you’ll be leaving the island soon."

Huang Yuning said, "Couldn't come soon enough."

Leaving aside his dislike for the island’s environment, what really got to him was the mystery illness that had appeared on his body.

After Qu Miao left, the light in Huang Yuning’s room quickly turned off.

……

The ships patrolling near Changjing Island all withdrew three days after New Year’s.

Though there was no official news, everyone on the island knew it was due to some tensions with nearby nations.

Full-blown conflict wasn't happening—clearly, our side came out on top.

The military still had to report and review the situation, so Lu Hanchuan and his unit were tied up for another week before finally getting some downtime.

The surprise Ye Xiaoxiao had been preparing had been on hold for days unused. By the time Lu Hanchuan returned home, she had almost forgotten to bring it up.

It wasn’t until both of them had gotten ready for bed, changed into pajamas, and were lying in bed that Ye Xiaoxiao nuzzled close to Lu Hanchuan’s ear and whispered,

"I have something very important to tell you."

Lu Hanchuan cocked his head, his nose nearly bumping into Xiao Xiao’s.

He was dying to know—what was so darn important that she hadn’t mentioned it when he first got back, waiting until now?

His voice remained gentle as he asked, "What is it?"

Ye Xiaoxiao made a guilty face. "Actually, I should have told you the moment you walked in, but I forgot."

Lu Hanchuan's gaze and tone were overflowing with tenderness, "You forgot something this important?"

Ye Xiaoxiao took Lu Hanchuan's hand and placed it on her stomach.

"I'm pregnant."

Lu Hanchuan took a couple of seconds to react, asking stupidly, "What?"

Ye Xiaoxiao rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow to look at him, her eyes sparkling. "I said... I'm pregnant."

When the words sank in, Lu Hanchuan bolted upright.

"Xiao Xiao... really?"

"Of course it's true. I'm a doctor—don't you think I'd know?"

Ye Xiaoxiao said this without hesitation. If it weren’t for the pregnancy symptoms, she wouldn’t have noticed so soon.

Lu Hanchuan kept one hand on Xiao Xiao's stomach, his touch even gentler now that he knew.

"How far along?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Just a month. There's no visible sign yet."

Lu Hanchuan: "I'll arrange for a housekeeper from our family home to come and take care of you."

Ye Xiaoxiao had expected this. "Let’s wait a couple of months. I'm perfectly capable right now."

Lu Hanchuan leaned down and kissed her forehead. "No, this time, my decision is final."

Besides, our family would be thrilled once they found out.

"Grandma and Grandpa will be thrilled to pieces."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Aren’t you happy?"

Lu Hanchuan pressed his forehead against hers, nuzzling against her. "I’m over the moon."

But more than that, his heart ached at the thought of her. If they were in the capital, Xiao Xiao would receive the best possible care.

Yet he couldn’t say for sure how many more years they’d have to stay here, and the thought of her living here pained him.

Ye Xiaoxiao was satisfied with his answer.

"Alright, now that you know the big news, let’s sleep."

She snuggled under the covers, pulling them up and signaling for Lu Hanchuan to turn off the light.

But he didn’t move, instead pulling her close.

"Let me enjoy this moment a little longer, my love..."

Lu Hanchuan still felt lightheaded, like he was dreaming.