Chapter 78 Bro, I Think I’m Pregnant

Chapter 78: Bro, I Think I'm Pregnant Again

Such a silent sorrow—it was far more painful than crying out loud.

Qin Xihan understood, so he let the little one vent.

The little one in his arms was taken by Big Brother. Qin Xihan quickly wiped away his tears. Oh, what was he doing?

Yang Yun didn't know what to do. He looked from one to the other, sighing with reddened eyes. He couldn't interfere in Big Brother and Little Brother's affairs, and he knew they would be fine soon. But Qin Xihan... He gently put an arm around Qin Xihan's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Han Ge, trust me, Big Brother and Little Brother are just playing around because they're jealous. They'll be fine by tonight. Don't take it to heart, and don't think they..." Before Yang Yun could finish, Qin Xihan shook his head. "I know, it's different."

Hearing this, Yang Yun could only hum in agreement. He and Qin Xihan sat on the living room rug, waiting to see what would happen next.

From the moment Big Brother and Little Brother entered the room, he had wanted to carry Wang Wang upstairs to the second or third floor. But the little one clutched the rug on the floor, refusing to be moved. How could a child not have emotions? How could they not feel? He had probably sensed that Daddy and Papa were different tonight, which made him feel insecure and unwilling to go anywhere.

Shi Zai truly hadn't expected Wang Wang to react so instantly. Usually, when he talked to Shu Yangkuo, sometimes even deliberately raising his voice, Wang Wang wouldn't mind and would even giggle. Today—today, he had gone too far, both towards Wang Wang and Shu Yangkuo.

Wang Wang's crying shattered Shi Zai's heart. The little one lay in Daddy's arms, trembling with sobs, his small hands tightly gripping Daddy's clothes... Shi Zai hugged him tightly from the front, comforting him over and over, but Wang Wang couldn't hear anything now. The little person was utterly heartbroken. Shi Zai couldn't help but bury his head and cry too. They had promised to give the child a warm and loving home...

Holding the two crying figures, Shu Yangkuo wished he could slap himself twice. He closed his eyes, then with his other arm, he scooped up his partner and carried him too. He said to Yang Yun and Qin Xihan, "Go to bed," and carried the two in his arms back to their bedroom.

The lights were off, only the faint moonlight shone through the window. It should have been a warm and beautiful night as usual.

Shu Yangkuo leaned against the windowsill. The older one quietly buried his head in his shoulder and neck, while the younger one slowly stopped crying. His big, adorable eyes were swollen and red with tears, full of grievance and sadness. Shu Yangkuo pressed his forehead to Wang Wang's. "Wang Wang, don't be sad anymore. Daddy was misbehaving. Papa was disciplining Daddy. It's okay now." Wang Wang sniffled twice and waved his little hands. "No, no." Shu Yangkuo kissed his small hand. "Mm, from now on, Daddy will listen, and Papa won't scold Daddy anymore." The child rubbed his big eyes, looked at Daddy, pouted, and said, "Wang Wang will behave."

Instantly, Shu Yangkuo closed his eyes, lowered his head, and buried his face in the child's small shoulder.

He shouldn't have said that.

But now, he found it hard to speak.

Wang Wang didn't know what was wrong with Daddy again. He tugged at Daddy's hair twice, pouted, and started crying again, coughing between sobs. Shi Zai quickly wiped away his tears, cleared his throat, and reached for a lollipop on the windowsill. "Wang Wang, don't cry. Papa will give you a lollipop, okay?" Hearing this, Wang Wang paused his crying for a moment, glanced at it, then pouted again. "Want orange candy."

Shi Zai quickly got down from Shu Yangkuo's arms, went to the living room to find a half-eaten orange candy, and came back. Daddy and Papa were still motionless by the windowsill, but Wang Wang was clearly better. After all, he was just a child, easily distracted by candy. Shi Zai unwrapped it and let him lick it. "Baby, Papa loves you, and Daddy loves you too. We were just playing around earlier. Next time, we'll play with Wang Wang too, okay?" Unexpectedly, the child quickly shook his head. "No." Shi Zai felt like crying again. Wang Wang understood everything.

Even newborns have emotions, let alone Wang Wang, who was over a year old.

What should they do at times like this? Shi Zai thought for a moment, then kissed Wang Wang's small hand. "Please forgive Daddy and Papa, okay? We won't be so mischievous again." Wang Wang licked the lollipop and nodded. "Spank butt." Shi Zai quickly agreed. "Okay, if Daddy and Papa are mischievous in the future, Wang Wang can spank our butts." The child hesitated, then nodded and softly called, "Daddy."

Shu Yangkuo composed himself, lifted his head from Wang Wang's small shoulder, hummed in response, wiped the sugary drool from the corner of the child's mouth, and touched his forehead to Wang Wang's. "Wang Wang, why didn't you come in earlier?" The child licked the orange candy. Now, being held by both Daddy and Papa, he felt much more secure. "Scared." Shu Yangkuo gently wiped his face with a wet wipe and coaxed softly, "How does the little tiger roar? Can Wang Wang show us?" Wang Wang looked at Daddy, then at Papa. They seemed much happier now. He giggled and decided to tease them some more. Holding the candy in one hand and clenching the other into a fist, he leaned forward slightly and let out a big "Grr!"

Giggle, both Daddy and Papa laughed, both happy.

Shu Yangkuo took a soft breath, held Wang Wang's small fist, and said, "Yes, Wang Wang is so great. Wang Wang roared at Daddy and Papa. From now on, Daddy and Papa really won't be like this again. Wang Wang, forgive us, okay?" The child focused on licking his candy. If Daddy and Papa were happy, they might not let him have the candy later... giggle... Shu Yangkuo gently rocked the child in his arms and asked again, "Okay?" Wang Wang looked up, smiled, nodded, and said, "Okay," then added, "Butt."

Hearing this, Shi Zai laughed and kissed Wang Wang's small arm. "Should we spank butts now? Does Wang Wang want to?" The child was stunned for a second, then instantly threw the orange candy away, excitedly bouncing up and down, trying to jump onto the bed, shouting loudly, "Yes! Butt!"

Time to spank Daddy and Papa's butts!

Shi Zai lay face down, tugged the tall man sitting beside him, and called out, "Bro." Shu Yangkuo paused, then lay face down too.

Wang Wang sat between Daddy and Papa, looked at one's butt, then the other's, laughing so hard he pounded the bed with his hands... Then he clenched his small fists, spanking one twice, then the other twice... Not enough, he stood up and wanted to stomp on them! Giggle.

He lost his balance and fell into Papa's arms as he turned over. The child was truly happy now, but Shi Zai knew that even the smallest person has memories. Even if they forget when they grow up, if they didn't fully comfort Wang Wang today, it would become a hidden trauma for life. He would be scared whenever he heard Shi Zai raise his voice, trembling whenever he sensed tension between Daddy and Papa.

They not only had to comfort him properly now but also truly couldn't behave like this again in the future.

Shi Zai thought for a moment. The man's earlier words had given him an idea. He buried his head against Wang Wang's small chest, nuzzling him playfully. "Wang Wang, let's have a contest to see who is louder!" The child giggled and squirmed, nodding. Shi Zai then raised his voice, "Wang Wang, baby!" The child was clearly startled, his face blank for a moment. Shi Zai quickly laughed and shouted again, "Wang Wang, baby loves candy!" Only then did the child realize that Papa wasn't shouting angrily like before. He giggled and, puffing out his chest, roared back, "Papa!!!"

His voice was even louder than Papa's, like a little tiger.

Shi Zai burst into laughter, shouting even louder, "Wang Wang is a super awesome baby!!!"

The child opened his mouth—ah, what else should he shout? What was Papa? He grew anxious, his little feet flailing, and quickly turned to Daddy, who was watching them, for help. Daddy whispered, "Stinky Papa." Wang Wang instantly brightened up, grabbed his own little feet, giggled a few times, then roared, "Stinky Papa!!" "Stinky Papa!!!"

So Papa wasn't yelling at Daddy earlier; they were having a contest to see who was louder! Giggle, Papa won earlier, but now it's Wang Wang!

The child roared with all his might. When he ran out of words, he just went "Ahh!" But the stinky Papa copied him! He got anxious and roared even louder, "Grr!" Soon, both the child and Papa were shouting themselves sweaty.

In the living room, Yang Yun couldn't help laughing, nudging the person beside him.

"See, I told you it's fine. And my Big Brother and Little Brother are super good at comforting children, whether it's Wang Wang or me back in the day... ahem, me when I was little... Han Ge, really, don't take it to heart. Couples are like this—fight at the head of the bed, make up at the foot."

"...You seem to know a lot."

"Ahem... I haven't eaten pork, but I've seen pigs run! Don't worry, Han Ge. They argue, then love each other even more afterwards. What's really problematic is when they don't say anything and keep it bottled up... I'm not saying you keep things to yourself, Han Ge! Don't blame me if you misunderstood."

Hearing this, Qin Xihan rolled his eyes. Idiot.

Yang Yun was glared at but still grinned.

"Besides, it's not really a fight. Didn't you notice, Han Ge? I know—the previous two times were like this too. It was my Big Brother being jealous, and Little Brother giving him a one-sided scolding... Anyway, it's really nothing. You know how my Little Brother is—he gives his all to people he cares about, and sometimes he can't help but attract affection. Hmph, back then, when he hugged you, you two looked so deeply connected. Both my Big Brother and I were jealous but didn't dare say anything... Ow! Why hit me?!"

Being glared at coldly, Yang Yun pouted and continued.

"My Big Brother has a strong possessive streak, gets super jealous, but he can give Little Brother very firm love, making him feel incredibly secure and warm. Little Brother, in turn, loves passionately, so passionately that he melted my Big Brother's perpetually cold heart. They're just meant for each other. Whether one gets jealous or the other attracts affection, they love each other deeply in their hearts. So, through these little adjustments, they can love each other even more. I think it's much better than being overly polite and distant from the start. If they reached the peak of love right away, over time, wouldn't they find it boring? This way, they keep loving each other more, constantly occupying and seeking more love in each other's hearts, so they can stay happy together forever."

"..."

"Hehe, actually, I think it's just their little quirk... Ow! Hitting me again!"

Big Brother and Little Brother's bickering let him see what happiness truly looks like—that unwavering sense of belonging only to each other.

In the bedroom, Wang Wang fell asleep giggling. Shi Zai's face hurt from smiling. He glared at Shu Yangkuo—they'd talk about their matter another day, quietly.

For a frightened child, comforting them once isn't enough. Besides reassuring him that night, Shu Yangkuo held Wang Wang in his arms almost constantly over the next few days, helping the child rebuild his sense of security. Shi Zai kept playing the "who is louder" game with Wang Wang, changing the memory of their argument into "Daddy and Papa were playing." They also spent more time together, hugging often in front of the child. Shu Yangkuo took Wang Wang to Antique Street every day, letting him see that Daddy and Papa were truly fine. And from then on, the two learned their lesson, never arguing in front of the child again, or even showing displeasure.

A child's personality and emotions are about 60% innate; the rest develops and changes gradually within the family. If cracks appear in the child's perception of their family, it's like a continuous damp drizzle—every cloudy day, the child will feel "joint pain." Over time, that hidden ache becomes a lifelong scar. So they took it extremely seriously. Under this love and attention, Wang Wang naturally recovered.

To make sure Wang Wang was truly okay, Shi Zai insisted they do a "scene re-enactment" with Shu Yangkuo. They sat in front of the child, "arguing"—one silent, one shouting... Wang Wang had already developed a new reaction. As soon as he heard Papa shout like that, he'd puff out his chest and roar back at Papa. After roaring, all three would laugh, and the child would excitedly clap for himself.

That matter was settled, but the issue between them wasn't. For several nights in a row, they let Wang Wang sleep in the big bed. During the day, one comforted and held him while the other played with him—they hadn't found time for themselves.

By late October, autumn deepened. The Antique Street was constantly rustling with falling leaves and the swooshing sound of sweeping.

One morning, Shi Zai was focused on cleaning a Song dynasty porcelain fragment when Xiao Lin called out to him loudly. Only then did Shi Zai notice Xiao Song from the neighboring antique shop standing right in front of him, eyes slightly red. He smiled. "What brings you to my humble shop?" Xiao Song's eyes reddened further. He quickly took a deep breath to suppress it. "Boss Shi, could I have a word with you?" Shi Zai sighed softly, put down his things, and led Xiao Song to stand by the doorway of one of the antique shop's entrances, making sure people inside could see them—lest a certain someone think he was alone with an employee from another shop.

Xiao Song glanced back but had no choice. He quickly pleaded:

"Boss Shi, Uncle Boss let me go. Could you put in a good word for me? I really don't want to go to another shop. Uncle Boss and you have been so good to us..."

"He actually dared?!"

Before hearing the rest, Shi Zai was instantly furious. That damn man was looking for a fight!

He was just about to roll up his sleeves and confront him when Xiao Song quickly stopped him.

"Shu Yangkuo did let me go, but he found me another shop to work at. I just don't want to go... Shi Zai, I'm really sorry, it was my fault for talking too much..."

"What exactly did you say?"

"Actually... it was nothing serious. I just joked, 'Shu Yangkuo, our *saozi* is so charming—his apprentice is completely devoted to him.' I... I meant that Xiao Lin admires you a lot... but..."

"But what?"

Xiao Song pursed his lips toward the direction behind Shi Zai before speaking up, "He does pay a bit too much attention to you." Seeing Shi Zai frown, Xiao Song quickly waved his hands, "That's just my wild guess, please don’t take it seriously..." Before he could finish, Shi Zai sighed and told Xiao Song to go back to work as usual. But Xiao Song didn’t dare—Shu Yangkuo had asked him to leave two days ago, and he had been dragging his feet since.

Shi Zai ran a hand through his hair, irritated. He grabbed Xiao Song and marched inside, crossing two sections before spotting Shu Yangkuo holding Wang Wang in one arm while labeling an antique with the other. When Wang Wang saw him, he started waving excitedly, shouting, "Papa!" Shu Yangkuo quickly stood up. Shi Zai grinned, making a playful growl at Wang Wang, "My baby!" Then he turned to Shu Yangkuo and said, "Xiao Song will keep working here." The man paused for a moment before replying, "Okay." Without another glance at Shu Yangkuo’s expression, Shi Zai told Xiao Song to get back to work and played with Wang Wang for a while before leaving.

Late that night, in the small living room, Shu Yangkuo felt uneasy even before stepping inside. He was pushed down onto the sofa, and before the person in his arms could settle on his lap, he steadied them and whispered hurriedly:

"Xiao Zai, I promise you, I’ll never interfere or ask unnecessary questions again..."

"You’re not even calling me 'wife' anymore! And you won’t let the shop employees call me 'sister-in-law' either! What’s that supposed to mean?!"

"Wife..."

"I’ve already asked Xiao Lin to leave. I found him an apprenticeship at another studio."

Cutting Shu Yangkuo off, Shi Zai quickly delivered the most crucial news. As the man’s eyes reddened, Shi Zai also felt a pang of sadness. He wiped his own tearing eyes, pinched Shu Yangkuo’s ear, and continued:

"I told you not to keep things bottled up, but when you did speak up, I didn’t communicate properly. I was harsh and lost my temper—that’s my first mistake."

"I said to tell me if you’re jealous, and I’d comfort you and handle it. But when you told me, I didn’t comfort you or address it—that’s my second mistake."

"I promised you’d feel secure in my love, but you panicked and got scared. I failed to keep my word—that’s my third mistake."

By the time Shi Zai reached his "third mistake," his shoulders were damp with tears, and his voice choked up. How many times had it been? The man holding him valued him more than life itself, yet he couldn’t even handle a little jealousy.

But he was also a bit lost—how was he supposed to interact with others if things continued like this?

Struggling to calm his emotions, Shu Yangkuo lifted his head, leaned down, and gently kissed away the tears at the corners of Shi Zai’s eyes. Hesitantly, he asked:

"Wife, there are two things I still don’t understand. Can I ask?"

"...So I have more than three mistakes?!"

"No, that’s not it..."

"Speak!"

This annoying man really knew how to push his luck. Shi Zai pouted but still cupped the man’s face, planting several kisses as he coaxed, "Hurry up and say it."

Shu Yangkuo pulled Shi Zai closer, holding him tighter, nuzzling against his neck before speaking:

"First, why do you always let others like you so much?"

"...???"

"Second, why do you know they like you but still not keep your distance?"

"...!!!"

Was he implying that Shi Zai was leading people on? That he enjoyed flirting around? Just as Shi Zai was about to explode, he saw the caution and unease in the man’s eyes and softened. He sighed deeply, tilting his head back, and asked Shu Yangkuo to explain properly how he should interact with others from now on.

Twenty minutes later, after listening to Shu Yangkuo’s complaint-filled monologue, Shi Zai went from anger and surprise to laughter, then to deep emotion and heartache, until finally burying his face in the man’s chest, his eyes red as he repeated, "Bro, I really know I was wrong."

First, Shu Yangkuo said he never meant to restrict Shi Zai from making friends—like with Feng Lan and Xu Hukuan, whom Shi Zai had met later. Even though Shi Zai was overly familiar with them, since they didn’t have feelings for him, Shu Yangkuo let it slide. Then he mentioned that Bai Jixiang had also liked Shi Zai and even followed Tan Xun (who also had a crush on Shi Zai) back to Zhen'an. Tan Xun was one thing, but Bai Jixiang... Shi Zai still considered him a good friend. However, since Bai Jixiang was now sent on business trips by Tan Xun, Shu Yangkuo temporarily let it go.

Next, Shu Yangkuo pointed out Shi Zai’s double standards: if Shu Yangkuo attracted someone’s attention, it was his fault, but when Shi Zai did the same, he brushed it off. Moreover, Shu Yangkuo handled his own situations well, but Shi Zai gave Xiao Lin the chance to continue liking him, almost as if he didn’t respect Shu Yangkuo. Finally, he concluded that Shi Zai shouldn’t be too friendly with ordinary friends—keeping it polite was enough. If someone developed feelings, and Shi Zai continued acting carefree, where did that leave his husband?

Clear examples, logical reasoning, well-connected points—it all made sense.

The slight confusion in Shi Zai’s heart melted away. He often cared too much because he felt sorry for others, and naturally, those who hadn’t experienced love easily... He understood now—everyone’s past had someone else to heal it; he wasn’t everyone’s savior.

Now he knew how to interact with people: avoid overflowing sympathy—like with apprentices, don’t ask too much, don’t worry too much, don’t act like brothers.

With the new "three don’ts" in effect, Shi Zai hooked his arms around the man’s neck and blinked:

"Bro, be harsh with me. I deserve to be disciplined."

"...Really?"

The man’s eyes turned cold abruptly. Shi Zai swallowed nervously and nodded, only to hear Shu Yangkuo press firmly on his chest:

"Go get my belt."

"...!!!"

Shi Zai scurried off, tiptoeing lightly, feeling inexplicably eager.

When he returned, straddling Shu Yangkuo again but not fully seated, the belt still in his hand, he blinked and asked, "Bro, aren’t you going to punish me?" Shu Yangkuo gripped Shi Zai’s waist tightly, sighed almost imperceptibly, and shook his head. His heart still ached. "I made my wife cry, and Wang Wang... You hit me, hit me hard." Hearing this, Shi Zai’s heart trembled again. "What are you talking about? It’s clearly my fault." Shu Yangkuo buried his face in Shi Zai’s neck, inhaling deeply. "Making my wife cry is a crime worthy of death." Shi Zai couldn’t help but laugh—this unreasonable love.

But he felt their argument was worth it—it had elevated their love to new heights.

Shi Zai, to ease Shu Yangkuo’s guilt, deliberately made a request he knew the man would struggle to fulfill:

It felt a bit cheesy. Shi Zai laughed loudly but stared at the man, waiting for his response. Instead, Shu Yangkuo nuzzled his neck and said, "I just want my wife to kiss me actively, to throw herself into my arms actively." Tsk, such a flirt. Shi Zai’s heart melted. Even though he knew it was the annoying man’s little trick, he still agreed repeatedly, "Okay, okay, okay." He’d fulfill the request himself.

Later, Shi Zai hired another apprentice, but this time, nothing happened. Whenever Shu Yangkuo brought Wang Wang to see him, Shi Zai would follow the routine: "one hug, two kisses, three 'husband'"—leaving the man overjoyed. Then he’d snuggle into the man’s arms and mention setting up Xiao Guan with someone. The annoying man would casually say, "What’s it got to do with Brother Guan?" but his eyes would light up—such an attitude!

Another autumn arrived. Wang Wang was over two years old now. Though he still slept with them, he no longer woke up frequently at night. Shi Zai dragged the man into happiness every evening—in the walk-in closet, the small study off the master bedroom, the balcony—as they pleased.

Late one night, Shi Zai was straddling the man but not fully seated, biting the man’s shirt that draped over him, head bowed as they both looked down at where they were connected... His hands clenched tightly, tears welling up as he struggled to achieve a "perfect fit."

The process was torturous, and he was even spanked for being too slow. Finally, after managing the perfect fit, he was ordered:

"Move."

"...How should I move? Bro, you have to explain clearly..."

Whining, Shi Zai finally heard what he wanted to hear—crude, blush-inducing words.

But after just a few thrusts, Shi Zai pressed a hand to his slightly bulging belly—it bore the man’s shape, but... He leaned down, gripping the armband he’d given Shu Yangkuo, blinking uncertainly as he whispered in the man’s ear:

"Bro, I think... I might be pregnant again..."