Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Today was finally the day of the prenatal check-up.

You couldn't eat on the morning of the check-up—you had to fast.

Pei Qingji had already arranged for a specialist to be waiting at the hospital.

Cheng Yuan had originally wanted to get up early. Every time he went to the hospital, he had to get up early, or he wouldn't make it in time, and the wait would be forever.

But Pei Qingji disagreed.

So when they left in the morning, it was already nine.

Cheng Yuan had just woken up at that point.

He stood in front of the mirror, looking at his four-month belly, hidden under the loose clothes.

His face had gotten a bit chubby from all the feeding, looking soft and pinchable.

Pei Qingji was off to the side, packing the prenatal check-up booklet and ID. Once everything was packed,

he frowned and asked the doctor to confirm several more times.

"He really can't eat in the morning?"

After getting a hundred percent confirmation, Pei Qingji pressed his thin lips together.

He was worried Cheng Yuan would be hungry in the morning—after all, the check-up would take an hour—and a hint of worry showed in his eyes.

In the Maybach.

Pei Qingji said softly.

"Are you hungry now? Do you feel bad?"

"Just hold on a little longer—we can eat right after the check-up, okay?"

Cheng Yuan: "..."

He glanced out the window, irritation in his eyes.

He'd already said he'd leave after giving birth, but Pei Qingji's groveling attitude made him feel really awkward.

Besides, he wasn't a kid—why was he being coaxed like this?

And it was just one missed meal—it wasn't like the sky was falling.

What happened to that ability he used to have to react on the spot to any mishap on stage?

Ever since getting pregnant, Cheng Yuan would feel a bit sick in the car. But today, since he hadn't eaten breakfast, his stomach wasn't churning as much.

He just furrowed his brows, and Pei Qingji immediately handed him a cup of water, gently patting his back.

"How are you? Feeling any better..."

Assistant Lin wiped the cold sweat off his forehead—who could understand the pain of driving a Maybach at the speed of a thirty-to-forty-kph electric scooter, seriously?!

When they finally arrived at the private hospital, a bunch of people were already waiting at the main entrance.

"Young Master Pei, Mrs. Pei..."

Cheng Yuan's brows furrowed slightly at the address, seeming unhappy with the title.

But he couldn't be bothered to correct them. No need—they could call him whatever they wanted; it had nothing to do with him.

Pei Qingji helped Cheng Yuan out of the car, saying coldly,

"He hasn't eaten this morning. Please arrange the check-up as fast as possible—I need to take him to eat after."

The specialist went "Ah," then quickly responded,

"Okay, okay. We'll arrange Mrs. Pei's check-up as fast as we can."

"Let's start by weighing you."

The weather was a bit chilly today. Before leaving, Pei Qingji, afraid he'd catch cold, made Cheng Yuan put on a thick vest, bundling him up tightly before getting out of the car.

He took off the vest, and Pei Qingji instinctively took his clothes, standing off to the side.

Cheng Yuan took off his shoes and stepped on the scale. It showed sixty-five kilograms, with a height of 1.7 meters.

He pressed his lips together. Only this much?

Is the baby malnourished?

Before getting pregnant, he'd weighed himself—around sixty-two or sixty-three kilograms. He'd only gained about two kilograms.

"Don't worry," said the medical staff member recording the numbers. "This is totally normal. Early pregnancy nausea can also make you lose weight."

Cheng Yuan felt a little more relieved.

But Pei Qingji's brows were furrowed deeply.

"Too thin. We'll need to add more nutrition when we get back."

After the weighing, they were directed to measure his blood pressure.

The medical staff asked him to roll up his sleeve, exposing his forearm, and wrapped the cuff snugly around Cheng Yuan's upper arm.

Cheng Yuan felt his arm slowly tightening as the monitor showed his heart rate and blood pressure.

Pei Qingji stood by his side the whole time, holding Cheng Yuan's stuff.

Seeing the results were normal, his furrowed brows finally relaxed.

Next was listening to the baby's heartbeat.

Cheng Yuan entered a room, and the medical staff asked him to lie down. They'd checked the baby's heartbeat half a month ago, and it was normal.

He didn't know how it was now.

He was a bit worried, but fortunately the results were also relatively normal.

On the electronic screen, the baby's heart was beating healthily—thump, thump, thump.

"The baby's very healthy."

Cheng Yuan's clothes were lifted up. His skin was exceptionally fair, and his protruding belly was round and full, like it was hiding a little watermelon inside.

He smiled softly at those words.

His baby was very healthy.

At four months, the baby was already fully formed.

In the ultrasound image, though it was black and white, the outline was completely visible.

The nose, eyes, ears, and all four limbs had fully grown out. He could see the baby's little hands and feet—they were adorable.

The doctor said that at this stage, the baby would start moving in the womb, but it might not be felt at first.

Cheng Yuan's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly.

"Then when will I feel him kick?"

"In another week or two, you should be able to feel more distinct movements."

Pei Qingji watched this scene, tenderness welling up in his eyes.

That was the baby he and Cheng Yuan shared.

As if hearing Cheng Yuan's murmurs, the baby on the monitor suddenly moved—very noticeably.

"He moved!"

Pei Qingji's voice carried a hint of joy.

Cheng Yuan looked over too, instinctively reaching out to touch his belly and feeling carefully.

Though faint, the baby had definitely moved.

"Oh, the baby's clenching his little fist, like he's saying hi to his two dads."

Cheng Yuan's fingertips paused, and his brows furrowed slightly.

He was the baby's little dad—that had nothing to do with Pei Qingji.

The smile at the corners of Pei Qingji's lips slowly faded, and his eyes looked somewhat desolate.

He turned to the medical staff and asked seriously.

"Is there anything we should be careful about during this period?"

"Just make sure to get more iron and calcium."

Pei Qingji nodded, indicating he'd noted it down.

Grandpa Xie heard he was here for a prenatal check-up and came by to visit.

"Oh, sir, why did you come over?"

"I came to see Xiaoyu. The baby's very healthy."

Cheng Yuan looked at the newcomer and instinctively said.

"Doctor Xie..."

Before he could finish, the man interrupted him.

"What did you just call me?"

Cheng Yuan had no choice but to correct himself: "Grandpa Xie."

Pei Qingji noticed his uncomfortable expression and his heart tightened.

"Are you thirsty? Let me get you some water."

He made him sit down first, then quickly walked to the water dispenser with Cheng Yuan's cup.

After testing the temperature, he carefully handed the cup to Cheng Yuan.

Grandpa Xie was a little taken aback.

Cheng Yuan's cup was the kind with a straw, which made it more convenient.

"Check if it's too hot? Is the temperature okay?"

"Careful, don't burn yourself."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Cheng Yuan could only steel himself and take the cup.

Pei Qingji gave him a slight nod, then said.

"Grandpa Xie."

"He hasn't eaten yet, so I'll take him to get something to eat first."

He was so urgent, as if afraid Cheng Yuan might starve.

Grandpa Xie waved his hand helplessly. "You rascal, just go on then."

Pei Qingji quickly took him to eat.

Watching the two leave, he snapped a photo and texted Old Pei.

"I helped you with what you asked. Now what about the conditions you promised me?"

"Alright, alright, I'll give it to you."

Looking at the photo, his old, wrinkled face broke into a big smile.

Then he posted the photo to the group chat.

"What's this?"

"Congratulations, Old Pei, you've got another grandson."

Old Pei glared, eyes wide.

"Old Xia, what are you talking about? This is my grandson's wife's child—my great-grandson."

Everyone exchanged bewildered looks. You mean your little tyrant Pei's... child?!

Despite their disbelief, they still offered their congratulations.

"Hahaha, congrats, congrats."

"Ah, I wish I had a great-grandson too, but my kid just doesn't measure up. I really envy you, Old Pei."

"We'll be waiting for the red egg and ginger party for Old Pei's great-grandkid then."

"Oh, stop it, stop it, don't even go there. Just make sure you all show up with the priciest gifts when the time comes."

Old Pei said cheerfully.

He needed to find a day to go meet this grandson-in-law of his.

They really owed him a lot.

As for Pei's dad and mom, he'd already given them a serious talking-to.

Although Pei's dad and mom weren't exactly on board, there was nothing they could do.

It wasn't until later, when they saw their son fall apart after losing Cheng Yuan, that they all went quiet.

They realized they'd loved him the wrong way—just controlling him and forcing things on him he didn't want.

Because they thought those things were good for him, without ever asking what he wanted.

The more Old Pei thought about it, the happier he got, and he wished he could shout it from the rooftops.

He'd even already picked out which office building to gift Cheng Yuan for the one-month celebration.

That still wasn't enough.

Maybe throw in a few downtown villas and some company shares too.

He frowned a little—no matter how he added it up, it still wasn't enough.

Old Pei caught the eager looks on Pei's dad and mom's faces and let out a cold snort.

"If you want to see, then come on over and take a look."

"You've done him so wrong—you need to make it right."

His tone was full of disapproval as he coldly laid into them.

"Find a time to go see him, and don't scare the kid off."

Pei's dad stepped forward. "Dad, we know we messed up."

"We'll find a time to go see him."

The old man had sent him to Africa for a project, and by the time he got back, he'd tanned a few shades darker.

Ever since Pei Qingji was born, he'd had a pheromone disorder, and the doctors said he might never have kids.

Unexpectedly, the daughter-in-law they'd found could not only treat their son's pheromone disorder, but she was now pregnant too.

With a kid on the way, they completely dropped the idea of setting him up with anyone.

This was a debt of gratitude the Pei family truly couldn't ignore.

Madam Pei was at a loss, lowering her eyes. On her usually tough face, there was now a flicker of confusion.

So everything she'd done had been wrong?

That kid wasn't what she'd assumed either—he wasn't like those who only came around for what they could get, and he hadn't taken the money she'd offered.

Old Pei sighed.

"Especially you, Wanling. You're too headstrong. Sometimes you gotta learn to let go. Push too hard, and it'll backfire."

After a long moment, Madam Pei lowered her gaze and said.

"Yes, Dad."

Cheng Yuan had no idea about any of this.

He just wanted to wait until the baby was born, and then get the hell out of the Pei family.

Author's note:

N/A