This page looks best with JavaScript enabled
71. Chapter 71
After washing Yutong's feet, Xing Lixuan gently lifted him onto the bed. "Don’t get under the covers yet. Stretch out your feet."
Yutong, in a soft tone, asked, "What are you doing?"
Xing Lixuan took out a pair of nail clippers from the drawer, sat down by the bed and said, "Trimming your toenails."
Bowing his head, Xing Lixuan’s stern demeanor outside melted away, revealing a gentle side. With his graceful fingers, he carefully trimmed Yutong's nails, then smoothed the edges.
In this moment, even the typically boastful Yutong, who always thought highly of himself, felt that marrying Xing Lixuan was his fortune.
As a partner, Xing Lixuan was truly the perfect husband.
Yutong playfully wiggled his other foot with a gleeful air.
He must be the luckiest person on Earth!
Yutong gently patted his belly, humming a merry tune, seeming to be in his own joyful world.
"What are you so cheery about?" Xing Lixuan gently tapped his foot, signaling he was done with that one and Yutong should offer the other.
"Just happy, that's all~"
Without prying further, Xing Lixuan finished trimming the nails and went to wash his hands.
When he returned, Yutong extended his arms, "Hug me."
"What's up?" Xing Lixuan spoke, walking over to sit on the bed and embraced him.
Snuggling in his arms, Yutong whispered, "You're just... amazing."
Xing Lixuan chuckled, gazing at him, "Are you trying to charm me?"
Yutong stayed silent, only letting out a few contented, nonsensical hums.
His current mood was akin to a cat that's been petted just right, so joyous he wanted to purr.
"Honey, give me a kiss," said Yu Antong, overwhelmed by a surge of affection, longing for a moment of intimacy with Xing Lixuan.
Embracing him tightly, Xing Lixuan kissed him for several minutes, his voice deepening, "Don't tease me like that, darling."
Yu Antong, still eager for more, kissed Xing Lixuan a few more times before settling down in the bed, absentmindedly caressing his belly and counting the days.
After pondering for a moment, he sighed, "Oh, being pregnant is so hard. It feels like I've been carrying our baby for so long, but there's still quite some time before our son arrives."
Holding him close, Xing Lixuan comforted, "Just a few more months, darling. Once our little one is born, we won't go through this again."
"Hmm," Yu Antong said, a sudden realization crossing his mind, "Honey, don’t you think my belly looks smaller than other expecting mothers? I checked online, and most pregnant women at almost six months have much bigger bellies. Mine just seems to have a slight curve."
As if he had just gained some weight or overeaten.
Listening to Yu Antong's concerns, Xing Lixuan too became slightly worried, but reassured him, "Don't overthink it. The recent prenatal check-ups have all been normal. If you're still concerned, we can ask Dr. Smith during our appointment this weekend."
A month ago, Dr. Smith had been part of an experimental program in the U.S. He had since been brought to Huaguo by Xing Lixuan and now worked alongside a medical team, focusing on Yu Antong's unique case.
Currently, Dr. Smith practiced at a private hospital funded by Xing Lixuan, where the couple planned to visit that weekend.
"Oh, don't fret about that."
Upon hearing Xing Lixuan's inquiry, Dr. Smith explained, "The size of an expectant mother's belly can be influenced by many factors: the amount of amniotic fluid, the thickness of the abdominal wall, abdominal fat accumulation, and the fetus's position."
"Many elements come into play; it's not always about the size of the fetus," Dr. Smith continued, "Mr. Yu's body fat and abdominal circumference are within standard limits, and the fetus's size is also typical. However, the baby's position is slightly more towards the back, making it less prominent. There's no need for concern."
Gratefully, Xing Lixuan responded, "Thank you for clarifying."
With a jovial smile that made his chubby cheeks jiggle, Dr. Smith advised, "Stay optimistic and engage in moderate exercise."
After the medical examination, as they left the hospital, Xing Lixuan asked Yu Antong, "Feeling better now? No more overthinking."
Settling into the car, Yu Antong replied, "It's my first time going through this; of course, I'm bound to be a bit nervous."
As they spoke, Yu Antong's phone buzzed with a notification from his long-silent class group chat.
The class representative typed: "All students must submit their thesis to the education system by this Wednesday. Those who fail to do so will not graduate on time!!!"
The representative emphasized the point with two more identical messages.
Yu Antong had already submitted his paper the previous week when the initial notice was given, so he wasn't concerned.
Moments later, another announcement appeared in the group chat.
The class representative wrote: "All interns must return to the campus by June 10th to participate in the graduation defense and ceremony. Attendance is mandatory for everyone."
The class representative: [Image]
Several students replied to acknowledge the message, and Yu Antong followed suit.
The image shared by the counselor showed a schedule for the return to campus. Yu Antong examined it closely. It seemed designed to let students enjoy their final moments of campus life. The graduation schedule was leisurely paced.
Day One: A class meeting at 10 am, followed by registration.
Day Two: Thesis defense.
Day Three: Graduation medical check-up.
Day Four: Graduation evening gala.
Day Five: Each class arranges their own graduation photoshoot.
...
The last day: Graduation and degree conferment ceremony.
Even though activities were planned for a whole week, only half a day was occupied daily, leaving ample free time.
Yu Antong checked his calendar and heaved a sigh of relief. The day he's recording for "Master Chef" was free. He only needed to attend the graduation gala in the evening.
Interning students had long awaited this notice, eager to conclude their challenging internships. Upon receiving it, they quickly had their internship reports stamped and awaited their graduation.
Yu Antong, who's his own "intern" boss, was only concerned about what to wear to avoid drawing attention to his belly.
His belly wasn't huge. If concealed properly, it would go unnoticed.
Once home, Yu Antong began trying on various outfits.
This white one was too sheer. No good!
The black one would be too warm. Nope!
Ah, this one seems right.
He slipped on a loose white shirt, tucking in only the very end of the hem into his pants. Without tightening it, the shirt naturally draped over, perfectly concealing his belly.
"Honey, can you tell?"
Yu Antong twirled for Xing Lixuan.
"Hmm." Xing Lixuan nodded. Unless one looked closely, it just seemed like Yu Antong had gained a bit of weight.
As long as Yu Antong didn't resort to any strange tactics like using a bandage to tighten his belly, all would be well.
Yu Antong was about to purchase two shirts of the same design on his phone. As soon as he completed the order, activity surged in their dormitory chat group.
404 Cultivation Group
Zhao Peng: When is everyone returning to school?
Sun Ming: I've booked a train for the 9th. I'll be back a day early.
Zhao Peng: Me too.
Han Lele: Having our family company means no holidays. My brother's going to exploit my labor until the very last day.
Yu Antong: I promise I'll check in by 10 am on the 10th!
Sun Ming: Both of you locals, shut up!
Zhao Peng: Mute warning!
Yu Antong: I initially planned to bring you some butter hotpot seasoning, but if this is the case, I'll pass. pig-rolling-eyes.jpg
Zhao Peng: I'm sorry, dad! serving-tea-to-dad.jpg
Sun Ming: Love me one more time, dad! serving-tea-to-dad.jpg
Yu Antong: Stop it! I don't have sons as old as you!
Yu Antong chuckled, patting his belly. His own son was still just a tiny tot.
Han Lele: hitting-them-for-you.jpg x2
Han Lele: Antong, I've taken care of them for you. You must reward me with that hotpot! drooling.jpg
...
The dormmates continued chatting about memorable incidents from the past six months and planned a hotpot reunion once they returned to school.
As non-local students, Zhao Peng and Sun Ming arrived a day early to settle in the dorm.
Eager for Yu Antong's hotpot, Han Lele also arrived at the dormitory early.
Yu Antong, however, followed his usual routine, having breakfast leisurely before letting Xing Lixuan drive him to school.
The university's parking lot was farther from the lecture hall than the main gate was, so Yu Antong had Xing Lixuan drop him at the entrance instead.
As Xing Lixuan parked, Yu Antong recalled the first time Xing Lixuan had driven him to school.
He'd also dropped him at the school gate but had tersely asked him to hurry out.
Time seemed to warp, swiftly in some moments and slowly in others. The scenes that felt so recent had actually transpired almost a year ago.
He vividly remembered that day.
Reminded of that moment, Yu Antong playfully requested, "Honey, how about a farewell kiss?"
At Yu Antong's words, Xing Lixuan leaned in, almost kissing him, when he detected mischief in Yu Antong's eyes. Realizing the jest, he too broke into a smile.
He tenderly kissed Yu Antong and then unbuckled his seatbelt, saying, "Get out, hurry."
Yet, his tone was devoid of the coldness it once held.
"I'll call you when I'm heading home this afternoon; please pick me up."
"Alright."
Yu Antong got out of the car, his back adorned with a bag as he entered the school gate. The bag was no longer the black backpack he once had, but a limited-edition men's backpack.
True to his word in the chat group, Yu Antong arrived just in time to sign in before ten o'clock.
When Yu Antong entered the classroom, the instructor was standing by the door. This would be the last time he watched this group of students file into the room, not a single one missing.
Seeing Yu, the instructor tapped his forehead with the rolled-up papers in his hand, "Yu Antong, always the last one! This is the last time; couldn’t you be a bit more punctual?"
Yu Antong didn't know why he always had such bad timing. Every near tardy incident coincided with the instructor's class checks, creating a lasting impression on the latter.
Rubbing his head, Yu Antong retorted, "Uncle Sun, a year has passed, and your temper is still as fiery."
The instructor bellowed, "You cheeky brat! My surname is Hou!"
From the first introduction when the instructor mentioned his surname was 'Hou', Yu Antong immediately thought of monkeys, connecting it to the famed Monkey King, Sun Wukong. From then on, he always felt the instructor's name should be Sun.
"Hahaha!" Teasing the instructor, Yu Antong laughed heartily as he entered the classroom.
Over the past year, everything seemed to change, yet everything remained the same.
Author's Note:
Recommending my friend's novel, "The Aloof Top Student is a Cat" by San Qinghe.
Ji Jiaming had a nemesis—better in academics, more handsome, more popular, even an inch taller than him.
On the nemesis' first day at school, Ji's reign as the school's golden boy wavered.
By the second day, his standing among parents and teachers plummeted.
By the third day... it was clear they'd be lifelong enemies.
Wen Hang had an annoying deskmate. Inferior academically, lacking discipline, his redeeming qualities limited to a handsome face, sweet words, and basketball skills.
Their first year as desk mates was filled with tension, as if a dividing line was about to be drawn between them, causing daily frustrations.
In the second year, Wen Hang began countering every move, purposely bothering his nemesis.
In the third year... even being sorted into different art and science streams couldn't separate their fates; they remained desk mates.
Ji Jiaming, who thought this relationship would last forever, found a cat on the first day of summer vacation.
The cat behaved with elegance, a disdainful look in its eyes, refusing handouts—so aloof!
Only... why did it remind him of his annoying deskmate?
Wen Hang, who woke up to find himself transformed into a stray cat, meowed.
Introverted and brooding top student x Flirty sweet-talking school darling.
A 1v1 sweet tale where sworn enemies become lovers, a bustling campus story updated daily. Enjoy reading! ^0^
A big thank you to the angels who cast their king votes or generously nourished me from 2020-02-20 23:57:02 to 2020-02-21 23:44:48.
Special thanks to the angel who sent deep-sea torpedoes: Little Kitten with 1.
Kudos to the angels who sent landmines: 38077213 with 2; Slow Crossing, 35284561, 42191628, and Chubby Pear each with 1.
Gratitude to the angels who provided nourishing potions: Bright Moon with 19 bottles; 41208554 with 11 bottles; Light Color with 10 bottles; It's Sugar with 6 bottles; Miss, Big Cute, Viper, and Flowing Stream each with 5 bottles; Qing Yao0002, Xuan, and Clear Pear each with 2 bottles; 42191628, Youth, iiicy, and Gu Xingyan each with 1 bottle.
Novel Realm.
Thank you so much for all your support! I promise to keep working hard!
Click to download the best book tracking app, many readers use it for audio readings!