It was his family’s hospital anyway, so Fu Zhiyin had already made arrangements—there was no need to hurry the next morning.

Chi Chi woke earlier than usual; hunger had pulled her from sleep. She hadn’t had anything for supper last night, and now her stomach was growling loudly.

Remembering she had to go to the hospital first for her prenatal, Chi Chi let out a sigh.

Helping her get up to dress, Fu Zhiyin went downstairs ahead of her, telling Aunt Whitney to prepare something for Chi Chi to eat and put it in a thermal box.

Chi Chi went to the bathroom to wash up. After brushing her teeth and looking up, a wave of dizziness hit her. Mornings had been like this lately—probably low blood sugar. Not eating just made it worse.

She supported her belly, patting it gently. "Be good, baby. Mommy gets to see you again today."

Just as she finished dressing, Fu Zhiyin came up, helping her fasten the buttons. Seeing her face pale, he touched her cheek in concern.

"Are you hungry? As soon as the checkup’s done, we’ll eat."

"I’m fine. It’s always like this," Chi Chi replied casually—she didn’t want Fu Zhiyin to worry.

She’d done the first prenatal visit alone. The second time, in Qingshui Bay, Julian Jarvis had taken her to the hospital. After that, she went alone again.

Actually, it wasn’t so bad—just a little dizzy if she didn’t eat. She could push through.

Besides, with Dr. Zhao’s help, there was never a line, so it didn’t take much time.

Guilt clouded Fu Zhiyin’s eyes. "This is my fault—I never accompanied you before."

"I didn't mean it like that. Really, it’s fine. But—could you come with me from now on?"

She looked up at him, eyes sparkling, tiptoeing to give him a kiss—whenever she was upset, Zhiyin would always kiss her; she could do the same.

"Of course. I’ll go with you every time from now on."

They went downstairs and out the door; the driver had the car ready at the entrance and a maid brought over the thermal box.

The hospital was close by—the very same where Chi Chi had gone for her first checkup. So her family really was involved with it. It was a relief that, the first time she fainted, she’d just been sent to a regular room.

The car pulled into the hospital’s VIP entrance. Fu Zhiyin led her upstairs where everything had been arranged, with Lao San and a few others following behind.

The doctor was already waiting, a file folder in hand as he headed over.

Looking at him, Chi Chi suddenly thought he looked familiar. As he came closer, it clicked.

Wait—that was the doctor who’d told her she was pregnant! The second time she saw him, he’d mistaken her brother for her husband and scolded him.

"You…"

Studying the young doctor, she realized just how young he was. The doctor recognized her too, glancing between her and Fu Zhiyin.

…

Oh boy. Last time he’d misunderstood—so that wasn’t Miss Ye’s husband, which means… is this her real husband…

Fu Zhiyin shot him a glare, impatiently. "Fu Sen, are you going to stand there all day?"

"Ah—right, bro!"

"Bro?" Chi Chi blinked, echoing him.

"Yeah, he’s my cousin. Just came back from overseas last year, so you haven’t met." Fu Zhiyin leaned down to explain.

"…"

Cousin? Chi Chi wanted to say she’d met him, but both encounters had been less than pleasant. She pressed a finger to her lips and winked at Fu Sen, who understood and said nothing more.

If his cousin ever found out he’d mistaken someone else as his cousin-in-law’s husband, he’d never live it down.

"Cousin-in-law, let’s go for your checkup. You haven’t had breakfast yet, right?"

"Nope," Chi Chi answered obediently.

Fu Zhiyin glanced at the two with a hint of suspicion at their odd dynamic, but said nothing. He’d interrogate Fu Sen thoroughly after the exam.

Fu Sen was much more lively than the serious, old-soul persona he’d shown Chi Chi on their first meeting.

"Cousin-in-law, I arranged for my senior to handle the exam for you. She’s the OB/GYN department chief here, came back two years before I did."

Fu Sen looked very clean-cut and scholarly—without knowing any better, you’d think he was a college student.

He tipped his chin at his cousin with a helpless look. When Zhiyin called last night—whew. If he’d had a male doctor, or worse, tried to do the exam himself, given Zhiyin’s overprotectiveness, he probably wouldn’t get to go home all year.

Back then, just one word from his cousin was enough for his parents to steel themselves and send him overseas.

He knew his cousin did it for his own good, and now he had made something of himself, but at the time, as a homesick kid, he’d cried plenty over not being allowed home for the New Year.

Chi Chi smiled, liking this surprise cousin.

They went first to the phlebotomy lab. Dr. Zhao had specifically requested a glucose tolerance test, so she had to have her blood drawn before eating, then drink the glucose solution.

Others had said it was unpleasant, but knowing it was all for her baby, Chi Chi wasn’t afraid.

Song Ying was already waiting in the blood draw room. With her high ponytail and subtle makeup, she looked quite different from Chi Chi—willow-shaped brows and lovely almond-shaped eyes, the serene beauty of a classic Jiangnan lady.

But those eyes were rather cool and aloof. Her white doctor’s coat gave her an especially polished air.

"Senior, my cousin-in-law is here," Fu Sen announced as he opened the door, handing Chi Chi over. "I’ve got a surgery this morning, so I’ll be off."

"Show some respect! Call me ‘Chief,'" Song Ying snapped at him, frowning.

This hospital was funded by the Fu family—a single word from them could arrange anything. In fact, Fu Zhiyin had originally wanted to have the doctor come to the old residence. But Chi Chi had wanted to get out for some fresh air, so here they were.

"Dr. Song," Chi Chi greeted her softly as Fu Zhiyin guided her to a seat.

Song Ying’s expression flickered. This girl… she was beautiful.

Song Ying regained her composure and smiled. "You’ve been fasting? We need a blood sample first."

"Yes, I stopped eating after eight last night." Chi Chi answered sweetly, and Fu Zhiyin rolled up her sleeve for her.

"Okay, don’t be nervous."

Song Ying deftly prepared the needle. Chi Chi swallowed and shut her eyes—she got blood drawn all the time, but still, it always made her anxious.

Fu Zhiyin pulled her gently into his arms, soothing her in a low voice. "It’s okay. It’ll be over soon."

Song Ying’s hand paused slightly as she tightened the tourniquet, her brows arching.

Pain prickled as the needle went in, and Chi Chi’s brows knitted tightly together until it was done.

Song Ying stopped the bleeding and handed her the glucose drink. "You’ll need to finish this—don’t throw it up. Drink it slowly, finish it in five minutes."

"Then we wait an hour and draw blood again."

Fu Zhiyin took the glucose from her and helped her up, gently rubbing her hair. "Feeling sick?"

His eyes were full of tenderness—he only saw the pregnant wife before him.

Chi Chi felt a bit woozy. She shook her head and just nestled quietly into him.

Song Ying glanced at Fu Zhiyin. Still as handsome as ever.

She’d seen news interviews about him, knew he was married, but hadn’t expected that their paths would cross again—because his wife was pregnant.

He seemed to really care for her. They looked good together.

"Fu… Zhiyin, don’t you recognize me?"

After some hesitation, Song Ying finally asked.