The young girl edged closer, poking his back with a tiny finger.
Fu Zhiyue didn’t react, so the little hand poked him again.
Then a soft body wrapped itself around him. "Hubby, are you mad?"
"Please don’t be angry, okay?"
Cecilia reached out, hand exploring his abs—mm, what a nice feel.
Her little face nuzzled his back, the skin under her touch growing taut. She blinked, grinning to herself.
Hmm? How did Zhiyue usually coax her?
She should kiss him!
That’s right. She swung her leg over, preparing to crawl across him to the other side of the bed.
If he wouldn’t turn around, she’d just have to go over herself.
The man was lying sideways—solid muscle everywhere, making him seem even bigger compared to her tiny frame. Cecilia climbed onto his arm, crawling across.
She tried to reach the bed with her leg, came up short, clenched her teeth, and pushed off with a little more force.
Maybe she pushed too hard—her hand slipped, and she tumbled off him with a startled yelp. "Ah!"
Just as she was about to roll off the bed, a strong arm caught her.
Afraid she’d really fall, Fu Zhiyue fixed her with a mock-ferocious glare. Cecilia only gave him a sly, fox-like grin.
With a helpless sigh, he pulled her into his arms, closing his eyes and pretending to sleep. He couldn’t look at her—one glance and he’d lose the act.
Cecilia reached out and felt along his chin. Hmm, a little scratchy.
She traced downward, touching his adam’s apple.
His throat bobbed. Fu Zhiyue clenched his jaw, and caught her restless hand, tucking it firmly under the covers.
"Go to sleep!"
"No, I can't—I can't fall asleep…"
His cool eyes opened, fixing on her. "Why can’t you sleep?"
Cecilia tilted her little head up and kissed him lightly on the lips. "You’re angry. Don’t be angry."
…Now who’s turning the tables here?
Seeing his face still cold, Cecilia sighed and rubbed her little belly.
"Sigh, I wonder if my little sister’s moved in yet. My husband’s ignoring me, I feel so sad."
His arm stiffened around her. Pregnant women shouldn’t be so upset…
"Ugh, I can’t sleep. I feel so miserable."
…Fu Zhiyue finally lost his patience, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "You’re going to be the death of me."
He finally spoke, and Cecilia immediately burst out laughing. "Hubby, hubby, you’re not angry anymore?"
"I’m not angry," he said, kissing the back of her little hand and lowering his head to look at her. "You really want another baby that much?"
Cecilia nodded. "I do. Xiaoniangao (Little Rice Cake) wants a sibling too. It’d be so lively with two kids, Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers would be thrilled."
"You know, Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers don’t care about that, they just want you to be well."
"I know, but a lively house always makes everyone happier. And I really want to have another baby—with you."
Cecilia pouted, her voice soft and coquettish as she made her wish clear.
Fu Zhiyue really had no defenses against her.
"I’ll only have babies for you…"
The girl added, making Fu Zhiyue surrender completely. He kissed her forehead. "Have you forgotten how hard it was to have Xiaoniangao?"
"No, but when I saw our baby, it all felt worth it," Cecilia murmured, burying herself in his arms. "Besides, you’ll take good care of me. With you, I’m not afraid at all."
Fu Zhiyue patted her back, giving in. "Alright, we’ll go for a checkup at the hospital tomorrow then."
"In a few days, let’s not go too early—they can’t tell yet."
"Okay, let's sleep."
"Hold me while I sleep."
"I am holding you."
So it was—whether she was pregnant or not, Fu Zhiyue now treated Cecilia as a priority, caring for her meticulously each day.
Half a month passed.
When Cecilia noticed her period hadn’t come, she already knew.
They went to the hospital, where Song Ying did the examination. Smiling at the report, she said, "Yup, you’re pregnant. Only about a month along—be sure to be extra careful in these early stages."
Cecilia nearly jumped up with excitement, but held back, hands over her belly.
Little Rice Cake, nestled in his father’s arms, tilted his little head. "Baba, do I have a little sister now?"
"Yes, you do. She’s in Mommy’s belly."
"Wow, Baba, you're amazing!"
…Well, she wasn’t wrong.
Fu Zhiyue let out a breath. This past half month, he’d finally accepted the idea of Cecilia having another child. Now hearing the news, he couldn’t help but feel happy.
As they were getting ready to leave, Cecilia turned to Song Ying with another question.
"Yingying, haven’t you told Julian Jarvis yet? Isn’t working at the hospital all the time too tiring?"
Song Ying shook her head with a smile. "It’s alright. There’s an assessment coming up—after that, I’ll tell him."
"Okay, take care of yourself," Cecilia said, giving Song Ying’s belly a worried glance.
The first few months of pregnancy are the most delicate, and working at a hospital isn’t exactly light work.
"Don’t worry, I’m the head of obstetrics, after all. I know what I’m doing."
"Alright then."
After saying goodbye to Song Ying, Cecilia and Fu Zhiyue headed home.
As she watched them leave, Song Ying felt a twinge of envy, her hand unconsciously covering her stomach.
If Julian Jarvis found out, would he be happy too?
Or maybe, she should tell him sooner.
Near evening, Julian Jarvis came to pick her up from the hospital.
He saw her coming out of the building and got out to meet her—it was approaching the lunar New Year, and the winter in Beijing was bitterly cold.
The road was slippery, and Song Ying walked carefully.
Julian Jarvis put his arm around her, smiling. "Things have been good lately, I don’t have to do any more night shifts."
"Mm," actually, Song Ying had requested to have all the night shifts transferred. Cecilia had helped make that happen—after all, the hospital was owned by the Fu family.
When she first returned to China, she’d wanted to work at Julian Jarvis’s hospital, but at the time, circumstances made her hesitate, so she ended up here instead.
They got in the car, and Julian Jarvis turned up the heat before driving home.
"Tired? Take a quick rest."
"I’m alright." Her hand rested gently on her belly, feeling a small, distinct bulge, her cold features gazing out at the snow.
"It's almost the end of the year. Want to take your break early and rest at home?" At a red light, Julian Jarvis glanced over, concern in his eyes.
Song Ying considered—it might be nice to go home early. "Julian Jarvis, there’s something I want to tell you."
She turned, and Julian Jarvis reached over to hold her small hand. "Hmm?"
"Let’s wait till we’re home."
Pregnancy wasn’t a minor thing, and it didn’t seem right to bring it up while driving. Song Ying decided to wait.
"Alright." Julian Jarvis smiled. Two years had passed, but time hadn't left a mark on his face. He still had that bright, open expression whenever he smiled.
With her mind made up, Song Ying felt much more at ease. Honestly, life was good.
She used to always try to prove herself, to show she was excellent, almost out of spite—that if Julian Jarvis didn’t choose her, it was his loss.
She worked and studied doubly hard, always striving to be the best.
But really, it was just pride. Now that they were married, she could act spoiled with Julian Jarvis, lean on him when she felt like it—
No more pretending to be tough.
The car turned into their neighborhood, but hadn’t reached the garage when Song Ying’s phone rang.
She answered—it was the hospital.
"Okay."
"Mm, I’ll be right back."
A patient’s condition had unexpectedly worsened, and the doctor in charge was in the middle of another surgery.
"Julian Jarvis, I have to go back to the hospital."
Even as she got the call, Julian Jarvis had already turned the car around.