Although she disliked housework and was naturally lazy, this was their home—a shared space. She could still manage some tasks within her ability.
Especially since Sheng Zexi had to endure grueling training sessions and still come back to cook—it really was exhausting.
If she could lighten his load, she would.
Just as she finished prepping and stepped out of the kitchen, wondering when Sheng Zexi would return, a tall figure rushed in.
Before she could react, he was already standing right in front of her, slightly out of breath.
Still panting, he shoved a report in her face and pointed. “N-Ningning, look—”
Only then did she realize it was Sheng Zexi. Ignoring the report for now, she frowned. “Why are you running like that? You can’t even catch your breath before speaking. Calm down first.”
But he shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“Ningning, look at this report. The results say—you’re pregnant!”
“Ningning, you really *are* pregnant!”
She glanced at the report. Indeed, it confirmed her pregnancy—one month along.
At this stage, however, it couldn’t detect twins, let alone that they were a boy and a girl.
The result didn’t surprise her at all. She had already received confirmation from the system, and the system’s diagnosis was never wrong.
“Mm, I see. It says I’m pregnant.”
She leaned closer to study him. “I *told* you I was pregnant before. You just didn’t believe me. *Hmph.*”
Sheng Zexi was both amused and exasperated. Now that his breathing had steadied, he admitted, “I… really didn’t expect it.”
He had thought it impossible—how could they conceive so quickly after just starting to try? Especially given his previous fertility issues.
He hadn’t dared to hope.
So when Gu Jianing mentioned it that day, he hadn’t taken it seriously. Even accompanying her to the hospital for the blood test was just to indulge her.
Yet now, the results had handed him an overwhelming surprise.
As he spoke, his eyes reddened, the emotions he had suppressed finally spilling over.
“Ningning, do you know… I once thought I would never have a child in this lifetime…”
There were two reasons for this.
First, the injuries from past missions had left his body compromised, making conception difficult.
Second, his mother had passed away early, and his father had remarried. Over time, his biological father had become more like a stepfather, leaving Sheng Zexi disillusioned with paternal bonds.
He had never received a father’s love, so he feared—if he ever had a child—he wouldn’t know how to give that love in return.
He was terrified of failing.
So when his injuries affected his fertility, he had almost felt… relieved.
Maybe it was better not to marry. No marriage, no children—that wouldn’t be so bad.
But fate had other plans.
That year, he met Gu Jianing.
And from then on, he fell irrevocably in love.
Even knowing his body might never allow him to father a child, he refused to let her go.
Later, they married.
Though Ningning never said it outright, Sheng Zexi knew—she wanted children.
When he learned she had medical knowledge and planned to treat him, a fragile hope sparked in his chest.
The man who once dreaded fatherhood, who believed he could never love a child properly, now yearned for one with the woman he adored.
Back then, he had indulged in a wistful fantasy—if he and Ningning could have a child, whether a boy or a girl, he would cherish them dearly and give them everything he possibly could.
But though he dreamed of it, and though the treatment was underway, he still didn’t dare hope too much.
It wasn’t until Ningning’s sister-in-law announced her pregnancy—thanks to Ningning’s treatment—and his own body was finally healed that Sheng Zexi began to truly hope.
Even then, he told himself: *If Ningning and I can have a child within the next five years, I’ll be content.*
So when Gu Jianing mentioned her pregnancy on New Year’s Eve and went for the checkup, he hadn’t taken it seriously. Instead, he assumed her period was irregular or her health wasn’t optimal, thinking he should find a doctor to help regulate her body.
He even planned to reassure her—there was no need to stress over conceiving.
But as it turned out, *he* was the fool.
And Ningning—she had been right all along.
About the treatment.
About the pregnancy.
She had been right every single time.
“You’re crying,” Gu Jianing gasped.
Sheng Zexi blinked, then touched his face—his fingertips came away damp.
*Huh. I really am crying.*
But he didn’t think it was shameful for a man to cry.
“Ningning, I’m crying because I’m happy.”
“I once believed I’d never have children. I never even dared to hope. But you gave me that hope—you gave me the right to become a father.”
“Ningning, how are you this perfect?”
“Thank you.”
With that, he gently pulled her into his arms, holding her as if she were his entire world.
Gu Jianing tilted her head up proudly. “Well, of course you should thank me. And pregnancy is *hard*—you’d better treat me even better from now on.”
“I will, I *promise*,” Sheng Zexi vowed earnestly.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he smacked his forehead. “How could I forget?!”
“What’s wrong?”
Annoyed at himself, he muttered, “I was so focused on the news that I didn’t even ask Dr. Hao what precautions to take for a pregnant woman. I should go back and ask—”
“No rush, you can ask later. Right now, though… Brother Xi, your wife and child are *hungry*,” Gu Jianing whined, pouting.
“Oh! Right, it’s lunchtime. How could I forget? Go sit on the *kang*—don’t catch a chill. I’ll start cooking right away.”
“Let me help—”
“No! You’re pregnant—no unnecessary movements. Go to the *kang*.”
Gu Jianing laughed helplessly but finally relented, retreating to the warmth of the heated bed to wait as Sheng Zexi prepared their meal.
After eating, Sheng Zexi took charge of washing the dishes.
Even *before* the pregnancy, he had refused to let her wash dishes in winter, claiming the water was too cold. Now that she was pregnant? Not a chance.
As Sheng Zexi put it: *I’m a man—thick-skinned, strong, and full of energy. Hard work won’t hurt me.*
*But Ningning is delicate. Her skin is soft, her body fragile. If she gets chilled, she’ll fall sick easily.*
*So it’s better for her to rest.*
Just as Sheng Zexi was scrubbing the bowls, a rapid, urgent knocking suddenly came from the courtyard gate…
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