Chapter 27: Something Is Wrong With Your Body

“What do you mean, ‘there is’?” He Haoxuan was momentarily confused and turned his head.

“Right here.” He Wei leaned in, gently caressing his stomach with his right hand, a look of excitement on his face. “It’s been six months, shouldn’t there be some movement by now?”

He Haoxuan silently broke into a sweat. He’d never even held Li Qingying’s hand before—how could her belly possibly be growing? Wait, no, he had held her hand, but no matter how advanced science became, a simple hand-hold or hug couldn’t possibly result in a child.

“Not yet.” He Haoxuan shook his head.

He Wei was secretly surprised. “That’s strange. You’re young and strong. How could there be no news after all this time? Is there something wrong with your body?”

Oh my, Dad, how could you think that? There’s nothing wrong with my body; it’s perfectly fine, Haoxuan thought to himself.

But he didn’t want to discuss this topic with his father—it was far too awkward.

Haoxuan was still a little annoyed that Li Qingying had just left. Even if he’d told her to go to work at the company, she hadn’t seen his father in a long time—she could have stayed a while longer. He himself had spent half a year at her house without complaint, and their family wine was quite terrible, not worth drinking at all.

He Wei muttered to himself, “This won’t do. We must find some medicine. Was it Old Zhang or Old Song who mentioned an ancestral remedy? That one guarantees a baby boy.”

At this, He Wei’s eyes sparkled, as if he could already see his grandson about to be born.

Little did he know that Haoxuan and Li Qingying were still as proper as ever, treating each other with respect and distance.

He Wei’s home was a modest, old one-story house with two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom—a relic from the last century, worn and aged.

When they reached the door, Haoxuan pushed the tricycle into the little yard. As He Wei went inside, just as Haoxuan was about to unlock the door, Li Qingying’s angry voice came from behind: “What’s this? Trying to lock me out?”

Haoxuan turned around to see Li Qingying carrying a bag in each hand, both filled with fruit.

“How could I?” he replied. “Even if I locked myself out, I’d never leave my wife standing in the yard.”

“Hmph, looks to me like that’s exactly what you’d do. You’re treating me like an outsider.” Li Qingying glared at Haoxuan in annoyance.

That infuriating man! She’d wanted to come along, but he’d told her to leave, not letting her follow. Still, knowing she’d never properly visited this “father-in-law,” she’d bought some fruit from a shop outside and hurried over.

But now, he’d even tried to close the door on her. She was nearly fuming.

With that, Li Qingying turned as if preparing to leave.

Her arrival with fruit had already delighted Haoxuan. He knew his father had been eager to meet his daughter-in-law—how could he let her walk away?

“Darling, don’t go! It’s my fault—punish me, if you like! How about making me sleep on the floor tonight, not allowed in your bed? Would that do?” Haoxuan grinned shamelessly.

“When have you ever been allowed in my bed?” Li Qingying, seeing him admit his mistake, relented and took the opportunity to step inside.

Passing by Haoxuan, she glanced at the shabby little house, and her heart tightened with pity. The He family truly was poor—she wouldn’t live in a place like this, even if given for free.

“Darling, just now my father asked why your belly wasn’t bigger after half a year of marriage.” Haoxuan whispered in her ear. His warm breath on her skin sent a shiver through her body.

Li Qingying was startled, quickly composed herself, and asked, “What did you say?”

“I told him you have a health problem,” Haoxuan replied with a quiet chuckle.

“You scoundrel,” she hissed, gritting her teeth.

If the apples in her bag weren’t so heavy, she might have hurled one at his head.

Haoxuan put on a pained expression. “Darling, what was I supposed to say? Should I have told him we haven’t consummated the marriage? That would be even more embarrassing!”

“You could have said it’s your own problem,” Li Qingying snapped, stamping her foot.

“Hey, isn’t Qingying supposed to be at work? How come she’s back?” Hearing voices outside, He Wei stepped out. When he saw it was Li Qingying, he was overjoyed.

“Dad, I’m not in a hurry to go to work. I stopped to buy some fruit,” Li Qingying replied sweetly, putting on the perfect image of a dutiful daughter-in-law.

He Wei hurried her inside. “Come in quickly, it’s too hot out here.”

Li Qingying smiled. “Alright.”

She deliberately walked past Haoxuan and gave his foot a sharp stomp with her high heel.

“Ow!” Haoxuan grimaced, feeling as if his foot would bleed. Damn, women really are ruthless when they want to be.

Seeing Haoxuan in such pain, Li Qingying finally felt a bit avenged.

That scoundrel had dared say she had health problems—how was she supposed to face He Wei now?

Biting the bullet, Li Qingying entered, set down the fruit, and endured He Wei’s endless attentiveness.

Haoxuan went into the kitchen to cook. His culinary skills were excellent, and soon the aroma of delicious dishes filled the air.

“Qingying, have you eaten? Would you like to join—” He Wei began to ask her to stay for dinner, but remembered there wasn’t much food, and the place was too humble for someone of her upbringing.

“Dad, we ate outside already. How about we come over this Saturday and cook together with you?” Li Qingying suggested.

“Wonderful, wonderful,” He Wei said, delighted.

Haoxuan stepped out of the kitchen. “I’ll make French cuisine for you both.”

“It’s a deal, this Saturday,” Li Qingying said, excitement in her heart. If even the owner of the Sky Restaurant called him master, she couldn’t wait to see what kind of French food he could make.

Just the dishes she’d had at the Sky Restaurant today were already the best she’d ever tasted.

“No problem. Dad, go ahead and eat. Don’t bother with the stall today—we have money,” Haoxuan urged his father.

Hearing this, Li Qingying took two thousand yuan from her wallet and handed it to He Wei. “Dad, I came in a hurry and didn’t bring much cash. Please take this.”

“No, I can’t take your money,” He Wei quickly refused. “Even with my little street stall, I make one or two thousand a month.”

Haoxuan coaxed, “Dad, this is from Qingying. If you refuse, you’ll hurt her feelings.”

Left with no choice, He Wei accepted the money. “Qingying, you’re both not young anymore. You should start thinking about having children.”

“Dad, he—” Li Qingying pointed at Haoxuan, about to clarify that he’d been making things up earlier.

Unexpectedly, He Wei looked embarrassed. “Haoxuan has had a hard life. Maybe his health has suffered. But don’t worry, I’ll ask around for an ancestral remedy and help nurse him back to health.”

Li Qingying was stunned—weren’t they saying it was her health before? How had it become Haoxuan’s problem?

“That’s right, it’s his health,” she said quickly, eager to let Haoxuan take the blame.