All employees of Shen Corporation knew the CEO’s wife was pregnant. Even before receiving official confirmation, everyone noticed CEO Shen’s work hours had returned to his newlywed pattern – he was always the first to leave the office after work and would arrive at the Shen building exactly at start time each morning.
After some time, the retired Old Shen – current CEO Shen’s father – made a grand appearance at the company, distributing red envelopes to every employee to celebrate the arrival of the Shen family’s third generation. Employees offered endless congratulations and blessings.
Everyone was looking forward to the baby’s birth.
As her baby bump grew larger, Yao Yao finally understood the challenges of pregnancy. Although the baby was well-behaved and she hadn’t experienced morning sickness or other discomforts early on, the physical burden was increasing.
At night, whenever Yao Yao felt any discomfort in her legs or waist, even the slightest movement would immediately alert Shen Yu. He would open his eyes without any irritation at being disturbed, instead gently massaging the uncomfortable areas for her.
As the pregnancy progressed, Yao Yao became more sensitive.
One evening after washing her hair, Yao Yao sat in front of Shen Yu, who automatically picked up the hairdryer to dry her hair. His large hands occasionally ran through her soft locks while gently massaging her scalp, making Yao Yao drowsy.
When the hairdryer’s humming stopped, Yao Yao emerged from her half-asleep state. Looking down at her seven-month baby bump, her voice carried unexpected melancholy: “Husband, after the baby is born, will you stop loving me?”
Shen Yu replied: “No, wife. You will always be the most important person in my heart. I will love you forever.”
Yao Yao remained unconvinced, her mind filled with drama plots from her recent TV binge: “But that’s how it always goes in TV shows… the wife… mmm…”
Before she could finish, her lips were captured in a kiss. Yao Yao became dizzy from the passionate kissing as large hands roamed her beautiful body, caressing back and forth. When they reached her voluptuous curves, the hands grew even more excited, fondling them lovingly.
“Mmm…” Yao Yao was deeply aroused. She wanted to escape yet couldn’t help surrendering to the sensations – her body had become increasingly sensitive since pregnancy.
The man withdrew from her enchanting pink lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. With crimson eyes suppressing barely-contained emotions, he said in a deep voice: “Yao Yao, I won’t deny that TV drama plots can happen in real life, but I guarantee I would never do anything to betray you. You will always come first in my heart.”
Yao Yao’s previously dazed eyes gradually cleared upon hearing Shen Yu’s assurance. Staring intently at the man above her, she said solemnly: “Husband, don’t disappoint me.”
After speaking, Yao Yao pulled Shen Yu’s neck down forcefully with both hands, their lips meeting again in mutual sucking that grew increasingly passionate.
Though already on the brink, Shen Yu still restrained himself to ask for confirmation: “Wife, is this okay?”
A bewitching, charming smile appeared on her face as she responded in an alluring voice: “Come on!”
The room filled with an intimate atmosphere. Though their movements weren’t as vigorous as before due to consideration for the baby in her womb, the gentle caresses provided a different kind of experience that felt refreshingly novel.
Afterward, both took a deep breath. Since becoming pregnant, their intimate moments had drastically decreased—from daily occurrences to just once a week. This was mainly because Shen Yu was concerned about Yao Yao’s health, and as first-time parents, neither dared to be reckless.
Shen Yu leaned down to kiss Yao Yao’s hair. “Goodnight, my love.”
Due to her growing belly, Yao Yao—who usually preferred sleeping face-to-face in Shen Yu’s embrace—now nestled against his chest with her back to him. She interlaced her fingers with his large hand resting in front of her. “Goodnight, darling~”
*
Ever since learning about the pregnancy, Shen Yu had fantasized countless times about their child’s appearance and personality. He hoped for a daughter as beautiful as her mother, imagining returning from work each day to hear a soft, sweet voice calling “Daddy,” followed by two figures—one big, one small—rushing into his arms to cling to him. Just the thought filled him with overwhelming excitement.
Yao Yao’s due date was in early April of the following year. Time flew, and soon it was April 1st—the expected day. Family members from Shanghai and the capital gathered in the hospital room, including Yao Yao’s best friend Shi Dan and Yuan Wenya. Yet, the baby in Yao Yao’s womb seemed perfectly content, moving occasionally as usual before settling down, showing no signs of arriving.
They waited from morning till evening, nerves stretched taut. Shen Yu had already turned off his phone, prepared at any moment, but the little one remained as steady as Mount Tai.
Shen Yu summoned the most authoritative gynecologist in the hospital, who reassured them this was normal and urged everyone to relax.
Shen’s mother quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, Yao Yao, don’t be nervous. This child takes after Shen Yu—he was three days past his due date when he arrived.”
Hearing this, Ji’s mother (Yao Yao’s mother) felt slightly relieved. “Let’s listen to your mother-in-law and stay calm.”
Yao Yao herself wasn’t particularly anxious and remained quite relaxed. “Mom, Dad, Dan Dan, Wenya—you’ve all been here all day and must be tired. Please go back and rest. Shen Yu can stay with me alone. If anything happens, he’ll call you.”
Shen Yu chimed in, “I can handle it here by myself. Mom, Dad, you should head back.”
After all, they were older, and their stamina couldn’t match that of younger people. After bidding farewell, everyone left, leaving only Yao Yao and Shen Yu.
Yawning, Yao Yao grew drowsy and looked at Shen Yu with teary eyes. “Darling, I’m so sleepy. I’m going to bed now.”
“Alright, sleep peacefully. I’ll be right here watching over you.” After seeing off their family and friends, Shen Yu hurried from the doorway to the bedside upon hearing Yao Yao, gently stroking her hair with his large hand, his tone soft.
“Mhm, goodnight, darling~”
Shen Yu gazed intently at his wife’s face. She seemed to be having a sweet dream in her sleep, a slight smile curving her lips. Watching her serene, beautiful sleeping expression, he felt utterly fulfilled in that moment.
The next day, as dawn barely broke, Yao Yao felt a twinge of discomfort—her stomach suddenly began to ache.
The VIP room had a separate companion bed right beside the hospital bed. The moment Yao Yao let out a faint “hiss,” Shen Yu alertly woke. He swiftly got up and, seeing Yao Yao’s pained expression with furrowed brows, guessed she was going into labor.
He quickly pressed the call button, then began soothing Yao Yao in a gentle voice.
Yao Yao didn’t let Shen Yu accompany her into the operating room, not wanting anyone to see her in a distorted state during childbirth.
After Yao Yao entered the operating room, Shen Yu began calling relatives and friends one by one to inform them. Once finished, he stood waiting at the operating room entrance, staring unblinkingly at the door as if trying to see through it.
The baby was considerate of its mother and didn’t cause prolonged labor. A few hours later, those waiting outside heard the infant’s vigorous crying.
Mrs. Ji burst into tears of excitement, clasping her hands and murmuring: “Thank heavens, thank heavens!”
When the nurse carried the newborn out, everyone crowded around. Shen Yu kept looking behind the nurse, anxiously asking: “Where’s my wife?”
The nurse smiled: “Don’t worry, sir. Your wife is still inside for final procedures and will be out shortly.”
Only then did everyone completely relax.
Thus, the third generation of the Shen family was born, weighing seven pounds. The name, given by the grandfather, was Shen Heyan.
Shen’s father had pondered for a long time before deciding: if it was a boy, he would be named Shen Heyan; if a girl, Shen Ningyu.