Behind the frosted glass, swaying silhouettes were wrapped in rising steam.
Ruan Xingmian sat with her back to the bathroom, instinctively touching her nose.
Fortunately, no nosebleed.
Closing her eyes, the blood-pumping scene from five minutes ago lingered stubbornly in her mind.
Ruan Xingmian thought that if she weren’t pregnant, she definitely wouldn’t be a decent person.
That broad back.
The defined lines of his tight back muscles.
The overwhelming wave of masculine hormones.
Gu Xing really didn’t treat her as an outsider.
She dredged up a lifetime’s worth of shame to suppress the urge to turn around and sneak a peek.
The crisp sound of water droplets hitting the tiles tapped rhythmically against the door of her heart.
Ruan Xingmian opened her eyes, then closed them again, clutching a bag of cash in her arms, making the most difficult choice of her life.
To choose moral decay.
Just one quick, secret look.
Or to choose the distortion of humanity.
Not just look, but even want to take a picture to admire in private.
The temptation of beauty was too great. Buried under the covers, Ruan Xingmian broke out in a hot sweat.
Until the blanket was pulled away.
She instinctively looked up.
Well.
Beauty was right before her eyes.
Had to look~
Ruan Xingmian widened her eyes, openly feasting her gaze to her heart’s content.
He was wearing a white tank top.
Drops of crystal-clear water still clung to the ends of his hair.
The warm yellow light cast a soft halo around his silhouette.
A few trickles of water ran down his sharply defined jaw, following the prominent Adam’s apple as they meandered downward, disappearing into the faintly visible hollow of his collarbone. Some continued down his chest, dampening his white tank top.
His thick, wet hair was casually swept back, revealing a smooth, full forehead. His brow bones were high, the corners of his eyes slightly upturned, made even more mesmerizing by the lingering mist.
The lines of his shoulder and back muscles were smooth, shifting with his movements as he raised a hand to towel his hair, yet his waistline tapered sharply.
Beneath his cold, handsome features lay an overwhelming sexual tension.
Their eyes met.
Ruan Xingmian’s gaze was bold and direct, her blinking frequency quickening, betraying the guilt inside.
Gu Xing raised his hand, his warm palm landing on her forehead.
His voice lowered with concern, “Not feeling well?”
At a time like this, he actually touched her! Ruan Xingmian’s face flushed red.
Gu Xing, fresh from the shower, was like a walking vacuum cleaner.
Wherever he went, the surrounding air grew thin.
Ruan Xingmian was nearly suffocating.
In a futile attempt to cover up, she tightly shut her eyes. “Sleepy.”
“Alright, I’ll finish drying my hair right away.”
His large hand withdrew, leaving her forehead slightly cool. The sound of a hairdryer started.
Ruan Xingmian took deep breaths, closed her eyes, and counted stars—one star, two stars, three stars, all of them Gu Xing’s abs.
Just let her fall asleep.
This was too much of a test on human nature.
When she reached the one hundred and ninety-ninth star.
That suffocating feeling of thin air returned.
Ruan Xingmian truly felt as if a pair of eyes were watching her.
Just as she hesitated whether to open her eyes.
An unfamiliar sensation touched her cheek.
Like a warm fingertip.
Or like a moist, warm lip.
Ruan Xingmian couldn’t tell.
Until Gu Xing got into the bed beside hers.
The light went out.
The room plunged into darkness.
Ruan Xingmian still didn’t dare open her eyes.
She tentatively touched that spot with her fingertip.
The corner of her mouth curved upward.
She slept soundly through the night.
Ruan Xingmian slept straight until seven-thirty.
Her taste buds were awakened first by the aroma of pork dumplings.
She sat up, her eye mask having fallen off somewhere.
She looked up.
Gu Xing was sitting on the adjacent bed, already fully dressed.
Ruan Xingmian instinctively checked her pajamas.
She slept relatively still; thankfully, the buttons hadn’t come undone.
Gu Xing spoke, “It’s seven-thirty. The hospital starts at eight.”
“Oh, okay.”
She got up too quickly, her vision went dark, and she slumped weakly back onto the bed.
Gu Xing was so startled that he dropped his phone, leaping over in two steps to catch her.
Ruan Xingmian used his hand to steady herself as she stood up, offering an awkward smile. “I stood up too quickly.”
The original host had a bit of low blood sugar.
Gu Xing gave a quiet “Mm,” saying nothing as he helped her to the bathroom. His chest was only an arm’s length away from her, his gaze fixed on her the entire time—focused and lingering.
The toothpaste, already squeezed onto the brush.
The cup, filled with water.
The damp cotton towel.
Each was handed to her one by one.
Ruan Xingmian felt she was practically turning into a useless person. This kind of experience was both novel and heart-fluttering.
After washing up, Gu Xing told her to eat breakfast first.
Ruan Xingmian shook her head. “I did my research. The first prenatal checkup might involve drawing blood. I’ll eat after that.”
Gu Xing had no choice but to quickly pack their things, slinging both bags over his shoulder.
Ruan Xingmian came out, already changed.
Her entire face was flushed crimson.
She knew Gu Xing wouldn’t look through the frosted glass, but she couldn’t ignore his presence.
While changing, her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her throat!
On the way to the hospital, Ruan Xingmian thought to herself that moving in together could wait a little longer.
She was afraid she might bleed to death from a nosebleed.
Before entering the hospital, Ruan Xingmian pulled out a camera mount and looked at Gu Xing apologetically.
“Could you wear this and help me record?”
Gu Xing knelt down without a moment’s hesitation.
“Will the footage be shaky?”
“It’s anti-shake, but it’s best if you don’t move around too much.”
“Okay.”
They both put on masks and entered the hospital hand in hand, his large hand holding her small one. Both of them felt much more at ease.
The first prenatal checkup was quite tedious.
Endless waiting in lines.
Fortunately, Ruan Xingmian found a topic to chat about with Gu Xing, and they talked quite well, losing track of time.
“We should be done by noon. Let’s get off at the Farmers’ Market. I’ll buy some ribs to cook for you. How does that sound?”
Ruan Xingmian looked at him expectantly. “Is there anything else you’d like to eat?”
Gu Xing lowered his chin slightly. “I have a high-speed train to catch this afternoon. I need to go to another city.”
Ruan Xingmian was taken aback. “Isn’t the press conference tomorrow?”
She knew Gu Xing would be traveling with his mentor to another city on Sunday.
“My mentor wants me to go early to memorize the speech.”
“Oh.”
Ruan Xingmian had only just learned this from their conversation.
Gu Xing had been involved in the development, data maintenance, and updates of a mobile phone system software with his mentor since his undergraduate years.
It was the same brand of phone Gu Xing had shown her yesterday.
The built-in camera detection feature was just one of its selling points.
It could also effectively prevent unauthorized charges, set up an emergency alarm mode, perform quick one-click detection, block the microphone with one click to prevent eavesdropping, and even enable a virtual incoming call function.
For modern people drowning in online advertisements and scam calls, this was practically the perfect phone.
As one of the project leaders, Gu Xing would be speaking on behalf of his mentor at tomorrow’s phone launch event.
“It’s fine. We can eat near the school then. We shouldn’t delay your work.”
Ruan Xingmian knew very well that the projects his mentor brought in were Gu Xing’s main source of income.
Last night, Gu Xing had given her another 50,000 yuan for the prenatal checkup.
She wasn’t sure if he had any money left.
“The prenatal checkup doesn’t cost this much. I haven’t even used up the money from last time. You should take this back first.”
Gu Xing shook his head. “I still have some. You keep it for now.”
His tone was firm and serious. Ruan Xingmian felt that if she said any more, she might come across as ungrateful.
Finally done with the tedious first prenatal checkup, Ruan Xingmian had also successfully completed her medical file registration.
There was a minor incident during the process—after having her blood drawn, she nearly fainted. Fortunately, Gu Xing was there to support her from behind.
Ruan Xingmian felt grateful that she had gone to find the child’s father.
And even more grateful that the child’s father was a good man.
As they walked out of the obstetrics and gynecology building, Gu Xing still had his arm half around Ruan Xingmian.
The posture was intimate.
And convenient for casual conversation.
Ruan Xingmian looked up at the sun outside, but her gaze suddenly froze.
Lu Tian?
The figure walking into the andrology building—who else could it be but Lu Tian?
Wasn’t he supposed to be taking Sang Rou on a trip abroad?
“What’s wrong?” Gu Xing asked, lowering his head.
“Ah, nothing, nothing.”
Ruan Xingmian quickly averted her eyes, suppressing her curiosity, and resumed walking.
“I was just thinking about what we should have for lunch.”
Sitting in the car, Ruan Xingmian couldn’t help but privately message her sister.
Stars Sleep Well: Sis, are you with Lu Tian?
Ruan Xingyue replied quickly: Focus on your date with your boyfriend, and stop prying into other people’s boyfriends.
How did Ruan Xingyue know she was with Gu Xing?
Never mind that for now.
Lu Tian had gone into the andrology department—there was an eighty percent chance he had some kind of unclean disease.
She had finally gained such a wonderful sister, and she had to protect her.
Ruan Xingmian sent a cute, pleading sticker.
Stars Sleep Well: Sis, just tell me, are you with Lu Tian or not?
Ruan Xingyue was getting annoyed: No, no, no! He had something to attend to at home today, and I have to travel to another city for work this afternoon. We won’t be able to meet for two days.
That was good.
Ruan Xingyue: Ruan Xingmian, I’m warning you—be honest. Don’t keep looking at what’s in the pot when you already have food in your bowl.
Ruan Xingmian felt exhausted, unsure how to explain. She hadn’t yet figured out the right words to confess.
She couldn’t even be completely honest with Gu Xing—she had to take things slowly. Suddenly turning her head, she noticed Gu Xing was looking at her.
His gaze was gentle, as if he had been watching her for a while.
Ruan Xingmian slowly typed out her message.
Stars Sleep Well: Once you’ve tasted delicious food, you really won’t crave leftovers.
The Female Lead was so smart—she would definitely understand that she was implying Lu Tian was nothing more than leftovers.
Ruan Xingyue sent six dots.
Followed by a money transfer.
The note read four words—buy condoms with this.
Ruan Xingmian covered her face with both hands. Did the Female Lead understand her hint or not? Why was her focus so strange?
Lu Tian really didn’t deserve the beautiful and intelligent Female Lead in her heart.