The first time Jiang Zhida visited Tao Tao’s home, she felt an urge to hide the dim little room from him, worried that the last of her modesty had been stripped away, leaving her completely exposed to the sunlight.

However, Jiang Zhida’s attitude towards her never changed; he never made any comments about her family’s house, treating it as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Eventually, Tao Tao let go of her concerns, feeling comfortable being herself around Jiang Zhida.

He set his things down in the small space just outside the living room and exchanged a few words with her parents, despite her father’s initial reluctance.

“I need to discuss my and Tao Tao’s situation with my parents,” Jiang Zhida said with a smile, taking Tao Tao’s hand as he addressed her dad and mom. “Uncle and Auntie, please don’t push me away. I’ll be leaving now, but I’ll come back next time for a proper chat.”

Tao Tao walked him to the door, but he insisted she go back inside. “I’ll come again tomorrow. Take care of yourself while I’m away,” he said, gently patting her head.

Though he wore a somewhat carefree smile, Tao Tao could feel his genuine concern, making her smile sweetly in return.

“Okay.”

Jiang Zhida waved casually, signaling her and her parents not to see him off further.

After watching his car pull away, Tao Tao shut the door behind her, blocking out any prying eyes and avoiding their inquiries.

“Tao Tao, what did Da Zi just say?”
Her father was still in shock from Jiang Zhida’s words, having forgotten to grab the gift he’d meant to send off with him.

Tao Tao pulled a stool over so her father could sit down comfortably, taking a seat across from them. “Dad, Mom, Da Zi and I have decided to get married.”

With a loud crash, her father fell to the ground, the stool tipping over with him.

Tao Tao quickly jumped up to help him, and her mother rushed over as well.

Once her father was seated again, Tao Tao slowly explained the reason behind their sudden decision to marry.

She knew she couldn’t hide her pregnancy from her parents; it was impossible to keep that a secret.

After listening, her father’s brow furrowed like a looming mountain, unable to smooth out. “Tao Tao, you… you’re being foolish!”

Her mother gestured frantically, trying to express her urgent feelings.

“Please, don’t rush me. Just let me finish,” Tao Tao said, urging them to listen. “This baby was unexpected…”

After being together with Jiang Zhida, they had only been intimate once, during an impulsive moment at Yunmengze.

They had prepared contraceptives, and Jiang Zhida had used them, so neither of them anticipated that she would end up pregnant.

Her father’s frown deepened. “What will Da Zi’s parents think of you?”

Tao Tao reassured him, “His parents are really nice. I met them today.”

Her father quickly inquired about the details, wanting to ensure that Yang Mei and Jiang Dajiu didn’t look down on her.

When he learned that they liked her and admired her parents, tears welled in his eyes.

“Tao Tao, you’re lucky to have found such good people. You need to be grateful.”

Her mother echoed the sentiment with animated gestures, conveying the same message.

“I understand,” Tao Tao said, smiling. “Da Zi’s parents are coming to visit us the day after tomorrow.”

Her parents suddenly became anxious. “Why so soon? Our house is in such disarray…”

Tao Tao reassured them, “I’ll help you tidy up tomorrow. They know our situation.”

---

As soon as Jiang Zhida arrived home, Yang Mei seized him by the ear. “You tell me right now—did you do something to Tao Tao? Is she…?”

Yang Mei became increasingly agitated, having been anxiously waiting for Jiang Zhida to return.

“Ouch, Mom! I’m over thirty; can you give me some respect?” he complained, holding his ear.

“Respect? Look at your shameless self!”

Despite her words, Yang Mei loosened her grip. “Speak, and don’t think you can fool me.”

“Mom, you’re not wrong.”

Jiang Zhida rubbed his ear, casually sitting across from Yang Mei while grabbing an apple to bite into. “Tao Tao is pregnant, and we only found out today.”

An apple flew his way as Yang Mei threw it at him. “You brat, I knew it!”

“Mom, please be gentle! We’ve been together for a while; it’s normal to have that kind of relationship. But the baby was truly an accident.”

Now that the event had unfolded, Yang Mei didn’t want to hit him; it wouldn’t do any good.

“At least you’re taking responsibility,” she said, glaring at him. “If you dare hurt Tao Tao, I’ll skin you alive.”

“Mom, how could I?! I really like Tao Tao! It took me over thirty years to find someone I want to marry. I’d be more afraid of not being good enough for her and losing her.”

Yang Mei replied, “Stop trying to talk back. Be honest with me—how many months along is she? How is her health?”

Jiang Zhida informed her about taking Tao Tao to Chuxia for a check-up.

“Chuxia said Tao Tao is a bit malnourished; she’s too thin and needs to eat well. I’ll visit her tomorrow. Can you prepare some nourishing soup or supplements for her? I’ll take it with me.”

Yang Mei slapped the table. “So now you think to ask for my help? Just wait!”

---

Quiet Evening

After a long day at work, Chuxia lay in bed that night, not wanting to do anything else.

Instead, she picked up a martial arts novel by Cen Huai’an to read.

Just then, Cen Zhengnian returned home after finishing his shower, the warmth of the bathroom still lingering on his body.

“What are you looking at?”

Chuxia turned the book cover towards him and said, “It’s a martial arts novel that An An bought before; it’s pretty good. But ever since An An started college, he hasn’t bought similar books anymore.”

Sighing, Chuxia felt that An An was pushing himself too hard.

He wouldn’t turn 18 until after the New Year, and he didn’t need to be so busy.

“An An really is too strict with himself,” Cen Zhengnian replied. “But he’s pursuing his dreams now, so I don’t think he feels tired.”

Right now, An An reminded Cen Zhengnian of his younger self.

During his university and work years, he had given all his time to work, but he had never felt tired.

Every time he achieved a milestone, it was the best reward and way to rest.

“I just wish he had time to enjoy university life a bit,” Chuxia said. “Like going out to have fun, hanging out with friends, or even dating.”

Cen Huai’an was about to become an adult, and many boys and girls at that age were just starting to fall in love.

Experiencing pure campus romance during such a youthful time was something that one would fondly remember in old age.

“An An isn’t thinking about those things right now,” Cen Zhengnian said.

Chuxia sighed; she knew he wasn’t.

Others envied her for having such an understanding and talented son, but little did they know she wanted her son to experience the happiness that ordinary people could.

Cen Zhengnian pulled the quilt aside and got into bed, wrapping his arm around Chuxia’s waist.

She leaned against him, finding a comfortable position to continue reading.

He gently stroked her back and said, “Don’t worry about An An; he’s grown up and has his own ideas.”

Chuxia hummed in acknowledgment, knowing this was just her own concern.

She wouldn’t interfere with Cen Huai’an’s actions unless they affected his health.

As she continued reading, Chuxia suddenly remembered something.

She turned over in Cen Zhengnian’s embrace, looked up into his eyes, and playfully asked, “Guess who I ran into at the hospital today?”

Cen Zhengnian thought for a moment and said, “Your cousin’s wife?”

Chuxia shook her head. “No.”

“Your cousin and his wife?”

“Not them.”

“Da Zi,” Cen Zhengnian casually guessed. Chuxia had only a few acquaintances; it was just a matter of guessing one by one.

“Right! And his girlfriend Tao Tao,” Chuxia suddenly perked up and shared her surprise at seeing the two of them.

“Guess who came to see a doctor?”

“Tao Tao.” Although this question was quite easy, Cen Zhengnian still played along with her.

“Correct.” Chuxia didn’t tell Cen Zhengnian about Tao Tao’s pregnancy; that was a matter of patient confidentiality, and even relatives couldn’t disclose it—that was Chuxia’s professional ethics.

With a sigh, she said to Cen Zhengnian, “I think Da Zi and Tao Tao are getting good news soon.”

Cen Zhengnian wasn’t surprised; he quickly figured out the reason, but since his wife didn’t say anything, he wouldn’t press for details.

Looking at Chuxia’s slightly flushed face as she smiled, his throat felt tight.

“That really is good news.”

Cen Zhengnian took the book from Chuxia’s hands. “But that’s someone else’s business. Don’t think about it too much.”

He turned off the light, and his lips found Chuxia’s. The warmth of their lips and breath filled the room, making it feel like summer even in winter.

Outside, the cold wind howled, but inside, it felt like spring.

The next day, Jiang Zhida was dragged out of bed early by Yang Mei, who took him to the market to buy groceries.

“Once you marry Tao Tao, I can’t keep running over to cook for her. You two need to start your own life, and us old folks shouldn’t interfere too much. So, you need to learn how to buy groceries and cook; you’re responsible for her three meals a day. You can’t let her eat poorly!”

Jiang Zhida looked shocked. “Mom, do you really trust my cooking skills that much? I don’t even trust myself!”

Jiang Zhida had never cooked before; he had no talent for it, and Yang Mei’s cooking skills were just average.

Only Uncle Jiang was decent at it.

“If you’re not skilled, you can learn! What? Are you planning to let pregnant Tao Tao take care of you after you get married?”

Jiang Zhida picked up the vegetables Yang Mei handed him, raising an eyebrow. “We can hire a nanny; I wouldn’t let Tao Tao take care of me.”

Yang Mei slapped his head again. “Even a nanny can’t cook food that feels comfortable for you!”

“Mom, that’s a fallacy.”

Yang Mei replied, “You talk too much. Just learn when I tell you to!”

Jiang Zhida stopped arguing with his mom.

After all, once he married Tao Tao, their household would be up to them to decide.

They could skip hiring a nanny and eat at Yunmengze, where the ingredients were fresh and the food was cooked by chefs, so they wouldn’t have to worry about eating poorly.

As a result, Yang Mei taught him some nutritious dishes suitable for pregnant women, while Jiang Zhida let most of the information go in one ear and out the other.

When Jiang Zhida brought a container of fish soup to Tao Tao’s house, she was busy tidying up the place with her parents.

Although the size of the house couldn’t be changed, they could clean it thoroughly to welcome guests, which represented the Tao family’s attitude toward the Jiang family.