Chapter 85: Goodnight, Baby

Ruan Li wondered if she had misheard. She rolled over to face the person behind her, doubting if it was really Fu Huaizhou. Otherwise, how could he have said something so shameless, completely unlike his usual personality?

Fu Huaizhou noticed her movement and frowned, observing that it didn’t seem too difficult for her to turn over in her second trimester. It wasn’t quite how the medical guides had described it.

“Is it really you?” Ruan Li asked, squinting in the darkness to make out his cold, chiseled features it was unmistakably Fu Huaizhou.

He chuckled softly at her question. “Who else would you think it is? Or are you saying someone else has been sneaking into your bed?” His breath was warm and slow, brushing against her neck.

“No one is as shameless as you,” she muttered, surprised that someone as traditionally strict as Fu Huaizhou, who was raised on old-fashioned family rules, could do such a thing.

Ignoring her remark, he continued to press closer, remaining quiet for a while before speaking softly. “I didn’t mean to leave you alone before. I was overwhelmed with work, and I thought handling everything first was the right way before explaining it to you. I’m sorry, Lychee.”

Ruan Li stiffened. She remembered the marriage contract with the blank space for a name. Even if Fu Huaizhou had plans to marry, he had never seemed determined that she was the one.

Noticing her silence, he asked gently, “When did you find out you were pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me? It’s dangerous to keep it from me.”

“You didn’t tell me many things either,” Ruan Li muttered, annoyed by how his hand lingered over her belly.

“If I weren’t pregnant, would you have bothered to find me?”

She couldn’t help but feel that even if he wanted to marry now, it might just be because of the child.

Fu Huaizhou frowned and looked at her, remembering how pregnancy guides described that expectant mothers might be more insecure, which was normal. He laughed lightly, as if finding her doubt amusing. “Even if you weren’t pregnant, even if Shi Mu stood in my way, I would have taken you back by now.”

Ruan Li huffed and shifted slightly, noticing his clothes were stiff and not the soft material of sleepwear. Her small hand pushed against his shoulder. “Did you come to my bed wearing your day clothes?”

He sensed her displeasure and explained patiently, “There were so many people in the hallway. Did you expect me to walk over here in a bathrobe?”

Realizing how strange that scenario would have looked Fu Huaizhou striding down the corridor in a black robe Ruan Li found the image amusing, but it didn’t excuse him. She pushed him again. “Get off my bed.”

Instead of leaving, he held her tighter, whispering next to her ear, “I changed into clean clothes before I came. They’re not dirty.”

Finally, her irritation subsided a little. His warm hand resting on her belly was comforting, but that didn’t mean she would let him overstep his bounds.

“I’m going to sleep. You should leave.”

Fu Huaizhou’s thumb brushed against her gently, taking in her faint scent. He breathed deeply, savoring the moment. “I’ll stay with you.”

“No need,” Ruan Li said firmly. She preferred to sleep alone, able to stretch out freely in her bed. Besides, finding her only to sleep together was pushing his luck. “If you stay tonight, I’ll tell my brother tomorrow,” she warned. “You decide if it’s one night or a few more.”

Given the choice, he naturally chose the latter. He got up carefully, making sure not to disturb her.

He leaned in, brushing his cheek lightly against hers and whispering, “Goodnight, baby.”

When she heard the door close softly, Ruan Li was left wondering whether he had been talking to her or the baby in her belly.

---

The next day, Shi Mu came to their floor as usual, his eyes settling on Ruan Li.

“You slept well last night?” he asked.

“Huh?” She looked at him in confusion. Did he know what happened last night?

Seeing her blank expression, Shi Mu chuckled, gently ruffling her hair. “You look good today. Has the medicine finally started to work?”

Relieved, Ruan Li quickly shook her head. “No, definitely not because of your medicine. Please, can we cut back on that? I beg you.”

Shi Mu smiled. “No chance. If it’s not the medicine, then it must be better sleep.”

Feeling a bit guilty, Ruan Li avoided his gaze, only to lock eyes with Shi Xun, who was watching with a teasing look. She tugged on Shi Mu’s sleeve.

“Brother, Shi Xun”

Shi Xun, sensing trouble, rushed to cover her mouth.

“What did you do to look so guilty?” Shi Mu asked, his gaze fixed on Shi Xun.

Shi Xun shot a pleading look at Ruan Li, silently begging for mercy. He was only trying to ensure family harmony and the health of the baby, but now he was caught in a trap.

Ruan Li decided it was time to intervene. “Shi Xun… he’s been sneaking milk tea!”

For Shi Mu, who banned unhealthy foods for patients, this was a serious offense. His tone turned stern. “If you keep eating recklessly, I’ll move in next door to keep an eye on you.”

Shi Xun quickly promised, “It was only that one time! I swear I won’t do it again.”

After Shi Mu left, Shi Xun grabbed Ruan Li’s cheek, pinching it lightly. “I was trying to help you, and this is how you repay me?”

She smirked, tilting her head defiantly. “I don’t believe you. You must have gotten quite the favor from Fu Huaizhou, pretending to be all selfless.”

Shi Xun rubbed his nose guiltily she had guessed correctly. He defended himself, “But you seem happy, looking all rosy. Seems like the two of you are getting along.”

Expecting her to lash out, he was surprised when she remained quiet, and looked down to see her staring back at him defiantly flipping him off with a brazen middle finger.

---

That evening, just like the night before, Fu Huaizhou approached Ruan Li’s door to fulfill his “several nights” promise. His hand twisted the doorknob a few times it was locked from the inside.

Recalling her words from the previous night, he shook his head with a wry smile.

A well-timed delay she played it perfectly.