Chapter 92: Physical Needs

“The surgery was a great success you can all rest easy.”

That simple sentence made everyone waiting outside breathe a huge sigh of relief. The heavy weight that had been pressing on their hearts was finally lifted. Ruan Li and Ye Mian exchanged looks, needing to be sure this was truly real.

With the anesthesia still in effect, Shi Xun was pushed out of the operating room, eyes closed. Shi Mu confirmed with the lead surgeon that there would be no lingering aftereffects and that Shi Xun would never again face related health issues in his life.

The ticking time bomb in Shi Xun’s heart, present for over twenty years, was finally gone. He could now look forward to a long, healthy life.

In the hospital room, the moment Shi Xun opened his eyes, he saw a room full of people, all gathered around him. It was as if he had come back from the brink of death. He struggled to lift the corners of his lips into a smile.

“I told you that when I woke up, we’d see each other again.”

“And you were all looking so worried and doubtful.”

Everyone knew he liked to brag, but this time, no one in the room refuted him. Ye Mian picked up a cup of water from the side, gently dabbing his pale lips with a cotton swab.

“We’ll settle the matter of you deceiving me when we get back to Jing City.”

Shi Xun, freshly out of surgery, still wore a rebellious grin despite his fragile state.

“Living is good,” he said. “In this lifetime, I even get to see Miss Ye take care of my lips.”

The wave of emotion Ye Mian had been building up was mostly swept away by his cheeky comment. She barely managed to control the urge to roll her eyes. “Stop talking, or I might just feel like hitting you.”

Shi Xun grinned, acting as if no one else in the room existed. “You’re going to murder your childhood friend?”

Ruan Li couldn’t bear to look at him, so of course, he turned his attention to her. “Ruan Li, don’t forget the promise you made to me. You can’t go back on your word.”

It wasn’t until Shi Xun’s condition had stabilized and everyone was preparing to return to Jing City that Fu Huaizhou finally asked what promise Ruan Li had made to Shi Xun.

He assumed it was probably something about collaborating on a screenplay or giving a small gift.

Ruan Li saw his curiosity and, feeling that it was somewhat related to him, finally spoke up while they were on the plane back to Jing City. With the rumble of the engines drowning out their conversation, she nervously confessed

“I promised Shi Xun that if he recovered, I’d let him take care of our baby for fun.”

Seeing Fu Huaizhou’s face darken instantly, Ruan Li hurriedly added, “Just for a few days! I didn’t specify any particular time.”

Fu Huaizhou pinched her cheek lightly, nearly laughing out of exasperation. “Did you ask for my permission?”

“You weren’t there,” she mumbled. “Why would I need your permission?”

The plane landed on a private lawn. This was the Fu family’s private property, tightly secured with no strange media or paparazzi in sight. Seeing the familiar yet long missed landscape, Ruan Li couldn’t help but sigh.

“The season’s changed.”

They had stayed a few extra months for Shi Xun’s recovery, leaving Jing City just as autumn was approaching. Now, it was already early spring, the season of blossoming flowers and budding grass.

Fu Huaizhou’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Quite a long trip.”

By now, her belly had grown so large that turning over was a struggle. According to the calendar, she’d likely give birth in early summer.

“Why does it have to be summer? It’s already hot, and I won’t be able to go outside,” Ruan Li pouted, imagining the discomfort of the coming season. She shot a look at Fu Huaizhou.

“This is all your fault.”

Fu Huaizhou wisely kept silent. During the pregnancy, her mood swings had been intense. If anything made her unhappy, tears would flow as if she were a faucet.

The Shi family’s home was close to Yuyuan, and Shi Mu had already prepared a room and a nursery for Ruan Li in the Shi family house. However, many of Ruan Li’s needs were now quite private, and her brothers couldn’t be of much help. She felt awkward about being tended to by servants, so this duty naturally fell to Fu Huaizhou.

As a result, the Shi family could only watch enviously as Ruan Li returned to Yuyuan.

The first thing the two families did upon returning was to get their marriage certificate. Ruan Li had initially wanted to wait until after giving birth, not wanting to have the ugliest photo of her life on her marriage license.

But in truth, she was overthinking it. Her complexion was radiant, her features more delicate than ever without makeup, and there was a soft glow to her, especially when she smiled.

Hearing that Ruan Li was hesitating over whether to take the photo, Ye Mian had even come over to tease her.

“With the pampering you’ve had, if you don’t look good now, those beauty experts should quit their jobs.”

So on a sunny morning, the two finally registered their marriage, settling one of Fu Huaizhou’s biggest concerns. They agreed to hold the wedding after the baby was born and Ruan Li had recovered. She was adamantly against marrying while heavily pregnant.

The news of Ruan Li’s return quickly spread. She had never been one to stay idle, often going out with Ye Mian. It was only a matter of time before they were spotted. That very night, social media was abuzz with topics all about Ruan Li

“Ruan Li Returns to the Entertainment Industry,” “Ruan Li Pregnant,” “Unmarried Pregnancy”

Other related headlines quickly followed, and Ruan Li knew she had to make a public appearance to clear things up, especially if she wanted to continue her career afterward.

Chen Jing was thrilled to hear that her “little diva” was finally going to make an appearance. She quickly arranged an interview for a magazine. Ruan Li’s popularity was undeniable everyone wanted the first scoop.

It wasn’t just because she was backed by the Fu family. Her role in Jing Luan had sparked massive interest, with her acting causing the show’s producers to focus much of the promotion on her character.

When Fu Huaizhou heard she was going out for an event, he didn’t stop her, only reminding her, “Bring plenty of people with you.”

Ruan Li, lying beside him, watched the man handling his work. Teasingly, she said, “I thought you’d say something like, ‘No woman carrying my child is allowed outside. Otherwise, I’ll bury everyone!’”

Fu Huaizhou glanced at her lazily. “If I said something like that, your two brothers next door would storm over and strangle me.”

He flipped a page in his document. “Besides, if I said no, would you really stay home?”

Ruan Li chuckled awkwardly, knowing he was right. She often went out with Ye Mian, attending auctions and baby stores, earning her the nickname of a “gold eating beast.”

“If you did say no, I might consider bringing you along,” Ruan Li said, snuggling up against his arm, soft and warm, hinting at either playfulness or seduction.

Fu Huaizhou finished the last page of his document, set it on the bedside table, and turned off the light. His previously mild voice now carried a different undertone.

“The only thing you should be considering now is dealing with some physical needs together.”