Qin Nanshan’s heart was struck by something, creating a small indentation, filling it with softness.

He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, “Is it okay?”

Wen Yi blushed but pretended not to care, “It’s not like you’ve never touched before, why be shy? Besides, you’re the baby’s dad, you have the right.”

“Okay.”

His hand moved further over the thin fabric of her nightgown, and when their skin touched, Wen Yi felt a shiver deep inside.

The room wasn’t cold, the bed even warmer, but his palm felt even hotter, sending waves of intense warmth wherever it touched.

It felt mysterious, as though the two of them were intimately connected, their genes and bloodlines stirring, as if they couldn’t be separated.

It seemed like he was trying to feel something, as his hand rested gently on her lower abdomen. His gaze was intense, focused on her.

The man, already handsome, seemed even more radiant under the glow of her maternal light, with every feature—eyes, brows, nose—seeming carved by the hands of God. Wen Yi’s heart fluttered like a little deer, thinking her daughter must be a beauty-lover, after all, how else would she choose such a father?

The gaze between them grew more intense, and neither of them could tell who’s breathing had become heavier.

Wen Yi wondered if the fire outside had gone out, because the bedroom felt so stuffy and hot, making it hard to breathe.

She secretly tightened her grip on the bedsheet, swallowed, and asked with difficulty, “Is there any movement?”

Qin Nanshan gently shook his head, “No.”

“Then the baby must have fallen asleep.”

“Mm.” He withdrew his hand, adjusted her nightgown, then tucked the blanket in more snugly. His voice carried a touch of relief, as though the matter was settled. “Go to sleep.”

He walked back to his side of the bed. The mattress dipped as his weight settled, and the familiar scent of him surrounded her, stronger than usual tonight, pressing in on her.

Wen Yi took a long time to calm down and then began to bring up an issue. “Qin Nanshan, do you sometimes live too rationally?”

Qin Nanshan understood what she meant and seriously reflected, “Yes, before I met you, I lived in a world of pure rationality.”

“So, are you saying my arrival has made you more emotional?”

“No, it’s just that when I’m with you, I need to change the way I think.”

“…” Wen Yi didn’t know whether to praise him for being so direct or just laugh, so she smiled, “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“It’s a good thing.” Qin Nanshan turned to look at her. “It’s interesting.”

Wen Yi’s lips curled into a smile. At least he managed to make up for it.

“Why is it interesting?”

He thought for a moment before answering seriously, “I can’t explain it.”

“…”

She decided not to play riddles with him anymore. “I feel like work already requires so much brainpower. At home, I don’t want to hear big theories, technical terms, or professional knowledge. I just want things to be simple and relaxed, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Except in special cases, when we need to discuss something together.”

“Good.”

“What do you need from me?”

Qin Nanshan replied, “I don’t need anything. Everything’s good.”

“I do.”

“What?”

Wen Yi, no longer shy, smiled and took out a bottle of pregnancy oil from the nearby drawer, saying seriously, “Help me apply the pregnancy oil.”

Her belly had just started to show, and while there were no stretch marks yet, the moms in her group had said it was best to start applying it early. In fact, she was already a bit late.

Qin Nanshan, clearly hearing about “pregnancy oil” for the first time, took the oil and stood frozen in place.

Wen Yi urged, “Hurry up, let’s apply it and go to sleep.”

The new dad asked hesitantly, “How do I apply it?”

Wen Yi had to pull up an online tutorial and show it to him. Qin Nanshan read through it while watching her hand demonstrate, then took the bottle himself to read it again. After finishing, he looked at her. “Are there any precautions?”

“No, just apply gently.”

“Mm.”

He went out to wash his hands, came back, turned on the light, and sat back on the bed.  

Wen Yi had already eagerly pulled back the blanket. Qin Nanshan stared at the patterns on her nightgown for several seconds before carefully rolling the fabric down below her chest.  

Earlier, he had only felt her under the covers, but now she was exposed under the light. Wen Yi clenched her fists, her lashes trembling slightly.  

“Isn’t this a bit strange?”  

Qin Nanshan knew what she meant. It was indeed strange. They had already seen it during the ultrasound, but seeing it now, it felt strangely different, something indescribable in his heart.  

He said, “It’s amazing.”  

How could there be a little life living inside her?  

Wen Yi pressed her lips together, “Let’s start.”  

Qin Nanshan followed the video, pouring the oil into his palm, warming it up before gently placing it on her abdomen.  

Unlike before, when she was prepared, this touch, sudden and without warning, made Wen Yi gasp.  

Her voice was soft and melodious, both of them froze for a moment.  

The air, which had barely settled, quietly grew warmer again.  

Finally, Wen Yi turned her face away first, “You can continue…”  

Qin Nanshan nodded, his hand gently covering her belly again. He rubbed from the bottom up, then lightly massaged until the oil was absorbed.  

Wen Yi occasionally glanced at his hand movements, then at his side profile, her heart gradually easing.  

The man’s face remained serious, his expression slightly tense, as though he were doing something important and solemn, his focus sharp.  

She tentatively called out, “Qin Nanshan?”  

There was no response.  

No wonder Summer wanted to save him.  

After finishing, Qin Nanshan finally turned his head, his voice gentle, “Is it done?”  

There was still the chest and thighs to go, but Wen Yi decided to spare him. “Yes.”  

He placed the oil back on the nightstand, then adjusted her clothes and tucked the blanket over her before going out to wash his hands.  

Wen Yi waited until he came back and asked, “Qin Nanshan, if I get stretch marks, would you dislike me?”  

Before she was pregnant, Wen Yi had only heard of stretch marks. Later, after joining a few mom groups, she saw pictures of their post-birth bellies. Some mothers even said that once they got stretch marks, their husbands no longer wanted to touch them. Wen Yi furrowed her brow, feeling conflicted, and ordered pregnancy oil that very day.  

Stretch marks weren’t something to be ashamed of, nor was she worried about Qin Nanshan not touching her, but as a woman who maintained a refined image, she couldn’t tolerate something so discordant on her body.  

He didn’t think much about it, “No.”  

Wen Yi didn’t believe him, but then thought her question was unnecessary. Men’s nature can’t be analyzed or trusted.  

However, overall, she was satisfied with Qin Nanshan’s performance tonight.  

“Goodnight.”  

“Goodnight.”  

The lights on both sides were turned off, and the bedroom was shrouded in darkness. The faint scent of aloe from the pregnancy oil lingered.  

…