Chapter 11: A Little Life Is Now Being Conceived in His Body

“The diagnosis is… you’re pregnant.”

Qiao Zhi’an sat down, flipped open a page of the medical report, and handed it over.

Tao Xiu, wrapped in a blanket, sat opposite him, his expression blank for a full three seconds: “…What?”

He hadn’t misheard, had he?

Qiao Zhi’an also looked dazed.

He sighed softly, “I don’t want to believe it either, but the test results are conclusive.”

He continued, “And once you start thinking about it, you’ll realize that your recent sleepiness and nausea all match the symptoms of early human pregnancy.”

A moment of silence.

Tao Xiu blinked mechanically: “How long has it been?”

Qiao Zhi’an: “…Two months.”

Tao Xiu paused, and as if realizing something, a faint blush slowly crept onto his fair, handsome face. He lowered his gaze, bit his lip, and remained silent.

Qiao Zhi’an rubbed his temples, his head aching, then added, “But I still recommend you get re-tested. What if there’s a mistake?”

After all, his gender was wrong!

Tao Xiu gave himself three minutes to process the news.

Then he took the medical report, read it carefully, and said, “No need. I understand. Thank you.”

Aside from one completely unexpected detail, the report was quite good; in an environment where sub-health was common, his body was surprisingly healthy.

Qiao Zhi’an’s eyes widened: “You, you’re just accepting it?”

Tao Xiu put the medical report away and looked at him, exasperated: “What else can I do?”

Qiao Zhi’an thought of a possibility and gasped: “You, you’re not actually going to keep this child, are you? Tao Xiu, your idiot boyfriend abandoned you and disappeared two months ago—”

Wait, two months! That meant the scum didn’t forget to— before he disappeared.

“Snap!” Qiao Zhi’an broke the ballpoint pen in his hand.

Tao Xiu twitched his lips, interrupting him: “He is indeed a fool, but I’m keeping this child.”

He paused, then added, “And he hasn’t disappeared; it’s just hard for me to explain.”

Qiao Zhi’an remained silent for a while, then let out a heavy, helpless sigh.

He handed over a brochure he’d picked up from the obstetrics and gynecology department when he got the report: “This lists some precautions you need to follow.”

“This is my family’s hospital. You can come here for your check-ups later, and I’ll arrange a doctor just for you. You don’t have to worry about confidentiality; I’ll handle that too.”

Tao Xiu took it and put it away, his eyes curving into a smile: “Thank you!”

He casually draped the blanket over the back of the chair, stood up, and said, “Then I’ll get going. I’ll contact you later for the check-up.”

With that, he started to walk out.

He was called back just as he reached the door.

Tao Xiu, with his hands in his trench coat pockets, turned to look at the young man in the white coat sitting by the window.

The young man’s eyes were hidden behind back-lit glasses, so Tao Xiu couldn’t see them clearly.

“What is it?” he asked.

Qiao Zhi’an looked at him against the light: “Besides those arrangements, I don’t mind…” I don’t mind helping you raise the child.

But in the end, he just smiled and said, “It’s nothing. Take care of yourself.”

Why would he willingly abandon the safest and most lasting position of a friend?

Tao Xiu also smiled, waved his hand, and left the office.

His botanical garden was closed for the day so he could go to the hospital for his check-up.

Only one morning had passed after the check-up, leaving him with half an afternoon off.

He went to an art exhibition, watched a movie, and even childishly rode a small train with children at the mall.

Before nightfall, he felt hungry, so Tao Xiu leisurely walked towards his favorite hamburger steak bento shop.

He had been eating at this shop for several years.

The place was clean, the service excellent, the beef patties solid and delicious, and even the gravy and vegetables were mouth-watering.

As expected, there were many customers upon arriving at the shop, creating a lively atmosphere filled with the aroma of delicious food.

Seeing Tao Xiu enter, the neatly dressed proprietress put down her work and personally came forward with a smile: “Xiao Tao, you’re here. Are you dining in or taking out this time?”

Tao Xiu’s eyes curved: “Eating in.”

The proprietress “Aii’d,” and said, “Still one hamburger steak rice bowl and a cup of iced orange juice?”

Tao Xiu remembered something and quietly placed a hand on his flat, soft abdomen. He smiled and said, “There will be no ice in the orange juice from now on.”

The proprietress kindly said, “Got it,” and quickly walked to the back kitchen.

After a while, a tall, delicate girl with a ponytail came over, carrying a tray.

She neatly placed Tao Xiu’s ordered meal and juice in front of him, and also put down a small extra bowl. In that bowl was a steaming, thick hamburger steak.

She was the daughter of the owners, named Zhao Cancan, and Tao Xiu was already very familiar with her.

“Hehe, a special gift from the shop~”

The girl sat opposite Tao Xiu, winked playfully, and whispered conspiratorially, “My parents told me to bring this to Brother Xiao Tao.”

This was an additional piece of hamburger steak, beyond what Tao Xiu had ordered.

Every time Tao Xiu came to eat at this shop, he would get an extra hamburger steak.

He couldn’t help but laugh at Zhao Cancan’s appearance.

He didn’t refuse, simply saying thank you.

Then he saw a small vocabulary book tucked into her hand, which was holding the tray, and he said, “You finally have a day off. Aren’t you going to relax?”

The girl’s eyes sparkled, and her voice was cheerful and sweet: “Helping out here is relaxing! I finally convinced my parents.”

She continued, “And when there are no customers, I can review a lot of words. I’m in my last year of high school now, so of course, I need to make the most of my study time. My goal is A University! My teacher said I have a very high chance if I perform normally!”

Tao Xiu’s eyes curved: “That’s great. Keep it up.”

Zhao Cancan smiled, said “Ay,” then, “Brother, enjoy your meal,” and got up to continue helping out.

Tao Xiu then began to enjoy his dinner.

Soon after finishing, he paid at the counter and was about to leave when he unintentionally saw Zhao Cancan answer a call and run out without even taking off her apron.

Her expression seemed… troubled.

During peak hours, the girl’s parents were too busy to notice, so Tao Xiu thought for a moment and followed her.

The shop was near a dark alley.

When Tao Xiu reached the alley entrance, Zhao Cancan’s voice carried out: “I’m warning you, don’t cause trouble for our shop again, and don’t ask my parents for money again! Our family doesn’t owe you anything!”

“Also, where did you get my number? If you harass me again, I’ll call the police!”

Tao Xiu’s eyes chilled, and he walked in, unhesitatingly blocking the girl. His moss-green eyes were icy.

Under the dim alley light, he saw that the person opposite was a bloated man in a black hoodie, about 25 years old.

He had been staring at Zhao Cancan with an icy gaze, but his eyes widened the moment he saw Tao Xiu.

The hand wearing a black bracelet instinctively clenched, but he didn’t dare to act rashly.

He glared fiercely at Zhao Cancan, then turned and ran away quickly.

Tao Xiu finally breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to the young girl and gently asked, “Are you okay?”

Zhao Cancan shook her head: “I’m fine. Thank you, Brother Xiao Tao!”

Tao Xiu: “Who was he?”

Zhao Cancan sighed in distress: “He’s my uncle’s son from the countryside. He didn’t even finish middle school and was locked up for a few years for pyramid schemes. After he got out, he kept bothering my family for money, and my grandma even favored him. Later, no one knew where he went. Our family even reported him missing, but he suddenly reappeared recently and found our shop.”

“I didn’t want my parents to worry, so I tried to send him away myself.”

Tao Xiu walked Zhao Cancan to the shop entrance, then earnestly warned her, “If you reencounter something like this, leave it to your parents and the police, okay?”

Zhao Cancan smiled and said, “Ay,” thanked Tao Xiu, said goodbye, and went back into the shop.

Tao Xiu then went to catch the subway home.

He soon arrived back at Golden Legend Community.

As usual, he greeted the dog walkers, the little golden retriever, and other neighbors before returning to his own home.

As soon as he opened the door, a huge white Samoyed greeted him, wagging its tail.

“Awooo, Awooo.”

It was no longer afraid to let the young man see its mouth.

It simply dawned and acted cute with its terrifying fangs, rubbing its head affectionately against Tao Xiu’s leg.

Tao Xiu laughed, squatted down, and rubbed its head, then said, “Little Coconut, did you miss me?”

“Awooo~”

The large dog was about to pounce on the young man as usual, but Tao Xiu held up his index finger, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Not anymore, okay?”

The large dog: “Awooo?” But it still obediently stepped back a few paces, wagging its tail playfully.

Tao Xiu couldn’t resist one more rub, then casually picked up the watering can from the shelf, went to the utility room door, and opened it.

Inside the door was a thick, tangible darkness.

Tao Xiu could only see the small patch of indigo carpet near the door, illuminated by the light.

He unhesitatingly walked into the room, enveloped by a strange, rich, cool scent.

With every step, countless dark blue tentacles gently swayed from the ground, unconsciously brushing against the young man’s ankles.

Two other large dogs, with scarlet eyes, nuzzled against the young man, acting affectionate.

Tao Xiu paid no mind. He skillfully walked to the side of the bed, turned on the strange bone lamp on the bedside table, and, in the eerie dim light, watered the row of succulents by the bed.

Then, Tao Xiu looked at the handsome man sleeping on the bed. His sleeping face under the lamp was elegant and cold.

Tao Xiu couldn’t help but frown.

A year ago, he and Huo Si met.

During their time together, he learned that Huo Si’s bodily fluids could keep him awake.

But two months ago, Huo Si fell into slumber again.

This time, no matter what Tao Xiu tried, he couldn’t wake him up.

Huo Si returned to this room to slumber, and before he fell asleep, he transformed this door into its current state.

Yet, the ID card he created continued to follow cause and effect and logic, so he was listed as missing at the police station.

That’s why Qiao Zhi’an always thought he was a scum.

Tao Xiu’s hand lightly covered his abdomen.

He looked at the man on the bed and bit his lip: He really is an absolute scum…

Even now, he couldn’t imagine that a little life was currently being conceived in his body…

Thinking of today’s test results, Tao Xiu really couldn’t hold back.

With a “smack,” he gave the man on the bed a hard slap.