Chapter 20 : Why are you staring at me?

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Zhengguo’s voice came through, “Xiao Shu, how have you been lately?”  

“I’ve been great! Now that the early stages of pregnancy are over, I feel comfortable every day. I had a prenatal checkup today, and the doctor said the baby is very healthy.”  

“That’s good. As long as my daughter is happy and doing well, I’m at ease.”  

“I am happy, but I miss you a little. It’s been months since I last saw you.” When Jiang Yunshu spoke to Jiang Zhengguo, her tone was soft and sweet, like a little girl acting coy with her father. It was very different from her usual clear and firm voice.  

“You silly girl, why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ll have my assistant book a flight, and I’ll be in Beicheng tomorrow.”  

Jiang Yunshu opened her wardrobe and picked out a nightgown.  

“No need. Next week is Mom’s death anniversary. I’ll go back to Yunjing. I’ll stay home for a few days this time and spend some quality time with you.”  

“Alright,” Jiang Zhengguo agreed after a pause. Then he asked, “Will Chengze come back with you?”  

Jiang Yunshu pursed her lips. “He’s quite busy with work, so I’m not sure. I’ll ask him when he gets back. If he can’t spare the time, I’ll go back on my own. You can just have Uncle Chen pick me up at the airport.”  

“You’re pregnant, how can you travel alone by plane?” Jiang Zhengguo said. “If Chengze can’t come, just let me know. I’ll fly to Beicheng to pick you up.”  

“I’m not ‘that’ pregnant yet, it’s not even showing much,” Jiang Yunshu chuckled. “I’ll call you after I’ve asked Chengze.”  

When Fu Chengze returned home, Jiang Yunshu had already dried her hair, changed into her nightgown, and was about to apply the maternity oil Xu Shuping had bought for her that day.  

Hearing the door close, she looked up. “You’re back. Did you drink the ginseng chicken soup Aunt Luo left for you?”  

“I did,” Fu Chengze replied.  

Jiang Yunshu nodded and asked, “Chengze, will you be busy with work next week?”  

“I was just about to talk to you about this,” Fu Chengze said. “I’ve already had my assistant adjust my schedule. Next week is Mom’s death anniversary, so I’ll accompany you back to Yunjing.”  

Jiang Yunshu was a bit surprised. “You remembered Mom’s death anniversary?”  

“For important dates, I have my assistant remind me in advance.”  

Jiang Yunshu hummed softly, unwrapping the maternity oil while urging him, “Go take a shower then.”  

“Alright.”  

Fu Chengze grabbed his pajamas and was about to head to the bathroom when he noticed her about to apply the maternity oil. “Need help?”  

“Hm?” Jiang Yunshu looked at him, wondering if she’d misinterpreted his offer.  

He set his pajamas down on the bed and took the oil from her hand. “Lie down on the bed.”  

Jiang Yunshu smiled lightly and responded, “Okay.”  

“Why aren’t you using the one you had before?” Fu Chengze asked, holding the oil.  

“Mom bought this today while shopping. She said Mrs. Lu’s daughter-in-law used this one and got good results, so I thought I’d try it.”  

“Hmm.”  

Jiang Yunshu was about to instruct him when she saw him skillfully warm the oil in his palms and apply it to her belly with proper technique.  

“You know how to apply maternity oil?” she asked, surprised.  

“I’ve seen it in one of the pregnancy books on your bedside table,” Fu Chengze said.  

“When did you find the time to read those books?”  

“I flipped through a few pages while you were in the shower,” he replied. “Is this pressure okay?”  

Jiang Yunshu nodded. “It’s good.”  

“Let me know if I’m not doing it right or if it feels uncomfortable.”  

“Alright.”  

Jiang Yunshu quietly watched him apply the oil, his expression serious and focused, reminiscent of how he looked while working.  

A sense of warmth rippled through her heart, like a leaf falling gently on a lake.  

After he finished applying the oil to her abdomen, Jiang Yunshu handed him a tissue. “Thanks. Your technique is pretty professional. Wipe your hands and go shower now.”  

Instead of taking the tissue, Fu Chengze glanced at her chest. “Don’t the other areas need it too?”  

Following his gaze, Jiang Yunshu lowered her head, her lips tightening. “I can handle it myself.”  

“I’ll do it,” Fu Chengze said, squeezing more oil into his palm. “There’s nothing here I haven’t touched.”  

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.  

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere became subtly charged.  

When he’d said it, Fu Chengze hadn’t intended it suggestively, he simply didn’t want her to strain herself. But as soon as the words left his mouth, they sounded rather… suggestive.  

“Unbutton your nightgown,” he said, breaking the silence.  

“Okay.” Jiang Yunshu tried to act nonchalant as she unbuttoned her gown.  

Underneath, she wore nothing. As the fabric parted, her fair skin was fully exposed.  

Though they’d shared intimacy before, it had always been in the dark, and they had never bathed together. This was the first time she was bare in front of him in such bright light.  

Fu Chengze warmed his hands again and placed them gently on her skin.  

Jiang Yunshu bit her lip unconsciously, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket tightly.  

Her voice came out soft, her ears reddening. “Just apply it around the edges. No need to… to do the middle.”  

“I know,” he replied.  

Jiang Yunshu’s gaze stayed on him.  

His hands were precise and gentle, entirely different from his usual forceful demeanor during their moments of passion.  

Still, her thoughts wandered to those heated memories.  

Though his face remained calm, the slight movement of his Adam’s apple betrayed his inner turbulence.  

After finishing, he looked up and saw her staring at him.  

“What’s wrong?” he asked.  

Flustered, Jiang Yunshu looked away. “Nothing.”  

He wiped his hands, a playful glint in his eyes. “Then why were you staring at me?”  

Quick to divert the conversation, she traced his brow with her fingertip. “I was thinking about how beautiful your eyes are. I hope our baby’s eyes look like yours.”  

Fu Chengze smiled, heat rising in his chest. He caught her wrist, cupped her head, and kissed her deeply.  

When they parted, Jiang Yunshu asked directly, “Do you… want to?”  

Fu Chengze froze for a second, then chuckled. “Did you forget what Aunt Luo warned us about? It’s not safe.”  

He picked up the maternity oil again and carefully applied it to her thighs and hips before finally heading to the shower.  

Jiang Yunshu leaned against the bedhead, flipping through a parenting book, until she heard him return from his unusually long shower.  

When he came back, his body carried a coolness that lingered.