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Hi! I’m really sorry for suddenly disappearing. I got caught up with personal matters and ended up neglecting this side. Now that I’ve got things back on track, I’ll be sticking to my update schedule again. Thank you so much for patiently waiting. Bless us all~

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Chapter 38: Pregnancy  (1)

After leaving the hospital, the three of them took a car to the Post and Telecommunications Bureau, preparing to call the He Family to share the good news.  

Upon arrival, the couple split up to handle different tasks. He Dongchuan went to queue for the phone call, while Su Ting looked for a staff member to buy two sheets of letter paper, an envelope, and a stamp to write to the Su family.  

Although Su Ting had already adapted to her current identity, she always felt a faint sense of guilt when facing the Su family. As a result, the letters she sent home were always brief.  

Unfolding the paper, Su Ting first asked about the health of the Su family’s elders, then briefly updated them on her current situation, mentioning her pregnancy in passing.  

After writing, she flipped through the paper and realized she hadn’t even filled a single page. Left with no choice, she turned to He Dongchuan and asked if he had anything to say to her parents, handing him the pen and paper.  

He Dongchuan paused for a moment. When he looked up, he saw his wife gazing at him with an encouraging expression. With no other option, he took the paper and started writing.  

He wasn’t exactly bad with words, but he certainly wasn’t fond of expressing emotions in writing. As a result, his letters to his family were usually quite short. But with his wife watching, he had to find a way to write more.  

After racking his brain, He Dongchuan finally managed to fill the remaining page.  

When he finished, Su Ting quickly skimmed through his letter.  

His content was similar to hers—first introducing himself, then greeting the Su family elders, followed by an update on Su Ting’s situation and the joyful news of her pregnancy.  

However, He Dongchuan was clever. While the structure of his letter was similar to Su Ting’s, he focused more on the changes in her appetite after becoming pregnant. This way, their letters complemented each other without being too repetitive.  

Su Ting was quite satisfied. After reading, she said: “This will do.” Then she folded the letter, placed it into the envelope, borrowed a bottle of glue from the staff to seal the stamp, and went to mail the letter.  

By the time she returned, it was their turn to make the phone call. The couple took their child and entered a phone booth.  

As usual, He Dongchuan picked up the phone first. The moment his voice came through, Cheng Xiaoman, who had been waiting anxiously on the other end, immediately asked: “Well? Are the test results out?”  

“They’re out.”  

“Is she pregnant?”  

“Mm.”  

Cheng Xiaoman’s voice instantly rose in excitement. “Really?”  

“This is such an important matter—would I lie to you?” He Dongchuan countered.  

After thinking about it, Cheng Xiaoman agreed. Then she asked: “Is your wife there? Let me talk to her.”  

“She is.” He Dongchuan replied before handing the receiver to Su Ting. “Mom wants to talk to you.”  

Su Ting took the phone and called out: “Mom.”  

“Hey! Tingting!”  

Cheng Xiaoman’s voice was filled with laughter. “Dongchuan already told me about your pregnancy. How have you been feeling lately? Did you get carsick on the way today?”  

“No, everything’s been great.” Su Ting replied with a smile.  

“That’s good to hear.” Cheng Xiaoman chuckled. “By the way, I heard from Dongchuan that you two often eat at the canteen?”  

Su Ting glanced at He Dongchuan before lowering her gaze and replying: “Yes, we eat there often. But the canteen in our compound serves pretty good food, and the chefs are generous with oil.”  

“That’s not too bad then. I was just worried that the canteen food might be lacking in nutrients, especially now that you’re eating for two. You can’t afford to skimp on nutrition.” Cheng Xiaoman said. “But honestly, no matter how good a canteen is, it can’t compare to someone cooking fresh meals for you every day, don’t you think?”  

The moment Su Ting heard this, she immediately understood that Mother He was bringing up the idea of having Auntie Wang come to Pingchuan Island.  

After thinking for a moment, she said: “Dongchuan already told me that you suggested having Auntie Wang come to take care of me.”  

Hearing Su Ting’s words, He Dongchuan, who was standing beside her, shifted slightly and reached out, saying: “Let me talk to Mom.”  

Su Ting heard him but didn’t hand over the receiver.  

Although she had no prior experience in handling mother-in-law relationships, she had been a working professional in her past life. She knew very well how to navigate interpersonal situations—what should be done, what shouldn’t, and what actions could lead to even worse outcomes.  

Handing the phone to He Dongchuan now might allow him to easily settle the matter and reassure his mother. However, it could also lower Cheng Xiaoman’s impression of her.  

If she truly couldn’t handle the conversation, then so be it—her image would take a hit, and there would be nothing she could do about it.  

But right now, she felt that things hadn’t reached that point. So, she gently shook her head at He Dongchuan and then spoke into the phone: “Mom, I’m really touched that you’re concerned about my health and suggested having Auntie Wang come take care of me. But since Dongchuan and I can’t be by your and Dad’s side to fulfill our filial duties, we already feel very guilty. Knowing that Auntie Wang is there to look after you both is the only thing that puts our minds at ease.”  

Her words warmed Cheng Xiaoman’s heart. Her tone softened as she said: “As long as you two have such filial thoughts, your dad and I are already content.”  

“You and Dad care about us, which is why you want Auntie Wang to come and help me. But Dongchuan and I worry about you both just as much. I’ve only just gotten pregnant. Even though I’m carrying a child, I can still move around and do things as usual.”  

Su Ting’s tone shifted as she continued: “On the other hand, you and Dad are so busy with work that you sometimes forget to eat. If Auntie Wang isn’t there, we’re really worried that you’ll be so caught up with work that you’ll neglect your own health.”  

Cheng Xiaoman sighed helplessly. “It’s not as bad as you make it sound.”  

“How is it not?” Su Ting countered. “I’ve heard all about it from Dongchuan. Just a few years ago, Dad was extremely busy, barely had time for meals, and even went out drinking afterward. In the end, he had a stomach hemorrhage and had to be rushed to the hospital. Isn’t that true? And you, Mom—last year, when you had a particularly hectic period of surgeries, you were so busy that you couldn’t eat regularly. You ended up with stomach pain for an entire day and had to take medicine to recover.”  

Su Ting spread her hands. “Even with Auntie Wang there, you both still skipped meals. If she comes to Pingchuan Island, won’t Dongchuan and I have to spend every day worrying about you two?”  

This girl, who once seemed reserved and not very talkative, suddenly had quite the sharp tongue now.

Although Cheng Xiaoman had these thoughts, she didn’t feel that she had misjudged Su Ting, nor did she develop any dissatisfaction toward her. In fact, she felt quite pleased. With a son as reserved as hers, it was only fitting that he found a wife who was articulate and quick-witted.  

What would happen if two introverted people ended up together? Hadn’t there already been lessons learned from the past?  

Moreover, although Su Ting was sharp with her words, every sentence was spoken with the well-being of her in-laws in mind. Cheng Xiaoman was more delighted than anything—there was no reason to be upset.  

Her stance softened. “But right now, you…”  

“Actually, I’m able to eat meat almost every day, and I have eggs daily as well. We even subscribed to milk deliveries. Lately, I haven’t been drinking it because I can’t stand the smell, but once the morning sickness eases, I’ll start again. As for our meals, Dongchuan and I plan them together, so we can definitely ensure proper nutrition for the baby.”  

Su Ting shared her thoughts. “That’s why Dongchuan and I feel there’s no need to have Auntie Wang come take care of me. My pregnancy is still in the early stages, and I can move around freely. I can take care of myself just fine.”  

Hearing Su Ting’s reasoning, Cheng Xiaoman no longer insisted. “Since you both feel that way, we’ll hold off on having Auntie Wang come for now. We can reconsider when you’re further along.”  

Su Ting wasn’t someone who stubbornly put on a strong front. She didn’t reject the hint in Cheng Xiaoman’s words and simply smiled, saying: “Thank you, Mom.”  

With that matter settled, Cheng Xiaoman gave Su Ting a few more words of advice before passing the phone to He Yan. Finally, the call ended after being passed back to He Dongchuan.  

When they hung up and settled the phone bill, it had cost another ten-plus yuan.