Lin Xiaoxiao had been rushed off her feet all day. After dinner, exhaustion hit her hard—her eyelids grew so heavy she could barely keep them open. She had wanted to have a proper chat with Zhou Huai'an, but after seeing Zhou Xiaoling out, she didn't even make it to washing up. She simply lay down on the empty hospital bed next to his and fell straight asleep.

The fatigue from the day was part of it, but it was also the relief of having Zhou Huai'an back. The tension she'd been carrying deep inside finally released, and she sank into a heavy, dreamless sleep.

At some point in the night, she began to feel something moving slowly across her belly. Half-asleep and too drained to open her eyes, she tried to ignore it. But the sensation grew more distinct, until she finally forced herself awake.

In the soft glow of the dim light, she saw Zhou Huai'an sitting beside her bed, his large hand resting gently on her abdomen. His eyes were fixed on her stomach, his expression tender and full of wonder.

A pang of emotion struck her. Earlier that day, when she'd told him she was pregnant, his reaction had seemed subdued—just a look of surprise and a few brief words of concern. She had almost wondered if he was unhappy about the baby.

It moved her deeply to see this quiet, reserved man watching over her in the middle of the night, touching her belly with such awe and care.

Zhou Huai'an couldn't quite put his feelings into words. He had rushed home eager to see her, and only when he laid eyes on Lin Xiaoxiao did he finally feel at ease. Then she told him she was pregnant, and his mind went blank—overwhelmed.

It wasn't until night fell and Lin Xiaoxiao lay sleeping beside him that he could finally slow down and process everything. Restless, he sat up and simply watched her.

She slept peacefully on her back, one arm resting across her forehead. He gazed at her fondly before his eyes drifted to the slight curve of her belly.

A faint, almost goofy smile spread across his face. In his twenty-seven years of life, he had never understood what happiness truly felt like—until this moment. His heart felt full.

The thought of a little one who might look like Lin Xiaoxiao entering their lives someday brought unexpected tears to his eyes.

Unable to resist, he carefully slipped out of bed and walked over to her. Gently, he laid his hand on her stomach. When she didn't stir, he sat down beside her, watching and smiling to himself.

The slight swell under his palm made every hardship he'd ever endured feel worth it.

Lin Xiaoxiao had been awake for a while, watching him watch her. Softly, she teased, "Is it that interesting? Who's prettier—the baby or me?"

Startled, Zhou Huai'an pulled his hand back like a child caught misbehaving. "Did I wake you?"

Her eyes curved into smiles as she reached for his hand and placed it back on her belly. "You don't have to sneak a touch. This is your baby too. He can already sense us, you know. Soon he'll be kicking back."

Zhou Huai'an's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Will it be very difficult for you?"

She pretended to ponder, pouting playfully. "Of course! My belly will blow up like a balloon, I might get spots on my face, my body will change forever... I'll probably become ugly. Will you still want me then?"

He fell silent, as though seriously considering the question. After a long moment, he shook his head. "No. I could never lose my love for you."

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh. A smooth-talker would've said, "No matter how you change, you'll always be beautiful to me," or, "I'll always be yours." But after careful consideration, Zhou Huai'an's only declaration was that he wouldn't stop valuing her.

"Why did it take you so long to answer? Were you imagining how ugly I could get?"

He shook his head. "No. I was thinking that I'm older than you, my personality is lacking, and I don't know how to say pretty words to make you happy. If anyone should worry about being left, it's me. What right would I have to ever look down on you?"

Delighted, Lin Xiaoxiao propped herself up and wrapped her arms around his neck, careful to avoid the wound on his chest. She nuzzled against his cheek. "In that case, you're only allowed to love me. Even after the baby comes, I still come first. You have to be good to me for the rest of your life."

This time, he didn't hesitate. "Okay."

Lin Xiaoxiao burst out laughing. She cradled her belly and whispered, "You hear that, little one?

Daddy only loves Mommy. Don't expect much."

The next day, at Lin Xiaoxiao's urging, Zhou Huai'an went to the office and called Li Yunlan to let her know he was back—and that Lin Xiaoxiao was pregnant.

Li Yunlan was so overjoyed she made him repeat it twice. "Xiaoxiao is pregnant? How far along?"

When she learned Lin Xiaoxiao was already three months pregnant, she hung up immediately and started preparing to leave for Longbei. "Xiaoxiao is expecting—I need to go take care of her!

They're so busy with work, they won't have time to cook properly. And we need clothes for the baby, and bedding... Xiaoxiao won't know how to prepare all that."

She went on and on, then suddenly worried she was forgetting things. She hurried into the study. "I need to make a list. Let's see, what else do we need?"

As she wrote, she called out to Zhou Zhennan, "Zhennan, how much money do we have at home? Bring all of it. Oh, and we have to buy a silver pendant for the baby!"

Zhou Bingwen returned from his walk outside and heard the commotion. "What's going on? Is Yunlan not feeling well again?"

Zhou Zhennan shook his head helplessly. "No, it's Huai'an's wife—she's pregnant. Yunlan's over the moon. She's getting ready to go see them."

Though Zhou Bingwen hadn't spent much time with Zhou Huai'an, he was very fond of this grandson—just like he'd been with Zhou Xiaocheng. Both had joined the military, and Zhou Huai'an especially stood out for his sharp mind and quiet steadiness.

Now, hearing Zhou Huai'an was going to be a father, he was thrilled. "You should go. Young people are always so busy with work. Take my bankbook—withdraw all the money. Buy the girl whatever she wants to eat. Don't be stingy."

After a pause, he added, "Or better yet—bring them to Beijing. Conditions here are much better."

Zhou Zhennan had to gently bring him back to reality. "Dad, Huai'an is stationed there. How could Xiaoxiao come here? We can't separate them."

Zhou Bingwen thought for a moment and nodded. "You're right. Go see what they need. If you can't find something there, have Secretary Zhang purchase it and mail it to them."

Li Yunlan had been worried about Zhou Xiaohong ever since Zhou Zhennan made her leave home. But now, with the news of Lin Xiaoxiao's pregnancy, all those worries vanished. Her mind was set on one thing: going to see Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao.

She couldn't wait another day. The very next morning, she and Zhou Zhennan set out for the west, luggage filled to the brim.