Ruan Jiujiu pondered for a few days and finally decided on the prenatal training classes she wanted to enroll in.
There were classes for early childhood education, yoga, infant care, and a variety of other options that left Ruan Jiujiu feeling overwhelmed. The training center she chose wasn’t far from home, about two kilometers away. While it was relatively expensive and had fewer people, it was convenient for her to attend.
Cheng Jun wanted to drive her to and from the classes for peace of mind, but she refused.
It wasn’t that she had an overly high opinion of herself. When she appeared in public, she already attracted enough attention. Having Cheng Jun with her would only divert everyone’s attention.
Since the location wasn’t far, and people found it a bit unusual for a driver to pick her up for such a short distance, Cheng Jun’s presence would only lead to discussions.
In order to persuade Cheng Jun, Ruan Jiujiu was exceptionally accommodating. She acted cute and initiated affectionate gestures, allowing Cheng Jun to take advantage of the situation.
Finally, Ruan Jiujiu successfully enrolled in the training classes and mingled with the group.
She had a natural beauty with no makeup on her face, dressed in sportswear, and her long hair was neatly tied up. Nevertheless, when Ruan Jiujiu entered the room, she still attracted a lot of attention.
She politely greeted everyone.
The pregnant women in the room had different stages of pregnancy, and Ruan Jiujiu stood in the back row. The pregnant women next to her were curious and began to ask about her age and how far along she was. In just one class, everyone became enthusiastic, calling Ruan Jiujiu “Little Ruan” and even making plans to go for afternoon tea together next time.
A woman in her thirties who was visibly pregnant asked with a smile, “What does your husband do?”
Ruan Jiujiu hesitated for a moment and replied casually, “He’s just a regular software engineer.”
“Haha, don’t tease us. With your looks, there’s no way he’s just an ordinary salaried worker.”
Ruan Jiujiu smiled and said, “Well, he’s close enough, and we’ve saved up some money.”
These pregnant mothers come to class on one hand, and on the other hand, it’s also a process of building social connections. Their husbands, more or less, are well-off, and they get to know each other, so in the future, they can help each other to some extent, which is mutually beneficial and harmless. However, only Ruan Jiujiu remains vague and evasive. Despite their curiosity, Ruan Jiujiu keeps her lips sealed and never reveals any information.
Following the coach in meditation and stretching their bodies, they indeed feel much more comfortable lately, with less swelling in their bodies. Even Cheng Jun’s scoldings have become less frequent.
Fortunately, the other pregnant women are also tactful. After all, they are all somewhat savvy, and before figuring out Ruan Jiujiu’s background, they dare not casually speak and risk making her angry, which would make them appear too rude.
One day.
As soon as they stepped out, a cold wind blew, and Ruan Jiujiu shrank her neck from the cold. She looked up at the gloomy weather, with gray clouds rolling in the faintly overcast sky. The weather forecast didn’t mention rain, but Ruan Jiujiu couldn’t help but sense the dampness in the air that usually precedes rain.
Sure enough, halfway through the class, raindrops began to patter on the windows, leaving muddy streaks as they slid down.
During the break, the coach politely suggested that anyone who needed it could contact a ride in advance, or if their company had staff available, they could arrange transportation for them.
The pregnant woman sitting next to her was the wife of a small business owner, and she had a car to pick her up for work, so she wasn’t worried. She sat on her yoga mat and noticed that Ruan Jiujiu was sitting comfortably as well, so she couldn’t help but ask, “How are you getting back?”
Ruan Jiujiu didn’t want to explain too much to avoid any misunderstanding, so she replied, “Someone will pick me up along the way.”
“Oh, is that reliable? Do you need my driver to take you home?”
“No, no need,” Ruan Jiujiu quickly waved her hand.
One of the pregnant women sitting in the front row on a yoga mat chuckled and said, “Having a private car is great. Although my husband is a middle-level manager, he always drives himself.”
They exchanged pleasantries and subtly revealed the models of their own cars while complimenting each other. It naturally led to a round of mutual praise.
Ruan Jiujiu found it amusing but remained silent on her yoga mat.
Most people had already made their transportation arrangements, and the coach had returned to the classroom, preparing to continue the class. Just then, a cellphone suddenly rang, drawing everyone’s attention. They looked around, asking whose phone it was.
Ruan Jiujiu, who had been sitting quietly, awkwardly stood up and said, “I’m sorry, it’s mine.”
She took her phone out of her bag and moved to the back corner of the room.
Cheng Jun’s slow, deliberate voice came from the other end of the phone.
“Is it almost over?”
“Yeah. Why did you suddenly call me?” The classroom was too quiet, and it was evident that several pregnant women were curious about her. They all perked up their ears, making Ruan Jiujiu feel uncomfortable as she covered the microphone.
“I’m off work, so I thought I’d pick you up on my way.”
Ruan Jiujiu instinctively declined, “No need, isn’t Old Liu here?”
“Tunan and the others said they want to have dinner together.”
“Let Old Liu take me there.”
To avoid unnecessary attention, it was better for Cheng Jun not to come. Whether it was the revelation of Jia Cheng’s boss’s identity or the extreme curiosity it would arouse in the others, it would only make Ruan Jiujiu weary. She just wanted to attend the class quietly and couldn’t be bothered with the rest.
After hanging up the phone, Ruan Jiujiu turned around and met the inquisitive gazes of a few people.
“Who was that, your husband?”
“Could it be a secret lover? Hahaha, just kidding.”
Ruan Jiujiu sat on her yoga mat and replied, “It’s nothing, just my husband.”
“What does your husband look like? Do you have a photo? We’re so curious!”
“He sounds quite young, doesn’t he?”
Ruan Jiujiu waved her hand, “He doesn’t like taking pictures, there are no photos on my phone.”
“No group photos either?”
“No.”
She refused firmly, and though they were somewhat disappointed, they didn’t say much. After the class, several men were standing in the lobby on the ground floor, holding umbrellas. Ruan Jiujiu appeared in the lobby, and it was evident that a few people couldn’t help but stare. Old Liu was also standing in a corner of the lobby, holding an umbrella and greeting Ruan Jiujiu politely.
Ruan Jiujiu smiled and said, “Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Old Liu held the umbrella for her, trying to tilt it towards Ruan Jiujiu, but maintaining a polite distance. Ruan Jiujiu hadn’t expected the car to be parked right at the entrance; it wasn’t allowed to park there. She didn’t know how the driver had communicated with the security guard. She worried that the curious women behind her might see this expensive car.
Suddenly, her plans were disrupted, and Ruan Jiujiu sighed silently in her heart. But it was too late to say anything now, so she got into the car.
Parked outside was a luxury car worth several million yuan. When they saw Ruan Jiujiu get into the car naturally, the others couldn’t help but be extremely surprised.
The remaining people were all savvy, and how could they possibly think that Old Liu was an elder in Ruan Jiujiu’s family? Coupled with Ruan Jiujiu’s secretive phone call, her reluctance to reveal her husband’s name and appearance, they couldn’t help but speculate.
In their circle, they had seen all sorts of situations, with couples playing separately, cheating, and sugar daddy arrangements. Ruan Jiujiu was most likely seen as someone’s mistress, but she kept it well hidden due to her youth, beauty, and pride.
Thinking this way, those who were feeling a bit envious or resentful found some balance.
Being a mistress, no matter how much money you had, you were just a nameless, unprivileged concubine, always at risk of being discarded, and once a young lover had a child, they were no longer as desirable.
Ruan Jiujiu was startled when she got into the car, as Cheng Jun was sitting in the back seat.
“Why did you come over?” she asked.
Cheng Jun withdrew her gaze and said, “Just checking if there are any wild men around.”
Ruan Jiujiu replied, “…Are you uncomfortable if you don’t get hit for a day?”
She did want to find a wild man, but the problem was that she had become so accustomed to Cheng Jun’s good looks that even TV celebrities couldn’t compare. Ruan Jiujiu used to occasionally fawn over good-looking men, but now she felt completely indifferent no matter what type of man she saw.
It was all because Cheng Jun was just too handsome.
Ruan Jiujiu playfully pinched his chin and asked, “How was work today?”
Cheng Jun let her pinch as much as she wanted and then sighed deeply.
“Not very good.”
Ruan Jiujiu asked, “Work problems?”
Cheng Jun replied, “The cafeteria served chicken and mushroom stew today, and it was terrible.”
Ruan Jiujiu was taken aback
“…”
If she were the cafeteria’s head chef, she might have burst into tears. How could he become such a picky eater? He used to get by easily with instant noodles and all sorts of processed foods. Clearly, she had spoiled him.
…
During the gathering with Tu Nan and the others, Ruan Jiujiu started feeling uncomfortable midway. Her stomach felt acidic, and she felt like vomiting, so Cheng Jun took her home early. On the way back, Ruan Jiujiu leaned lazily on his shoulder, feeling drowsy.
Lately, they had very little time to see each other.
Cheng Jun was busy with work, and Ruan Jiujiu was busy with motherhood. When they returned home and started chatting, Ruan Jiujiu would often start to feel drowsy and fall asleep early in bed.
Since her pregnancy, Cheng Jun’s behavior had raised concerns for Ruan Jiujiu. Did he really not like children? Which father would prepare a cardboard box for a child, let alone choose one from a specific brand!
Ruan Jiujiu’s legs were draped over Cheng Jun’s.
Cheng Jun said, “How many more months?”
Ruan Jiujiu asked, “Huh?”
“I really want to eat your cooking.”
Ruan Jiujiu sighed, “Can’t you think of something else?” She always suspected that in Cheng Jun’s eyes, she was nothing more than a gourmet chef.
Cheng Jun said, “Oh, I’m almost done choosing the candidate.”
“…”
Ruan Jiujiu fell silent for a moment.
Suddenly, Ruan Jiujiu asked, “Do you really not like kids, and you only agreed because I said I wanted them?”
Cheng Jun glanced at her and slowly said, “Don’t overthink it.”
Ruan Jiujiu was about to continue when the baby in her belly suddenly moved. Her body stiffened, and with a nervous expression on her face, she exclaimed, “It moved, it moved! Listen!”
Just a moment ago, Cheng Jun had shown no interest, but he quickly pressed his cheek against Ruan Jiujiu’s belly, which surprised her greatly.
However, as soon as he touched her, the baby inside her belly went completely still.
They waited for five or six minutes, but there was still no movement.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Ruan Jiujiu began to doubt if the baby in her belly already had thoughts and understood Cheng Jun’s words but didn’t want to communicate with him.
Ruan Jiujiu: …
Cheng Jun: …
He slowly sat up, moved Ruan Jiujiu’s legs onto the couch, and turned his back to her.
Ruan Jiujiu was puzzled, “Where are you going?”
Cheng Jun’s voice was faint, “Contacting the next candidate.”
Author’s note: #Being tested on the edge of abandonment every day
I’ve been busy at the end of the month, but I won’t stop updating!
The next update might be a bit late, so please check back tomorrow morning!
Love what you read? A little donation can go a long way!
