Chapter 38

This week was the prenatal checkup. On Saturday, Tan Sizhe cleared his schedule to accompany Ye Mingxuan to the hospital.

After the examination, Ye Mingxuan sat nervously before Dr. Cai.

Earlier, he’d felt a twinge of pain in his abdomen, which subsided after resting. He wondered if the baby was okay…

Tan Sizhe placed a hand on his shoulder. Ye Mingxuan looked up into his husband’s clear eyes, and his unease gradually subsided.

Dr. Cai stared at the computer screen, moving the mouse to open the imaging report. He studied it carefully for a moment, his brow gradually furrowing.

Ye Mingxuan’s heart skipped a beat, and even Tan Sizhe’s expression changed. “What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

Dr. Cai: “Ah, nothing. Just breakfast stuck between my teeth.”

Ye Mingxuan and Tan Sizhe: “…”

Dr. Cai gave an embarrassed smile. “Everything is normal with the baby. Come back for a follow-up in four weeks.”

Ye Mingxuan breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Dr. Cai!”

Dr. Cai: “You’re welcome.”

As they stepped outside, Tan Sizhe shielded him while descending the stairs. “I’ll still make time to accompany you to the next prenatal checkup.”

Ye Mingxuan hurriedly protested, “Sir, there’s no need. I can manage on my own.”

Tan Sizhe brushed aside a food cart, his voice cool and crisp as wind chimes brushing against Ye Mingxuan’s ears, sending a tingle through him. “I want to come.”

Ye Mingxuan blinked slightly and nodded.

The checkup wrapped up before ten. Descending the stairs, Tan Sizhe led him to Bai Yu: “Bai Yu will drive you home. I have matters to attend to and will return this evening.”

Ye Mingxuan greeted him: “Mr. Bai.”

Bai Yu: “Here to piggyback on another meal.”

Ye Mingxuan smiled. “Sounds good.”

Bai Yu opened the door for Ye Mingxuan. After the latter got in, Bai Yu closed the door and said to Tan Sizhe standing beside the car, “Don’t worry, I’ll drive slowly.”

Tan Sizhe nodded and got into another Maybach. Seated in the backseat, he glanced out the window and caught Ye Mingxuan leaning against his window, eyes darting around.

Ye Mingxuan rested both hands on the lowered window. His oval face resembled a glutinous rice dumpling, hair swaying in the breeze like rippling wheat fields in spring.

Tan Sizhe watched through the window for several minutes until Bai Yu drove off and Ye Mingxuan vanished from view.

The driver in the front seat asked, “Mr. Tan, shall we proceed?”

Tan Sizhe watched through the window for several minutes until Bai Yu drove off and Ye Mingxuan vanished from view.

The driver in the front seat asked, “Mr. Tan, shall we depart?”

Tan Sizhe turned back. “Yes. Return an hour earlier tonight.”

Driver: “Got it.”…

Bai Yu escorted Ye Mingxuan home as Tan Sizhe had instructed. After Ye Mingxuan slipped off his shoes and entered, Bai Yu dashed into the kitchen like a wild horse breaking free from its reins: “Aunt Fu, I’m back!”

Ye Mingxuan was startled by Bai Yu’s sudden dash out. He hadn’t expected Mr. Bai to be so lively in private—a complete contrast to the refined gentleman he’d met on their first encounter.

He found himself reminiscing about their initial meeting, when everyone was still unfamiliar and carrying a bit of that idol persona.

Aunt Fu greeted Bai Yu with equal warmth: “Mr. Bai is back! Please sit down, sit down. I’ll bring the dishes out right away.”

Bai Yu always had a hearty appetite. Seeing him eat so enthusiastically, Ye Mingxuan felt his own appetite stir, and he polished off his nutritious meal.

After dinner, the two sat in the living room chatting for a while, with Bai Yu initiating most of the conversation and Ye Mingxuan responding.

Bai Yu had to leave early for an appointment. After seeing him off, Ye Mingxuan, with nothing else to do, went to the piano room to practice. He had expected to be alone until evening, but unexpectedly, Tan Sizhe returned around four in the afternoon.

Exhausted from practicing, Ye Mingxuan rested on the lounge chair on the piano room balcony. The weather was mild, and a comfortable breeze blew in. Covered with a small blanket, he drifted into a peaceful afternoon nap.

When he awoke, Tan Sizhe was seated across from him, sipping tea. He leaned lazily against the wicker chair, his long legs sprawled slightly to the side. The bones of his wrist, covered in pale skin, stood out prominently, veins twisting across them.

The orange-red sun cast its glow onto the balcony. Ye Mingxuan sat up immediately. “Sir.”

Tan Sizhe: “Dinner will be a while yet. Have some snacks.”

Ye Mingxuan gazed at the dazzling array of fruit platters, his mouth watering. He moved closer, pinched a piece of osmanthus cake, and took a bite.

“Sir, which row will you be seated in for the alumni gathering?”

“The front row. Why?”

The front row… Heat rose in Ye Mingxuan’s face. That close? Meaning the gentleman could even see his expressions?

Tan Sizhe glanced at him. “What, nervous?”

“Uh… yeah.”

Tan Sizhe chuckled. “Everyone gets nervous. It’s no big deal.”

Ye Mingxuan bit into the osmanthus cake, its sweet flavor spreading across his tongue. “You get nervous too, sir?”

“Of course.” Tan Sizhe replied. “When I was in kindergarten, I participated in a storytelling contest. I had to recite a story in front of the entire school, and I got so nervous I forgot everything.”

“Huh?” Ye Mingxuan frowned anxiously. “What did you do then?”

Tan Sizhe: “I just walked off the stage.”

Ye Mingxuan: “…Oh.”

He’d thought the teacher had wet himself.

Tan Sizhe: “I wasn’t prepared that time. As expected, I didn’t win any prize—just a participation award. The prize was a Big White Rabbit milk candy.”

Ye Mingxuan listened intently: “Then what happened?”

Tan Sizhe stared at him: “I wasn’t satisfied with that prize. I wanted the airplane model the champion had.”

“From then on, I prepared thoroughly for every competition. I never got nervous again. First place was always mine.”

Ye Mingxuan stared in awe: “That’s incredible.”

Just then, Ye Mingxuan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see it was Zhao Dongxuan calling.

Ye Mingxuan’s face drained of color as he gripped the phone tightly.

Tan Sizhe noticed immediately: “What is it?”

Ye Mingxuan shook his head violently: “Nothing. I’ll just take this.”

Tan Sizhe stopped him from getting up. “Answer it right here.”

“Sir…”

“Answer it.”

Ye Mingxuan’s heart pounded nervously, praying Zhao Dongxuan wouldn’t mention anything about his identity being exposed. Trembling, he took the call.

” Mingxuan, did you ask Tan Sizhe about that thing I told you to ask him earlier?”

It was about that? Ye Mingxuan hadn’t planned to mention it and had long forgotten about it: “I… haven’t yet.”

“Haven’t yet?!” Zhao Dongxuan raised her voice in disbelief. “Do you know how precious our time is? You dare play games with us?”

The balcony was quiet. Zhao Dongxuan’s loud voice pierced through the phone, echoing outside, deafeningly loud.

Tan Sizhe heard it all. He guessed about seven or eight parts of it in his mind and looked toward Ye Mingxuan.

Ye Mingxuan met Tan Sizhe’s gaze and thought, Oh no. The boss knows. Does he think I’m using him?

“Give me the phone,” Tan Sizhe said, reaching out.

Zhao Dongxuan heard Tan Sizhe’s voice: “Mr. Tan is here? Quickly hand the phone to Mr. Tan, you useless thing! I’ll speak with him myself!”

Ye Mingxuan pressed his lips together and handed the phone to Tan Sizhe.

“Ms. Zhao.”

“Mr. Tan! Hahaha, it’s been ages! How have you been lately?”

Tan Sizhe had no time for catching up with Zhao Dongxuan. “I heard everything you just said.”

Zhao Dongxuan: “Oh, Mr. Tan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you. It’s just that our family business is facing some difficulties lately. We really need your support. I was wondering if you have any ideas on how to make money? We’re willing to sell everything we own. Even if it means taking a loss, we’ll definitely invest!”

Tan Sizhe scoffed, casually crossing his long legs. “Invest even at a loss?”

Zhao Dongxuan: “Absolutely!”

Tan Sizhe: “Those are your words. But I only have minor projects here. Not sure if Mr. Ye would find them worthwhile.”

Zhao Dongxuan: “We’ll invest in any project!”

Tan Sizhe drawled lazily: “Alright, I’ll have Bai Yu contact you later. Hanging up.”

“Thanks, Tan—” Before Zhao Dongxuan could finish, Tan Sizhe hung up.

Ye Mingxuan dared not lift his head, nearly wanting to crawl into a hole. “Sir, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you…”

Tan Sizhe returned the phone and reached up to ruffle his hair. “This has nothing to do with you.”

Ye Mingxuan sniffed through his delicate nose and lifted his lashes.

Tan Sizhe chuckled. “You silly goose. Next time, look up when you speak.”