Spring had passed into summer.
During the cold of winter and early spring, Shen Yuan could still wear loose, thick jackets to hide his growing belly. But now that the weather had warmed, that was no longer possible. By the time he was five and a half months pregnant, he had no choice but to stop attending classes.
Shen Yuan felt regretful. As a social butterfly, he had finally made a few friends and gotten close with the instructors. Suddenly disappearing from class worried them—they asked if something had happened. Shen Yuan lied, saying he was sick, and when some even offered to visit, he had to fabricate that he had returned to his home country for treatment.
In this state, he couldn’t bring himself to invite anyone over. He was still struggling to accept his naturally unique body. Years of deeply ingrained psychological shadows made it difficult for him to face the public gaze with calm. Even looking at himself in the mirror after a shower made him feel strange and awkward.
Unlike pregnant women with maternity clothes, he only had oversized denim overalls, jumpsuits, or sportswear. With his rich daily diet, he had unknowingly gained a bit of weight. One day, Shen Yuan noticed a double chin and was deeply shocked. He turned to Hailou: “I’ve gotten this fat and you didn’t even warn me? You just stood there watching me embarrass myself? How could you be so cruel?”
Hailou, being the kind-hearted yet sly man he was, didn’t even flinch. Looking at Shen Yuan’s small face, slightly rounder but with a rosy glow, he smiled, thinking the little “piglet” was still incredibly cute. “No, not at all. You haven’t gained weight.”
Shen Yuan spat. Standing on the scale, he had gained a full fifteen pounds. “Fifteen pounds? Surely it’s not all the baby. The doctor said the baby’s development is normal—maybe three pounds. The rest is just me.”
Feigning surprise, Hailou said, “Oh, so you did gain a bit. Still looks proportionate. And it’s fine—what’s a little weight?”
Shen Yuan argued, “Fine? I’m a jewelry designer! Appearance matters! I can’t stand those middle-aged men who gain weight and become sloppy. What if I can’t lose it and become greasy too?”
Hailou sometimes admired Shen Yuan’s ability to focus on something to the point of obsession. He teased, “Good thing I stay fit. If I were a greasy middle-aged man, you’d never have picked me to… you know.”
Shen Yuan flushed at the wild memory and retorted, “Your body may not be greasy, but your words are. Stop, I already feel nauseous enough!”
“Not feeling well?” Hailou asked.
“Being cooped up at home is driving me crazy. How could I feel well?”
Hailou understood. Anyone stuck inside for so long would feel restless, especially someone as social as Shen Yuan. So he patiently endured Shen Yuan’s little outbursts, knowing that venting was healthier than bottling it up.
Shen Yuan’s belly grew bigger, requiring a support belt, making sleeping and walking uncomfortable. Hailou also felt uneasy because Shen Yuan instinctively endured the pain—a habit from childhood he hadn’t fully broken.
Now that the baby was more developed and the pregnancy riskier, Professor Haywood suggested hospitalization as a precaution. Hailou, having nearly completed his prenatal care course, handed over company affairs to Bailu and focused entirely on caring for Shen Yuan—playing with him, comforting him, and keeping him happy while awaiting the baby’s arrival.
By late May, the country was in the final month of preparation for college entrance exams. Li Lin, still rigorously studying, had already reviewed everything repeatedly. He performed well on mock exams and was eager, rather than fearful, for the tests. Thinking of his elder brother studying hard abroad motivated him to keep going.
Finally, the weekend arrived. Li Lin returned home, with his internet restricted and his phone confiscated during the week. He immediately video-called Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan appeared seated at a desk. Li Lin noticed, “Bro, you look… fatter again?”
Shen Yuan cradled his belly under the desk. “Maybe it’s the diet here. Eating too well, I’ve gained some weight. But look at you—you’ve lost weight and those dark circles are bad. Take care of yourself. Pushing too hard and getting sick would be pointless.”
“I’m fine. Bro, I’ll finish exams in two weeks. When will you be back?”
“My due date isn’t until September—three more months,” Shen Yuan replied, feeling the baby stretching as he spoke.
Li Lin saw Shen Yuan’s expression change and worried he was uncomfortable, but Shen Yuan reassured him: “Not upset—just a little unwell. Maybe something I ate. Let’s stop here today.”
They ended the call, and Shen Yuan called for Hailou: “Come here.”
Hailou hurried over. “Not feeling well?”
Shen Yuan held his belly. “The baby’s kicking.”
Hailou knelt beside him, stroking his belly. “Little Peanut, can’t you be a bit calmer?”
Shen Yuan pouted. “This little rascal takes after you, so mischievous!”
Hailou laughed. “I think it takes after you—bouncing around all day, impossible to calm.”
Shen Yuan ranted, “You didn’t need to soothe me! I’m so hard to please, I’ve trapped you here, stopped you from work, and made you take all these classes. If you think I’m a nuisance, you shouldn’t have bothered!”
Realizing he’d stirred a hornet’s nest, Hailou quickly said, “My little precious, I was joking. I don’t regret anything. Being with you is more joyful than the first thirty-seven years of my life. All the baby’s bad traits come from me, all the good ones from you.”
After venting, Shen Yuan felt relieved but immediately apologized: “That was unfair… I wasn’t doubting you. You’ve been so good to me.”
That evening, his belly hurt for a few minutes. Sensing something wrong, Hailou took him to the hospital.
Professor Haywood examined him, prescribed medication, and said the baby was unstable with signs of potential miscarriage. This time hospitalization wasn’t just suggested—it was mandatory, with continuous monitoring. Shen Yuan had no choice but to move in, and Hailou stayed with him.
Shen Yuan felt scared. He had been careful, yet the baby was unstable. Memories of teachers losing children from minor incidents and of Li Lin’s mother dying in childbirth haunted him.
In the hospital, he followed treatment and stabilized, enduring the discomfort and isolation. His belly grew heavier, even with the support belt, seeming to hang like it might split.
Shen Yuan refrained from quarrels with Hailou, fearing that negative words might tempt fate. They slept separately, with Hailou soothing him to sleep before he rested himself.
One night, Hailou woke, sensing something. The room was unusually quiet—Shen Yuan wasn’t breathing regularly.
Panic-stricken, Hailou tiptoed to his side. Shen Yuan lay on his side, blanket over his head, clutching it tightly.
Hailou gently pulled it away, revealing a tear-streaked face and a soaked pillow. “What’s wrong? Pain anywhere? Should I call a doctor?”
Sobbing, Shen Yuan shook his head. “No pain. I just… need to cry. Don’t interfere.”
Hailou’s heart ached. “How can I not care? Tell me what’s wrong.”
Through tears, Shen Yuan suddenly whispered, “Hailou… if I die… promise me you’ll bring my body home and bury me with my grandfather and mother, okay?”