Chapter 187
As the door to his residence opened, a radiant Qing Qing stood at the entrance. It had been three months since they last saw each other, and nearly a hundred days were enough to lift Qing Qing out of his despondency. During this time, he not only found a job – working as a clerk at the town’s only cake shop but also took on the responsibility of “taking care” of Ye Zhi.
Though termed as caregiving, it was more like companionship.
Initially startled by the news of Ye Zhi’s pregnancy, Qing Qing thought it might be Huo Youcheng’s child and even imagined scenarios of them reuniting because of the child. However, Ye Zhi firmly stated, “It’s not his.”
Even now, Qing Qing still felt a surreal sense regarding Ye Zhi’s confession of infidelity. In his understanding, Ye Zhi didn’t seem like that kind of person, and there were no suitable candidates around him. He held Huo Youqiao in such high regard, seeing him as someone standing atop a mountain, revered by all. So, he never dared to entertain such thoughts about him.
“Do we need to contact the other party? Having a child… it’s a big deal,” Qing Qing asked cautiously.
“No need,” Ye Zhi replied, touching his belly gently. “Please keep it a secret, like before.”
Clearly, he had decided to raise the child himself. Seeing his determination, Qing Qing didn’t insist further and began to take even better care of him.
But being a few years older meant being a few years older. Though Ye Zhi appeared somewhat delicate and soft-natured, he was resilient in life. He continued to work, waking up early while most people were still in bed, going to work after freshening up. He often worked for several hours straight, sometimes sacrificing sleep when too busy.
Like now, dark circles lingered under his eyes.
“I brought freshly baked bread for you. Zhi Zhi, did you sleep poorly last night again?” Qing Qing asked, feeling sorry for him.
Ye Zhi accepted the bread with gratitude, explaining, “I was doing the accounts last night, so I slept a bit late.” He then handed slippers to Qing Qing to change into.
The apartment the boss allocated to him was a small one-bedroom unit, with a slightly cramped living room, a relatively larger bedroom, and a kitchen attached to the bathroom. Due to economic issues, cleanliness wasn’t a strong suit in the Black Earth Mountains, and Qing Qing’s home was not particularly clean. But Ye Zhi’s place was spotless, despite having minimal furniture and belongings, everything was neatly arranged in its place.
“Now that you’re pregnant, overworking is not an option. I’ve told you, you don’t need to worry about the child’s expenses; I can take care of them,” Qing Qing said, patting his belly. After three months, there was already a noticeable bump, indicating the child’s growth. “After the baby is born, I can also help take care of them. I’m really good at taking care of babies; I used to change diapers for my sister when she was little.”
Ye Zhi smiled faintly. “Thank you, Qing Qing, but I don’t feel too tired. I still want to save some money before the baby is born. And this job is not easy; I need to do well to stabilize.”
He had long moved beyond merely registering invoices at the farmers’ market; now he also managed accounts for other businesses. Because of his good performance, his salary had even increased.
Seeing that persuasion was futile, Qing Qing could only say, “Alright, let’s go to the hospital for a check-up.”
The doctor’s words were evidently more effective than Qing Qing’s comfort. After a thorough examination, Dr. He sternly told Ye Zhi, “You’re suffering from malnutrition and lack of rest. The baby’s development is slower than normal. If this continues, the child may not be healthy.”
Ye Zhi panicked, and so did Qing Qing. “What should we do then?”
“Of course, you need to improve your nutrition and ensure adequate sleep. Haven’t you noticed that your belly seems a bit small?” Dr. He gestured with her hand, “Normally, a baby at this stage should be bigger, but Ye Zhi, yours is only this big.”
She indicated a size smaller than expected, and Ye Zhi felt the disparity. In a fluster, he said, “But I’ve been eating properly and trying to rest…”
“Are you eating the staff meals with your colleagues? The nutrition there may not be sufficient. Drink more soup, eat more meat. Your weight hasn’t increased at all in two months; this won’t do. If the job is too strenuous, I suggest you resign, and then find another job after giving birth.”
Ye Zhi was bewildered, and Qing Qing looked at him, saying, “I told you, you shouldn’t push yourself so hard at a time like this. I know money is important, but I have it. Don’t feel embarrassed; you’re my most important friend!”
Dr. He added, “You can still remedy the situation now, but if it gets worse, it might be difficult to handle.”
With that, Ye Zhi had no choice but to resign from Mr. Jia’s company.
Though Mr. Jia found it sudden, he understood and agreed that Ye Zhi could return to work for him after his recovery.
However, the small house would be reclaimed due to the need for accommodation for the new employee.
So, a few days later, Ye Zhi moved into Qing Qing’s home to live.
