Chapter 269: Liu Xiazhi Is No Longer the Youngest |
"A boy?"
An Yuanyao’s answer caught Liu Changqing off guard. Considering how close she was with Liu Xiazhi, he thought she’d prefer having a girl.
But Liu Changqing didn’t really mind either way—boy or girl, it’s all the same. Daughters are still Daddy’s little sweethearts!
"I actually think a daughter would be great. A little girl as pretty as you."
"You’re full of it. Everyone says daughters take after their dads. If it’s a girl, she’ll look like you."
"Even better if she looks like me!"
Liu Changqing perked up at the thought.
Although Liu Xiazhi had some resemblance to him, she mostly took after Li Wanran. On the other hand, his son Liu Zhiyue looked much more like him.
If the child in An Yuanyao’s belly turned out to be a girl—and she looked like him...
A girl that looks like him might not be ideal... what if she ended up with thick brows and big eyes...
"Forget it, better if she looks like you..."
An Yuanyao didn’t understand why he suddenly changed his mind, but she didn’t object. Smiling gently, she said:
"Let’s give Xiazhi a little brother, so he and Zhiyue can protect her when they grow up..."
"Boy or girl, either way—it’s gonna be Xiazhi protecting them."
As he said that, both of them looked down at the spot where their hands were resting.
After a few seconds, An Yuanyao gently pulled her hand back, getting ready to get out of bed.
But Liu Changqing stopped her.
"Where do you think you’re going? You’re pregnant now—I’ll handle the housework and cook dinner. You don’t need to lift a finger."
"No, I just wanted to—"
"Want water? Need me to bring you that book you were always reading a while back?"
"Aiya, I need to use the bathroom!"
"..."
"I already needed to go when you came in, but you pushed me back down!"
"My bad..."
Liu Changqing admitted fault so quickly that it caught An Yuanyao off guard. It was rare for him to so easily admit he was wrong.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, she looked at him, noting the way he looked so worried just because she moved a little. After a pause, she raised her hand like she was about to pat her belly.
The motion startled Liu Changqing.
He rushed forward and grabbed her wrist.
"What are you doing?! Why are you hitting your belly?!"
At that moment, An Yuanyao finally realized just how cautious Liu Changqing had become ever since she got pregnant. Or rather... how cautious he was about the baby inside her.
Realizing this, An Yuanyao did something she’d never done before—she pouted and lightly tapped Liu Changqing with her other hand, speaking a little jealously:
"I see how it is. You're not worried about me—you’re worried about the baby!"
"What are you talking about? Of course I’m worried about you."
Even though he said that, An Yuanyao still felt a tiny twinge of jealousy in her heart. It seemed like Liu Changqing already liked the baby more than her.
But she knew she was overthinking it.
She slipped on her slippers and walked past Liu Changqing toward the door.
Just as she stepped out and turned the corner, she nearly bumped into Liu Xiazhi. Thankfully, An Yuanyao reacted quickly and stepped back in time, avoiding a full-on collision with Xiazhi—who was holding a cupcake.
Her hands instinctively moved to shield her belly.
Seeing that, Liu Xiazhi, with a little spoon in her mouth, looked puzzled.
"Auntie An, is your tummy not feeling well?"
An Yuanyao’s sudden movement startled Liu Changqing, who hurried over to support her.
Seeing their reactions, Liu Xiazhi tilted her head and asked curiously:
"Is this a new game?"
"Xiazhi... Daddy needs to talk to you about something."
Liu Changqing thought for a moment. To prevent any unexpected incidents in the future, he figured it was best to have a talk with his daughter now.
He gently patted An Yuanyao’s shoulder, signaling her to head to the bathroom.
An Yuanyao got the message.
After the bathroom door closed, Liu Changqing turned to his daughter, who was still eating spoonful after spoonful of her cupcake, and said:
"From now on... you can’t lean on Auntie An’s belly, and you can’t suddenly jump on her. Got it?"
"Why not?"
"Well..."
Since her school hadn’t taught any health or biology classes yet, Liu Changqing was stumped by the “why.” He thought hard for a moment—
Then a lightbulb went off.
"Right, Xiazhi—do you remember where babies come from?"
"I do!"
Hearing that, Liu Xiazhi raised the hand holding her spoon and answered brightly.
"The hospital gives them out! Me and big brother came from there too!"
"That’s right. So... would you like a little brother or sister?"
"......"
That left Xiazhi completely stunned. Her eyes went wide as she stared at her dad.
Once she processed it, she yelled out excitedly:
"I want one! I want one!"
"Today, Daddy and Auntie An went to the hospital. The doctor said if you want a baby, you have to wait ten months. And during those ten months, Auntie An has to eat well, drink plenty, and not get startled. Only if she meets all those conditions will the hospital give us a baby."
"Really?!"
"So, can you help make that happen?"
"I can!"
Liu Xiazhi was thrilled.
She’d always been the youngest—at school, she constantly heard Haohao talk about funny things his little sister did.
Liu Xiazhi had always wanted someone younger than her.
She wanted to be a big sister. She wanted to tell Feng Shuyan what it felt like to be one.
The surprise came so suddenly. She never expected her dad to tell her today that in just ten months, she’d have a little brother or sister.
Seeing how happy she looked, Liu Changqing patted her on the head and said softly:
"After you finish your cupcake, go do your homework. I’ll make dinner in a bit."
"Okay!"
Watching Liu Xiazhi run off with her cupcake, Liu Changqing let out a long sigh. Even he had to admire himself—he’d just completely made that up on the spot...
And the kid actually bought it!
But then...
The bathroom door opened. An Yuanyao stepped out and walked a few steps before spotting Liu Changqing standing there with a silly smile on his face.
She was a bit surprised. She had never seen Liu Changqing look like that before, which made her curious. She stepped up and tapped him on the arm.
Before she could ask anything, Liu Changqing blurted out:
"Hope it’s twins—a boy and a girl!"
"What are you thinking about?"
Her question snapped Liu Changqing out of his imagination. He blinked, then quickly masked his expression and asked:
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Anything’s fine—preferably something light."
Watching Liu Changqing happily head off to make dinner, An Yuanyao’s face was glowing with a smile. Her hand instinctively moved to her belly.
Ever since finding out she was pregnant, she could almost feel the presence of the baby inside her.
A new life... quietly growing.