Later, in the tenth year of Ji Zhenshi’s secret crush on Li Yunli—and with Ji Zhenshi now twenty-six and Li Yunli thirty-two—Li Yunli made a very important decision. She underwent IVF, welcoming a fourth member into their family.
Truth be told, Ji Zhenshi wasn’t keen on letting Li Yunli go through the ordeal. She suggested that since she herself was younger, she should be the one to carry the baby. But Li Yunli insisted that she wanted to experience the miracle of nurturing a child firsthand. She adored children and had always harbored a strong desire for one to grow up alongside them. In the end, Ji Zhenshi relented.
By that point, Ji Zhenshi had settled into a stable routine. She could handle everything independently without needing Tang Xien’s assistance, and Li Yunli’s coffee shop was running smoothly too. The two of them had been passionately in love for several years, savoring a long stretch of their world as a couple and exploring countless beautiful sights. They began to feel that life might hold even more joy with a little one around.
Besides, Li Yunli was more than capable of carving out time to care for a child now. The baby would grow up enveloped in love.
The IVF process dragged on interminably. They failed twice due to various unavoidable setbacks. Watching Li Yunli endure all those injections in the early stages—the needles and hormones—broke Ji Zhenshi’s heart. She didn’t want Li Yunli to suffer any longer and insisted on calling it quits.
But Li Yunli’s determination burned bright. After some discussion, and once her body had recovered, they agreed to one final attempt.
Finally, Li Yunli conceived.
“Whoa, is this tiny troublemaker the one making you so miserable?” Ji Zhenshi held the ultrasound report, peering at the blurry blob that revealed nothing distinct. She gazed in wonder at Li Yunli’s belly.
At three months, there was no sign of a bump. Li Yunli was slender to begin with, so she just looked a bit bloated from overeating.
Ji Zhenshi poked it gently and shook her head. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around the pregnancy in any real way. Every checkup felt more like accompanying Li Yunli to a routine physical.
“I can’t feel a thing. It’s so tiny.”
Li Yunli was absorbed in a book on pregnancy, catching sight of Ji Zhenshi sprawled at the bedside, mumbling over the report and prodding her belly like a curious kid.
She furrowed her brow slightly and beckoned. “Come here, Xiao Zhen.”
Ji Zhenshi flipped back the covers and climbed onto the bed. Ever since Li Yunli got pregnant, Ji Zhenshi had been acutely aware of how tough it was on her. She almost never shared the bed anymore, slipping into another bedroom only after Li Yunli fell asleep.
Li Yunli always said it wasn’t necessary, but Ji Zhenshi was overly cautious, terrified of any mishap. She’d been sleeping solo in the other room for quite some time.
“What’s wrong? Feeling queasy again?”
Li Yunli’s morning sickness was brutal—intense enough that Ji Zhenshi’s mere proximity could set it off. Anyone unfamiliar might think Ji Zhenshi reeked.
During that stretch when Ji Zhenshi was forced to go on a business trip, the farther she was, the more at ease Li Yunli felt.
“No, I just want to hold you.” Li Yunli nestled into Ji Zhenshi’s arms, but a wave of nausea crept in almost immediately.
They used the same body wash and laundry detergent, yet Li Yunli’s body rejected Ji Zhenshi’s scent outright. It triggered uncontrollable retching.
Not even two minutes in, Li Yunli sat up straight and shoved at Ji Zhenshi’s shoulder.
“I’m gonna cry!” Ji Zhenshi realized instantly. She threw off the covers and dropped to her knees beside the bed, gazing up at Li Yunli with pitiful eyes.
She sniffed her own clothes—they were fresh from a shower, not a whiff of odor.
The first time Li Yunli had thrown up because of her, she’d been too embarrassed to send Ji Zhenshi off to bathe. Eventually, desperation forced her to, but even two showers didn’t help. That was part of why they slept apart.
Li Yunli fought down the urge to vomit, looking at Ji Zhenshi with deep apology. “Why don’t you go sleep? You’ve got that business trip tomorrow. Get some rest early. Love you, good child.”
Blame the hormones—Li Yunli had no idea why Ji Zhenshi’s scent repulsed her so. Ji Zhenshi didn’t drink or smoke. Her biggest vice was the occasional bubble tea, and she never wore perfume. Yet it was unbearable.
Maybe it was all those years of close cuddles catching up.
Ji Zhenshi planted her hands on her hips. “I’m not sleeping. I’ve barely been in here a couple minutes, and you’re kicking me out?”
She’d been demoted from the bed to kneeling on the floor—about as pathetic as it got. No hugs for her wife, and now eviction too.
Li Yunli patted her chest; her slim shoulders looked so fragile. This should have been the time she needed her partner most, but Ji Zhenshi’s scent wrecked her.
“I really feel awful.” Li Yunli draped herself over the bed’s edge. She desperately wanted to hurl but could only bring up the sip of water she’d just taken. Her stomach was empty; she’d barely eaten dinner and now felt utterly drained.
Ji Zhenshi fretted, wanting to help, but she couldn’t get close. “Why does she hate me so much? I don’t like her anymore! Why is she rejecting me like this?”
After all, she and the baby shared blood.
Li Yunli straightened up with effort, countering her. “Don’t say that. You should be sweet-talking her right now. Saying you don’t like her? She’ll make me pay for it later. This is your child—how can you not like her?”
“I…!” With Li Yunli defending the baby, Ji Zhenshi clawed at her ears in frustration. “What the heck? She’s already stolen half your attention, and now I can’t even touch you. That’s too much!”
Was she some stinky mess?
She’d practically scrubbed off a layer of skin, yet still.
Li Yunli recovered a bit and leaned against the headboard, rubbing her belly. “Once she’s born, I’ll make it up to you properly, okay? Or just wait it out—the doctor said morning sickness is temporary. It’ll pass.”
She wanted to soothe Ji Zhenshi, but there was no fixing it.
Ji Zhenshi felt endlessly aggrieved but couldn’t throw a tantrum. Li Yunli was already suffering at the little one’s hands.
She took a deep breath, silently repeating to herself: Our own kid, our own kid, our own kid.
“How about desensitization training? I’ll inch closer bit by bit?” Ji Zhenshi suggested.
Otherwise, kneeling bedside forever—no touching Li Yunli, not even allowed on the bed.
Li Yunli eyed her without protest.
“I can give it a shot. Talk it over with her. Just for a little bedtime cuddle.” Ji Zhenshi edged toward Li Yunli.
“Little one, listen up. We gotta be reasonable, right? You can’t hog Mom all to yourself—that’s my wife too. I have rights to get close, don’t I?”
“Be a good sharer. No monopolizing.”
“You’re not too young to act up and bully Mom, making her miserable. Look, she can’t even eat properly. She’s lost weight carrying you—that’s not okay, is it?”
She drew nearer until she brushed Li Yunli’s arm. Just as Ji Zhenshi thought her logical persuasion had won, Li Yunli caught a whiff of her breath.
She frowned. “Xiao Zhen, better not get any closer.”
To Ji Zhenshi, those words hit like a thunderbolt.
She could only stand by the bed, looking every bit the abandoned puppy.
Couldn’t someone step in?
Ji Zhenshi slumped into a chair, staring longingly across the gulf at Li Yunli.
“Get some sleep. Call if you’re uncomfortable in the night—door’s open. If I don’t hear, phone me.” Ji Zhenshi clutched a pillow that still held Li Yunli’s scent, trying to project maturity and steadiness. She didn’t want to burden her.
Li Yunli was getting sleepy too, facing Ji Zhenshi. “Good night, good child.”
Ji Zhenshi blinked, aching to kiss her, but settled for blowing one instead.
She watched until Li Yunli drifted off, her smile unwavering.
Gazing at her whole world, Ji Zhenshi felt truly content.
She’d always considered herself lucky. The road had been bumpy, but she could spend her life with the person she’d fallen for in her naive youth.
Now, Li Yunli was willingly enduring hardship to bear their child. Ji Zhenshi knew she’d fill her heart and eyes with her forever.
Once Li Yunli was asleep, Ji Zhenshi dared creep closer.
At thirty-two and pregnant, the woman radiated mature allure. The softness in her features had deepened with a touch of melancholy, and in their private moments, Ji Zhenshi still glimpsed her seductive charm.
She was stunningly beautiful, captivating at every age.
Ji Zhenshi couldn’t bear to look away, afraid to wake her. She pressed a feather-light kiss to the fingertips peeking from the covers. “You’ve worked so hard, Sis.”
That night, Ji Zhenshi didn’t retreat to the guest room. She curled up at the foot of the bed to stay near Li Yunli.
She had work the next afternoon, which meant days apart again. She couldn’t bear it, so this was her way of lingering.
The next morning, as Li Yunli stirred unconsciously and stretched her legs, her foot connected solidly with Ji Zhenshi at the bed’s end, sending her crashing to the floor.
Any lingering drowsiness vanished. Ji Zhenshi scrambled up, clutching her backside, but her first move was toward Li Yunli. “What happened? Sister A-Yun, are you okay? Where does it hurt?”
Li Yunli pushed herself up, rubbing her eyes, and realized it was really Ji Zhenshi. “I was just waking up. Why are you sleeping there? Did you rest well?”
“I wanted to stay close. Now that you’re awake, take it easy. I’ll make breakfast.” Ji Zhenshi didn’t even pause for shoes. She dashed to pour Li Yunli a glass of warm water, then squeezed toothpaste in the bathroom.
She kept her distance, wary of triggering discomfort first thing.
Cooking wasn’t her forte—breakfast felt like warfare.
“Xiao Zhen, come out. Let me handle it.” Li Yunli steadied herself on the doorframe, unable to watch.
Being thoughtful was great, but Ji Zhenshi held herself to impossible standards. She couldn’t bear any hint of neglecting Li Yunli.
In Ji Zhenshi’s mind, since Li Yunli endured pregnancy’s trials to give them a child out of profound love, she had to handle everything else flawlessly.
Ji Zhenshi was still battling the eggs, not even turning. “It’s fine. Almost done. Porridge is ready—I used the rice cooker, and it’s cooled just right.”
A kitchen novice, Ji Zhenshi discovered cooking was far harder than imagined. Every time Li Yunli knew she’d return, a full table awaited—courtesy of her.
Watching smoke billow from the frying eggs, Li Yunli’s voice held lazy amusement laced with helplessness. “Xiao Zhen, don’t push yourself. Those hands aren’t made for cooking. Come out.”
After fumbling forever, Ji Zhenshi ordered takeout.
She choked down her charred egg alone, tears and all—couldn’t waste food. She wanted to prove she could make something edible.
Edible, but not for a pregnant woman.
“Okay, no more kitchen for you. What if you burn the place down?” Li Yunli watched her struggle, took the plate, dumped it in the trash, and swapped in a perfectly boiled egg from her own bowl.
Ji Zhenshi sulked miserably, bowl in hand as she sat far away—lest the sight or smell ruin Li Yunli’s appetite.
“I need to learn cooking, make you nutritious meals. I’m studying already. Soon.”
“No need to force it. Your heart’s enough. But let me cook from now on—don’t hurt yourself. Takeout’s appetizing too.” Li Yunli crossed her long legs gracefully, her pale toes resting lightly on Ji Zhenshi’s knee as she smiled reassuringly.
Ji Zhenshi sighed, annoyed at her total lack of culinary talent, forcing Li Yunli to order out. What a failure.
She resolved silently: Time to beg Grandma for cooking lessons.
As she pondered, Li Yunli spooned porridge and added, “Oh, right—talk to Grandma. Tell her to stop sending meals. She’s not young; cooking’s tiring enough, but running around? The takeout spot I get at the shop is good—clean, I’ve visited their place.”
Only Zhang Fenglan knew of the pregnancy. Though Ji Zhenshi skipped family gatherings as promised, she’d confided in Grandma, often summoning her to the coffee shop to pass time.
Grandma, usually hopeless with secrets, kept this one tight. Her daily joy became cooking for Li Yunli—and roasting Ji Zhenshi’s ineptitude.
“How can I stop her?” Ji Zhenshi jabbed her egg, indignant. “Grandma’s sole pleasure now is delivering your meals and varying her daily lectures on my cooking failures, like it’s a capital crime. She’s old, with little to occupy her. Let her happily send food—it’s healthier and more nutritious than takeout. She adores you and beams seeing you pregnant. Keeping busy beats her day-by-day idling.”
Ji Zhenshi’s status ranked below even Hihi’s. No wife cuddles, just daily soul-scouring from Grandma.
“I’m worried about her safety on the road at her age.” Li Yunli fretted.
“I’ve booked her a car and sent plenty of money. I’ll talk to her, but odds are slim.”
“Mm.”
After breakfast, Li Yunli headed to the shop. Ji Zhenshi insisted on escorting her.
Xiao Ning eyed Li Yunli walking ahead, trailed by Ji Zhenshi—who was unrecognizable at first glance in black clothes, mask, and hat.
Up close, she resembled Li Yunli’s bodyguard. From afar, a shady stalker.
The scene was comical; Xiao Ning couldn’t resist teasing. “Xiao Ji, dressed like that? If I hadn’t recognized you, I’d swear you were creeping on Manager Li with bad intentions.”
Ji Zhenshi shot Xiao Ning a glare. “You think I want to?”
Even in the same car, Li Yunli rode in back with the window down, or she’d feel ill. No getting close.
“If Manager Li’s aversion is that bad, just avoid being seen with her.” Xiao Ning glanced at Li Yunli—no bump yet, especially in loose clothes. No one could tell.
Sister Xiao Ning, you don’t get it. They’re so wrapped up in love they can’t bear a second apart. Us singles wouldn’t understand.” Xia Siyuan’s teasing voice floated from the corner.
Ji Zhenshi, holding back frustration, plopped down across from her. “What are you doing here?”
“What else? Coffee shop stuff.” Xia Siyuan raised her cup, winking. “Ji Zhenshi, living the dream—love and career booming while I’m still ‘imprisoned’ by Zheng Siqi. Now Yunli Sis is pregnant? Too blissful.”
Ji Zhenshi shoved hands in pockets, glancing glumly at Li Yunli tallying sales behind the counter. “Not blissful at all. Her morning sickness is killer. I get aversion to oily smells, but my scent? Eight hundred showers, and a handhold triggers vomiting. I’m losing my mind. At this rate, I’ll be the one with prenatal depression.”
Continuing like this, she’d go insane.
It was bizarre—she didn’t stink. Why her scent?
