Chapter 48 Part 1

Luoguang City had a custom of worshiping the moon.

The moon on Mid-Autumn Festival night was especially round, but the sky was overcast, so it didn’t appear until late.

Yang Meijing had prepared the offerings for the moon early.

Outside, someone set off fireworks.

Boom, boom, boom—they echoed across the entire sky.

Cheng Cainan snapped photos of the fireworks with her phone, then pestered Lin Hanbing and Cheng Zhanya to pose for a group shot together.

Cheng Zhanya and Lin Hanbing stood close, their arms brushing against each other.

Warmth seeped through the thin fabric, their body heat mingling. They’d already done far more intimate things before, yet this subtle ambiguity still made Cheng Zhanya feel shy.

She tried to draw her shoulder back a little.

Suddenly, Cheng Cainan bumped into them, pressing the pair even closer. Lin Hanbing took the opportunity to drape an arm around her shoulder.

Click.

The moment was frozen in the photo.

After worshiping the moonlight, Cheng Cainan posted to her social circle and retreated to her room with her phone in hand.

The holiday was nearly over, and she planned to spend the whole day gaming.

Tomorrow, they would head back to South City. Cheng Zhanya and Lin Hanbing lingered in the living room for a while, chatting with her parents.

It was past one in the morning when the neighborhood finally fell quiet.

Cheng Zhanya yawned, drowsiness setting in.

After bidding goodnight to her parents, Lin Hanbing and Cheng Zhanya returned to their room.

Cheng Zhanya rubbed her eyes, her mind foggy with sleep as she lifted the covers and climbed into bed. Casually, she asked, “What time are we heading back tomorrow?”

“Whenever you’re rested enough. In the afternoon.”

“Will there be traffic?”

The memory of their trip there made Cheng Zhanya shudder. She had no desire to feel that queasy, floating sensation again.

The first and last days of the Mid-Autumn holiday meant unavoidable gridlock on the roads.

Lin Hanbing noticed Cheng Zhanya’s reluctance and checked the route on her phone.

In the end, she delivered the bad news without mercy.

“Probably.”

Cheng Zhanya’s face fell instantly.

She hadn’t even gotten into the car yet, but already she could almost smell the stale air inside, nausea rising in her throat.

She clamped a hand over her mouth and forced it back down after a long moment.

Lying there in bed, she let out a long, despondent sigh at the ceiling.

Lin Hanbing scooted closer. “If it’s really too much, we could go back the day after tomorrow.”

“No traffic then.”

They could avoid the holiday rush and likely have clear roads the whole way.

“No, I have to go to work the day after.”

Because of the pregnancy, she’d already shifted from weekly chapter updates to every two weeks. She couldn’t afford more delays.

Later on, when her belly grew bigger, she’d need maternity leave too.

One thing after another had come up, leaving her no time to build a stockpile.

She felt a bit guilty toward her readers.

Cheng Zhanya turned down Lin Hanbing’s suggestion. Better to head back sooner.

“Then rest up early and recharge. We’ll go back to South City tomorrow afternoon.”

“Mm, goodnight.” Cheng Zhanya was muddled with sleepiness. She yawned again, her eyelids drooping shut.

Lin Hanbing gazed at Cheng Zhanya’s serene face, her heart stirring. Softly, she asked, “Yaya, can I say goodnight to the baby?”

Cheng Zhanya kept her eyes closed and said nothing.

She didn’t want to deal with it, so she pretended to be asleep.

No normal person fell asleep that quickly. Lin Hanbing chuckled and poked her cheek. “No answer means yes.”

“Sleep.” Cheng Zhanya twisted her face away and scolded lightly.

“Yaya~”

Lin Hanbing’s voice was soft—softer than anything she’d say normally.

Cheng Zhanya had always been weak to that tone and found herself softening.

“Just once.”

“Mm.”

One time would satisfy her for today.

Lin Hanbing smiled, suddenly diving under the covers. She flipped over to straddle Cheng Zhanya’s legs and lifted the hem of her shirt.

Cheng Zhanya immediately pressed it back down. “What are you doing?”

“Saying goodnight to the baby.”

Why did she need to lift the shirt for that?

Cheng Zhanya didn’t get it.

Lin Hanbing gently moved her hand aside and placed a sincere, devoted kiss on her belly.

“Goodnight, baby.”

Cheng Zhanya squeezed her eyes shut tight, her hands trembling with tension.

She didn’t dare open them. She simply couldn’t face what Lin Hanbing was doing.

It was just a simple kiss on the belly, but shamefully, she felt a reaction.

She wanted more.

Lately, she’d been hit with these inexplicable moods. Cheng Zhanya had no idea what was wrong with her.

Lin Hanbing sensed the change in her.

“Yaya, do you want it?”

Lin Hanbing’s voice carried a current of electricity, sending tingles through her.

Want it?

Of course she… did.

“I’ve looked it up online. After the first trimester, it’s fine for pregnant women to relieve tension appropriately.”

“Do you want me to help?”

Lin Hanbing kissed her wife’s belly again, then trailed higher. “Yaya.”

Cheng Zhanya called out her full name in a low, urgent voice, choked with emotion. “You can’t do this.”

“Do what?” Lin Hanbing asked seductively.

It felt so strange.

After the divorce, Cheng Zhanya had lived a life of monk-like restraint—work and the baby were all that mattered.

She hadn’t felt desire in ages.

So why now…

She’d become so sensitive.

Was it the pregnancy?

Panting, Cheng Zhanya pressed her hands to Lin Hanbing’s head, trying to push her away along with this strange, intoxicating feeling.

“I’ll help you.”

“No need.”

Cheng Zhanya’s voice grew firmer. “I said no.”

Lin Hanbing knew when to stop. She emerged from under the covers and gazed down at Cheng Zhanya for a long moment.

“Sleep.” she said.

Then she lay back on her side of the bed and switched off the light.

The room plunged into darkness, and only then did Cheng Zhanya feel rescued.

She must have been flushed red all over.

It was pure embarrassment.

How had she never noticed before how seductive Lin Hanbing could be?

It wasn’t just Cheng Zhanya—Lin Hanbing was breathing a little heavily too.

Unable to resist, she reached out and pulled Cheng Zhanya into her arms. Sensing the other’s faint struggle, she pleaded, “Yaya, just let me hold you for a bit.”

“Just a bit.”

Cheng Zhanya hesitated, then stopped resisting.

She let Lin Hanbing hold her.

Nights like that weren’t made for easy sleep. The next morning, both emerged with faint dark circles under their eyes.

The three-day holiday had ended.

Cheng Cainan had returned to school by noon.

As dusk approached, Lin Hanbing and Cheng Zhanya finally set off for South City.

Traffic jams were no surprise.

Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as the trip there. Cheng Zhanya noted with relief.

Lin Hanbing drove skillfully, doing her best to avoid bumps. Cheng Zhanya didn’t throw up; she slept through the entire ride.

By the time they reached South City, night had fallen.

The streets were still busy with traffic.

Some people were getting ready for work the next day, while others squeezed every last bit of fun from the holiday.

Exhausted from the ordeal, Cheng Zhanya took a quick shower and went straight to bed.

Once rested, the memory of that night came rushing back. She frowned, suddenly unable to meet Lin Hanbing’s eyes.

On the way to work, she donned a mask and sat silently in the back seat.

She didn’t say a word until they arrived at the company.

Even though Lin Hanbing had tried to draw her out.

Nothing had actually happened that night, but thinking about it still filled her with intense shame.

Lin Hanbing felt a little wronged.

She’d consulted the doctor, who said occasional urges during pregnancy were normal due to rising hormones.

She was just offering help.

Cheng Zhanya felt so strange about herself.

Her next prenatal checkup was coming up soon. She needed to ask the doctor properly.

“Morning, Sister Zhanya.”

Xiao Xiao had on light makeup and a high ponytail. She’d thinned out her thick bangs, ditched her heavy glasses for contacts, and looked far more vibrant than before—an energetic young woman who brightened the room.

“Morning.”

Cheng Zhanya set down her things and fired up her computer without delay.

She dove straight into her drawing software.

She desperately needed a distraction.

“What’s going on?”

“How’d you come back from vacation like a total powerhouse all of a sudden?!” Xiao Xiao looked shocked.

Cheng Zhanya replied halfheartedly. “Yeah.”

Xiao Xiao pouted and retreated to her own desk.

If her idol was working this hard, what excuse did she have not to?

At noon, a visitor arrived at Lin Hanbing’s office.

It was Liang Wenxuan.

Cheng Zhanya recognized her.

She’d been Lin Hanbing’s imaginary rival back in college.

They hadn’t seen each other in years, though Cheng Zhanya had heard updates from Lin Hanbing now and then.

She remembered that Liang Wenxuan had gotten married.

To Hua Second Miss.

What was she doing here?

As Cheng Zhanya pondered, Liang Wenxuan emerged from the office, her gaze sweeping across the room.

She seemed to be looking for someone.

Unsure if Liang Wenxuan would even remember her, Cheng Zhanya instinctively ducked her head.

Her inspiration had stalled anyway; she’d only sketched half a draft.

Her messaging app pinged.

It was from Lin Hanbing.

She opened it and frowned at the content.

—Come to my office.

—Business or personal?

—Business.

She didn’t want to go.

But in the company, Lin Hanbing was her boss. She had no reason to refuse work matters.

Cheng Zhanya let out a heavy sigh and braced herself before pushing open the door to Lin Hanbing’s office.

“You wanted to see me, President Lin.”

Lin Hanbing nodded and gestured with her chin for her to sit.

Cheng Zhanya kept a neutral expression. She hadn’t messed up anything at work, so she felt no anxiety.

“There’s an art exhibition next month.”

“Will you come with me?”

Lin Hanbing rested her hands on the desk, her demeanor all business—stern and professional, nothing like the teasing woman from the night before last.

Cheng Zhanya loved art and exhibitions. She’d longed for a chance like this.

She wanted to go.

“Only one spot?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Lin Hanbing slid the ticket across to her. “Interested?”

Cheng Jiguang?

Cheng Zhanya’s eyes lit up at the guest’s name on the ticket.

She adored Cheng Jiguang’s works.

One piece in particular, Reflection, had become the untouchable ideal in her heart.

Cheng Jiguang’s style was simple and geometric, with sparse backgrounds and figures that somehow conveyed deep emotions.

Reflection depicted a dead lake. When the moon hung high, its reflection shimmered below, as if granting it new life—dying and reviving over and over.

Whenever inspiration ran dry, Cheng Zhanya turned to Cheng Jiguang’s pieces, studying them repeatedly until she found the will to keep going.

Cheng Zhanya couldn’t turn down the invitation. She nodded. “Yes.”

Very much so.

Light danced in Cheng Zhanya’s eyes, though she tamped down her excitement.

Lin Hanbing didn’t call her on it. With the affirmative answer, the conversation wrapped up.

As she watched Cheng Zhanya’s retreating figure, Lin Hanbing’s gaze softened. Wisely, she stuck to business and said nothing more.

Back at her desk, Cheng Zhanya still felt lightheaded with elation.

She might get to meet Cheng Jiguang soon.

Unbelievable.

It felt just like a dream.

“Sister Zhanya, what does President Lin want with you?”

Xiao Xiao rarely saw Cheng Zhanya so openly delighted. She hurriedly asked, “Is it good news?”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“Can you tell me?”

“I’ll let you know when the time comes.”

“Fine.”

Fan Yaobai was away on another business trip.

Autumn was peak tourist season, and as a planner, Fan Yaobai was undoubtedly swamped at this time of year.

Cheng Zhanya didn’t insist on moving back home.

Lin Hanbing took good care of her, and she was quite satisfied.

She had the illusion that they had gone back to their dating days, when they couldn’t get enough of each other every single day.

Lin Hanbing seemed different now.

She thought.

After work that evening, Cheng Zhanya went to Fan Yaobai’s place and brought Fan Jiujiu back to the apartment.

It had been a while since its last visit.

Fan Jiujiu still recognized the surroundings and didn’t cry in fear like it had the first time.

The furry kid had even struck up a friendship with Lin Hanbing.

Not surprising—she was the top dog in the healing world.

Cheng Zhanya lay on the sofa, her feet in Lin Hanbing’s lap as the other woman massaged them, drawing contented sighs from her lips.

Suddenly, something bumped against her belly.

Cheng Zhanya froze.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Hanbing asked.

Sensing something off in her mood, she wondered if she’d pressed too hard and hurt her. She stopped immediately and looked at her with concern.

Cheng Zhanya stared at her in surprise. “My belly…”

“Is your belly hurting? Not feeling well?”

It was Lin Hanbing’s first time playing expectant mom, with zero experience. Her heart leaped into her throat.

She shot to her feet, ready to rush Cheng Zhanya to the hospital at a moment’s notice.

“No.”

“My belly just got kicked!”

Cheng Zhanya said, her expression peculiar.

Lin Hanbing paused too. She gazed at her wife, motionless for a long moment.

Then joy slowly lit her eyes. Full of curiosity, she leaned down and pressed her ear to Cheng Zhanya’s belly.

“Is that fetal movement?”

“I think so,” Cheng Zhanya replied.

Four months in, and already kicking?

It touched on a gap in her knowledge.

Lin Hanbing asked nervously, “When’s your next checkup?”

“Monday.”

“I’ll go with you.” Lin Hanbing’s voice trembled with excitement as she marveled once more at the miracle of life.

Unable to hold back any longer, she pulled Cheng Zhanya into a hug and kissed her.

Cheng Zhanya was even more thrilled. She didn’t pull away. Gradually, she melted into it too.

At the crucial moment, they rested their foreheads together, breaths mingling.

Fan Jiujiu, sandwiched between them, let out a pitiful mew.

Lin Hanbing looked at Cheng Zhanya. “Thank you, Yaya.”

Cheng Zhanya didn’t respond. She kept her head down, her hand rubbing back and forth over her abdomen.

“Why’d she stop moving?”

Cheng Zhanya blanked for half a second. “Maybe she’s tired.”

“Does fetal movement hurt?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Are you hungry? Want something to eat?”

Cheng Zhanya shook her head. “I just want to sleep.”

“Okay.”

The art exhibition arrived as scheduled. Cheng Zhanya wore a red gown but opted for pale pink flats on account of her pregnancy. She attended the event alongside Lin Hanbing with poise and grace.

Famous artists and artworks filled her vision, dazzling her eyes.