From the afternoon onward, the dull ache in her belly had never let up.
Cheng Zhanya slept fitfully.
She drifted in and out of shallow dreams.
The discomfort grew stronger and stronger until she could no longer ignore it.
The pain finally woke her.
A thin sheen of sweat beaded on her forehead.
Cheng Zhanya frowned and tried to shift her position, hoping to find some relief.
But her belly was too large, and Lin Hanbing was still holding her tightly.
She couldn’t budge.
Lin Hanbing had been by her side constantly these past few days, never leaving her alone. Even though she hadn’t done much, the exhaustion was plain to see.
Her brows were furrowed, as if she were having a nightmare.
Cheng Zhanya gazed at Lin Hanbing’s sleeping face and felt a quiet sigh stir within her. It had been so long since she’d seen Lin Hanbing this peaceful.
The woman who used to never have dark circles now had faint shadows under her eyes, and her lips were pale, giving her an unhealthy look.
Lin Hanbing was a light sleeper. Normally, the moment Cheng Zhanya had stirred just now, she would have woken up.
Cheng Zhanya’s movements hadn’t been subtle.
Yet Lin Hanbing remained oblivious. She must truly be worn out.
Cheng Zhanya had seen every bit of Lin Hanbing’s devotion these days; she remembered every moment.
She was savoring these days immensely.
Sometimes, she wondered if they could stay this happy forever if she never agreed to remarry.
Of course, that was unrealistic.
Cheng Zhanya would occasionally mock herself for it.
She must have fallen into the tenderness Lin Hanbing had shown these past months, starting to dream up impossible fantasies again.
The sky outside the window had darkened a little. Winter nights fell quickly.
She reached for her phone and checked the time.
Just past five.
A short series of knocks sounded at the door. Lin Hanbing stirred but didn’t fully wake.
Cheng Zhanya gently touched her face and whispered, “Hanbing.”
“Mm?”
Lin Hanbing let out an unconscious hum, slowly opening her eyes to meet Cheng Zhanya’s gaze.
The room was dim, so Lin Hanbing switched on the bedside lamp.
“When did you wake up?” she asked.
“Just now.”
Lin Hanbing leaned in and kissed her. “Hungry?”
Cheng Zhanya hummed in affirmation. “That must be Auntie Zhou knocking. Go see.”
She was getting more and more comfortable bossing Lin Hanbing around.
Watching her quietly get out of bed and head to the door, Cheng Zhanya couldn’t help but smile.
This wasn’t so bad, actually.
Lin Hanbing opened the door and spotted Auntie Zhou, who was just about to leave. She called out to stop her.
Auntie Zhou gently reminded her that dinner was ready.
The dinner table was quiet, a far cry from the lively atmosphere at lunch. If anything, it felt oppressively somber.
The Old Lady seemed a bit guilty, like a child who’d done something wrong. She stole a cautious glance at Cheng Zhanya.
She hesitated several times before finally speaking up.
“Xiaoya, how’s your body feeling? Anything uncomfortable?”
After what had happened at lunch, she was most worried that Cheng Zhanya might overthink things and get upset.
Cheng Zhanya didn’t answer right away.
She took a moment to check in with herself. The dull ache lingered, accompanied by a slight heaviness.
Just a little, nothing she couldn’t bear.
She didn’t want to worry the elders, so she shook her head and gave a small smile. “No discomfort. Don’t worry.”
The Old Lady let out a relieved breath and picked some vegetables for her. “Eat more.”
“Thanks, Grandma.”
The table fell quiet again, the only sounds the clink of bowls and chopsticks.
After a while, Yu Shujing ventured tentatively, “Xiaoya, about what happened today—I’m sorry. Don’t take it to heart.”
The main issue was that neither side had expected the divorce to come up, and Cheng Zhanya’s parents didn’t know about it.
“Take care of your health. Your in-laws will understand.”
“I know, Mom.”
Cheng Zhanya had no appetite. The unease in her belly made everything taste bland. She forced down a few bites of rice and set her chopsticks aside.
Everyone immediately looked her way.
Afraid she was angry.
“Grandma, Dad, Mom—I’m full.” She gripped the armrest and slowly stood. Lin Hanbing rose at once, instinctively supporting her cumbersome waist.
“That’s so little food…”
Yu Shujing sounded worried, but a glance from Lin Hanbing silenced her.
The Old Lady and the others exchanged uneasy looks, their expressions complicated.
Lying back down eased the discomfort a bit. Cheng Zhanya turned to Lin Hanbing. “I’m fine. Go downstairs and eat.”
“I’ve had enough too.”
“I’m staying right here.” Not going anywhere.
Cheng Zhanya was amused but exasperated. “Don’t be like this.”
She knew Lin Hanbing hadn’t eaten much, too preoccupied with her.
“I’m really okay.”
Cheng Zhanya gave her a light push, barely a touch. “Go eat.”
She paused, her cheeks flushing faintly. “I’ll wait for you to come back…”
“Come back… and help me bathe.”
“Okay.”
Cheng Zhanya: “…”
She agreed too quickly; Cheng Zhanya hadn’t even processed it.
Lin Hanbing went downstairs to eat. Cheng Zhanya shifted into a more comfortable position, picked up her phone, hesitated, then messaged Cheng Cainan.
—How are Mom and Dad? Have they calmed down a bit?
The reply came almost instantly, as if Cheng Cainan had been waiting with her phone in hand. The typing indicator popped up right away.
A few seconds later:
—Mom’s talking them down.
—Sis, you’re too naive about this.
She was, indeed.
Cheng Zhanya didn’t deny it.
She kept typing, mostly telling Cheng Cainan to spend more time with their parents.
Finally, she asked for the address.
She planned to apologize properly to her parents tomorrow, once the discomfort settled.
Lin Hanbing was back soon, carrying a bowl of soup.
“Mom made it. In case you’re hungry.”
“It’s hot,” Lin Hanbing said. “I’ll feed you.”
Cheng Zhanya reached for it, but Lin Hanbing wouldn’t let her.
“…”
She was used to Lin Hanbing’s stubbornness on this front and didn’t argue. She obediently let Lin Hanbing feed her spoonful by spoonful until the bowl was empty.
“Bath time?”
Lin Hanbing set the bowl aside, her voice low and eager, as if afraid Cheng Zhanya might change her mind.
Cheng Zhanya found it funny.
As her pregnancy progressed, Lin Hanbing treated her like fragile treasure, caring for her with the utmost caution every day.
The bathroom was now stocked with all sorts of gadgets for pregnant women: handrails, stools, raised toilet seats… all to prevent leg cramps, she said.
Lin Hanbing had bought every conceivable aid.
To Lin Hanbing, they were all practical; to Cheng Zhanya, most felt superfluous.
Lin Hanbing handled everything, big and small—even preparing two hospital bags. Cheng Zhanya felt both amused and touched.
Even after the divorce, Cheng Zhanya had never doubted Lin Hanbing’s love, but these months had shown her just how deep it ran.
Her lunchtime mention of remarriage hadn’t been a whim.
Countless times, she’d considered it, only to shrink back from the fear of repeating past mistakes.
Today’s events might be the turning point.
She had finally voiced the idea of remarriage herself.
“What are you thinking about?”
With no reply forthcoming, Lin Hanbing looked down at her and stole a kiss on the lips.
While Cheng Zhanya was still dazed, she kissed her again until Cheng Zhanya pushed her face back a little, laughing as she asked, “What are you doing?”
Lin Hanbing grinned. “Kissing you.”
So mushy!
Cheng Zhanya wrinkled her nose, though her heart was glad.
It felt like they’d gone back years, all clingy and inseparable, never tiring of it.
“Time for that bath.” She shot Lin Hanbing a playful glare.
These days, Lin Hanbing handled everything personally, from little gadgets to helping with baths and bathroom trips.
Though she’d been completely exposed to Lin Hanbing long ago—and the life growing inside her was proof—Cheng Zhanya still felt shy each time.
Lin Hanbing was thorough, leaving nothing to chance.
Cheng Zhanya just had to go to the bathroom and let her handle the clothes.
Winter nights were cold, even with the heating on.
Hot water never left Cheng Zhanya’s skin throughout. Lin Hanbing, meanwhile, got thoroughly soaked, her white shirt clinging to her pale skin.
Lin Hanbing tolerated the cold well. She meticulously finished washing Cheng Zhanya, got her safely back into bed, then returned to the bathroom to tend to herself.
Cheng Zhanya lay there as the little one in her belly began to stir restlessly, more active than usual after a long day.
Combined with the lingering ache and vigorous kicks, it hurt.
Due date was still over ten days away.
With no experience, Cheng Zhanya didn’t dwell on it. She kept rubbing her belly, hoping to calm the playful child inside.
It worked; the movements quieted soon after.
Lin Hanbing emerged in a bathrobe, towel-drying her hair, her gaze locking onto Cheng Zhanya immediately.
She noticed something off right away.
“What’s wrong?”
At this critical stage, she couldn’t afford any mistakes, so she asked directly.
“Hm? Nothing.”
Cheng Zhanya didn’t think fetal movement was a big deal and shook her head. “Chengcheng’s just extra active.”
Lin Hanbing touched her belly, then pressed her face to the swollen curve, smiling openly as she said threateningly, “Be good, Chengcheng. Don’t fuss at your mommy, or watch out for a spanking when you’re born.”
The nine-month-old little one interacted with her mother plenty and seemed to understand now. A tiny foot or hand poked at Cheng Zhanya’s belly in response.
Cheng Zhanya laughed. “She can’t understand you.”
“Who says?”
Lin Hanbing was being childish for once.
She kissed the belly, murmuring as if to herself, “When are you coming out?”
Soon.
Cheng Zhanya thought.
The sweet burden was about to be lifted.
Just over ten days left.
Time had flown by, and she’d longed daily to be unburdened—but now that the day approached, she felt a twinge of fear.
She was scared of the pain.
Cheng Zhanya exhaled, pushing the thoughts away.
She was worrying needlessly, only frightening herself.
Gazing at Lin Hanbing’s profile, she reached up to touch her still-damp hair. “Go dry your hair properly. Don’t catch a cold.”
As she tried to pull back, Lin Hanbing caught her hand and held it to her cheek.
“Just one more minute.”
“Are you a kid?” Cheng Zhanya chuckled helplessly, pressing her fingertips to Lin Hanbing’s temple with a second urging, her tone laced with affectionate amusement. “Go on.”
“Got it, wife.”
“…”
“What are you calling me?”
Cheng Zhanya muttered, but she couldn’t suppress her smile. Her ears burned, and she was utterly softened.
Lin Hanbing laughed merrily, leaning close to her ear and calling out once more before she sauntered off to blow-dry her hair.
Cheng Zhanya felt her face burning with heat, a mix of shyness and annoyance as she shot a reproachful glare at Lin Hanbing’s retreating back.
Too childish.
But she had to admit—she liked it.
No matter what version of Lin Hanbing it was, Cheng Zhanya simply couldn’t refuse her.
The night grew quieter still, and a hint of drowsiness crept over Cheng Zhanya. She let out a yawn. Once Lin Hanbing climbed into bed and wrapped her in an embrace once more, she drifted off to sleep in moments.
That profound sense of security was utterly addictive.
In her drowsy haze, Cheng Zhanya plunged into a nightmare.
She felt a dampness between her legs, as if she were bleeding, and a sharp pain tore through her belly, like it was being ripped apart from the inside.
She looked down and saw a puddle of liquid there.
It was like clear spring water—not the red stain she had feared.
Her once-swollen belly had flattened in an instant, and the heavy, dropping sensation in her abdomen lingered, growing more unbearable by the second.
She couldn’t hold back a cry.
“It hurts so much!”
It really hurt.
She had never experienced pain like this before.
If pain came in levels, this was a solid ten.
She had no idea what was happening, only clutching her belly on instinct in a desperate bid for relief.
Her mind clouded over from the agony.
In that fog, she thought she heard someone calling her name, over and over.
It was Lin Hanbing’s voice.
Urgent. Panicked.
Lin Hanbing, panicked?
She must have misheard.
In her memory, Lin Hanbing was always unflappably steady and meticulous. Panic was foreign to her.
What was going on?!
Cheng Zhanya struggled to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like lead.
Suddenly, someone pressed down hard on her belly, then yanked with brutal force. The pain was excruciating, heart-wrenching—worse than before.
“Ah—”
“Hanbing!”
Cheng Zhanya cried out in agony.
The searing torment drew a cold sweat from her even in the depths of winter. Dazedly, she pried her eyes open. The first thing she saw was the tense line of Lin Hanbing’s jaw.
Her gaze traveled upward along that familiar profile, and there it was: the raw panic etched across Lin Hanbing’s face.
So it was real.
Even Lin Hanbing had her moments of helplessness.
But Cheng Zhanya didn’t understand.
“Hanbing?”
She poured every ounce of strength into the word, yet Lin Hanbing gave no sign of hearing her.
“It hurts so much—”
“Yaya, sweetie, just hang in there a little longer.”
“We’re almost at the hospital.”
Lin Hanbing’s words tumbled out in a rush, urgent yet threaded with gentleness.
“Mm—”
It hurt like hell!
Another wave of pain crashed over her. Her body felt adrift, floating high in the air before plummeting in freefall.
Thud. She heard the car door slam shut.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, Cheng Zhanya peered out at the trees and rooftops whipping past in the night. Her mind began to sharpen.
She realized she was in a car. As the abdominal pain ebbed for a brief moment, she managed to find her voice.
“What happened to me?”
Lin Hanbing floored the accelerator toward the hospital, stealing glances back at her wife’s condition every few seconds.
“Your water just broke!”
