Captivating Beauty 113

Chapter 113: Side Story 1

Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu lived in a one-bedroom apartment on the twelfth floor of a high-rise in North City. Shen Shu, almost two months pregnant, was still experiencing severe morning sickness, and her work schedule had been adjusted accordingly.

Xu Jinnan’s routine was a whirlwind of activity – leaving for work early in the morning, returning home for lunch with Shen Shu, then back to the office, followed by an early evening return to the apartment.

With their busy schedules and Little Crescent Moon now living with them, they had hired a housekeeper, who left at 6 p.m.

That evening, Xu Jinnan, working late on an important project, didn’t arrive home until almost 9 p.m.

As soon as she opened the door, Little Crescent Moon came running, her small feet padding softly against the floor. “Auntie Nannan, you’re finally home!” she exclaimed, her voice full of excitement.

“I am,” Xu Jinnan replied, placing her keys on the entrance table and sanitizing her hands before stepping inside. Little Crescent Moon immediately threw her arms around Xu Jinnan’s waist, hugging her tightly. “Why were you so late? Was work hard?”

Xu Jinnan glanced at Shen Shu, who was sitting on the sofa, their eyes meeting briefly, and she smiled faintly, then looked down at Little Crescent Moon, her hands gently cupping the little girl’s soft cheeks. “Let me change my clothes first,” she said.

A few minutes later, she emerged from the bedroom, dressed in comfortable loungewear, Little Crescent Moon waiting patiently at the doorway. “It’s 9 p.m. Why aren’t you in bed yet?” Xu Jinnan asked, scooping her up into her arms and carrying her over to the sofa, where Shen Shu was sitting.

“I was worried about you! I wanted to wait for you! Auntie Shu Shu was worried too! Right?” Little Crescent Moon said, her voice a sweet, childish sing-song, her bright eyes looking at Shen Shu.

Shen Shu smiled. “I wasn’t worried. You were the one who didn’t want to go to bed,” she said, her voice gentle. Her pregnancy wasn’t showing yet, her slender frame hidden beneath a thick, pink winter pajama set, the color making her skin look even paler than usual.

“Shu Shu, have you been eating properly?” Xu Jinnan asked, sitting down beside her with Little Crescent Moon still in her arms, her brow furrowing slightly as she noticed the slight pallor of Shen Shu’s face, the dark circles under her eyes.

“I tried, but I couldn’t…” Shen Shu replied, her voice soft.

“Auntie Shu Shu only ate a little, then she threw up! She was so sick today!” Little Crescent Moon exclaimed, her small hand gripping Shen Shu’s pajama top.

“You have to eat, Shu Shu. You need your nutrients,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice full of concern. “Is there anything you want? I can make it for you. Sweet and sour pork ribs? Or shrimp porridge?”

Shen Shu’s stomach churned at the mention of food. She had been skeptical of those stories about pregnancy cravings and aversions, but now, experiencing it herself, she understood.

Even her favorite foods made her nauseous.

“No, thank you,” she said, shaking her head.

“How about some steamed eggs? Nice and warm and soft?” Xu Jinnan suggested.

“Steamed eggs are yummy!” Little Crescent Moon exclaimed, her small hand tugging at Shen Shu’s sleeve. “Please eat some, Auntie Shu Shu! The baby said he’s hungry too!”

Shen Shu, amused by their earnest expressions, smiled at Little Crescent Moon. “Is it the baby who’s hungry, or is it Little Crescent Moon who’s hungry?”

Little Crescent Moon, sitting on Xu Jinnan’s lap, her arms reaching out to hug Shen Shu, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons, said, “The baby is hungry, and Little Crescent Moon is hungry, and if both babies are hungry, then Auntie Shu Shu must be hungry too!”

Her cheerful laughter and the way her two little buns bobbed as she spoke made Shen Shu’s heart melt, and she gently stroked Little Crescent Moon’s hair, then looked at Xu Jinnan, her own heart softening.

“Okay, I’ll have a little,” she said.

Xu Jinnan, relieved, gave Little Crescent Moon a thumbs-up. “You’re the best, Little Crescent Moon!”

Little Crescent Moon puffed out her chest proudly. “Of course! Auntie Shu Shu loves me the most!”

“Yes, I do,” Shen Shu said, her voice full of affection.

Xu Jinnan raised an eyebrow, clicking her tongue playfully, then went to the kitchen.

As soon as she left, Little Crescent Moon, kneeling on the sofa, her small hands cupping Shen Shu’s ears, whispered, “I think Auntie Nannan is jealous~”

Shen Shu chuckled softly. “You’re right.”

—

A few minutes later, Shen Shu and Little Crescent Moon sat side by side at the table, Xu Jinnan sitting opposite them, carefully blowing on a spoonful of steamed eggs before offering it to Little Crescent Moon.

“How’s the seasoning?” she asked Shen Shu.

“It’s perfect,” Shen Shu replied.

“It’s so yummy! Auntie Nannan makes the best steamed eggs!” Little Crescent Moon exclaimed.

Xu Jinnan beamed, her heart melting at the compliment. While she had always liked children, she had also found them… challenging. But Little Crescent Moon was different; she was so well-behaved, so easy to please.

Some people said Little Crescent Moon was lucky to have them, but Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu felt the opposite; it was Little Crescent Moon’s innocence, her kindness, her unwavering optimism, that had brought a sense of peace and joy into their lives.

Shen Shu, after a few bites, put down her spoon.

Xu Jinnan, noticing the almost untouched food in her bowl, said, “Not hungry? Just one more bite?”

Shen Shu shook her head. “I can’t.”

Xu Jinnan sat down beside her, taking a spoonful of the steamed eggs. “Just one bite. I’ll feed you,” she said, holding the spoon to Shen Shu’s lips and making a soft “ahh” sound.

She sometimes did this when Little Crescent Moon wasn’t around, to coax Shen Shu into eating, but now, with Little Crescent Moon watching, Shen Shu’s face flushed. “What are you doing?” she whispered, embarrassed. Did Xu Jinnan have no shame?

Xu Jinnan chuckled. “Little Crescent Moon, don’t look,” she said.

Little Crescent Moon immediately covered her eyes with her hands, her head turned slightly. “I can’t see anything!”

Shen Shu: “…” Who’s the child here?

She sighed and ate the eggs.

—

At 9:30 p.m., Little Crescent Moon was tucked into bed, Shen Shu reading her a bedtime story. “Okay, that’s the end. Close your eyes and go to sleep,” she said, pulling the blanket up to Little Crescent Moon’s chin.

Little Crescent Moon closed her eyes, then opened them again, her gaze fixed on Shen Shu’s stomach. She reached out and gently touched it. “Little baby, grow up big and strong! And be a good boy!”

Shen Shu’s eyes softened. “You have to grow up big and strong too, Little Crescent Moon. Then you can help me take care of the baby,” she said, her voice gentle.

Little Crescent Moon’s eyes lit up. “I can teach him how to draw! And I can teach him how to jump rope! And I know lots of words and letters! I can teach him everything!”

“That’s wonderful,” Shen Shu said, tucking her hand under the covers. “Now go to sleep. You have school tomorrow. Or you won’t be able to get up in the morning.”

Little Crescent Moon nodded. “Auntie Shu Shu, can I ask one last question?”

“What is it?”

Xu Jinnan, leaning against the doorway, listening to their conversation, felt a warmth spreading through her, a quiet contentment.

“What’s the baby’s name?” Little Crescent Moon asked.

She and Shen Shu had discussed it several times, but they hadn’t been able to agree on a name.

–

After putting Little Crescent Moon to bed, Shen Shu joined Xu Jinnan in the living room.

As soon as she closed the door, Xu Jinnan pulled her into a hug. “So, who do you love the most?” she asked, her voice a playful whisper against Shen Shu’s ear.

Shen Shu chuckled, trying to push her away.

Xu Jinnan, however, lifted her into her arms, and Shen Shu, her arms circling Xu Jinnan’s neck, playfully slapped her shoulder.

Xu Jinnan carried her over to the sofa and sat down, her lips finding Shen Shu’s. “Tell me,” she murmured against her mouth, “who do you love the most?”

“You’re the one who’s jealous, even of a child,” Shen Shu retorted, her voice soft.

“I only said I love you the most. You didn’t say you love me the most,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice a playful whine.

Shen Shu chuckled. “You’re so childish.”

“Jiejie is calling me childish now? You’ve changed. You weren’t like this before,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice a mock-accusation.

“Stop it, Xu Jinnan,” Shen Shu said, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

“Tell me,” Xu Jinnan insisted, her lips brushing against Shen Shu’s ear, her neck, her collarbone, her touch a playful torment.

Shen Shu, her body tingling, her hands pushing against Xu Jinnan’s chest, her voice a breathless whisper, said, “You. I love you.”

Xu Jinnan stopped, her gaze softening. “That’s more like it,” she murmured.

Shen Shu, looking at her, her heart melting, knew Xu Jinnan was just teasing her, trying to distract her from her morning sickness and her recent mood swings.

Whenever Shen Shu felt nauseous, Xu Jinnan’s brow would furrow with worry.

She reached out, her fingers gently caressing Xu Jinnan’s cheek. “Wifey, are you tired?”

Xu Jinnan, seeing her smile, her mood lifting, relaxed slightly. “I’m not tired. You’re the one who’s tired. You’ve been working so hard,” she said, her voice gentle.

Shen Shu looked down, her hand resting on her stomach. “I never knew pregnancy was this hard. I’m never doing this again.”

“Okay, okay, just this one, and then we’re done,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice soothing.

“Speaking of babies, Little Crescent Moon hasn’t said anything, but I can tell she misses her mother,” Shen Shu said. “We should be even better to her.”

Li Lan had said Yin Xue, while calmer now, wasn’t in a good state, mentally, and wouldn’t be released for decades.

And it wasn’t appropriate for Little Crescent Moon to visit her in prison.

They would have to tell her the truth eventually, but they would have to do it carefully, their love and support a constant reassurance, filling the void in her life.

“She’s a good kid,” Shen Shu said.

“Yes, and our baby will be just as good,” Xu Jinnan replied, then paused. “Babe, let’s think of a name for the baby.” She sat down beside Shen Shu, her hand resting on her stomach. “The baby will have your last name. Let’s see… what should we name him, or her…?”

Shen Shu looked at her, remembering their earlier discussions about baby names, shortly after learning about the pregnancy.

They hadn’t been able to agree on one.

She had been surprised when Xu Jinnan had suggested giving the baby her last name; it was unusual for a child to take the Omega parent’s name.

But Xu Jinnan had said, “You’re the one carrying the baby, going through all the pain and discomfort of pregnancy and childbirth. I can’t do anything to help. Why shouldn’t the baby have your last name?”

The memory made Shen Shu’s heart warm.

It didn’t really matter whose last name the baby had; she wasn’t concerned about that. It was Xu Jinnan’s thoughtfulness, her consideration for Shen Shu’s feelings, that had touched her.

“Any ideas?” she asked.

“If it’s a girl, Shen Nan. If it’s a boy, Shen Xing,” Xu Jinnan suggested.

Shen Shu thought about it. “Shen Xing is nice, but Shen Nan… we’ll have two ‘Nannan’s in the house. It’ll be confusing.”

“That’s true. We’ll think about it some more… If we can’t decide, we can always ask Auntie Cai and Auntie Tong for suggestions. Huh?” Xu Jinnan’s eyes widened suddenly, and she looked at Shen Shu.

Shen Shu, startled by her reaction, asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Did the baby just kick me?”

“…Xu Jinnan, what do you think our baby is? A kung fu master? He’s only two months old! How can he kick?” Shen Shu said, a mixture of amusement and exasperation. She wasn’t sure if Xu Jinnan was serious, or just being dramatic.

Xu Jinnan’s hand rested on Shen Shu’s stomach, her expression earnest. “Really? But I felt something,” she said, then leaned closer, her ear pressed against Shen Shu’s stomach. “Let me listen again.”

“…”

Shen Shu gently pinched her ear, a smile playing on her lips. “You’re so silly,” she murmured.