“Such a cute little bunny—can you really bear to eat it?” Lin Hanbing countered.
“…” Cheng Zhanya frowned.
They were made to be eaten, after all!
She glanced at the pair of adorable pink rabbits and found herself grudgingly agreeing with Lin Hanbing’s point.
Such a cute little thing—eating it really would bring on a pang of guilt.
Cheng Zhanya let out a sigh.
Fine, she wouldn’t eat it.
Just looking at it was pretty nice, even if it felt a bit wasteful and regrettable.
She had still been curious about the taste.
Lin Hanbing was grinning broadly.
Watching Cheng Zhanya drool over it but hold back was utterly adorable. Her sickly pallor lingered, but the softness of pregnancy gave her a dazed, cute look that made Lin Hanbing want to give her cheek a squeeze.
Just like a little squirrel.
The thought had barely formed when Lin Hanbing lifted her hand.
She pinched that tender cheek and laughed. “Come on, just one bite.”
Cheng Zhanya turned her face away and closed her eyes.
She was determined not to rise to Lin Hanbing’s teasing.
Full from her meal and drink, she felt sleep creeping in again.
Yawning reflexively, Cheng Zhanya waved her off without ceremony. “You may withdraw.”
Lin Hanbing was torn between laughter and exasperation. “…”
Had she been bingeing palace dramas lately?
But she could see Cheng Zhanya was truly exhausted, so she didn’t disturb her further. Instead, she dimmed the lights and drew the curtains.
The world seemed to fall quiet in an instant.
Once Cheng Zhanya’s IV drip finished, Lin Hanbing called the nurse to remove it.
Steady breaths filled the room.
The frown that had creased her brow all day finally eased.
Lin Hanbing tucked in the covers for her wife, then sat watching quietly.
Night gradually deepened.
Lin Hanbing’s eyes were starting to ache.
After a moment, she gave in. She gently lifted the blanket and lay down beside her wife, wrapping her arms around Cheng Zhanya with utmost care.
The perilous day had finally drawn to a close.
The next morning, Cheng Zhanya woke early.
The sharp tang of disinfectant filled her nose.
It made her uncomfortable.
Perhaps because of the pregnancy, she seemed even more delicate these days.
Staring at the ceiling, Cheng Zhanya felt a touch of helplessness. She didn’t move, just tilted her head slightly to gaze at Lin Hanbing.
Lin Hanbing was still asleep, her long lashes thick and curled like falsies.
Her skin was impeccably fair.
Not a single flaw.
Lin Hanbing was born perfect—irresistibly captivating at any time.
She didn’t seem to be sleeping soundly; her brows were furrowed in faint distress.
Cheng Zhanya smoothed them gently with her fingers.
Then she pressed a soft kiss there.
“Good morning.”
Lin Hanbing’s eyes fluttered open. “Good morning,” she murmured back.
“It’s time to get up,” Cheng Zhanya said.
“Mm.”
Lin Hanbing sat up and quickly tucked the covers around her, but a draft still sneaked in.
Cheng Zhanya shivered.
So cold.
Winter was truly on its way.
Lin Hanbing was still in yesterday’s clothes, the bloodstains glaringly harsh.
“Why don’t you go home and change?” Cheng Zhanya couldn’t help suggesting.
“No need.”
Every time her wife ended up in the hospital, it was because she’d failed to take proper care of her.
She couldn’t go through that terror again.
The next hospital visit would be for a routine checkup only—no more accidents.
How vital Cheng Zhanya was to her.
Even the smallest grievance loomed large in her eyes.
She’d already resolved not to let Cheng Zhanya out of her sight.
Cheng Zhanya felt both heartache and helplessness. She knew Lin Hanbing was worried sick—she could sense it, and she’d felt it more than once before.
Putting aside her playful demeanor, she grew serious, her tone exceedingly gentle. “I’m fine now. Don’t worry.”
Lin Hanbing said nothing.
After a few seconds of silence, Cheng Zhanya gave up trying to persuade her.
She knew how stubborn Lin Hanbing could be.
Arguing further was pointless, so she let it drop.
She sighed.
She hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning, and now her stomach was rumbling loudly.
Cheng Zhanya flushed with embarrassment, scalp tingling.
Lin Hanbing heard it and chuckled despite herself. “What do you want to eat?”
“I can have solids today. Time to make up for yesterday.”
“…”
She glanced at the Rabbit Egg Yolk Crisps on the table, then back at Lin Hanbing—the intent plain as day.
“Alright, that’s fine,” Lin Hanbing agreed with a nod.
“And order some liquid food too,” she added.
Cheng Zhanya cradled one little rabbit in her palm, examining it closely.
Too cute.
It was almost too hard to take a bite.
But she was starving.
And she’d been craving it for ages.
She sank her teeth in. The crisp, flaky texture melted in her mouth, and Cheng Zhanya sighed in pure contentment.
Seeing her wife’s satisfied expression lifted Lin Hanbing’s spirits too.
One little bunny down, and Cheng Zhanya wagged her head happily.
Delicious.
She eyed the last remaining one.
Ideas forming anew.
Lin Hanbing saw through her instantly. “No.”
She’d said make up for it, and Cheng Zhanya planned to do just that.
Like a little glutton cat, Cheng Zhanya was. Lin Hanbing shook her head helplessly. “Just the one.”
“Chengcheng says she wants it.”
“Chengcheng says she doesn’t.”
Their exchange was childish, yet oddly heartwarming.
“The company…”
Cheng Zhanya had slept for days and suddenly remembered she hadn’t taken leave.
She looked at Lin Hanbing, a question in her eyes.
As her boss, Lin Hanbing could approve it directly, right?
Lately, she’d been taking off a lot.
This hospital stay had eaten up another week.
Time flew, Cheng Zhanya couldn’t help sighing. The baby was nearly seven months along amid all the chaos.
She’d finally built up a buffer of manuscripts, but this stay wiped it out.
She wondered if she could keep up updates.
Maybe her readers would be fine with a break announcement.
Cheng Zhanya was optimistic.
The internet was like that—most readers were forgiving.
Especially toward her.
“Don’t worry about the company.”
Lin Hanbing shook her head.
“Your art style is simple but inimitable; you have a unique touch,” Lin Hanbing reassured her. “Everyone will be happy to wait for your return.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve already put in your leave request,” Lin Hanbing said. “Starting this month, you’re on maternity leave.”
Cheng Zhanya stared in surprise. “So sudden?”
How had she not known?
At the same time, she was annoyed—furious that Lin Hanbing had decided without her.
Yet it made perfect sense.
Her health was declining; every few days, it was the hospital again, stays stretching to a week like this one.
Pregnancy was entering the seventh month.
Commuting to the office daily worried Lin Hanbing—and it was wearing Cheng Zhanya out too.
Lin Hanbing hugged her close, voice muffled. “Yaya, you’ll understand, right?”
“Yes, I do,” Cheng Zhanya replied, head lowered, tone subdued. “But shouldn’t you have told me first before deciding?”
“Asked my opinion?”
“I can accept it, but only if you let me know ahead of time.”
Such unilateral decisions felt disrespectful.
“I’m sorry.”
Cheng Zhanya exhaled. “Okay, I forgive you.”
Lin Hanbing kissed her. “Good girl, we can go home now.”
Finally free of the hospital smell.
Cheng Zhanya’s earlier frustration had faded. She nodded, and they left the room where she’d spent over a month.
Outside the hospital, she breathed in the fresh air deeply.
The world beyond was wonderful.
Cheng Zhanya marveled at it more than once.
The days ahead should be better—everything trending upward.
Dragging her heavy belly, she climbed into the car. As if sensing homecoming, the Little One inside kicked up a lively dance.
Several bumps poked out against her skin.
The white maternity dress clung close, making them obvious.
Lin Hanbing could almost see the maternal glow radiating from Cheng Zhanya. Unable to resist, she said, “Chengcheng’s excited too.”
“Of course.”
“Stuck in the hospital for over a week.”
Lin Hanbing had gone home the day after admission to change; the black suit fit her perfectly, making her skin seem even fairer.
Cheng Zhanya had always been curious.
She suspected Lin Hanbing was made of water—flawless despite being nearly thirty, on the verge of motherhood.
Her features were exquisite, skin impeccable.
Her figure perfect too.
Curves where they should be, slender elsewhere.
Compared to her, Cheng Zhanya’s weight had skyrocketed since pregnancy.
Her hands and feet were swelling now.
She barely dared look in the mirror.
The process felt endless; she wondered about postpartum recovery odds.
Lately, stretch marks had appeared.
A thin, faint one on her belly’s surface, like a crack slowly spreading.
Sudden emotion overwhelmed her.
Cheng Zhanya fell quiet, mood sinking as she bowed her head.
Lin Hanbing sensed the shift in atmosphere. “What’s wrong? What are you thinking?”
“Nothing.” Cheng Zhanya sounded glum.
The calmer she was, the more uneasy Lin Hanbing grew.
She persisted. “Yaya, don’t bottle things up.”
Lin Hanbing drove, eyes on the road but flicking to Cheng Zhanya now and then.
“Don’t overthink.”
After a long silence, Cheng Zhanya murmured, “I think I’ve got stretch marks.”
“They’re ugly.”
Lin Hanbing paused, then said softly, “Don’t worry—they can be fixed.”
“Tonight, I’ll apply ointment for you every day.”
“What ointment?”
Cheng Zhanya was genuinely curious. When had Lin Hanbing prepared it?
“To prevent stretch marks.”
She’d gotten it long ago. Cheng Zhanya’s skin had been fine even at six months, so she’d held off mentioning it.
“There’s that too?”
“Of course.”
By then, the car had pulled smoothly into the apartment garage. Lin Hanbing unbuckled her seatbelt for her, and they headed upstairs.
From the storage box, Lin Hanbing retrieved a small, elegant container.
Moist and glossy-looking.
It didn’t seem like much for stretch marks.
But it worked wonders.
The next morning, Cheng Zhanya checked specially. Placebo or not, the marks really seemed fainter.
Lin Hanbing hugged her from behind, beaming with pride. “How’s that? Pretty effective, right?”
Cheng Zhanya nodded, pleased—her tone touched, though her gesture was exaggerated. “Thank you.”
“Thank you, President Lin.”
“Try a different name.” Lin Hanbing pressed her advantage. “You know what I want to hear?”
“Sister?”
Lin Hanbing shot her a coquettish glare, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. “You clearly know what I want to hear.”
Cheng Zhanya chuckled slyly, tilting her head as though she didn’t understand at all.
“Isn’t it ‘sister’?”
Every time Cheng Zhanya called her “sister,” it sent her into uncontrollable excitement.
“Yaya, you’ve learned to be naughty.”
Cheng Zhanya laughed softly, deciding not to tease her any longer. She rose onto her tiptoes and murmured gently into her ear, “Wifey~”
