This unfamiliar place made even breathing painful for him.
The next morning, he woke up to Nightwing stealing his breakfast!
He had discreetly followed the entertainment news and knew these two were brothers.
He thought bitterly, "They're truly brothers, equally detestable."
After breakfast, Song Yin wanted to go upstairs.
Ji Zhixiu stopped him, "I've arranged your school. Someone will take you there tomorrow."
Song Yin paused, unwillingly saying, "Got it."
Nightwing, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, chimed in, "What, young master Song can't even say thank you?"
Song Yin glared fiercely at him, then mumbled vaguely to Ji Zhixiu, "Th...thank you."
Nightwing chuckled, "Who are you thanking? Without even a proper address?"
Song Yin desperately wanted to throw Nightwing out, but this wasn't his home.
He ground his teeth in frustration, "Thank you, President Ji..."
Nightwing raised an eyebrow, determined to tease him further, "Why call him President Ji so formally? He's your brother-in-law, you know."
The words seemed to strike a nerve, and Song Yin suddenly erupted, "I don't have a sister! I'm an only child!"
With that, he stomped upstairs, ignoring Ji Zhixiu's presence.
Jiang Mian glanced at Nightwing, "Why are you teasing him like that?"
She didn't expect much from Song Yin; she just wanted them to coexist peacefully.
Nightwing grinned, shrugging nonchalantly, "It's fun."
Jiang Mian sighed, "I'm going upstairs."
Ji Zhixiu helped her up, and Jiang Mian felt a bit shy, "You don't need to."
She had held his arm on the way down because she had just woken up and her body was weak, but she had mostly recovered now.
Ji Zhixiu insisted, holding her waist, "I do."
Nightwing scoffed, "Are you two treating me like I don't exist?"
Jiang Mian coughed, "It's more like we're not treating you like an outsider."
She didn't refuse Ji Zhixiu's help anymore, and they returned to their room.
Ji Zhixiu had already told her everything about the Hong Kong situation, and Jiang Mian hadn't expected Shen Tingyu to be so outrageous.
Now that she was awake, Jiang Mian asked him, "How do you plan to deal with Shen Tingyu?"
Ji Zhixiu's expression was calm, "Don't worry about this matter."
His tone was cool, not harsh.
Jiang Mian couldn't guess his thoughts, but she knew Ji Zhixiu wouldn't let her off easily.
Jiang Mian sat on the edge of the bed, tilting her head slightly, and took his hand. "What about her brother...?"
Shen Tingyu's actions would inevitably affect their relationship.
Ji Zhixiu pinched her cheek and looked down at her. "I'll handle it, don't worry. You've lost weight, I'll have Aunt Song make more delicious food for you to regain some."
He clearly didn't want Jiang Mian involved in this, so Jiang Mian nodded and didn't press further.
Hearing him mention regaining weight, Jiang Mian curved her lips, thinking of the baby in her belly.
He didn't know this good news yet, did he?
This child came unexpectedly but also seemed natural. She desperately wanted to have a baby of her own with Ji Zhixiu.
Having another person to love him was her greatest wish.
Jiang Mian cleared her throat, "I have something to tell you."
Ji Zhixiu: "Hmm?"
Jiang Mian got up, hooked her arms around his neck, their eyes met, and her starry eyes sparkled.
She whispered softly in his ear, "I forgot to tell you, congratulations, President Ji, you're going to be a father."
Ji Zhixiu paused. When he had first learned about Jiang Mian's pregnancy, he hadn't felt much.
After all, Jiang Mian had been unconscious at the time, and she had just returned. More than the baby, he was worried about Jiang Mian.
But now, hearing it directly from Jiang Mian, facing this good news.
Ji Zhixiu's face was so blank that no emotion could be discerned.
Jiang Mian bit her lip, "Aren't you happy?"
"Happy," he replied without hesitation.
Yet, his face was clearly expressionless.
Jiang Mian frowned, her excitement fading, "Ji Zhixiu!"
"I'm here."
"I can't tell you're happy."
Ji Zhixiu put his arm around her waist and said gently, "I knew when the doctor examined you."
Did this mean the excitement had already passed?
Jiang Mian pushed him away sulkily and got into bed in one smooth motion.
"Mian Mian," Ji Zhixiu furrowed his brow.
"What?" Jiang Mian retorted, as if venting her frustration.
"Tomorrow, we're going back to the old house."
The room was silent for a long time before Jiang Mian finally hummed in response.
That night, they slept in the same bed.
Jiang Mian, with her back to him, picked up her phone and played a matching game.
The small game sound effects were particularly noticeable in the quiet room.
"Mian Mian," Ji Zhixiu called her.
Jiang Mian put down her phone, "I'm sleeping."
Ji Zhixiu was helpless. He spread his long arms and pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin on her forehead. "I'm very happy, I wasn't lying. Our family is about to welcome a new member."
Jiang Mian struggled feebly for a moment, then nestled into his arms. The faint, clean scent of the man on him filled her senses, a scent that was reassuring.
She remained silent.
"I always thought I was invincible, capable of handling any company affair. But it took me a long time to find you. By some miracle, heaven sent you to me. Then I lost you again. During that time, no one knows how scared I was. I was afraid I wouldn't see you again."
His voice was gentle.
Jiang Mian's nose tingled.
"If I couldn't find you, what would I have done? I can't imagine that outcome. Your safe return is already the greatest surprise to me."
Jiang Mian felt a pang in her heart. His implication was that the baby was something he dared not even imagine.
She hugged Ji Zhixiu tightly, "It won't happen. I'll always be with you. We'll always be with you." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Ji Zhixiu closed his eyes slightly, holding the most unique and precious treasure in the world to him.
"I just hope you are safe and sound," his voice was deep and powerful.
Jiang Mian's heart ached. During the time she was taken away, her daily hope was that Ji Zhixiu would come to save her.
And him? Was his every day an ordeal?
Jiang Mian sniffled, holding back the urge to cry, "How did you know she wasn't me?"
Ji Zhixiu let out a low laugh, "Actually, nothing she did made me doubt her. Not eating pork brains could be explained as a change in taste, and actively seeking intimacy..." He paused meaningfully, "was also normal, after all, we are husband and wife. However, she was missing a small red mole behind her ear."
Jiang Mian's face instantly turned red.
She had a tiny red mole behind her ear, almost invisible, usually hidden by her hair.
Only once, during an intimate moment, had Ji Zhixiu noticed it.
Since then, the man had loved to kiss that red mole.
Recalling those moments, Jiang Mian's body couldn't help but tremble. She still remembered the feeling of that passionate breath.
She buried her face in his chest and whispered, "Then... did you do anything with her?!"
Her question held a hint of playful, knowing naughtiness.
Ji Zhixiu loved her spoiled demeanor. He turned off the bedside lamp.
Then he whispered something in her ear.
Jiang Mian felt both shy and annoyed, unable to resist burrowing into his embrace.
...
The next morning, Jiang Mian and Ji Zhixiu went downstairs for breakfast.
Nightwing was already at the dining table. He raised an eyebrow, "You two kept me waiting."
Jiang Mian retorted, "It's still early. Don't say it like we're so late."
Ji Zhixiu said calmly, "Where is Song Yin?"
Aunt Song looked a little troubled, "I called him, but young master Song said he wouldn't eat."
Jiang Mian slowly said "oh," thinking that if he didn't eat, he'd come down when he was hungry.
Nightwing shook his head, "Is this all the temper he has? He's refusing to eat already?"
Jiang Mian sat down and spread her napkin, "Maybe he's going through puberty."
Aunt Song asked, "Should I take it up to him?"
Nightwing laughed, "No need. Aunt Song, why are you so concerned about him? Did you notice him giving any of us a pleasant look since he arrived?"
To Aunt Song, Song Yin was just a child, and she showed him a bit more tolerance.
Nightwing cut a slice of bread and spread jam on it, "Aunt Song, instead of worrying about him, you should worry more about me. I want to eat prawns for lunch."
Aunt Song nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, no problem."
Jiang Mian looked up, "Axiu and I won't be home for lunch, so Aunt Song, you don't need to make anything for us."
Before Aunt Song could reply, Nightwing blurted out, "Where are you two going?"
Ji Zhixiu looked at him, "Back to the Ji family. Do you want to come?"
Nightwing: "..."
Well, he didn't dare go.
He wasn't afraid of being kicked out by Mrs. Ji, but he was afraid of angering Mrs. Ji and causing her some serious harm.
Best not to.