It was a reunion born of fate, this night after a long separation, that brought good news to the Xiang siblings simultaneously the following month.
Chen Jiaojiao and Xiang Wan were both pregnant.
Melody’s surgery was a success. After recuperating in the hospital for over half a month, on the day of her discharge, everyone gathered for a dinner at Lu Qingxu’s home.
Several pregnant women and one patient sat around a table, eating nutritious meals and drinking milk.
The men, meanwhile, were drinking and boasting among themselves.
Each one was more excited and boastful than the last when it came to their wives being pregnant. Eventually, Lu Qingxu couldn't stand it any longer and kicked them under the table.
“Can we change the subject? As a normal man, isn’t it natural to have a child? Why is it a glorious history for you all? You’re all becoming more pathetic as you get older.”
“Keep it down, all of you. Don’t bring this up in front of us anymore. You know our Melody just got out of the hospital and is sensitive. Bringing this up constantly isn’t just adding to our worries?”
Lu Mingzhe put an arm around his younger brother’s shoulders, telling him to relax.
“The doctor said Melody’s tumor was benign, it’s been removed, and with a bit more observation, she’ll recover soon. Isn’t having a child just around the corner for you guys? What are you being so sensitive about?”
“We called everyone over today specifically to add to your joy, understand? Don’t be too cautious. You should still do what you need to do, otherwise, you’ll never have a child.”
Lu Qingxu ignored him. “In short, don’t mention this in front of me anymore. I don’t want to hear it.”
Lu Qingxu and Melody stayed in Nancheng.
He no longer frequented nightclubs. Aside from waiting for his dividends, Lu Qingxu was uninterested in anything else, dedicating himself to taking care of Melody at home.
A little over a month after her surgery recovery, she underwent further rehabilitation checks. After observation until the end of the year, the doctor announced that Melody’s cancer cells were completely gone, and she had fully recovered. They wouldn’t need to visit the hospital anymore.
It was a snowy noon.
Back in the car, Lu Qingxu was overcome with emotion.
The car had already started, preparing to back out of the parking spot, but tears streamed down his face, wave after wave.
Although he felt it was embarrassing to be like this in front of Melody, he couldn’t help it.
Seeing him crying silently, Melody, who had accompanied him to the hospital so often she was practically half a doctor, felt not only love but also gratitude towards him.
He was clearly younger than her, yet he doted on her like a daughter, without restraint or fear.
He had actually gone through a lot.
Seeing his tears continue for a minute or two without stopping, Melody leaned over, turned his head towards her, and hugged him, patting his shoulder.
Suddenly, out of the blue, she asked, “Do you want to get married?”
This question was more effective than anything else. Lu Qingxu instantly stopped crying.
He looked up at her. “What did you say?”
Melody: “I’m proposing to you. Do you want to marry me?”
He gazed into Melody’s beautiful eyes for a few seconds, and then tears began to flow again.
“Even though you shouldn’t be the one proposing, I’m still so happy. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day. I love you so much, Melody. It’s my honor to marry you…”
“Then let’s go buy rings. Are you still crying?”
Lu Qingxu, in his excitement, impulsively took her to a department store. They chose a pair of simple rings at a counter, and that was that.
He was afraid she might change her mind.
Back home, he intended to do as he always did: take her coat, hang it up, cut some fruit for her, and then let her rest.
However, as soon as he entered and took off his coat, Melody grabbed the collar of his sweater and pulled him into the room.
Melody, standing at a height of 1.70 meters, coupled with a pair of black Martin boots, a black sweater, and a cool demeanor, moved with such decisive grace that Lu Qingxu was often captivated by her.
He was willing to be at her mercy.
“Why are you pulling me into the room?”
Once inside, Melody kicked the door shut with her foot, then pushed him towards the bed, looking at him with seductive eyes.
“What do you think?”
At this point, Lu Qingxu knew exactly what she meant.
Since she rarely took the initiative to this extent, he was overjoyed.
But he still pointed to the curtains.
“Aren’t you going to close the curtains?”
“Do you want to?”
Melody looked at him, reached out her long arm, found the remote control, and pressed a button. The curtains slowly closed, and she leaned back towards him.
“Is that okay now?”
Yes, it was more than okay. Lu Qingxu was content.
“Is there anything I need to do?”
Melody instructed him, “Remove these unnecessary obstacles yourself.”
Meeting Melody’s gaze, he removed the unnecessary obstacles one by one.
“And mine too.”
He then helped Melody remove her unnecessary obstacles. Instinctively, he reached for something in the bedside cabinet, but Melody stopped him.
“Have you forgotten you’re already wearing my engagement ring?”
“No.”
“Then are we going to apply for marriage tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Then what are you still looking for? Don’t you want to have a child with me?”
Lu Qingxu desperately wanted to have a child with Melody, so much so that he was going crazy. He had just been worried about her health.
“Can I? Can I think about it?”
“Of course. You’re the only man I have. Who else would want to?”
“But…”
“Are you still treating me like a patient? Didn’t the doctor say today that I’m fine? Or are you disgusted with me?”
Although Melody’s ovaries had been removed, Lu Qingxu loved her to the core. He found her perfect in every way and would never be disgusted with her.
“No, you’re the only one who could possibly be disgusted with me. How could I ever be disgusted with you? Then it’s settled, we’re going to try for a child too!”
Both of them were a bit eager, wishing they could sow the seeds today and reap the harvest tomorrow, so they figured planting more seeds was always beneficial.
They got carried away a little too much.
The next day, as Lu Qingxu ran errands to apply for various permits and procedures, his legs felt like they were floating.
Knowing that yesterday was a crucial check-up day for Melody, Mama Zhan and Mama Lu wanted to hear the results that evening, so they arranged to visit them at home.
Seeing Lu Qingxu’s poor complexion, they assumed he was exhausted from accompanying Melody to the hospital. Mama Lu suggested arranging a nanny and a driver for them.
Lu Qingxu refused.
“No, we’re fine. We don’t want anyone else to disturb us.”
“But you look so tired lately.”
Melody told Mama Lu the truth.
“I don’t have to go to the hospital anymore, so he won’t be so tired. Besides, this isn’t because he was tired from accompanying me to the hospital.”
Mama Lu thought he was sick. “Then what’s wrong with him? He looks so…”
“We’re planning to have a child soon.”
The air fell into an awkward silence for two seconds. Mama Lu’s face turned red, wishing she could disappear into a hole.
After living for most of her life, why was she becoming less perceptive…
Awkwardly, she went to help Mama Zhan push her wheelchair. “Sister Zhou, I think it’s about time. Perhaps we should be going.”