Side Story Two: Pregnancy (4)

Outside in the courtyard, the sound of a car announced the return of Gu’s parents.

The couple greeted them in unison. Seeing Gu Zehuai and Wen Jiu in the living room, Mother Gu was delighted. She walked over and sat down beside Wen Jiu, asking, "Jiu Jiu, you two finished work so early today?"

Wen Jiu smiled and replied, "Mom, we didn't go to work today; we went to the hospital."

Hearing this, Mother Gu’s expression turned anxious. She scanned Wen Jiu from head to toe, but before she could voice her concerns, Gu Zehuai handed the pregnancy diagnosis from that morning to her.

Mother Gu’s eyes fell upon the prominent words on the document. The worry that hadn't yet faded from her gaze vanished, replaced by a look of joy as she turned to Wen Jiu. She looked at her daughter-in-law with a warm, maternal smile, her eyes shifting to Wen Jiu’s still-flat stomach. "Jiu Jiu, congratulations! Why didn't you tell me this good news earlier so I could have rushed back sooner?"

Father Gu reached out and took the report, his face unable to hide his happiness upon reading it.

Wen Jiu, also in high spirits, replied, "Mom, you and Dad were at the company, and we didn't want to disturb your work. Knowing now is just as good."

Mother Gu nodded in agreement. "That’s true, it’s not too late to know now. Tell me, Jiu Jiu, do you feel alright? Are you able to eat?"

Wen Jiu’s appetite was still good, and she felt no discomfort, so she shook her head.

Gu Yulin, who had been watching cartoons, seemed to grasp the situation. He leaned in curiously, blinking his large eyes as he asked Mother Gu, "Grandma, is Little Aunt going to have a baby?"

Wen Jiu smiled at the question, and Mother Gu responded in kind: "Yes, you’re going to have a little brother or sister."

Gu Yulin pondered this for a moment before answering innocently, "Then I hope it’s a little sister! I like little sisters!"

Everyone in the room burst into laughter, and Gu Zehuai gave Gu Yulin an approving look. This kid was thinking exactly what he was thinking. Just imagining having a daughter to hold and dote on every day—it would surely make Lin Youqi and Pei Yi green with envy.

Mother Gu chimed in, "Alright, alright, we’ll be happy with either a brother or a sister, but you, as the big brother, must treat them both equally."

Gu Yulin nodded vigorously. "I will! I’ll definitely protect my little brother or sister!"

Young Gu Yulin remained immersed in the joy of becoming a big brother. He couldn't focus on his cartoons anymore, staring instead at Wen Jiu’s stomach. When would it get bigger? When would his little sister arrive? He felt he couldn't wait another moment.

Grandmother Gu walked in from the courtyard, hearing the lively chatter in the living room. She asked with a smile, "What are you all chatting about so happily? Let me in on the secret."

Gu Yulin was the first to answer: "Great-Grandma, we’re talking about how I’m going to have a little sister!"

Grandmother Gu laughed, reacting just as the others had: "The baby isn't even born yet, and you already know it’s a sister?"

"Of course, I’m a very good guesser!" Gu Yulin said with a hint of pride.

The innocence of a child’s words amused everyone. But once the laughter subsided, their focus returned to caring for Wen Jiu’s health. After finishing dinner and staying the night at the old family estate, the couple headed to work the next day. Gu Zehuai tried to persuade Wen Jiu to stay home, but she refused.

Since there was no heavy labor at the studio, there was nothing to worry about. However, Gu Zehuai was terrified of her getting bumped or bruised. Seeing that Wen Jiu was unwilling to stop working for the time being, he made a compromise: "Jiu Jiu, in that case, why don't you work from home?"

Wen Jiu thought about it; she was mostly just working on sketches, so working from home wasn't entirely impossible. However, she still needed to brief her staff on upcoming work arrangements. After she explained this to him, Gu Zehuai finally felt at ease and drove her to the company.

Before getting out of the car, Wen Jiu pressed a kiss to Gu Zehuai’s lips. "Goodbye, husband."

Gu Zehuai held onto her hand, cautioning her, "Jiu Jiu, I’ll come to the studio at noon so we can have lunch together. Don’t overexert yourself while working. If you feel even the slightest bit unwell, you must tell me immediately. Don't try to be a hero."

Wen Jiu rubbed her ear playfully. "Yes, yes, I know."

From last night until now, Gu Zehuai had given her these instructions so many times that she felt as if calluses were forming in her ears.

The moment he heard her tone, Gu Zehuai knew she was just humoring him. He smiled helplessly and watched her step out of the car and into the studio.

The staff at the studio were already accustomed to seeing the pair arrive together, and they greeted them both with enthusiastic smiles.