"So you just got married without saying a word!?"
Song Xiaoyuan never expected that her long-awaited reunion with her best friend after starting work would bring such shocking news. The revelation that her friend had gotten married left her utterly bewildered, and she felt like screaming into her hands.
"Miao, you just graduated! Isn’t it way too soon to get married?"
Xia Miao calmly took a bite of her dessert, found it delicious, and asked the waiter to pack another slice of Black Forest cake to take home. She replied nonchalantly, "When fate calls, you answer."
"But there was no need to rush like this!"
Like many others, Song Xiaoyuan had always thought Xia Miao had exceptionally high standards. She had turned down countless outstanding suitors in school and seemed destined to be among the late-marrying, late-childbearing crowd.
Song Xiaoyuan had even assumed she’d marry before Xia Miao. Who could’ve guessed her friend would move so fast? In just half a year, she was already married!
Xia Miao looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, the belly couldn’t wait."
Song Xiaoyuan covered her mouth, her eyes darting to Xia Miao’s flat stomach. "You… shotgun wedding?"
"Sort of." Xia Miao’s tone was peculiar. There was a belly that couldn’t wait—just not hers.
Song Xiaoyuan hadn’t expected Xia Miao to drop such a bombshell. Knowing her friend’s strong will and unshakable decisions, she took a sip of tea to steady herself. "So, what’s the guy like? When are you bringing him out for us to meet?"
Xia Miao’s expression grew even more enigmatic. "We just bought a new place. Once everything’s settled, I’ll invite you over."
Song Xiaoyuan nodded reluctantly. "Fine."
Since some things couldn’t be shared, Xia Miao paid for the meal as an apology. But she was in a hurry to leave, so after dinner, she bid Song Xiaoyuan goodbye.
As Xia Miao picked up her bag, stuffed with books, Song Xiaoyuan thought she glimpsed a title: How to Help Your Partner Through Prenatal Depression.
Did Xia Miao have prenatal depression?
But she seemed perfectly normal just now…
As night fell, Xia Miao rushed home.
The house was dark, the balcony door left open. The night wind howled in, making the curtains billow like ferocious beasts, exuding danger.
Amid the gloom, a shadowy figure curled up on the couch seemed almost ghostly.
"You… finally… came back."
Xia Miao’s scalp prickled. She quickly turned on the lights and handed over the takeout dessert. "Look, sweetheart! I brought you something delicious!"
The man’s long hair was disheveled, his face pale, the flush on his nose bridge like drying blood. Ignoring her gesture, he stared at her with hollow, despondent eyes.
Then, his eyes reddened further, welling with pitiful tears.
Xia Miao immediately hugged him, patting his back. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I came back late, but I love you, only you, forever you!"
Her flood of sweet nothings finally eased E Gui’s mood a little.
She then presented the dessert. "You’ve been craving sweets lately, so I got this just for you."
His voice was sluggish. "Will… get fat."
"No, no! You’re too thin—you need more meat on you."
E Gui touched his stomach, lips pressed tight. "Body… ruined. You… won’t… like."
"Impossible!" Xia Miao acted as if grievously wronged, nearly swearing an oath. "I love your soul! Your body doesn’t matter!"
He shot her a sidelong glance. "Before… you said… loved my… waist. Called me… dog."
Xia Miao broke into a cold sweat.
Sure, she’d said some… spicy things in bed, but "wolf’s waist" was not an insult!
Quietly, she tried to take the dessert back. "Sorry, my bad. I shouldn’t have brought this. I’ll eat it myself."
His eyes welled up again.
Xia Miao tensed. "What now?!"
"You… hog food. Don’t… love me."
The dessert now felt like a hot potato—giving it to him or taking it back both seemed disastrous.
Abandoning sweet talk, she set the cake down, pinned him to the couch, and rained quick kisses on his face like a woodpecker.
"Keep this up, and I’ll strip you bare!"
E Gui’s cheeks and ears burned crimson, his dark eyes glistening, unbearably beautiful.
Xia Miao pressed, "Eat or not?!"
He shrank slightly, whispering shyly, "Eat."
She opened the box and handed him the Black Forest cake.
E Gui took small, delicate bites with a spoon, stealing glances at her between each. After acting up, he always worried she might be angry.
But when he peeked, Xia Miao leaned in and planted a firm kiss on his lips.
Finally cheered up, E Gui pulled her into his lap, feeding her a bite of cake. Petite Xia Miao nestled in his arms like a doll.
She asked, "Thought of a name for the baby?"
He nodded.
Curious, she pressed, "What is it?"
"Xiao Gui."
Xia Miao blinked. "Gui as in… cabinet?"
Because she understood him so perfectly, his eyes sparkled with excitement. "Miao… first met… in cabinet. Proposed."
Xia Miao wanted to argue for a more sensible name, but seeing his joy, she bit her tongue.
If the kid ever complained, he could take it up with his dad.
---
At the school in Wubai Town, without Xia Miao’s iron grip, the students ran wild again.
Director Lin scolded troublemaker Fang Xiaogui and asked, "Why hasn’t your uncle come to work lately?"
Fang Xiaogui shrugged. "He’s been sleeping in a lot. Guess he’s getting old and frail."
Director Lin looked baffled.
---
Trapped in Wubai Town, Wen Sisi struggled to find clues to escape. Though the inn was safe, and a brat kept pestering her with homework questions, she couldn’t stay idle forever.
Exhausted, she collapsed into sleep—and dreamed again.
Darkness enveloped her, save for a glaring red door.
Wen Sisi recalled the man’s words from that day.
Gritting her teeth, she gambled. Gripping the handle, she pushed the red door open and stepped through.
The space twisted, morphing into the inn’s lobby.
Behind the counter, the man lounged in a chair, idly flicking an abacus. Then he lifted his gaze and smiled lazily.
"Took you long enough to make a mistake."
Foolishly, she’d wandered into his dream. And he, bored beyond measure, now had a plaything to pass the time.
