Sang Ning froze for a moment.
Grandma He said cheerfully, "Let’s go to the hospital for a checkup another day—you might be pregnant!"
He Siyu’s gaze went still for three seconds before suddenly brightening.
Sang Ning nodded blankly. "Yes."
They hadn’t used any protection since getting married, and now that she thought about it, her period hadn’t come this month either.
She had imagined having a child someday, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
He Siyu tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes flickering with emotion.
Grandma He shot He Wanjun a glare. "What’s with all the arguing during the holidays? Such a trivial matter, and you just won’t let it go. You’ll scare Sang Ning!"
He Wanjun: "..."
He Jinxing covered his mouth, coughing again, nearly choking from holding back laughter.
"Alright, alright, it’s time to eat," Grandma He quickly ushered Sang Ning to the dining table.
The brewing storm dissipated just like that.
He Wanjun suppressed his temper and headed to the dining room, with everyone else following.
A servant also went upstairs to fetch He Yun'an, who had been playing video games.
The He Family rarely gathered together, but this reunion dinner was surprisingly harmonious.
Grandma He was overjoyed, eagerly serving dishes to Sang Ning.
Even He Wanjun softened his tone, speaking gently at the table.
It was a rare, heartwarming family gathering.
After lunch, He Siyu immediately took Sang Ning to the hospital.
He wouldn’t rest easy until they confirmed it.
Two hours later, at Huaji Hospital.
He Siyu held the test results—just a flimsy piece of paper, but his fingers clenched around it until his knuckles turned white.
The doctor smiled. "Congratulations, Mrs. He. You’re pregnant."
He Siyu abruptly looked up at Sang Ning, his dark eyes trembling slightly. "Yangyang, we’re going to have a baby."
It took Sang Ning three seconds to process the news, a strange sensation creeping into her heart.
She was going to be a mother.
He bent down and pulled her tightly into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder, a smile spreading across his lips. "We’re having a baby."
---
"I’m going to be the godmother!"
Ji Yan exclaimed excitedly, carefully touching Sang Ning’s still-flat stomach. "Oh my god, I think he just moved!"
Sang Ning: "..."
Sang Ning deadpanned, "It’s only been a month. The baby isn’t even formed yet."
Ji Yan blinked. "Really?"
Sang Ning pushed her hand away. "Can you all stop overreacting? I’m carrying a baby, not a mythical Nezha."
Ever since the pregnancy was confirmed, both the He and Nan families had gone into a frenzy. Grandma He gave endless advice and even sent Nanny Zhao to take care of Sang Ning, worried no one else would do it properly.
He Siyu was so nervous that even when she ate a piece of watermelon, he’d first look up how many slices a pregnant woman could safely consume.
Yesterday, a package arrived at home—a miniature toy car for children.
He Siyu had bought it.
He explained, "I saw it online. It’s suitable for boys or girls. Very practical."
Sang Ning had already given up on talking to him.
"Mrs. He, please come in," a nurse said politely.
"Alright." Sang Ning stood up.
Ji Yan linked arms with her as they entered. "Why are we seeing a traditional Chinese doctor?"
"Grandma He arranged it. I’ve been having some morning sickness, and she said this doctor is highly respected. He can help regulate my health."
Truthfully, her nausea was mild, but she couldn’t refuse Grandma He’s thoughtful gesture. Since she and Ji Yan had already planned to go shopping today, they decided to drop by the clinic.
Ji Yan nodded repeatedly. "If Grandma He recommended him, he must be the best."
As they pushed the door open, they saw a man in his sixties speaking to someone.
Hearing them enter, he turned and smiled. "Mrs. He."
Sang Ning nodded slightly. "Hello."
"Please have a seat." The elderly doctor, surnamed Wang, gestured politely.
Sang Ning sat at the table as Dr. Wang placed a small cushion in front of her.
"Grandma He mentioned you’ve been experiencing morning sickness?" he asked.
"A little, especially when I smell fish. But if I avoid strong odors, it’s manageable."
"Let me check your pulse."
Sang Ning rested her wrist on the cushion. After a long moment of contemplation, Dr. Wang smiled.
"Your pregnancy is stable, but your qi and blood are slightly deficient. You don’t need medication, but some nourishing meals would help. They’ll ease the nausea and strengthen your health, making postpartum recovery smoother."
Sang Ning nodded. "Understood."
Dr. Wang began writing a prescription. "No need to worry. Everything is fine."
Sang Ning paused—she hadn’t been worried in the first place.
"Thank you, Doctor."
"Of course. Grandma He personally asked me to take care of you. If anything comes up, don’t hesitate to ask."
He then glanced at Ji Yan. "And this is...?"
"My friend, Ji Yan. Could you check on her too?" Sang Ning stood and pulled Ji Yan into the seat.
Ji Yan was baffled. "Me? Why?"
"You’ve been looking pale lately. Was your last cold not fully cured?"
Ji Yan’s eyes darted away. "I’m fine..."
Dr. Wang smiled. "Let me check. If there’s any discomfort, we can address it early."
Reluctantly, Ji Yan extended her wrist.
The moment Dr. Wang felt her pulse, his smile faltered slightly.
Sang Ning tensed. "Is something wrong?"
Dr. Wang hesitated, glancing between them. "Miss Ji... seems to be pregnant."
Ji Yan’s pupils constricted.
Sang Ning froze for three seconds, wondering if she’d misheard.
"What?"
Dr. Wang spoke carefully. "About a month along."
Sang Ning: ???
---
Outside the clinic, Sang Ning gripped Ji Yan’s arm. "Whose child is this?"
Ji Yan: "..."
Sang Ning’s voice turned grave. "Ji Yan, this is serious! You can’t hide this from me. Tell me the truth so I can help you!"
She had noticed Ji Yan acting strangely this month but never imagined something like this.
Ji Yan: "..."
After a long silence, Ji Yan finally mumbled, "Gu Xingchen’s."
Sang Ning’s eyes widened.
"You and Gu Xingchen...?"
Ji Yan cut in defensively, "It was just one drunken mistake! We’re completely innocent otherwise!"
Sang Ning: "..."
Ji Yan declared righteously, "You know it’s just a family-arranged marriage between us! No feelings involved! If I hadn’t been drunk, I would never have touched him!"
Sang Ning stayed silent for three seconds before nodding. "Right."
Ji Yan scowled. "You don’t believe me?"
Sang Ning pressed her lips together. "I believe you. So... what’s your plan now?"
Ji Yan tugged at her hair. "How should I know?!"
She had been just as shocked when she found out!
"That bastard Gu Xingchen couldn’t even bother with protection?!"
Sang Ning: "..."
"Aren’t you two married?"
Anyone would think they were having an affair.
Ji Yan bristled. "We’re not a real couple! It was an accident!"
Sang Ning nodded. "Yes. A complete accident."
Ji Yan stared at her. "Do you actually believe me?"
Sang Ning looked at her with clear, earnest eyes: "I believe you."
Only then did Ji Yan’s temper settle a little.
Sang Ning continued to reassure her: "Even though yours is an arranged marriage, you’ll still need a child to fulfill expectations. Since you’re already pregnant, focus on having a smooth pregnancy. After that, you two can go back to keeping your distance as before."
Ji Yan nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right."
Sang Ning’s phone rang—the caller ID read: "Strawberry Cake."
She glanced at Ji Yan. "You should head home first. Don’t forget to let Gu Xingchen know."
"Bye, Ningning!" Ji Yan chirped before skipping off.
Sang Ning watched as Ji Yan got into her car, then turned and walked toward a black Bentley parked by the roadside.
She pulled open the door and slid inside.
He Siyu, already seated inside, immediately asked, "What did the doctor say?"
Sang Ning handed him the prescription without much thought. "Nothing serious. Just some medicinal tonics to replenish my energy and blood."
He Siyu scrutinized the slip twice but couldn’t make sense of it.
He snapped a photo and sent it via WeChat to Nanny Zhao.
Once he finished and put his phone away, he looked up to find Sang Ning lost in thought in the passenger seat.
He reached over and took her hand. "What’s on your mind?"
Sang Ning hesitated before speaking. "Do you think it’s possible for two people who’ve disliked each other since childhood to suddenly fall in love after getting married?"
He raised a brow. "Are you talking about Gu Xingchen?"
Sang Ning: "..."
"That’s just how he is—he enjoys being difficult."
Sang Ning: "..."
He smirked. "I’m different."
She blinked. "How so?"
Leaning in, he brushed a kiss against the corner of her lips and murmured, "Destiny decided I was meant to love you."
Across lifetimes, there was only ever one Sang Ning.
They were fated, a perfect match—written in the stars.
