Timing it...
A glint of mischief flashed in Shen Nanchu's eyes.
Her fingertips lightly brushed against Pei Zhengnian's wrist.
A faint tremor shot through Pei Zhengnian's heart, and his gaze involuntarily darkened.
This fleeting, intermittent touch was like a spark, igniting the longing he had suppressed for so long.
His eyes now resembled deep, unfathomable pools of water, reflecting Shen Nanchu's exquisite face.
His head lowered further and further, their breaths mingling.
Pei Zhengnian could even feel the heat of Shen Nanchu's breath brushing against her lips.
With just an inch left, their lips were about to meet.
At this critical moment,
"You should go take a shower!"
Shen Nanchu came out with this utterly random line.
Pei Zhengnian quickly raised his head, as if doused with a bucket of cold water.
"Okay."
His voice was hoarse, his Adam's apple bobbing unnaturally.
That was it?
Nothing happened?
A flicker of disappointment passed through Pei Zhengnian's eyes.
"Pfft—"
Shen Nanchu couldn't help but laugh, releasing her grip on Pei Zhengnian's hand.
Her laughter was clear and melodious, especially distinct in the quiet room.
"Sorry, I smell braised fish."
She pointed at Pei Zhengnian's collar, which indeed carried the scent of cooking oil.
Well!
That laugh completely shattered any lingering atmosphere.
Pei Zhengnian's disappointment vanished, replaced by him shooting to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment.
He lowered his head to sniff his collar; there really was a smell of food.
"I'll go shower right now."
His words came out twice as fast as usual, carrying a distinct note of fleeing in defeat.
In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared through the doorway.
Shen Nanchu laughed like a cat that got the cream, her eyes curving into crescents.
She slowly sat up, using her fingers to comb through her semi-dry hair.
The system clicked its tongue in admiration within her mind, "Host, you're really slick with that 'play hard to get' move!"
Shen Nanchu blinked in confusion, "Did I?"
System: "Didn't you?"
Shen Nanchu: "I really didn't. It was truly improv."
System: "..."
After Pei Zhengnian had been gone for a while, Shen Nanchu got up, intending to change her pajamas.
While washing her hair earlier, her back had gotten a little damp, which wasn't very comfortable.
She walked to the wardrobe. The clothes from her suitcase had already been hung inside by Pei Zhengnian, neatly arranged.
Shen Nanchu looked at the clothes in the wardrobe, hesitated for a moment, and then decisively picked up that set of red silk pajamas.
Originally, Shen Nanchu had brought two sets of pajamas, both cotton nightgowns.
Now, one of the nightgowns had mysteriously vanished, replaced by this red set?
Since the set she was wearing now was damp, she could only change into the red one or wear her everyday clothes.
As for the culprit behind this?
Shen Nanchu immediately thought of Grandma Pei.
She was both amused and exasperated. Was this little old lady so afraid that she and her grandson wouldn't get along?
Did she need to add more 'spice' to promote their relationship?
For an elderly person, she was quite trendy!
Shen Nanchu shook her head with a smile but still changed into the red silk pajamas.
The silk fabric slid over her skin, bringing a cool sensation.
The robe's belt was loosely tied at her waist, outlining her increasingly noticeable baby bump and still-slender waist.
The woman in the mirror had skin like snow, hair like a waterfall, and a red gown like fire—stunningly beautiful.
Pei Zhengnian hadn't showered in the master bedroom's bathroom, probably out of embarrassment.
Shen Nanchu could hear the sound of running water from the bathroom outside, a continuous rushing sound.
By the time Shen Nanchu finished changing, Pei Zhengnian still hadn't returned.
Alright!
Finding a comfortable position on the bed, Shen Nanchu lay down.
She had given him the opportunity; whether he seized it or not was up to Pei Zhengnian himself.
In the bathroom outside, Pei Zhengnian had already doused himself with cold water several times.
The icy stream washed over his burning body but couldn't extinguish the fire in his heart.
His mind was a battlefield of conflicting thoughts.
Shen Nanchu is pregnant now...
Forget it, better endure it a while longer!
Pei Zhengnian poured several more ladles of cold water over himself.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
By the time Pei Zhengnian finished his shower and returned, Shen Nanchu was already asleep.
She lay on her side on the bed, her black hair fanned out on the pillow like an ink painting.
Pei Zhengnian let out a huge sigh of relief and tiptoed to the bedside.
This relief didn't last long before Shen Nanchu kicked off the thin blanket covering her.
With the blanket wrapped around her, Pei Zhengnian hadn't noticed much.
Good grief, now without the blanket, the beautiful sight before him was fully revealed.
The red silk strap of her nightgown had slipped loosely off her shoulder, hinting at curves half-concealed.
The hem of the robe had ridden up to her thighs from her turning over, revealing fair, slender legs.
The visual impact of red against white made Pei Zhengnian's pupils contract violently. His breathing instantly became ragged, his fingers unconsciously clenching.
He swiftly covered Shen Nanchu with the blanket again and then rushed out of the room.
It very much had the air of a hasty retreat.
Pei Zhengnian stood in the courtyard, the night breeze brushing against his flushed cheeks.
He looked up at the star-filled sky, taking deep breaths of the cool air, trying to calm his agitated heartbeat.
Shen Nanchu, already fast asleep, was completely unaware of this little episode. She turned over in her dream, a faint smile on her lips, as if having a pleasant dream.
The next day.
When Shen Nanchu woke up, Pei Zhengnian was already gone.
The other side of the bed was neatly made, as if no one had slept there.
Already accustomed to Pei Zhengnian's elusive comings and goings, Shen Nanchu didn't find it strange.
She stretched, lounged in bed for a bit, and then got up.
Pei Zhengnian had already informed the military hospital yesterday; today he was taking Shen Nanchu for a prenatal check-up.
Since becoming pregnant, Shen Nanchu hadn't been to the hospital for a check-up.
It wasn't that Shen Nanchu wanted to save money or was lazy, but she had the system by her side.
This thing was more accurate than hospital equipment; the baby in her belly was doing just fine! Very sturdy, just like its mother.
Moreover, the system gave Shen Nanchu daily reports on the baby's condition.
Today's report had arrived!
"Host, the baby is very healthy again today!" the system's electronic voice reported cheerfully. "Strong heartbeat, activity level meeting the standard, a lively little one!"
Shen Nanchu gently stroked her rounded abdomen, able to feel the little one's occasional kicks.
After finishing her morning routine, she found three aluminum lunchboxes and two eggs already placed on the dining table.
Shen Nanchu opened them. One box contained steamed buns, white and plump, still steaming.
One box held plain congee, the rice grains cooked until bursting, perfectly thick.
The last box contained pickled vegetables, mixed with sesame oil.
Fetching a clean bowl and chopsticks, Shen Nanchu ladled herself some congee and ate breakfast with the buns and pickles.
By the time Shen Nanchu finished her breakfast, Pei Zhengnian's figure finally appeared in the courtyard.
...
