Extra Story 5
"Wait a second... Something feels off."
After finishing their morning exercise, An Yuan suddenly realized something. He looked down at the little vixen lying on his chest.
"Hmm?"
"Wasn't your period supposed to come yesterday?"
She usually had it for three to four days each month. Even though it was frustrating for him, he understood that these few days of rest were important. Otherwise, he'd be completely drained by his wife at home.
"It's normal for it to be a little late, right?"
Chen Cheng yawned lazily, rubbing her face against his chest like a spoiled kitten.
"Could it be... you're pregnant?"
They hadn't been using protection lately since Chen Cheng had put away all the condoms. She rolled off An Yuan and onto the side of the bed, placing a hand over her still-flat belly, staring blankly at the ceiling as if she hadn't heard him.
"Chengzi?"
"Huh?"
Even though Chen Cheng had a strong physical desire, to the point where she could do it three times a day like eating meals, she was also very sensitive, needing a while to recover each time.
"Should we get a pregnancy test?"
"It wouldn't show up this fast..."
Unwilling to leave the warm covers, Chen Cheng reached out toward the bedside table, only to end up touching something soft and furry.
She looked up and saw Naicha, their cat, sitting on the bedside table, staring at them with wide, round eyes, having clearly witnessed everything.
"I heard cats can understand... and even try to imitate what they see," An Yuan teased from the side.
Chen Cheng’s face immediately turned bright red. She grabbed her phone and hid under the blanket, muttering angrily, "You’re such a bad influence! From now on, that cat is staying outside. No more getting on the bed!"
"But it scratches the door when it's locked out."
"Then just punish it!"
An Yuan stretched lazily and checked the time, it was just after 8 a.m. He had plenty of time to shower, freshen up, cuddle with his wife, eat a relaxed breakfast, and take a leisurely walk to work.
"I ordered breakfast delivery. Can you grab it when it arrives?"
"I don’t think I’ll have time. I need to head to work soon."
Sitting up, An Yuan grabbed his bathrobe from the bedside table and glanced at the lump under the blanket. "Want me to help you wash up?"
"No need! You always get handsy! Take the cat with you!"
After An Yuan left the room with Naicha, the room quickly fell silent.
Chen Cheng poked her head out from under the blanket, yawned, and rested her head on the pillow. She absentmindedly stroked her belly.
Could she really be pregnant? Her period had always been on time before...
They had been trying for a baby and preparing for it, but now that it might actually be happening, she felt a wave of panic and uncertainty.
What if it was a mischievous little boy? Always running around, causing trouble, tearing up the house. She’d never get a moment of peace.
And if it was a sweet and obedient little girl... That wouldn’t be any better. Sure, she might be easy to handle as a child, but what about when she hit her teenage years? What if she ran off with some shady guy? What if she went down the wrong path?
With boys, even if they got into trouble, it was usually someone else’s problem. But with girls... it was different.
Her mind spiraled with all sorts of worries until her exhausted body slowly pulled her into a drowsy haze.
"Chengzi, I’m heading to work."
"Mm..."
"I made breakfast, it's on the table for you."
Half-asleep, Chen Cheng vaguely heard An Yuan’s voice and mumbled a sleepy reply.
She felt a soft kiss on her cheek. Her furrowed brows relaxed, and she instinctively leaned toward An Yuan, humming softly.
Then, the phone rang.
"Hmm?"
Chen Cheng was startled awake by the ringtone. She picked up her phone, it was the delivery guy with her pregnancy test kit. "Just leave it at the door," she said.
Yawning repeatedly, she sat up, rubbed her eyes, and glanced around the room in a daze. "An Yuan?"
For some reason, an uneasy feeling washed over her, like a child waking up to find their mother missing. A wave of panic hit, making her instinctively look around for An Yuan.
She got out of bed barefoot and ran to the bedroom door, calling out louder this time, "An Yuan! Did you leave for work?"
Only Naicha, their cat, meowed in response.
The house felt oddly empty…
At such a crucial moment, when she was about to take a pregnancy test, he had already left for work!
Grumbling to herself, she threw on her pajamas, went to the door to grab the package, then carried it into the bathroom.
A quick shower, then following the instructions for the test…
Two lines.
"Eh—?"
Pregnancy tests usually only give accurate results about ten days after conception, meaning she had already been pregnant for over ten days.
That day… she couldn’t quite remember. When it happens two or three times a day, it's hard to recall the details, even remembering what she had for dinner ten days ago would be a challenge.
Was it that time An Yuan "disciplined" her with his "tentacles"?
Or the time he pinned her down in the kitchen while she was only wearing an apron?
Chen Cheng was still a little dazed, staring at the pregnancy test with two lines. She grabbed her phone and searched online to confirm. Yep, two lines meant pregnant.
Although she had wanted a child before, she didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed now. She scratched her head in confusion, then, as if nothing had happened, casually tossed the test into the trash and went on with her morning routine.
A splash of cold water helped clear the sleepiness from her face, bringing a bit of life back to her tired eyes. Stretching lazily, she went about her usual tasks, feeding and watering the cat, then heading to the kitchen to scoop up breakfast.
She sat at the dining table, propping her chin on one hand, flipping through a parenting book with the other while eating.
Century egg and lean pork congee, it had been set on a timer to cook overnight. The taste was pretty good, though the shredded pork was a bit tough.
Next time, she’d marinate the meat first, it’s much better when tender…
"I'm really pregnant, huh~"
She mumbled absentmindedly, closing the book and pinching her cheek. Her skin was soft and smooth, it hurt just a little.
So, if nothing unexpected happened, she was going to be a mother in about nine months?
It felt like just a couple of days ago, she had still been a guy, holed up in a tiny rental apartment, writing novels like a total shut-in. Yesterday, she was still resisting the reality of her female body, secretly crying under the covers. And now, all of a sudden… she was going to be a mother?
Time was moving way too fast.
She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to feel. There was no one around to share this with, so she glanced around the room, only to see a dumb cat squatting in its litter box, doing its business.
"...Hey, An Yuan."
"Chengzi? I just got to the office. What's up?" An Yuan had just settled into work mode when he got a call from his little vixen. "Why’s it so noisy over there? What are you doing?"
"Mopping the floor. The floor cleaner isn’t great, it’s kinda heavy. And the robot vacuum sucks too. Hair keeps getting tangled in it."
"I think there’s a new robot vacuum that’s supposed to be tangle-free." An Yuan brought the topic back. "But seriously, why’d you call me right after I left?"
"Oh, the pregnancy test says I’m pregnant."
Chen Cheng said it so casually.
"!!!"
"I’m coming home right now!"