Extreme Pampering
Chapter 204 Don’t worry.

Chapter 204: Chapter 204 Don’t worry.

As winter gave way to spring and the estimated due date approached, Shen Zhiyi halted all her work and scarcely stepped outside of Huating. Fearing she might get bored, people would occasionally come to keep her company.

When Qin Xiaoran visited, she even brought a bunch of tonics, her face betraying lingering fears, "I had a dream last night that you suddenly went into labor. When I rushed to the hospital, I saw my nephew looking exactly like Brother Pei Yu, which scared me to death!"

Shen Zhiyi couldn’t help but laugh at her exaggerated tone.

She inevitably gained weight due to her pregnancy, but she was still slimmer than many expectant mothers, and her baby bump was on the smaller side. However, all her prenatal checkup indicators were normal, so the doctor simply attributed it to individual physical constitution.

There were various inconveniences in the later stages of pregnancy, but fortunately, people around her took great care of her, and Pei Yu carved out a lot of time to accompany her. Shen Zhiyi’s mood was stable and her complexion good; she seemed even more prone to laughter than before.

Observing her, Qin Xiaoran felt moved, "You seem to have become gentler. Maybe it’s a thing with expecting mothers."

Many people said so, but Shen Zhiyi herself didn’t feel much different.

"It’s probably because I’ve gained weight," she touched her own face, "gained a whole circle."

"Not at all," Qin Xiaoran peeled an orange for her, "You’ve only gained a few pounds. I’ve seen others undergo drastic changes during pregnancy."

In any case, it seemed terrifyingly exaggerated.

The two of them chatted in the courtyard for a while, then had some afternoon tea. Shen Zhiyi needed to nap before dinner, so Qin Xiaoran left early.

Pei Yu returned while she was still asleep. Nowadays, he did not leave Huating unless necessary, and even when he had affairs to attend to, he made it back within six hours.

Before dinner, Shen Zhiyi woke up on schedule, embraced from behind by Pei Yu. Feeling her stir, he kissed the back of her neck and helped her to sit up.

"The baby has been rather restless lately."

He meant that the baby was constantly kicking her.

"Yes, a bit," Shen Zhiyi’s voice had barely faded when she felt the baby move again. She remembered the first time she felt the baby kick; she and Pei Yu had looked at each other, both somewhat at a loss. Since then, the baby had been very active, "It should be a lively baby."

A hint of anticipation flickered in Pei Yu’s eyes.

He had great faith in Qin Xiaoran’s offhand remark that "sons tend to resemble their mothers" and believed their baby would surely look like Shen Zhiyi, like her baby. He would love the baby regardless of the personality.

And both of them were far from what one would call "lively." If a lively child were added to the family, it would be quite lively indeed.

At night, the two shared a bed but kept a bit of distance between them. Pei Yu was always wary of accidentally pressing against her now that her stomach was obviously protruding. Before sleeping, he would intentionally maintain a gap, but each time they woke up, they would find themselves embracing each other again.

During this period, Shen Zhiyi’s calves were prone to cramps, making her nights restive, and she would occasionally wake up several times. Each time she stirred, Pei Yu would wake up with her.

She felt a twinge of guilt, "Why don’t you go sleep in another room?"

Together with her, he couldn’t get a full night’s sleep.

Pei Yu looked down as he massaged her leg, his voice carrying a slight huskiness from just waking up, "Have you grown tired of being with me?"

Lately, he indeed spent an astonishing amount of time with Shen Zhiyi.

Shen Zhiyi tugged at the hem of his shirt, "I’m concerned that my restlessness is affecting your sleep."

Unlike her, who had nothing to do all day, even if he stayed at Huating, he still had work to handle.

"It’s alright," Pei Yu tucked her in again with the blanket, "I feel at ease watching over you."

Otherwise, even if they slept in separate beds, he would still not be able to sleep peacefully.

As the due date approached, such occurrences became more frequent, with Shen Zhiyi even experiencing false labor a few times; each episode lasted only a few minutes but left her quite distressed.

Later, at the doctor’s suggestion, Shen Zhiyi was admitted to the hospital early to await childbirth.

When she woke up at night, she would find the space beside her empty, with Pei Yu standing by the window, looking out at the night scene, seemingly sleepless.

Shen Zhiyi saw his tall figure and thought that he seemed to have lost weight recently.

A moment later, Pei Yu turned around habitually to check on her, and coincidentally met her gaze. He paused briefly, then came over and asked her, "Does it hurt again?"

Looking at him like this, one could see the faint dark circles under his eyes. Shen Zhiyi didn’t speak; instead, she reached out and touched his face, "You’ve lost weight."

There was an indescribable ache in her heart.

Pei Yu took her hand and smiled faintly, "No, I just haven’t been sleeping well lately."

With only a few days left until the due date, Pei Yu would have nightmares whenever he fell asleep; he dreamt that he overlooked something important, failing to notice her condition in time. Even though she had already been admitted to the hospital, he still couldn’t set his mind at ease; his heart was perpetually in suspense.

Shen Zhiyi leaned into his arms and gently pinched his fingers, "Let’s talk for a while then."

"Since when have you been unable to sleep?"

He hadn’t had this issue while they were at Huating.

Pei Yu didn’t want to talk about it, "Just these past few days."

Shen Zhiyi didn’t pursue the topic but squeezed his finger instead, compelling him to change his reply, "The third day after coming to the hospital."

After the same nightmare repeatedly haunted him for the first two nights, he truly became afraid to sleep.

"Why didn’t you tell me?" Shen Zhiyi frowned, a bit unhappy, but even more distressed, "Is it because of the hospital? You never had this problem when we were at Huating."

Pei Yu smoothed her hair, saying softly, "It’s not."

Shen Zhiyi stayed silent for a while, then looked up, "Then is it because of me?"

Upon reflection, she understood, "You’re worried about me?"

Pei Yu didn’t speak for a while, and after a long pause, he hugged her, "I’m a bit afraid."

Despite reading so many books on the subject, he couldn’t regard childbirth as an ordinary event. The slightest error could mean neither mother nor child would be safe. He dreamt at night that Shen Zhiyi was crying out his name, yet he was powerless to help.

Sitting in his current position, there were few things that could render Pei Yu helpless, but in the face of life and death all things seemed trivial, and he too was left without recourse.

"I told you not to read so many books, knowing too much only leads to overthinking," Shen Zhiyi first complained a little about him not listening to her, then she kissed the corner of his lips, soothing him with a soft voice, "Nothing bad will happen."

For the first several years of her life, she felt like the most unfortunate person in the world, even envying orphans with neither father nor mother. As she grew up, she deliberately avoided thinking about such things because it was hard for her to be sure if her life had indeed taken a turn for the better.

It wasn’t until she received the ring from Pei Yu’s hands that Shen Zhiyi suddenly realized she had become a very lucky person, and she sincerely believed more moments of happiness awaited her in the future.

"I’m very fortunate," she whispered into Pei Yu’s ear, "don’t worry."

After so many years apart, they had come back together, and soon they would welcome a new life; even the master of fate wouldn’t have the heart to tear them apart.