The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 388 - 390. Mr. Fu, who suffers from prenatal anxiety

Chapter 388: 390. Mr. Fu, who suffers from prenatal anxiety

Yan Anbang would watch Ya Xi from a distance every day, and Ya Xi pretended not to notice him and went to class and returned home on time. Even when Yan Anbang left Xueli City, Ya Xi never agreed to have a meal with him.

Although Doug had tried to speak for him, Ya Xi coldly refused him. Knowing that her aversion and hatred towards Yan Anbang was not something that could be reduced in a short time, Doug could only let Yan Anbang leave first.

Though disappointed, Yan Anbang understood and sadly returned to his country.

When Jiang Zhehan offered to drive Ya Xi home for the second time, he encountered Doug who had just come to pick up Ya Xi from class. Seeing Doug, Ya Xi’s eyes lit up, and she ran over to him. Jiang Zhehan felt an indescribable oddness as he watched this scene.

He had seen this man a few times, always with Ya Xi, and every time, Ya Xi’s face blossomed with smiles when she was with this man. Could it be that Ya Xi liked someone like that? Jiang Zhehan had no answer, because Ya Xi soon walked away.

Doug glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Jiang Zhehan still standing at the school gate watching them. He smiled and asked, "Was that boy your pursuer?"

Ya Xi was momentarily startled, then realized he was referring to Jiang Zhehan. She felt somewhat flustered and subconsciously explained, "I don’t like him."

Doug laughed, "Don’t be nervous, I’m just chatting with you. Ya Xi, at your age, it’s the perfect time to enjoy romance. You could give it a try." He had noticed Ya Xi’s aversion to the opposite sex, an instinctive reaction from being hurt.

"Then, can I like you?" Ya Xi blurted out, and after she spoke, she was stunned herself. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Doug.

Doug probably didn’t expect Ya Xi to say something like that either. He was momentarily unable to react and turned to look at Ya Xi, but all he could see was her dark head and the tips of her ears, which had turned red.

Doug couldn’t help but laugh, finding Ya Xi unexpectedly cute. He never answered Ya Xi’s question all the way home. Too embarrassed to ask, Ya Xi almost ran into her house as soon as the car stopped. Doug watched her hurry and called out, "Watch your step."

Unexpectedly, Ya Xi ran even faster and only when she got inside did she sit on the sofa, covering her wildly beating chest with her hands and sighing with relief. She flopped onto the sofa, annoyed, and thought to herself, "How could you harbor such thoughts about Doug, Ya Xi?"

While chastising herself, Ya Xi couldn’t help but recall every detail of her acquaintance with Doug. From their first encounter until now, Doug had always given Ya Xi a familiar feeling, a sensation she once felt with Shen Qinglan.

Ya Xi was aware of her aversion to the opposite sex, but exclusively with Doug, she was unusually relaxed. This wasn’t a recent development but had been present from the beginning. Did that mean Doug was truly her soulmate?

Thinking this, Ya Xi’s face grew even redder. She covered her heated cheeks and buried herself in the couch.

The next morning, when Doug came to pick up Ya Xi for class, she kept her head down the entire ride, not daring to look at him. Doug glanced at her dark hair until almost reaching the school, with Ya Xi not planning to speak, he just quietly smiled.

When they reached the school gate, Doug stopped Ya Xi, who was about to get out, and handed her a bag, "Don’t forget to eat breakfast."

Ya Xi hugged the bag, softly thanked him, and quickly disappeared from Doug’s sight. Doug shook his head with a laugh, but his smile faded quickly. He quietly looked ahead, lost in thought for a long time before he left the place.

For three days in a row, Ya Xi was in such a state that seeing Doug accelerated her heartbeat. Once certain things were revealed, they seemed to become especially clear. Yet, seeing Doug’s reaction to her as usual, Ya Xi couldn’t help feeling somewhat disheartened. Perhaps this is referred to as unrequited love.

Today, however, when Doug drove Ya Xi home, she didn’t rush back into the house like before but sat motionless in the passenger seat.

Doug looked at her curiously, "What’s wrong, Ya Xi?"

Ya Xi kept her head down for a long while before finally looking up at Doug, "Doug, I was serious about what I said the other day. If you’re considering a girlfriend, could you think about me?"

She looked straight into Doug’s eyes, the first time she had done so in days. Her eyes were bright, causing Doug’s gaze to flicker slightly. Just as he was about to respond, Ya Xi covered his mouth.

"If you’re going to reject me, don’t say it, I’m afraid I might cry," Ya Xi spoke first.

A flicker of a smile passed through Doug’s eyes as he took her hand off and held it in his palm, "Ya Xi, you are still young and haven’t been in touch with many other men. Because you’ve been around me a lot, you might have this misconception. If you bravely go out and meet more men, you’ll realize that your feelings for me are just a fondness born of spending time together. My advice is for you to mingle more with other men, you might even choose someone you deem suitable to date. The boy who came to pick you up the other day seemed nice."

"Don’t say anymore," Ya Xi interrupted him, "Doug, even if you don’t like me, don’t push me onto someone else. I don’t like others; they all disgust me."

Tears filled her eyes, causing Doug’s following words to lodge in his throat. A flash of heartache crossed his eyes but quickly vanished, "Ya Xi."

Ya Xi unbuckled her seatbelt, "I’m going to be late, goodbye."

Doug watched as Ya Xi fled with tears in her eyes and sighed softly.

That afternoon, when Doug checked the time to pick up Ya Xi, he didn’t see her coming out. After calling her, he learned she had already gone home.

"Doug, I know you’re busy with work, and it’s been a bother having you pick me up from class all this time. I’ll go by myself from now on; I won’t trouble you anymore. Goodbye."

Doug looked at the hung-up call, his expression darkened slightly, then thought for a moment and sent Ya Xi a text message.

——[Okay, eat on time, take care of yourself, and call me if you need anything.]

Reading the message, Ya Xi’s tears uncontrollably streamed down, "Stupid Doug, annoying Doug, can’t you keep me even a little? Do you have to take everything I say so seriously? I really hate you."

**

In China, once Annie agreed to date one of the suitors, her father finally restored her financial status and returned all her bank cards. She regained her high-status life as the corporation’s daughter, with no restrictions on her freedom.

The first thing Annie did after gaining her freedom was to look for Eden. She made several calls to him, but he didn’t answer and even blocked her number again.

Eden wasn’t at the hospital; Annie went to his house, but he wasn’t home either, so she had no choice but to sit at the doorstep and wait for him.

Today, Eden was at Hengyi’s to conduct an examination, as it was a critical time for Hengyi’s rehabilitation. He frequently visited the Fu Family to check on him and assist with his rehabilitation.

When he returned home late, he found someone squatting at the doorstep, seemingly asleep. He glanced at her, took out the keys, and opened the door.

Hearing the sound of the door, Annie looked up and saw Eden. Her eyes brightened, "Eden," she tried to stand up but couldn’t because she had been sitting too long and her legs had grown numb.

She looked pitifully at Eden, "Eden, my legs are numb. Can you help me up, please?"

Eden gave her a detached look, about to enter the house, but Annie suddenly hugged his legs, "Eden."

"Let go," Eden said coldly.

"Eden, why are you always so cold to me?" Annie said, feeling wronged, "Xi Yao isn’t talking to me, my dad locked me up at home, and you don’t want to deal with me either. Do I really disgust you all that much?"

Wasn’t it just a mistake she made? Yet the whole world seemed to think she had committed an unforgivable sin. Doesn’t a person who errs deserve forgiveness?

Eden gently moved his leg, and Annie clung tighter. He looked down at her and said softly, "I have someone I like in my heart, but it’s not you, and it will never be you. Don’t come looking for me anymore."

This was the first time Eden had explicitly told her that he liked someone.

Annie’s face changed, "Who is that person?" She still didn’t believe that Eden had fallen for someone else; maybe he was just lying to her.

"You don’t need to know that, let go of me."

"If you don’t tell me who she is, it just proves that you’re lying, Eden, I won’t believe it."

"Hasn’t anyone told you that being clingy is a very annoying behavior? To put it nicely, this kind of behavior is called persistence, to put it harshly, it’s called being cheap." Eden’s face darkened as he spoke coldly.

It was rare for him to lose his composure like this. Over the years, there had been countless women pursuing him, but he had always politely rejected them. Even when he was more direct, he never said such harsh words. His words today showed how much he loathed Annie.

Annie’s face turned slightly pale, and she stared in disbelief. In the moment she was stunned, Eden had already freed himself from her grasp, opened the door, entered, and then closed the door heavily right in front of her.

Annie sat on the ground, staring blankly at the scene before her as tears streamed down her face, and she murmured softly, "Is it wrong that I just like you?"

**

Time flew by, and soon it was late April. The weather in Beijing had started to warm up, and various types of flowers were blooming in spring. Shen Qinglan’s belly was getting bigger, and she was now going for a check-up every two weeks.

Over this past month, Eden had mostly been at the Fu Family’s house. With his treatment and assistance, Fu Hengyi’s legs had recovered very quickly, and he could now stand up, albeit only for about ten to fifteen minutes at a time. Still, this was great news for everyone.

Fu Hengyi’s legs had recovered faster and better than expected. No one was happier than Shen Qinglan and Old Sir Fu. Old Sir Fu now looked at Eden as if he were a huge treasure, his eyes shining brightly. Every day, he had Aunt Zhao prepare delicious food for Eden, a privilege usually reserved only for Shen Qinglan.

"You’d think I was the son-in-law to someone who didn’t know better," Fu Hengyi joked with Shen Qinglan.

"Are you jealous?" Shen Qinglan asked.

Fu Hengyi shook his head, "No, I’m just happy." The better Old Sir Fu treated Shen Qinglan, the happier he was.

Shen Qinglan smiled slightly, "I have a class this afternoon, do you want to join me?" She had enrolled in a prenatal class that met once a week.

Fu Hengyi nodded; naturally, he would accompany his wife to the class.

Today’s class was about childbirth. After the class, Shen Qinglan showed no particular reaction, but Fu Hengyi was serious with a somber expression. This mood persisted all the way home.

Old Sir Fu looked at Shen Qinglan with confusion. They had left in high spirits, so why the grim expression now? Had something happened? Had the couple fought?

Old Sir Fu shook his head, rejecting the latter idea. The couple’s relationship had been very good for over a year after their marriage; they hadn’t had a single quarrel. It couldn’t have been a fight.

Old Sir Fu asked the driver, and the driver also said that nothing had happened along the way. Now, Old Sir Fu was truly puzzled.

While Old Sir Fu couldn’t guess the reason, Shen Qinglan had an inkling. She sat next to Fu Hengyi, chuckled softly, and said warmly, "Still thinking about what was discussed in class?"

Fu Hengyi frowned, looking at her swelling belly, and hesitated, "Qinglan, maybe we should consider a cesarean section." Today, the teacher had talked a lot about childbirth, including pain levels, indicating that the pain of childbirth was one of the most severe types in the world, akin to a woman walking through a gate of death.

Shen Qinglan soothed him.

"Don’t listen to the teacher," Qinglan said, "giving birth really isn’t that terrifying. I’ve already asked the doctor, and the doctor said the baby isn’t very big, and with my body type, I can give birth naturally. Besides, the elderly always say it’s better for the child if the mother gives birth naturally, so I want to do it myself."

"But childbirth is very painful," Hengyi said anxiously. Among the pregnant women attending the class with him, some were having their second child, and he heard them whispering about how difficult their first childbirth had been, with one even enduring pain for three days and nights without the baby being born, eventually opting for a cesarean section.

Hengyi didn’t want Qinglan to endure such suffering. If she couldn’t give birth after three days, it might be better to opt for a cesarean from the start.

Qinglan looked at him helplessly. When this man was stubborn, even she couldn’t do anything with him. Turning her eyes, she said, "But a cesarean would mean cutting my belly, and the scar would never fade away. It would be very ugly later, and according to the teacher, while natural birth is painful during delivery, recovery is much quicker afterwards. Cesarean involves suffering after the birth, and I heard you can’t eat anything for several days."

Qinglan analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of cesarean and natural birth for him.

Hengyi’s frown deepened as he looked at Qinglan’s belly and said, "I wish we had never decided to have a baby," his tone full of regret.

Qinglan looked at him speechlessly, relieved that Old Sir Fu wasn’t here, for if he had heard that, even Hengyi would have been scolded.

"Is it still possible to return the goods?" Qinglan said wryly. "Besides, aren’t you longing for a daughter?"

"I do want a daughter, but I can’t bear to see you suffer," Hengyi said earnestly.

Holding his hand and looking earnestly into his eyes, Qinglan said, "Hengyi, don’t worry. Since ancient times, women have been giving birth like this, everybody is fine, and I’ll be fine too. It’s just childbirth."

"Others are not my wife; naturally, I don’t care about them," Hengyi replied.

Qinglan was at a loss and after thinking, she said, "Hengyi, if you continue to worry like this, I’ll start worrying too. There’s nothing wrong now, but in the end, something might go wrong because of the worry."

She intentionally exaggerated the seriousness of the consequences but, as expected, it made Hengyi relax his frown, shifting to comfort her, "Don’t be scared. I’ll be with you all the time, even during childbirth."

"You mean to enter the delivery room?" Qinglan asked in surprise.

Hengyi nodded as if it were the most natural thing, "Of course. I should be with you during the delivery. It’s just a delivery room."

"No," Qinglan shook her head. "You can’t come in. I’d get nervous if you were there, and the doctor said that the last thing a woman in labor needs is to feel nervous." She said it seriously, but in reality, she was afraid that Hengyi’s own nervousness would affect her.

Hengyi frowned, but looking at Qinglan’s firm expression, he nodded. "Okay, I won’t come in, but you must call me if you need anything."

Qinglan nodded.

Although they had talked it over, in the following days, Qinglan still sensed Hengyi’s anxiety. It wasn’t obvious, but she could feel it, like how he spent more time and effort during his physical rehabilitation, sometimes pushing himself too hard which made Qinglan worry that he might end up hurting himself from overexertion, but thankfully Eden was always there to ensure nothing went wrong.

Because each session was limited yet maximized, Hengyi’s recovery was faster than before. He could already walk a few steps now, and standing for half an hour was not a problem.

Also, Hengyi often stared blankly at her belly, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night, touching her belly and muttering something lightly. Qinglan had noticed this more than once.

Qinglan once called the doctor to ask if Hengyi’s condition was problematic; the doctor mentioned some symptoms of pre-natal anxiety. Upon hearing this, Qinglan, though the one pregnant, found herself less worried than Hengyi, who was already anxious.

That evening, after having dinner and a walk with Hengyi, instead of going for a shower as usual, Qinglan pulled Hengyi into the studio to paint for an hour.

Whenever Hengyi saw Qinglan painting, he felt unusually peaceful. Her painting always conjured up the phrase "peaceful times," so warm and serene.

Leaving the studio, Fu Hengyi was noticeably more at ease, and Shen Qinglan went to take a bath first. Then she urged Fu Hengyi to take a bath. His body had improved much, and he no longer needed her help to bathe.

When Fu Hengyi came out of the bathroom, Shen Qinglan was tinkering with her laptop. Fu Hengyi raised his eyebrows, "What are you doing?"

Shen Qinglan gestured for him to sit down.

Once Fu Hengyi was settled, Shen Qinglan pressed the play button. The screen showed a documentary about childbirth, realistically depicting the entire process of a woman giving birth.

Shen Qinglan watched while also observing Fu Hengyi’s reaction. Seeing his calm demeanor, she felt a bit more relieved, "You see, childbirth is just like this, not as terrifying."

Fu Hengyi said nothing but held Shen Qinglan’s hand tighter, his pupils very dark, and he spoke, "Let’s stop watching, let’s go to sleep."

Shen Qinglan glanced sideways at him, trying to gauge his thoughts. Fu Hengyi gave a slight smile, "Your husband isn’t that fragile." The couple turned off the lights and went to sleep. In the middle of the night, Shen Qinglan woke up to use the bathroom and realized that Fu Hengyi was not there. Puzzled, she checked the living room after leaving the bathroom; it was quiet and empty. Just as she was about to go back to their room, she noticed a light shining through the crack of the door in the study on the first floor. Shen Qinglan walked over and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" It was Fu Hengyi’s voice.

Shen Qinglan opened the door directly. Seeing it was her, Fu Hengyi calmly closed his laptop and looked at her, "Why are you up?"

"I got up to use the bathroom. Why aren’t you sleeping? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Shen Qinglan asked.

Fu Hengyi smiled and pressed a button on his wheelchair, "I had a dream and couldn’t go back to sleep, so I got up to watch a movie."

Shen Qinglan looked at him suspiciously, "What movie?"

"’Dragon Roar and Tiger Roar’." Fu Hengyi mentioned a movie title, "Just found it online; it’s not very good. I was just about to go back to sleep when you came in. Let’s go back together."

Shen Qinglan glanced at the closed laptop and said nothing, following Fu Hengyi back to their room.

Early the next morning, Eden arrived, "Eden, are we starting the rehabilitation training so early today?" Shen Qinglan asked.

Eden smiled slightly and replied, "We’re not doing rehabilitation today. I’m taking him to the hospital for a check-up, then we can adjust the training plan accordingly."

"That’s fine, wait for me to change clothes, and I’ll come with you," Shen Qinglan said.

Eden stopped her, "You don’t need to come. It’s just a routine check-up and will be over quickly. Are you saying you don’t trust me?" he teased.

Shen Qinglan raised an eyebrow, "Do I really not need to come?"

"Yes, better you stay at home. If you come, I’ll have to split my attention to take care of you," Eden said meaningfully, glancing at her pregnant belly.

Shen Qinglan touched her nose, "Alright then, I’ll just wait at home."

Eden left with Fu Hengyi, and Old Sir Fu returned from his morning exercise. Not seeing Fu Hengyi, he inquired and learned from a brief "Oh" that he had gone for a check-up.

Fu Hengyi came back around noon looking somewhat pale. Shen Qinglan’s expression shifted slightly as she looked towards Eden. Eden gave her a reassuring look and explained, "His legs are fine. The check-up was done early, so I had him do some rehabilitation at the hospital. Today’s exercise was a bit intense, so he sweated quite a lot."

Hearing this, Shen Qinglan felt relieved.

Shen Qinglan always felt that Fu Hengyi was preoccupied with something throughout the afternoon. Taking advantage of the time after dinner to digest, Shen Qinglan finally asked Fu Hengyi.

"What did you and Eden do today?"

"We went for a checkup," Fu Hengyi said softly.

Shen Qinglan shook her head, "No, you’re not telling me the truth."

Fu Hengyi chuckled lightly, "When did my wife switch careers to become a detective?"

Shen Qinglan gently hit him, "I’m serious, did you really just go for a checkup this morning?"

Fu Hengyi nodded, then shook his head, "Not entirely, we also did some rehabilitation."

Shen Qinglan looked at him speechlessly. Seeing he was unwilling to tell her, she didn’t press him further but instead changed the subject, "Yu Xiaoxuan and Han Yi aren’t planning to have a wedding ceremony, but they are about to register their marriage soon. Have you prepared a gift for them?"

Fu Hengyi’s face turned expressionless, "A red envelope with a blank cheque inside for them to fill in the amount."

"They are your friends after all. Can’t your wedding gift be a bit more thoughtful?" Shen Qinglan couldn’t help but criticize him.

"Isn’t giving a cheque thoughtful enough? I don’t know what they want, so giving them money to buy whatever they like is good," Fu Hengyi said nonchalantly, prompting a facepalm from Shen Qinglan.

That evening, while Fu Hengyi was taking a shower, Shen Qinglan called Eden to ask about the day’s events at the hospital. She listened intently, her gaze shifting as she waited for Fu Hengyi to come out, then looked at him, deep in thought.

Fu Hengyi looked back at her, "What’s wrong?"

Shen Qinglan fixed her gaze on him, "Isn’t there something you want to tell me?"

Perplexity deepened in Fu Hengyi’s eyes.

Shen Qinglan shook her mobile phone, hinting at him, "The hospital."

Fu Hengyi instantly understood, "You already know?"

"Mmm," Shen Qinglan gave him an affirmative reply.

Fu Hengyi mentally noted to himself about Eden, who couldn’t be trusted. He had promised well in the hospital to keep silent, yet as soon as Shen Qinglan had asked, he told her everything.

"Why didn’t you tell me you went to experience childbirth pain relief?" Shen Qinglan asked.

Fu Hengyi gave a small smile, "What is there to say? It’s just a small thing. But after experiencing it, I regretted it even more. Actually, opting for DINK (double income, no kids) is quite nice, our world would be much quieter," he said.

That morning at the hospital, he had experienced the pain of childbirth firsthand. The level of pain was so intense that even he, a grown man, had bulging veins from the agony. Just thinking about Shen Qinglan enduring even more painful and prolonged agony broke his heart.

He had specifically asked the doctor, who also said that a cesarean section would be more painful than natural childbirth. He seriously considered wishing Shen Qinglan would just have a C-section—it would at least be less painful during delivery.

"Fu Hengyi, don’t tell me you’re really getting pre-partum anxiety?" Shen Qinglan teased him.

"Maybe there really is," Fu Hengyi said with a solemn and serious expression.

Shen Qinglan, looking at him like this, couldn’t bring herself to smile anymore. Just as she was about to speak, Fu Hengyi spoke first, "You don’t need to comfort me. I’m just heartbroken."

Shen Qinglan gazed steadily into his eyes, her expression tender, "Fu Hengyi, I feel very good. I’m very happy now, having you and our child."

Fu Hengyi was slightly moved, watching Shen Qinglan’s lips part. Suddenly, he leaned down and kissed her.

After the kiss ended, Shen Qinglan looked at the man in front of her, breathing heavily with a face full of regret. She clenched her teeth. She really worried for nothing. From what she saw, Fu Hengyi wasn’t experiencing prenatal anxiety, but rather, he was sexually frustrated.

**

Xueli City.

After Doug sent that text message, he really hadn’t come to pick her up from class anymore. For over a week, Doug hadn’t appeared, not even a phone call or a text message.

Ya Xi felt gloomy, occasionally taking out her phone to check it, only to feel even more depressed afterward.

"Ya Xi, why are you looking at your phone all day?" a classmate asked.

Ya Xi forced a smile and shook her head, "It’s nothing. We don’t have class later, right? Let’s go eat some dessert together."

"Sure, it’s been a long time since you went for dessert with me," the classmate readily agreed. They often went out on weekends for outings.

After class, Ya Xi left with her classmate. Just as they reached the school gate, they saw Jiang Zhehan waiting there. He opened the backseat of his car, "Would I have the honor of taking two beauties today?"

The classmate knew Jiang Zhehan and seeing this scene, she smiled ambiguously at Ya Xi and waved her hand, "You go ahead and take Ya Xi. I have an appointment later, and Ya Xi wants to eat the ice cream at the city center. You have a car, so you can take her."

After speaking, the classmate left. Jiang Zhehan closed the back door and opened the passenger seat, "Please, get in."

Ya Xi wanted to refuse but suddenly thought of Doug’s words, a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes, and she got in.

Jiang Zhehan’s lips curled slightly, very pleased, but Ya Xi was quite silent during the drive. Jiang Zhehan spoke ten sentences, and she would perhaps reply to only one. Yet, Jiang Zhehan didn’t mind at all; at least now Ya Xi was willing to ride in his car.

When they arrived at the destination, Jiang Zhehan and Ya Xi went to the dessert shop that the classmate had mentioned, located on the first floor of the mall and quite crowded.

"Ya Xi, which one do you want to eat? I’ll go buy it," Jiang Zhehan offered.

"Anything will do, I’m not picky," Ya Xi responded lacklusterly.

Jiang Zhehan smiled slightly, joined the queue, while Ya Xi looked around and, finding no seats, sat in the waiting area by the door.

She took out her phone again, which was still eerily silent, with no new messages.

"Ya Xi?" A familiar voice sounded overhead. Ya Xi’s eyes lit up, and upon looking up, she indeed saw Doug.

"Why are you here?" Doug asked.

Ya Xi’s gaze, however, fell on the woman next to Doug. The woman, wearing a flowing dress and with long hair cascading over her shoulders, bore an elegant makeup, her demeanor classy and surprisingly well-matched standing next to Doug.

Seeing Ya Xi’s gaze, the woman smiled kindly, "Hello."

"Hello," Ya Xi replied, but her voice was somewhat muffled.

Ya Xi was not one to hide her emotions, especially in front of Doug. Doug naturally saw that Ya Xi misunderstood their relationship but didn’t explain, "Are you here with a friend?" he asked instead.

Ya Xi nodded. Before she could speak, Jiang Zhehan returned, holding two ice creams and handing one to Ya Xi, "I wasn’t sure which flavor you liked, so I got you a mixed flavor one. This has four different tastes; try them all."

Jiang Zhehan, recognizing Doug, knew he was the man who often picked up Ya Xi. He glanced at the woman next to Doug, smiled amiably, and looked back at Ya Xi with even more tenderness, "If you don’t like these flavors, you could try the ones I’m holding, which are their house specialty."

Ya Xi nodded absent-mindedly, accepting the ice cream from Jiang Zhehan. Doug glanced at them and said, "Have fun, and try to get home early tonight. I’ll be going first."

Doug turned and left without any hesitation. Watching his retreating figure, Ya Xi suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.

"Doug, that girl just now must be the one you like, right?" On the way back, the woman smiled and began talking.

Doug, his face stern, remained silent.

The woman went on, "I never thought you, of all people, would be smitten by a girl one day. It looks like that girl has feelings for you too. Why don’t you take the initiative? Are you waiting for her to come to you? Doug, you shouldn’t expect that. After all, she’s a girl, how can you let her make the first move?"

Seeing Doug still silent, the woman leisurely continued, "The boy by her side seemed decent, probably her admirer. If you’re too slow, someone else might sweep her off her feet."

"You can shut up now," Doug said coldly.

The woman, noticing Doug’s annoyance but still smiling, shook her head, "Alright, I won’t say anymore. But to get back to our discussion, have you given any thought to what my husband and I mentioned last time? I came all the way from the States just for you."

"I’m sorry, but I don’t plan on changing locations anytime soon," Doug declined immediately.

The woman wasn’t surprised. If she didn’t understand before, observing Ya Xi made it clear, "It’s because of the girl we just met, isn’t it?"

Doug remained silent, offering a tacit confirmation.

The woman, astonished, exclaimed, "Doug, you’re serious."

"When did you become the Pacific Ocean’s police officer?" Doug retorted.

The woman shrugged, "Okay, I won’t talk about it any longer. But still, I want to say one last thing: Doug, if you like her, you should bravely say it. Just secretly watching over her, what’s that about?"

"Thanks for the concern. When is your flight?"

"What?" The woman was taken aback, then looked at Doug, "Seriously Doug... fine, I won’t argue. My husband has already got my ticket for tomorrow’s flight, I’m leaving tomorrow morning. Although you declined this time, that position will always be open for you. You can come over anytime."

"Thank you," Doug responded, but he seemed distracted, his mind consumed by the scene he had witnessed with Ya Xi today.