I Became the Mother of His Child

Xu Jingjing hadn't contacted Xu Xiuxiu since she returned to her hometown, and due to her physical condition, Xu Xiuxiu rarely contacted her family. Song Yuanhuan would call home every month to report that he was safe and sound, and he had also informed them about Xu Xiuxiu's pregnancy. The elders at home all told him just to take good care of Xu Xiuxiu, and not to worry too much about other family matters.

Unlike Xu Xiuxiu, Song Yuanhuan wasn't as meticulous or sensitive. He devoted all his attentiveness and concern to Xu Xiuxiu, constantly worrying whether his pregnant wife felt cold, hot, hungry, or tired. Therefore, he hardly paid attention to the matters back home unless he was making a routine call to check in, during which he would briefly chat with Xu Xiuxiu. Most of his conversations were with Xu Xiuxiu, discussing their child's name or how to style their daughter's hair in little braids in the future.

Xu Xiuxiu had grown used to Song Yuanhuan's fixation on their daughter and didn't bother to correct him anymore. Thus, their days passed uneventfully until Xu Xiuxiu received her first call from Xu Jingjing towards the end of the year, just when Xu Xiuxiu was about to head back to her hometown for the New Year.

Since she was returning home, Xu Xiuxiu had already delegated her responsibilities at Sichuan Pavilion. Despite being heavily pregnant, she still made some arrangements for the New Year at Sichuan Pavilion with Song Yuanhuan by her side. By now, the staff at Sichuan Pavilion, who were all familiar with each other, knew about Xu Xiuxiu's pregnancy. After their initial surprise, they all unanimously kept it to themselves without Xu Xiuxiu needing to remind them to stay silent, just as they would normally interact.

It was no coincidence that Xu Jingjing ended up calling Sichuan Pavilion and speaking with Xu Xiuxiu. The young girl had initially tried calling her brother-in-law's office but, upon learning that Song Yuanhuan had already started his New Year's holiday, she called Sichuan Pavilion in hope and, unexpectedly, got to speak to her sister.

"Sis, is the baby in your belly being good? Is it bothering you?" Xu Jingjing asked Xu Xiuxiu with concern, revealing that she had only recently found out that the reason her brother-in-law was so attentive to her sister when she was in City Z was because Xu Xiuxiu was pregnant at the time, suffering from morning sickness every day, not due to an upset stomach but because of pregnancy-related nausea.

"Very good, not noisy at all," Xu Xiuxiu's gentle voice softly reached the other end of the phone.

One could imagine what Xu Xiuxiu's expression was like at that moment, but Xu Jingjing still felt a twinge in her nose. "Sis, I miss you, I really miss you," Xu Jingjing said, slightly choked up, her voice trembling faintly.

Xu Xiuxiu paused for a moment, then laughed, "I miss you too, Si Ya. How are things at home? I heard from your brother-in-law that Mom and Dad were setting you up with potential matches again. Have you taken a liking to anyone?" Concerning matters back home, Xu Xiuxiu subconsciously ignored them, learning most details from Song Yuanhuan. Now, close to the New Year and heavily pregnant, Xu Xiuxiu, despite the inconvenience, was about to return home for childbirth and to register her child's residence.

Yet inexplicably, Xu Xiuxiu, with her large belly, felt an exhausting sense of dread, as if going home for New Year's was like heading into battle.

"Sis, I'm not okay at all," Xu Jingjing's sob-choked voice was exceptionally clear, indicating that the young girl on the other end couldn't hold back her tears.

"Jingjing! What's wrong?" A feeling of unease suddenly arose in Xu Xiuxiu. Had something happened to Xu Jingjing during these swiftly passing days? Otherwise, the young girl wouldn't be crying so much on the phone; she must have been holding it in for a long time.

"Xiuxiu, our parents probably haven't told you yet! When you come back for the New Year, you might just be able to attend my wedding, and I don't like the person I'm marrying at all," Jingjing said, her tone devoid of any excitement about getting married, instead carrying a hint of resentment.

A wedding? A marriage partner? Jingjing is getting married! How is that possible, why wasn't there any news before?

"Jingjing, tell your elder sister what exactly happened?" Xu Xiuxiu asked, frowning deeply.

"When you come back, you'll know. Be careful on the train with your pregnancy and your big belly. I'll wait for you to come home for the New Year, and to attend my wedding." However, Jingjing didn't elaborate further, nor did she address Xu Xiuxiu's anxious inquiries at the other end, and quickly hung up the phone.

Song Yuanhuan, sitting in Xu Xiuxiu's office, watched as she answered the call, her expression shifting from a smile to a somber one, then from somber to agitated, and finally to a look of despondence and confusion as she hung up.

"What happened?" Song Yuanhuan immediately leaned in nervously, showing his concern.

"I don't know, it's just that something might have happened to Jingjing! She said she's getting married!" Xu Xiuxiu bit her lower lip, her delicate eyebrows tightly knotted.

Listening to Xu Xiuxiu, Song Yuanhuan was also taken aback. He regularly stayed in touch with his in-laws back home, so the news of his sister-in-law getting engaged and marrying should have been joyous. Why hadn't his in-laws mentioned anything at all? It was too sudden.

"Don't worry, we're heading back tomorrow. We'll know what happened once we get there," Song Yuanhuan comforted Xu Xiuxiu.

At this moment, for Song Yuanhuan, nothing was more important than his pregnant wife. Xu Xiuxiu's belly had grown alarmingly large, and although there was still about a month left until the due date, he constantly felt that she might deliver prematurely, especially since she had been pregnant for over nine months and her belly was even bigger than that of women who were ten months pregnant.

What's more, she had to endure a grueling seven- or eight-hour train ride back to their hometown the next day. His heart had been in turmoil ever since they'd decided to spend the New Year back home for the birth. He had originally wanted his wife to return to their hometown earlier, but he had been unable to make time to accompany her, and he couldn't bear the thought of her traveling alone by train with her big belly at six or seven months pregnant. He had developed a severe anxiety, feeling that if he didn't see her safe and sound in front of him every day, he could go insane at any moment. Thus, time had slipped away amidst his conflicted feelings, dragging on until the end of the year.

Now, even though he would be accompanying her home, he still felt uneasy. As they prepared to board the train, his mood became even more volatile. He made thorough preparations, dressing Xu Xiuxiu in a long green military coat that covered her completely, leaving only her eyes visible. On the train, he only allowed her to show her face, which had become even more delicately tender during pregnancy. Then he carefully placed Song Chengguang near the window, while he himself sat next to his wife, holding her close. Their family of three, plus the baby in her belly, thus shakily made their way back to their hometown.