The Byoukidere Is Her Sweetie

Chapter 249: 249: Xu Fang pregnant? Lixiang pregnant? (8 more updates)

Brother Zhi tucked her hand back under the quilt and tightened the corner of the cover, “It’s still early, sleep a bit more.”

She was still sleepy and couldn’t open her eyes, “What time is it?”

Brother Zhi said, “Half past six.”

If it was half past six, it wouldn’t be very light outside yet.

Zhou Xufang lay on her side looking at him, blinking with sleepy eyes, just woken up, and her voice was soft, “Why did you get up so early?”

Brother Zhi was in black pajamas, with a few strands of hair sticking up, no sign of sleepiness in his eyes, only a faint happiness, “Old Mrs. Jiang is going to the ancestral hall for a ceremony, I need to go back to the Jiang Family. You sleep a bit more, when you wake up, I should almost be back.”

She hummed softly like a mosquito, her eyes almost closed.

“I’ve set an alarm for you, and I’ve arranged for someone to call you for breakfast, you need to get up and eat,” Brother Zhi touched her face, “Okay?”

Zhou Xufang rubbed her pillow, almost asleep, “Mmm…”

Brother Zhi kissed her cheek and tiptoed to the bathroom.

At seven, Old Lady Jiang was already up, and her grandchildren even earlier, all waiting in the main hall. The Jiang Family’s ancestral hall was quite far, nearly an hour away by car.

But Brother Zhi hadn’t arrived yet.

Old Mrs. Jiang asked the housekeeper, “Why hasn’t Brother Zhi come yet?”

Jiang Chuan couldn’t answer.

It was Xiao Tian, who often attended to Brother Zhi, who replied, “The young master isn’t feeling well, he said he would come over in ten minutes.”

As soon as Old Mrs. Jiang heard that Brother Zhi wasn’t feeling well, she immediately ordered, “Jiang Chuan, go and fetch Vice President Sun.”

Xiao Tian added, “No need for a doctor, the young master said it’s just an old ailment, some hot medicinal broth will do.” He hadn’t seen him in person; he relayed what was said on the phone.

“Ah Gui,” Old Mrs. Jiang instructed the maid beside her, “tell the kitchen to warm some medicinal broth and send it over.”

Mrs. Gui replied, “As you wish, Old Madam.”

Old Mrs. Jiang sat down, “Let’s wait a bit more for Brother Zhi.”

Jiang Weikai, usually strict with himself, was unhappy with his nephew’s tardiness, “Even on New Year’s Day, he needs to be requested, totally lacking any discipline.”

Jiang Wei Li, smiling and joking, said, “Exactly, just like a young lady, making people wait left and right when he goes out.”

“Enough,” Old Lady Jiang spoke up, “Brother Zhi is unwell, be accommodating.”

More than ten minutes later, Brother Zhi arrived.

His face was pale, and he walked slowly, both cheeks looked sickly, “I’m sorry, Grandma, I’m late.”

Old Lady Jiang stood up, concerned, “It’s alright, how are you feeling?”

He lacked strength, leaning on a chair, “Better, cough cough cough…”

Before leaving, he had caught some cold water, broke a sweat, and he walked fast on the way, hence his pale face and lips, sweaty forehead, and short of breath as he spoke.

“Your complexion really isn’t good,” Old Lady Jiang asked, “Did you not sleep well last night?” Last night, to avoid disturbing his sleep, they hadn’t set off many firecrackers.

Brother Zhi replied, “I didn’t sleep much.”

That was the truth; he and Zhou Xufang had been up late arguing, and then he lacked the desire to sleep, hugging her and watching her for half the night, staying awake until dawn.

His eyes were tinged with red blood vessels, “It was chilly last night, I caught a bit of cold, didn’t sleep well at night.”

Old Mrs. Jiang said, “Have the doctor check on you again later.”

Brother Zhi agreed, and then covered his mouth, coughing, “Cough cough cough…”

He coughed quite violently, his neck turning red.

Old Mrs. Jiang watched, full of concern, “Why didn’t you wear more?” She called over the maid beside her, “Sister Xi, go and bring Brother Zhi a coat.”

Jiang Fuxi glanced at Brother Zhi and went to fetch clothes from inside.

At ten past ten, the cellphone on the bedside table rang.

Zhou Xufang reached out one hand to touch the cellphone, eyes closed, placing it to her ear, “Hello?”

Brother Zhi was calling from outside, without an umbrella, standing amidst a vast expanse of snow, surrounded by a frozen landscape, but his eyes held the warmth of springtime, “Still sleeping?”

Zhou Xufang turned over in bed, “Mmm…”

The sleep-deprived young girl, cute and fluffy like a kitten, her paws tugging at one’s heartstrings.

“I’ve ordered food for you, it’ll arrive in half an hour,” he cajoled his ‘cat’, “Is it okay to sleep after eating?”

Zhou Xufang climbed out of the blanket, rubbing his eyes, “I’m up.”

“Still sleepy?”

“A bit.” She asked Jiang Zhi, her voice very soft, “Aren’t you sleepy? You barely slept last night.”

Jiang Zhi chuckled on the other end.

Zhou Xufang climbed out of bed, his hair tousled, and headed to the bathroom, “What are you laughing at?”

Jiang Zhi teased her on purpose, “Not shy anymore?”

“…”

She went silent, shrinking like a turtle.

In the bathroom mirror, the girl’s face was peachy, her eyes watery like spring, resembling a freshly bloomed lotus.

Jiang Zhi instructed her over the phone, “Drink more water, you had a fever for a long time yesterday.”

She had a fever all night, from the New Year’s bells at midnight until the early morning, half asleep and half awake, always complaining of thirst. Jiang Zhi got up a few times to give her water.

Zhou Xufang picked at the bathroom tiles, glancing at the rubbish bin nearby, showing signs of a fever again, “Oh…”

“The old lady is calling me, I’m hanging up.”

“Okay.”

On the second day of the New Year, the Jiang Family hosted relatives and friends at the old house, and Young Master Jiang Zhi, feeling unwell, went to the ‘hospital’.

On the third day of the New Year, relatives from the Jiang family’s side came to visit Old Lady Jiang, and Young Master Jiang Zhi, still unwell, was still at the ‘hospital’.

On the fourth day of the New Year, Old Lady Jiang visited Jiang Zhi in the hospital. Vice President Sun handed over the medical results with a grave expression, saying with heartfelt concern that the young master was weakened and his liver and kidneys were mildly failing. He needed to rest in bed. Old Lady Jiang was so anxious she couldn’t eat.

From the fifth to the ninth day of the New Year, Young Master Jiang continued to stay in the hospital.

Of course, that wasn’t actually the case.

On the second day of the New Year, Jiang Zhi and Zhou Xufang stayed home all day, not going out.

On the third day, they continued to nest, note, nesting in bed.

On the fourth day, Jiang Zhi laid in the hospital for a morning. Old Lady Jiang came for a visit, warmly checking on him, and he cooperated by coughing a few times and spitting a few drops of blood, then returned to Zhou Xufang’s place in the afternoon.

On the fifth day, Jiang Zhi went out to the supermarket, buying some groceries and… several boxes of contraceptives.

From the sixth to the ninth day of the New Year, they didn’t go out.

On the tenth day of the New Year, the Xu Family sent out invitations, hosting Old Lady Jiang and the young members of the Jiang family.

At ten in the morning, several cars stopped at the gate of the Xu family’s villa, and the whole Xu family came out to welcome them. Old Madam Jiang was the eldest sister, followed by three younger brothers and a younger sister. The third youngest had passed away years ago, and the youngest sister had married off to Zhangzhou, and together with their children and grandchildren, there were over a dozen people.

“Brother Zhi has also arrived.”

The speaker was Mr. Xu from the Xu Family, Xu Yajun.

Old Lady Jiang smiled and replied, “Indeed, he just got out of the hospital today.”

It was well-known that Young Master Jiang’s health was poor. He spent the coldest days at the end of each year in the hospital. It was said that he was better this year, but he still spent the New Year in the hospital.

Such fragile beauty.

Xu Yajun called out, “Then don’t catch a cold, come inside quickly.”

“Cough, cough, cough, cough…”

Accompanied by a bout of coughing, Jiang Zhi entered the house. He had been ‘sick’ for several days and his face was pale. He was still gasping for breath as he spoke, “Where’s the guest room? I need to rest for a bit.”

Xu Yajun called his wife over to lead Jiang Zhi to rest.

Xu Pozhi stepped forward, offering to host the guests, “Let me take Brother Zhi.”

Mrs. Tao, Xu Yajun’s wife, agreed.

Xu Pozhi led the way, taking Jiang Zhi to the third floor. Once the bustling noise from downstairs was no longer audible, he spoke as they walked, “Luo Huaiyu came looking for me yesterday.”

Jiang Zhi stopped and leaned weakly against the wall, “What did you say?”

Xu Pozhi’s eyes shifted, his other glass eye lifeless and dull, “They want me to testify.”

Jiang Zhi pondered for a moment, then said lazily, “Testifying is fine, but on certain conditions.”

“What conditions?”

He whispered two words, “Shares.”

Xu Pozhi’s smile was ambiguous, his eye studying Jiang Zhi with a probing air, “Why do you want shares from the Luo Family? Isn’t the Jiang Family’s share enough for you?”

A chill settled in his eyes, a thin layer of cold light enveloping them, “Don’t meddle in my business. Knowing too much won’t be good for you.”

Xu Pozhi eyed him meaningfully, “We’ve been in this together a long time, and I still don’t know what exactly you’re up to.”

Jiang Zhi coughed lightly and started walking upstairs, “As long as I know what you want, that’s enough.”

Xu Pozhi stood there, deep in thought.

It was Jiang Zhi who had approached him, promising to help him achieve his desires as long as he complied.

At first, he didn’t trust Jiang Zhi, but as each member of the Luo Family fell into the traps Jiang Zhi had set, he realized that Jiang Zhi had orchestrated a grand plan and he himself was a part of it.

After the Lantern Festival, Jiang Zhi became busy. His new movie, which had been in preparation for half a year, was finally set to start filming on the first day of the lunar month of February.

Before filming started, the lead actress’s father—Mr. Fang—held a banquet at home for the director and his wife, intending to express their gratitude for the special care the Jiangs had extended to his daughter.

It was just an excuse; after all, Zhou Xu hadn’t come over for a meal during the New Year holidays. Mr. Fang wanted to make up for it.

Jiang Zhi and Zhou Xu sat in the living room while Fang Lixiang joined them. Mr. Fang was busy in the kitchen. Being a widower who raised his daughter alone, his cooking skills were undeniable. Unfortunately, he had raised a daughter who was lazy and indifferent to practicalities.

Fang Lixiang, who couldn’t distinguish wheat from rice, called from the living room, “Mr. Fang, is it ready yet?”

Mr. Fang turned off the burner, “Just the last dish.” He plated the dish and brought it to the table, announcing, “Chicken stewed with mushrooms.”

This was Mr. Fang’s specialty.

Fang Lixiang sniffed and a smell rushed down her throat, stirring her stomach. She immediately covered her mouth, fighting the urge to throw up, and rushed to the bathroom, opened the toilet lid, and vomited until she was dizzy.

Mr. Fang followed her, “What’s wrong now?”

Zhou Xu and Jiang Zhi also came over, but Mr. Fang gestured for them to sit.

After throwing up what felt like everything, Fang Lixiang’s mouth was terribly sour. She complained bitterly to her father, “Your cooking is too greasy. I haven’t recovered from my cold.”

Her cold had lingered for a month, never fully healing, leaving her constantly tired, sleepy, and without an appetite.

Mr. Fang patted her back with concern while scolding, “Then why don’t you go to the hospital?”

Fang Lixiang asked her father to stay away because she could smell the chicken and felt nauseous, “Mr. Fang, your daughter is a somewhat famous actress. Can she casually visit the hospital? Last time I went for a checkup, the paparazzi claimed I was getting an abortion. How dare I go to the hospital now?”

Mr. Fang got up to pour a glass of water and grabbed a towel for her, “Who asked you to be an actress?”

Fang Lixiang rinsed her mouth and shrugged, “Blame me for having great acting skills.”

The father and daughter continued their banter in the bathroom.

Zhou Xu sat on the living room sofa, frowning as she sipped some water.

Jiang Zhi clinked her glass which had cooled, took it from her, and gave her his warm water, “What’s the matter?”

Zhou Xu sipped the water and hesitated, then touching her stomach, she whispered to Jiang Zhi, “Could I be pregnant?”

Jiang Zhi was speechless, staring blankly, unable to move.

Zhou Xu tugged at his sleeve.

He snapped out of it like waking from a dream, his eyes storming with emotions—shock, joy, then worry—it was a total mess.

He was going to be a father?!

Wait, stay calm, it’s not confirmed yet.

Jiang Zhi took a deep breath, licked his lips and calmed down, “If it happened this fast, then I must be really potent.” Let’s see who dares to call him sterile.

Zhou Xu, feeling embarrassed and not wanting Fang Lixiang and her father to hear, whispered to Jiang Zhi, “Buy a pregnancy test.”

Jiang Zhi was still staring at her flat belly, unable to resist, he reached out and touched it softly, “I’m afraid this might not be accurate, I’ll take you to the hospital tomorrow.”

His action was like that of a fool.

Zhou Xufang was very happy, she couldn’t help but touch her belly too, “Okay.”

Jiang Zhi’s hand on her waist was extra careful, “Let’s eat first.” The thought of Zhou Xufang’s slim waist bearing his child made his heart thump rapidly.

He had mixed feelings, his heart was complicated. He wanted his beloved girl to bear a child sharing their blood, but he had not planned for it to be so soon.

As soon as the topic of eating came up, Zhou Xufang felt uncomfortable in her stomach, “I can’t eat.”

“You have to eat even if you can’t.” Jiang Zhi looked at the table full of rich dishes, then turned to Zhou Xufang to negotiate, “Fang Bao, how about some porridge?”

“Okay.”

Zhou Xufang and Fang Lixiang barely ate their lunch, Mr. Fang saw that both girls had no appetite, so he stir-fried two more plates of vegetarian dishes, Zhou Xufang drank a bowl of porridge and ate some greens.

On the way back, Zhou Xufang was particularly silent.

Jiang Zhi drove very slowly, “Are you unhappy?”

Zhou Xufang shook her head, how could she be unhappy, “I’m afraid of having an unhealthy baby.” After all, she was not normal.

Jiang Zhi pulled over, grabbed her hand, gently poked her palm, and then placed her hand on her lower abdomen, “Don’t think nonsense. Even if you gave birth to an egg, I would still like it.”

Zhou Xufang hung her head low, feeling down, “I don’t mind if it’s just like me, but if it’s—”

Jiang Zhi interrupted, “Zhou Xufang.”

“Hmm?” She looked at him.

He brought his handsome face close to hers, giving her a sly wink, “Is your boyfriend amazing or not?”

Zhou Xufang did not hesitate and gave a thumbs up, “Amazing.”

Jiang Zhi patted her head with a smile, “Then you can rest assured, your boyfriend’s genes are amazing too.”

Zhou Xufang was amused by him.

Yes.

Her Jiang Zhi was a particularly, particularly amazing person.

Jiang Zhi became serious, telling her, “There’s nothing to worry about, at most it will be a bit more like you, like a little superman.”

It was possible that there might be a mutation in the original genes, Zhou Xufang thought.

Jiang Zhi glanced at her, knowing what she was worried about. He had been carefully considering this issue since he had made up his mind to make her Mrs. Jiang.

“Let’s say, even if there really is some other problem, there’s no need to fear, if you want to have the baby, have it, if you don’t want to, then don’t. I can protect you, and I’m willing to let go too.”

He said, “I agree with whatever decision you make, but if you’re undecided, you can leave it to me.” He spoke very seriously, emphasizing, “However, you need to know one thing, if I make the decision, I’ll prioritize you first, and then the child.”

His stance was very clear, in this matter, he gave her absolute decision-making power, with only one principle: no one was more important than her, including his offspring.

Jiang Zhi cupped her face, “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Zhou Xufang, “Mm.”

He asked, “Are you still scared?”

She shook her head.

She was scared, but her Jiang Zhi was invincible; she could hide behind him.

Oh, there was another problem, “Jiang Zhi, am I really going to lay an egg?”

“…”

This girl, what kind of nonsense novels had she been reading?

Jiang Zhi decisively said, “No.”

Zhou Xufang hypothesized, “What if I do lay an egg?” After all, like a fish, she could breathe underwater, and like a monkey, she could leap ten meters high. Laying an egg wouldn’t be so strange.

If an egg was laid, it wouldn’t be abandoned,

His seed.

Jiang Zhi resignedly concluded, “I’ll incubate it.”