Chapter 18

After he said that, Lin Tian immediately snapped awake and asked, “We have to sleep together?”
“Yes. Think of it as getting used to it in advance. After the baby comes, we’ll sleep together, and if they cry, I’ll handle feeding and diaper changes. You won’t have to work so hard,” Chu Ci continued, patiently explaining.
The idea seemed somewhat appealing, after all, they would eventually share a room anyway, Lin Tian thought.
After a moment, she agreed. “Alright, you come then.”
Chu Ci was a bit surprised; he had only been testing the waters, and didn’t expect her to actually agree. Overjoyed, he confirmed, “You really agree?”
Lin Tian nodded, straightforwardly. “Yes, I agree. But from now on, every night before sleeping, you have to massage my legs. Will you do that?”
“Of course,” Chu Ci replied without hesitation.
Lin Tian, no longer sleepy, lay on her side and said, “Let’s chat a bit.”
Chu Ci sat quietly, his gaze soft on her. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Aunt just said Jiang Ying might have a boyfriend. Are you worried about her?” Lin Tian asked.
Hearing this, Chu Ci’s expression remained calm, breezy even, not showing the tension Lin Tian had imagined. He chuckled wryly. “Why would I worry about her? She’s about to reach adulthood and is mature. Besides, there’s Aunt and Uncle to watch over her. I already spend every day worrying about you and the babies, I can’t worry any more than that.”
Lin Tian was momentarily lost for words. In her previous life, she’d seen a roommate whose brother treated her well, and when that roommate started dating, he’d been anxious. She had thought Chu Ci, with only Jiang Ying as a younger cousin, would be nervous about her dating someone.
Chu Ci noticed her confusion and continued, “Maybe before, I would have cared more about Jiang Ying. But you’re pregnant, twins, at that. Every time I go with you for checkups, the doctors tell me how difficult it is for you and how risky childbirth will be…” He paused before continuing: “Lin Tian, to me, you and the babies are the most important.”
Hearing “the most important,” a piece of Lin Tian’s heart suddenly softened. She had often felt lonely, even when she had worked hard and earned well, she never knew who to share those moments with.
But now, she felt a sense of belonging. Because of Chu Ci, and their children.
“You better always feel that way, Chu Ci,” Lin Tian said as always, assertive and direct, giving him the honest answer from her heart.
“I will,” Chu Ci replied, his tone as unwavering as ever.
They stared at each other for a moment, awkwardly realizing the closeness of the situation. Lin Tian broke the silence: “We’re supposed to sleep together, right? Come up.”
The words had a strong double meaning, as if she were inviting him, but she forced a calm expression.
To her surprise, Chu Ci agreed. “Alright.”
He was already in pajamas, making it easy. He simply lay down on the bed. It was hot at night; Lin Tian still needed a blanket over her belly, but Chu Ci needed nothing.
The sound of his breathing was close. Lin Tian slowly shifted backward, moving just a little farther from him. But the bed was only so big, and a few centimeters were all that separated them.
Chu Ci suddenly said, “You’ll fall off if you move.”
Lin Tian held her breath, afraid of moving and making things embarrassing.
They were lying on their sides, and her slight movement caused her collar to slip, revealing a large expanse of fair, delicate skin. Chu Ci turned onto his back, unable to look.
Lin Tian didn’t know why he moved suddenly but secretly relaxed, feeling less pressured.
After a while, Chu Ci asked, “Have you thought about names for the babies? I’ve thought of many nicknames, two for girls, two for boys, and some for a boy and a girl. What do you think the twins will be?”
“One boy and one girl. I’ve only picked a nickname for the daughter: Ling Ling. I hope she’s spirited, clever, and cute,” Lin Tian said, knowing the story.
“Beautiful name,” Chu Ci murmured in his mind, imagining a lively little daughter. His heart melted.
“The official names can be left to Grandpa. As for the boy’s nickname, I’m still thinking. Do you have suggestions?” Lin Tian asked proactively.
“No need, you can pick all the nicknames,” Chu Ci said gratefully.
Lin Tian didn’t refuse and asked, “Chu Ci, is there favoritism toward boys in your family? I’m only having kids this once. If both are girls, would that upset you?”
Chu Ci paused. “Of course not. Why would you think that? Look at Yingying, everyone dotes on her.”
“That’s good. But you mustn’t favor girls over boys either. Favoring either harms the children.” Lin Tian had seen families treat daughters as treasures and sons as weeds; it was wrong either way.
“I understand. Boys and girls just need different upbringing. It’s not about loving one more; they need different guidance,” Chu Ci said, having read a lot on the topic recently.
Boys naturally have physical advantages, are tougher. That’s why historically, fathers often used strict discipline. Girls, in contrast, are mentally steadier and need more delicate care.
“You’ve thought about this a lot. Then you lead the children’s upbringing; I’ll assist,” Lin Tian smiled.
Chu Ci chuckled, thinking, “I’ll play the stern role and you the kind one, so they’ll like you more.”
“Good, that’s how it should be,” Lin Tian said.
Then she remembered something and asked, “Wait, I read the books you studied. I shouldn’t argue in front of the kids, right? Otherwise, your authority is gone.”
She quickly added, whispering, “No worries, I’ll just do it secretly.”
Chu Ci thought she was adorable. Thinking of the children soon making noise, the house would be lively. He was already looking forward to it.
They continued talking quietly about the babies. Lin Tian eventually fell asleep.
Chu Ci turned toward her again, his gaze lingering on her face. Lin Tian slept deeply, her beautiful eyes closed, lips slightly parted, glimpses of perfect white teeth visible. Her breathing was soft, she looked like a delicate porcelain doll.
Suddenly, he thought: I hope our daughter is as beautiful as her.
Chu Ci turned off the light. In the faint moonlight, he gently placed his hand on Lin Tian’s belly. Through the thin blanket, he felt comforted.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, a few gentle thumps pressed against his palm.
Chu Ci woke immediately, heart racing, but didn’t move a muscle to avoid waking Lin Tian.
He stared wide-eyed, waiting. When nothing more happened, he slowly drifted to sleep.
The next morning, Chu Ci woke first.
His hand had gone numb overnight. He withdrew it, quietly sitting up to get out of bed.
After changing and washing, Aunt Miao and Aunt Wang had already prepared breakfast.
Aunt Chu and Jiang Ying were waiting. Chu Ci sat across from them. “Lin Tian usually wakes in an hour. Let’s eat first.”
Aunt Miao had set aside her breakfast for later.
Chu Mingshan nodded, understanding. “Alright, let her sleep a bit longer. Pregnancy is tough.”
Soon she asked, “Xiao Ci, do you think Yingying can get into university?”
Chu Ci, having tested Jiang Ying yesterday, replied, “There’s a year left; it’s uncertain. Aunt, she’ll need to work hard.”
Jiang Ying lowered her head.
Chu Mingshan looked at her daughter and sighed, passing the trouble to her nephew. “Jiang Ying, no going out today. Stay home and do exercises. If you don’t know something, ask your cousin.”
She spoke firmly. Jiang Ying had no choice but to nod.
Chu Ci, wanting to stay with Lin Tian, hadn’t gone out that summer. He agreed. “Alright, no problem.”
When Lin Tian woke, the two sat across from each other at the table. Chu Mingshan had left for work. Jiang Ying did homework, Chu Ci wrote.
Aunt Miao quickly said, “Comrade Lin, I’ll bring your breakfast.”
Lin Tian nodded and sat down across from Chu Ci.
Chu Ci smiled. “Morning, sleep well?”
Suppressing her inner flutter, Lin Tian feigned indifference. “Fine. You get back to work.”
Jiang Ying huffed at their interaction, deciding to ignore it.
The house was quiet, only the sounds of writing and Lin Tian eating.
Jiang Ying struggled with a math problem but didn’t want to show weakness in front of Lin Tian. After a while, she reluctantly asked Chu Ci.
He glanced at her and calmly explained the solution method. His steady voice made Lin Tian feel comforted as she listened.
The three of them each did their own thing, not disturbing one another, rarely had such a harmonious scene occurred.
Lin Tian had just set down her bowl and chopsticks, intending to take a walk. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yunyun, who hadn’t visited in a long time, suddenly came looking for her. She stood in front of Lin Tian, smiling brightly. “Sister Tian, I came to hang out with you! Surprised?”
Lin Tian was momentarily stunned, then quickly replied, “Surprised. Why did you suddenly come by?”
“Actually, I have something I want to ask you for help with,” Zhao Yunyun said, lowering her head shyly.