Living at the Zhuang Family estate was nothing short of leisurely.
In the blink of an eye, the most difficult period before pregnancy was over.
The morning sickness hadn’t lasted long, and for the most part, Li Yaru could eat, drink, and sleep well.
The few pounds she lost at the beginning came back, and she hadn’t gained any extra weight, maintaining her original figure.
By the fifth month, Li Yaru’s belly had rounded slightly and was already showing.
The doctor said the baby was stable, and that taking a few days to go out and have fun wouldn’t hurt.
It would help her relax and be good for both mother and child.
Seeing Li Yaru’s expectant, radiant gaze, Zhuang Qiting could only nod and agree to accompany her to Japan.
In truth, he didn’t really want to; he would rather keep Li Yaru locked up at home, carefully protected.
This little thing, all she knew was how to have fun every day.
On the day of departure, Li Yaru was full of excitement, her hands resting on the edge of the plane window like a little girl who’d never flown before, staring unblinkingly as the plane accelerated on the runway with a roaring thunder, soaring into the blue sky.
“…We’re flying.” Bathed in endless blue, Li Yaru’s eyes sparkled, not uttering a word.
It wasn’t until the sunlight became blinding that she squinted and pulled down the window shade, sitting properly, only to realize the man opposite her had been watching her intently the entire time.
Zhuang Qiting sat with his legs crossed, hands casually clasped.
The relaxed shirt he wore was a far cry from his usual meticulous attire, giving him a hint of lazy charm.
His gentle gaze was fixed on her.
“What are you looking at?” Li Yaru tucked her long hair behind her ear, feeling a bit shy being watched so closely.
Zhuang Qiting raised his brows slightly. “You look like a little kid on her first flight. It’s just a trip—are you really that happy?”
“Of course.” Li Yaru shot him a glance, unable to hide her delight. “I’ve been stuck at home for months—so bored I was about to go moldy.”
Zhuang Qiting was helpless toward her playful nature. He unfastened his seatbelt, leaned over, and gently pressed his palm to her now-rounded belly.
The doctor had instructed him not to touch recklessly, afraid the baby would get playful and tangle the cord.
He remembered that well, so each time he only held his palm firmly in place.
With his eyes downcast, the usual chill and authority in his voice was replaced by pure gentleness. “For the next ten days, both of you little ones have to behave, alright?”
His palm was warm, bringing with it a solid and steady strength. Li Yaru felt it, and so did the baby in her belly, who suddenly gave a faint kick.
That little movement startled them both. Their eyes immediately met.
“Was that… Did she move?” Zhuang Qiting pursed his lips, inexplicably nervous.
Li Yaru found it amazing too. The little one in her belly had suddenly become excited, like a small fish blowing bubbles, swimming here and there. “She really moved… She must love flying!”
Zhuang Qiting smiled. “She loves her daddy.”
Li Yaru scoffed. “Look at you, so full of yourself. She just likes going out and playing.”
She patted her belly boldly. “Mommy will take you out to play every day from now on!”
She didn’t hold back, patting quite hard. Zhuang Qiting, exasperated, caught her hand and pinched it in annoyance. “Be gentle, you’ll scare her.”
“You’re already a mother, so act a little ladylike and set an example for our daughter.”
The moment Li Yaru heard the word “ladylike,” she deflated and withdrew her hand coldly.
“It’s always ‘ladylike’ with you. Why don’t you just go find some famous elegant lady to give you a little lady and leave me alone… Anyway, my daughter will be just like me—happy is what matters. What’s so great about following the rules?”
“Old-fashioned…” she muttered, shooting Zhuang Qiting a glare.
A shadow flickered in Zhuang Qiting’s eyes. He admitted, when it came to family, he was old-fashioned.
He wanted a gentle, caring wife, a cute and smart daughter, and he would work hard to give mother and daughter the best the world could offer.
All these years, he’d lived with discipline and control. His life was smooth and successful, and with his immense willpower, drive, and decisiveness, he hardly ever made mistakes.
Not just his three younger brothers, his closest friends, and his employees, even his rivals, all fell within his grasp.
His father had once sighed that he was the most perfect heir the Zhuang Family had produced in years.
His wife might just be the first variable in his life.
Before meeting Li Yaru, he never imagined his wife would be someone who would call him an old-fashioned stick to his face…
She wasn’t obedient, didn’t listen, wasn’t gentle, nor was she sweet—but he loved her, loved her to madness.
If he didn’t see her for a day, he felt restless. If he didn’t have her for a day, he burned with desire.
Zhuang Qiting’s breath grew heavy, but he only pinched Li Yaru’s delicate fingers and said, “Fine, just like you, I love her too.”
If she’s not ladylike, then so be it. His daughter would be born a Princess, with the capital to be willful and free.
After all, the whole Zhuang Family had her back. As long as she didn’t kill or commit arson, didn’t learn from her mother and knock him on the head, she could go anywhere and do anything!
Li Yaru was still unhappy and pouted. “What do you mean, ‘love her too’?”
“Fine.” Zhuang Qiting nodded calmly. “That’s just wonderful.”
“Haven’t you thought that maybe it’s… a boy?”
Zhuang Qiting immediately frowned, forbidding her from such thoughts. “Don’t say that. We’ll have it checked. Don’t worry.”
At four months, Li Ya was told it was probably a girl, but there was no guarantee—misdiagnosis was possible.
Li Yaru lovingly caressed her belly. “I thought someone as old-fashioned as you would only want a son.”
“Why would I want a son?” Zhuang Qiting didn’t understand. Sons were money pits! What was so great about having a son? Just looking at them was irritating!
“People from families like yours are so old-fashioned. Those rich ladies all fight tooth and nail for sons, for someone to inherit the family business.” Li Yaru didn’t care, rolling her eyes as she spoke.
“Our daughter can inherit Senghui, too.” Whenever Zhuang Qiting thought of the chubby, sweet daughter in her belly, his normally icy face would soften.
“Really? You’re not lying?” Li Yaru’s eyes shone. Her daughter would be rich beyond belief! She’d be the mighty female head of Senghui in the future!
Zhuang Qiting swept his eyes over her money-grubbing expression and snorted.
“Of course. Our daughter won’t lose to anyone. We’ll give her the best education, nurture her well—she’ll learn everything she needs to. When she grows up, we’ll find her a good son-in-law she likes. If she doesn’t like him, we’ll change him. Our daughter doesn’t have to get married; she can stay by our side her whole life.”
Li Yaru was truly shocked by his words. She never expected someone as old-fashioned as Zhuang Qiting to have such progressive ideas!
She couldn’t help but mumble, “Call you old-fashioned and you’re open-minded, call you open-minded and you’re still old-fashioned…”
Zhuang Qiting didn’t like his wife badmouthing him, especially not to his face.
He caught her finger and brought it to his mouth, biting down lightly at first, then harder, until she yelped in pain.
“It hurts!” she whimpered.
“If you badmouth me again, there will be worse pain waiting for you.”
“How can you bully me even when I’m pregnant?”
Zhuang Qiting gazed steadily at her flushed cheeks. He never let her wear makeup, but she wouldn’t listen.
She’d still put on mascara, eyeshadow, and bright red lipstick, looking like a lively, vivid flower.
They’d be spending the next ten days in Japan.
Though they brought plenty of people and Senghui had a branch there with considerable influence, it still wasn’t Hong Kong Island or the Zhuang Family estate. He couldn’t relax.
What he feared most was that she’d get carried away while playing and forget everything else, or worse, get hurt or fall. Even if he got angry, there’d be nothing he could do.
Coddling her only made her act out more.
Zhuang Qiting could only use threats to keep her in line, so he put on a stern face and spoke in a deep, commanding voice: “Ah Rou, being pregnant isn’t an excuse to do as you please. Over the next ten days, if you don’t behave, we’ll go straight home.”
“………………”
Li Yaru swallowed her frustration and didn’t dare confront him head-on. He was a man accustomed to power—no one dared go against him.
The aura he exuded was too strong, sharp and dangerous. She knew his methods, and deep down, she was still a little afraid of him and could only submit to his dominance.
She glared at him resentfully. Once they were back on Hong Kong Island, she’d go complain to his mother.
*
When Zhuang Qiting was bad, he was truly bad; but when he doted on her, there was no limit.
Because of this, Li Yaru often couldn’t figure out whether she liked him or hated him.
For their ten-day trip to Japan, the man arranged everything meticulously—even small details, like avoiding raw foods for her sake.