The step was not high. When Yang Wei fell, she threw out her hands behind her, cushioning herself from the jolt.
However, the fall had scared her a good deal, and the sudden cramp in her abdomen made her face turn white. Qi Xiao Yan saw her tumble and rushed over. "Darling, are you alright?"
He knelt to lift her back up. Yang Wei grabbed his arm, her slender brows pinched together in pain. "It hurts."
Qi Xiao Yan became nervous upon seeing the pallor of her features. "Where does it hurt?"
"My stomach..." Yang Wei looked up, holding onto his arm even tighter as though afraid of something, "Curly, Curly-bae, the baby..."
He frowned. "What baby?"
The sudden chill in his face frightened Yang Wei. Panicked tears swirled in her eyes. "Curly-bae, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I'm pregnant."
Qi Xiao Yan's hand tightened around hers, and even his breathing seemed to stop. Several students at the edge of the crowd had seen someone fall and came running up to them. Taking a deep breath in, Qi Xiao Yan lifted her off the ground and yelled at the students around him, "Out of the way!"
The students were shocked to hear him shout. They had never before seen Professor Qi so anxious. A way quickly parted for him, and holding Yang Wei close, Qi Xiao Yan left quickly.
Yang Wei leaned against his chest and listened to the heavy sound of his heartbeat. She couldn't help but fret, "Curly-bae, do you think the baby will be alright?"
"Of course. Don't be afraid." He kissed her forehead soothingly. She hadn't bled. It was hopefully not too serious.
When he placed her into the car, a thin layer of sweat had oozed from her forehead. He wiped it away and carefully fastened the seatbelt for her. Although he was as nervous and anxious as she, he did not dare drive too fast. Glancing at Yang Wei next to him, he took her hand gently. "Darling, don't be afraid. It'll be all right."
"Nnn......" Yang Wei's voice was weak with the cramping pain. She turned her head to Qi Xiao Yan and felt her nose become a little sour. "I'm sorry Curly-bae. I should have told you earlier..."
Qi Xiao Yan laced his fingers through hers and slowly tightened them. "Stop talking."
Yang Wei let out a sniffle and didn't let out a sound afterward. When they arrived at the hospital, Qi Xiao Yan parked quickly and took her to the emergency department. The nurse in the hallway saw him rushing in and hurried to meet him. "What's wrong with her?"
"She had a bad fall. It might have hurt the baby."
'Might have hurt the baby' was a broad term. The nurse took Yang Wei into the ward and pulled the curtain closed, leaving Qi Xiao Yan outside. Soon after, another nurse led the doctor in, a woman with a low ponytail and rimless glasses, who looked very young. The two let themselves behind the curtain and no sound of movement could be heard for awhile.
Standing alone outside, Qi Xiao Yan felt as though every nerve in his body was taut. He stared at the dark blue curtains, hardly even blinking. Who knew how long he waited before the curtain was finally pulled open again? From behind the curtain, the doctor emerged. "Are you the patient's family?"
Qi Xiao Yan moved his mouth but could not answer. Finally, he just nodded.
"Do not worry. There are no signs of miscarriage. I gave her an injection, and the situation has stabilized. Let her lie down a little longer."
He let out a sigh of relief, and his fists slowly unclenched. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me just yet. The early stages of pregnancy are the riskiest, so don't be careless. Let her rest as much as possible, and keep her relaxed and happy." The doctor took a couple of steps forward, and then turned back. "Oh, and don't get angry with pregnant women."
Qi Xiao Yan let out an inarticulate sound. When the doctor had left, he took a deep breath and stepped into the ward.
Yang Wei was lying in bed, her face still pale. Qi Xiao Yan made his way to her side and sat down next to her, touching her face gently. Yang Wei opened her eyes and turned to him, looking overwhelmed. Qi Xiao Yan took his hand back. "Are you still in pain?"
Yang Wei shook her head and seemed to try to say something, but nothing came out. Qi Xiao Yan was still looking at her, and in a light and gentle tone, asked, "Yang Wei, why did you hide this pregnancy from me? Did you mean to give birth secretly? Or abort?"
"No," she blurted out. "I wasn't going to keep it from you. I just wanted to give you a little more time. The doctor said that I should come to the hospital next month for a checkup, and I was going to..."
Before she could finish, Qi Xiao Yan leaned over and kissed her. His kiss was gentle and light, like kissing a rare treasure. Not knowing why, Yang Wei felt her nose somehow sour again. She turned her head away. "This is a hospital."
He buried his head in her neck and cradled her in his arms. "Darling, you almost scared me to death just now..."
Yang Wei bit her lip and put her arms about his waist. "Curly-bae, we're going to have a baby. Are you okay with that?"
His head was still buried in the crook of her neck, so she couldn't see his face, but in his voice she heard a rare smile. "I'm okay. I'm very, very okay."
She smiled, then closed her eyes and said nothing more. Qi Xiao Yan kissed her on the cheek and said softly, "The doctor said that you should rest a little longer. We'll leave when you wake."
Yang Wei slept there in the hospital for over an hour. When she woke, Qi Xiao Yan carried her out. It was already afternoon, and neither of them had eaten. He helped her fasten her seat belt and asked, "Hungry?"
Yang Wei nodded. "Yeah."
Not wanting to let her eat takeout, he brought her home so he could cook for her himself. Allowing her to rest in bed, Qi Xiao Yan asked, "What would you like to eat?"
"Hmmm..." Yang Wei thought for a bit. "Cabbage stirfried in vinegar, sweet and sour pork, and a tomato soup."
Qi Xiao Yan looked at her for a while. "It seems like Curly-baby1 is a going to be a boy."
Yang Wei blinked. "Who's Curly-baby?"
"The one in your tummy." Qi Xiao Yan headed to the kitchen. As he was cooking, he paid extra attention to the seasoning. He thought that he might buy a guidebook on cooking for pregnant women and write down everything that should be avoided.
Yang Wei was very satisfied to have a meal that she didn't have to make herself. After the meal, she showed him her medicine and handbook for pregnant women before she was rushed back to bed. Nestling in the quilt, she looked at Qi Xiao Yan standing at her side and asked, "Are you going back out?"
"Mmm. I'm going to the university to bring all my things back."
Yang Wei: "..."
She had just known that this would happen.
Qi Xiao Yan seemed to suddenly think of something. "Do your parents know about the baby?"
"I didn't tell anyone," Yang Wei whispered.
"So I was the first to know?" Qi Xiao Yan smiled at her, then bent and kissed her on the forehead. "Sleep well. I'll be back soon."
Yang Wei closed her eyes obediently. Meanwhile, Qi Xiao Yan drove back to the university dorm, preparing to move his things back in batches. He loaded a cardboard box with his books and materials, then took out a suitcase from the closet and stuffed some summer clothes, his computer, and divorce certificate into it. Looking around the room, he packed in the photo frames that he had once taken away, one by one.
Yang Wei was still asleep when he got home. Qi Xiao Yan didn't wake her up, but instead quietly began to unpack. When Yang Wei opened her eyes, she saw him hanging his shirts up in the closet. Though she had seen him do this many times before, she was a little touched to be able to see it again.
She crawled out of bed. Hearing a noise, Qi Xiao Yan looked back at her, "Awake?"
"Mmm." Yang Wei wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and nestled herself onto his back. Qi Xiao Yan chuckled, looking down at her. "What are you doing? Playing spoiled?" Yang Wei used to do this from time to time, and he actually liked watching it.
Yang Wei only rubbed herself on him, making no answer. Qi Xiao Yan turned and hugged her, then asked, "Hungry?"
She couldn’t help but laugh. "Curly-bae, I've discovered that now that you know you're going to be a father, you're much gentler than before."
Qi Xiao Yan disagreed. "I've always been very gentle."
Yang Wei did not even attempt to disguise her laughter, and he gave her a kiss in return. Looking up at him, she said lazily, "You've also become much more fond of kissing."
Qi Xiao Yan smiled, but said nothing. His darling had a little baby in her belly. Just thinking about it made his heart soften.
At dinner, Qi Xiao Yan talked about going through the formalities of remarriage as soon as possible. They also had to tell their parents. Yang Wei thought about how her mother had said that Professor Qi would be getting a beating, and her eyes were full of sympathy.
They agreed to have dinner with her parents the next Sunday, and Qi Xiao Yan went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Yang Wei curled on the sofa, eating fruit and watching TV. Had she known about the refreshing days of being served hand and foot waiting before her, she would have told Qi Xiao Yan the good news earlier.
Qi Xiao Yan washed out their bowls, then took the key and made as if to go out. "I'm heading to the supermarket."
"I'll go too." Yang Wei got up from the sofa and went to the door. Qi Xiao Yan frowned, wanting her to stay home. "The supermarket's crowded. What if you get pushed?"
Yang Wei took his arm as she slid on her shoes. "Mr. Qi, you're overdoing your nervousness. I'm going to school tomorrow. Were you planning on having me resign?"
Qi Xiao Yan reasoned logically, "It would be fine if you did. I can support both you and Curly-baby."
Yang Wei tilted her head up to look up at him, then pulled him out the door. "You're willing, but I'm not. Children are expensive. We should save up for milk powder while we can."
The two left the neighbourhood. Yang Wei thought about it, then said to Qi Xiao Yan, "Curly-bae, let's go to the supermarket further away, just to take a walk after eating."
"Sure." It was said that pregnant women still needed to have the appropriate amounts of exercise. Qi Xiao Yan decided to accompany Yang Wei out for a walk every night.
After strolling around the supermarket's food section, Qi Xiao Yan made his way to the fruit and vegetable area to pick fruit. "Eat more apples. The baby's skin will be better if you do."
"Really?" Yang Wei raised her eyebrows, trailing behind him as he chose apples. She didn't like them very much, but for the sake of little Curly-baby she would eat one a day.
"When grapes are in season, eat more of those, too. I hear that that gives the child large eyes."
Yang Wei blinked and looked at Qi Xiao Yan standing beside her. Then she sniggered. Qi Xiao Yan gave her a sidelong look. "What are you laughing at?"
"None of this has any scientific basis. It's not like you to say such things, Professor Qi."
Qi Xiao Yan refused to reply, and went off to choose oranges. Yang Wei followed him, poking his face with her fingers. "What should I do? Father-to-be Professor Qi is just so cute! Ahahaha."
Pushing her hand away gently, he looked at their two bags of fruit, changing the topic. "Still need lemons?"
"No, there are plenty at home."
He did not give a return opinion. Instead, he pushed the cart toward the check out, leaving Yang Wei to take care of herself.
When she came out of the shower that night, Qi Xiao Yan had already lain down in his old position. He had brought back the kidnapped pillow. Yang Wei lay down beside him, said good night, and turned off the light.
In the darkness, it was hard to ignore the pair of unusually bright, intense eyes watching her. Yang Wei finally could not take it anymore and said, "Curly-bae, I won't be able to sleep if you keep watching me like this."
Qi Xiao Yan stroked a strand of hair back from her face. His voice sounded particularly charming in the darkness. "I just want to look at you."
Yang Wei frowned, helpless. "I have to go in to work tomorrow."
He leaned on his side and just looked at her for a while. Then suddenly, he smiled and took her into her arms. "Darling, I'm just so happy today. I'm so very, very happy."
In his arms, Yang Wei considered the matter for a while. Then she suggested, "If you really can't sleep, you could go down and run five laps around the neighbourhood."
Qi Xiao Yan: "..."
The step was not high. When Yang Wei fell, she threw out her hands behind her, cushioning herself from the jolt.
However, the fall had scared her a good deal, and the sudden cramp in her abdomen made her face turn white. Qi Xiao Yan saw her tumble and rushed over. "Darling, are you alright?"
He knelt to lift her back up. Yang Wei grabbed his arm, her slender brows pinched together in pain. "It hurts."
Qi Xiao Yan became nervous upon seeing the pallor of her features. "Where does it hurt?"
"My stomach..." Yang Wei looked up, holding onto his arm even tighter as though afraid of something, "Curly, Curly-bae, the baby..."
He frowned. "What baby?"
The sudden chill in his face frightened Yang Wei. Panicked tears swirled in her eyes. "Curly-bae, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I'm pregnant."
Qi Xiao Yan's hand tightened around hers, and even his breathing seemed to stop. Several students at the edge of the crowd had seen someone fall and came running up to them. Taking a deep breath in, Qi Xiao Yan lifted her off the ground and yelled at the students around him, "Out of the way!"
The students were shocked to hear him shout. They had never before seen Professor Qi so anxious. A way quickly parted for him, and holding Yang Wei close, Qi Xiao Yan left quickly.
Yang Wei leaned against his chest and listened to the heavy sound of his heartbeat. She couldn't help but fret, "Curly-bae, do you think the baby will be alright?"
"Of course. Don't be afraid." He kissed her forehead soothingly. She hadn't bled. It was hopefully not too serious.
When he placed her into the car, a thin layer of sweat had oozed from her forehead. He wiped it away and carefully fastened the seatbelt for her. Although he was as nervous and anxious as she, he did not dare drive too fast. Glancing at Yang Wei next to him, he took her hand gently. "Darling, don't be afraid. It'll be all right."
"Nnn......" Yang Wei's voice was weak with the cramping pain. She turned her head to Qi Xiao Yan and felt her nose become a little sour. "I'm sorry Curly-bae. I should have told you earlier..."
Qi Xiao Yan laced his fingers through hers and slowly tightened them. "Stop talking."
Yang Wei let out a sniffle and didn't let out a sound afterward. When they arrived at the hospital, Qi Xiao Yan parked quickly and took her to the emergency department. The nurse in the hallway saw him rushing in and hurried to meet him. "What's wrong with her?"
"She had a bad fall. It might have hurt the baby."
'Might have hurt the baby' was a broad term. The nurse took Yang Wei into the ward and pulled the curtain closed, leaving Qi Xiao Yan outside. Soon after, another nurse led the doctor in, a woman with a low ponytail and rimless glasses, who looked very young. The two let themselves behind the curtain and no sound of movement could be heard for awhile.
Standing alone outside, Qi Xiao Yan felt as though every nerve in his body was taut. He stared at the dark blue curtains, hardly even blinking. Who knew how long he waited before the curtain was finally pulled open again? From behind the curtain, the doctor emerged. "Are you the patient's family?"
Qi Xiao Yan moved his mouth but could not answer. Finally, he just nodded.
"Do not worry. There are no signs of miscarriage. I gave her an injection, and the situation has stabilized. Let her lie down a little longer."
He let out a sigh of relief, and his fists slowly unclenched. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me just yet. The early stages of pregnancy are the riskiest, so don't be careless. Let her rest as much as possible, and keep her relaxed and happy." The doctor took a couple of steps forward, and then turned back. "Oh, and don't get angry with pregnant women."
Qi Xiao Yan let out an inarticulate sound. When the doctor had left, he took a deep breath and stepped into the ward.
Yang Wei was lying in bed, her face still pale. Qi Xiao Yan made his way to her side and sat down next to her, touching her face gently. Yang Wei opened her eyes and turned to him, looking overwhelmed. Qi Xiao Yan took his hand back. "Are you still in pain?"
Yang Wei shook her head and seemed to try to say something, but nothing came out. Qi Xiao Yan was still looking at her, and in a light and gentle tone, asked, "Yang Wei, why did you hide this pregnancy from me? Did you mean to give birth secretly? Or abort?"
"No," she blurted out. "I wasn't going to keep it from you. I just wanted to give you a little more time. The doctor said that I should come to the hospital next month for a checkup, and I was going to..."
Before she could finish, Qi Xiao Yan leaned over and kissed her. His kiss was gentle and light, like kissing a rare treasure. Not knowing why, Yang Wei felt her nose somehow sour again. She turned her head away. "This is a hospital."
He buried his head in her neck and cradled her in his arms. "Darling, you almost scared me to death just now..."
Yang Wei bit her lip and put her arms about his waist. "Curly-bae, we're going to have a baby. Are you okay with that?"
His head was still buried in the crook of her neck, so she couldn't see his face, but in his voice she heard a rare smile. "I'm okay. I'm very, very okay."
She smiled, then closed her eyes and said nothing more. Qi Xiao Yan kissed her on the cheek and said softly, "The doctor said that you should rest a little longer. We'll leave when you wake."
Yang Wei slept there in the hospital for over an hour. When she woke, Qi Xiao Yan carried her out. It was already afternoon, and neither of them had eaten. He helped her fasten her seat belt and asked, "Hungry?"
Yang Wei nodded. "Yeah."
Not wanting to let her eat takeout, he brought her home so he could cook for her himself. Allowing her to rest in bed, Qi Xiao Yan asked, "What would you like to eat?"
"Hmmm..." Yang Wei thought for a bit. "Cabbage stirfried in vinegar, sweet and sour pork, and a tomato soup."
Qi Xiao Yan looked at her for a while. "It seems like Curly-baby1 is a going to be a boy."
Yang Wei blinked. "Who's Curly-baby?"
"The one in your tummy." Qi Xiao Yan headed to the kitchen. As he was cooking, he paid extra attention to the seasoning. He thought that he might buy a guidebook on cooking for pregnant women and write down everything that should be avoided.
Yang Wei was very satisfied to have a meal that she didn't have to make herself. After the meal, she showed him her medicine and handbook for pregnant women before she was rushed back to bed. Nestling in the quilt, she looked at Qi Xiao Yan standing at her side and asked, "Are you going back out?"
"Mmm. I'm going to the university to bring all my things back."
Yang Wei: "..."
She had just known that this would happen.
Qi Xiao Yan seemed to suddenly think of something. "Do your parents know about the baby?"
"I didn't tell anyone," Yang Wei whispered.
"So I was the first to know?" Qi Xiao Yan smiled at her, then bent and kissed her on the forehead. "Sleep well. I'll be back soon."
Yang Wei closed her eyes obediently. Meanwhile, Qi Xiao Yan drove back to the university dorm, preparing to move his things back in batches. He loaded a cardboard box with his books and materials, then took out a suitcase from the closet and stuffed some summer clothes, his computer, and divorce certificate into it. Looking around the room, he packed in the photo frames that he had once taken away, one by one.
Yang Wei was still asleep when he got home. Qi Xiao Yan didn't wake her up, but instead quietly began to unpack. When Yang Wei opened her eyes, she saw him hanging his shirts up in the closet. Though she had seen him do this many times before, she was a little touched to be able to see it again.
She crawled out of bed. Hearing a noise, Qi Xiao Yan looked back at her, "Awake?"
"Mmm." Yang Wei wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and nestled herself onto his back. Qi Xiao Yan chuckled, looking down at her. "What are you doing? Playing spoiled?" Yang Wei used to do this from time to time, and he actually liked watching it.
Yang Wei only rubbed herself on him, making no answer. Qi Xiao Yan turned and hugged her, then asked, "Hungry?"
She couldn’t help but laugh. "Curly-bae, I've discovered that now that you know you're going to be a father, you're much gentler than before."
Qi Xiao Yan disagreed. "I've always been very gentle."
Yang Wei did not even attempt to disguise her laughter, and he gave her a kiss in return. Looking up at him, she said lazily, "You've also become much more fond of kissing."
Qi Xiao Yan smiled, but said nothing. His darling had a little baby in her belly. Just thinking about it made his heart soften.
At dinner, Qi Xiao Yan talked about going through the formalities of remarriage as soon as possible. They also had to tell their parents. Yang Wei thought about how her mother had said that Professor Qi would be getting a beating, and her eyes were full of sympathy.
They agreed to have dinner with her parents the next Sunday, and Qi Xiao Yan went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Yang Wei curled on the sofa, eating fruit and watching TV. Had she known about the refreshing days of being served hand and foot waiting before her, she would have told Qi Xiao Yan the good news earlier.
Qi Xiao Yan washed out their bowls, then took the key and made as if to go out. "I'm heading to the supermarket."
"I'll go too." Yang Wei got up from the sofa and went to the door. Qi Xiao Yan frowned, wanting her to stay home. "The supermarket's crowded. What if you get pushed?"
Yang Wei took his arm as she slid on her shoes. "Mr. Qi, you're overdoing your nervousness. I'm going to school tomorrow. Were you planning on having me resign?"
Qi Xiao Yan reasoned logically, "It would be fine if you did. I can support both you and Curly-baby."
Yang Wei tilted her head up to look up at him, then pulled him out the door. "You're willing, but I'm not. Children are expensive. We should save up for milk powder while we can."
The two left the neighbourhood. Yang Wei thought about it, then said to Qi Xiao Yan, "Curly-bae, let's go to the supermarket further away, just to take a walk after eating."
"Sure." It was said that pregnant women still needed to have the appropriate amounts of exercise. Qi Xiao Yan decided to accompany Yang Wei out for a walk every night.
After strolling around the supermarket's food section, Qi Xiao Yan made his way to the fruit and vegetable area to pick fruit. "Eat more apples. The baby's skin will be better if you do."
"Really?" Yang Wei raised her eyebrows, trailing behind him as he chose apples. She didn't like them very much, but for the sake of little Curly-baby she would eat one a day.
"When grapes are in season, eat more of those, too. I hear that that gives the child large eyes."
Yang Wei blinked and looked at Qi Xiao Yan standing beside her. Then she sniggered. Qi Xiao Yan gave her a sidelong look. "What are you laughing at?"
"None of this has any scientific basis. It's not like you to say such things, Professor Qi."
Qi Xiao Yan refused to reply, and went off to choose oranges. Yang Wei followed him, poking his face with her fingers. "What should I do? Father-to-be Professor Qi is just so cute! Ahahaha."
Pushing her hand away gently, he looked at their two bags of fruit, changing the topic. "Still need lemons?"
"No, there are plenty at home."
He did not give a return opinion. Instead, he pushed the cart toward the check out, leaving Yang Wei to take care of herself.
When she came out of the shower that night, Qi Xiao Yan had already lain down in his old position. He had brought back the kidnapped pillow. Yang Wei lay down beside him, said good night, and turned off the light.
In the darkness, it was hard to ignore the pair of unusually bright, intense eyes watching her. Yang Wei finally could not take it anymore and said, "Curly-bae, I won't be able to sleep if you keep watching me like this."
Qi Xiao Yan stroked a strand of hair back from her face. His voice sounded particularly charming in the darkness. "I just want to look at you."
Yang Wei frowned, helpless. "I have to go in to work tomorrow."
He leaned on his side and just looked at her for a while. Then suddenly, he smiled and took her into her arms. "Darling, I'm just so happy today. I'm so very, very happy."
In his arms, Yang Wei considered the matter for a while. Then she suggested, "If you really can't sleep, you could go down and run five laps around the neighbourhood."
Qi Xiao Yan: "..."
