Six months later.

Near the New Year, in the depths of winter, Xiang City was bitterly cold. You Mingxu walked slowly downstairs, supporting her back. Despite her thick clothing, her waistline was noticeably fuller than before.

Given her years of commanding presence at the bureau, the mostly male staff found it strange to see her temporarily assigned to desk duty, walking so demurely. When they encountered her, they instinctively kept their distance.

As a result, wherever You Mingxu went now, a path would automatically clear before her—her presence even more commanding than before.

At the police station entrance, Tu Ya was already waiting to pick her up after work. As she approached, he jumped out of the car, opened the door for her, and shielded her head, his thick voice awkwardly gentle: “Careful.”

You Mingxu glanced at him and said: “Enough, it’s not that fragile.”

Tu Ya rubbed his hands and smiled.

Once in the car, Tu Ya gave his usual report on Yin Feng’s activities for the day. It wasn’t something You Mingxu had requested—she’d just asked out of boredom a few times while driving. Tu Ya had gradually made it a habit.

Besides, reporting to the boss’s wife about Teacher Yin’s daily activities always gave him a sense of purpose.

“After you left for work, Teacher Yin slept until 10. He didn’t want breakfast, just read. Had lunch. Spent the afternoon writing in his study. Made two dishes for dinner himself, waiting for you to come home and eat.”

You Mingxu, tired from a day’s work, half-closed her eyes as she listened to Tu Ya’s chatter. Finally, she made a sound of acknowledgment and said, “Good.”

Tu Ya smiled.

Then he caught himself—why was he so happy about You Mingxu’s simple “good”? Why did he feel like the boss’s wife was like the Empress Dowager Cixi of this household, and Teacher Yin was like a little emperor?

Though, glancing at You Mingxu’s belly in the rearview mirror, how could Teacher Yin be the weak one? After all, just days after his successful proposal six months ago, he’d gotten the boss pregnant.

Teacher Yin was indeed formidable in everything he did.

Lost in these endless strange thoughts, Tu Ya soon drove them home.

Upon entering, they found the usual scene of people sprawled and lounging irregularly on the sofas. Someone approached, bending down toward her belly, but You Mingxu quickly pushed him away.

Guan Jun sneered: “It’s been over five months, why won’t you let me listen to the fetal movement?”

You Mingxu replied coldly: “It’s not your child, back off. When I’m in the mood, maybe I’ll let you use a fetal monitor to listen.”

Xiao Yan called out from the side: “I want to listen too!”

Chen Feng, still busy working at his computer, pushed up his glasses. He wasn’t so childish as to want to listen to fetal movements! How unsophisticated.

However, days later, when You Mingxu allowed Chen Feng to place his hand on her belly and feel a kick, his hand trembled noticeably.

Guan Jun asked: “Where’s Xu Mengshan? Didn’t I invite him for dinner?” He and Xu Mengshan had inexplicably become good friends.

You Mingxu answered: “He has a blind date tonight, no time.”

Ignoring the noisy group, she went upstairs.

Pushing open the study door, she found Yin Feng sitting behind his computer, wearing blue light-filtering glasses, looking scholarly and serene. She hesitated, about to retreat, but he’d already heard her and said: “Come here.”

Today’s writing was nearly finished.

You Mingxu approached the desk and was pulled into his embrace. The position was uncomfortable; she struggled briefly, couldn’t break free, and gave up.

He said nothing, just lowered his head to pepper her face with kisses, then asked about her day and what had happened at the bureau. Unconsciously, dusk had fallen, wrapping the study in soft colors.

You Mingxu remembered something, kicked off her shoes and socks, and showed him her feet: “They’re swollen, shoes barely fit anymore, ugly and uncomfortable.”

Before she finished speaking, he’d set her in the chair and crouched down, taking her feet in his hands. You Mingxu blushed, trying to pull away. He held on, massaging slowly.

“Let go,” she said.

“No,” he said slowly, “I like it.”

You Mingxu’s face burned: “What do you like?”

“I like everything about you. Swollen is fine too, all white and soft and chubby, how lovely.”

You Mingxu simply reached out and poked his forehead. He seemed not to notice, continuing to stare at her feet after being poked, massaging with perfect pressure. His expression was focused as if this was something important.

As You Mingxu watched, waves of sweet warmth filled her heart. She thought how fortunate it was that he was obsessive, so stubborn once he set his mind on something. They’d barely begun their journey—in the long life ahead, perhaps this guy would never disappoint her.

She pulled back her legs, leaned forward, and held his head against her. After a moment of stillness, he said mildly: “They seem bigger, I’m getting a bit smothered.”

You Mingxu kicked at him, he caught her foot again, finally laughing, and pulled her back into his embrace. Their fingers intertwined as he lowered his head to kiss her, their faces close, sharing tender moments.

Until the sky was completely dark.

A knock came at the door.

Xiao Yan, who’d lost at rock-paper-scissors today, stood stiffly at the door like a bamboo pole, cleared his throat, and called: “Teacher Yin, Boss’s wife, dinner’s ready.”

After a few seconds, only Yin Feng’s voice came back: “We’ll be right there.”

Xiao Yan went downstairs, giggling.

You Mingxu stood up, led by Yin Feng’s hand. He looked at her, frowning slightly, and bent down to adjust her clothes. You Mingxu stood still, letting him fuss over her, and raised her eyes to look past him at the black sky, where snowflakes were falling like scattered specks of light. You Mingxu watched intently, and as she watched, suddenly hugged him, buried her face in his chest, and couldn’t help but smile.

—

Xu Mengshan sat in a riverside booth at the restaurant. Despite the winter cold, he found the air conditioning too hot, tugged at his collar, and took another big gulp of tea.

Then he checked his watch—still fifteen minutes before the agreed meeting time. He’d arrived too early.

Since distinguishing himself in the Punisher case and successfully taking down Yin Chen, he’d been promoted twice. Now everyone at the precinct called him “Old Xu.” Influenced by Ding Xiongwei and You Mingxu, he’d grown increasingly steady and composed at work.

However, if his junior colleagues could see how Old Xu’s legs were constantly fidgeting under the table right now, they’d probably gape in astonishment.