Emotions become more sensitive during pregnancy. That day, she felt particularly wronged and even cried.
But who would have thought Yue Mingyuan would actually return? He took her home and made noodles for her, and it was exactly the taste she had been craving.
“Mmm~ smells so good.”
Yue Mingyuan and Yue Mingli each carried two bowls.
Yue Mingli placed one bowl in front of himself and another in front of Meng Fang. Yue Mingyuan directly placed one bowl in front of Ye Zhiqiu and set another bowl of side dishes in the center of the table.
“Xiao Yuan, your cooking skills are really something.”
After taking a bite, Meng Fang gave Yue Mingyuan a thumbs-up: “Much better than your second brother.”
“You should learn from him.” Meng Fang nudged Yue Mingli under the table.
Yue Mingli immediately responded: “I’m learning, I’m learning! Xiao Yuan just told me all the key points. Next time I’ll make it for you. I guarantee it’ll taste just like Xiao Yuan’s. No, even better than his!”
“Cut it out.” Meng Fang completely didn’t believe Yue Mingli.
Yue Mingli felt a bit dejected, but there was nothing he could do about it. The gods just hadn’t opened that particular door for him.
“Such a big bowl, I can’t finish it.” Looking at the bowl larger than her face, Ye Zhiqiu felt troubled.
Yue Mingyuan smiled: “This is for both of us. You start.”
“Okay.”
Instantly relieved of the pressure, Ye Zhiqiu took very small bites and ate extremely slowly.
Although Yue Mingli had seen Ye Zhiqiu eat like this many times, he still found it awkward: “Zhiqiu, does that fill you up?”
She took ten bites, but they wouldn’t even add up to one of his mouthfuls.
“Yes.”
Meng Fang couldn’t stand it and jabbed Yue Mingli with her elbow: “Can’t even food shut your mouth!”
“Zhiqiu is a dancer; she has to maintain her figure. Besides, this way of eating is scientific.”
“Chewing slowly aids digestion. And research has found there’s a delay in the brain’s perception of fullness. That means your stomach is actually full long before your brain realizes it and tells you.”
“Interesting.”
Yue Mingli tried to eat slower, but he couldn’t do it. Both he and Yue Mingyuan had formed the habit of eating very fast, barely chewing before swallowing.
Meng Fang had scolded Yue Mingli about this many times, but he just couldn’t change.
Yue Mingyuan was better. On duty, he would eat quickly, but at home, especially when eating with Ye Zhiqiu, he would slow down. That way, he could spend a bit more time with her.
By the time Meng Fang and Yue Mingli finished, Ye Zhiqiu was also done.
Even though she ate slowly, she ate very little. Usually after a few bites, once she felt slightly full, she would put down her chopsticks, never overeating.
Eating one extra mouthful could mean gaining an extra pound, and for dancers like her, one pound of weight could be a matter of professional life.
To stay slim, there were no shortcuts; it was simply eating less and moving more. And she was disciplined about both.
Because dance was very important to her, her lifelong career, and she was willing to make sacrifices for it.
Yue Mingyuan took their bowls and finished the remaining food in a few bites. Yue Mingli took on the task of washing the dishes.
Meng Fang waited for Yue Mingli. Yue Mingyuan and Ye Zhiqiu said goodnight and went upstairs first.
“Zhiqiu, should I sleep on the sofa again tonight?”
“I’ll get you a blanket.”
Once inside the room, they both spoke at the same time.
After a moment of stunned silence, realizing what the other meant, Ye Zhiqiu’s expression changed, while Yue Mingyuan couldn’t help but pull her into a hug. “Zhiqiu.”
Ye Zhiqiu lightly punched his back. “Why would you still sleep on the sofa?”
Whether it was at the hospital or later at home, she had slept alone in the bed while Yue Mingyuan slept on the sofa. He said he was afraid of disturbing her, of her not resting well.
Honestly, back then, his doing so had made her feel quite at ease.
But now that their hearts were aligned, she couldn’t understand why Yue Mingyuan would still suggest sleeping on the sofa.
“I was afraid you might feel uncomfortable.”
Yue Mingyuan gently held Ye Zhiqiu at arm’s length. “Zhiqiu, I’m willing to wait. I’ll wait until you can accept me with your whole heart.”
They had been intimate twice before, and both times were because Wang Fengqin had tampered with their food.
The first time, Yue Mingyuan fell for it. The second time, he didn’t succumb to the drug, but he couldn’t bear to see Ye Zhiqiu in distress.
On both occasions, Ye Zhiqiu had been in a daze. Yue Mingyuan felt deeply indebted to her.
Ye Zhiqiu was very moved. She still remembered the first time; he was clearly suffering greatly himself, yet he was so careful and considerate of her feelings.
Afterwards, she said she couldn’t remember clearly, but the truth was, she remembered it all too well.
Rising on her toes, she kissed Yue Mingyuan on the cheek. That was her answer to him.
Yue Mingyuan’s eyes shone with a special light. He swept Ye Zhiqiu up into his arms. “Zhiqiu, I’m so happy.”
Ye Zhiqiu clung tightly to Yue Mingyuan’s neck, her lips curving upwards into a very happy smile.
Yue Mingyuan gently laid Ye Zhiqiu down on the bed, gazing at her with deep affection, and her eyes held only him.
Forehead, eyes, the tip of her nose, her lips… from light, fleeting touches to gentle tasting to an inseparable joining.
This time, Yue Mingyuan was even more patient, allowing Ye Zhiqiu to relax little by little, to immerse herself bit by bit.
By the time they reached their peak together, even the moon outside the window seemed to hide shyly within the clouds.
The next day.
Yue Mingyuan woke first. Looking down at the person in his arms, his heart was full of happiness.
Seeing that Ye Zhiqiu was sleeping restlessly because of the bright sunlight, Yue Mingyuan raised his hand to shield her eyes.
“Mmm~”
Like a little kitten, Ye Zhiqiu hugged Yue Mingyuan tighter, nuzzling against his chest affectionately. “Mingyuan, what time is it?”
“Seven o’clock.”
“Your parents are probably up. You should go check on Ya Ya.” Ye Zhiqiu gave Yue Mingyuan a gentle push.
“Alright.” Yue Mingyuan agreed verbally but made no move to leave; he couldn’t bear to.
Truth be told, Ye Zhiqiu also didn’t want to let go of Yue Mingyuan, but she was too embarrassed to lounge in bed. She lifted her head and pecked Yue Mingyuan on the lips. “Morning.”
Before Yue Mingyuan could react, she sat up and started tidying her terribly disheveled hair.
Yue Mingyuan leaned in and returned the kiss. “Morning.”
“Should we eat out or at home?”
Ye Zhiqiu replied: “Since we’re going out anyway, let’s eat out. I’d like to have breakfast at Laishun.”
“Then I’ll go wash up first.”
Yue Mingyuan washed up quickly. After coming out, he swiftly made the bed and then returned to the bathroom, leaning against the doorframe. He smiled at Ye Zhiqiu through the mirror. “Take your time getting ready. There’s no rush.”
Ye Zhiqiu, mouth full of toothpaste foam, nodded. Hearing the sound of the door closing as Yue Mingyuan left, she smiled, a mix of shyness and sweetness.
“Dad, Mom, was Ya Ya good last night?”
Yue Mingyuan walked over to the small bed. Ya Ya was still asleep, her chubby little face rosy. She had rolled over to one side, cuddling Xiao Bai in her arms.
Xiao Bai’s two little black paws were wrapped around Ya Ya’s small arm. Next to the cat, Ya Ya’s skin looked as white as snow.
“Good! When has our sweetie ever been anything but good?”
Wan Jiayin smiled. “Our Ya Ya is the easiest baby I’ve ever seen. When she wakes up, she doesn’t cry or fuss; she just plays by herself.”
“When I got up to see her, she just gave me the sweetest smile.”
“But your father!”
Wan Jiayin turned and glared at Yue Guohuai. “I asked him to be mindful, but he was sleeping like a log! And the snoring!”
