RMM – Chapter 97 First Taste of Joy

Zhang Huaqing told Su Ruo that while she was asleep, Su Feng and Xi Jian’an had come by. But seeing her resting, they didn’t wake her and left quietly.

Hearing this, Su Ruo felt a little embarrassed. Her own father was one thing, but her father-in-law seeing her sprawled out asleep so casually—that truly made her feel awkward.

Shen Liang refused to let Su Ruo leave the hospital. No matter how she pleaded or acted coy, she insisted she stay two more days for observation. She said the pregnancy looked unstable and such matters could not be taken lightly. Besides, the early stages of pregnancy were the most risky—better to rest in the hospital where it was safe and harmless.

Unable to win against Shen Liang—and with Zhang Huaqing also supporting her—Su Ruo had no choice but to agree to hospitalization.

In truth, she didn’t resent it too much; it just felt a little inconvenient.

Recalling her mother-in-law’s words earlier, Su Ruo still felt a chill of fear. Thankfully, nothing bad had happened. If there had been an accident with this child… she didn’t dare think further.

Her hand drifted once more to her belly, stroking gently. There was nothing visible, nothing to touch, yet every time her hand lingered there, a strange and wonderful feeling surged through her heart—foreign, yet enchanting, and never repulsive.

Glancing at the clock, it was already 10 p.m. She hadn’t slept—she was waiting to make a call.

On this matter, Shen Liang couldn’t win against her.

Su Ruo insisted that she wanted to tell Xi Yuechen herself. Shen Liang thought about it and saw no harm—between husband and wife, such news should indeed be shared personally. So she agreed. But when she insisted on staying up late into the night waiting for his phone to turn on, Shen Liang opposed it. The doctor had just said she was overtired and needed rest. How could she stay up like this?

But when Su Ruo grew stubborn, no one could stop her. In the end, they yielded. After all, she was pregnant now—the family’s precious treasure who mustn’t be crossed.

They suggested making the call on her behalf so she could sleep, but Su Ruo was resolute. Not even Zhang Huaqing could sway her.

After all, this was their child—hers and the Commander’s. Something so special had to be told by her own lips. She couldn’t wait to see Xi Yuechen’s reaction—would he be as foolishly happy as she was?

By now, Su Ruo had fully embraced this unexpected child, even treasuring it dearly.

In her previous life, she had yearned for nothing more than a family—a husband, a child, a warm home of three. She thought it was only a dream, impossible to realize. Yet now, it was all coming true, one by one. How could there be any lingering doubts? Her heart brimmed with joy as she imagined the child’s looks and personality over and over, even wondering what name they should choose.

Of course, the formal name would be chosen by her father-in-law. As for her, she’d give the baby a cute little nickname.

By 11 p.m., the chime of a text message jolted her half-asleep. Lately she’d been so tired and drowsy—it must be the pregnancy.

With a sense of certainty, she opened it. Sure enough, it was from Xi Yuechen. His message was short: just to tell her to inform him when he returned.

“Mom—Mom, come in a sec.”

Smiling as she read, Su Ruo called out to Zhang Huaqing, who was chatting outside with Su Heng.

Earlier, Shen Liang and Zhang Huaqing had argued over who would keep vigil overnight. Neither would give in—after all, this was for their yet-unborn grandchild. Even Su Heng and Xi Yuehui didn’t contest it. Finally, they decided to take turns, one per night, also bringing meals.

When Su Heng learned about the pregnancy, he was still in class. Xi Yuehui had phoned him, and he nearly cried out in shock. His sister was pregnant—so suddenly!

But surprise quickly turned to joy. Did this mean he was finally getting a little nephew? He could hardly wait.

That afternoon’s lectures felt endless. Unfortunately, every class was with a notorious professor who always took attendance. No one dared skip. Only after the long day ended did Su Heng rush straight to the hospital, beaming with excitement. He kept picturing what kind of child such a beautiful sister and such an outstanding brother-in-law would have. Surely the baby would be clever, adorable, and outshine all others.

When he saw Su Ruo, he asked about her condition, then stared intently at her still-flat belly, as though trying to see something hidden.

His innocent look made Su Ruo laugh. “There’s nothing to see yet. What are you staring at?”

Scratching his head sheepishly, Su Heng grinned. “Sis, you’d better eat more and get chubby, so my nephew can be born plump and healthy. Then I’ll take him out to play every day.”

“Rubbish!” Zhang Huaqing swatted him lightly. “Do you think a baby can withstand your nonsense? Off you go.”

But Su Heng was too thrilled to care about his mother’s rebuke. His eyes stayed glued to his sister’s stomach, already imagining whether it would be a boy or girl, what toys and treats to buy, and how to spoil his little nephew.

Indeed, Su Ruo’s pregnancy brought joy to both families. Even Xi Jian’an and Su Feng—normally so serious—couldn’t hide their smiles, sparking speculation among their subordinates that some great promotion or happy event must have occurred.

That night, Zhang Huaqing insisted on keeping vigil, while Su Heng, uneasy, said he would stay with them until they went to bed.

Which led to the current scene.

“What is it? Do you need the bathroom?” Zhang Huaqing asked, approaching the bed.

Su Ruo rolled her eyes. Really—did they think she couldn’t even walk to the bathroom herself? Such fuss!

“No… it’s just… I saw there’s a fountain and flowers outside. Maybe you two should take a walk, enjoy the night air. Hehe…”

She said awkwardly, trying to shoo them away so she could call her husband. With people around, how could she speak freely?

“Out so late? To enjoy the night?” Su Heng began, puzzled.

“Yes, why not? It looks cool outside. I’m feeling a bit stuffy. Come, walk with me,” Zhang Huaqing cut him off, pulling him out and thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

“Mom, what’s with you? Still in the mood for a night stroll?” Su Heng complained.

“Enough chatter. Come sit with me over there.” She gave him a side glance. Honestly, how dense—couldn’t he see that Ruoruo was clutching her phone, clearly wanting to call Yuechen?

“Commander.”

The call was answered quickly. Su Ruo inhaled deeply before speaking, her heart both nervous and excited.

“Mm. Why aren’t you asleep?” Xi Yuechen asked with a frown. Normally she would have been in bed by now.

“I… I have something to tell you.”

“Go ahead.”

His calm tone made her pout a little. So cold! But that only made her more eager to see his reaction.

“I…” She bit her lip shyly, her hand resting on her belly. A smile tugged at her lips. “I wanted to tell you… you’re going to be a father.”

As she expected, there was silence on the other end.

Xi Yuechen, who had been sorting through reports on Yanmen, froze completely. His hand on the table didn’t move.

His throat felt dry. Coughing, he asked tentatively, “Ruo Ruo, did you just say…”

Grinning with pride, Su Ruo thought, See? Always so composed, like a block of wood with everyone else—but now look at you, stunned silly.

“I said I’m pregnant. You, Xi Yuechen, are going to be a dad.”

It was only then that he seemed to register her words. His lips parted, his expression still stiff, frozen in the same posture.

A child? For Xi Yuechen, it was like a bolt from the blue. His usual composure vanished.

The truth was, he had never given much thought to children. Even when he saw others’ kids, he felt indifferent. Su Ruo herself had already been the greatest upheaval in his otherwise unchanging life—he hadn’t imagined anything else could disrupt it.

But now, a tiny new life was about to break that calm again.

He didn’t even know how to describe his feelings—so many emotions tangled together, like a jumble of flavors. Yet beneath it all, something stirred in his heart… Was it… touched?

For the first time, he was unsure of his own feelings. For the first time, he reacted so slowly. The world suddenly felt unreal.

His little wife… pregnant, carrying his child?

All his emotions surged and finally coalesced into one: a moving, overwhelming joy.

On the other end, Su Ruo grew uneasy at his long silence. Did he not like the news?

“Commander?” she called softly, uncertain.

Her voice trembled with insecurity, and Xi Yuechen instantly noticed. His lips curved into a smile—one warmer than she had ever heard from him.

“Thank you. I’m very happy,” he said, his voice gentle, even tender. “I look forward to it.”

Those words steadied her heart at once. Hearing his joy, she too was filled with happiness, her cheeks glowing.

“Mm, me too.” Su Ruo laughed out loud, all her worries and doubts vanishing in an instant.