From the moment Xie Changning came into view, Yue Yihan’s eyes were fixed on her.

As if he were looking at a long-lost treasure.

Xie Changning was speechless. ’What’s with this guy! His stare is making my skin crawl, giving me goosebumps!’

Sensing Xie Changning’s discomfort, Yue Yihan quickly averted his gaze.

"It looks like Director Wang took great care of you. Your face seems a little rounder." He had been worried that Xie Changning wouldn’t get used to the food and lodging in Beijing.

He never expected her to come back looking a bit plumper after just a few days away.

Xie Changning’s expression immediately soured. "You seem disappointed that I’ve put on a little weight."

Seeing Xie Changning’s sullen face, Yue Yihan rushed to explain.

"No, that’s not it. I was just a bit worried. You never gained weight when I was taking care of you. It makes me feel like I’m not as good as others..." As he spoke, his initially anxious tone gave way to dejection, his voice dropping lower and lower.

Seeing Yue Yihan like this, Xie Changning frowned slightly.

’Yue Yihan’s behavior is so strange.’

"Alright, alright, I was just teasing. You don’t have to be so scared." ’Otherwise, people would think I was some kind of shrew who was going to eat him alive.’

Seeing that Xie Changning really wasn’t angry, Yue Yihan finally let out a sigh of relief.

When the two of them got home, they were greeted by the sight of a table laden with food. Xie Changning looked at Yue Yihan in astonishment. "You..."

"I originally wanted to throw a private celebration for your success, but I got too excited and forgot you had the factory’s celebratory banquet to attend first..."

Yue Yihan gave a sheepish smile, not looking disappointed at all.

In fact, he seemed pleased that Xie Changning had discovered his efforts.

"Perfect. I didn’t get to eat much over there anyway. Go get me a bowl and chopsticks; I’ll eat some more."

"I’ll go heat it up."

Before Xie Changning could refuse, he picked up the dishes from the table to go heat them up.

His proactiveness left Xie Changning momentarily speechless. ’His enthusiasm feels a little excessive.’

’In my mind, we had a shotgun wedding. There are no feelings between us. My impression of Yue Yihan is simply that he’s the responsible party from a one-night stand.’

’As for his impression of me, it’s probably a bit better than mine of him.’

’But I doubt he’s developed any real feelings for me.’

’After all, we’ve only spent a few days together. To talk about "liking" someone without knowing anything about them is just too shallow...’

’So, Yue Yihan is only acting this way because he’s a good person. He’d be like this with anyone he was with.’

Xie Changning sat on the stool and waited for Yue Yihan to heat up the food.

True to his military background, Yue Yihan was quick. In just a few moments, he had all the dishes on the table warmed up.

Xie Changning picked up her chopsticks and bowl. "I’m going to start. Don’t forget to get rice for yourself."

Yue Yihan: (Ĭ^Ĭ) ’My wife cares about me! She knows I haven’t eaten and is telling me to get myself some rice...’

’I’m so moved!’

’My wife is the best!’

Xie Changning was oblivious to Yue Yihan’s inner turmoil. She was focused on eating. She had intended to compliment him, but the moment the food touched her lips, all thoughts of praise vanished.

Her mind was filled with just three words: ’This is delicious!’

As she ate, Xie Changning couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up.

’Not bad at all!’

For any chef, a diner silently devouring their food is the highest form of praise.

Right now, for instance, Yue Yihan knew his wife loved his cooking.

Even before she went to Beijing, Yue Yihan had been the one to cook whenever he was home. For some reason, however, she found herself missing his cooking more than ever after this trip.

Xie Changning couldn’t figure it out, so she chalked it up to the baby in her belly having cravings.

She couldn’t think of any other explanation.

Now four months pregnant, Xie Changning’s belly was starting to show, so she had begun wearing looser clothing.

In addition to the loose clothes she’d bought for herself, she also wore Yue Yihan’s old shirts and military trousers.

"Changning, why don’t we buy you some other loose clothes?" Looking at her wearing his old clothes, Yue Yihan felt he was doing her a great disservice.

She was the pampered, glamorous heiress of a wealthy Shanghai family, and yet now...

The thought filled him with guilt.

If he hadn’t drunk that glass of wine from Yu Huo that day, would things be different now?

While Yue Yihan was lost in his melancholic thoughts, Xie Changning was already rolling up her sleeves. "What are you just standing there for? If you really feel sorry for me, make yourself useful and help me cuff my pants."

’The current trend is white shirts and green military trousers anyway.’

’They don’t make other dresses in maternity styles. The moment I find a suitable, roomy dress, I won’t hesitate to get it.’

’I’ll just make do with these for now.’

’I’ll go check out the department store whenever I feel like it.’

"Changning, are you home?"

While they were talking, a fawning voice called out from the doorway.

The voice was very familiar to Xie Changning. She frowned. ’Why is Xie Changyu here?’ ’She’s the type who never shows up unless she wants something; she must be here for a reason.’

Hearing this, Yue Yihan frowned as well.

"The promotion for the new deputy regiment commander is coming up. Her husband probably sent her to pull some strings to get him the position." The announcement is just around the corner; of course Xie Changyu’s husband is getting antsy.

As soon as she heard that, Xie Changning couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

’As if a promotion is something you can get just by asking for it.’

’Doesn’t it depend on his personal qualifications and overall assessment?’

"I’m not here." Xie Changning had no desire to speak with Xie Changyu, and she shot back the three words without a second thought.

Xie Changyu pushed the door open and walked right in. "Changning, are you still mad at me? We’re cousins, after all. You’ll break my heart if you keep acting like this."

’Other people might not know the truth, but how could I not?’

"What cousins?" Xie Changning said coolly, reminding her that she wasn’t a true daughter of the Xie Family.

She was the *adopted* daughter.

Xie Changyu’s expression froze at the retort. She forced a chuckle and turned to Yue Yihan. "Oh, brother-in-law, you’re home too?"

She had checked to make sure Yue Yihan was home before coming over.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have bothered.

’He has to see me doing this good deed. Only then will he think favorably of my husband.’

"I heard you’re pregnant, so I brought you some nutritional supplements."

"On my wedding day, you called my child a bastard."

Xie Changning’s sharp tongue gave Xie Changyu no room to save face.

The mention of this made Yue Yihan’s expression darken. He looked at Xie Changyu. "Comrade, my wife isn’t feeling well, and your presence is upsetting her. Please take your things and leave."

Without giving Xie Changyu a chance to refuse, he grabbed her things and hustled her out of the yard as if she were a little chick.

"Changning, I’ll come see you another day!" Xie Changyu yelled, not giving up.