Two days later.
The New Year’s Day holiday had ended.
Morning. Fen Zhou City Party Committee Family Quarters. Dong Xuebing woke up early to prepare breakfast for Xie Huilan. He looked up the recipes for pregnant women and started preparing a nutritious breakfast. Senior Xie and Han Jing had instructed him to take care of her.
Dong Xuebing had prepared seven to eight dishes for Xie Huilan.
Xie Huilan woke up and saw the food. She laughed. “Do you think you are rearing pig?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with eating more. Here, try it.”
“I feel so blessed recently.” Xie Huilan smiled and sat at the dining table. She touched Dong Xuebing’s hand. “You are so good to me. Haha….”
“Of course.” Dong Xuebing passed a pair of chopsticks to Xie Huilan. “Here. Eat.”
“Sit. I need to tell you something.” Xie Huilan said. “Sit beside me, ok?”
Dong Xuebing nodded and sat beside her. “What is it?”
“We are going to work later, and I received a call from my office when you were cooking. Our City’s Education Ministry was supposed to visit the South for an event next week, and the weather forecast warned of a snowstorm during that period. The event was brought forward, and we will be leaving today. I will be going after I pack my luggage.” Xie Huilan bites on a sausage. “I will be away for around one week. I didn’t feel like going, but the Provincial Government organized this event, and I got to go. So, take care of yourself and cut down on your smoking. Wait for me to return.”
Dong Xuebing was worried. “You are pregnant. Can’t you take days off?”
“I am less than two months pregnant. It will not be approved.”
“Then…. You got to be careful. Make sure no one bumps into you.”
“Yes, I know. It’s you I am worried about. Don’t think no one is watching you when I am not around. Don’t be impulsive, and try to use your brain more. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Continue with your breakfast. I will pack your luggage for you.”
“Haha…. Let’s eat together first.”
“Eat by yourself. I am not hungry.”
Dong Xuebing was attentive to Xie Huilan and had given in to her these few days. He put down his chopsticks and went into the room to pack her luggage. He finished packing and checked if he had missed out on anything before placing it by the shoe rack. After that, he went to have breakfast. The food was already cold.
Xie Huilan smiled. “Come closer.”
Dong Xuebing moved closer and asked. “Why?”
Xie Huilan kissed Dong Xuebing on his lips. “I am giving you a reward for your performance.”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “It’s my duty to take care of you.”
“Haha…. You are so sweet. Let me kiss you again.”
They hugged and kissed for a while after 8 am.
Xie Huilan will be flying to the South and is not driving. So, Dong Xuebing drove her to the City Party Committee Building in his Porsche.
Xie Huilan and a few City Leaders left for the airport before noon.
Dong Xuebing looked at their cars left from his window and continued with his work. He would be a father again, and he had to work hard. The Inspection First Office’s primary responsibility was to monitor Deputy Division Chief and above, and the workload was not heavy. Not many Deputy Division Chiefs and above staff will commit offenses. Most of the time, they were monitoring the Commission for Discipline Inspection branches under them and following up on the complaints from the Complaint Department.
The day ended quickly.
When it was almost time to go home, Dong Xuebing received a call from Qu Yunxuan.
“Hello, Xiao Bing. Have you finished work?”
“Yes. I am about to leave my office.”
“I heard Huilan is away. I want to talk to you. Can you come over to my place?”
“What happened?” Dong Xuebing was worried something might happen, and he asked nervously. “Did Qianqian fall sick?”
“No. Mum had brought Little Qianqian back. She wanted to show your Uncle Yang and pack her luggage to stay with me. Alright. We will talk again when you are here. Do you know where is the City TV Station Family Quarters?”
“Yes. I will go over now.”
“Drive slowly.”
“I know. Just wait for me. Hehe….”
“What’s with that evil laugh? Huh? You want me to hit you?!”
“We shall see who will be hitting who later. Wait for me.”
“Are you itching for a beating? Come over now. I will prepare dinner and wait for you.”
After 6 pm.
City TV Station Family Quarters.
Dong Xuebing was afraid people might see him and did not drive his car. He parked outside before entering the quarters of Aunt Xuan’s unit.
The door opened, and Dong Xuebing could smell food.
Qu Yunxuan smiled. “Come in.”
Dong Xuebing entered the apartment. “Wow…. Smells good. It’s been a while since I ate your food.”
“Eat more later. Dinner is almost ready.” Qu Yunxuan straightens his collar. “I looked out the window earlier and did not see you park your car. Where did you park?”
“I am afraid people might gossip. So, I parked outside.”
“It’s alright. Just say you are my cousin and Qianqian’s godfather.” Qu Yunxuan pinched Dong Xuebing’s nose lightly. “People will know we are close eventually, and they will be suspicious if you try to be secretive. Just be open about it. I discussed this with Huilan and Sister Luan. Sister Luan will come out to address any rumors when necessary.”
Dong Xuebing hugged Qu Yunxuan. “Sorry. You had suffered a lot for me.”
“It’s alright. We will get married after five years, and it will be Huilan who suffers.” Qu Yunxuan pinched Dong Xuebing’s arm lightly. “Alright. Stop touching me. I am still cooking.”
“Let me hug you a while more.”
“You want me to hit you?!”
“Go ahead. I will continue to hug you even if you beat me up.”
“You brat…. You are making me mad. Haha….”
“Why are you laughing when you are angry?”
A pair of voluptuous breasts pressed onto Dong Xuebing’s chest. Although Qu Yunxuan had given birth a few months ago, she recovered her figure quickly. She was slimmer than before and looked terrific.
Suddenly, there was a burning smell.
Qu Yunxuan slapped Dong Xuebing’s butt. “What did I say?! Huh? I am cooking! The food is burnt!”
Dong Xuebing laughed and followed Qu Yunxuan into the kitchen to help her with the dinner. He massaged her shoulders as she cooked the last dish.
Dinner.
Qu Yunxuan kept putting food into Dong Xuebing’s bowl. “Eat this.”
“Ok. You should eat more too.” Dong Xuebing also put some food into her bowl. “Oh, you say you want to talk to me. What is it?”
“Wait here.” Qu Yunxuan put down her bowl and entered the room. She returned in a few seconds with a grey sweater. “Try it and see if it fits.”
The sweater looks trendy.
Dong Xuebing exclaimed. “Why are you buying clothes for me again?”
Qu Yunxuan poked Dong Xuebing’s forehead lightly. “You ah… Do you think this is bought?”
“Huh?” Dong Xuebing was surprised. “You knitted this?”
Qu Yunxuan nodded and lifted the sweater against Dong Xuebing’s body. “It is cold now, and I knitted one for Qianqian and you.”
“Oh, you got to take care of our daughter and knit this sweater. It’s too tiring. This sweater should take at least five to six months. Did you start knitting it when you were pregnant?”
“Shut up and put it on. I will amend it if it doesn’t fit.”
Dong Xuebing was touched and took off his sweater and shirt. He put on the sweater and stood in front of Qu Yunxuan.
Qu Yunxuan checked the sweater and smiled. “You look good in it, and it’s fitting.”
“Thank you. I will wear this sweater this winter and not take it off.” Dong Xuebing loved this sweater, and he hugged Aunt Xuan.
“Don’t mention it. Continue with your dinner.” Qu Yunxuan flicked Dong Xuebing’s nose.
Dong Xuebing refused to let go of her and kissed her forehead. “I am blessed to know you. You had been taking care of me since my Dad passed away. You washed my clothes and even gave me a baby girl. I don’t know how to thank you. Without you, I would not have become who I am now.”
Qu Yunxuan smiled and kissed Dong Xuebing. “We are parents now. Stop being so mushy. Just don’t do dangerous stuff and make me worry again.”
“Yes. I will listen to you.”
“How about we eat on the bed? I miss you.”
“Get lost, you pervert.”
After dinner, Dong Xuebing stood in front of the mirror to admire his sweater. Qu Yunxuan smiled brightly when she saw him like the sweater she had made.
