Chapter 20: I’m Pregnant, You Need to Take Responsibility
Luo Lianyun and Shu Tingyu were both very curious about the situation but knew it wasn’t appropriate to ask.
They could only inquire about other matters. Shu asked, “If you ask him, will he give you the money? What if he refuses?”
Luo said thoughtfully, “A lot of guys insist on splitting the bill even when they take a girl out for a meal. You should be prepared for that. Since you’re not a couple, he might not pay for the baby in your belly.”
Chi Wang: “…”
That’s quite blunt.
Initially, Chi Wang couldn’t find a legitimate reason for Xie Sicheng to cover the expenses. To be honest, if sleeping together was a shared responsibility, he would bear 70% of the blame, and the remaining 30% would be on Xie.
For him to thick-skinnedly ask Xie to reimburse the abortion costs seemed a bit much.
But Chi Wang wasn’t one to dwell on self-blame. In times like this, his bottom line was flexible, and he appropriately shifted the blame—sleeping together might be 70% his fault, but Xie making him pregnant was definitely 100% Xie’s responsibility.
As he saw it, who gets someone pregnant in one go? Modern men’s sperm vitality is so low it’s making the news. Getting pregnant from a single encounter is rare. Moreover, judging by Xie’s dark circles, he seemed like a night owl who stays up late. How could his sperm quality be good?
Swimming through such a long passage and insisting on being number one at a time like this—whose fault is that if not his?
Chi Wang shifted the blame until he felt comfortable.
At least he could get the other party to bear half the cost; even splitting it equally would be acceptable.
But thinking was one thing; bringing it up was a bit difficult.
After several months, suddenly telling someone, “I’m pregnant; can you split the abortion cost with me?”
Ah, that’s too awkward.
Chi Wang imagined what expression Xie would have upon hearing this—probably none at all.
It would truly feel like a scammer awkwardly confronting an anti-fraud center.
Chi Wang gathered all the examination reports, clipping them together—a thin stack starting with the ultrasound’s critical blow.
He opened his camera and carefully examined his face. He appeared sincere, with clear eyes—a proper and upright successor of socialism. Presenting the reports beforehand shouldn’t make him seem like a scammer.
Chi Wang breathed a sigh of relief.
Speaking of which, the midterm exam results were out. Putting aside the matter of finding the baby’s father for now, the three of them checked their scores in the hospital ward.
Chi Wang’s grades were naturally excellent, with several perfect scores. Rankings weren’t available yet; he’d need to ask the counselor.
He decided not to ask for now.
Luo and Shu also did well and didn’t fail any courses.
All three were quite happy.
After the joy, Chi Wang had to face reality again.
He opened his chat with Xie. The latest message was him asking Xie for leave, saying he couldn’t walk the dog for the time being.
Xie had replied with a simple: “Got it.”
And that was it.
This kind of thing couldn’t be said online; it had to be done in person. Otherwise, it would seem even more like a scam.
So Chi Wang sent Xie a message: “Senior, are you free this evening?”
Chi Wang suspected that Xie was a night owl, so he directly suggested the evening.
Looking at the current time, it was past three in the afternoon. Even a night owl should be available at this hour.
As he thought this, Xie replied: “What’s up?”
Chi Wang: “I have something to discuss with you.”
Xie: “I’m free this evening.”
Chi Wang said, “Alright, I’ll come to your place to find you.”
Xie: “There’s a café across from the school; let’s meet there.”
Chi Wang thought about it—that works. The matter he wanted to discuss was serious; finding a quiet place to talk made sense.
Chi Wang said, “Okay, how about 8 p.m.?”
Xie: “7 p.m. I go to bed at 8.”
Chi Wang: ? Aren’t you a night owl?
Though puzzled, he didn’t ask further—not in the mood for small talk.
Chi Wang replied: “Alright.”
After arranging the meeting, Chi Wang planned to get discharged from the hospital.
He didn’t have the money to resolve everything at once, and his gastroenteritis hadn’t flared up again, so he went through the discharge procedures.
At the window, he used his medical insurance card for reimbursement and surprisingly got back over three hundred yuan; in total, he spent only about four hundred.
This feeling was novel, making Chi Wang happy.
Seeing him smile, Luo didn’t know why and asked.
Chi Wang smiled and said, “The medical insurance card is quite useful; it reimbursed so much.”
Luo said, “See? When you’re sick, don’t hold out—just come to the hospital. It doesn’t cost much.”
Chi Wang nodded earnestly. “I’ll come again next time.”
Luo: “? That’s not necessary. Better to wish for good health.”
Chi Wang’s smile was bright, showing his white canine teeth. “Hahaha.”
Watching from the side, Shu sighed. He really is someone who blossoms with a bit of sunshine. If something like this happened to me, I’d be hugging the hospital’s front pillar and crying for half a day.
They returned directly to school.
As soon as he got back, Chi Wang went to take a shower. He was particular about cleanliness and sometimes showered three times a day. Even though he had showered at the hospital, he didn’t feel clean—there was a raw smell that made him uncomfortable.
So he hurried to shower upon returning.
After his shower, he walked out of the bathroom and found that the restroom and hallway were covered with red anti-slip mats. Upon inquiry, he learned that Luo had just bought them from the school supermarket, which warmed his heart.
But when he entered the room, his knee hit the door frame with a “bang”—quite loud.
Both Luo and Shu heard it and saw that Chi Wang’s knee quickly turned pale and bruised.
Chi Wang didn’t feel any pain; he just glanced down, avoided the door frame, and walked straight into the room.
Luo: “…”
He felt pain just hearing it, yet Chi Wang’s expression didn’t change.
Shu said, “Can’t you watch where you’re going? You’re a pregnant man now; you need to be careful.”
“I know. Water got in my eyes, so I didn’t see,” Chi Wang replied. His hair was wet, dripping water, which he quickly caught with a towel, but a few drops still fell onto the dormitory floor. It was Luo’s turn for dorm duty today, and without Chi Wang saying anything, Luo consciously picked up the broom and started mopping.
Chi Wang felt a bit embarrassed. “No need to be so tense.”
Luo said, “It’s fine; the floor needs cleaning anyway.”
He then asked, “Do you want us to accompany you tonight?”
Chi Wang said, “No need. I’m not so fragile that I need company everywhere. It’s fine.”
Since Chi Wang insisted, Luo didn’t press further.
Chi Wang blew his hair semi-dry with a hairdryer, then used it to dry his hair completely.
He glanced at the time—it was past five.
With an hour and a half left, Chi Wang simply took out his laptop and went online to work.
Luo said beside him, “Do you still need to do this work? Didn’t you say it’s not cost-effective? And you’re pregnant now; you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”
Without turning his head, Chi Wang replied, “It’s fine. I slept quite a bit in the hospital; I’m energetic now.”
Hearing this, Luo didn’t persuade him further.
At 6:40, Chi Wang closed his laptop, picked up the examination reports, and headed out.
After he left, Luo said to Shu, “It’s someone from our school.”
Shu: “Huh?”
Luo said, “The baby’s father is from our school.”
Shu was puzzled. “How do you know? Were you under his bed?”
Luo said, “You’re so dense. He’s meeting at seven and only left at 6:40. If it’s not someone from our school, I’ll take your surname.”
“…,” Shu said, “Not necessarily.”
Luo said, “Leaving logic aside, my intuition says it’s someone from our school.”
Shu sighed, “Chi Wang’s got it tough. Anyone else would have broken down over this, yet he remains so calm. Sometimes I can’t tell who’s older.”
Luo didn’t respond immediately. After a while, he said, “I’m going to the supermarket; come with me.”
Shu asked, “Why are we going again?”
Luo said, “To buy foam pads to wrap around door frames and table corners. He’s often bumping into things.”
Shu realized, “Oh, right. We can wrap them up.”
Chi Wang arrived at the agreed-upon café.
Actually, he had worked part-time here before, learning some latte art but not making much progress, so he quit.
Upon returning, the lady boss recognized him and cheerfully said she’d give him a discount today. Chi Wang smiled and accepted.
As they chatted, the glass door opened, and the tall figure of Xie appeared.
The lady boss glanced over and exclaimed, “Oh, is he from your school too?”
Chi Wang nodded but didn’t say more because Xie was approaching them.
When he arrived, the lady boss realized they were meeting together. She blinked in surprise and asked Chi Wang what he wanted to drink.
Chi Wang didn’t like coffee; it made him nauseous, but he still ordered a latte. He asked Xie what he’d like; Xie replied, “Same as you.”
Chi Wang told the lady boss, “Two lattes, please.”
She agreed with a smile and turned to leave.
At this time, there weren’t many people in the café. Each seat had a heavy sofa back, providing good privacy.
Chi Wang glanced at Xie and immediately noticed the faint dark circles under his eyes. Because his skin was fair, they were quite noticeable. Yet his face was expressionless, exuding a cold and aloof nobility and handsomeness.
Chi Wang couldn’t help but get distracted. Say what you will, but Xie’s really good-looking. Chi Wang himself wasn’t bad-looking either. If the baby were born, it might be an extraordinarily beautiful child.
Chi Wang shook off these reproductive thoughts, reasserted his resolve, and, after some contemplation, got to the point with Xie. “I asked you out today to discuss something.”
Xie noticed that Chi Wang’s solemnity was tinged with a hint of anxiety and embarrassment. His posture subconsciously became more rigid. “Go ahead.”
The lady boss brought over the two lattes, momentarily interrupting Chi Wang, who paused.
After she left, Chi Wang, to cover his nervousness, reached for the milk and sugar packets, adding them all to his latte and stirring for a long time.
Xie didn’t rush him. Although Chi Wang hadn’t spoken yet, Xie sensed from his expression that it was something significant. He was patient.
Chi Wang wasn’t usually someone who hesitated. After a brief moment of embarrassment, he pulled himself together. Acting as if nothing was amiss, but with a hint of mystery, he said, “There’s something you need to take responsibility for.”
Xie didn’t say anything, just looked at him.
Xie’s gaze, like his height, was somewhat oppressive. But in a battleground between men, it’s not about life and death; it’s about who has the upper hand.[3]
So Chi Wang met Xie’s gaze directly and said bluntly, “I’m pregnant. You need to take responsibility.”
Xie: “?”
—
[1]: Splitting the Bill: In Chinese, “AA system” refers to splitting expenses equally. Luo is implying that since they aren’t a couple, Chi Wang shouldn’t expect financial support.
[2]: “Blossoms with a Bit of Sunshine”: An expression meaning someone who remains optimistic and cheerful even in difficult situations.
[3]: “Dragon Overpowers the Phoenix”: A Chinese idiom meaning one force overpowering another. Chi Wang is mentally preparing himself to face Xie on equal footing.
Hahahahahaha