Chapter 96: We Have a Son Now
After the nanny demonstrated how to change diapers, Xie Sicheng said, “Next time, I’ll do it.”
The nanny was even more surprised but didn’t say anything. She smiled and agreed.
It was no wonder she was surprised. Rich people usually didn’t change their babies’ diapers themselves; Xie Sicheng was an exception.
But Xie’s thinking was simple: How could parents stay uninvolved and leave everything to the nanny?
They should participate to some extent. Otherwise, when taking the baby out and the baby needs a diaper change, wouldn’t they be at a loss? How would that look?
He held the baby, now in a fresh diaper. Once changed, the baby stopped crying—a truly easy child. Because he had just cried, his eyes were still moist. Even though he hadn’t fully opened them, you could see his large pupils, with little white around them, like black pearls set in his eyes. His eyelids were thin, showing faint blue veins—eyes very much like Chi Wang’s.
Xie took out a small towel and gently wiped the baby’s face. His movements were light and slow, quite adept.
Chi Wang watched from the side, still finding it somewhat unbelievable that the two of them had become fathers.
He needn’t say much about himself; his age was evident.
But Xie wasn’t much older—only four years senior, just 23, and had graduated from H University that year.
By any standard, it was early parenthood.
They actually had a child.
During pregnancy, being pregnant didn’t feel quite real, like a dream. Now that the baby was born, it still felt the same—unreal.
But the baby was still too small. Chi Wang had seen data posted by mothers on apps; their babies weighed six or seven jin, and many were even eight jin.
Chi Wang found it strange. Both he and Xie were tall; logically, the baby should be bigger. He hadn’t eaten less during pregnancy, so why was the baby only a bit over six jin?
He thought about it for a long time but couldn’t figure it out. Worried that An An might be short, he even called Xiao Fu, asking about his mother’s family’s heights. Learning that his two maternal uncles were both over 1.8 meters tall, and even his grandmother was 1.78 meters, he fell silent.
Holding back for quite a while, he discussed it with Xie. Xie was silent for a long time before saying, “Have you considered that he might take after you?”
“Me? But I’m tall,” Chi Wang said.
“But your frame isn’t big,” Xie pointed out.
Chi Wang: “…”
That was true.
Mystery solved.
Chi Wang belatedly felt embarrassed.
What was going on? Why did he feel like his brain wasn’t working?
Is the saying “Pregnancy makes you dumb for three years” really that powerful?
Maybe he should nourish his brain.
So Chi Wang often ate walnuts, nuts, and fish oil—grabbing a handful whenever he could.
After the nanny took the baby back, only Chi Wang and Xie remained in the room.
Although Chi Wang was diligently observing his confinement period, he actually felt quite restless. So Xie stayed with him almost every day, playing Go to pass the time.
Before Xie could set up the Go board, Chi Wang said, “The baby’s one-month celebration is coming up. We should hold a banquet, right?”
Xie said, “Mm.”
Chi Wang retorted, “Don’t ‘mm’ me.”
Xie: “??”
He said, “…Yes, we should, but it’s up to you. If you don’t want to, we don’t have to.”
Chi Wang found it absurd. “Of course we have to! This is a major event for the baby. I want everyone to see that we have such an adorable child.”
Xie said, “Then let’s do it.”
Chi Wang asked proudly, “I gave birth to an incredibly beautiful baby, didn’t I?”
Looking into Chi Wang’s bright eyes that seemed filled with stars, Xie nodded affirmatively. “Yes, incredibly beautiful.”
Chi Wang grinned foolishly.
Watching his smile, the corners of Xie’s mouth also lifted.
Later, the nanny brought An An over for feeding. Chi Wang watched from the side. After An An finished his milk and burped, blowing milk bubbles, Chi Wang swiftly popped them. Then he took the baby to play.
A baby this small didn’t have much to play with—sleeping all day. Even when awake, his eyes were droopy, half-asleep.
The scent of a baby was delightful. Chi Wang buried his face against the baby, taking a deep breath. His restless mood eased considerably.
Although the confinement period was tedious, having Xie and An An with him made it less boring.
Chi Wang began to understand why Xie’s insomnia had been cured when holding him—because even just smelling the baby’s scent made him sleepy.
Suddenly, Chi Wang thought of a serious issue: Would An An inherit his unlucky constitution?
Could such traits be passed down genetically?
He felt a bit anxious.
He didn’t know if he’d been unlucky recently; after all, he’d become a homebody with no opportunities to test it.
He told Xie about it, and Xie asked, “Do you know how to play Mahjong?”
Chi Wang shook his head. “No.”
“Mahjong is a game that relies heavily on luck. I’ll teach you,” Xie said.
Chi Wang replied, “Stop. I don’t play Mahjong.”
“Why not?”
With a righteous expression, Chi Wang said, “Mahjong seems addictive. I avoid things that are easy to get addicted to.”
Xie smirked. “It’s addictive for people who achieve nothing, but you definitely won’t get addicted.”
Chi Wang: Element detected.jpg
Chi Wang asked, “Why?”
Xie said earnestly, “Because you have a will of steel.”
Chi Wang: “…”
So Xie could joke now.
Feeling a bit shy, Chi Wang said, “Alright then.”
Xie quickly ordered a Mahjong table. In less than an hour, it was delivered. They needed two more players. Chi Wang suggested inviting Chu Qing and Xie Yunting.
Xie shook his head. “They’ll count cards and feed tiles.”
Chi Wang’s eyes widened. “They can do that?”
So they invited the nutritionist and the nanny to join them.
In the first few rounds, Xie played his own hand while teaching Chi Wang, focusing on instruction regardless of winning or losing.
Chi Wang learned quickly. After two rounds, he basically grasped the logic of Mahjong and was soon playing smoothly.
However, the tiles he drew at the start were terrible—chaotic and hard to pair or match, making it difficult to form any sets.
To make the game more interesting, they played for small stakes—not much, just 2 yuan per point. At most, one could lose a few dozen yuan per round, which everyone could afford.
But Chi Wang never won, losing money every time.
Xie, despite his calm and serious demeanor, kept winning.
Chi Wang whistled and praised, “You’re a Mahjong master, Senior! Didn’t expect you to be so skilled.”
In Chi Wang’s view, Mahjong was something elders played in teahouses to pass the time. He hadn’t expected Xie to be so good at it.
Then again, since Mahjong is a national pastime, knowing how to play was normal; playing well was also normal.
Excited, he brought over the baby, who hadn’t fallen asleep yet, asking him to help draw tiles.
The nanny laughed and said, “Babies bring good luck. Being born is already fortunate, so anything the baby touches will bring good fortune.”
Chi Wang said, “I hope so!”
He carefully guided An An’s tiny hand to touch the tiles he was about to draw, then took them. After doing this a few times, he placed the baby back in the crib, shuffled the tiles, arranged his hand, and—well, it was another bad hand.
Xie leaned over to look. Chi Wang blocked his face with his hand. “Don’t peek! You’re cheating.”
Xie said calmly, “It doesn’t matter if I look; you won’t win anyway.”
He could count cards and feed tiles, but Chi Wang’s hands were so bad that even feeding him tiles didn’t help.
At most, he could let Chi Wang make a few pungs or kongs to reduce his losses.
There was no need to continue testing; Chi Wang’s luck was as bad as ever.
The baby’s luck… wasn’t great either.
But Chi Wang grew to enjoy Mahjong because it was lively.
Also because Xie accompanied him.
After about half a month of confinement, Luo Lianyun and Shu Tingyu came to visit.
The care center was strict; visitors had to wear plastic gowns provided by the nannies, even shoe covers, to prevent bringing in outside bacteria.
Looking at the luxurious single-occupancy care center, Luo couldn’t help but marvel at Xie’s extravagance. The nutritional supplements he brought felt a bit inadequate.
Shu Tingyu, however, was carefree. As soon as he entered, he eagerly asked, “Chi Wang, where’s the baby? Can I see him?”
Chi Wang wasn’t confined to bed all the time. When they arrived, he was sitting on the sofa playing Go with Xie. Hearing the commotion, they paused their game.
Hearing Shu’s question, Chi Wang said to the nanny beside him, “Of course. Aunt Xin, please bring An An over.”
The nanny immediately went to get the baby.
Soon, she brought the baby over. Shu took him into his arms. Clearly experienced with children, he held the baby skillfully and gently. The baby didn’t even wake up in his embrace.
Shu looked the baby over, clearly delighted. “Chi Wang, the baby looks like you!”
Curious, Chi Wang asked, “How can you tell he looks like me?”
Shu chuckled. “Just feels like you. Holding him makes me feel so at ease. I really like this baby—even more than my nephew.”
Moreover, the baby’s most prominent feature was his eyes: large eye sockets and high brow bones, just like Chi Wang. One glance and you could see the resemblance.
During Chi Wang’s pregnancy, Shu had worried that the baby would look more like Xie. Xie’s features were too prominent and distinctive—phoenix eyes, which are easily inherited.
Shu always felt that since Chi Wang had endured so much, it would be best if the child resembled him. Now, seeing the baby’s most noticeable features, Shu was relieved and genuinely happy for Chi Wang.
Beside them, Luo was impatient, urging Shu to give up his spot. “Let me hold him! I want to hold him too.”
Shu handed the baby over. “Be careful. I’ve taught you how to hold a baby; don’t mess it up.”
Luo retorted, “I know. I’ve practiced. You don’t need to teach me.”
He carefully cradled the baby in his arms, his heart pounding. “So soft.”
What’s this? Do other babies look this cute? Such a tiny face, little hands.
Oh my god!
So adorable!
If he looks like Chi Wang, imagine what a perfect child he’ll be!
Luo hurriedly said to Chi Wang, “I—I—I’m the godfather, right?”
Chi Wang laughed. “Do you even need to ask? Wasn’t this decided before the baby was born?”
Luo was so happy his lips trembled. “Ahhhh! I have a son now!!!”
Shu was equally ecstatic, flashing his big white teeth. “We have a son now! This is fantastic!”
Chi Wang: “…”
Instinctively, he turned to look at Xie. Sure enough, Xie’s stern face had darkened.
Xie spoke up, “He’s your godson. Say it again.”
He emphasized the word “god” (g?n).
“Don’t make it sound like Chi Wang gave birth to your child.”
“This is the child Chi Wang gave birth to for me.”
“He is our son—mine and Chi Wang’s.”
- Jin: A traditional Chinese unit of weight where 1 jin = 500 grams. So six jin is about 3 kg (6.6 lbs).
- “Element detected.jpg”: An internet meme indicating that one has caught on to a key point or underlying meaning.
- “Godson”: In Chinese, the word “godson” is (g?n érzi). Emphasizing “g?n” clarifies the relationship, preventing any misunderstanding that they are the biological parents.
