Chapter 48: Acting All Mysterious
After Jiang Rong finished having his blood drawn, he went on to complete the basic examinations.
The results this time surprised everyone. At eleven weeks, the fetus was growing very quickly and looked about the size of a thirteen-week fetus.
Xu Mingzhuo hadn’t been present for the first two prenatal checkups. This time, seeing the results together with his eldest nephew right away, he was genuinely shocked—and finally understood why He Siming sounded so proud whenever he mentioned how fast the fetus was growing. He really did have something to be proud of.
As a doctor, Xu Mingzhuo remained relatively calm and asked Doctor Liu, “Why is it growing so fast? Have you analyzed the cause?”
Doctor Liu was no ordinary obstetrician. Male pregnancy itself was already a rare case, and fetuses developing in a male reproductive cavity tended to grow faster than those in female bodies. She had carefully studied all of Jiang Rong’s indicators; everything was within normal ranges, with nothing exceeding the limits.
Beyond that, she had also noticed something else. “His reproductive cavity is different from that of a normal female. The environment may be different, and I suspect the fetus might be absorbing additional nutrients. Doctor Xu, look here—there’s a very small tube connecting to the reproductive cavity. Women don’t have this structure. I’ve compared it with other cases of male pregnancy. In those cases, the uterine structure was very similar to that of women, but Jiang Rong’s is different.”
Xu Mingzhuo asked, “So he has an extra nutrient channel?”
Doctor Liu looked at Jiang Rong. “Yes, but I don’t know what nutrients it absorbs. All his test data are normal.”
Xu Mingzhuo nodded. “Understood. Doctor Liu, Jiang Rong also had an additional test done this morning. You may need to come to my office later.”
“Sure,” Doctor Liu said. “I don’t have any surgeries scheduled this morning.”
An hour later, He Siming and a visibly nervous Jiang Rong were in Xu Mingzhuo’s office, holding Jiang Rong’s pheromone test report.
Doctor Liu entered together with Xu Mingzhuo.
Xu Mingzhuo had likely already explained the pheromone issue to Doctor Liu beforehand, so she only looked mildly surprised.
Xu Mingzhuo cleared his throat. “Jiang Rong’s pheromone test results are out.”
Jiang Rong was nervous, but He Siming kept holding his hand. In fact, He Siming looked even more nervous than Jiang Rong.
He Siming couldn’t help asking, “How is it?” Completely losing the calm composure expected of Qin University’s campus heartthrob.
Xu Mingzhuo handed the report to the two of them.
Having already looked at his own report once, He Siming knew how to read the numbers. On Jiang Rong’s report, he immediately spotted the value highlighted in a deep, alarming red.
The normal range for ordinary people was 0–10. His own result had been 300—already far beyond normal. Jiang Rong’s pheromone level, however, was five times higher than his.
Jiang Rong knew his pheromone level would be high, but he hadn’t expected it to be this much higher than He Siming’s.
Even Xu Mingzhuo found it hard to believe. If he hadn’t personally reviewed it before, he would have had the test repeated again.
Xu Mingzhuo asked, “Why is it so much higher?”
He Siming said, “Could the testing machine be broken?”
Jiang Rong himself was much calmer. “No. It’s probably because I’m pregnant and need more pheromones than usual.”
Doctor Liu frowned slightly. “What’s going on with you two? Is this congenital? Pheromones sound so… mystical.”
Jiang Rong said, “Doctor Liu, the connection point in the reproductive cavity you mentioned earlier is actually where the baby absorbs pheromones. Without He Siming’s pheromones, I feel very uncomfortable, and the baby has trouble growing.”
Doctor Liu hadn’t yet had time to verify all the details with Doctor Xu. “Then how do you absorb pheromones?”
Jiang Rong blushed and looked at He Siming. Before he could die of embarrassment, He Siming spoke up. “Through sexual activity. That’s why I came to get my pheromones tested. As the fetus grows, its demand is increasing. I was worried that if I wasn’t around, I wouldn’t be able to provide enough in time, so I wanted to see if there was any other way to alleviate the situation.”
Doctor Liu was shocked.
She had practiced obstetrics for many years and had never heard of a one- to three-month-old fetus requiring the parents to supplement nutrients through sexual activity.
Yet the facts were right there—the baby in Jiang Rong’s womb was growing just fine.
Doctor Liu said, “I’m sorry, this is also the first time I’ve heard of something like this.”
Xu Mingzhuo said, “All indicators are normal for now. The only abnormality is that the fetus needs to absorb pheromones, and the source of those pheromones is your sexual activity—essentially, the father’s pheromones.”
Doctor Liu nodded quickly. “That seems to be the case.”
But the issue He Siming wanted to solve wasn’t whether his pheromone levels were high or low—it was what Jiang Rong should do when he wasn’t around and couldn’t provide pheromones.
Jiang Rong said, “Uncle, Doctor Liu, this is a normal phenomenon for me. My heat cycles are congenital. I’m certain that during my heat, I need He Siming’s pheromones to be soothed. Under normal circumstances, my pheromone concentration wouldn’t be this high. During pregnancy, because I don’t have heat cycles, my pheromone levels are higher than his. If my levels were lower, he wouldn’t be able to soothe me.”
Doctor Liu asked, “How many heat cycles have you had?”
Jiang Rong said shyly, “Just once… and then I got pregnant.”
Xu Mingzhuo patted He Siming on the shoulder—this kid was impressive.
He Siming thought to himself that Jiang Rong hadn’t told them that the heat cycle had lasted three days.
Doctor Liu said, “Then are you two complementary types within the same category? There are no other cases to reference—two people with atavistic traits meeting each other. That’s fate, I suppose.”
Jiang Rong tightened his grip on He Siming’s hand. Suddenly, crossing worlds didn’t seem like such a big deal anymore—he had become someone with atavistic traits.
Xu Mingzhuo asked, “Doctor Liu, what do you think we should do now?”
Doctor Liu said, “I think it’s best to go with the flow. Jiang Rong’s own physical sensations are the most important thing. As long as both the mother and fetus are stable, everything else shouldn’t matter too much. He’s almost twelve weeks along now, and the fetus is stable. For normal couples, sexual activity is allowed at this stage. As for pheromones, that’s beyond my research scope. The most important issue will be the cesarean section later—whether that nutrient-absorbing tube should be cut like an umbilical cord or handled differently. That will require discussion with other specialists.”
Jiang Rong said, “Doctor Liu, that pheromone nutrient tube isn’t a problem. Once the baby reaches full term, it will disappear on its own.”
Doctor Liu asked, “How do you know that?”
Jiang Rong wasn’t very good at lying, so he answered cautiously. “Because there was someone before with the same condition as me. They told me.”
Doctor Liu asked, “Where is that person now?”
Jiang Rong shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Separated by two different worlds—where would he find another Omega? All of this was something biology teachers talked about in class.
Doctor Liu looked at Xu Mingzhuo. “Then we’ll observe for now. Jiang Rong understands his own condition very well. Doctor Xu, what do you think?”
Xu Mingzhuo said, “I would like to do an X-ray, but since he’s pregnant, that’s obviously not possible. For now, we’ll focus on monitoring the fetus.”
Jiang Rong was startled. “A f-full body scan?”
Seeing his reaction, He Siming wrapped an arm around him. “My uncle just wants things to be safer during the cesarean.”
Xu Mingzhuo smiled. “Don’t be nervous. We won’t treat you like a lab rat. Your case is special, and we want to be prepared in case something unexpected happens during surgery.”
Jiang Rong nodded. “Okay.”
He really had been scared for a moment.
Doctor Liu laughed. “Doctor Xu, you’re too serious—you scared him. Pregnant people shouldn’t be frightened. In short, my recommendation is to continue with normal prenatal checkups. He knows his body well, and as he said, once the fetus reaches full term, it won’t need to absorb pheromones anymore. The pheromone issue can only be addressed after delivery. During pregnancy, Siming will have to work a bit harder.”
Jiang Rong blushed so hard he practically buried his face in He Siming’s shoulder. It felt like having parents supervise their sex life.
He Siming cleared his throat. “Mm.”
Xu Mingzhuo also agreed with Doctor Liu. Since Jiang Rong was pregnant, many tests couldn’t be done. As for He Siming’s concerns, there was no solution for now.
All he could do was warn him, “During Jiang Rong’s pregnancy, try not to go out too much.”
Two hours earlier, he had been worried that He Siming might go too far. Now he realized his nephew was simply stuck with no choice.
He Siming said, “Got it. We have our own rhythm.”
Xu Mingzhuo: “…” He decided not to ask for details.
Although there was no effective solution for the high pheromone levels, at least the issue was now out in the open. If anything happened during the pregnancy, it would be easier to investigate, and Doctor Liu could also prepare multiple surgical plans for Jiang Rong’s eventual cesarean.
Before leaving, Xu Mingzhuo told He Siming to go to his car and bring back the local specialties his aunt had prepared for Jiang Rong—things like free-range eggs.
Jiang Rong took the opportunity to catch up with Doctor Liu, who hadn’t gone far yet, but when he reached her, he hesitated.
Doctor Liu, already familiar with how easily embarrassed he was, asked gently, “Is it a physiological change?”
Jiang Rong nodded, red-faced. “I… I’ve been feeling pain in my chest these past couple of days. It feels swollen.”
Doctor Liu smiled. “No need to worry—that’s normal. Pregnancy hormones are increasing, and breast tissue expands. To put it simply, it’s breast engorgement.”
Jiang Rong’s face turned even redder.
Help—no one told him that Omega pregnancy would involve breast swelling too!
He asked stiffly, “Then… will I have to breastfeed the baby later?”
Doctor Liu held back her laughter—this child was just too pure. “That depends. If the mother produces enough milk, breastfeeding is fine. If not, you can combine it with formula, or use formula alone. You’re almost twelve weeks along now, so hormonal changes can cause breast swelling. Is it very painful?”
Jiang Rong said, “It’s… okay. Just feels swollen and uncomfortable these past couple of days.”
Doctor Liu gave him some advice. “Use moisturizing lotion and massage regularly to help with circulation. You can also apply a warm compress. Wear loose, soft clothing, eat more fruits and vegetables, and avoid high-calorie, high-fat foods to prevent worsening the swelling.”
Jiang Rong nodded earnestly. “Okay, thank you, Doctor Liu.”
“You’re welcome. You have my WeChat—feel free to message me anytime if you have questions.”
“Okay.”
He turned back to find He Siming waiting for him by the elevator, standing in the most visible spot, his gaze fixed on him. Jiang Rong quickened his steps toward him.
Although He Siming enjoyed seeing Jiang Rong run toward him with a happy smile, he was even more concerned about his safety.
He Siming took his hand. “I’m waiting for you. Don’t walk so fast—the floor’s slippery.”
Jiang Rong smiled. “I know.”
“Why did you get so red after talking to Doctor Liu? Are you uncomfortable?”
Jiang Rong shook his head. “No, I just asked some pregnancy-related questions.” He felt too embarrassed to explain. “Shall we go home?”
He Siming brushed aside the hair on his forehead. “Not yet. I’m taking you to get a haircut.”
“Yeah, it’s gotten a bit long—it’s poking my eyes.”
After the haircut, they went home. He Siming had planned to take him out to eat, but Jiang Rong unexpectedly refused.
“I want to eat what you cook,” Jiang Rong said. “Something light.”
Doctor Liu had said high-fat, high-salt foods would worsen the swelling.
He Siming liked how dependent Jiang Rong was on him. “Okay.”
Back home, He Siming busied himself in the kitchen. Jiang Rong, who usually kept him company and chatted, was instead glued to his phone, chatting with someone.
In fact, Jiang Rong was asking skincare guru Yao Shule about the best moisturizing lotion to buy.
Yao Shule got excited and recommended several brands, then thought Jiang Rong might not have much money.
Yao Shule: I still have an unused set in the dorm. You could come get it and save some money.
Jiang Rong: It’s okay. Just tell me which one is the most moisturizing and gentle—I can buy it myself.
Yao Shule recommended a brand and sent a link.
Yao Shule: Get this one. It’s domestic, reasonably priced, and good quality. I’m worried foreign brands get repackaged after customs and aren’t original.
Jiang Rong: Okay.
Yao Shule: Why did you suddenly start using body lotion?
Jiang Rong: My skin’s dry—it’s uncomfortable.
Yao Shule: So you have the same problem as me. And He-god doesn’t even have skincare products at home? How does he maintain himself?
Jiang Rong: He only has facial skincare, no body lotion.
Yao Shule: Try the one I recommended first.
Jiang Rong checked the official link, saw it was suitable for pregnant people, and placed the order.
He Siming actually had plenty of skincare products—but all for his face. Using facial cream as body lotion would be too extravagant.
The delivery was fast. The next morning, the lotion arrived.
He Siming noticed that after opening the package, Jiang Rong went straight to the bedroom and locked himself in the bathroom. For several days in a row, Jiang Rong stayed in there for half an hour each time. Once, when He Siming needed the restroom, he tried the door and found it locked.
His darling had secrets now—and wasn’t telling him.
What was he doing in there? What couldn’t he know?
Yet Jiang Rong didn’t say anything, acting as if he’d hidden it well.
That evening, He Siming returned from work and found the living room dark. Jiang Rong wasn’t studying or experimenting with food in the kitchen.
The bedroom light was on.
He vaguely heard Jiang Rong making soft hissing sounds, mixed with a middle-aged woman’s voice.
“We use the palm to make a U-shaped massage motion, which can promote—”
He Siming quietly approached the bathroom and heard Jiang Rong muttering, “But I’m following what she said—why doesn’t it seem to work?”
What wasn’t working?
“Ah… it hurts… still hurts… how do I do this?”
“I’ll never be an Omega in my next life.”
“Omegas and women who can give birth are so amazing.”
“Is my technique wrong?”
Worried that Jiang Rong might be hurting himself, He Siming walked in.
In the warm bathroom, Jiang Rong had taken off his shirt and stood in front of the mirror. His phone was propped up beside him, playing a video. Both hands were placed on either side of his slightly swelling chest, massaging, his brows tightly furrowed.
He Siming’s whole body tensed. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he asked hoarsely, “What are you doing?”
Jiang Rong instinctively covered his chest, his face flushing pink. “He Siming—you, why did you come in?”
He froze, unable to hide or escape, completely at a loss.
The bathroom was filled only with the video voice repeating instructions on U-shaped massage techniques.
Jiang Rong grabbed the shirt he’d taken off and covered his face, stammering, “Y-you go out first!” This was too embarrassing!
He Siming stepped back out and thoughtfully closed the door for him.
No wonder he hadn’t wanted to take his shirt off lately when supplementing pheromones—his chest was swollen.
He’d thought Jiang Rong was hiding something serious. Turns out it was this.
He Siming’s lips curved upward slightly. He decided to go cook dinner first.
A few minutes later, Jiang Rong shyly went to the kitchen, head lowered, cheeks still flushed.
He Siming set aside the vegetables and kissed him. “What’s there to be embarrassed about? What’s going on?”
He was more concerned about why Jiang Rong had been secretly massaging his chest. He was just a college guy himself—his parents weren’t having another child, so he knew nothing about pregnancy details.
He Siming’s voice was always calm and reassuring, making people trust him instinctively. Jiang Rong gradually melted under that gentle tone. He wasn’t good at lying anyway—since he’d been found out, he told the truth.
“It’s… pregnancy hormones. They cause chest swelling and pain. Doctor Liu told me to massage to relieve it.”
He Siming thought for a moment and glanced at his chest. “Does it hurt a lot?”
“It’s okay—just feels swollen. I wanted to try relieving it.” Jiang Rong pushed at He Siming’s chin, not letting him look too closely. He’d just massaged them, and they were slightly swollen, the curve visible through his clothes.
He Siming smiled. “Did it help?” From the sounds earlier, it hadn’t.
Jiang Rong shook his head. “Not really. Still hurts a bit.”
He Siming figured he’d be too embarrassed to ask anyone else. “Want me to try after dinner?”
Jiang Rong was startled, his ears heating up. “Are you sure?”
He Siming looked serious. “Yeah. You looked like you were hurting—I’ll be gentler. What are you thinking? Just a proper massage.”
With no other options, Jiang Rong nodded, ears red enough to drip blood. “Okay.”
He Siming kissed his ripe, peach-like cheek. Beautiful.
After dinner—
He Siming turned on the projector, put on a comedy animation, and sat with Jiang Rong on the sofa. He also prepared some fruit.
Jiang Rong liked to curl up in He Siming’s arms while watching, his back against his chest, occasionally eating fruit fed to him, wrapped in He Siming’s embrace.
In that small space, it was their own little world—safe and warm.
Halfway through the animation, He Siming lowered his head and kissed Jiang Rong’s lips, which tasted faintly of apple juice.
After the kiss, seeing his eyes glistening, He Siming said, “Want me to try massaging for you? I won’t hurt you.” His fingers fell on the buttons of Jiang Rong’s cotton shirt.
Jiang Rong was relaxed, shy but trusting. “Okay.” He’d tried for days with no effect—maybe He Siming could help.
He Siming kissed his neck lightly.
A moment later, Jiang Rong suddenly widened his eyes, his body jolting as he curled his legs up. “He Siming—”
No—this wasn’t how he was supposed to massage!
