Chapter 58: Chairman Xu’s Itinerary
After Jiang Rong talked privately with Yao Shule, his mood visibly brightened, and his appetite improved noticeably.
There were no major secrets between the two, and their friendship grew even closer. After lunch, Yao Shule even dragged Jiang Rong along to go shopping at the mall.
Although Yao Shule always talked about loving beauty, in reality he was far more interested in electronic products. Under his guidance, Jiang Rong learned a lot about both domestic and international brands. They even picked out a drone together, agreeing to go on a spring outing when the weather got nicer, and use the drone to shoot some atmospheric videos.
The two of them tirelessly toured the electronics section, then after finishing with that mall, moved on to another one. Jiang Rong also bought himself a tablet. He usually used He Siming’s tablet, so this time he bought the same model. His understanding of everyday items and electronics in this world was still limited—everything at home had been arranged by He Siming.
Jiang Rong hadn’t walked this much in a long time. Without realizing it, they’d been shopping for over three hours. Today, he was like a little bird finally let out of its cage—he didn’t feel tired at all.
In the middle of it, Lin Nana even had Yao Shule line up to grab a limited-edition figurine for her. Just like that, the whole afternoon slipped quietly by.
When they came out of an anime merchandise store, Yao Shule suggested having dinner and then taking Jiang Rong out to play some more—just as He Siming’s video call came through.
Yao Shule already knew about Jiang Rong and He Siming’s relationship, and Jiang Rong didn’t avoid answering the call in front of him.
He Siming: “Still shopping?”
Jiang Rong: “Yeah, I’m out with Lele. I’m hungry—we’re about to go eat something. What about you?”
He Siming: “I’m nearby. Want to eat together?”
Jiang Rong asked Yao Shule, “Can He Siming join us?”
Yao Shule agreed immediately. “Sure.” After all, they were roommates and friends—what was the problem? It was just that Jiang Rong and He Siming now had an extra layer of identity between them.
Before, when he looked at He Siming, there had probably been a filter of admiration. But today, seeing things from Jiang Rong’s perspective and learning some of He Siming’s private matters—even if not many—stripped away that “He-god” filter. They were simply a couple in love.
Before they even decided where to eat, He Siming had already made the decision for them—choosing a restaurant Yao Shule would never have considered. His parents gave him plenty of allowance each month, and his family was fairly well-off, but compared to He Siming’s level, it was like comparing a molehill to a mountain.
With He Siming making the arrangements, Jiang Rong didn’t need to think at all. He always managed to find food that suited Jiang Rong’s taste perfectly.
They met He Siming at the restaurant’s elevator. The moment Jiang Rong saw him, the smile on his face deepened.
He Siming stood there with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the railing, one leg slightly bent, staring absentmindedly at the floor.
Jiang Rong walked over. “He Siming, we’re here.”
He Siming looked up. A faint, barely noticeable smile appeared on his cool face as he reached out and directly took Jiang Rong’s hand.
“Walk slower.”
“I already am.”
Yao Shule instantly regretted agreeing to have dinner with the two of them. He’d noticed it earlier—Jiang Rong completely lost his composure around He Siming. It was almost painful to watch.
How had he never realized before how dependent Jiang Rong was on He Siming?
Have some restraint, sweetheart!
He Siming led Jiang Rong over to Yao Shule, who was trying hard to look unfazed.
“It seems you already know about Jiang Rong and me,” He Siming said.
Yao Shule nodded. “Yeah.”
He Siming knew Jiang Rong’s mood this morning had been completely different from now—different even from usual. For some reason, he felt a little jealous of Yao Shule. These changes in Jiang Rong had been brought about by him. He felt both happy and unsettled, annoyed that he himself couldn’t make Jiang Rong completely happy.
Of course, the upside was that he could now openly hold Jiang Rong’s hand in front of Yao Shule—and Jiang Rong wouldn’t shake it off like he did at school.
“I’m hungry,” Jiang Rong said. “Let’s eat.”
He Siming took the shopping bags from Jiang Rong’s hands. “Mm, it’s already booked. What stores did you go to today?”
“I bought a tablet. Next time I won’t have to fight you for yours.”
“You didn’t tell me? If it’s inconvenient, I could’ve just bought you one.”
“Lele helped me pick one—it’s pretty good. Same model as yours.”
“That works. Tired?”
“Not tired. I told you, I used to be able to run three kilometers.”
“I couldn’t tell before, but I can see it now.”
Yao Shule, trailing behind them: “……”
He desperately wished time could rewind ten minutes. He really didn’t want to be this massive third wheel. The problem was, third wheels were usually self-aware—but these two were not. They acted far too naturally and intimately.
How had he not thought of this earlier? He’d figured out his orientation back in middle school! How could he be this slow?
The more Yao Shule thought about it, the more he felt He Siming was the sly one, playing tricks with them.
Now that there was no need to hide the relationship, He Siming made no effort to restrain his affection in front of Yao Shule.
In Yao Shule’s opinion, He Siming usually held back at least ninety percent.
And yet here he was—peeling shrimp, dipping it in sauce, and feeding it directly into Jiang Rong’s mouth.
Yao Shule could barely swallow his food. It all tasted bland!
Even Jiang Rong felt He Siming was overdoing it. “I’ll eat myself. He Siming, stop peeling for me.” He smiled apologetically at Yao Shule, who was nearly expressionless.
He Siming looked regretful. “Okay.”
After finally surviving the meal, Yao Shule planned to hitch a ride back to school with He Siming. But after He Siming whispered something into Jiang Rong’s ear, Jiang Rong said he wanted to walk around with He Siming a bit more before going back.
Yao Shule: “…Fine.”
He understood now—He Siming was the real seductress here. Not only seductive, but also extremely possessive.
Yao Shule didn’t bother with them anymore and quickly booked a ride to leave on his own.
Watching Yao Shule go, Jiang Rong felt a little guilty. “Are we being kind of mean?”
“He’s not that kind of person. Don’t overthink it,” He Siming said.
“Oh.” Yao Shule was Jiang Rong’s best friend in this world—of course he cared about his feelings.
Maybe he really did have a people-pleasing personality.
He Siming pinched the back of his neck. “So… want to go buy clothes for the baby?”
Jiang Rong immediately perked up. “Yes! Let’s go. I saw baby stuff on the fourth floor today.”
If only he could tell Yao Shule about the pregnancy—he would’ve rushed over to buy things already.
Inside the baby store, all kinds of items and clothes dazzled the eye. Jiang Rong felt overwhelmed. Most of the customers were couples or mothers.
It was also He Siming’s first time there. Two soon-to-be dads hesitated, almost wanting to retreat.
“How about—” Jiang Rong started.
“Since we’re already here,” He Siming said.
A sales associate approached them. “What are you two looking to buy?”
Two young men in a maternity store were far too eye-catching, especially since they clearly had no experience.
“Buying for relatives,” the associate asked, “or are you going to be dads?”
Jiang Rong answered softly but clearly, “We’re going to be dads.”
“Congratulations! Has the baby been born? How many months?”
“Not yet. We’re buying clothes in advance.”
The associate enthusiastically introduced their brands and soft fabrics. They bought a pile of things, and by the time they left, He Siming’s hands were full.
Looking at the back seat crammed with newborn supplies—dozens of outfits in various sizes, enough for at least half a year—Jiang Rong asked, “Did we buy too much?”
“Not really,” He Siming said. “They’ll all get worn eventually. If not, we can donate them to an orphanage.”
“Oh… that’s true.”
After walking around all day, Jiang Rong hadn’t felt it much at first, but once they got home and relaxed, he noticed his calves were slightly swollen.
After his shower, He Siming even massaged his legs with essential oils.
Jiang Rong wore shorts, one leg resting on He Siming’s thigh. “Hiss… so sore.”
He Siming eased his strength. “You’re something else—shopping all afternoon without resting.”
“How do you know I didn’t rest?”
“Yao Shule posted to his Moments every few minutes. Hard not to know.”
“I didn’t notice.” Jiang Rong rarely checked Moments. No wonder Yao Shule suddenly said he needed to line up for Lin Nana—turns out the whole trip was live-streamed on social media.
He Siming’s fingers slid over Jiang Rong’s calves as he continued the massage, perfectly controlling the pressure. Jiang Rong was almost asleep from how comfortable it felt.
Just before Jiang Rong drifted off, He Siming pressed a hand to his thigh. “I didn’t get to spend time with you today. Don’t I deserve some compensation?”
Jiang Rong lay on the sofa, forcing his eyes open. “What?”
“My heat’s here.”
“Huh? Mine?”
“Mine.”
Still groggy, Jiang Rong perked up a little. “You don’t have heats. At most, it’s a susceptibility period.”
He Siming lit up. “That’s a thing? What happens during it?”
“You get restless, can’t control your pheromones, feel hostile toward other Alphas—might even suppress them.”
“So how do I deal with it?”
“Only Omega pheromones can soothe an Alpha. The higher the compatibility, the better. If it’s low, you need suppressants.”
“That’s a pretty exciting setting. Sounds like Alpha and Omega are naturally meant for each other.”
Seeing him lean closer, Jiang Rong murmured, “Yeah…”
“Then can you soothe me?” He Siming asked softly. “I think today’s my susceptibility period.”
Thinking of what Yao Shule had joked about earlier—saying he’d give He Siming two kids—Jiang Rong wanted to try.
“Okay.”
He Siming immediately scooped him up. “To the bedroom!”
Jiang Rong wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed his Adam’s apple. “He Siming, I’m willing to have babies for you.”
Overcome with emotion, He Siming was eager yet careful not to press on Jiang Rong’s belly.
They lay on their sides. He Siming cradled Jiang Rong’s lower abdomen gently. Soon, the peach scent grew stronger, wrapped in fresh lime.
Tearfully, Jiang Rong whispered against his chest, “Two would be okay.”
He Siming kissed him tenderly. “Good. As many as you want.”
After the weekend, news that the campus heartthrob had a partner spread throughout Qin University.
He Siming, back at school, went about his business as usual—but the looks on him multiplied.
Photos were no longer allowed on the forum, but gossip chats still existed.
Some people were heartbroken; others didn’t believe it and wanted to know who his partner was.
And in front of Yao Shule, He Siming was even more brazen with Jiang Rong.
In class, whenever Yao Shule tried to whisper to Jiang Rong, he’d see He Siming playing with Jiang Rong’s fingers.
During lunchtime naps, He Siming would help Jiang Rong onto the bed. When Li Yizhou went to the restroom, He Siming even snuck a kiss. Was he completely invisible now?
Yao Shule sighed at the ceiling. How could this still be unclear whether they liked each other? The only one getting hurt was him, okay?
People still tried to secretly photograph He Siming, but Beijing’s smog meant Jiang Rong often wore a mask. They usually moved in groups with Yao Shule and the others, and after days of digging, no one found anything definitive.
He Siming even changed cars and parking spots, becoming much more low-key.
This convinced some people even more that his partner had to be Yao Shule.
Two reasons: they walked together almost every day; and besides Yao Shule, the other roommates didn’t fit—one was burly, one always had a book in hand, lost in study. Only Yao Shule loved playing with his phone.
It had to be him.
For Jiang Rong’s sake, Yao Shule endured the unwanted attention. Anyone he disliked, he cursed out. Within days, everyone knew he was a walking firecracker, and photos became less frequent.
People assumed He Siming would always stand up for Yao Shule—making him the “official partner.”
By mid-April, Jiang Rong’s belly was changing day by day.
As temperatures rose, clothing grew lighter. Jiang Rong ran hot and no longer wore bulky winter coats, switching to thinner sweaters and jackets.
All of them were He Siming’s—loose enough to hide his belly.
But he was nearly five and a half months along. Once he hit six months and the weather got hotter, thinner clothes wouldn’t hide it anymore. It worried him.
That day, Yao Shule wanted spicy chicken feet rice from the second cafeteria. He Siming had a meeting in the lab; Li Yizhou was playing basketball.
After class, Jiang Rong and Yao Shule went together.
Jiang Rong loved spicy food, but he was so troubled that he could barely eat.
Yao Shule noticed immediately. “What’s wrong? Too spicy?”
Jiang Rong shook his head. “No, it’s just…”
Yao Shule glanced at Jiang Rong’s belly and suddenly remembered his illness.
He instantly lost his appetite. “Is your condition really serious?”
The cafeteria was crowded and hot. Jiang Rong had taken off his jacket; his belly was obvious. He could guard against strangers’ eyes, but not Yao Shule’s.
“Not really.”
Yao Shule stared. “Then what’s with your belly? Your face and limbs aren’t fat, but your stomach’s so big—it’s like you’re pregnant!”
Jiang Rong sighed. “Y-you can just… think of it that way.”
Yao Shule assumed he didn’t want to talk about it. “Your mindset’s great. No wonder you’re always reading psychology.”
In gossip groups, Yao Shule earned the title: “the campus heartthrob’s savage boyfriend.”
“How are they doing the surgery?” Yao Shule asked worriedly. “Looks like ascites. Stop eating spicy food.” He took Jiang Rong’s chicken feet away and went to get him something mild.
Watching the chicken feet get taken away made Jiang Rong even sadder.
He texted He Siming: Lele won’t let me eat spicy chicken feet.
He Siming replied: He’s really mean. I’ll make you chicken feet stew this weekend. Busy today—might work late.
Okay, Jiang Rong replied, instantly cheered up. I’ll go home myself tonight.
Mm. I’ll keep working.
At the same time, Capital Airport.
Xu Mingqin’s flight had just landed. Before the cabin doors even opened, she was already discussing her schedule with her assistant.
“Do I have time in the next two days to see my son?”
“Your schedule’s pretty full. Only tonight’s free.”
“Alright. After the meeting this afternoon, we’ll go. Prepare some maternity gifts—about five or six months along.”
“Yes, Chairwoman Xu.”
“Oh, and prepare some pregnancy skincare too. Girls like pretty things.”
“Yes. Should we notify Siming?”
“No need. He’ll be home around eight or nine. We’ll just go to his place—he’s such a homebody.”
The assistant fell silent. In most cases, work still took priority over visiting her son.
