Chapter 60: He Siming’s Anxiety
Jiang Rong was afraid that the mother and son might end up at odds because of him, so he quickly explained, “Auntie hasn’t had dinner yet, so I cooked some noodles. It wasn’t anything difficult—it didn’t take long. And Auntie’s stomach isn’t feeling very well.”
He had just seen her taking stomach medicine.
Xu Mingqin rarely showed weakness in front of her son. This time, she really had shown up without warning, having been overly confident in herself.
It seemed she didn’t actually understand her son as well as she thought.
With Jiang Rong’s explanation, Xu Mingqin said a little awkwardly, “It’s not that serious. Just a minor issue.”
He Siming glanced at Jiang Rong, who was tugging at the corner of his clothes.
Jiang Rong discreetly shot him a look. “Go put your shoes on first.”
He Siming: “Mm.” The topic was temporarily dropped.
He Siming was the kind who panicked when he cared too much. Growing up, he hadn’t spent much time with his parents. Most of the time, he trusted his own judgment. His parents rarely had extra time to explain things to him—if they had time to play with him for a bit, they’d rather handle a few more work emails instead.
Xu Mingqin observed the interaction between He Siming and Jiang Rong. She knew very well that He Siming had been stubborn since childhood, yet Jiang Rong could dissolve his anger with just a casual sentence—softness overcoming hardness. The two of them did seem quite well matched.
Tonight, she would need to properly digest the fact that her daughter-in-law had gone from female to male—and was even pregnant.
There was no urgent need to ask why he could get pregnant. If it were a major issue, Xu Mingzhuo would have brought it up long ago.
Oh right—there was also the matter of surgery.
No wonder He Siming had asked her and He Zhixian to find experts to solve the surgical difficulties.
Just as He Siming finished changing his shoes and walked over, Xu Mingqin cut straight to the point. “You mentioned surgery before. What’s the situation? Is it dangerous?”
That was the main reason she had come to see He Siming directly. After all, when it came to matters of life and death, she needed to hear it clearly from the person involved.
Jiang Rong didn’t know about this. He looked at He Siming. “What’s wrong with the surgery?”
If the person sitting across from him hadn’t been his own mother, He Siming really would’ve wanted to send her out the door right then.
Knowing he couldn’t hide it anymore, He Siming finally told Jiang Rong, “Doctor Liu said that the structure of your reproductive cavity isn’t clear. They don’t know how to open it when the time comes. If something goes wrong, there could be massive bleeding during surgery.”
Jiang Rong: “When did you find out? Why didn’t Doctor Liu tell me?”
No wonder He Siming had seemed off lately—monitoring his food, clothing, housing, and daily routine more closely than before. At night, he had to hold him while sleeping. As the weather warmed up, He Siming was afraid of the heat; for several nights in a row, he’d woken up sweating.
Only then did He Siming explain in detail. “That time you fainted from a fever, Old Liu mentioned it in passing—that’s how I found out. Later I asked my uncle, and he said they’re researching how to remove the fetus through the reproductive cavity.”
Xu Mingqin knew nothing about any of this. Every sentence He Siming spoke shocked her, and it only made the concept of male pregnancy more confusing to her.
Completely lost, she asked, “What reproductive cavity?”
He Siming explained Jiang Rong’s unique physical structure to her and even showed her a stack of Jiang Rong’s prenatal examination images.
By the time they were in Xu Mingqin’s hands, they had become a thick pile.
Seeing the ultrasound images again, Xu Mingqin felt a small stir in her heart.
He Siming explained them one by one, as if listing treasures.
“This one’s from this month—he’ll be twenty-three weeks in a couple of days.”
“This one was taken at eighteen weeks.”
“See? Isn’t your little grandson growing fast?”
Xu Mingqin examined them carefully. “He really is.”
Jiang Rong didn’t want to interrupt their relaxed moment, but soon enough, mother and son realized they were sitting too close and quickly separated—clearly not used to such intimacy, leaving things a little awkward.
Only then did Jiang Rong ask He Siming, “He Siming, why didn’t you let the doctor ask me? The reproductive cavity doesn’t need to be surgically opened.”
He Siming was startled. “What did you say?”
Jiang Rong: “I said that once the fetus reaches full term, the reproductive cavity will open on its own. As long as it opens wide enough, the baby can be taken out surgically.”
Xu Mingqin had already reviewed Jiang Rong’s internal structure—there was a place similar to a developing uterus, with a protective reproductive cavity layer on the outside.
She immediately understood. “Isn’t that basically like an eggshell? When the time comes, the baby breaks out of the shell.”
Jiang Rong: “More or less. Babies who break the shell on their own are healthier than those delivered with artificial assistance.”
He Siming learned a new term. “What do you mean by ‘assisted birth’?”
Xu Mingqin: “It means when the time comes, the doctor directly takes the baby out.”
Jiang Rong nodded. “Auntie’s right. But artificial assistance does require cutting open the reproductive cavity.”
Just as He Siming had begun to relax after hearing about the “shell-breaking method,” his breath caught again.
“So it still has to be cut?” He Siming asked anxiously.
Jiang Rong: “We can also wait for the baby to break the shell on its own.”
Xu Mingqin didn’t yet understand how Jiang Rong knew his own body so well when even the doctors didn’t, but this child did seem rather mysterious.
She was much calmer than He Siming. “Breaking the shell—is it like labor pains, from level one to level twelve?”
Jiang Rong had looked up how women gave birth in this world. “Probably similar.”
He Siming felt even more helpless than Jiang Rong. “Either way, there’s risk? Is there really no perfect solution?”
Jiang Rong: “Don’t panic yet. Why don’t we ask the doctor first?”
Xu Mingqin nodded. “My advice is to let things take their natural course. He Siming, you were born naturally too, and you’re doing just fine. I was out of bed the very next day. If your grandparents hadn’t forced me to stay in bed for a whole month, I’d have gone back to work already.”
He Siming: “Jiang Rong’s different. He has to have surgery.”
Jiang Rong, however, looked at Xu Mingqin with admiration. “Auntie, you’re amazing.”
Xu Mingqin showed her first smile of the evening. “Thank you.”
Still, Jiang Rong was puzzled. “What is ‘sitting the month’? Isn’t it fine to go back to work or school once the surgery is done?”
Xu Mingqin: “Sitting the month means you can’t be exposed to drafts and have to stay home for forty days. You need daily nutritional supplements—it’s basically like being in prison.”
Jiang Rong: “……”
In the ABO world, there was no concept of pregnant partners having to sit the month. This was the first time he’d heard of such a… humanized custom.
He Siming also realized for the first time that his mother was actually pretty good at chatting. “Where are you staying tonight?”
It was almost Jiang Rong’s rest time—anything else could be discussed tomorrow.
Xu Mingqin replied, “The driver’s waiting downstairs. I’ll stay at a hotel tonight. I’ve arranged to talk with your uncle tomorrow about Jiang Rong’s surgery. Why don’t you two come along as well? I think Jiang Rong understands his own body best. I’ll head back now—Jiang Rong, rest early. He Siming, walk me downstairs.”
She could tell that He Siming hadn’t told Jiang Rong about the risks. Her son often bottled everything up, which only made misunderstandings more likely.
Jiang Rong walked Xu Mingqin to the elevator, while He Siming escorted her downstairs.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, the two fell into silence.
Only when they were almost at the car did Xu Mingqin speak. “Even though I haven’t been a very qualified mother, I can still give you some advice. Son—whether it’s good or bad, don’t hide everything from Jiang Rong. It’s better to talk things out directly, or misunderstandings will arise. He’s a simple child, but he’s also very smart.”
He Siming knew she was hinting at him. “I know.”
“Go back,” Xu Mingqin said.
There were no sentimental words between them—one got into the car and left decisively, the other turned and walked straight back.
What weighed on He Siming’s mind was Jiang Rong. He didn’t know whether Jiang Rong would be upset over his concealment.
He knew Jiang Rong had a good temper, but he couldn’t afford to erode Jiang Rong’s trust in him.
His mother was right—misunderstandings would only drain their emotional energy.
Jiang Rong had just finished cleaning the kitchen when he looked up and met He Siming’s hesitant gaze as he returned.
Just as Xu Mingqin had said, Jiang Rong really was smart. He wasn’t angry at He Siming, and he understood why He Siming had chosen to hide it. Putting himself in He Siming’s shoes, he would’ve done the same.
The intention had been to protect him, so he wasn’t upset.
Supporting his lower back, Jiang Rong walked up to He Siming and held out his arms. “Hold me.”
He Siming wrapped him in his arms and kissed his cheek. “I didn’t mean to hide it. I planned to tell you once we had a new plan.”
“I know. I don’t blame you,” Jiang Rong said. Tonight had been full of both shock and relief. Leaning against He Siming, he closed his eyes briefly and smiled. “Your mom is really nice.”
He Siming hadn’t expected that assessment of his own mother. “Hm? How so?”
“She didn’t say a single harsh word to me.”
“She wouldn’t,” He Siming said. “She’s always said my life is my own choice and that she won’t interfere.”
Jiang Rong suddenly asked, “Then what did she mean by telling you to watch fewer CEO dramas?”
He Siming awkwardly turned his head away. “She was just talking nonsense.”
Jiang Rong kissed his chin. If He Siming wouldn’t explain, he’d look it up himself.
They were going to see Xu Mingzhuo together the next day, so Jiang Rong and He Siming didn’t do anything that night.
He Siming only went to shower after Jiang Rong had finished. Jiang Rong picked up his phone and searched for domineering CEO fiction.
When He Siming came out of the bathroom, he saw Jiang Rong holding his belly and laughing nonstop.
“What are you laughing at?”
“CEO quotes are so funny! Hahaha!”
“For example?”
“You little tormenting thing—what am I supposed to do with you? Hahaha!”
He Siming: “……”
Jiang Rong laughed until tears came out. “‘Woman, it’s your blessing that I’ve taken a fancy to you!’ Hahaha—no, this is too funny.”
He Siming hadn’t expected his laugh threshold to be so low. What kind of hard life had he lived before, not even knowing what CEO fiction was?
By bedtime, Jiang Rong still burst into suppressed giggles from time to time.
He Siming knew Jiang Rong was afraid of the heat, and his belly was growing bigger by the day. At night, he didn’t dare hold him too tightly anymore, and they each slept on their own pillow.
Then he heard Jiang Rong stifling another laugh. He shifted closer, his strong body pressing against Jiang Rong’s back. “Not sleepy?”
Smelling the stronger lime scent of He Siming’s pheromones, Jiang Rong’s laughter froze. “Huh? I am, I am.”
From behind him, He Siming’s gaze darkened. He gently licked Jiang Rong’s earlobe. “I have a few treasured CEO quotes too. Want to hear them?”
Jiang Rong’s whole body went weak from the lick. His earlobe was his Achilles’ heel, firmly under He Siming’s control.
“N-no…” His ears tingled unbearably. He pulled up the blanket. “I—I’m going to sleep.”
He Siming rested a hand on his slightly protruding belly, gently stroking it, and said coldly, “You say no with your mouth, but your body is very honest.”
Jiang Rong froze for two seconds—he’d just read that line!
No—He Siming really could launch without delay. He actually knew CEO fiction.
With his biggest weakness firmly controlled, and his pheromones long accustomed to He Siming’s, Jiang Rong felt like his body no longer belonged to himself.
Part of him wanted to resist just a little; another part couldn’t help wanting more.
His whole body burned with warmth, pleasure tears welling up again. “Mm… I didn’t.”
“Only I have the right to bully you, understand?” He Siming said.
Jiang Rong’s voice trembled. “H-how do you know so many CEO quotes?”
“I’ve got more. Want to hear them?” He Siming tilted his head and bit Jiang Rong’s lip, which he’d been lightly biting back his moans, and said sternly, “Cry out.”
Bullied mercilessly once again, Jiang Rong’s eyes filled with accusation.
Light then heavy—this was too, too much!
He Siming didn’t dare go too far. He just made sure Jiang Rong got sleepy.
The next day, in Xu Mingzhuo’s office.
Doctor Liu finally met an elder other than Xu Mingzhuo—Xu Mingqin.
She looked so familiar.
Wasn’t this the famous entrepreneur?
So she was He Siming’s mother? And Vice Dean Xu’s biological sister?
Doctor Liu nearly lost her composure, but her professional training held.
After the five of them sat down, Jiang Rong explained the later changes to the reproductive cavity.
Doctor Liu asked, “Which method would you like to choose? That way we can prepare accordingly.”
“I want to wait for it to break the shell on its own,” Jiang Rong said.
“I lean toward that as well,” Doctor Liu replied. “It’s better for the child, and we haven’t encountered a case like this domestically. If we can let things proceed naturally, it also reduces risk. However, you’ll need to come to the hospital more frequently from now on—we need to observe the changes in the reproductive cavity.”
“Okay,” Jiang Rong said.
That settled it.
Throughout the meeting, He Siming barely voiced any opinions. The child was in Jiang Rong’s belly—Jiang Rong knew the sensations best. All He Siming could do was suppress his anxiety.
Doctor Liu performed another ultrasound. The baby was growing fast—though only twenty-three weeks, it already looked like twenty-six weeks.
“Post-surgery, you’ll need help,” Xu Mingqin said. “I’ll arrange two maternity nannies for you.”
This was indeed more convenient for her to handle. No matter how mature He Siming was, he had no experience.
“Understood,” He Siming replied.
“Do you need a housekeeper right now?” Xu Mingqin asked.
“No, Auntie,” Jiang Rong said.
“Alright. Stay in touch.”
Xu Mingqin hurried off to another meeting. Before parting, she added Jiang Rong on WeChat—very straightforwardly—and transferred him a large sum of pocket money.
Jiang Rong: “……” His mom would definitely like such a generous aunt.
Although the danger of “opening the reproductive cavity” had been resolved, He Siming now faced an even bigger problem.
He had to wait for the little one to “break the shell” naturally.
Over the next few days, the smile on his face grew rarer.
No matter how Jiang Rong tried to comfort him, it didn’t help. He Siming couldn’t get past it psychologically—apparently, his psychology studies still weren’t enough.
So Jiang Rong decided to talk to the only person who knew about their relationship: Yao Shule. Sometimes, the ever-optimistic Yao Shule could offer unexpected insight.
While He Siming was in a company meeting, Jiang Rong skipped his afternoon English class and invited Yao Shule to Meiling Café for afternoon tea.
Before Yao Shule even got to eat his cake, he was already fed a mouthful of dog food. “You’re saying He Siming is worried about your surgery?”
Jiang Rong was really out of ideas. “Yeah. He’s been really anxious lately. I’ve told him several times that the surgery won’t hurt that much, but he seems to have a strong sense of immersion.”
“That means he truly dotes on you,” Yao Shule said.
“I know he dotes on me, but I wish he wouldn’t be so anxious.”
“Let me think,” Yao Shule said.
While he was thinking, the café manager personally brought over their cake.
After taking a bite, Yao Shule had an idea. “Got it! Didn’t we say before that we’d go on a spring outing? Let’s go this weekend. Have Ding Yan organize it—he loves doing that.”
“That’s a good idea,” Jiang Rong agreed.
They even called Ding Yan over.
As soon as Ding Yan heard they were keeping it from He Siming, he rushed over immediately.
“A spring outing? It’s Old He’s birthday this weekend—perfect timing for a birthday surprise!” Ding Yan said excitedly. “I was just about to ask whether we should throw him a birthday party.”
Jiang Rong realized how little attention he’d paid to He Siming. “It’s his birthday this weekend?”
Ding Yan said proudly, “He doesn’t usually celebrate, but as his friend, I remember. Though honestly, it’s hard to make him happy with gifts.”
“How about a birthday surprise during the outing?” Yao Shule suggested.
Jiang Rong thought it sounded great. “Sure. Can you all keep it from him for now?”
“Of course,” Ding Yan said. “Just the five of us going?”
“That’s enough,” Yao Shule said. “Our Room 519 guys, plus you—the unofficial member.”
Ding Yan: “……” Why was he still an unofficial member?
Jiang Rong texted He Siming about the weekend outing, and He Siming replied that it was fine.
Yao Shule also called Li Yizhou to the café. The four of them discussed the birthday surprise behind He Siming’s back.
All this time, it had always been He Siming taking care of Jiang Rong’s emotions. Jiang Rong felt he had given him far too little in return.
Ding Yan also mentioned that He Siming didn’t have strong material desires—gifts never really stirred much emotion in him.
As everyone enthusiastically discussed where to go and how to prepare the surprise, Jiang Rong grew troubled.
What should he give He Siming for his birthday?
While Jiang Rong was secretly preparing the surprise, He Siming grew even more anxious.
By chance, he discovered that Jiang Rong’s WeChat had a new group chat called “Sneaking Around Behind His Back Hehehe.”
He Siming: ……
