Chapter 63: Glands
The capital’s weather was growing hotter, and the fetus was developing quickly. Though it was only six months along, it was actually much larger than that.
His body often felt tired. Sitting through long classes made his feet ache badly. The reproductive cavity pressed against his bladder, so he had to go to the bathroom even more frequently—twice during a single class. Going so often had made his classmates notice something unusual. On top of that, his belly was getting more and more distended, his clothes thinner and thinner. Some classmates had even asked if he’d gained weight, since even his jacket was starting to struggle to hide his stomach.
The temperature fluctuated unpredictably. Over the past couple of days it had shot straight up to nearly thirty degrees Celsius. Going outside required a hat and sun-protective clothing—it was so strange it was almost unsettling.
Yao Shule slouched sideways in his chair, watching Jiang Rong take a cup out of his bag. Inside was a dark-colored liquid.
In class, he was sitting almost right next to Jiang Rong and could clearly feel that his belly had grown larger—his condition seemed more serious.
Today’s class was a theory lecture.
Strictly speaking, Jiang Rong didn’t even need to come. He could study this material on his own at home, but he had important matters to take care of at school, so he still showed up.
Yao Shule fanned himself with his textbook. He’d woken up late from his nap and had dashed from the dorm to the lecture hall right before class, breaking out in sweat.
Seeing how fresh and cool Jiang Rong looked, he stared at the dark drink in his hand. “What are you drinking? Traditional Chinese medicine? It looks really bitter.”
“It’s not herbal medicine,” Jiang Rong said. “It’s sour plum juice. Sweet and sour—really good.”
With his body in its current state, He Siming wasn’t comfortable letting him climb in and out of a dorm bed. So Jiang Rong no longer rested at school at noon; every day he drove home for a lunch break.
The main reason was also that the weather had gotten hot—home was more comfortable.
“I’m dying of heat,” Yao Shule complained. “Hurry, give me some—I’m so thirsty.”
He didn’t mind drinking from the same container as Jiang Rong, but He Siming, who had been talking with the class monitor nearby, turned around and looked over.
Jiang Rong had a slight cleanliness habit. “Wait, I brought disposable cups.” He didn’t mind sharing drinks, but he didn’t want to share the same bottle.
Yao Shule: “Why would you even bring those?”
Jiang Rong poured while pointing at the cup in his bag. “He Siming brought them.”
“He really thinks of everything. Don’t tell me he even made this sour plum juice himself?” Yao Shule said casually.
“Yeah, he made it,” Jiang Rong said. “He Siming can do anything—he’s amazing.” He started praising him.
Watching Jiang Rong’s eyes light up as he spoke, Yao Shule felt the sour plum juice in his cup turn even more sour—way too sour. Why couldn’t he ever get a boyfriend like that?
Lin Nana came over with a small fan to chat. “What are you drinking?”
“Sour plum juice,” Jiang Rong said. “Want some? I’ve got another disposable cup.”
“Sure, sure!” Lin Nana said. “Give me a cup too. You can even make this?”
“It’s not me,” Jiang Rong patiently explained again. “He Siming made it.”
“Then I’ll have two cups!”
Jiang Rong checked his thermos. After pouring for the two of them, there was only a little left. He didn’t mind—he liked sharing good things with classmates, and Lin Nana spent a lot of time with them now and was already his friend.
Lin Nana really did drink two cups, finishing the juice she’d just gotten.
Jiang Rong still wanted some, but there was none left.
Just before class started, He Siming sat down and took another thermos out of his bag.
Jiang Rong happily put the empty thermos back and whispered, “When did you pack another one?”
“When you went to the bathroom before leaving,” He Siming said. He knew Jiang Rong liked sharing food and drinks with others and always prepared extra.
Lin Nana remarked, “You two are really close.” She remembered how He Siming used to refuse to drink water if anyone else touched his bottle.
Jiang Rong lifted his face—now even fairer and more delicate from being so well cared for—and smiled.
Probably because he was being taken such good care of, there had even been times when underclassmen asked for his contact info at the cafeteria. Every time someone asked Jiang Rong for his WeChat, He Siming got even more irritated than when people asked him—his cold demeanor driving people away, his possessiveness overflowing.
After the big lecture ended, He Siming and Jiang Rong went to the counselor’s office. Using the medical leave note from his prenatal checkup a few days ago, Jiang Rong applied for medical leave, which the teacher approved cheerfully.
The teacher asked one more question. “Will you be taking the final exams?”
“If I haven’t had the surgery yet, I will,” Jiang Rong replied. “Around when are the finals?”
He had applied for temporary medical leave, not a suspension of studies.
Based on this world’s timeline, Dr. Liu had estimated his due date as August, but Jiang Rong knew the little one wouldn’t hatch that late. With both fathers’ pheromones fully supplied and Jiang Rong being a male Omega, hatching usually happened around nine months.
But since He Siming was native to this world and not a true Alpha, nothing was certain. To protect himself and the baby, Jiang Rong followed He Siming’s and the doctor’s advice and applied for leave early.
“Probably late June to early July,” the teacher said.
“That’s in time for me to take the finals,” Jiang Rong said.
“Alright. If you can’t make it, you’ll have to take make-up exams when school starts next year.”
“Okay.”
Make-up exams were absolutely unacceptable—pure humiliation for a grinder like him.
Jiang Rong also told Professor Wen that he wouldn’t be returning to campus for a while due to health reasons, and that any questions could be discussed directly over WeChat. Luckily, the professor’s research topic now had direction, and Jiang Rong’s ideas would be enough to support their work for a while.
After settling everything at school, Jiang Rong and He Siming invited the members of Dorm 519 to dinner in their small group chat.
They chose everyone’s favorite restaurant—hotpot.
He Siming and Jiang Rong arrived first. The other three were coming in Ding Yan’s car and would take a bit longer.
They ordered the soup base first.
Jiang Rong tried to secretly change the mildly spicy base He Siming had chosen to medium spicy, but He Siming took his phone away directly.
He Siming looked at him and said in a low voice, “Jiang Rongrong.”
Jiang Rong cleared his throat and spread his hands. “I didn’t do anything.”
He Siming ordered using his phone and didn’t let Jiang Rong touch the app while ordering dishes. Lately, Jiang Rong had been especially greedy and favored strong flavors—his body couldn’t handle it. He Siming had to keep a close eye on him, or who knew what Jiang Rong might sneak behind his back.
“You still dare to eat medium spicy?” He Siming asked.
Jiang Rong blinked innocently. “Lele said this place only tastes good if you order medium spicy. I was ordering it for him.”
With a fake smile, He Siming said, “You even deleted the split pot. So tell me—didn’t you secretly eat a whole pack of spicy strips a few days ago and get pimples at the corners of your mouth? They just healed these past two days.”
Knowing he was in the wrong, Jiang Rong admitted, “The spicy strips were really good. I won’t do it again.”
He Siming didn’t intend to be appeased. His finger stayed on the screen, unmoved.
Jiang Rong nudged his arm. “I’m sorry, don’t be mad. I won’t sneak food again, okay, Daddy He?”
He Siming finally changed the mild spice to medium spice. “Only this once.”
The words had barely left his mouth when Ding Yan’s loud voice rang out behind them. “Old He, you’ve got some weird preferences—liking to be Jiang Rong’s dad!”
Jiang Rong: “……” He buried his face straight into He Siming’s shoulder. That nickname was something they used privately—how did it get overheard?!
Knowing Jiang Rong’s shy nature, He Siming distracted Ding Yan. “Where are the other two?”
“They went to buy milk tea. They’ll be up soon.”
He Siming tapped Jiang Rong’s forehead. Seeing the group messages, he asked, “What do you want to drink? They’re asking.”
Even while embarrassed, Jiang Rong’s foodie instincts kicked in instantly. “Watermelon juice.”
Ding Yan occasionally had moments of insight. “Why are you suddenly treating us to dinner?”
“Wait till everyone gets here,” He Siming said.
When Yao Shule and Li Yizhou arrived carrying milk tea, the soup base had arrived too. He Siming had already ordered some meat; they could add more while eating.
Impatient, Ding Yan asked, “What is it that you had to wait until everyone arrived to say?”
“What’s going on?” Yao Shule asked.
Li Yizhou was also confused, as usual the slowest to catch on.
“I’m taking leave,” Jiang Rong said. “Preparing for the surgery.”
Yao Shule glanced at his belly. “You should’ve taken leave earlier. That belly looks like you’re about to give birth.”
Jiang Rong didn’t mind the teasing. He’d learned He Siming’s half-serious tone well.
He said naturally, “Sure—then wait for me to give birth to the baby.”
Ding Yan laughed loudly. “Hahaha! Then I’ll definitely come watch when you and Old He’s kid is born. As godfather, I’ll give a huge red envelope.”
“Who said you’re the godfather?” He Siming said.
“If I’m not the godfather, who is?” Ding Yan insisted.
“The child already has two dads. You’re kind of extra,” He Siming replied.
Ding Yan: “……”
Everyone took it as a joke.
Li Yizhou joined in. “Have you picked a name yet? Newborns need a nickname, right?”
“Not yet,” He Siming said.
“Whose surname will it take?” Yao Shule asked. “Rongrong’s the one giving birth—it should take Jiang’s surname.”
“I’m fine with either,” He Siming said seriously.
Jiang Rong was still a bit traditional, thinking in ABO terms—when an Omega and Alpha married, the child took the Alpha’s surname.
“I haven’t really thought about that yet.”
“Let’s brainstorm,” Yao Shule said. “In the time it takes to eat hotpot, we can come up with one. How about Huohuo-huo or Guoguo-guo!”
Jiang Rong’s eyes lit up. “What character do you get when you combine ‘fire’ three times?”
“Yan,” He Siming said.
“That’s a nice character!” Jiang Rong said.
“Don’t you need to consider the five elements when naming a kid?” He Siming added. “I’ll have my dad find a master to calculate what’s missing.” His dad believed in that—and now so did he.
“Okay,” Jiang Rong said. “Then we can’t be too casual about it.”
Yao Shule had learned to catch clues from his words.
“Wait—have you already met the parents?” he asked.
Seeing the changes in Jiang Rong’s expression, Ding Yan asked, “You’ve met Uncle and Auntie too?”
Jiang Rong reported honestly, as always. “I’ve met Auntie. Not Uncle yet, but they know we’re together.”
Yao Shule clutched his chest. “Your relationship’s really smooth—parents met, baby on the way. Next step is probably a wedding banquet.”
“We could form a groomsmen group!” Li Yizhou said.
“I’d have to be part of the bride’s side,” Yao Shule declared. “I’ll sit at the main table at the wedding and be Rongrong’s best man, collecting red envelopes!”
“Then I’ll be on the bride’s side too,” Li Yizhou said.
“You guys are thinking way too far ahead,” Jiang Rong said, exasperated—but grateful. Everything Yao Shule and Li Yizhou said was in his favor.
“Old He, you look so pitiful—I’ll side with Jiang Rong too!” Ding Yan laughed.
“As long as you’re happy,” He Siming said, focused on blanching Jiang Rong’s favorite beef.
“But still,” Yao Shule said, “why treat us to dinner just because you’re taking leave? This feels off.”
“He’s been told to rest during this period,” He Siming said. “Until the surgery’s done, he won’t be meeting you guys.”
With Jiang Rong’s belly growing, it was inconvenient to go out, and hard to explain. The best solution was to stay home and study.
“But I’ll be back for finals,” Jiang Rong added.
“That’s good,” Yao Shule said. “By then it’ll be summer. We won’t see you for so long—I’ll miss you.”
Jiang Rong always felt Yao Shule’s kindness. “Mm.”
But none of them liked being overly sentimental.
Yao Shule raised his milk tea. “Come on—let’s wish Rongrong a big, healthy baby boy or a precious daughter!”
Jiang Rong wasn’t sure what to say, but it was a well-meaning wish.
“Better be a daughter,” Ding Yan said dreamily. “Gentle like Jiang Rong, with both of their looks—she’d be gorgeous. I’d take her out every day!”
“I like a big chubby boy,” Li Yizhou said. “You can toss him in the air.”
“Why not twins—a boy and a girl?” Yao Shule said. “Perfect pair! I’ll help you raise them—I’m great with kids!”
He Siming finally looked at Yao Shule seriously. “Thanks. You’ll be the first one we ask.”
“No problem.”
The three of them took it all as jokes. Only He Siming and Jiang Rong knew—they meant every word.
At last, Jiang Rong no longer had to attend classes at school with his belly in tow, nor wake up early like before.
He wasn’t sleeping well at night. As the little one grew bigger, he had to sleep on his side; otherwise the pressure made it hard to breathe. He was kicked awake several times at night—his sleep quality was terrible.
Now that he didn’t have to attend class, he could at least catch up on sleep at home.
He Siming bought him a special support belt, making daytime less tiring.
Being on leave at home was actually quite boring. He Siming still had to go to school, though he came back at noon and in the evening to eat with him—it was manageable.
But Jiang Rong felt a bit unaccustomed.
Though he didn’t talk much, he was always surrounded by classmates in class. Yao Shule and Lin Nana brought him plenty of joy. Suddenly being alone at home all day, after being used to lively surroundings, felt strange.
He Siming knew Jiang Rong was stuck at home during the day and felt bad for him.
He tried to accompany him as much as possible, replenishing pheromones whenever needed. Later, he realized that giving Jiang Rong study tasks was the best way to keep him from getting bored.
Jiang Rong not only self-studied his school courses, he also restarted online classes—ending up even busier than He Siming. Within a month, he wrote three project proposals and even developed a small trial software on his own.
He Siming was left speechless. “……”
If Jiang Rong weren’t pregnant, he’d probably be so competitive he wouldn’t even have time to date him!
As May passed, the temperature rose another notch, and the little one reached twenty-eight weeks.
He Siming and Jiang Rong went to the hospital again for a detailed prenatal checkup.
Xu Mingzhuo, deeply concerned about the family’s first grandchild, accompanied them the whole way.
Though officially seven months along, the fetus was developing extremely well—more like eight months.
In addition to Xu Mingzhuo and Dr. Liu, there were three other specialists present today, including Old Liu, whom both Jiang Rong and He Siming knew. Everyone reviewed the newly taken images together.
Since learning that Jiang Rong’s reproductive cavity would open naturally and that only routine surgery would be needed, they were no longer overly tense. Instead, they worked out several backup plans with great efficiency.
“Old Liu, take a look at this,” Expert Yang said.
Putting on his reading glasses, Old Liu said, “There should already be changes in the reproductive cavity.”
“This doesn’t look like twenty-eight weeks at all,” Expert Yu said. “I suspect the fetus will arrive early.”
“I agree,” Old Liu said. “Xiao Jiang, are you still living on campus?”
Jiang Rong shook his head. “No, but I live nearby.”
“Before the baby is born, I’ll check your pulse once a week,” Old Liu said. “We can infer when labor will start from the pulse and prepare in advance.”
“Okay,” Jiang Rong said.
Dr. Liu asked, “Other than the reproductive cavity, is there anything else about your body we don’t know?”
She needed to ensure the surgery would proceed smoothly.
Jiang Rong pressed his lips together, glanced at He Siming, and finally made up his mind. “There’s a gland at the back of my neck. Will it affect the surgery?”
Everyone looked over—not with displeasure at him for not mentioning it before, but with eyes shining with academic interest.
“You mean the thyroid?” Expert Yu asked, pointing to his own neck.
Jiang Rong shook his head and pointed to the back of his neck. “Not the thyroid. The nape.”
He Siming quietly squeezed his hand and explained, “If the skin at the back of his neck is bitten, the gland can receive pheromones. Once neutralized, he won’t be troubled by pheromones—but only I can do it.”
“That’s related to the heat cycle you mentioned, right?” Expert Yang asked.
“Yes,” Jiang Rong replied.
“We’re only performing a lateral abdominal incision,” Expert Yu said. “The gland at the back of the neck shouldn’t have much impact.”
“But the body’s meridians are all interconnected,” Old Liu said. “A single movement can affect the whole system. It’s still worth paying attention to.”
“When the fetus is close to birth, we can take an image to finalize the surgical plan,” Expert Yang said. “One scan won’t affect the fetus. Don’t worry.”
The scan was necessary.
Jiang Rong’s body structure had too many uncertainties.
They hadn’t done it earlier to prioritize normal fetal development. Now that delivery was possible, they needed to ensure the mother’s safety during surgery.
“Okay,” Jiang Rong said.
He noticed He Siming was gripping his hand a little too tightly.
Xu Mingzhuo asked if they wanted to eat before heading back, but He Siming and Jiang Rong declined, saying they had things to do in the afternoon.
On the way home, Jiang Rong sensed something was off with He Siming.
He Siming pulled over into a temporary parking spot.
His hands were trembling.
Jiang Rong grabbed the hand resting on the steering wheel. “What’s wrong?”
That hand, usually so warm, was icy—and shaking slightly.
He Siming turned his head away, avoiding Jiang Rong’s gaze.
Jiang Rong unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned forward, and gently turned his face back. The calm eyes he knew so well were rimmed with red.
“He Siming,” Jiang Rong said softly, “I’ll be fine. Don’t cry.”
