Chapter 69
At four months, Tan Ning’s baby bump started to show. His satin shirts now highlighted the gentle curve of his belly, and as the weather warmed, he had to dig out his old clothes. When Lin Song’an returned home, just as he set down his keys, he saw Tan Ning curled up on the sofa, wearing a loose gray sweatshirt.
It was one of those oversized sweatshirts from college that Lin Song’an used to call “potato sacks.” The cuffs were frayed, and Lin Song’an had once tried to throw them out, but Tan Ning insisted on keeping them, indulging in a little nostalgia. Seeing Tan Ning wearing it again, memories surged back for Lin Song’an, who slowly walked over.
Hearing footsteps, Tan Ning looked up from his stack of documents, meeting Lin Song’an’s smiling gaze. “What’s up?” he asked, puzzled.
Lin Song’an stroked Tan Ning’s oversized sleeve and the hand hidden within, saying, “Nothing, just suddenly remembering a lot from the past.”
Tan Ning tilted his head, and Lin Song’an leaned over to kiss him.
“What do you feel like for dinner? More chicken soup?”
“No,” Tan Ning refused without hesitation.
Lin Song’an chuckled, “Getting sick of it? Alright, no chicken soup tonight. Let’s see, what would be good for our little Tan Kitten?”
“Lin Song’an.”
“Hmm?”
“I want shredded pork noodles with pickled vegetables.”
Lin Song’an’s brows arched in amusement. “Alright.”
As he walked to the kitchen, Tan Ning called him back. Lin Song’an turned, “What is it?”
With a slight pout, Tan Ning put his folder down on the coffee table, and as Lin Song’an came back smiling, he raised his arms for a hug.
Lin Song’an’s ability to read Tan Ning’s subtle cues was now nearly flawless. From the smallest change in Tan Ning’s expression, he could tell what he wanted, never getting it wrong.
For instance, right now, as Tan Ning placed his folder down, shifted his legs, and lifted his arms slightly — he wanted a hug.
Lin Song’an sat back on the sofa, pulling Tan Ning into his arms. Wrapped in the oversized sweatshirt, Tan Ning felt soft and warm as he snuggled in. Lin Song’an’s hands wrapped around him, reaching to rest on his belly, gently rubbing in circles, as if playing a daily game with the little one inside, though they were still too small to respond.
Tan Ning nestled into Lin Song’an’s embrace, absentmindedly fiddling with his shirt buttons.
Lin Song’an withdrew his hand to nibble at Tan Ning’s ear, and when Tan Ning winced, he lifted his head, only for Lin Song’an to kiss his lips.
At four months pregnant, Tan Ning had changed quite a bit.
His face now held a rosy glow, soft as peach petals, fresh and dewy. His amber eyes often shimmered, and even if Lin Song’an was just ten minutes late, he’d look at him with a mix of longing and reproach, lashes lowered in a pitiful expression.
Lin Song’an would gently soothe him.
Tan Ning wasn’t really upset, but Lin Song’an knew how to speak to him in a way that would make him nestle close, laying his cheek against Lin Song’an’s skin, giving the occasional flutter of his lashes that tickled like feathers. Lin Song’an would pull him closer, and Tan Ning, feeling sated, would murmur, “I’m hungry.”
“…Just using me and tossing me aside, huh?” Lin Song’an blinked in surprise.
Tan Ning looked at him, puzzled. “What more do you want?”
“It’s been four months, we’re not in a risky period anymore.”
Tan Ning slipped off Lin Song’an’s lap, tying his hair back casually to reveal his slender neck. Looking cold and composed once more, he returned to his documents, replying, “But you already used up this week’s quota two days ago.”
Lin Song’an wasn’t satisfied, “Twice a week isn’t enough!”
Tan Ning ignored him.
With a resigned smile, Lin Song’an leaned over, nipping his cheek. “Little troublemaker.”
He then went to the kitchen to make the pickled vegetable and shredded pork noodles, choosing low-sodium pickles and adding two fried eggs for Tan Ning. Soon, the delicious aroma of noodles filled the air.
As Tan Ning sat down, he remarked, “Not bad, you’re quite the chef now.”
Lin Song’an smiled, “Will I get to taste any of your cooking again, Tan Kitten?”
“What would you like?”
“Just teasing; I’ll handle the cooking from now on.”
“And the cleaning, and the laundry — what does that leave me with?”
“You get to enjoy all of my services.”
Chewing on the end of his chopsticks thoughtfully, Tan Ning mused, “Maybe we should split the chores?”
Lin Song’an chuckled, “Fine, but that can wait until after the little one’s born.”
Tan Ning shrugged, “Alright.”
Taking a bite of the egg soaked in broth, he praised, “Tastes great.”
Tan Ning smiled more these days.
Watching the dimples faintly appear on his cheeks, Lin Song’an felt a deep sense of fulfillment.
After dinner, they took a walk together, holding hands through the lush greenery of the summer park. Tan Ning was curious about everything, asking about the trees and plants. Sometimes Lin Song’an didn’t know the answers, but he’d pretend, change the topic, and then sneakily use his phone’s camera to identify them.
When Tan Ning caught him, Lin Song’an stubbornly denied it.
“No, I was taking a picture of you,” he said.
Tan Ning stifled a laugh and nudged him with his foot.
Lin Song’an took the opportunity to pull him into his arms, shamelessly saying, “What? I was just photographing you. That plant over there is called a Maidenhair Fern, I knew that.”
Tan Ning scoffed, “You’re so childish.”
Lin Song’an leaned down to kiss him, intertwined their fingers, and continued walking. “Not at all.”
As Tan Ning gazed at Lin Song’an’s broad back and their tightly clasped hands, breathing in the cool, fresh evening air of the forest, he felt an overwhelming sense of peace.
It was a sense of calm so deep that, even if the world were to end in the next second, Tan Ning knew he wouldn’t be afraid—as long as he was by Lin Song’an’s side.
Back home, Tan Ning mentioned his back felt sweaty and that he wanted a bath, so Lin Song’an went to fill the tub with warm water.
Tan Ning took off his sweatshirt and looked at himself in the mirror.
He had put on a bit of weight, but it was well-distributed, so he didn’t look too heavy. He touched his stomach, feeling a sense of wonder. He hadn’t completely adjusted to his new role, but sometimes he’d be startled awake, instinctively covering his belly as he realized there was a little life growing inside him.
Their love made real in a child.
It was incredible.
Hearing Lin Song’an’s footsteps coming from the balcony, Tan Ning quickly slipped into the bathtub. Lin Song’an, treating him like a child, had even added a bath bomb, filling the tub with bubbles. Tan Ning sat down, feeling like he was floating on clouds, almost swallowed up by the thick layer of foam.
When Lin Song’an walked in and saw Tan Ning looking a little stunned amidst the bubbles, he chuckled and went over to turn off the water.
“Looks like our little kitten doesn’t like bubbles. Next time, I’ll add petals instead.”
Tan Ning gave him a sidelong glance, “You’re so immature.”
Lin Song’an pulled up a small stool to sit by the tub, scooping up a handful of foam and blowing it toward Tan Ning’s face.
Tan Ning tried to dodge with a straight face, but the bubbles slid from his cheek to his chest, disappearing in the ripples. Lin Song’an’s childish antics were contagious; Tan Ning grabbed a clump of foam and smeared it across both sides of Lin Song’an’s face. Lin Song’an didn’t dodge, his gaze drifting from Tan Ning’s smiling eyes to his slightly parted lips.
The white foam, layered over the rippling water, only partially obscured the surface, and Tan Ning’s figure flickered beneath, half-hidden.
Sitting at the end of the tub, Lin Song’an reached in to give Tan Ning a massage.
With foam-covered hands, he started at Tan Ning’s shoulders and neck, kneading down to his back, pressing with his fingers, and then gliding down in smooth strokes along his muscles. Tan Ning had been spending long hours hunched over his work, and pregnancy naturally made him prone to aches. Lin Song’an had learned this massage technique just for him.
Feeling relaxed, Tan Ning closed his eyes, only to be gently reminded by Lin Song’an, “Don’t fall asleep yet; the water’s cooling down, and you’ll catch a cold.”
So, Tan Ning kept himself awake, raising his arm for Lin Song’an to massage, as Lin Song’an dutifully worked away.
His reward at the end was a kiss from Tan Ning.
Tan Ning, now dozing off again, was startled awake when he felt Lin Song’an’s hand drifting lower, fingers circling his collarbone, then slipping underwater.
The pile of bubbles began to diminish, and the rose scent thinned as warmth rose between them. Tan Ning came to his senses, tilting his head back to look at Lin Song’an. “What are you doing?”
Lin Song’an raised an eyebrow. “Nothing.”
“Where’s your hand?”
With a look of innocence, Lin Song’an replied, “Just massaging.”
Seeing Tan Ning’s doubtful expression, he leaned down to murmur, “In a few more months, this area here will start to swell. You’ll be begging me to massage you, maybe even for more than just a massage.”
Tan Ning rolled his eyes, “Lin Song’an, sometimes… sometimes you’re just… your mind is full of nonsense.”
Lin Song’an laughed, accepting Tan Ning’s teasing without complaint.
He stood to refresh the bath water, then went to get fresh clothes for Tan Ning, opting for the soft cotton pajamas Tan Ning preferred. Lin Song’an had these custom-made for him to be both comfortable and perfectly fitted.
Returning to the bathroom with the pajamas, he found Tan Ning leaning on the edge of the tub, chin resting on his hands, his long hair damp around his face. With his head slightly raised and his gaze fixed on Lin Song’an, there was an innocence to his allure—like a mermaid just ashore.
Lin Song’an froze for a second before stepping forward, hearing Tan Ning’s soft invitation, “Would you like to join me?”
Lin Song’an’s lips curled, “Is this my payment for tonight’s massage?”
“Mm.” His tone held a hint of excitement.
“Can I borrow from next week’s quota?”
Tan Ning’s gaze grew warmer as he lifted himself slightly to give Lin Song’an a better view. He grasped Lin Song’an’s shirt, tugging him closer, and Lin Song’an leaned down to kiss him. Tan Ning returned the kiss, but still denied him, with a mischievous yet imperious tone, “No, you can only look.”
**Author’s Note:**
Can’t eat.
Tomorrow should be the last extra!
It’s ending so soon…I still remember being so anxious about them about the heat incident and kept checking my phone for updates. But now they already have a little kitten on the way, their love is going stronger day by day and I hope it’ll continue even without me witnessing it.