Lu Yicheng had already forgotten about the scientific aspect of things and insisted that Jiang Lan take a test, which, of course, came back negative.
Lu Yicheng: "I should still trust my intelligence. Weâll test again in half a month."
He hugged Jiang Lan tightly. "We havenât even prepared a nursery yet. I donât want the baby to come so soon."
He already had one treasureâif they had a child, Lu Yicheng certainly wouldnât want the child to experience the kind of childhood he had.
Jiang Lan sighed. "Well, the baby will be a first-time child, and weâll be first-time parents. Of course, thereâll be things we wonât do perfectly."
Being first-time parents meant learning how to love someone new.
Lu Yicheng nodded. "Iâll learn first. You donât have to."
Lu Yuanâs executive secretary had grown accustomed to seeing the company president reading non-work-related books.
Lu Shuangchen enjoyed high school math, physics, and chemistry textbooks, while Lu Yicheng preferred cookbooks and parenting guides. Nearly an entire wall of the CEOâs office bookshelf was lined with scientific childcare books.
Lu Yicheng was both afraid of and excited about the babyâs arrival. Jiang Lan still had a childlike natureâhow could she suddenly become a mother? But this was their child, and as long as it was theirs, Lu Yicheng would love it unconditionally.
Over half a month later, Lu Yicheng waited nervously outside the bathroom. When the door opened, he sprang to his feet.
Jiang Lan hid her hands behind her back and asked knowingly, "What are you doing standing here?"
Lu Yicheng: "Waiting for you."
Jiang Lan sighed. "Why wait? Itâs just false hope. I was really hoping for a honeymoon baby."
For a moment, Lu Yichengâs mind went blank, but he quickly recovered. "Then letâs go on another honeymoon, and weâll have our honeymoon baby."
"These things depend on fate. We just got married a little over a month agoâthereâs no rush." Lu Yicheng smiled. "The baby can wait. Youâre still so young. Thereâll be plenty of chances later⦠Itâs not false hope."
Jiang Lan watched as Lu Yicheng fumbled to comfort her, feeling a little uneasy. "Lu Yicheng⦠have you thought about what weâll name the baby?"
Lu Yicheng: "Huh?"
Jiang Lan continued, "The babyâs name⦠two lines mean weâre having a baby, right?"
This time, Lu Yicheng was truly stunned. "Let me see⦠Are you sure you didnât misread it?"
Jiang Lan always loved teasing him, and Lu Yicheng was used to it.
But the test still showed two lines.
Jiang Lan: "You have to trust science."
Lu Yicheng muttered, "So Iâm officially a rookie dad now? Iâm not ready yet."
He paced anxiously around the living room, examining the pregnancy test over and over, as if hoping it would change.
It was July, and the air conditioning was on, yet sweat beaded on Lu Yichengâs forehead from sheer nervousness.
It really was a honeymoon baby.
Lu Yicheng stared at Jiang Lanâs stomach. "Youâyou should sit down. Iâm a little overwhelmed. Maybe I should go run a few laps to calm down?"
Sitting beside Jiang Lan, he called Xie Yunzhen on speakerphone, glancing at Jiang Lan repeatedly as he spoke.
"Mom, Lan Lan is pregnant. Iâm taking her for a checkup tomorrowâjust wanted to let you know first."
Xie Yunzhen hadnât expected it to happen so soon. In her eyes, Jiang Lan was still a kid herself.
"So soon?"
Lu Yicheng puffed out his chest slightly. "Yeah, itâs a bit fast. I didnât expect it either."
Xie Yunzhen was momentarily at a loss for words. "Then put Lan Lan on the phone. I need to give her some advice."
Lu Yicheng: "Mom, just tell me. Iâll keep an eye on her."
"â¦â¦"
After hanging up with Xie Yunzhen, Lu Yicheng went upstairs to inform Yu Wanqiu. Jiang Lan was now under strict orders to move as little as possible.
...
But Jiang Lan felt no different. Aside from the two lines on the test, everything was the same as before. She hadnât gained weight, her appetite and sleep were normal, and her tastes hadnât changed.
"Teacher Yu, this might be the most well-behaved baby ever!"
Yu Wanqiu smiled. "Thatâs good. When I was pregnant with Yicheng, he was very quiet tooâlike a little turtle."
She kept working, and after he was born, he remained calm. The baby took after Lu Yicheng more.
But Yu Wanqiu hoped this one would resemble Jiang Lan more. "Itâs good. Keep working for now. Yicheng, you donât need to be so nervous. Just make sure she gets regular checkups, watches her diet, and stays relaxed. If youâre stressed, sheâll be stressed too."
Lu Yicheng nodded. "Iâm not nervous. I can take care of them."
Yu Wanqiu wasnât doubting Lu Yicheng, but he was only a few months older than Jiang Lan. Even though they were married, he still had his immature moments.
Yu Wanqiu added, "If anything comes up, call me. If youâre feeling down, Iâll come keep you company."
Lu Yicheng almost said heâd never let Jiang Lan feel unhappy, but then he remembered all the times heâd annoyed her and kept his mouth shut.
Jiang Lan reassured her, "Itâs fine, really. I feel greatâno issues at all. Iâll be careful."
Yu Wanqiu was still worried, but there wasnât much she could do. Jiang Lan was the one carrying the baby.
Still, shopping for clothes and bags always lifted spirits, so Yu Wanqiu made sure to buy plenty.
The next day, Jiang Lan went for her checkup. The due date was set for early April of the following year.
The doctor listed numerous precautions, including when to schedule prenatal visits. And just like that, Lu Yicheng officially began his journey as a first-time father.
The first trimester went smoothly, except for occasional sudden cravings. But pregnant women had many dietary restrictionsâspicy hot pot, barbecue, and other indulgent foods had to be limited. Xie Yunzhen was especially strict.
Jiang Lan was also afraid of harming the baby, so she endured. Fortunately, Lu Yicheng stepped in. He cooked those dishes himself, ensuring the ingredients were fresh and healthy, so she could eat without worry.
Jiang Lan thought his cooking was good enough to open a restaurant.
The third trimester was the hardestâswollen legs, weight gain, and all the other pregnancy symptoms.
Sometimes, âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââlooking at herself, she couldnât believe she was the same girl who used to wear pretty dresses and look effortlessly slim and beautiful.
All Lu Yicheng could do was massage her legs and accompany her on walks. In the last two months, he practically worked from home every day.
Being pregnant so young, Jiang Lan sometimes lashed out for no reason. With only Lu Yicheng around, he bore the brunt of her mood swings.
After her outbursts, sheâd immediately regret it. "Lu Yicheng, Iâm sorry."
Heâd shake his head. "You never have to apologize to me. Iâd gladly carry this baby for you if I could. Youâre just ventingâwhy say sorry?"
His nose tingled with emotion. "...If anything, I should be the one apologizing."
Jiang Lan pouted. "Oh, come on. Neither of us owes the other an apology. This is our baby, and we love them."
The weight gain, the crampsâno matter how uncomfortable, it was all worth it.
Still, she couldnât help but ask, "You wonât like me less just because Iâve gotten fat and ugly, right?"
She was confident Lu Yicheng would always love her, but would it be the same as before?
Lu Yicheng chuckled helplessly. "How much more could I possibly love you? Itâs March, and Iâm taking cold showers every dayâ"
Jiang Lan: "Shut up! No more talking! Go wash some blueberries for me."
The due date was early April, but before then, Jiang Lan was admitted to the delivery room.
Xie Yunzhen rushed over immediately after receiving the phone call. Lu Yicheng was drenched in sweat. "Jiang Lan has been in the delivery room for half an hour already. I... Mom..."
Seeing Lu Yicheng on the verge of tears, Xie Yunzhen forced herself to stay calm. "It's... it's okay. Let's trust the doctors."
Yu Wanqiu added, "The doctor said the babyâs position is good, so theyâre trying for a natural birth first. Theyâve given her an epidural, and Lu Yicheng signed the forms. If natural delivery doesnât work, theyâll switch to a C-section. The doctor said recovery is faster with a natural birth... Donât worry too much. This doctor is quite reputable in obstetrics. Professor Xie, please donât worry."
Xie Yunzhen patted Lu Yichengâs shoulder. "Xiao Lu, donât panic either."
Lu Yicheng glanced at his watchâit had already been forty minutes.
Jiang Lan had gone in alone, enduring contractions and labor pains for over two hours by herself.
Wiping his sweat, Lu Yicheng leaned against the wall outside the delivery room.
Another hour passed before the door finally opened. "Family of Jiang Lan, come here."
"Born at 16:43, a daughter, five pounds and six ounces. Please sign here."
Lu Yicheng scribbled his signature hastily. "When will she come out?"
The doctor replied, "Itâll be a little longer."
Lu Yichengâs throat felt parched. As long as she was safe, that was all that mattered. He desperately wanted to see Jiang Lanâwhen would she be out?
The newborn needed vaccinations, so she was brought out later. When the nurse wheeled Jiang Lan out, Lu Yicheng immediately took over pushing the bed.
"Itâs a girl, five pounds and six ounces. You were amazing, sweetheart."
Yu Wanqiu also leaned in to check on Jiang Lan, while Xie Yunzhen anxiously waited outside the delivery room, torn between worrying for her daughter and anticipating her granddaughterâs arrival.
Finally, the baby was brought outâa tiny thing with damp hair, eyes shut tight, and a wristband bearing Jiang Lanâs name.
This was her daughterâs daughter.
The little girl was named Lu Lingnuan, with the nickname "Six Ounces."
After the first month, the baby grew quickly. When Xie Yunzhen looked at little Six Ounces, it was like seeing Jiang Lan as an infant all over againâbig eyes, tiny dimples, a mouth and ears shaped like Lu Yichengâs, and the same nose.
She rarely cried, loved to smile, and blew adorable little bubblesâutterly precious.
Once her postpartum recovery period ended, Jiang Lan started hitting the gym to regain her figure. She wanted to return to the orchestra as soon as possible.
Though not overly career-driven, Jiang Lan had never considered being a full-time housewife. Lu Yicheng supported her, but little Six Ounces was still so small and fragile, needing constant care.
Jiang Lan couldnât bear to leave her, but she had already taken several months of maternity leave.
Lu Yicheng said, "Iâll take care of her. I can work from home."
Lu Shuangchen chuckled. "Let me handle it."
Between Yu Wanqiuâs studies and acting, Jiang Lanâs orchestra rehearsals, Lu Yichengâs company responsibilities, Xie Yunzhenâs teaching schedule, and Jiang Baoguo still being employed, Lu Shuangchen was the only one with free time.
Lu Shuangchen proposed, "Iâll take care of Six Ounces during the day. You and Jiang Lan can take her home at night. If youâre too busy, just bring her back to me."
Lu Shuangchen had barely raised his own son, yet here he was, volunteering to care for his granddaughter. Though Yu Wanqiu found it hard to believe, this was the most practical solution.
She could tellâLu Shuangchen genuinely adored this little girl, unlike how heâd been with Lu Yicheng back then.
Sometimes he called her by her nickname, other times "Nuan Nuan." Even though the baby couldnât speak yet and her vision was still blurry, Lu Shuangchen would happily chatter to her all day.
Jiang Lan agreed to the arrangement.
The orchestra kept her busy, but weekends were usually free. She missed her daughter terribly, but for now, this was the only way.
From infancy to age three, Lu Lingnuan grew up like thisâplaying with her grandfather by day, going home with her parents at night. If she missed her mother during the day, sheâd tell Grandpa, who would video-call Mom or Grandma.
Jiang Lan would soothe her with lullabiesâshe knew so manyâand tell her endless stories.
When Lu Lingnuan turned three, Zhang Tian reached out to Yu Wanqiu, asking if sheâd be interested in joining a variety show.
Yu Wanqiu was about to graduate but had just accepted a new acting role and couldnât spare the time.
Zhang Tian explained, "This show focuses on parenting and daily life. One confirmed guest is Shen Xingyao and her son."
Yu Wanqiu said sheâd think about it.