By the third month of Li Zhenting’s pregnancy, "Haochi" had undergone a complete transformation.
In light of the changes to his body, Li Zi had placed new restrictions on his work environment and intensity. Li Qingliu never expected that his joke about taking over the noodle shop next door would actually be carried out by Li Zi.
She had hired workers to knock through the wall between the two storefronts, creating more seating and building a brand-new stove area specifically for Li Zhenting.
Just as he was starting this new venture, Li Zhenting was forced to post a high-profile notice in the shop: *Limited quantities available Monday through Friday; first come, first served.*
Thanks to Haochi’s reputation in the university town and Li Zhenting’s striking appearance, people actually began ordering the items he contributed to the menu. Those who tried his food would have their eyes light up, wishing they could drink every last drop of the broth. They would give a big thumbs-up to Li Zhenting, who usually stood off to the side with his arms crossed, looking rather aloof as he watched them.
Li Qingliu felt a twinge of jealousy. "I don't see you guys being this enthusiastic when you eat my cooking. Is it a case of 'out with the old, in with the new'?"
Most of the customers were regulars who understood the owner's personality. They burst into laughter. "Adults don't choose—we want both!"
Soon, news spread throughout Zunnan University that a handsome new boss at Haochi made incredible flour-based dishes.
Li Zhenting didn't look like a typical Beta at all. He usually sat leisurely in his reserved seat, waiting for customers to place orders. Although he wore standard, unassuming T-shirts, his powerful physique was still clearly visible.
His features were naturally handsome, though they used to carry a hint of hostility due to the hardships of his life and his stubborn refusal to lose. However, Li Zi’s pampering and the arrival of the child had successfully smoothed away that "keep away" aura. Once he began to smile peacefully, his superior looks were on full display.
With such a mature, attractive man stationed right at the university gates, how could he not attract the attention of lovestruck students?
When Li Qingliu saw yet another blushing young girl approach Li Zhenting for his contact information, only to be told he was already taken and run off in disappointment, he really wanted to pick up the cigarettes he had been forced to quit and take a long drag.
What a showy peacock!
If it weren't for the sake of the baby, he wouldn't have relegated his old buddy to the "cold palace" of retirement!
Sitting on a stool, Li Qingliu leaned his head on his hand and sighed. "Li Zhenting, does Li Zi know you're out here attracting all these butterflies?"
Li Zhenting was in a great mood and ignored the provocation. Cleaning his cookware, he said, "I've finished my tasks for today. I'm going to pick Li Zi up from work. Good luck to you."
"Show-off. It’s not like I don’t have someone to meet too," Li Qingliu muttered under his breath.
He had actually been quite content lately. Business was stable and thriving, Li Xin had been locked away in prison, and his relationship with Xie Bing was gradually warming up. At least, he felt that something between them had changed.
Today, as usual, he timed his departure perfectly, heading to the hospital with a meticulously prepared bento.
Sometimes he had to wait for Xie Bing, especially when she had a surgery to assist with; sometimes the wait lasted an hour. Every time Xie Bing took off her mask and cap and saw him sitting quietly on the bench outside waiting for her, she would give him an apologetic smile. "I've kept you waiting again, Brother Qing."
Li Qingliu didn't mind at all. He simply waved her over, urging her to eat. "Was it a busy day again? You must be starving. Come and eat; I made chicken soup for you."
The two of them squeezed together at a small table with the food containers. Watching Xie Bing eat quickly to save time, he pushed the soup toward her, his heart aching for her. "Don't rush, eat slowly. Be careful not to choke."
Then he pulled a transparent container from his bag, filled with several kinds of sliced fruit. "Remember to eat some fruit too; it's good for your health."
"Mhm, mhm," Xie Bing responded, her head down as she focused on her meal.
A few strands of hair fell from her temples, dangling near her glasses. Seeing this, Li Qingliu couldn't suppress the impulse in his heart. He instinctively reached out and tucked the hair behind her ear.
Xie Bing’s movements paused for a moment. Li Qingliu immediately grew nervous, his mind racing for a way to explain his sudden intimate gesture. Fortunately, Xie Bing only seemed startled for a second and didn't press him. She lowered her eyes and continued eating her dinner in silence.
Just then, a nurse passed by. Seeing the lavish spread on the table, she couldn't help but say enviously, "Dr. Xie, is this a family member? Coming all this way to bring you food?"
*Family member...* Li Qingliu touched the stubble he hadn't had time to shave over the last two days. *I hope I haven't been mistaken for some uncle-figure.*
He knew he was a full eight years older than Xie Bing, and he hadn't exactly been focused on skincare or maintenance over the years. In the eyes of an outsider, he probably did look like an elder...
*Damn it, I should have shaved before leaving the house today.* Li Qingliu felt a wave of regret.
"No, this is... a friend," Xie Bing clarified, looking up at the nurse.
*A friend? Not an older brother or a former boss?*
Li Qingliu’s eyes widened. He watched her conversation with the nurse with secret delight.
"Oh~ a *friend*~" the nurse repeated meaningfully, her tone full of teasing. "Well then, Dr. Xie, enjoy your dinner with your *friend*. I'll get back to work now." She waved at them.
"Okay, bye."
Xie Bing went back to eating the dinner Li Qingliu had prepared, but Li Qingliu’s heart couldn't settle down. Xie Bing’s attitude just now was definitely worth analyzing. No one would believe that a member of the opposite sex who delivered dinner every single day was "just a friend."
Did the person saying it truly believe it? A friend—what kind of friend would go to such lengths? What was Xie Bing really thinking?
"Brother Qing, I'm off-duty tomorrow, so don't come by and waste a trip," Xie Bing said suddenly after taking a sip of soup. "You've worked so hard these past few days."
"It's no trouble. I'm used to cooking anyway; preparing an extra portion is just a small thing," Li Qingliu shook his head dismissively. "Besides, you finish every bit of the food every time. As a cook, that makes me very happy."
Hearing him say this, a warmth spread across Xie Bing’s face. "The food you make really is the best, Brother Qing."
"...You're exaggerating." Li Qingliu felt his ears grow hot. He coughed lightly and changed the subject. "By the way, since you're off tomorrow, if you're not busy, would you like to come to my place for dinner?"
Xie Bing looked at him in surprise.
He immediately explained, "My family back home sent me a bunch of local specialties. I can't finish them all by myself, and I don't really have any friends to give them to. Using them in the shop would be a waste. If you could come and help me out, it would be perfect."
*Brother Qing is also out here working hard all on his own,* Xie Bing thought. With that in mind, she no longer felt like refusing. She nodded and agreed, "Sure. It looks like I'm freeloading off your cooking again." She tapped her bowl lightly with her chopsticks. "If this keeps up, I might find it hard to go back to normal food. I won't be able to eat anything else."
"As long as you want to..." The words jumped out of Li Qingliu’s mouth, but he immediately realized they were inappropriate and pulled them back. "It's fine. Just tell me whenever you want to eat. I'll definitely make it for you."
He smiled reservedly, his eyes shimmering with affection that he kept strictly contained, fearing he might put too much pressure on the young woman.
***
Li Zhenting rode his beloved motorcycle—which he had recently had shipped to Zunnan City—dashing toward the studio where Xun Xin worked in the city center.
The bike’s frame was sleek and dazzling, the kind of "wild horse" meant for roaring down open highways. However, the man riding it was handling the motorcycle with the caution of someone on a bicycle, keeping his speed at an absolute minimum. Some passersby who knew about bikes stared at him as if he were an anomaly.
Li Zhenting didn't care. Humming a little tune, he pulled up slowly in front of the office building and took out his phone. "I'm at the entrance."
"Okay, wait for me for a few minutes."
Dressed in a black T-shirt and loose, comfortable athletic pants, the tall, lean man leaned coolly against his motorcycle, holding a helmet in his hand and wearing sunglasses. This sight attracted quite a few wandering eyes. But the man, spinning his helmet, didn't look at any of them. He kept his gaze fixed on the main entrance of the building, quietly waiting for his beloved.
Soon, Li Zi’s figure appeared in the crowd. His spirits lifted, and he stood up straight, waving toward her. "A-Zi, over here!"
Hearing his voice, a smile instinctively touched Li Zi’s face. She looked toward the sound—and her expression instantly soured.
Li Zhenting caught her look, and his hand froze in mid-air.
*Crap...* In his excitement to pick her up on his favorite bike, he had completely forgotten that Li Zi might get angry about it.
Sure enough, Li Zi walked toward him with a dark face. He guiltily took a few steps away from his motorcycle.
"You... rode a motorcycle here?" She stopped, glanced at the bike, and then looked at the now-panicked Li Zhenting.
"Yeah..." Li Zhenting admitted in a small voice. Seeing Li Zi’s gaze turn even colder, he quickly added, "But I drove really slowly! Really, really slowly!"
"Li Zhenting, haven't I told you several times? Your physical condition is special right now. You have to be careful in everything. Safety above all else, remember?"
"How did you answer me? You said you knew, that you’d listen to me?"
"And then you went and rode a motorcycle."
Li Zi’s tone was very stern. It had been a long time since she had looked at him with such displeasure.
"I... I thought it would be fine. It's just a motorcycle. I've been riding for so many years and nothing has ever happened," Li Zhenting argued, feeling a bit defensive. "Besides, I was really careful! I was going slower than a walking pace!"
Lately, he had been pampered by Li Zi’s gentle words and soft treatment, and his temper had grown a bit as a result.
"...Oh, so I'm just making a fuss over nothing, then?" The fire in Li Zi’s heart burned even hotter.
No one understood her internal fear better than she did. Since Li Zhenting had become pregnant, her dreams of her previous life had become more frequent. Every time she woke up, she feared she would see him covered in blood again.
Safety above all—this was her minimum and most stringent requirement for him. Li Zhenting’s actions today, combined with his refusal to admit he was wrong, were stepping all over her triggers.
"I can't control you." She couldn't suppress her emotions any longer. Fearing she might lash out even more harshly at the pregnant man, she turned to leave.
"A-Zi! You—what are you doing? Where are you going?" Li Zhenting hurried to grab her, frightened by her coldness.
"It's nothing. You don't need to worry about me." Li Zi tried to shake off his hand but didn't dare use force. She could only turn her head away, refusing to look at him.
"A-Zi, I was wrong. Let's go home, okay?" He truly realized his mistake now and couldn't stand her cold treatment. "Touch me... touch it. We're both fine."
He pulled Li Zi’s hand and pressed it against his abdomen. At three months, his belly had a slight curve to it, though it wasn't noticeable unless one looked closely.
As Li Zi’s hand touched the soft abdomen, the warm sensation caused her hand to lose its tension, coming to rest over the slight bulge.
"Sigh." She let out a long breath. "I really don't know what to do with you."
