Chapter 76: Jealousy

Rong Xiu finally experienced the kind of feeling Wen Lan Sheng had before. Strong uneasiness and anxiety surrounded him. He wanted to act out and question, but feared ruining his position in Fan Xia’s heart, making himself look like a hysterical shrew with no manners, pushing away the hard-earned happiness.

But he couldn’t pretend nothing had happened either.

His brain uncontrollably made wild guesses about how that man had seduced his wife-master behind his back, luring her to bed, how he had enticed her with snake-like charm and allure.

Now he felt as if he was in the middle of a fire, being tormented every moment, yet had to keep his mouth tightly shut, not daring to make a sound.

Even though he had become Fan Xia’s husband, the only man who could rightfully stand by her side, Rong Xiu still felt an extremely intense panic. That panic was tightly gripping his neck. Darkness surrounded him, and in that darkness, countless cold eyes seemed to be staring at him, ready to pull him down from the throne of primary husband at any moment.

Rong Xiu couldn’t help but breathe heavily, his labored breathing making Fan Xia concerned.

“If you’re not feeling well, tell me. Don’t hide it,” Fan Xia said, holding his shoulders.

Rong Xiu tremblingly held her hand, his eyes like the shimmering surface of water in the night: “I… it’s just that the child is being a bit restless, making me uncomfortable. I can’t eat or sleep… and with you not by my side, I feel even worse.”

The child was his only trump card that gave him a slight edge over those wild men outside.

Fan Xia held him tightly, her palm gently rubbing his belly, speaking softly: “It should be early pregnancy symptoms. The book says it’s a normal physiological phenomenon. Do you want to go out for a walk? Or watch a movie to distract yourself?”

Rong Xiu nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, softly responding: “Let’s watch a movie.”

“Alright.” Fan Xia put on a gentle, calm romance movie. The season in the movie was winter, corresponding to the current season in reality. Snow covered mountains and fields, piling up thickly. Two high school students, naive and innocent, were getting to know each other and developing feelings. The winter sun shone on the young man’s delicate face as he secretly glanced at the girl, his amber pupils hiding shy love.

Rong Xiu, like the young man in the movie, was secretly looking at Fan Xia.

The cool-toned winter lighting of the movie made her profile appear incredibly clear and beautiful, and her hand remained on his belly, her palm as warm as an endlessly radiating sun.

Rong Xiu’s eyes flickered with emotion. He had always known that the child was a very important reason why he was able to marry Fan Xia so smoothly.

Perhaps because Fan Xia’s parents had passed away early, she valued family more than most women. Since learning of his pregnancy, Fan Xia had started studying knowledge related to pregnant men, sometimes even more professionally than him, the pregnant one.

Most women considered pregnancy to be a man’s own business, and would never be as attentive as Fan Xia.

Every day, waking up in Fan Xia’s arms, he felt so happy he doubted if it was a dream. Fan Xia was too good, unreal in her goodness.

Sometimes, Rong Xiu thought that if Fan Xia wasn’t so good, if she was like most women, then he wouldn’t feel so heartbroken when smelling another man’s perfume on her.

Just thinking that these arms he was lying in now had once held another man made his heart ache continuously, as if being whipped. When his heart hurt, his stomach also hurt, as if the child also knew its mother had changed her heart and was anxious.

Finally, Rong Xiu nervously asked: “Where did you go after work today? Why did you come back so late?”

“Uncle Li asked me out for dinner,” Fan Xia said.

Was it just him alone?

Rong Xiu didn’t ask this question. Too many questions would make a man seem too pushy, making women feel pressured and develop a sense of disgust and aversion.

Instead, Rong Xiu asked: “Is that the man who called you this morning? The eyewitness?”

“Mm,” Fan Xia nodded.

“Then you should have a good meal. He kept your secret for so many years. Now that your revenge has succeeded, you should celebrate,” Rong Xiu said.

Fan Xia’s gaze moved away from the movie, her eyes filled with a smile as she lightly kissed his forehead.

This silent reward made Rong Xiu’s heart excited.

He pressed his advantage, holding Fan Xia’s arm and saying: “Next time he invites you, take me along. I also want to meet your elders. After all, I’m your husband now.”

“Alright.” Rong Xiu’s words made Fan Xia realize that they had hurriedly gotten their marriage certificate today, and many people didn’t know. She also hadn’t visited Rong Xiu’s father: “Speaking of which, we just got our certificate today and haven’t met your father yet.”

“No need to see him. He’s probably on oxygen in the hospital,” Rong Xiu said flatly.

“What happened?” Fan Xia asked.

“My dad somehow got news of our marriage. When you weren’t here today, he came over and made a scene. When he heard we didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement, he almost passed out and was carried away,” Rong Xiu said coldly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Fan Xia was a bit surprised. No wonder Rong Xiu had no appetite today and was in a bad mood. So he had argued with his father.

“You were at work. I didn’t want to bother you,” Rong Xiu said.

Fan Xia couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart. She just held Rong Xiu tighter: “Do you want to eat? I’ll go make something for you.”

Rong Xiu smiled, kneeling on the bed and grasping her shoulders: “You’ve been busy outside all day. How could I let you cook? Just have the servants reheat dinner. It hasn’t been touched anyway.”

Those long fingers on her shoulders kneaded and pressed, sometimes forceful, sometimes gentle, very comfortable.

While massaging her shoulders, Rong Xiu asked: “I haven’t been to the company for a while. The shareholders haven’t given you trouble, have they?”

Fan Xia shook her head.

Although the recent affair scandal had caused quite a stir, as long as it didn’t affect the stock price, the shareholders wouldn’t care about such gossip. Besides, women naturally didn’t think there was anything wrong with women having affairs.

There were no women in the world who didn’t have affairs, only those who had already had affairs and those who hadn’t had the chance yet. Among the senior executives of Shanhai Group, none were not promiscuous behind closed doors.

If a woman’s affair partner was young and beautiful, they would even praise you for having good luck with romance. If it was someone like Rong Xiu, rich and handsome, marrying him directly accomplishing a class leap, they would only admire her, not target her at all.

As for moral condemnation, that was something only men would do, and men only targeted other men, which had nothing to do with her.

Fan Xia closed her eyes in comfort. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she grasped Rong Xiu’s hand and said: “There’s a basketball game this weekend. Do you have time to go watch it with me?”

As soon as she mentioned the basketball game, Rong Xiu immediately knew it was about Gu Jin Yi.

He had investigated before. That athlete had already signed with a basketball team and was now the most popular small forward. Because of his young age, youthful looks, and good skills, he had gained quite a few fans.

Fan Xia wasn’t interested in basketball games. Her sudden invitation to watch a basketball game together was undoubtedly for Gu Jin Yi.

Rong Xiu felt frustrated inside. What basketball player, what small forward, he was just showing off in public.

“Sure, it’s rare to go out. I’ll go watch with you on the weekend,” Rong Xiu said. Despite his frustration, he had to go since Fan Xia rarely extended invitations. He needed to dampen Gu Jin Yi’s spirits, or else he’d think he was easy to bully.

The next day, after resting at home for several days, Rong Xiu finally came to the company.

But Rong Xiu was pregnant after all, and his early pregnancy symptoms were severe, often leaving him without energy. Although he was at the company, most matters were still handled by Fan Xia. Even Fan Xia’s desk had been moved into the office.

Zhuang Nian was used to Fan Xia sitting across from him, and suddenly finding it empty made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

Especially when Fan Xia was in meetings with other executives, Rong Xiu would just lie in the bedroom, looking listless and lacking energy.

Out of concern, Zhuang Nian approached and said: “President, if you’re tired, why don’t you go home and rest? Assistant Fan can handle the company’s affairs well.”

“No need,” Rong Xiu lazily opened his eyes, taking off his gold-rimmed glasses and placing them aside. Perhaps because he was married and pregnant, the cold aura around him had softened considerably. Especially when standing next to Fan Xia, his entire demeanor softened, exuding a strong husband vibe. Although he didn’t look as stunningly beautiful as before, he had gained a mature charm, looking even more beautiful.

“I know Fan Xia can handle things well,” he said in a languid tone.

If he knew Fan Xia could handle the company’s affairs well, why did he force himself to come to the company despite his condition? Was he afraid Fan Xia would seize power? But Fan Xia’s power was all given by Rong Xiu. If he was afraid, why give it in the first place?

It was too contradictory. Zhuang Nian felt it didn’t make sense.

Then, Rong Xiu asked: “That young man at the front desk, how long has he been working?”

Zhuang Nian thought for a moment: “Should be about a year and a half.”

“Which school did he graduate from?”

“I think it was the School of Public Administration at Jianghai University in the south.”

“Living alone in the capital, he probably doesn’t want to work at the front desk forever, right?”

Zhuang Nian smiled and said: “He actually wants to work at the front desk forever, but it’s a job that relies on youth after all. How could he do it forever?”

“Then transfer him to the administrative department. He studied public administration, so it matches his major.”

Hearing this, Zhuang Nian realized it was a promotion for the front desk boy. He immediately said: “Alright, I’ll go inform the HR manager and the front desk.”

As Zhuang Nian walked towards the front desk, looking at the well-dressed young man with a tall, straight figure, a beautiful youthful face, and a sweet smile for everyone, he suddenly laughed. No wonder he wanted to promote him, he was guarding against him.

Indeed, pregnant men, because of anxiety about their figure and appearance, feel more insecure and get jealous more easily than when they’re not pregnant!