His desire had always been strong, and his kisses were as if he wanted to devour her, filled with intense longing, no less than before.
Lin Mei was surprised. With her face in its current state, how could he still possess such passion?
She had never been able to resist his touch. Her pregnant body was very sensitive, and coupled with her emotional emptiness, by the end of the kiss, she had melted into his arms like a pool of water, ripples spreading outwards. The color had returned to her pale face, flushed by desire, making her look much more vibrant.
Xing Zheng pressed his lips against hers, teasing, "Do you believe me now, hmm?"
If he truly minded her face, why would he feel such intense desire for her? Lin Mei remained silent. Xing Zheng then pressed his body closer to hers, letting her feel his "passion," "Still don't believe?"
Lin Mei felt a tickle on her scalp as she was pressed against him. She dodged him and clutched the quilt, which made him laugh again, "Believe it or not?"
"Why?" she asked, her voice unclear, but Xing Zheng always understood her meaning quickly. She was asking why, even though she had become like this, he still desired her.
"Do you think I like your face?" Though it was a question, she didn't need to answer. "I've had a crush on you for so many years, don't you have that much confidence?"
"Don't you care?" she finally spoke. "Then why did you ask me to get scar removal surgery?"
"You don't have to," he suddenly grinned mischievously. "It's to prevent you from attracting attention everywhere. It's enough that only I like you."
Lin Mei was speechless. These were not comforting words, yet she felt like crying. Her defenses gradually lowered. She asked, "Aren't you ashamed?"
"Then I'll cut myself a few times, just like you. We'll be ashamed together." With that, he went to find a knife, but Lin Mei stopped his hand. "Have you thought this through?"
She wasn't asking about cutting herself. "Being with me will be very tiring."
"Do I need to think about this?" he said. "What kind of tiring is this?"
"My demands will become more and more excessive."
Lin Mei emphasized many things, laying out all possibilities of her "unreasonable behavior" just to make Xing Zheng "back down." However, he seemed to grow more resolute with each challenge. No matter what she said, he did not retreat. In the end, Lin Mei was the one who ran out of words.
She was sleepy and closed her eyes, falling asleep with her head on his arm. When she woke up again, it was already seven o'clock.
For the first time in a while, she had no nightmares. Lin Mei moved out from Xing Zheng's embrace and looked at the mark on his arm where her head had rested. A sense of guilt arose within her. His arm must be numb after being like that for several hours. "Does it hurt?"
"I'm not as frail as you think." Xing Zheng picked her up. Lin Mei's body suddenly lifted, and she let out a scream, clinging to Xing Zheng's neck. "What are you doing?"
"Taking you to wash up." As he spoke, they had already arrived at the bathroom.
After washing up, the nutritionist delivered breakfast. It was only for Lin Mei. Xing Zheng made himself a simple breakfast, and after eating, he accompanied Lin Mei for a walk.
The temperature today was a little higher than yesterday, but Lin Mei still chose to wear a mask. Xing Zheng hesitated but ultimately did not stop her.
Eight or nine in the morning was the liveliest time in the neighborhood. People were walking their dogs and children. A group of preschool children were playing together, chattering. The youngest child, only a few months old, lay in a stroller, giggling.
As they passed by, Lin Mei couldn't help but stop. Her gaze fixed on the infant, unable to move away for a long time. The child also looked at her and smiled.
Lin Mei squatted down, and the child began to chatter at her. Although she couldn't understand, Lin Mei still smiled. Beside the child, the grandmother smiled and said to Lin Mei, "Young lady, if you like children, hurry up and have one. Look how handsome your husband is; the child will surely be beautiful."
Xing Zheng was praised by the old lady but remained indifferent. He was always cool and detached in public, and at this moment, there was no expression on his face. Lin Mei began to explain for him, "Auntie, he's not very talkative, please don't mind him."
"It's alright, it's alright. My son is the same. If you talk to him ten sentences, he might respond to one!" the aunt said casually, waving her hand.
Lin Mei played with the child for a while and laughed, a rare occurrence. The child was very cute and heartwarming. Her baby in her belly... would probably be just as cute.
The neighborhood was bustling on a weekend. Returning home from their walk, Lin Mei's ears were still filled with the chattering sounds, which she didn't find noisy; in fact, she rather liked it. The sun was good, so she went to the balcony to sunbathe and picked up a prenatal education book to read.
After getting pregnant, she had bought many books, but her mind was tense, and she couldn't concentrate, so she read very slowly. Xing Zheng cut some fruit and sat with her on the balcony. He also took out a prenatal education book and began to read it seriously.
Neither of them disturbed the other until the doorbell rang, breaking the tranquility.
Lin Mei went to open the door, and Xing Zheng followed her. When the door opened, they saw Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia. Xie Qin Jia was carrying a thermal container with food for Lin Mei. However, she hadn't expected Xing Zheng to be there.
Mother and son's eyes met. Xie Qin Jia couldn't utter a word. Finally, Xing Sha had to speak, "Why are you at Lin Mei's place?" Didn't you break up? It looks like you've gotten back together?"
"Why are you here?" Xing Zheng shielded Lin Mei behind him.
Xing Sha said, "To see Lin Mei and bring her some food."
"Lunch isn't ready yet, is it? Auntie Xie asked the kitchen to prepare a few dishes you like," Xing Sha said with a smile to Lin Mei. A hint of kindness showed on his usually stern face. Out of politeness, Lin Mei said, "Thank you," and "Please come in and sit down."
Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia sat down. Xing Sha looked at Lin Mei and Xing Zheng, wanting to speak but hesitating. After a long while, he asked, "Have you two gotten back together?"
Both remained silent, a tacit understanding between them. Xing Sha then continued on his own, "That's good. Stay together. It hasn't been easy for you to come this far."
The other side remained silent. Xie Qin Jia probably felt awkward and asked Lin Mei, "Are you feeling better lately? Are you taking your medicine on time?"
Lin Mei replied with a perfunctory "Oh," not revealing her pregnancy.
Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia's conversation was repeatedly awkward, and they knew they were being unwelcome. They left, leaving Lin Mei and Xing Zheng alone, preparing for lunch.
While Lin Mei was waiting in the living room, the doorbell rang again. She saw Xu Ying on the monitor and opened the door.
"I brought you something to eat," Xu Ying said, concerned about Lin Mei. "Are you still throwing up? I heard it gets better after three months."
Before Lin Mei could answer, Xing Zheng came out from the kitchen.
Xu Ying met his gaze, his brow furrowing. "What are you doing here?"