He didn't want the little girl to have regrets years later.
Jiang Mian's eyes sparkled, and she couldn't help but tease, "Then you propose first, President Ji—"
Ji Zhixiu nodded, his tone serious, "Okay."
The next morning, they went out together. Jiang Mian had a prenatal check-up scheduled for today.
The weather was getting colder. She wore a goose-yellow cotton jacket, jeans, and black high-heeled boots.
A fluffy white hat adorned her head, and Ji Zhixiu added a scarf.
They were changing their shoes at the entrance. Jiang Mian looked up, "Did you bring everything?"
Ji Zhixiu had already prepared all the various booklets and documents. He hummed, "Gloves too? It's cold outside?"
Jiang Mian pouted, "No."
She disliked the feeling of being too bundled up.
Ji Zhixiu took her hand, "Then I'll warm you."
Jiang Mian curved her lips into a smile, "Let's go."
Ye Yi stood behind them, "Can't you two stop being so lovey-dovey when you go out? Hurry up and get the check-up for my little nephew."
Jiang Mian scoffed, "Why a nephew? Can't it be a niece?"
Ye Yi shook his head and sipped his tea by the table, "A boy is good, robust. Handsome like me."
Ji Zhixiu shot him a cold glance, "Even drinking tea can't shut your mouth."
Ye Yi wasn't intimidated. He smiled at Ji Zhixiu, revealing his pearly white teeth.
Ji Zhixiu looked away first, his expression indifferent.
Jiang Mian wanted to laugh but suddenly remembered she hadn't brought something. "Axiu, I left my hand warmer in the room. Can you get it for me?"
Ji Zhixiu nodded, "Okay, wait for me here."
After he left, Jiang Mian, bundled up tightly, took a couple of steps outside and then exclaimed with surprise, "It's snowing!"
Ye Yi glanced at the glass floor-to-ceiling window, "This kind of weather is perfect for sleeping."
Jiang Mian rolled her eyes, didn't bother talking to him, and slowly walked outside.
She wanted to play in the snow.
The steps were covered with a velvet carpet.
Jiang Mian wasn't so heavy yet that she couldn't walk down the steps.
Xiao Yugan sat up from the sofa and slowly followed behind her.
As soon as the snowflakes fell, they melted on the ground.
If it snowed all day, they could probably build a snowman tomorrow.
Jiang Mian curved her lips. She extended her hand to catch a couple of snowflakes and watched them melt in her palm.
It was too cold outside. She let out a soft breath and was about to head back in.
The moment she turned, her foot landed on something soft and unidentifiable. Xiao Yugan let out a short meow.
Jiang Mian was startled and quickly let go. Unexpectedly, her foot slipped, and she was about to fall backward.
Ye Yi, who had been watching her, gasped.
At the critical moment, Song Yin, who had just run back from playing outside, quickly grabbed her wrist.
Jiang Mian swayed for a moment and then stood steadily, still a little shaken.
If she had fallen, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Song Yin was also startled, his face grim. After Jiang Mian stabilized herself, he let go of her hand.
Xiao Yugan, the culprit, had already disappeared.
Song Yin couldn't help but exclaim, "Still so restless while pregnant!"
Jiang Mian knew he was just putting on a brave face. She reached out and patted his head, "Thank you just now."
Song Yin snorted and stood still, "Don't flatter yourself. I would have offered help even if you were a stranger."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Then I still have to thank you."
Song Yin turned his head away, "Who wants your thanks? I'm leaving."
He arrogantly tossed Jiang Mian his back and entered the living room.
Jiang Mian felt a warmth in her heart. Song Yin's words might be harsh, but his heart was kind.
The two went to the hospital where Chang Qing worked.
Ji Zhixiu had arranged everything in advance.
They sat in the office, and Chang Qing handed them the prenatal check-up report, "Very healthy. Take folic acid regularly, exercise more, and Mianmian, please use the back door later. It seems there are entertainment reporters at the front."
Jiang Mian smiled, "Okay, thank you for your trouble."
"You're welcome. Come visit us with Brother Xiu when you have time and see your goddaughter."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Okay."
On the way back, Jiang Mian held up the ultrasound picture.
Sometimes, she found it hard to believe. A person was actually growing inside her.
Soon, the second episode of the variety show began recording.
Jiang Mian was thin, wearing loose clothing, so her pregnancy bump wasn't very noticeable.
Of course, some keen-eyed individuals had already noticed.
There were also rumors online that Jiang Mian was already pregnant, but she hadn't responded to them. She would explain to her fans when the time was right.
After finishing the show recording, she collapsed into sleep. When she woke up, she realized it was already the next day.
Ji Zhixiu sat by her bedside, his expression relaxed, and his voice gentle, "Do you have any work arrangements today?"
Jiang Mian shook her head, "No."
"I'd like to invite you to a small event. You just need to say a few words."
Jiang Mian sat up in bed, curious, "A perfume event?"
"You'll see."
Jiang Mian changed her clothes and was led downstairs by him.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw a long flower path made of two rows of flowers, leading downstairs.
Each flower was a vibrant rose.
Jiang Mian's heart pounded.
She walked down slowly, her gaze sweeping over every carefully arranged decoration in the living room.
Once at the bottom of the stairs, she saw a huge rose garden in the center of the living room with a letter on it.
He had also used a light fragrance.
The air circulated with a pleasant scent.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but laugh, "You're so cliché, Mr. Ji."
Before Ji Zhixiu could speak, she added, "But I like it."
He let out a subtle sigh of relief.
Jiang Mian opened the card.
"I only wish for every year with you, to stay together for this lifetime."
Signed, Ji Zhixiu.
Jiang Mian's smile never wavered. She turned around, with her back to the roses, and looked at Ji Zhixiu, "Is this what you called a small event?"
Ji Zhixiu nodded slightly. He had been preparing for this for a long time.
The man was wearing a silver-grey suit with sharp shoulders, his sleeves rolled up. His eyes were clear and his expression serious.
He looked at her, then knelt on one knee, "Mianmian..."
Jiang Mian covered her mouth. Before he could speak, her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
He had prepared a whole speech, but as their eyes met, in that instant, everything was left unsaid.
Ji Zhixiu swallowed hard, his free hand clenched tightly at his side as he took out the natural round diamond ring he had prepared.
"Jiang Mian, will you marry me?"
Even though they had been married for so many years, and even though Ji Zhixiu knew Jiang Mian wouldn't refuse,
his heart tightened after asking the question.
He stared at her intently.
Jiang Mian's heart was filled with mixed emotions as her gaze fell on the ring.
She remembered one night when she woke up in the middle of the night and saw him leaning against the headboard, the warm light on his face.
He seemed to be thinking about something, his fingers encircling her middle finger.
She had asked him why he wasn't sleeping.
What had he said? He said he'd sleep soon and asked if she wanted water.
And so, he had brushed Jiang Mian off.
Thinking back now, the man had been secretly measuring her size.
Seeing her remain silent, Ji Zhixiu's lips parted slightly, "Mianmian..."
Jiang Mian's premonition came true. She cried and laughed.
She couldn't hold back. The man in front of her was the one she loved most, and he had loved her for so many years.
They were going to have a baby and become a family of three.
How could she refuse?
Tears streamed from between her fingers. Jiang Mian took a deep breath, extended her hand, and said with utmost seriousness, "I accept, Ji Zhixiu."
A smile bloomed in Ji Zhixiu's eyes. He bowed his head and very devoutly put the ring on her finger.
"I chose this according to my own taste."
He implied that he was afraid Jiang Mian wouldn't like it, and that he also felt insecure about such matters.
After putting on the ring, he stood up, wiped away her tears, and embraced her, "Does it look good?"
Jiang Mian held her hand up to the light, looking at the ring, and couldn't help but smile. Her lips hadn't stopped curving upwards. "With such a big diamond, how could it not look good? I love it."
She never hesitated to express her feelings.
Ji Zhixiu kissed her forehead, "I've prepared something else."
Jiang Mian raised her sparkling eyes, "What else?"
He put his arm around Jiang Mian and they sat down at the dining table.
The table was laden with a meticulously prepared feast. The quantity wasn't as important as the quality.
There was both Western and Chinese cuisine.
A warm current flowed through Jiang Mian's heart. This man always remembered her preferences clearly.
"Today, it's just the two of us," his elegant, deep voice whispered in Jiang Mian's ear.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips, "What about Song Yin?"
"Xiao Bai took him to the amusement park."
"And Ye Yi?"
"Don't know."
Jiang Mian: "..."
Alright, it seemed he had indeed prepared everything thoroughly.
"Try it, do you like it?"
Meeting his expectant gaze, Jiang Mian picked up her knife and fork, then paused.
Ji Zhixiu frowned, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Jiang Mian was very vexed, "For such an important occasion, I forgot to take photos!"
Ji Zhixiu was helpless, "There are cameras on the table, I prepared them."
Jiang Mian was even more stunned.
Ji Zhixiu looked confused, "What's wrong now?"
Jiang Mian's mood soured, "Then didn't I look ugly crying just now? Was it all recorded?"
"No, you didn't look ugly. In my eyes, you've always been beautiful."
Jiang Mian didn't quite believe it, "Really?"
She always felt she had changed a lot since getting pregnant, often being bare-faced at home.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"Well, that's true."
"Can we start eating now?"
As Jiang Mian moved her hand, she saw the ring on it. Her eyes curved, and she couldn't help but smile, "You eat first."
She wanted to look at it some more.
Seeing her happy made Ji Zhixiu happy too.
He just didn't expect the little girl to be so adorably silly. He cut the steak and swapped plates with Jiang Mian. "Eat."
"Okay," Jiang Mian replied verbally, but her gaze was still fixed on the ring.
What to do, she liked it more and more.
Ji Zhixiu tapped the table to interrupt her, "Eat."
"Oh..." Jiang Mian reluctantly retracted her gaze and picked up a piece of steak with her fork, putting it into her mouth, "Delicious."
"Eat more, there's more."
Jiang Mian eventually ate until her stomach was round and slumped in her seat. Ji Zhixiu had planned other things.
However, as soon as Jiang Mian finished eating, she yawned. Ji Zhixiu's heart softened. He knew she loved to be sleepy after becoming pregnant, so he didn't want to trouble her further.
He cut a plate of fruit, "Eat this, and then go to sleep."
Jiang Mian was persistent, "No sleeping!"
Today was so exciting, why sleep!
She wanted to post on Weibo and WeChat Moments!