Nan Xi's heart went into a panic, just as she was about to speak, Lu Jianshen beat her to it, "Auntie Zhou, it's nothing, she couldn't possibly be pregnant."
"But young master, based on my experience, the young madam's symptoms really do resemble pregnancy."
Lu Jianshen furrowed his brow, his voice decisive and crisp, "Impossible."
He had wanted to say that they had always used contraception, and Nan Xi had taken birth control pills, but he was afraid that if these words got to his grandfather, he would be scolded again, so he chose a different way to express it.
"I've been busy with work recently, spending half the time on business trips, and we haven't been intimate at all."
This statement completely extinguished the flame of suspicion in Auntie Zhou.
Though a bit disappointed, she immediately ladled another bowl of bird's nest soup for Nan Xi, "Young madam, you're still young. As long as you take good care of your body, a child will definitely come soon."
But as for the old master, considering his state of health, it was uncertain if he could wait that long.
After dinner, everyone went off to tend to their own business.
Thinking back to Auntie Zhou bringing up the possibility of pregnancy, Nan Xi couldn't hold back and looked at him, "I want to ask you a question?"
"What question?"
"When Auntie Zhou said I might be pregnant just now, why were you so calm, so certain? Didn't you ever think, what if I really was pregnant?"
Lu Jianshen suddenly narrowed his eyes, his gaze deepening.
The next moment, his cool voice, like a cold wind, poured into Nan Xi's ears, "There are no 'what-ifs', and there cannot be any 'what-ifs'."
"I'm talking about 'what if'."
"Even if there really is one." His gaze grew deeper and deeper, he continued, "Right now, we're not suitable to have one, and I would not permit it."
Nan Xi felt as if she had been struck a heavy blow, just like his previous answer, he had never considered having a baby that belonged to her and him.
Now, if he really found out she was pregnant, he would certainly see it as a burden, a responsibility, right?
"I'm sorry baby, mommy still couldn't win daddy's love for you."
"But rest assured, no matter how difficult the future may be, mommy will never give up on you. No matter what decision daddy makes, mommy looks forward to your birth, so you must grow healthy and strong in mommy's belly, okay?"
Though heartbroken, Nan Xi still tried to smile, careful not to let any weakness show.
They had been sitting in the living room for just a few minutes when Uncle Zhou came down to tell them grandpa was awake.
"Really? Then let's hurry upstairs."
Overjoyed, Nan Xi grabbed Lu Jianshen's arm and headed upstairs.
Lu Jianshen allowed her to take his arm, following her pace up the stairs.
Grandfather Lu's bedroom was the most quaint and antiquated room in the entire house, complete with a study, bedroom, rest area, and parlor, airy and bright from north to south.
No sooner had Nan Xi entered the room with Lu Jianshen's arm in hers than she saw Grandfather Lu coming towards them with a walking stick.
"Grandpa."
Nan Xi immediately let go of Lu Jianshen and hopped over to Grandfather Lu's side to take his arm.
The way she did it, she seemed like the grandfather's own granddaughter, while her husband seemed like an in-law, an outsider.
"Xixi, oh how grandpa has been longing for you, I've finally awaited your return."
Grandfather Lu was very happy to see Nan Xi, his pale complexion gaining a bit more color, looking revitalized.
Uncle Zhou sighed from the side, "Ah, it's the young madam's magic. With your return, the old master's spirits are instantly lifted, much more effective than my month of care."
"Not at all, Uncle Zhou, it's because you and grandpa are honoring me, doting on me."
The three of them chatted merrily, one after the other.
Grandfather Lu's hearty laughter resonated in the room, while the afternoon's golden sunlight bathed his soft clothes, coating them in a layer of glow, tender and bright.
Such a scene spelled a warmth that Lu Jianshen dearly missed.
In this respect, he really had to thank Nan Xi.
As grandfather grew older, he actually became more like a big child, somewhat capricious and not very good-tempered.
But Nan Xi was very patient and always found ways to coax Grandfather into happiness.
In this respect, even his own grandson could not help feeling inferior.
When he came back to his senses, the room was empty except for him. Nan Xi, supporting Grandfather, was going downstairs; she said something that made Grandfather burst into hearty laughter.
So, he had been completely ignored.
For the entire afternoon, Nan Xi kept Grandfather company, drinking tea, chatting, watching TV, and telling stories.
She was like a pistachio around Grandfather, playful and agile, tender and lovely, brimming with infectious energy, as if a single glance at her could brighten someone's day.
Watching her radiant and charming smile, Lu Jianshen suddenly felt he understood why Grandfather insisted that he should marry Nan Xi.
His personality was somewhat cold, and sometimes even a bit reclusive.
And Nan Xi's brightness and cheerfulness perfectly compensated for his shortcomings; indeed, she was lively, like a blazing little sun, always bringing warmth and strength.
Only, he didn't know who this little sun would shine on after three days.
At night, Nan Xi didn't return to the room until Grandfather had gone to sleep.
Lu Jianshen had already taken a shower and was lying in bed reading. He wore a dark grey bathrobe that made him look extraordinarily handsome and oozed indescribable sex appeal and charm.
Nan Xi's heart missed several beats, and she felt like a frantic deer was pounding in her chest.
This man.
What was he doing, lying in bed after a shower, tempting her like this without any shame at all?
Quickly turning around, Nan Xi opened the wardrobe to look for her pajamas. Her hand hadn't even reached inside when Lu Jianshen's deep voice came: "No need to search, I've prepared your nightgown for you."
"What... What?"
Nan Xi looked at him, her face involuntarily reddening.
Then she remembered that the two of them were still husband and wife. Her reaction had been a bit too intense, so she immediately composed herself and said, "Why did you get my nightgown? Did you get the wrong one by accident?"
"No."
"Then where is my nightgown?" Nan Xi didn't see it anywhere in the bedroom.
Lu Jianshen's eyes turned toward the bathroom: "I put it there. You've taken care of Grandfather all afternoon and must be tired; this is the least I can do for you."
Nan Xi: "..."
But she hadn't asked him to do that!
There were several sets of pajamas she kept at home, most of them pure cotton sets, but there was one that was different, a short lace nightgown that revealed her entire back and butterfly bones, very sexy.
At the moment, Nan Xi walked towards the bathroom while praying he hadn't chosen that nightgown.
Yet, as always, what she feared would happen did happen.
Entering the bathroom, Nan Xi immediately saw that lace backless nightgown.
Even worse, someone didn't just casually put it there but had hung it up as if it were a suit.
Seeing the lace gaps of the nightgown, Nan Xi felt utterly faceless, as if she could no longer face anyone ever again.
Should she change into another nightgown?
Nan Xi hesitated for a long while before finally biting the bullet and deciding to change.
Seeing that she hadn't taken a shower and was back in the bedroom, Lu Jianshen thought something was wrong, and immediately looked up, "What's the matter?"
"Nothing, it's just that I…" she stumbled, "I have a bit of a cold and wanted to wear a longer nightgown."
"Then I'll have someone buy you one tomorrow," Lu Jianshen said.
Nan Xi was utterly puzzled; she could find another one herself, no need to wait until tomorrow to buy it.
However, after searching for a while, Nan Xi looked at Lu Jianshen in defeat: "Where are my other pajamas?"
"Thrown away."
"What?"