Chapter 87: To be honest, he was quite a nuisance.

Jiang Zao accepted Zhou Lichuan’s attentive care in one gulp, never regarding the lofty President Zhou as especially important. It was as if it made little difference whether he existed at all, or whether the things he brought with him existed at all.

Putting down the hazelnuts, Jiang Zao said, “Doesn’t the company need you to go back and take a look?”

These past few days, Zhou Lichuan had booked a room at a nearby hotel and handled his work online. Du Bin delivered documents needing his signature every other day. Fortunately, the workload had just eased after the New Year, so even if the boss were absent for days on end, it would not do much harm to the company’s operations.

A week passed like this, and Jiang Zao should have begun another round of prenatal checkups.

In the past, only Sister Hui stayed by her side. This time, Zhou Lichuan was also fully armed, accompanying Jiang Zao as they wandered through the obstetrics department.

“I’ll still arrange for a doctor for you. Running up and down like this is too exhausting.”

Zhou Lichuan wore a turtleneck sweater, with a finely tailored suit jacket over it. He looked refined and elegant, drawing countless gazes as he walked through the hospital.

Jiang Zao glanced at him and said, “I’m not used to it.”

Zhou Lichuan pressed his lips together and said no more, devoting all his attention to Jiang Zao.

All the reports were gathered together, and Zhou Lichuan accompanied Jiang Zao into the outpatient room.

The doctor examined the reports carefully and said, “Very good. There are no problems. The chromosomes and heartbeat are both healthy. When you go home, you can buy a fetal heart monitor, and then you’ll be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat at home. As for the fever and IV drips a few days ago, I checked the medication list; all of it is safe to use during pregnancy, and the dosage is fine too.”

At those words, Zhou Lichuan finally relaxed. Looking up, he asked the doctor, “May I ask if there’s anything we need to pay special attention to after we go back?”

The doctor glanced at the reports again and said, “I remember you had symptoms of threatened miscarriage before, and your emotional state also had some issues.”

Jiang Zao nodded and said with some worry, “Yes. The hormones affected my mood in a not very healthy way. I was examined at the affiliated hospital of Jingzhou Medical University, and they said I had some prenatal depression. It’s much more stable now.”

The doctor gave a slight nod. “Yes, emotional problems are rather troublesome, and very hard to control. Family members should pay more attention to the pregnant woman. Keeping a good mood is the most important thing. You’ve recovered very well from the threatened miscarriage; it should basically not have much of an effect. Still, continue to monitor things closely. Make sure to rest, avoid strenuous exercise, and don’t worry too much.”

Zhou Lichuan stood frozen in place.

Threatened miscarriage? Prenatal depression? These things… he knew nothing about them.

Jiang Zao listened quietly to the doctor’s instructions and noted down each precaution. After the examination, she said goodbye to the doctor.

Outside the door, Du Bin was sitting in the driver’s seat, working remotely on a tablet.

Jiang Zao and Zhou Lichuan got into the car, bringing a chill of winter with them.

Sister Hui opened the front passenger door and got in. The moment she met Du Bin’s eyes, she shook her head, signaling him not to ask too much.

The ride was silent. When they reached the neighborhood entrance, Jiang Zao asked Sister Hui to buy some pomelos, while she sat motionless in the car.

Sister Hui got out and headed to the fruit shop not far away, and Du Bin tactfully got out too, to smoke.

Jiang Zao sat in the car, the air-conditioning turned up high, intending to have a serious talk with Zhou Lichuan.

“Zaozao… I’m truly sorry…”

Looking at the man’s guilty expression, Jiang Zao said, “Do you know why I’ve been letting you come upstairs these past few days?”

Zhou Lichuan lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong. “Because you wanted me to accompany you to the hospital for today’s prenatal checkup.”

Jiang Zao folded her hands over her knees, her expression indifferent. “You’re the child’s father. Taking part in his growth is only natural. From now on, I’ll let you know before every prenatal checkup. If you want to know anything about the baby, I can tell you.”

To tell him about the baby was to say that everything else need not concern him.

Zhou Lichuan hurriedly said, “I’m not doing this for the baby, Zaozao. Believe me.”

Jiang Zao said, “I believe you. But Zhou Lichuan, we can’t go back. From the day I fainted in the middle of the night at Ting Mountain Villa and Du Bin sent me to the old residence, we could no longer go back.”

“Zaozao… am I saying anything now that isn’t just an excuse… Is there really no point in saying anything anymore?”

Jiang Zao curled her lips slightly. “...Believe whatever you want. After I learned all about your memory disorder from Shen Mushi, I already understood what you were thinking. Lin Rui is still on the run, and Zhou Kuan hasn’t truly failed either. The company still needs time before it can be completely stable. You want me to leave and live somewhere safe. But Zhou Lichuan, did you ever ask what I was thinking? Did you ever ask whether I’d thought about leaving you for my own safety?”

A stray lock of hair slipped down at his temple, obscuring the darkness in Zhou Lichuan’s eyes.

He sat there, speechless for a long while.

“Zhou Lichuan, you still love me, don’t you?”

A pair of deeply affectionate eyes met Jiang Zao’s gaze. Zhou Lichuan’s voice carried a faint tremor of tears. “I do... Jiang Zao, I have always loved you.”

Jiang Zao nodded lightly. “That’s enough. I’ve only been away a short while; give me some time to breathe. For the next prenatal checkup, I’ll call you. Until then, don’t come.”

Jiang Zao was about to push open the car door when a large hand reached out and stopped her.

Zhou Lichuan’s voice came from beside her. “I’ll still come. If you don’t like it, I simply won’t go up. Zaozao, the doctor said you have prenatal depression. No matter what happens, if anything makes you unhappy, you must call me. Even if you scold me, even if you hate me, all right?”

Jiang Zao turned back and looked at him. She lifted a hand and gently brushed her fingertips over his brows and eyes. They were still as deep as ever, stars flickering within them, filled to the brim with love. These were the eyes she had once dreamed of seeing, and now that they truly stood before her, they no longer matched the heart she had then.

Jiang Zao said nothing and pushed the door open to step out.

Sister Hui stood not far away holding the pomelos. Seeing Jiang Zao come out, she hurried forward to support her arm, then smiled and nodded toward the car before leading Jiang Zao home.

On the way, Jiang Zao did not forget to give Sister Hui a few more instructions. “Sister Hui, if Zhou Lichuan asks you anything, you don’t need to be too attentive. I’m still angry, so leave him hanging for now.”

Sister Hui agreed with a smile. “All right. Heaven and earth aside, our Miss Jiang comes first. President Zhou doesn’t count for anything.”

Jiang Zao looked over at her amusedly and finally showed the first smile of the day.

“That’s right. Zhou Lichuan doesn’t count for anything.”

...

Winter in the north was long and cold. Though spring had already begun, the weather remained overcast and unsettled, and the chill of the lingering cold snap was frightening.

Through Jiang Zao’s diligent study, her hand-drawn work received positive feedback for the first time.

During these days, when she had nothing to do, she posted her work on Weibo. In just a few months, it had drawn considerable attention, which made a quiet pride rise within her. Even without canvas and paint, she could still shine in the field she loved. That was something worth celebrating.

An official game account found her through Weibo and hoped to commission a fan illustration for their anniversary event.

Jiang Zao briefly looked over the materials they sent, downloaded the game to experience it herself, and unexpectedly became a little addicted.

Just after she agreed, the other party’s contract arrived in Jiang Zao’s inbox.

During the time she had spent by Zhou Lichuan’s side, Jiang Zao had gained much. Now, looking at the contract they sent, every clause and item was clear and well organized, leaving her with no pressure at all.