Chapter 702: Pregnancy

Arriving at the alley entrance, Li Heng opened the van door and handed Chen Zitong a large red envelope: “Here, Brother-in-law came in a hurry and didn’t know what you needed most, so I figured you’d buy it yourself and get exactly what you want.”

Chen Zitong patted the envelope, guessing it was at least 2,000, and immediately beamed: “Brother-in-law, next time you’re afraid to tell Mom, just whisper it to me—I’ll deliver it in a better way. But maybe next time, make the envelope a bit thicker?”

Li Heng chuckled. “Still not enough?”

Chen Zitong waved her hands frantically. “No, no! This is way too much—I couldn’t spend it all in a year.”

Chen Zijin, long accustomed to her younger sister’s money obsession, shooed her: “We’re leaving. Go back and help out.”

Chen Zitong shoved the envelope into her pocket and asked hopefully: “Where are you going? Can I come? I hate seeing Guagua’s sour face—I’m great at taking photos, I’ll take pictures for you. When you get home, I’ll vanish on my own, I promise I won’t interrupt your lovey-dovey time.”

The little devil emphasized the word “lovey-dovey” just enough to spark all sorts of thoughts.

As for “Guagua,” well—that was her nickname for Zhong Lan.

Li Heng stayed silent, smiling at Zijin, leaving the decision to her.

Seeing this, Chen Zitong immediately clung to her sister’s arm, looking as innocent as a lamb.

Chen Zijin swatted her sister’s arm. “Go home and have dinner yourself.”

Chen Zitong whispered in her sister’s ear: “I know—do you think I’ll stay to light candles by your bed?”

Chen Zijin raised her right hand, pretending to strike again.

Startled, Chen Zitong stepped back two paces and ducked into the van.

Once inside, the three discussed briefly and decided to first visit Shichahai, then find a restaurant for lunch.

They chose Shichahai because it was near Drum Tower—easy to head home when tired.

Besides, both Li Heng and Chen Zijin had been hungry for a while; subconsciously, they both wanted to return home, making Shichahai the perfect spot.

Shichahai was familiar to both Li Heng and Chen Zijin, but that didn’t dampen their mood—they wore sunglasses and baseball caps, holding hands as they walked ahead, stopping to buy anything interesting or delicious they saw.

Flush with newfound cash, Chen Zitong was eager and attentive, running around like a loyal servant—taking photos, buying chilled soda, even purchasing a bamboo fan to cool them off.

This little girl operated on one principle: money in hand, nothing’s a problem—service is flawless.

“Brother-in-law, Sister, look this way!” came Chen Zitong’s voice from ahead.

Li Heng and Chen Zijin turned—and with a click, the moment was captured on film.

Chen Zitong popped up from behind the camera, beaming: “Brother-in-law, you two are perfect for each other—so beautiful together. Hurry up and have a baby. I’ll take care of the kid for you!”

Though Chen Zitong seemed carefree, she understood everything clearly: her brother-in-law was surrounded by beautiful women, and her sister desperately needed a child to secure her position in the Li household. So she used jokes to remind her.

How did she know about Li Heng’s other romantic entanglements? Because she often eavesdropped outside her grandfather’s study door.

She’d overheard several conversations between her aunties and Grandpa, and finally realized: her brother-in-law had so many lovers, each more outstanding than the last—even her own sister couldn’t compete.

Then Chen Zitong secretly grew anxious for her sister.

Today, she’d tagged along for one reason: to occasionally slip them sugary nonsense, reminding her sister not to soften.

In short: this little sister was sharp—everything she said sounded like fun, but every joke hid a purpose.

Hearing her little sister’s words, Li Heng glanced at Zijin, thoughtful.

That look flushed Zijin’s face red, but she tightened her grip on her husband’s hand and kept walking.

Shichahai was large; after wandering for about two hours, they headed straight to the restaurant.

As soon as they sat, Chen Zitong asked: “Brother-in-law, can I order whatever I want? So many dishes my sister loves.”

Chen Zijin sighed—clearly, this little devil was just hungry—but she didn’t dampen her spirits. After all, this was her only blood sister; when her husband was too busy to care for her, her sister would be her only hope.

Li Heng smiled and waved. “Of course. Order anything you like—no need to ask.”

“y(^o^)y, Thank you, Brother-in-law! You’re the best!” Chen Zitong gushed, then enthusiastically started ordering.

Chen Zijin glanced around and noticed a woman in her thirties constantly glancing their way. She tugged Li Heng’s sleeve under the table. “That woman in green at the table to the right—do you know her?”

Li Heng followed her gaze and replied: “Yes.”

The woman in green was Huang Zhiyun; when she saw him looking, she smiled at him.

Li Heng smiled back in greeting. “That’s Huang Zhao’s second sister.”

“Oh, so she’s Huang Jie’s relative. I thought her face looked familiar—there’s a slight resemblance to Huang Jie.”

“Yes, elsewhere she’s different, but her eyes are similar.”

Hearing their conversation, Chen Zitong turned to look at Huang Zhiyun, then dismissed her—clearly a married woman; her brother-in-law had no such tastes.

With this little troublemaker livening things up, lunch was lively—all three drank soda, no alcohol.

After lunch, full and satisfied, Chen Zitong let out two loud burps, then bolted. Before leaving, she asked: “Brother-in-law, are you going back to Qianzhen for the New Year?”

Li Heng said: “My grandmother’s old—of course we’ll go.”

Chen Zitong raised a victory sign. “Then take us to the market in town! I haven’t been in ages—I miss it so much.”

“Sure.” Li Heng agreed without hesitation.

Chen Zitong left.

After paying, Li Heng turned to Chen Zijin: “Where to next? Home?”

Chen Zijin felt the heat in his eyes and whispered teasingly into his ear: “Not home. Husband, let’s go to the Great Wall.”

Li Heng blinked. “The Great Wall? You’re sure? It’ll be packed.”

Chen Zijin pinched his waist, her eyes dripping with longing. “You’re impossible.”

Walking back through the back alleys to the Li family courtyard, the moment the gate closed, Li Heng swept her up in his arms and carried her inside.

With her sister gone, Chen Zijin knew what was coming—but her face still flushed with shyness.

She pouted: “Husband, what are you doing?”

“What can I do? I’m just carrying you to bed to check your legs—see if you’ve lost weight or gained some.”

Laid gently on the bed, Chen Zijin blushed: “Check my legs, fine—but why are you taking off your clothes?”

Li Heng said: “They’re dirty. Better to take them off.”

He climbed onto the bed, gazing down at the beauty beneath him for a long moment, then moved—his right hand settled on Zijin’s leg.

At first, his fingers merely brushed lightly—until he began removing her thigh-high stockings, when Zijin could no longer hold back.

She curled up slightly, worried: “It’s daytime—won’t Mom and Dad come back?”

Li Heng replied: “No, they’re at Xila Hutong.”

What were they doing at Xila Hutong? Of course, keeping Song Yu company—but he wouldn’t say it aloud; they both understood.

Besides, he could speak this freely now because Song Yu and Zijin’s relationship had improved; otherwise, he’d be as cautious and guarded as in his past life.

Hearing this, Zijin understood. She half-closed her eyes, gazing at the ceiling, quietly savoring every movement of her husband.

Li Heng adored Zijin’s long legs, tracing every inch with his fingers.

Zijin loved this feeling—being wrapped in her husband’s affection—but she was sensitive.

Especially when his hand slipped beneath her, she stiffened sharply.

Her voice trembled as she opened her eyes, whispering: “Husband, I want to feel what it was like three years ago.”

“Three years ago?” Li Heng was stunned, momentarily lost.

“Mm.” Zijin’s face burned with embarrassment, but she nodded again, her eyes filled with hope.

They stared at each other—silent, motionless, the bedroom utterly still.

A pin could drop and echo.

Long moments passed before Li Heng finally understood: three years ago was when they’d fully, unreservedly embraced each other.

Li Heng asked seriously: “Two years left until graduation—wife, are you truly ready to become a mother?”

Zijin opened her mouth, then closed it. Finally, she bit her lower lip, nodded again: “I’ve calculated the timing—if I conceive now, I’ll give birth right during next summer vacation. I can keep attending classes this year; I’ll just take leave in early next year—won’t delay my studies.”

Hearing this, Li Heng said nothing. He put the condom he’d prepared back in his pocket, rolled over her, and kissed her deeply, filled with tenderness.

Hearing this, Li Heng said nothing more, put back the condom he had just prepared, rolled over onto her, and kissed her with tender passion.

They say separation makes the heart grow fonder, and drought brings sweet rain.

Indeed, from noon until afternoon, then into evening, they clung to each other in the bedroom, unwilling to leave.

Today, both were in excellent spirits, full of energy.

Tian Rune and her husband, along with Li Lan, were equally considerate—never returned to interrupt them.

Tian Rune and her husband, as well as Li Lan, were also very supportive, not returning to disturb them along the way.