Baby, Here I Come

It was early summer, and the sunlight wasn't particularly strong.

Flecks of light scattered across the child's bed in the room. As the toys on the bed bumped together, their bells gave off a delicate jingle.

Before long, the child in the bed finally showed signs of waking. His long eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.

I can't believe it.

Shen Xinde grunted, clearly having slept uncomfortably. If those memories in his head just now hadn't been a dream, he might have transmigrated into a book!

But why did he have so few memories after transmigrating? All he could remember was what his mom and dad looked like, what it felt like to be hungry, and what it was like to whimper and cry in the middle of the night with his parents gathered around him.

How strange.

Shen Xinde rolled over.

*???*

What's with this clumsy, feeble body? And what's this chewy thing in my mouth? Chew, chew, chew. This feels pretty good.

Wait! Why am I still a kid?! No wonder I don't have any useful memories!

Before transmigrating, Shen Xinde had been a gifted painter. When he was little and living at the orphanage, the director, whom he called Mom, had discovered his talent for painting. She was a wonderful person and had been especially supportive of nurturing his gift, so Shen Xinde had started entering competitions of all sizes at a young age. He had set aside half his prize money to repay her, continuing to do so until he grew up.

Because he had grown up at the orphanage, Shen Xinde didn't usually like making friends. When he had free time, he would curl up under his covers and read novels. From time to time, he would post pictures he had drawn of the protagonists online, gaining some support that way.

Before transmigrating, Shen Xinde had been staying up all night reading the latest novel. It was a cliché story about a male and female lead who met at school, went through some twists and turns, and finally ended up together. Of all the characters, Shen Xinde felt the most affection for the second male lead.

As the male lead's brother, he had been steady and calm since childhood—or, to put it less kindly, a loner. Unlike second male leads in cliché novels, he wasn't healed after meeting the female lead, only to fall head over heels for her and become enemies with the male lead. Gu Zhuoling had always quietly helped the male and female leads and brought them together. While the two were happily in love, Gu Zhuoling, plagued by various psychological illnesses, eventually couldn't bear it anymore and threw himself into the sea.

Shen Xinde had bitten his blanket as he read. My second male lead baby is such a good baby. Why won't anyone dote on him? Wuwuwu.

It's okay, baby. Daddy will get drawing right now and give you a perfect ending. So, so many people will love you, love you, love you.

He wasted no time getting started.

Shen Xinde threw off his covers and got to work. Then he moved too forcefully and fainted.

In his daze, unfamiliar memories flooded his mind, followed by some memories from the book. The last was the sight of Gu Zhuoling from behind, standing on a sea cliff in a white shirt.

In those memories, Shen Xinde was the Shen family's young master, born prematurely. His father was a businessman whose career was flourishing. While giving a speech at a prestigious university, he had fallen in love at first sight with Shen Xinde's mother, a university professor, and had finally won her over after pursuing her relentlessly. They had enjoyed a sweet marriage, and five years ago, they had finally welcomed the fruit of their love. But their happiness hadn't lasted long. For certain reasons, Shen Xinde had come into the world early.

Xinde's premature birth had brought a host of health problems, leaving him frail. To give him better care and treatment, the Shen family had lived abroad for a time. His parents doted on their only son and named him Xinde, which also sounded like "fortunately obtained." His nickname was Haohao, meaning they hoped all would be well.

It's okay.

Shen Xinde straightened his short little legs and looked at his chubby hands, marveling at how well the Shen family had cared for him. Even though he'd been born premature, he was plump all over.

As he was thinking, the door opened and his mother stepped carefully inside. She saw her well-behaved child lying in his bed.

She immediately spoke in a gentle voice. "Is Haohao awake already? Are you hungry?"

Shen Xinde watched the gentle woman approach him, then brush his forehead with her soft hand.

Her hand is so warm.

Is this what Mom smells like?

Shen Xinde put his efforts to sort things out out of his mind for the moment and instinctively reached out for his mother to hold him.

The woman's heart melted at the sight of her well-behaved son. She picked him up and sat down on the sofa. "Our Haohao is such a good boy. You smile as soon as you see Mommy. Do you like Mommy that much?"

Shen Xinde giggled even more happily. Of course he did. Who wouldn't like such a gentle, beautiful mom?

"Our Haohao definitely likes Mommy." A steady voice rang out, and before Shen Xinde could look, the man had already sat down beside his beautiful mother.

Whoa, a beautiful mom and a handsome dad!

What an honor in life.

His father reached out and tickled his chin. "Haohao, say Daddy."

"Daddy!" Shen Xinde felt a little ticklish and reached up, grabbing at the air.

"What about Mommy? Why won't Haohao say Mommy?" His mother felt a little jealous and started teasing him too.

"Mommy!" Following the principle of doting on them both, Shen Xinde touched one and smiled at the other, making his parents happier than words could say.

"Oh, right, honey. Haohao's condition has stabilized, so I'm planning for us to go back home in a couple of days. But where would be best for us to live once we're back?" His father put an arm around his mother and explained softly.

Before Shen Xinde was born, his parents had looked at many residential communities and villas, hoping their child could grow up in a better, more comfortable environment. But because of some unexpected events, they had gone abroad before they could move into any of the places they had chosen. Now that they were returning, they naturally had to choose carefully.

"Let me see." His mother took the tablet his father handed her and looked through the detailed information on it.

"Haohao look." Hearing this, Shen Xinde flailed about, wanting to see too.

"We'll let Haohao look. Sit still like a good boy." His father laughed heartily, then lifted Shen Xinde out of his mother's arms and sat him between them. His mother placed the tablet in the middle for all three to see.

Shen Xinde looked at the countless luxury properties, dizzy from the sheer amount of money on display. Suddenly, he spotted the familiar name of a residential community.

Orchid Garden?

Wasn't Orchid Garden where Gu Zhuoling had lived since he was little?

"Flowers! Flowers! Grass!" Without time to think, Shen Xinde quickly pointed at the picture of Orchid Garden on the tablet.

His father stroked his son's fluffy head. "Haohao likes the little garden, right? Then how about we live in Orchid Garden?"

Shen Xinde gave his father an appreciative look. Because of the limitations of being a child, there were things he couldn't say. Of course, pretending to be a child was easy for Shen Xinde, who had barely been eighteen before transmigrating and had read countless stories about little ones.

"Haohao likes flowers!" Shen Xinde felt as if a windfall had dropped from the sky. His luck was so good he could go on a national highway without running into a single big truck, or twist in front of a capitalist without being set up.

Gu Zhuoling, baby, here I come!

(Content warnings and clarifications:

1. The protagonist's name is Shen Xinde. The last character, de, is pronounced "dé," in the second tone. Please don't leave it out.

2. The protagonist had only just reached adulthood before transmigrating! His age wasn't established in the first few chapters, so his speech may be a little childish and unrealistic! I also mentioned in the story that he was affected by limitations after transmigrating. Except in special circumstances, he can easily recall things from before he transmigrated, but other things, including his speech and behavior, are limited by his body.

3. Both leads are virgins, HE, no angst, and the romance goes smoothly! This story leans toward everyday life, so those who like dramatic ups and downs may find it boring.

4. My writing is just so-so... If you can't accept any of the above, you can leave now T^T)