"What's wrong? You tease me all the time, but now that you know I'm pregnant, you're scared?"
Ah Yin gave the flustered Qian Xunji an amused look.
"I, I, I..." Qian Xunji was at a loss for words. His plan had been to have a child, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
Who would have thought that he, a mighty Titled Douluo, could get Ah Yin pregnant in just one month?
She truly was the Blue Silver Emperor.
"What's wrong? Now that you know you're going to be a father, you can't even speak?" Ah Yin said with a laugh.
In the month or so they had spent together, this was the first time she had seen Qian Xunji so flustered. She couldn't help finding it funny.
"It's my first time becoming a father. I'm bound to feel a little lost," Qian Xunji said awkwardly.
"Hahaha!" Ah Yin laughed. "So even you have days like this, Qian Xunji? After bullying me so much!"
"Would you dare do it now? You might hurt the baby!"
"Be careful..." Qian Xunji hurried to stop Ah Yin when he saw her bouncing around.
"What's the big deal? I'm a Soul Master! Besides, I've only just gotten pregnant. It's not that serious, is it?" Ah Yin teased.
"I'm just afraid you'll get hurt," Qian Xunji said.
"Hehe..." Ah Yin grinned mischievously. "You got your wish. So, would you rather have a daughter or a son?"
"Me?" Qian Xunji paused. "I'd love them either way."
If it was a daughter, she would be Qian Renxue. If it was a son, he would be Tang San from the original timeline. Either way, he couldn't lose!
"Hehe..." Ah Yin smiled. "I can sense two little lives, you know. Why can't we have both a son and a daughter?"
"Two?" Qian Xunji was stunned. Could they be Tang San and Qian Renxue from the original timeline? Or are they new lives?
"But I can't tell whether they're boys or girls yet. Maybe I'll know in another two months."
Qian Xunji looked at the playful Ah Yin. He had thought he wouldn't be this nervous, but in reality, he was nervous as hell.
A plan was one thing. Now that it had worked, now that he knew Ah Yin was pregnant, even his palms were sweating.
It was probably because this was his first time becoming a father. He wasn't used to it yet.
"Um... Ah Yin, are you tired? If you are, let's head back. We shouldn't risk disturbing the pregnancy."
Ah Yin looked at Qian Xunji, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Do you know what phrase just came to mind?"
"What phrase?" Qian Xunji asked, puzzled.
"A mother's status rises with her child. Before I got pregnant, you bullied me. Now you care about me so much."
"That's fair," Qian Xunji admitted.
"I haven't had my fill of fun yet. Why go back so early? And stop worrying so much. A Soul Master's body isn't that fragile."
Smiling, Ah Yin patted Qian Xunji on the shoulder. At that moment, she seemed to hold all the cards, while her face glowed with a mother's tenderness.
Life really is unpredictable... Ah Yin mused. I never thought I'd have this brute's children so soon. But why does it feel so good to have the upper hand for once?
"All right, whatever you want. Just say the word. As the Pope of Spirit Hall, I've got plenty of money!" Qian Xunji said, patting his chest.
"You rich fool!" Ah Yin scolded with a smile. "You should spend a little less. We have children to think about now."
"What's there to worry about?" Qian Xunji said. "One day, all of Spirit Hall will belong to these two children!"
"All of it will be theirs?" Ah Yin gently stroked her belly.
"Of course! What did you think? Spirit Hall is mine now, but its future belongs to them... and to you!"
Ah Yin blushed. Where was this overwhelming sense of security coming from? Qian Xunji wasn't so bad after all.
The two continued shopping. Whenever Ah Yin took a liking to something, Qian Xunji waved his hand and bought it without even asking the price.
Ah Yin was different. Whenever she caught a vendor trying to overcharge them, she argued her case!
Crowds filled the streets, and lanterns drifted across the sky.
"Qian Xunji, look at them. Why don't we buy a lantern too?" Ah Yin asked, looking up at the tall man beside her.
"Of course!" Qian Xunji said with a smile.
"Would you two like to buy a lantern? Are you here for Yelin City's lantern festival too?"
"Write your wish on a lantern and release it into the sky. Then it'll come true."
Qian Xunji paid at once.
Ah Yin looked at the lantern in her hands, then took the vendor's brush and wrote down her wish.
"What did you write? Let me see." Qian Xunji leaned over, curious to see what Ah Yin had wished for.
"You can't look. It won't come true if you do." Ah Yin covered her writing so Qian Xunji couldn't see it.
"Fine, I won't look," Qian Xunji said.
Carrying her lantern, Ah Yin went with Qian Xunji to the riverside. Many people had gathered there to release their lanterns.
Ah Yin lit hers, then held it up with both hands and slowly released it into the sky, where it joined the sea of lights.
Qian Xunji stood with one hand behind his back. "Beautiful. Yelin City's lantern festival lives up to its reputation. I hear there's a performance at the end, too."
He turned to Ah Yin beside him. "I really am curious about what you wrote. Can you tell me?"
Ah Yin shook her head slightly and watched her lantern join the sea of lights. Only she knew what she had written.
I hope my children grow up safe and sound. I hope they don't have to suffer so much. And I hope Qian Xunji stops bullying me so much. That's all.
Her wishes were simple, just a few short lines. They should have been the easiest things to grant, yet they might also be the hardest.
When Ah Yin still refused to tell him, Qian Xunji grew even more restless. At last, he extended his senses.
It was a little underhanded, but he truly wanted to know.
Then surprise crossed his face. He hadn't expected Ah Yin's wishes to be... so simple.
"Qian Xunji, do you think my wishes will come true?" Ah Yin asked with a smile, looking at him as though she had seen through everything.
Damn. Was she waiting for me to do that? Qian Xunji thought, then smiled.
"I think your wishes will come true."
"I think so too," Ah Yin said. "When does the performance start? I'm looking forward to it more and more."
Ah Yin took Qian Xunji's hand. "Let's keep looking around, then come back when the performance starts."
"Whatever you want..." Qian Xunji said. Why is my heart racing?!
"Then let's go explore." Ah Yin looked at Qian Xunji and gave him a knowing smile.
The two wandered around together as they waited for the performance to begin.
Before you continue