227 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chapter 227 (Bonus) Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the little boy inside Jiang Yan Xin's belly was already six months along, and her stomach was growing day by day. Chen Wan and Cai Cai, the big and little ones, were both on the bed staring at Jiang Yan Xin's belly. The little fellow was curiously placing his tiny ear against his mother's stomach, listening for any sounds from within. "Ah." Jiang Yan Xin felt the little one inside act up, uncertain whether it was a hand or a foot that gave her belly a kick. "What is it, dear?" Chen Wan quickly leaned over, asking with concern. "The little rascal inside kicked me. It's quite uncomfortable," Jiang Yan Xin said, complaining about the little boy inside her belly. Chen Wan wrapped her arms around Jiang Yan Xin from behind, and although Jiang Yan Xin felt a bit shy with Cai Cai watching, with her ears turning red, she didn't struggle much, treating Chen Wan like a cushion. Chen Wan gently rubbed Jiang Yan Xin's protruding belly, her fingertips lightly tapping it, and spoke softly to the little one inside: "Baby, you can't be naughty to mommy, alright? It's hard for mommy to carry you, so be good and don't throw tantrums, okay?" Cai Cai nodded approvingly beside them and mimicked Chen Wan, gently patting his mommy's belly. Acting all grown-up, he advised the little boy inside: "You have to be good, like Xuan Xuan, for me to like you; otherwise, you won't be cute." Jiang Yan Xin burst out laughing at Cai Cai's antics, pinching his little cheek and teasingly saying, "Look at you, only caring for Xuan Xuan and not liking your own sibling?" Cai Cai scratched his head, nodding. "I like them too, but only if they're cute." "You little rascal," Chen Wan laughed, squeezing Cai Cai’s cheek. After playing with Jiang Yan Xin and Chen Wan for a while, the little guy got off the bed, put on his shoes, and after saying goodbye to Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin, dashed to Qin Ke's room to knock on the door. Before long, Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin could hear Cai Cai from inside their room. "Auntie, it's three o'clock already, time to take me to see Xuan Xuan," he said, knocking on the door. Over the past couple of months, with Chen Wan busy caring for Jiang Yan Xin, seeing to Cai Cai had become the responsibility of Qin Ke and Shen Ming Yan. Qin Ke, already used to it, opened the door for the little one and shook her head with a chuckle. "Alright, wait a moment. Ming Yan and I will take you over." "Okay." Cai Cai nodded eagerly, happy at the thought of seeing Xuan Xuan. Qin Ke and Shen Ming Yan each took one of Cai Cai’s little hands and walked towards Wei Si Yu's 21st floor apartment. When they arrived at Wei Si Yu's, they found Wei Si Yu, Qi Jing, and Jin Can all playing with Xuan Xuan. The little girl was also six months old and was lying on the big bed, her little hands propping her body like a playful little dolphin. Cai Cai's eyes lit up when he saw Xuan Xuan, and he immediately rushed over after washing his hands. "Did you miss me, little sister? I'm here to play with you," Cai Cai said, touching Xuan Xuan’s tiny hand on the bed. Seeing Cai Cai, Xuan Xuan happily laughed. "Yaya~" the little girl cooed, still unable to speak, enjoying her own babbling. Seeing her daughter so delighted with Cai Cai, Qi Jing brought her closer to him with a smile. "Xuan Xuan also missed her big brother, didn't she?" Xuan Xuan tilted her head, smiling at Cai Cai, who excitedly leaned his face on the bed, watching her. He carefully placed her small hand in his, marveling, "Little sister is so soft, so cute." Qi Jing, watching the two little ones, couldn't stop smiling. She asked Qin Ke, "How has Yan Xin been recently? The baby must be six months old now; it must be tough." "She's managing well. Chen Wan is always by her side, ready to fetch the stars and the moon. Yan Xin's in great spirits," Qin Ke laughed, slightly teasing her friend. "That's good. A relaxed mind is the best thing for her and the baby." Qi Jing smiled warmly. In the evening, since Chen Wan was concerned with taking care of Jiang Yan Xin and worried Cai Cai wouldn't sleep well, Cai Cai had already moved to the room opposite theirs a few months ago. To prevent swelling in Jiang Yan Xin’s legs, Chen Wan prepared a foot bath for her. Jiang Yan Xin reclined on the bed, one hand on her growing belly, her eyes fixed intently on Chen Wan. Chen Wan sat on a small stool, helping Jiang Yan Xin soak her feet while massaging acupoints. "The doctor said this will make you feel more comfortable before sleep," she smiled, noticing Jiang Yan Xin staring at her. "What's up? Why are you looking at me like that?" Chen Wan leaned in, kissing Jiang Yan Xin's knee softly and asked gently. "Nothing, you're just so good to me. I've gotten spoiled," Jiang Yan Xin confessed, her ears a little red after being kissed. Chen Wan tending to her without complaint throughout her pregnancy was a sentiment she cherished deeply. While she knew it was normal to be cautious now that the baby was six months along, she couldn't help but enjoy the comforting atmosphere that made her feel closer to Chen Wan. "This is all because you’re working so hard carrying our baby, so it's only right I take care of everything else. I'll also massage your calves later to relax your muscles," Chen Wan continued her gentle care, though Jiang Yan Xin was lost in thought. This person in front of her treated her so well. During these months of pregnancy, she had been short-tempered at times, easily irritated, occasionally snapping at Chen Wan without meaning to. Yet, Chen Wan always comforted her, never showing impatience or frustration, and took excellent care of her. Thinking about her current content life, something she never dared to imagine before, Jiang Yan Xin felt warmth spread through her heart. Without Chen Wan, she and Cai Cai might have disappeared long ago near the small white building. The happy, stable life her family, including her parents and younger sister, now enjoyed was all thanks to Chen Wan. The more she thought, the warmer she felt inside, with her ears slightly sweating. It made her long for closeness with Chen Wan. She bit her lip and looked down at Chen Wan, "Are you done? You've been at it for a while now, haven't you?" "Yes, and the water's getting cooler too. Let me help you onto the bed to rest." Chen Wan spoke while helping Jiang Yan Xin dry her feet with a towel and carrying her to bed. After tidying up and dumping the water, she came back from the bathroom in five or six minutes, ready to massage Jiang Yan Xin's calves. Chen Wan gently massaged Jiang Yan Xin, whose face and neck had turned a hint of pink because her mind was elsewhere. When Chen Wan looked up, she found Jiang Yan Xin sweating a bit and quickly asked, "Are you too warm? Should I crack the window open and then close it when we sleep?" "No need, Chen Wan." Jiang Yan Xin glanced at her, then quickly looked away. "What is it?" Chen Wan continued massaging, asking softly. "Do you want to?" Jiang Yan Xin asked shyly, her face flushed. Seeing Chen Wan puzzled, she added hesitantly, "When we last checked at the hospital, I asked the doctor. The baby is stable after six months, and we can do—that." Chen Wan was surprised by Jiang Yan Xin bringing it up, her own ears reddening slightly. She looked at Jiang Yan Xin's slightly swollen belly, concerned about disturbing the little one, "Is it alright? I fear for our baby." "It's okay. Just be gentle. I... I miss you a bit," Jiang Yan Xin admitted, feeling her face heat up completely. Hearing her words, Chen Wan, of course, listened to her wife. She bent forward, kissed Jiang Yan Xin’s lips tenderly, and reassured her, "Alright then, let's be careful and not disturb the baby." Saying this, Chen Wan kissed her again, all while lovingly touching the gentle swell of Jiang Yan Xin's belly, ensuring the baby was protected. After drinking in the scent of plum wine and falling into a peaceful sleep, Jiang Yan Xin rested soundly. Chen Wan got up, used a warm towel to clean Jiang Yan Xin, and then took a shower herself before lying down to sleep. Four months passed, and Chen Wan and Ye Lan paced anxiously in the hospital corridor. Jiang Yan Xin had felt unwell today and was taken to the hospital, where they were told she was going into labor. As soon as the formalities were done, she was taken to the delivery room. The entire family waited impatiently outside. Even Cai Cai, unable to sit still, paced the hallway, eagerly wanting to see his baby sister. From morning until afternoon, Chen Wan and the others waited until there was finally some news. Jiang Yan Xin and her little bundle, wrapped up snugly, came out together. A nurse, familiar with Chen Wan and her family, smiled, "Congratulations, it's a beautiful baby girl weighing six pounds and six ounces, with lovely long hair." Chen Wan didn’t even look at the baby at first. She was more worried about Jiang Yan Xin, seeing her tired face, which made Chen Wan's eyes well up. She held Jiang Yan Xin's hand, softly asking, "Are you still in pain?" Jiang Yan Xin noticed the tremor in Chen Wan's voice and smiled to comfort her, "It's alright. I'll be fine in a few days. No crying, okay? Our baby has arrived safely into our family, and that's something to be happy about." Chen Wan nodded, sniffed back her tears, and wiped away the ones that had already fallen. Ye Lan hugged the little bundle and cheerfully called Chen Wan, "Chen Wan, come see the baby." Chen Wan’s gaze was fixed on Jiang Yan Xin, not budging an inch until Jiang Yan Xin, with an amused smile, urged her, "Go take a look at our baby. I'm really okay." Only then did Chen Wan move her feet, looking towards the little one wrapped snugly in the bundle. The baby had its eyes squinted into tiny slits, barely awake, with little legs kicking about, seemingly curious about the world. Chen Wan picked up the baby, showing it to Cai Cai as well. "Little one, do you see how cute your sister is?" Cai Cai pouted, shaking his head solemnly and said, "Not as cute as Xuan Xuan." Chen Wan gave Cai Cai a gentle pat on his little bottom, laughing, "You little rascal, so biased towards your Xuan Xuan. You know this is your very own sister, right?" "Hehe, sister is the second cutest, Xuan Xuan is the first," the little guy declared, leaving the adults in the room both amused and bemused by his antics.