NOVPUBLu Yicheng had already forgotten about the scientific aspect of things and insisted that Jiang Lan take a test, which, of course, came back negative.
Lu Yicheng: "I should still trust my intelligence. We’ll test again in half a month."
He hugged Jiang Lan tightly. "We haven’t even prepared a nursery yet. I don’t want the baby to come so soon."
He already had one treasure—if they had a child, Lu Yicheng certainly wouldn’t want the child to experience the kind of childhood he had.
Jiang Lan sighed. "Well, the baby will be a first-time child, and we’ll be first-time parents. Of course, there’ll be things we won’t do perfectly."
Being first-time parents meant learning how to love someone new.
Lu Yicheng nodded. "I’ll learn first. You don’t have to."
Lu Yuan’s executive secretary had grown accustomed to seeing the company president reading non-work-related books.
Lu Shuangchen enjoyed high school math, physics, and chemistry textbooks, while Lu Yicheng preferred cookbooks and parenting guides. Nearly an entire wall of the CEO’s office bookshelf was lined with scientific childcare books.
Lu Yicheng was both afraid of and excited about the baby’s arrival. Jiang Lan still had a childlike nature—how could she suddenly become a mother? But this was their child, and as long as it was theirs, Lu Yicheng would love it unconditionally.
Over half a month later, Lu Yicheng waited nervously outside the bathroom. When the door opened, he sprang to his feet.
Jiang Lan hid her hands behind her back and asked knowingly, "What are you doing standing here?"
Lu Yicheng: "Waiting for you."
Jiang Lan sighed. "Why wait? It’s just false hope. I was really hoping for a honeymoon baby."
For a moment, Lu Yicheng’s mind went blank, but he quickly recovered. "Then let’s go on another honeymoon, and we’ll have our honeymoon baby."
"These things depend on fate. We just got married a little over a month ago—there’s no rush." Lu Yicheng smiled. "The baby can wait. You’re still so young. There’ll be plenty of chances later… It’s not false hope."
Jiang Lan watched as Lu Yicheng fumbled to comfort her, feeling a little uneasy. "Lu Yicheng… have you thought about what we’ll name the baby?"
Lu Yicheng: "Huh?"
Jiang Lan continued, "The baby’s name… two lines mean we’re having a baby, right?"
This time, Lu Yicheng was truly stunned. "Let me see… Are you sure you didn’t misread it?"
Jiang Lan always loved teasing him, and Lu Yicheng was used to it.
But the test still showed two lines.
Jiang Lan: "You have to trust science."
Lu Yicheng muttered, "So I’m officially a rookie dad now? I’m not ready yet."
He paced anxiously around the living room, examining the pregnancy test over and over, as if hoping it would change.
It was July, and the air conditioning was on, yet sweat beaded on Lu Yicheng’s forehead from sheer nervousness.
It really was a honeymoon baby.
Lu Yicheng stared at Jiang Lan’s stomach. "You—you should sit down. I’m a little overwhelmed. Maybe I should go run a few laps to calm down?"
Sitting beside Jiang Lan, he called Xie Yunzhen on speakerphone, glancing at Jiang Lan repeatedly as he spoke.
"Mom, Lan Lan is pregnant. I’m taking her for a checkup tomorrow—just wanted to let you know first."
Xie Yunzhen hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. In her eyes, Jiang Lan was still a kid herself.
"So soon?"
Lu Yicheng puffed out his chest slightly. "Yeah, it’s a bit fast. I didn’t expect it either."
Xie Yunzhen was momentarily at a loss for words. "Then put Lan Lan on the phone. I need to give her some advice."
Lu Yicheng: "Mom, just tell me. I’ll keep an eye on her."
"……"
After hanging up with Xie Yunzhen, Lu Yicheng went upstairs to inform Yu Wanqiu. Jiang Lan was now under strict orders to move as little as possible.
...
But Jiang Lan felt no different. Aside from the two lines on the test, everything was the same as before. She hadn’t gained weight, her appetite and sleep were normal, and her tastes hadn’t changed.
"Teacher Yu, this might be the most well-behaved baby ever!"
Yu Wanqiu smiled. "That’s good. When I was pregnant with Yicheng, he was very quiet too—like a little turtle."
She kept working, and after he was born, he remained calm. The baby took after Lu Yicheng more.
But Yu Wanqiu hoped this one would resemble Jiang Lan more. "It’s good. Keep working for now. Yicheng, you don’t need to be so nervous. Just make sure she gets regular checkups, watches her diet, and stays relaxed. If you’re stressed, she’ll be stressed too."
Lu Yicheng nodded. "I’m not nervous. I can take care of them."
Yu Wanqiu wasn’t doubting Lu Yicheng, but he was only a few months older than Jiang Lan. Even though they were married, he still had his immature moments.
Yu Wanqiu added, "If anything comes up, call me. If you’re feeling down, I’ll come keep you company."
Lu Yicheng almost said he’d never let Jiang Lan feel unhappy, but then he remembered all the times he’d annoyed her and kept his mouth shut.
Jiang Lan reassured her, "It’s fine, really. I feel great—no issues at all. I’ll be careful."
Yu Wanqiu was still worried, but there wasn’t much she could do. Jiang Lan was the one carrying the baby.
Still, shopping for clothes and bags always lifted spirits, so Yu Wanqiu made sure to buy plenty.
The next day, Jiang Lan went for her checkup. The due date was set for early April of the following year.
The doctor listed numerous precautions, including when to schedule prenatal visits. And just like that, Lu Yicheng officially began his journey as a first-time father.
The first trimester went smoothly, except for occasional sudden cravings. But pregnant women had many dietary restrictions—spicy hot pot, barbecue, and other indulgent foods had to be limited. Xie Yunzhen was especially strict.
Jiang Lan was also afraid of harming the baby, so she endured. Fortunately, Lu Yicheng stepped in. He cooked those dishes himself, ensuring the ingredients were fresh and healthy, so she could eat without worry.
Jiang Lan thought his cooking was good enough to open a restaurant.
The third trimester was the hardest—swollen legs, weight gain, and all the other pregnancy symptoms.
Sometimes, looking at herself, she couldn’t believe she was the same girl who used to wear pretty dresses and look effortlessly slim and beautiful.
All Lu Yicheng could do was massage her legs and accompany her on walks. In the last two months, he practically worked from home every day.
Being pregnant so young, Jiang Lan sometimes lashed out for no reason. With only Lu Yicheng around, he bore the brunt of her mood swings.
After her outbursts, she’d immediately regret it. "Lu Yicheng, I’m sorry."
He’d shake his head. "You never have to apologize to me. I’d gladly carry this baby for you if I could. You’re just venting—why say sorry?"
His nose tingled with emotion. "...If anything, I should be the one apologizing."
Jiang Lan pouted. "Oh, come on. Neither of us owes the other an apology. This is our baby, and we love them."
The weight gain, the cramps—no matter how uncomfortable, it was all worth it.
Still, she couldn’t help but ask, "You won’t like me less just because I’ve gotten fat and ugly, right?"
She was confident Lu Yicheng would always love her, but would it be the same as before?
Lu Yicheng chuckled helplessly. "How much more could I possibly love you? It’s March, and I’m taking cold showers every day—"
Jiang Lan: "Shut up! No more talking! Go wash some blueberries for me."
The due date was early April, but before then, Jiang Lan was admitted to the delivery room.
Xie Yunzhen rushed over immediately after receiving the phone call. Lu Yicheng was drenched in sweat. "Jiang Lan has been in the delivery room for half an hour already. I... Mom..."
Seeing Lu Yicheng on the verge of tears, Xie Yunzhen forced herself to stay calm. "It's... it's okay. Let's trust the doctors."
Yu Wanqiu added, "The doctor said the baby’s position is good, so they’re trying for a natural birth first. They’ve given her an epidural, and Lu Yicheng signed the forms. If natural delivery doesn’t work, they’ll switch to a C-section. The doctor said recovery is faster with a natural birth... Don’t worry too much. This doctor is quite reputable in obstetrics. Professor Xie, please don’t worry."
Xie Yunzhen patted Lu Yicheng’s shoulder. "Xiao Lu, don’t panic either."
Lu Yicheng glanced at his watch—it had already been forty minutes.
Jiang Lan had gone in alone, enduring contractions and labor pains for over two hours by herself.
Wiping his sweat, Lu Yicheng leaned against the wall outside the delivery room.
Another hour passed before the door finally opened. "Family of Jiang Lan, come here."
"Born at 16:43, a daughter, five pounds and six ounces. Please sign here."
Lu Yicheng scribbled his signature hastily. "When will she come out?"
The doctor replied, "It’ll be a little longer."
Lu Yicheng’s throat felt parched. As long as she was safe, that was all that mattered. He desperately wanted to see Jiang Lan—when would she be out?
The newborn needed vaccinations, so she was brought out later. When the nurse wheeled Jiang Lan out, Lu Yicheng immediately took over pushing the bed.
"It’s a girl, five pounds and six ounces. You were amazing, sweetheart."
Yu Wanqiu also leaned in to check on Jiang Lan, while Xie Yunzhen anxiously waited outside the delivery room, torn between worrying for her daughter and anticipating her granddaughter’s arrival.
Finally, the baby was brought out—a tiny thing with damp hair, eyes shut tight, and a wristband bearing Jiang Lan’s name.
This was her daughter’s daughter.
The little girl was named Lu Lingnuan, with the nickname "Six Ounces."
After the first month, the baby grew quickly. When Xie Yunzhen looked at little Six Ounces, it was like seeing Jiang Lan as an infant all over again—big eyes, tiny dimples, a mouth and ears shaped like Lu Yicheng’s, and the same nose.
She rarely cried, loved to smile, and blew adorable little bubbles—utterly precious.
Once her postpartum recovery period ended, Jiang Lan started hitting the gym to regain her figure. She wanted to return to the orchestra as soon as possible.
Though not overly career-driven, Jiang Lan had never considered being a full-time housewife. Lu Yicheng supported her, but little Six Ounces was still so small and fragile, needing constant care.
Jiang Lan couldn’t bear to leave her, but she had already taken several months of maternity leave.
Lu Yicheng said, "I’ll take care of her. I can work from home."
Lu Shuangchen chuckled. "Let me handle it." 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
Between Yu Wanqiu’s studies and acting, Jiang Lan’s orchestra rehearsals, Lu Yicheng’s company responsibilities, Xie Yunzhen’s teaching schedule, and Jiang Baoguo still being employed, Lu Shuangchen was the only one with free time.
Lu Shuangchen proposed, "I’ll take care of Six Ounces during the day. You and Jiang Lan can take her home at night. If you’re too busy, just bring her back to me."
Lu Shuangchen had barely raised his own son, yet here he was, volunteering to care for his granddaughter. Though Yu Wanqiu found it hard to believe, this was the most practical solution.
She could tell—Lu Shuangchen genuinely adored this little girl, unlike how he’d been with Lu Yicheng back then.
Sometimes he called her by her nickname, other times "Nuan Nuan." Even though the baby couldn’t speak yet and her vision was still blurry, Lu Shuangchen would happily chatter to her all day.
Jiang Lan agreed to the arrangement.
The orchestra kept her busy, but weekends were usually free. She missed her daughter terribly, but for now, this was the only way.
From infancy to age three, Lu Lingnuan grew up like this—playing with her grandfather by day, going home with her parents at night. If she missed her mother during the day, she’d tell Grandpa, who would video-call Mom or Grandma.
Jiang Lan would soothe her with lullabies—she knew so many—and tell her endless stories.
When Lu Lingnuan turned three, Zhang Tian reached out to Yu Wanqiu, asking if she’d be interested in joining a variety show.
Yu Wanqiu was about to graduate but had just accepted a new acting role and couldn’t spare the time.
Zhang Tian explained, "This show focuses on parenting and daily life. One confirmed guest is Shen Xingyao and her son."
Yu Wanqiu said she’d think about it.
