Chapter 18: Discovering the Pregnancy

Ye Changzheng stood at the bedroom door, looking toward Wei Aoshuang by the courtyard gate, and said gratefully, “Thank you, Uncle Wei and Aunt Wei.”

Wei Aoshuang, carrying two lunch boxes, walked up to Ye Changzheng and asked familiarly, “Brother Changzheng, I heard your wife’s seasickness was bad? Is it serious? If it is, we should take her to the hospital for some medicine.”

Ye Changzheng took the lunch boxes politely but distantly. “Thank you for your concern. My wife Xiaoyu is much better now. Once the house is settled tomorrow, you can come over and keep her company.”

Wei Aoshuang responded generously, “Sure! Brother Changzheng, I won’t disturb you and your wife now. I’ll leave the lunch boxes here and come pick them up tomorrow.”

Ye Changzheng carried the lunch boxes into the bedroom. When he looked up, he met Xie Jinyu’s half-smiling eyes.

When Xie Jinyu asked about Wei Aoshuang, Ye Changzheng took the initiative to introduce him.

“Wei Aoshuang is the eldest daughter of Commander Wei, who lives next door. She’s currently the island’s medical orderly. She has a younger sister still in school. Commander Wei and his wife are from Hunan Province, fond of spicy food. His wife was his childhood betrothed.”

In just a few words, Ye Changzheng clearly explained the Wei family’s background.

Even though Xie Jinyu hadn’t met the Wei family, she already had some understanding of them.

“Changzheng, don’t worry. I will get along well with them.”

On the way, Ye Changzheng had briefly told Xie Jinyu about the situation on Endless Island.

Because of its geographic location, a brigade was stationed on Endless Island.

The brigade commander was Cheng Wanli, whose wife was currently a teacher at the island school.

Ye Changzheng, Wei Yaozu, and Gu Siyuan were the commanders of the first, second, and third regiments respectively.

Apart from Ye Changzheng and Wei Yaozu, who were married, Gu Siyuan was still single.

Additionally, there was a political commissar named Tan Xuefeng.

Ye Changzheng’s small bungalow was on the east side, neighboring the residences of Commander Cheng and Commissar Tan.

On the right were Commander Wei and Commander Gu.

All five bungalows were identical in size and style.

In front of the gate was a road wide enough for vehicles, with a large open courtyard.

Behind the bungalow was a sheer cliff, and beyond that, a vast expanse of blue sea.

To put it in modern terms, it was a seaside villa.

Ye Changzheng handed a pair of chopsticks to Xie Jinyu.

“Aunt Wei’s dumplings are especially delicious; you should eat them while they’re hot.”

Still feeling seasick, Xie Jinyu was quite dizzy. On top of that, the early pregnancy nausea made the smell of chive dumplings nauseating.

“Xiaoyu, I’ll take you to the hospital,” Ye Changzheng offered.

Ye Changzheng had seen seasickness before, but never as bad as Xie Jinyu’s.

After a moment, Xie Jinyu waved him off.

“No hospital needed. It’s a normal reaction.”

With concern in his eyes, Ye Changzheng said, “Xiaoyu, you don’t look like you’re fine at all.”

Having spent these days with Ye Changzheng, Xie Jinyu already suspected he hadn’t received her letter announcing her pregnancy.

Wanting to surprise him, she decided not to reveal it yet. “I’ll be fine after drinking some hot water. You eat the dumplings first.”

“Really?” Ye Changzheng still worried, reminding her, “Xiaoyu, if you don’t feel well on the island, we should see a doctor early.”

“I learned some medical skills from my grandmother. I know my own body. Hurry and eat before the dumplings get cold.”

If it were just seasickness, Xie Jinyu could have pressed certain acupoints as Yan Hongying taught her.

But she was still in early pregnancy.

The combination of pregnancy nausea and seasickness made her feel doubly miserable.

“Alright.”

Ye Changzheng ate the chive and pork dumplings heartily.

Xie Jinyu had little appetite and just sipped hot water to soothe her stomach.

After about an hour, Xie Jinyu finally felt less dizzy and slowly got up, walking around the bungalow.

The bungalow covered about a hundred square meters.

It had a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, and study—all fully equipped.

Especially the study, with a window overlooking the endless sea.

“Changzheng, I see a water tank in the kitchen. Is fresh water scarce on the island?”

Ye Changzheng explained, “The tap water should be connected by the New Year, but for now, we still need to fetch water.”

Knowing she was still in early pregnancy and needed to be cautious, Xie Jinyu said, “Then you handle filling the water tank every day, and I’ll be in charge of cooking. Deal?”

“Deal.”

Ye Changzheng had lived alone on the island before, usually eating at the mess hall, so he hadn’t used the kitchen much.

Fortunately, Xie Jinyu had brought some cooking utensils from the cattle shed, saving them from having to buy new ones.

However, starting a small household from scratch required many items.

Xie Jinyu made a shopping list, planning to buy according to it the next day.

After taking a train and a boat, Xie Jinyu felt uncomfortable all over.

While Ye Changzheng was tidying up, she mixed hot water from the thermos with cold water to prepare a bucket.

She washed her hair and took a bath, then changed into fresh clothes, feeling much better afterward.

“Changzheng, there’s more hot water. You should take a bath too.”

Ye Changzheng carried the bucket over to where Xie Jinyu was drying her hair and spoke gently, “Xiaoyu, there’s some egg tonic I made for you on the table. Remember to drink it. I’ll go to the bathhouse and be back soon.”

“Okay.”

Xie Jinyu dried her hair with a towel and drank the egg tonic Ye Changzheng prepared.

After finishing it, she suddenly realized that all the eggs she brought from Yuejin Village were boiled. Whose eggs had Ye Changzheng borrowed to make the tonic?

She washed the bowl and thought to wash the clothes she had changed out of in the bathroom.

But the bathroom was empty.

Where were the clothes?

Just then, Ye Changzheng returned from his bath.

Not only had he bathed, but he had also washed both their clothes.

Ye Changzheng wore a short-sleeved shirt, his hair still dripping, yet he exuded a fresh, handsome, and elegant aura.

The sunset cast a warm glow on his spirited face, causing Xie Jinyu’s heart to beat uncontrollably.

Ye Changzheng shook out the washed clothes one by one and hung them on a clothesline in the courtyard.

Seeing Ye Changzheng’s long fingers holding her intimate garments, Xie Jinyu instantly blushed.

Though they had shared the closest of intimacies, she still felt shy.

“Changzheng, where did you wash the clothes?”

Ye Changzheng found nothing unusual and replied softly, “There’s a laundry basin outside the bathhouse. I’ll take you there to get familiar with the place later.”

Xie Jinyu readily agreed, “Alright.”

While Ye Changzheng hung the clothes, Xie Jinyu returned indoors.

The postman walked into the courtyard and handed a letter to Ye Changzheng.

“Commander Ye, your mail.”

Ye Changzheng took the letter, saw it was from Xie Jinyu in Yuejin Village, and casually tore it open.

By the fading glow of the sunset, he read until he saw the part where Xie Jinyu revealed she was pregnant.