Chapter 22 (1/2)

Cheng Jia Yang

Fei’s final exam grades were not bad. For the holidays, she had planned to visit Harbin with a small group of people as a vacation. Before leaving, she went to the mall to buy a thick winter coat. When she tried it on and showed it to me, I noticed that there was something different about her.

“Did you gain weight?”

“Yes, a little.”

“Did you weigh yourself?”

“Gained 15 pounds.”

“Gained 15 pounds and you call that a little?”

“Hey!”

“I thought something was a little off when I came back.”

“Ais.h.!.+ Shut up!”

I walked over and helped her zip up the coat, “It’ll affect your image if you get too fat.”

“I’m okay with that.”

“We’ve recently cooperated with the Ministry of Commerce in France for a project.”

“What did you just say?” Fei asked, her eyes glistening with enthusiasm.

“Hehe, magical Cheng Jia Yang is equipped with many interns.h.i.+p opportunities for you. Plus, the French pays well. This way you won’t have to run around the country with a group. No wonder you’re tired.”

“Great! I must study hard and improve every day,” she was extremely happy. “When I’m at Harbin, I won’t eat anything in order to lose all the weight I’ve gained.”

But trust me, you should never believe a woman when she says she is going to go on a diet. When Qiao Fei steps off the returning plane after five days, she would have probably gained at least five more pounds. “What?”

“Bars, Harbin sausages, river fish hot pot,” she hugged my waist then continued, “Gege(affectionate term for older male friends), give me a break. This is my first time going, I won’t be able to experience anything before the struggle.”

I pushed her away, “When you gain too much weight, your brain activity will decrease.”

“No wonder I’m always sleepy.”

“When you get fat, you’ll be like a waitress.”

“No, no. I can’t even fit into that outfit.”

To be honest, if Fei gains a little weight, she’d only become more beautiful given her height. But I liked her original tall and slim figure. If she continued to put on weight like this however, she would soon surpa.s.s me.

“As if. After we went to the sports club to get a members.h.i.+p card, you started dieting and exercising more often.”

“Okay. I’ll completely listen to you then.”

When I had my arms around her at night, I placed my hand on her warm, soft belly. The fact that she had gained some weight wasn’t too bad since her body felt nicer under my touch. But an abrupt thought came to me as I touched her there.

“You’re suddenly gaining weight… Could it be because of that?”

She stared at me, her eyes widening, “What? Don’t scare me.”

I couldn’t manage to say the word ‘pregnant’ so instead, I said “Baby.”

She was still stunned as she muttered “Impossible.”

We were always well aware of this becoming a possible issue, but negligence is inevitable.

“Has there been any abnormalities with your menstrual cycle?”

“Let me think.” Fei was in deep thought for a brief moment, “No problems.”

Silence pa.s.sed between us while we each carefully thought about the same thing.

A Child.

I looked at her and she looked at me.

In fact, I wouldn’t be afraid if we had a little child. As long as I was with her then I was happy. I felt that we could be together, for a lifetime even.

We could give birth to a child, spend a little money, then give birth to another one.

Boys. Boys are easier to raise. Furthermore, I wouldn’t have to worry about him getting bullied somewhere.

One would learn French, one would learn Spanish.

One would be named Cheng De Fa, one would be named Cheng Fa Si.

Four people would fill the dining table, bringing different cultures together.

As I pondered for a while, I started to laugh. Unfortunately, Fei had yet to graduate from college and still had a long future ahead of her.

I looked at her again and she also looked back at me.

“What are you thinking about? Why does your laugh sound so sinister?”

“Nothing. You’re thinking too much. Hurry up and sleep.”

I turned off the light.

Before the Spring Festival, Fei had bought train tickets to return home.

There were a few events and several plans scheduled during this time of the year, so I was in an idle mood.

On the morning of New Year’s Eve, a gathering was hosted by the State Council. The ministers have all taken the time to attend this, and my father had ordered me not to be absent.

I raised my gla.s.s for a toast with one person then wished another a happy New Year. I drank white wine, one gla.s.s followed by another, and my colleagues did the same. As soon as we were about to have fun, someone called out my name.

“Cheng Jia Yang.”

I turned my head to the sound of the voice, it was Wen Xiao Hua.

“Hey, h.e.l.lo.” I said, then shook her hand.

“h.e.l.lo, happy New Year.”

“Thank you, thank you. Isn’t this such a coincidence?” I asked.

“It’s not a coincidence. I accompanied my father here.”

We were still in the middle of greeting each other when my father approached us. He was with an official of the same rank as him.

My father said, “Jia Yang, come see Mr. Wen.”

Mr. Wen was Wen Xiao Hua’s father. He was responsible for the financial sector at work. His recent performance had been outstanding which made him a favorite among all the ministers. He shook my hand, “Jia Yang has already grown up this much? Cheng Brother (term used for friends.h.i.+p between two long-term male friends), how can we not be old anymore?”