She now truly regretted breaking up with Cheng Dongge. Had she not done so they might have already registered and would now be preparing for the wedding.

She did not want them to see her in such an embarrassing state. She did not want to look into Cheng Dongge's eyes that were full of sympathy. It would only cause her more regret. She could not bear the Qi Chengzhi's undisguised disdain for her choices. She knew that it was too late for regret.

Qi Chengyue was unwilling to seek out help from Huang Ziyue, knowing that Huang Ziyue might exploit the situation to lessen the distance between Cheng Dongge and herself. Qi Chengyue had never conveyed the true depth of their relationship and Hung Ziyue had never enquired about it. She did not want Cheng Dongge to be reminded of the fond memories they shared together and be unable to reject her.

Nonetheless, she did not want Cheng Dongge to think her narrow minded. Just as she was about to speak Cheng Dongge had grabbed her hand and pulled her away. "Let's go."

Qi Chengyue glanced at Huang Ziyue who was crouching down, collecting the mass of scattered objects. "If you want to help her…"

"It's okay. She would simply feel more embarrassed if I were to go and assist her. Let's just go." As he spoke he did not even glance at Huang Ziyue. He only had eyes for Qi Chengyue. He gripped her hand tightly, lips curving into a smirk. "Don't worry I won't look down upon you for being petty."

Qi Chengyue stared at him, speechless.

Song Yu offered Qi Chengzhi a smile as she encircled his waist. His arm was still draped lightly over her shoulder as followed Cheng Dongge and Qi Chengyue.

Despite feeling contented, they were still concerned that the clothes they bought would not suit Sun Shaoyu. She was no longer young and suffered chronic lower back pain, especially after completing her chores. To aid her, Qi Chengyue had purchased a vibrating back massager that doubled as a warm compressor. She would be able to use it on her shoulders or tie it around her waist. To complement the massager, Qi CHengyue had also purchased two bottles of massage oil which was lauded by many as being highly effective in treating lower back and joint pain.

In addition to that, she had also bought a smart vacuum cleaner that was shaped like a disc. It automatically glided across the floor sucking up dust and dirt.

She had also purchased some sports equipment and healthcare products for Cheng Zhaohui, who had retired but still enjoy picking up a game or two.

Once the four of them had split off into their individual pairs, Qi Chengyue's mind once more drifted back to Huang Ziyue. She had been unable to do so whilst out shopping with Song Yu.

Now as she sat in silence she was unable to stop thinking about Huang Ziyue.

She cast a furtive glance at Cheng Dongge, retraining herself from asking the one question that plagued her mind. The battle was not a long one as she was unable to resist the pull and the worry and she asked, "Weren't you at all concerned when you saw Huang Ziyue?"

Cheng Dongge stared at her and gave her a mocking scoff.

"Didn't you just say that you didn't mind my pettiness?" said Qi Chengyue slightly unnerved by his stare.

She had only managed to summon up the courage to speak because of what Cheng Dongge had said to her.

"I'm not looking down on you. Nor am I judging your petty ways," chuckled Cheng Dongge. "I'm merely amused by how long you had managed to restrain yourself from asking that question."

Qi Chengyue poked at his arm and asked softly, "Are you going to tell me the answer or not?"

"Alright," he smiled. "I'm not saddened by the encounter but I do feel a little upset about the situation. She was trying to obtain something that was but ended with nothing. It's quite upsetting to see something like that."

Cheng Dongge gazed down at Qi Chengyu as he said, "She is only a passer-by in my life. She is not the one with me right now."

Qi Chengyue lowered her head and gave a sigh of resignation, "I'm not sure if I am the one for you but I hope that I am."

In that moment, Cheng Dongge reached for hers. Slender fingers slid between the spaces of hers, clutching them tightly causing a warmth to spread through her.

Then she heard him murmur, "I hope I am the one for you too."

…

…

Song Yu and Qi Chengzhi were still on their way back home. She was sitting in the Land Rover's front passenger seat and talking to Grandmother Qi on the phone, informing her of their earlier purchases.

Grandmother Qi nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, the things you all bought were quite appropriate."

After chatting with Grandmother Qi for a while more, Song Yu hung up her phone and heard Qi Chengzhi say to her, "Why do I get the feeling that you are now a special agent."

"What?!" Song Yu rolled her eyes. "Since when did a husband call his wife a secret agent?"

Qi Chengzhi reached out, grabbed her hand and pulled it to his thigh. Glancing at her, he said, "I was thinking of coming home earlier tonight and spending some quality time with you in our bedroom after dinner."

Song Yu said nothing, despite understanding the implication. They had been restraining themselves, and she would be lying if she said that she wasn't craving for his attention.

Her fingers glided into the gaps between his, and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. His fingers were long and his palm vast when compared to her graceful slender fingers and delicate palm. No matter the angle she always found those long lithe fingers attractive.

She thought that if there was a hand to that would be so skilled at pleasuring a woman that hand would surely belong to Qi Chengzhi.

Grasping his hand, she pulled it to her lips and pressed a chaste kiss.

Satisfied, she hugged his arm, leaned in and rested her head upon his shoulder. "We still have the whole night," she whispered, pressing herself against the entire length of his arm.

Qi Chengzhi tightened his grip around her hand, bringing it up to press a kiss against her dainty fingers. As they were about to reach Viewpark Residence the traffic light turned red, forcing Qi Chnegzhi to stop.

The light would remain red for the next 60 seconds and Qi Chengzhi took the opportunity to brush his lips against her forehead. " You want it too," he murmured.

Feeling his lips against her skin caused the familiar prickling of desire and nerves. His warm baritone aroused her even further. Waiting any longer, after having to abstain for such a long period was pure torture to Song Yu.

Song Yu blushed at the carnal desire that seized her. She buried her head into his shoulder, unable to meet his enquiring gaze.

"Why is your face so red? What could you be possibly thinking about?" His eyes traversed the expanse of her bright red cheeks, vibrant and gorgeous, He wanted to reach across and kiss her.

Her appearance with the blossoming blush could seduce any men into committing any number of crimes.

His lips glided lower: first to her brows and then to those titillating cheeks. His breath carried the faint traces of cologne and aftershave, as his cheeks with their stubbles prickled hers. Song Yu quivered in anticipation. Raising her head slightly, she kissed his chin. "The light has turned green," she sighed.

Turning back to the traffic light, he smiled and shifted back into position.

Qi Chengzhi felt a faint reluctance to leave the car, once he had parked it. But he would not risk Song Yu's health, despite it being already three months.

Killing the engine, he pulled the key out of the ignition and got out. Song Yu had barely gotten her seatbelt off before he was by her side, pulling her out of the car.

She gave a cry of alarm when she was shoved against the car door and kissed. The kiss was aggressive full of wanting and need.

"Chengzhi!" gasped Song Yu as she turned away. "Let's get in first."

Panting, he rested his forehead against hers; reclaiming the lost control. They stood like that for quite some time, before he pulled back and escorted her into the elevator. There was a surveillance camera in the elevator, and this ensured that Qi Chengzhi did not act recklessly. He did, however, keep her within the tight confines of his arm as he nuzzled her hair and kissed her.

Song Yu chuckled, a soft sniffling sound.

"What's the matter?" Qi Chengzhi looked down and saw her smiling sweetly. Her gaze became even gentler and her voice was a little hoarse as spun her thoughts into words. "I was just thinking about how scandalous it would have been if you had kissed me like this when you were eighteen and I was nine."

Even Qi Chengzhi could not help the laughter that escaped him, "If this is what you are thinking, then are you saying that I am a beast?"

"It wasn't I who said it," replied Song Yu with a smile.

Qi Chengzhi snorted and continued hugging her tightly, as he carried on nuzzling her hair.

As the elevator doors slid open, Qi Chengzhi pulled her out and straight into their house and up the stairs not bothering with the polite niceties.

Aunt Yang was left to stand there. 'Why was there a need to rush?'

Slamming the door, Qi Chengzhi began kissing her. He lifted her slightly and with a guttural voice full of need commanded her to: "Help me unbuckle my belt."

Song Yu's breaths came in spurts as trembling fingers failed to undo the buckle even as he pressed her into the bed.

"It would appear that you need more practice. We don't want you to lose your skill," he chuckled, pressing against her.

Three months of abstinence would not be cured by a single toss in the sheets, but he did not one to exhaust her. And, so, with great strength of will, he restrained himself.

Unable to hold back, he left for the bathroom; staying for quite some time.

When he got back into bed, Song Yu draped herself over him, adjusting slightly to make herself more comfortable. She rested her face on his chest, inhaling the mix of musk and sweat.

She kissed his Adam's apple, and murmured, "Don't go to the bathroom. I can help you."

Upon hearing this passionate declaration, Qi Chengzhi had the desire to once again make the journey to the bathroom, but, instead, he kissed her fiercely. "Please stop seducing me. If you continue on this way I won't be able to remain calm."

Song Yu remained silent for a little while before she rolled off him turning her body to the side. She left a wide gap between them, wide enough to fit another person.

Without her warmth, Qi Chengzhi felt the coolness of the night. "What's the matter?" he asked as he spooned her, satiating the emptiness and the cold he felt when she was not with him.

Song Yu tucked in her knees, and he slid his in-between hers.

"I thought you didn't want me to seduce you? So I moved further away," said Song Yu, her voice gentle and without malice.

"Are you angry?" whispered Qi Chengzhi. He was lying behind her, taking the opportunity to kiss the soft round lobe of her ear.

"No," said Song Yu, deliberately turning around to face him, so that she might convince him. "I won't be able to stop myself from touching you if I am so close to you."

Qi Chengzhi sighed and supported himself on his arms, as he rose to find her lips.

He subtly maneuvered her body so that it once again lay atop his.

"Even if I were to have to go to the bathroom more often I would rather bear that than not hug you."

Song Yu smiled and closed her eyes, settling into his embrace.

They remained in comfortable silence for a while, before Song Yu spoke. "You just told me not to seduce you. So, why is your hand moving further down?"

Qi Chengzhi had just been inching his way down but stopped at Song Yu's words.

"I was simply saying goodnight to the baby," he replied without a pause or a single change in his expression.

"Then go on and say it. I'm listening," retorted Song Yu with a grin.

Qi Chengzhi lifted the blankets and slid downwards. It was not long before Song Yu felt something warm and wet press into her abdomen.

"What are you doing?"

"Just wishing him goodnight."

She gasped, gripping the pillows and blankets firmly as she tried to stifle the moans.

Qi Chengzhi felt rather invigorated. He had not felt like this in quite a while.

Even Song Yu was bright and rosy. She looked prettier than usual, though it was hard to place the source of beauty.

As they were having breakfast, the discussed whether they should make an appointment with the hospital for this Saturday.

Qi Chengzhi had instructed Ruan Danchen to stand as the plaintiff in the lawsuit against Mu Sisi for false accusations. So, Ruan Danchen had been practicing with Lawyer Song, who had simulated a variety of potential scenarios that could occur in court. Song Yu too had accompanied Ruan Danchen in these simulations.

Qi Chengzhi was rather busy, and his schedule was tightly packed. Nonetheless, he still made time for Song Yu: accompanying her during meals, and fetching her from work. Their time was limited, unlike before but he managed to maximize the time he had with her by forcing as much work as he could into office hours and minimizing his dinner parties (and where unavoidable converting them into lunch parties).

Because they could go for the prenatal examination at any time, they decided to have it on a Saturday rather than to go during one of Qi Chengzhi's hectic workdays.

…

…

At nine o'clock at night on Wednesday, Mu Huaisheng heard a rigid creaking sound as he was rotating his head in an effort to loosen his stiff neck.