Both Xia Wanfu and Jiang Zexi had changed significantly this time.
Xia Wanfu's style was different from last time, yet also unlike her former self.
She was now mature and steady, having shed her sharp edges and become much more approachable.
As for Jiang Zexi, despite the constant smile on his face and the tenderness in his affectionate eyes, he had been like a walking dead man, devoid of emotion, merely a shell.
Now, his smile was open, his gaze gentle, radiating vitality.
These two individuals had undergone a complete transformation.
Old Madam Ling glanced at Xia Wan'tang, then at Xia Wanfu, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion.
Xia Wanfu readily admitted, "I am Wan'tang's sister."
Old Madam Ling's expression became subtly complex. The information they had gathered about the Xia family previously hadn't painted them in a very favorable light!
Yet, seeing Xia Wanfu before her, she felt she was entirely different from the person described in their investigation.
The intelligence had labeled her as sharp-tongued and short-tempered.
But the young woman before her was poised and graceful, her smile bright, and her demeanor and speech impeccably proper.
Xia Wanfu sat beside Xia Wan'tang, her gaze curious yet clear as she looked at her sister's swollen belly, devoid of any ulterior motives.
"How many months are you?"
"Five months," Xia Wan'tang replied, her hand absently touching her stomach, her smile faint.
"That's wonderful."
Xia Wanfu felt a pang of envy, but she currently had no plans for pregnancy as she was in a crucial phase of her career.
The current dynamic between the sisters wasn't overtly hostile, but it lacked the closeness of true siblings.
Xia Wan'tang felt that this was for the best. She didn't want them to be like enemies.
Ideally, they would have no interaction, but with Ling Yucheng and Jiang Zexi being childhood friends, gatherings and meetings were inevitable.
For their sake, maintaining a friendly rapport would prevent them from being put in a difficult position.
Thus, they had found a rare understanding, their interactions harmonious, free from confrontation or disdain.
Jiang Zexi's visit this time was not only to introduce Xia Wanfu to everyone but also to invite their family for lunch at the Jiang residence on the eighth of next month.
Li Bowen would also be bringing Wen Xuanyuan.
They sat for a short while before departing.
Xia Wan'tang, feeling sleepy, yawned and returned to the East Courtyard with Ling Yucheng.
Upon entering, she shed her thick down jacket, revealing a long, form-fitting sweater underneath.
Her bedroom had underfloor heating installed later, making it comfortably warm.
She glanced at her round belly and walked towards the full-length mirror.
In the reflection, her cheeks were rosy and radiant. Due to her pregnancy, her bust and hips had enlarged considerably, her waist had thickened, making her appear swollen like a very large woman.
Ling Yucheng walked up behind her and embraced her, his hands finding their precise placement.
"You've grown again."
Xia Wan'tang was already in a bad mood about her perceived plumpness.
She retorted petulantly, "Get off me, don't touch me."
Ever since Xia Wan'tang's pregnancy, Ling Yucheng had become extremely cautious, knowing that carrying a child meant unpredictable moods.
If she was upset, she needed no reason, and there was no point in reasoning with her, as she simply wouldn't listen.
Xia Wan'tang often reflected on her temper after calming down.
But the next time, she still couldn't control it. Perhaps this was the entitlement that came with being deeply cherished.
Yet, Ling Yucheng embraced it willingly.
Xia Wan'tang sat on the sofa, huffing, as Ling Yucheng approached and coaxed her gently, "What's wrong?"
Xia Wan'tang said aggrievedly, "I've gotten so fat like a pig..."
"Who said that..." Ling Yucheng sat beside her and whispered something in her ear.
Xia Wan'tang's face grew increasingly flushed, but her mood clearly improved, and she snuggled contentedly into Ling Yucheng's arms.
A good mood often led to sleepiness.
She drifted off, and within seconds, her breathing became deep and even.
Ling Yucheng was accustomed to this. He gently picked her up and placed her on the bed, tucking her in.
She slept until dusk.
When Xia Wan'tang woke, the room was dimly lit, and a sense of fear instinctively washed over her. She called out, "Ling Yucheng? Ling Yucheng?"
Ever since the incident at Lixiang Courtyard, she had developed a profound fear of the dark.
Especially after encountering eerie tales about Lixiang Courtyard online.
It was said that all the nearby residents had moved away because they often heard screams and wails in the middle of the night, causing widespread panic.
Some, while getting up for a midnight trip to the restroom, claimed to have seen blackened, burnt ghostly faces outside their windows.
The situation eventually escalated to such an extent that Lixiang Courtyard was razed to the ground. Later, with the guidance of eminent monks, a pagoda was erected to suppress the restless spirits.
At this moment, these memories vividly resurfaced in Xia Wan'tang's mind, amplifying her dread to an unbearable peak.
Just then, the lights in the room suddenly flickered on, and Ling Yucheng's tall figure stood bathed in the light.
Xia Wan'tang's heart instantly calmed. She opened her arms, saying plaintively, "I was scared, hug me."
Ling Yucheng strode forward, pulling her into his embrace, and soothed her gently, "It's alright, don't be afraid."
His voice seemed to possess a magical quality, and Xia Wan'tang's heart settled immediately, all fear dispelled.
Ling Yucheng understood the source of her fear. After such a long time, her continued anxiety made him wonder if she should seek psychological help, lest it leave a permanent scar.
However, given her current pregnancy, he decided it was best to wait until after the baby was born.
Xia Wan'tang's voice was husky from sleep, soft and sweet, like a kitten's.
"I'm hungry, let's go eat."
Ling Yucheng took her hand, helped her up, retrieved her clothes for her, and waited for her to put them on and her hat before escorting her to the front courtyard.
After dinner, the family sat in the living room watching television.
Ling Yucheng peeled an orange for her, reminding her, "Tangtang, you have a five-dimensional ultrasound tomorrow."
Old Madam Ling nodded and instructed, "The weather is cold, take good care of her."
Ling Yucheng nodded gently and handed the peeled orange to Xia Wan'tang.
Xia Wan'tang ate it, saying, "I heard the five-dimensional ultrasound can show what the baby looks like. Hearing you say that makes me so excited!"
Old Master Ling simply smiled, his hand, no longer as agile, trembling slightly as he caressed the jade thumb ring on his finger.
In truth, he was more curious about whether Xia Wan'tang was carrying a boy or a girl.
He had no daughters himself and looked forward to having one, but if it were a boy, that would be even better.
After all, traditional thinking favored sons inheriting the family business.
The family sat together for a while, watching television in a warm atmosphere, before retiring for the night.
It was said that pregnant women could truly sleep a lot. She had slept for several hours in the afternoon and could fall asleep early in the evening.
However, she woke frequently, needing to get up three to four times a night to use the restroom.
Ling Yucheng, groggy, placed a lidded chamber pot by the bedside, not wanting to leave her side.
But Xia Wan'tang felt too embarrassed to use it and never had.
However, not using it now didn't mean she wouldn't in the future.
As she entered the later stages of pregnancy, her body became cumbersome, her pubic bone ached, and even turning over was difficult, while the frequent urge to urinate intensified.