Chapter 38 SJC
After grabbing all the baby supplies, Gu Yan hesitated for a moment before reminding the nanny, “Don’t talk about this stuff in front of Jinnian. He doesn’t like it.”
“I know.” The nanny’s smile grew more genuine, and she couldn’t help but sigh, “Mr. Shen really has good taste—he married such an understanding wife like you, and the two of you have such a sweet, well-behaved child. Once your relationship smooths out, you should try for another baby. A happy family of four!”
“Thank you for the blessing, Aunty, but... please don’t bring up the idea of a second child either,” Gu Yan added. “He’s been in a bad mood lately.”
“Alright, alright.” The nanny nodded repeatedly. “You’re the most thoughtful wife I’ve ever seen on a job. So caring toward your husband—young people’s love really is touching.”
Gu Yan kept his eyes closed and listened half-heartedly.
In one ear, out the other.
He understood that the auntie meant well. But she still had that classic old-school mindset—always eager to join the excitement.
Gu Yan waited and waited until he finally heard Shen Jinnian call his full name from the bedroom. Only then did he manage to escape the nanny’s 3D surround-sound level of brainwashing.
He came in carrying an entire pack of diapers.
By the time he returned, the little one was already dozing off—he had to act fast and get the diaper on before the kid fell fully asleep.
Gu Yan pulled one out, tried to figure out which side was the front, and slipped it onto the baby’s legs like he was putting on tiny underwear.
But the baby wasn’t having it. Even half-asleep and groggy, he reflexively kicked out a chubby little foot—smack—the diaper Gu Yan had just slipped on and flew off instantly.
The little face even looked a little aggrieved. “Eng～”
Didn’t like it. Didn’t want to wear it.
Pressure instantly built up in Gu Yan’s chest.
He’d never taken care of a baby before, and with Shen Jinnian watching, he didn’t know how much strength was okay. He was terrified of using too much force and making the baby cry—if that happened and Shen Jinnian got upset, he’d be in for it.
So Gu Yan fumbled with the diaper over and over, barely managing to get it up to the baby’s thighs. He ended up sweating all over from the effort.
Shen Jinnian finally couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He crawled out from under the blanket. “You’re so dumb. And you still want to be someone’s dad? You don’t even know how to put on a diaper properly.”
“Hold his legs like this first before putting it on.” Shen Jinnian grabbed one of the baby’s legs in a quick, fluid motion.
He hoisted both chubby little legs up like he was lifting a piglet. “Now pull it on.”
Gu Yan carefully slipped the diaper on, afraid to wake the baby.
Luckily, the little one was deeply drowsy, completely unbothered.
Seeing that, Shen Jinnian lay back down on the bed.
He lifted the blanket, waiting for the baby to scoot over.
The baby on the bed cracked open his eyelids, glanced over sleepily, and saw Shen Jinnian waiting.
Without a second thought, he turned and crawled into Shen Jinnian’s arms. His little hand naturally rested on that slender waist and clutched the silky fabric of his pajamas.
Shen Jinnian had a lean, elegant figure to begin with, and as he lay on his side, the smooth satin of his pajamas hugged his frame just right—emphasizing his slim waist and long legs, subtly seductive.
Gu Yan forgot to look away for a moment.
Then Shen Jinnian pulled the blanket up around the baby—also effectively blocking Gu Yan’s line of sight.
He coughed twice and stared directly at Gu Yan. “If you’re not sleeping, go sleep on the couch.”
“…Sorry.”
Gu Yan chose the far end of the bed.
The bed was very large, and there was a huge gap between the two of them.
No chance Shen Jinnian would hear his racing heartbeat from that far away.
Once Shen Jinnian got into bed, he casually grabbed a throw pillow and placed it between them.
“This is the boundary line. You can’t cross it—but the baby can.”
Gu Yan nodded, showing he understood.
Shen Jinnian was left speechless.
Gu Yan adjusted his blanket. The moment it covered him, the scent of strawberries—sweet and fresh—wrapped around him. It was soaked into the fabric.
He took a deep breath.
It felt like holding someone in his arms.
Shen Jinnian noticed the familiar scent too.
He suddenly sat up, his brows tightly knit.
“This is my blanket. Auntie must’ve brought the wrong one!”
There were guest blankets at home, all new. The one Gu Yan was using was a spare Shen Jinnian often used for himself.
The fabric was soft. He liked it a lot.
Sometimes, after a shower, he’d skip pajamas and curl up in it with his phone.
Now seeing that blanket on Gu Yan...
Shen Jinnian’s ears turned red.
“I’ll go change it!”
He got up, flustered.
But Gu Yan reached out and grabbed his wrist.
“It’s late. No need to switch.”
Shen Jinnian frowned.
“But that’s my blanket.”
Gu Yan stayed calm.
“I’ve already slept in it. Now it has my scent. You won’t want it back. Even if we switch it, that’s two blankets wasted.”
Shen Jinnian was speechless.
Gu Yan offered gently:
“I’ll buy you a new one. Same brand.”
Shen Jinnian huffed and lay back down.
“I never asked you to pay for it. Just stop talking and go to sleep.”
He shut his eyes, pretending none of it happened. He tried to clear his mind and meditate.
But the more he thought about Gu Yan lying beside him, the more awake he became. His heart wouldn’t stop racing.
After a long pause, Shen Jinnian sat up again and whispered:
“Are you asleep?”
Gu Yan opened his eyes.
“Hm?”
“I’m hungry. If you’re still awake, make me something.”
He wasn’t really hungry. He just needed something to do—maybe tire Gu Yan out too.
He didn’t expect Gu Yan to actually sit up.
“What do you want?”
“Plain noodles. With a fried egg. I didn’t eat enough tonight. Make two portions.”
“Alright. Stay with the baby. I’ll come get you when it’s ready.”
Shen Jinnian nodded and watched him leave.
The moment Gu Yan stepped out, the room felt more relaxed.
The baby stirred in his arms, fussing, as if searching for something.
Shen Jinnian tucked him into the blanket Gu Yan had just used.
Sure enough, the baby settled down and fell asleep.
That ticked Shen Jinnian off.
He had been raising this kid alone. Now Gu Yan shows up, and the baby acts like he’s the one who did all the parenting.
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he got.
He turned toward the empty doorway and started throwing imaginary punches into the air.
“Stupid Gu Yan! Stealing my baby!”
He punched to the right.
“Always going against me, you jerk!”
Then left.
“And you want to marry me? Keep dreaming!”
Swish, swish, swish—a flurry of air punches.
“...Annoying guy.”
He slumped back onto the headboard, catching his breath.
Then he glanced at the door—
At some point, it had quietly opened.
Gu Yan was standing there.
Watching him.
Silently.
· · ────── ꒰เฆ·✦·เป꒱ ────── · ·
I just wanted to scream “It's not thaaaat hard Gu Yannnnn” while he was fumbling with the diaper lol.
“I know.” The nanny’s smile grew more genuine, and she couldn’t help but sigh, “Mr. Shen really has good taste—he married such an understanding wife like you, and the two of you have such a sweet, well-behaved child. Once your relationship smooths out, you should try for another baby. A happy family of four!”
“Thank you for the blessing, Aunty, but... please don’t bring up the idea of a second child either,” Gu Yan added. “He’s been in a bad mood lately.”
“Alright, alright.” The nanny nodded repeatedly. “You’re the most thoughtful wife I’ve ever seen on a job. So caring toward your husband—young people’s love really is touching.”
Gu Yan kept his eyes closed and listened half-heartedly.
In one ear, out the other.
He understood that the auntie meant well. But she still had that classic old-school mindset—always eager to join the excitement.
Gu Yan waited and waited until he finally heard Shen Jinnian call his full name from the bedroom. Only then did he manage to escape the nanny’s 3D surround-sound level of brainwashing.
He came in carrying an entire pack of diapers.
By the time he returned, the little one was already dozing off—he had to act fast and get the diaper on before the kid fell fully asleep.
Gu Yan pulled one out, tried to figure out which side was the front, and slipped it onto the baby’s legs like he was putting on tiny underwear.
But the baby wasn’t having it. Even half-asleep and groggy, he reflexively kicked out a chubby little foot—smack—the diaper Gu Yan had just slipped on and flew off instantly.
The little face even looked a little aggrieved. “Eng～”
Didn’t like it. Didn’t want to wear it.
Pressure instantly built up in Gu Yan’s chest.
He’d never taken care of a baby before, and with Shen Jinnian watching, he didn’t know how much strength was okay. He was terrified of using too much force and making the baby cry—if that happened and Shen Jinnian got upset, he’d be in for it.
So Gu Yan fumbled with the diaper over and over, barely managing to get it up to the baby’s thighs. He ended up sweating all over from the effort.
Shen Jinnian finally couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He crawled out from under the blanket. “You’re so dumb. And you still want to be someone’s dad? You don’t even know how to put on a diaper properly.”
“Hold his legs like this first before putting it on.” Shen Jinnian grabbed one of the baby’s legs in a quick, fluid motion.
He hoisted both chubby little legs up like he was lifting a piglet. “Now pull it on.”
Gu Yan carefully slipped the diaper on, afraid to wake the baby.
Luckily, the little one was deeply drowsy, completely unbothered.
Seeing that, Shen Jinnian lay back down on the bed.
He lifted the blanket, waiting for the baby to scoot over.
The baby on the bed cracked open his eyelids, glanced over sleepily, and saw Shen Jinnian waiting.
Without a second thought, he turned and crawled into Shen Jinnian’s arms. His little hand naturally rested on that slender waist and clutched the silky fabric of his pajamas.
Shen Jinnian had a lean, elegant figure to begin with, and as he lay on his side, the smooth satin of his pajamas hugged his frame just right—emphasizing his slim waist and long legs, subtly seductive.
Gu Yan forgot to look away for a moment.
Then Shen Jinnian pulled the blanket up around the baby—also effectively blocking Gu Yan’s line of sight.
He coughed twice and stared directly at Gu Yan. “If you’re not sleeping, go sleep on the couch.”
“…Sorry.”
Gu Yan chose the far end of the bed.
The bed was very large, and there was a huge gap between the two of them.
No chance Shen Jinnian would hear his racing heartbeat from that far away.
Once Shen Jinnian got into bed, he casually grabbed a throw pillow and placed it between them.
“This is the boundary line. You can’t cross it—but the baby can.”
Gu Yan nodded, showing he understood.
Shen Jinnian was left speechless.
Gu Yan adjusted his blanket. The moment it covered him, the scent of strawberries—sweet and fresh—wrapped around him. It was soaked into the fabric.
He took a deep breath.
It felt like holding someone in his arms.
Shen Jinnian noticed the familiar scent too.
He suddenly sat up, his brows tightly knit.
“This is my blanket. Auntie must’ve brought the wrong one!”
There were guest blankets at home, all new. The one Gu Yan was using was a spare Shen Jinnian often used for himself.
The fabric was soft. He liked it a lot.
Sometimes, after a shower, he’d skip pajamas and curl up in it with his phone.
Now seeing that blanket on Gu Yan...
Shen Jinnian’s ears turned red.
“I’ll go change it!”
He got up, flustered.
But Gu Yan reached out and grabbed his wrist.
“It’s late. No need to switch.”
Shen Jinnian frowned.
“But that’s my blanket.”
Gu Yan stayed calm.
“I’ve already slept in it. Now it has my scent. You won’t want it back. Even if we switch it, that’s two blankets wasted.”
Shen Jinnian was speechless.
Gu Yan offered gently:
“I’ll buy you a new one. Same brand.”
Shen Jinnian huffed and lay back down.
“I never asked you to pay for it. Just stop talking and go to sleep.”
He shut his eyes, pretending none of it happened. He tried to clear his mind and meditate.
But the more he thought about Gu Yan lying beside him, the more awake he became. His heart wouldn’t stop racing.
After a long pause, Shen Jinnian sat up again and whispered:
“Are you asleep?”
Gu Yan opened his eyes.
“Hm?”
“I’m hungry. If you’re still awake, make me something.”
He wasn’t really hungry. He just needed something to do—maybe tire Gu Yan out too.
He didn’t expect Gu Yan to actually sit up.
“What do you want?”
“Plain noodles. With a fried egg. I didn’t eat enough tonight. Make two portions.”
“Alright. Stay with the baby. I’ll come get you when it’s ready.”
Shen Jinnian nodded and watched him leave.
The moment Gu Yan stepped out, the room felt more relaxed.
The baby stirred in his arms, fussing, as if searching for something.
Shen Jinnian tucked him into the blanket Gu Yan had just used.
Sure enough, the baby settled down and fell asleep.
That ticked Shen Jinnian off.
He had been raising this kid alone. Now Gu Yan shows up, and the baby acts like he’s the one who did all the parenting.
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he got.
He turned toward the empty doorway and started throwing imaginary punches into the air.
“Stupid Gu Yan! Stealing my baby!”
He punched to the right.
“Always going against me, you jerk!”
Then left.
“And you want to marry me? Keep dreaming!”
Swish, swish, swish—a flurry of air punches.
“...Annoying guy.”
He slumped back onto the headboard, catching his breath.
Then he glanced at the door—
At some point, it had quietly opened.
Gu Yan was standing there.
Watching him.
Silently.
· · ────── ꒰เฆ·✦·เป꒱ ────── · ·
I just wanted to scream “It's not thaaaat hard Gu Yannnnn” while he was fumbling with the diaper lol.
๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
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