Song Mian leaned casually against the wall, his gaze lowered, a faint curve at the corner of his lips. His voice was soft. “Being with you hardly counts as a sacrifice.”
When Song Mian smiled, his entire demeanor softened considerably, and even his dark eyes took on a gentle hue. Lin Zhi lifted his face and saw his own flushed reflection in Song Mian’s eyes.
His heart pounded fiercely—”thump thump thump”!
Lin Zhi shook his head to clear it. “Y-you’re taking advantage of the situation!”
Song Mian admitted it without hesitation. “Yeah. It all depends on whether you’ll agree to this plan for the baby’s sake.”
Holy crap!
He was way too straightforward!
Lin Zhi’s face flushed as well, his voice stumbling. “T-two guys… how are we supposed to get married?”
Song Mian offered a solution. “We can register abroad, then come back to hold the wedding. Zhizhi, do you know that you can register for marriage overseas?”
Song Mian didn’t look at him like he was an idiot, but the question itself felt a bit condescending to his intelligence.
Lin Zhi muttered softly, “Of course I know. I also know that it wouldn’t be recognized domestically.”
As he spoke, Lin Zhi glanced back inside the room. He had completely lost his fear about the pregnancy and was now shocked by Song Mian’s words, with a hint of curiosity creeping in.
Lin Zhi practically shoved Song Mian to the edge of the balcony and whispered, “Two guys… how do we even hold a wedding? If people find out, won’t we get flak for it?”
Song Mian reached out and pinched Lin Zhi’s cheek—not gently. After Lin Zhi yelped “Ow!”, he let go.
“I’ve noticed your mindset is stuck in the old days. Come out with me tomorrow and see how many same-sex couples are holding hands on the street.”
“Holding hands doesn’t mean they’re gay. I used to hug your arm all the time. Does that make me gay?” Lin Zhi countered, feeling quite logical.
Song Mian’s eye twitched.
That look from Song Mian irritated the sensitive pregnant Lin Zhi again, scrunching his face like a seal. “Don’t look at me like I’m an idiot!”
Song Mian restrained his gaze.
Composing himself, Song Mian explained seriously, “While domestic registration isn’t recognized, it can still bind you legally. The wedding is to let others know we’re married and to tell the child he’s not illegitimate. His parents are legally wed. If you really don’t want a wedding, we can skip it for now. Wait until you’re more open-minded. But we have to get the certificate first.”
Lin Zhi listened in a daze, latching onto only one key point.
“I’m the dad?”
Song Mian didn’t quibble over it. “Yeah, you’re the dad.”
Lin Zhi rubbed his chin, his expression turning wise. In that case, he’d have someone like Song Mian as his wife. But his wife was taller, stronger, and way more of a pervert than him.
Could Song Mian even pull off being a mom? Motherhood was a role worthy of respect—not just anyone could do it. Song Mian didn’t have a shred of maternal glow, and besides, Lin Zhi didn’t respect him that way.
A husband disrespecting his wife…
Wait, no!
What was he thinking?
Lin Zhi snapped back to reality and shook his head vigorously. “No, no, I need to think about it.”
Song Mian said, “You have two weeks.”
Lin Zhi was stunned. “Why is there a time limit? The baby won’t pop out in two weeks.”
Song Mian glanced at Lin Zhi’s belly. “In two weeks, your stomach will be over a month along.”
Lin Zhi asked, “So?”
Song Mian replied, “We can do an ultrasound then.”
Lin Zhi was puzzled. “So?”
Arms crossed, Song Mian laid out his thoughts. “I still don’t believe a man can get pregnant, so in two weeks, I’ll take you for another ultrasound. But whether you have a baby or not, you’ll already be married to me by then.”
Lin Zhi raised an issue. “What if I’m not pregnant?”
Song Mian arched a brow. “Baby, you can take the gamble. Bet that you’re not pregnant and refuse to marry me. But once you get that ultrasound—or if you sneak off for one on your own—this marriage option is off the table.”
Holy crap.
He was blatantly playing mind games.
“What do you think?” Song Mian asked leisurely.
What did he think?
Lin Zhi was at a loss. He even consulted the Romance Survival System.
The system had only two words: [Get married!!!]
Lin Zhi scratched his face. “But I am pregnant. I can feel the baby kicking me already.”
Song Mian: “…”
Song Mian’s face remained expressionless as Lin Zhi peered at him closely. Song Mian stepped right up to him, his gaze intense. “Let me listen?”
Lin Zhi lit up. “You believe me now?”
Song Mian said, “I’ll believe it if I hear it.”
Lin Zhi glanced inside again, then lifted the hem of his hoodie a bit.
“Lift it higher. I can hear your clothes rustling.”
“Hey!” Lin Zhi nervously yanked it up to his chest. “Listen quick!”
His pale skin was exposed to Song Mian’s view. Song Mian reached out, but the sharp-eyed Lin Zhi slapped his hand away.
“What? I’m just letting you listen. This is sacred—you better not get a boner!” Lin Zhi warned fiercely.
Song Mian glanced at him. “You’ve gotten pretty direct with your words too.”
With his belly exposed to the cool air, Lin Zhi lowered his voice. “Guys talk like that. Quit talking and listen—don’t let anyone catch us.”
Song Mian crouched down. The warm, soft belly pressed right against his ear. This was… the living, breathing Lin Zhi.
Song Mian’s body trembled slightly.
“Did you hear it?”
Song Mian had heard it—a fierce… heartbeat. “Thump thump thump,” like it was about to burst out.
But it wasn’t coming from the heart area.
Song Mian looked up at Lin Zhi, who was peering into the dorm, then down at him. Their eyes met, and Lin Zhi’s face turned beet red. He quickly dropped his hoodie and looked around furtively. “Did you hear the baby?”
Song Mian couldn’t hold back a chuckle.
“What’s so funny? Did you?”
Song Mian stood and straightened Lin Zhi’s clothes. “Nope.”
Lin Zhi didn’t throw a fit, nodding instead. “Exactly. I’m only a little over two weeks along—no way there’s anything yet.”
Song Mian asked, “Then why’d you make me listen?”
Lin Zhi nudged him again, looking earnest. “Sigh, I was just scared, you know? Telling you made it better. Brother Song Mian, you’re surprisingly reassuring.”
Song Mian raised a brow. Lin Zhi grabbed his hand like old pals, gazing at him with flushed cheeks. “I’m a pregnant guy now, so you gotta respect my wishes from here on out. No more kissing me on a whim, okay?”
Song Mian squeezed back. “I only kiss you anyway. Go check outside—guys like us? You’d have been railed daily already.”
“Don’t say stuff like that!” Lin Zhi cut him off. “Everything has to respect the pregnant guy’s wishes!”
Song Mian: “Fine.”
Lin Zhi’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected Song Mian to agree so easily. Just as he got excited for a second, Song Mian added, “Ten days.”
Lin Zhi blinked in confusion.
Song Mian lowered his voice threateningly. “Ten days without marrying me, and this kid becomes a bastard.”
Holy crap!
“Not willing? Then five days. Or I won’t respect the pregnant guy’s wishes.” Song Mian’s tone was calm, but the content was downright nasty.
“Five days?” Lin Zhi was shocked. “Song Mian, this is marriage! Even abroad, it’s no small deal! I-I haven’t figured out how to tell my parents. I have a little sister too. Five days isn’t enough to even think!”
Song Mian’s eyes darkened. He pinned Lin Zhi in place, his voice laced with restrained excitement. “You plan to tell your parents?”
Lin Zhi pushed at him but couldn’t budge him. He met Song Mian’s gaze matter-of-factly. “Of course—it’s a huge deal. And once we register, you won’t divorce me, right?”
Song Mian: “No.”
Song Mian stared at Lin Zhi’s moving lips, his breathing ragged for a few seconds. His voice came out hoarse. “Then fourteen days.”
“No take-backs,” Lin Zhi warned.
“Mm. I want to kiss you.”
Lin Zhi turned and walked off, rubbing his belly.
Such great paternal love!
Song Mian smiled faintly.
Back inside from the balcony, Tong Xu noticed Song Mian’s good mood and called out to Lin Zhi with a sigh “Zhizhi, only Song Mian gets your weirdness.”
Lin Zhi, also in high spirits, shot back, “It’s not weird. I mean it—what do you think, bro?”
Tong Xu: “Don’t mess around.”
Lin Zhi dashed over and gripped Tong Xu’s bed rail with both hands. “What if it was me?”
Tong Xu: “Don’t mess around!”
Lin Zhi bellowed, “Bro!”
Tong Xu: “……”
Tong Xu could only answer, “I’d accept it. What else can I do if I don’t?”
Lin Zhi: “Yeah.”
Lin Zhi wanted to ask Zhu Muyun next, but Zhu Muyun—guessing from the message Lin Zhi had sent him—clamped his ears shut. “Zhizhi, please spare me. I really don’t get this stuff!”
Lin Zhi left disappointed.
Song Mian, ever domineering, asked, “What’d you ask? Not telling me?”
Lin Zhi whispered, “Whether they could accept a gay friend getting pregnant.”
Song Mian ruffled Lin Zhi’s hair. “You won’t give birth.”
“Hmph.”
“You materialists are in for a shock someday!”
Song Mian didn’t care. “I’m waiting.”
Let him wait!
Lin Zhi rubbed his belly again. Even if he really didn’t want a kid, he had to believe reality! All those pregnancy tests had come back positive—they were positive.
That night, after Song Mian went back to bed, Lin Zhi dragged his blanket over. He knelt beside Song Mian’s bed, face a bit red. “C-can I sleep with you?”
Song Mian’s throat bobbed. He lifted the covers. “Ditch the blanket and get in.”
Lin Zhi huffed and left.
Moments later, he slipped in alone. He caught Song Mian’s scent again. His bro really smelled good.
Finally sharing a bed, Song Mian unceremoniously hooked an arm around him and pulled him close. Lin Zhi curled up in his embrace, all his fear gone.
If only his bro wasn’t such a perv!
But Song Mian’s breathing grew heavy again. The perceptive Lin Zhi’s eyes flew wide, his expression pained. He leaned to Song Mian’s ear and whispered, barely audible, “Song Mian, you really can’t right now!”
“The first month for a pregnant guy is super prone to miscarriage!”
Song Mian’s ear tickled.
“You want me to?”
Lin Zhi’s face burned red. He shook his head frantically and clamped a hand over Song Mian’s mouth as he started to speak again.
“Keep it down!”
Zhu Muyun suddenly piped up. “It’s fine—we’re not asleep.”
Lin Zhi sighed in exasperation. What a lousy dorm head!
Song Mian’s lips curved up. He hugged the “pregnant guy” tight, heedless of whether he’d squash the belly.
Lin Zhi: “sigh. Song Mian, I’m just worried about your health too.”
Song Mian murmured low, “Then do it with me.”
Lin Zhi fell silent, feeling wronged. Ungrateful jerk! Late that night, after Lin Zhi fell asleep, Song Mian couldn’t resist checking his breathing.
Since Song Mian had promised to respect the pregnant guy’s wishes, Lin Zhi started sticking to him more, insisting righteously that it was for the baby. Song Mian didn’t argue and even bought an apartment near campus.
Lin Zhi was stunned.
Song Mian said, “The first month of pregnancy is unstable. If you’re willing to move out, we can live there.”
Lin Zhi eyed him suspiciously. “You didn’t even ask me?”
Song Mian admitted frankly, “Nope. If you don’t want it, it’ll sit empty.”
So rich and overbearing! But Lin Zhi really didn’t go. The forums were blowing up with rumors about him and Song Mian—moving out would confirm they were shacking up! His straight-guy cred was already hanging by a thread! Plus, he didn’t trust Song Mian one bit!
Song Mian asked casually, “Told your parents yet?”
Lin Zhi: “I forwarded them videos of college students getting married and having kids. They sent back thumbs-up emojis. How do you smell so good?”
Lin Zhi buried his nose in Song Mian’s shoulder like a puppy.
Song Mian puzzled, “I didn’t spray cologne.”
“You really smell good!” Lin Zhi kept sniffing, calming down only when he reached Song Mian’s chest. He sat up straight, serious. “You must’ve sprayed carrot-scented cologne to tempt me!”
Lin Zhi couldn’t resist sniffing the air near Song Mian, his cheeks flushing pink.
Remembering the book on rabbit pseudopregnancy he’d read, Song Mian didn’t stop him. “Have you felt the urge to hoard clothes lately?”
Lin Zhi shook his head. “No.”
No?
Song Mian wasn’t entirely convinced by Lin Zhi’s words.
That very night, Song Mian caught Lin Zhi hugging a pile of clothes back to bed.
Song Mian was about to stop Lin Zhi when Lin Zhi glared at him fiercely. “What? I’m just collecting my clothes, not yours.”
Song Mian watched as Lin Zhi bustled about, stacking the clothes high before burrowing into the bedding, surrounded by his own scent.
Song Mian confirmed it: rabbit nesting behavior.
Tong Xu, who had just finished gaming, was stunned by the scene. “Zhi Zhi, what are you doing?”
Lin Zhi comfortably played on his phone. “I want my own secret space.”
Tong Xu muttered, “Zhi Zhi, act normal!”
Lin Zhi replied, “I am normal!”
He was probably just full of energy and needed something to do. Especially since Song Mian had mentioned collecting clothes that afternoon—energetic as he was, of course it stuck with him.
“Tong Bro, am I normal?” Lin Zhi asked, still uneasy.
The Romance Survival System’s electronic voice sounded a bit perfunctory: 【Normal, totally normal.】
Lin Zhi relaxed.
“Tong Bro, aren’t you bored?”
Romance Survival System: 【Not bored at all. This system is watching TV.】
What the—?
“Where are you watching TV?”
Romance Survival System: 【This system is a system; it has its own database. Lin Zhi Zhi, want to know this system’s missions?】
Lin Zhi’s mind went blank.
Romance Survival System: 【Then don’t disturb this system’s entertainment!】
Lin Zhi was playing on his phone when the bed shifted. Song Mian appeared, hugging a pile of clothes, and climbed onto the bed. Lin Zhi jolted upright. “What are you doing?”
Song Mian spread his clothes over Lin Zhi’s, adding more around him.
Song Mian said, “Your clothes didn’t seem like enough, so I brought some.”
Before Lin Zhi could respond, Tong Xu stared in shock and couldn’t help asking Song Mian, “Song Mian, has Zhi Zhi gotten you acting all weird too?”
Lin Zhi scratched his cheek, feeling a bit pleased inside.
He gazed at Song Mian, who looked back and said, “It’s not weird. I’m just helping Zhi Zhi build his secret space.”
Tong Xu muttered, “You two definitely have something going on.”
Lin Zhi’s attention was entirely on Song Mian, and with the added scent of him all around, he felt even more comfortable. He didn’t even notice what Tong Xu said. Glancing at Song Mian’s high-end shirts and hoodies, he hesitated. “What if they get wrinkled? You’re not trying to scam me, are you?”
Song Mian pinched Lin Zhi’s cheek hard. Lin Zhi held back his “ow.”
Song Mian whispered, “Ungrateful little thing.”
Lin Zhi’s face flushed red as he obediently apologized. “Sorry.”
“Apology accepted. Want me to stay and sleep with you?”
Lin Zhi refused. “No need.”
After Song Mian left, a message from him popped up on Lin Zhi’s phone.
[Come home with me this Saturday.]
Lin Zhi replied warily: [Why? Forgot what you promised me?]
Song Mian: [Hiring someone to teach us about expectant husbands, plus a radish feast to treat you. Begging Zhi Zhi’s forgiveness—don’t reject me.]
Only now does he think to ask for forgiveness! But expectant husband knowledge? That sounded good.
Lin Zhi replied primly: [Fine . And hand over the doll!]
