Luo Qi had a particularly tough time during her late pregnancy, especially in the two weeks leading up to delivery. She had difficulty breathing, and it was uncomfortable no matter how she lay down at night. She often had tears running down her face at the continued discomfort.

Jiang Shenghe held her hand, unable to share her pain. He knew from a young age that childbirth was a difficult and painful experience. His aunt often told him that his mother had almost lost her life giving birth to him. So even though his mother didn’t have time to discipline him and didn’t spend much time with him, he was always grateful to her.

Luo Qi smiled and said, “It’s alright, I’ll be relieved of this burden soon.” At most, she’ll have to endure another two weeks, and perhaps she’d even give birth earlier. “I’ll be free in less than two weeks.”

Jiang Shenghe massaged her calves. After becoming pregnant, her limbs were still slender, not much different from before pregnancy. She gained more than 20 catty, all of which went into her belly.

The next morning, Luo Qi was admitted to the hospital due to abdominal pain and gave birth twelve days ahead of her due date.

The pain was so intense that sweat poured from every strand of her hair; she was in excruciating agony.

Jiang Shenghe gently kissed her fingertips, “I’m right next to you, don’t be afraid.”

… …

When Luo Qi woke up, Jiang Shenghe was by her bedside, and he put a few slices of cucumber on her lips to moisturize her chapped lips.

The cucumbers were grown in their own planting equipment. He asked the auntie to pick two and bring them to the hospital. They were more effective at moistening than cotton swabs dipped in water, and they also had a faint cucumber fragrance.

Luo Qi looked weak and listless, but her lips curved into a slight smile as she pointed to the cucumber slice on her lips. Jiang Shenghe took it off and kissed her lips twice. “How are you feeling?”

“Finally, I breathe freely, and I don’t feel suffocated anymore.”

She asked, “The babies? How are they?”

“They seem healthy, but they need to be observed for a few more hours.”

“Who do they look like?” she asked, then answered herself, “You probably can’t tell yet. Newborn babies aren’t good-looking; they’re all wrinkled.”

Jiang Shenghe smiled and said, “I think they look good. Our son’s hair is so black and thick.”

“What about our daughter’s?”

Jiang Shenghe said very tactfully, “Our daughter’s hair still needs to grow a bit longer.”

Luo Qi laughed, “She doesn’t have much hair, does she?”

“Mm. A little less.” He laughed as he said this. When the nurse showed the baby to him and said she was his daughter, he even suspected that the nurse had made a mistake.

“Mom said that our daughter’s hair is like yours. You didn’t have much hair when you were born too.”

“…” Luo Qi laughed, denying it, “Mom was just trying to comfort you.”

She smiled and said that he should ask her mother how her hair had grown so black and thick.

Jiang Shenghe smiled, “Mom said that you ate a lot of walnuts and black sesame seeds when you were little, and you also had to sunbathe a little every day. When you got a little older, your hair grew thicker after a few haircuts.”

He said, “From now on, I will hold my daughter in the sun every day.”

Luo Qi was weak. After chatting for a while, Jiang Shenghe urged her to rest and went to make her some soup to help with digestion.

… …

He has a month-long paternity leave, only going to the company two days a week and staying home five days a week.

Luo Qi said that two weeks of companionship would be enough as the company was busy, and he didn’t need to take such a long break.

They have a postpartum nanny and a childcare nanny at home, and her mother and mother-in-law were both there, so she didn’t need so many people.

Jiang Shenghe said, “I’m not very good at taking care of children, so I’ll stay home with you.”

… …

After finishing her postpartum confinement, Luo Qi took a hot shower and finally felt refreshed.

During the past month, Jiang Shenghe tried to hug her many times, but she pushed him away. He thought that her pregnancy symptoms had not yet subsided, and she was still unwilling to be too intimate with him.

After changing into comfortable pajamas, Jiang Shenghe dried her hair, and she turned around and hugged him.

It had been seven or eight months since they had been this close. Jiang Shenghe tossed the hairdryer onto the vanity, lifted her up with both hands, and Luo Qi instinctively clung to his waist.

Jiang Sheng kissed her collarbone, “Can we sleep together tonight?”

“Mm.”

The bedroom door was half-open, and a tranquil and gentle piano melody drifted from the end of the second-floor corridor.

His mother has been staying with them for the past month, and she played the piano for an hour every night. It could be considered early education songs for the two babies and also a lullaby for Luo Qi.

His father had his day off today and came to spend the whole day with the two children. Even when the children were ready to take a bath and go to bed, he was reluctant to leave and decided to stay overnight.

Jiang Shenghe put Luo Qi on the bed. Luo Qi suddenly fell silent as she listened to the piano music outside. She even gestured for Jiang Shenghe to listen, saying, “It’s a four-handed duet.”

Even if the other person wasn’t familiar with the instrument, it was easy to tell that it was being played by four hands.

Jiang Shenghe was used to it. He often listened to four-handed piano duets when he was a child. Compared to before, his father’s piano skills have improved a lot. “It’s my dad.”

His father knew simple pieces, and during holidays he would accompany his mother to practice piano. His father was not romantic and was quite rough on the emotional level, but he has persisted in accompanying his mother to practice piano all these years.

Jiang Shenghe turned off the lights, leaving a crack in the door to listen to the lullaby. Luo Qi quickly fell asleep in his arms.

He reached for his phone on the bedside table, found his father’s number in the contacts, and changed ‘Natural Enemy’ to ‘Dad’.

After becoming a father, his mindset and thoughts were now completely different from before. His feelings for his son were probably the same as those of his father for him.

… …

When their daughter was two months old, her hair was still sparse, not much different from when she was born. Her skin was fair, which made her hair look even more paler.

Whenever he has free time, Jiang Shenghe took his daughter to the terrace to bask in the morning sun. His daughter would lie in his arms, not crying or fussing, seeming to be enjoying herself. She would suck her little mouth from time to time and look at him with her round eyes, as if she recognized him.

Jiang Shenghe kissed his daughter’s forehead, “Grow your hair quickly so you can catch up with your brother.”

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

Little Rose’s hair didn’t grow thicker until she was one year and two months old. She had had it cut twice during that time. The new hair that grew back was a little darker than before. After washing, it was soft and smooth. Jiang Shenghe tied a small braid on his daughter’s head.

He urged his son and daughter to call him ‘Daddy’ every day. His daughter would cling to him, while his son would climb on his back. The two liked to play hide-and-seek, their giggles filling the air.

His daughter suddenly kissed him and said in a sweet, childish voice, “Daddy.”

Unwilling to admit defeat, the son strained with all his might and finally shouted, “Dad!”

Luo Qi entered the children’s room, carrying two feeding bottles with her.

“Mom!”

The two children rushed into Luo Qi’s arms in unison.

Seventh Year of My Secret Love for You translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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