Hexi

Tang Wan stayed over at the Huo Family last night, initially to accompany Shen Shuci due to her insomnia, intending to chat with her about personal matters to help her rest well. In the end, Shen Shuci fell asleep, but Tang Wan ended up sleepless, possibly because her son wasn’t with her, leaving her heart feeling empty, and worried that Jiang Jinsang might not be able to take care of him alone.

The Huo Family all have the habit of rising early, with the morning exercise sounds coming from the yard as the sky barely lightens.

Tang Wan got up early and bumped into Liang Yun when she came downstairs.

"Didn’t sleep well last night?" Liang Yun assessed her, noticing fatigue in her eyes and expression.

"Could be the change of environment, didn’t sleep soundly." Tang Wan walked into the yard, stretched, and then saw Huo Ran exercising under Huo Zheng’s direction in the distance.

You could say Huo Ran is quite pitiable too; with his parents abroad, he nearly lives here, escaping Huo Qinqi’s clutches but unable to avoid Huo Zheng’s.

Huo Zheng was transferred back to the capital from the provinces and couldn’t adapt quickly, used to training his subordinates in local units but now having no one to train, so he grabbed Huo Ran.

Huo Ran used to frequently slouch, but now he stands and sits straight, his back upright.

He used to dye his hair with little red dye but now doesn’t dare to dye his hair anymore and secretly permed it into small curls, almost being caught by Huo Zheng, who nearly took scissors to personally cut his hair.

He saved his hair only through various pleading and mischief.

Tang Wan didn’t join them for the exercise, but instead went to the backyard to text Jiang Jinsang, asking if he was awake and how the child was.

Jiang Jinsang called her on video, showing Xiaowai lying in bed playing with his fingers.

Tang Wan had been thinking about him the entire night, yet the little guy was completely oblivious, even when Jiang Jinsang showed him the phone screen, he just looked at it briefly and then turned to play with his toes, completely ignoring her, leading Tang Wan to sigh this little thing had no heart.

"When are you and Auntie going to the hospital?" Jiang Jinsang knew Shen Shuci was going for a prenatal check-up today.

"We’ll set off around eight, already arranged with the doctor, Huo Ran will accompany us, and after the check-up, we’ll send her back and then I’ll return home."

**

Originally, Liang Yun was going to accompany Shen Shuci for the check-up, but being stuck in a critical meeting at the office, she had no choice but to let Huo Ran go along.

Pregnancy has reached late term, with many check-ups already done previously, and Huo Ran has accompanied several times, so he is not inexperienced. Even so, Liang Yun was still extremely attentive before letting the three leave.

Having Huo Ran along for the trip made it seem not dull at all.

As soon as they got in the car, someone turned on the car stereo, leaving Tang Wan stunned for a while at hearing songs of folk music.

"You listen to folk music?" Tang Wan looked at the person about to start the car.

"Not my preference, I’m forced to."

Huo Ran used to love listening to hip-hop and rap, but Huo Zheng insisted it wasn’t beneficial for prenatal education and forcibly changed his playlist to folk and children’s songs.

"In a few days, my brother will be back, finally," Huo Ran said, starting the car toward the hospital.

Never has he so eagerly hoped for Huo Qinqi’s return, knowing once he’s back, he could escape this current existence and enjoy some leisure.

Right now, he has practically become Shen Shuci’s dedicated driver but wishes to go play at Jiang Chengsi’s club but can’t find the time.

Huo Ran has complained too; among the many in the Huo Family, isn’t there anyone as tall or strong as him, so why must he accompany them?

Huo Qinqi straightforwardly said:

"You’re interesting."

Huo Ran paused for several seconds, "Interesting? Am I just around to amuse my sister-in-law?"

Huo Qinqi: "You should be thankful you’re of some use."

"..."

Huo Ran alone can talk a monologue, and throughout Shen Shuci’s pregnancy, he kept her entertained through jokes and antics, while Shen Shuci listened to him hum folk tunes quietly.

After arriving at the hospital, Shen Shuci and Tang Wan went to see the doctor, while Huo Ran found a chair outside to sit and play on his phone.

The due date for Shen Shuci is approaching, thus requiring weekly visits for fetal heart monitoring and other routine checks.

Huo Ran is just tagging along to help carry bags and belongings.

Tang Wan received a message from Si Qingxiao midway, asking about the progress of a screen being made, hoping it could be completed by her mother’s birthday to be gifted to her house.

Some things couldn’t be clearly explained over phone, so Tang Wan glanced at Shen Shuci undergoing checks, "Auntie, I’m stepping out to make a call."

After all, it’s the hospital, and Tang Wan needed to find a quiet place to answer the phone. Before leaving, she specifically asked Huo Ran to stay closely by Shen Shuci’s side.