Little Sweetheart

Su Han's phone call did nothing to dampen Lu Jiaye's enthusiasm for showing off his affection.

On the contrary, his possessiveness intensified, desperate for the whole world to know that he was now Zheng Peipei's boyfriend.

In the past few years, Zheng Peipei had attracted considerable attention at work. Her beauty and competence had drawn numerous admirers, a situation Lu Jiaye had observed with both anxiety and frustration.

Now, things were different. He had secured his position as her official partner, and he intended to make all the men who admired his girlfriend regret their interest.

Zheng Peipei, who had cultivated an independent persona for years, was overwhelmed by Lu Jiaye's clinginess.

Wherever she went, Lu Jiaye would call. When they weren't eating together, he would even send her pictures of his meals. Initially embarrassed, she gradually grew accustomed to sharing everything with him immediately.

Her previous relationship had demanded silence, understanding, and strength. This one, however, turned her into a child.

Their days were filled with playful banter and passionate nights.

One day, while discussing her schedule with the director on set, Zheng Peipei, overcome by exhaustion, felt unwell and nearly fainted.

Her assistant, who was by her side, immediately took her to the hospital and notified Lu Jiaye.

Lu Jiaye, who was in a meeting, abruptly adjourned it and rushed to the hospital.

After the examination, the doctor told Lu Jiaye, "Since your wife is pregnant, as her husband, you should be more attentive and reduce her workload. The first three months are critical, so you need to be extra careful."

"…???" Lu Jiaye stared blankly.

"It's nothing serious this time, just overexertion. She needs to rest properly from now on."

"Wait! Doctor, what did you just say? I… that, I didn't mishear, right? You said… preg… preg…" Lu Jiaye was a little breathless, unable to articulate the word.

"Pregnant!" The doctor completed the sentence for him. "Didn't you already know?"

Lu Jiaye shook his head vigorously.

"Then go to the obstetrics and gynecology department for a thorough examination later."

"…………"

Lu Jiaye entered the ward and exchanged wide-eyed glances with Zheng Peipei.

Clearly, she had also just received the doctor's advice.

After a long silence, Zheng Peipei forced a dry laugh. "Maybe it's a mistake?"

"Such a big hospital, and he's a professor. It's unlikely…"

"You never know."

Seeing her doubtful expression, Lu Jiaye agreed, "Then let's get another check."

Zheng Peipei felt a surge of anxiety.

Life was good right now. She didn't want to be pregnant. Abortion was harmful, and even a miscarriage would require postpartum confinement and recuperation. She didn't have the time.

Zheng Peipei silently prayed, I hope it's a misdiagnosis. I hope it's a misdiagnosis…

While Zheng Peipei went for the obstetrics and gynecology examination, Lu Jiaye hurriedly left the hospital.

There happened to be a shopping mall near the hospital. He swept through the mall like a whirlwind, arriving at a gold and jewelry store, where he chose a large, sparkling diamond ring.

Unlike Zheng Peipei, who still harbored a sliver of hope, he was convinced that there was indeed a baby on the way.

His recent streak of good luck must be a sign from heaven that he was destined to be a father.

Of course, the first step to fatherhood was to make things official.

Meanwhile, the test results came back, and Zheng Peipei, who had clung to a minuscule hope, was ultimately disappointed.

It was confirmed. She was pregnant, almost a month along.

She intended to discuss the situation with Lu Jiaye and figure out what to do. If she were to have an abortion, she would need at least a month off. However, when she came out, he was gone.

… Was it that serious? Did he really run away in fright?

Zheng Peipei was bewildered.

She called Lu Jiaye, but his phone was on silent, and he didn't hear it.

No one answered the phone, leaving Zheng Peipei speechless.

Forget it, forget it. I'll handle it myself.

Zheng Peipei discussed the timing of the abortion with the doctor.

The doctor tried to dissuade her. "Abortion is not good for your health. I suggest you think it over and not rush into a decision."

"There's no other way. I'm just not ready," Zheng Peipei said with a wry smile. We used protection every time. How could this happen?

Zheng Peipei scheduled the procedure with the doctor, who then escorted her out of the examination room.

As they walked down the corridor, Lu Jiaye, who had vanished earlier, reappeared.

He seemed to have overheard the word "abortion" and nearly panicked.

Thinking she was on her way to the operating room, he sprinted down the hallway, shouting, "Peipei—"

Zheng Peipei stopped and looked at him.

Lu Jiaye screeched to a halt a step away, dropped to one knee, pulled the diamond ring from his pocket, and presented it with a straight face.

"I, propose to you! Marry me, and bear me monkeys… ah, no, bear me children! Will you?"

"…" Zheng Peipei froze, staring at the dazzling diamond ring.

So, he had secretly rushed off to buy a diamond ring?

Lu Jiaye gazed at her intensely. "I know we haven't been together long, and you might not be ready to marry me. But now we have a child, and as the saying goes, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda… Saving our child's life guarantees I'll be with you in the next life. Let's learn to be good parents together, okay?"

Zheng Peipei was both amused and touched, finding his clumsy proposal endearing. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Lu Jiaye continued, "I, Lu Jiaye, pledge my life and honor to you. I will do my utmost to be a good husband and a good father. With me around, you and the child will never suffer. Peipei, marry me."

Before Zheng Peipei could react, someone in the corridor cheered, "He's a good man! Marry him!"

Two other women waiting for their appointments couldn't help but sob quietly. Coming alone for abortions, they were understandably moved by the scene.

Zheng Peipei glanced around, noticing everyone was watching them. Embarrassed, she urged Lu Jiaye, "Get up first. Let's talk about this at home."

"No, right now. I need an answer." Lu Jiaye looked at her stubbornly, still kneeling, holding up the ring. "This concerns the life of my child. It's urgent."

"What if I say no?"

"…" Lu Jiaye looked at her with a heartbroken and aggrieved expression, his eyes glistening like a pitiful, abandoned large dog.

Zheng Peipei chuckled and extended her hand. "Aren't you going to put it on me?"

"…!!!" Happiness came so suddenly that Lu Jiaye froze for three seconds before tremblingly taking the ring from the box and slipping it onto her finger.

Zheng Peipei hummed lightly. "I wasn't planning on marrying you so soon. This is all for the child."

"Yes, yes, I know…"

"If you ever upset me, I'll take the child and leave," Zheng Peipei declared proudly.

"You're the boss, you're the ancestor. How dare I upset you?" Lu Jiaye said with a fawning smile.

After putting on the ring, Lu Jiaye stood up and was about to give Zheng Peipei a bear hug when the doctor intervened. "Be careful! Don't bump into the pregnant woman."

Lu Jiaye froze, standing at attention.

As they left the hospital, Lu Jiaye carefully supported Zheng Peipei.

Once in the car, Zheng Peipei reflected on the past, complaining, "Which time was it? We used protection every time."

"Maybe… sometimes when we were drinking… I forgot?" Lu Jiaye was also a bit confused.

"Don't tell me you secretly poked holes in the condoms behind my back?"

"I swear to God, I would never do such a despicable thing!" He hadn't had enough of his carefree bachelor life yet. The sudden arrival of a child caught him off guard as well. "Our 'Great River Crab' project is in full swing. Do you think I want to interrupt it?"

Zheng Peipei pouted, deliberately saying, "If you're not happy about it, why don't we go ahead with the abortion?"

"Why would we have an abortion? I love you so much, and you're carrying my child. It's a gift from heaven. Even though it's unexpected, I'm very happy!"

Zheng Peipei turned her face to the window, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, and the corners of her lips curled into a smile.

Lu Jiaye said, "Then I'll start preparing. Let's get married before your belly gets too big."

"I still have a lot of work…"

"Delegate it to others. If you're really worried, you can follow up, but no more business trips or overtime. How about this: three days a week, no more than three hours a day."

"Isn't that too little work time?"

"No. It's very generous." If he didn't know how much she loved her work, he would have preferred her to stay home and rest. "You've worked very hard these past few years. Consider this a long vacation for yourself."

Lu Jiaye took Zheng Peipei's hand and said, "Don't worry. No matter how long you rest, with your husband around, this world will always be yours!"

Zheng Peipei was amused by his words. "You're so dramatic!"

"My dramatic soul will forever burn for you!" He declared with passionate sincerity.

"…" Zheng Peipei laughed heartily, her heart secretly touched.

This unexpected surprise disrupted their previously carefree rhythm.

They brought their parents together to discuss the wedding.

Lu Jiaye's parents were very fond of Zheng Peipei. She was a refined young lady, beautiful, sweet, and sensible. Most importantly, their son loved her.

This was the first time Lu Jiaye had brought a girlfriend home to meet his parents. Previously, he had been involved in various frivolous rumors, and his family had worried he would bring home some internet celebrity. Now, it turned out to be his childhood sweetheart and high school classmate. Her family background was impeccable, and the Lu family was extremely satisfied with their future daughter-in-law.

As for Zheng Peipei's parents, they had been anxious about her constant focus on her career and lack of interest in relationships. Seeing their daughter, almost thirty, finally bring home a promising young man, and with Lu Jiaye's charm offensive, the Zheng parents were overjoyed.

Both families were delighted with the match, and the wedding was quickly put on the agenda.

As for the pregnancy… well, Zheng Peipei didn't dare tell her parents.

Their family was very traditional. If her grandfather found out about the premarital pregnancy, he would break her legs.

Because of Zheng Peipei's pregnancy, Lu Jiaye accelerated the wedding preparations, fearing that her growing belly would make it difficult for her to fit into her wedding dress.

Three months later, Lu Jiaye and Zheng Peipei's wedding took place at a castle.

Lu Jiaye had originally planned to hold the wedding in a European castle, but because Gu Siyi's pregnancy was progressing and she was nearing her due date, making international travel impossible, Zheng Peipei decided against a destination wedding. The most important moments in life should be witnessed by one's closest friends.

On the wedding day, the venue was filled with guests.

Lu Jiaye was exceptionally generous, welcoming reporters and preparing large red envelopes for them.

Weibo was abuzz with excitement, with those unable to attend the wedding following the event online.

Given Lu Jiaye and Zheng Peipei's connections and status in the industry, the guest list was star-studded, with numerous celebrities in attendance. Fans jokingly referred to the wedding as a gathering of half the entertainment industry.

Gu Siyi, heavily pregnant, was carefully attended to by Xia Zhijun.

At the banquet, the old friends sat at the same table. Su Han wasn't there; everyone knew he had a concert in City C that night.

The wedding venue was a dreamlike setting.

The bride, Zheng Peipei, in a beautiful wedding gown, walked slowly towards the groom, Lu Jiaye, escorted by her father.

Lu Jiaye, in a suit, stood tall and composed.

When he took Zheng Peipei's hand, their eyes met, and the host handed him the microphone, inviting him to address the bride.

Lu Jiaye held the microphone, staring blankly at Zheng Peipei.

Zheng Peipei mouthed silently: Don't cry.

He realized his hand, holding hers, was trembling.

"I…" Lu Jiaye cleared his throat, trying to speak, but found his voice hoarse.

The woman of his dreams, in a wedding dress, stood before him… Could this be a dream?

Overwhelmed with emotion, he suddenly lowered his head, pressing his fingers against his eyes to prevent the tears from falling.

The guests noticed his emotional state and chuckled good-naturedly.

Lu Jiaye took a deep breath, looked up at Zheng Peipei, his eyes red-rimmed and glistening.

Choking back tears, he said hoarsely, "Wife, I feel so incredibly happy… I can't believe I actually married you… I never dared to dream of this before… I swear, I will cherish you forever! I'll make sure you have everything others have, and even things they don't! I want my wife to be the happiest person in the world!"

Tears streamed down Zheng Peipei's face. She lowered her head, smiling as she wiped them away.

When the microphone was handed to her, she gazed at Lu Jiaye and said, "Husband, thank you for always being here."

Thank you for never leaving, never giving up…

Thank you for being there for me during my most difficult times…

Thank you for showing me how happy I can be…

Lu Jiaye grasped her hand, his gaze deep and passionate. "I'm here, always here. Wherever my wife is, that's my home. I won't go anywhere else but our home."

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Weibo was filled with cheers and congratulations.

"The deepest confession is marriage, and Young Master Lu has done it~"

"They're such a perfect match!"

"I believe in love again [heart][heart]"

"The more frivolous someone appears, the more devoted they are. That's Lu Jiaye."

"A million blessings! Can't wait for the post-wedding lovey-dovey moments~~"

At the same time, at the Olympic Center in City C, the concert was underway.

The venue was filled with roaring cheers, and glow sticks lit up the night sky.

Su Han's 10th-anniversary concert tour had reached its tenth show, with every city selling out.

After an energetic song and dance number, it was time for a break.

Fans chanted his name, calling for him to reappear.

A low drumbeat sounded, and a spotlight shone on the center of the stage.

Su Han, holding the microphone, slowly rose onto the stage.

A rearranged ballad version of "Cheers" flowed from his lips like a story.

"Oh, will the clock turn back, to days of carefree grace?

To recapture those lost years, and find that happy place?

Should the world end tomorrow, a toast to memories we'll keep,

One last drink, my dear friend, in our eternal sleep…"

The verse ended, and the music paused.

Su Han, dressed in white, like a prince from a fairytale, sat on the stage and quietly said, "Today is the wedding day of two very good friends of mine. I can't be there to offer my congratulations in person, so I wish them a happy marriage here."

Voices rose from the audience, "Lu Jiaye, Zheng Peipei…" Some fans, browsing Weibo during the concert break, knew who he was talking about.

Su Han smiled. "Yes, it's them."

He suddenly took out his phone, connecting with the wedding venue, and a video played on the large screen.

The video was filmed at the wedding. It showed the bride and groom, as well as Gu Siyi and Xia Zhijun, waving to the camera. Then, Zhou Xiao, Zhang Xinyi, and Xiang Li appeared.

Gu Siyi's laughter echoed from the video. "We know you're a sweetie, and you couldn't make it to the wedding because of the concert, so we're filming this for you."

After the short video ended, Su Han chuckled softly. "They are all very good friends of mine. When I debuted, they were the ones who stood behind me, giving me the courage to move forward. Back then, I didn't know that on this journey of life, there are gains and losses. I stepped onto this stage, gained some things, but also lost some things…"

The fans below screamed wildly, "Su Han—Su Han—Su Han—Su Han—"

Their high-pitched screams were the most fervent expression of their love.

Su Han smiled. "I'm very happy to have journeyed through my youth with them. These are precious memories, irreplaceable, once-in-a-lifetime, no matter how much success I achieve. This song is dedicated to my friends and our youth."

Su Han stood up, and the music started again.

"The scent of old exams, a sudden, sharp recall,

A burst of sunlit days, before the autumn fall.

You and I, beside the field, sweat-slicked and young and bold,

A whispered promise made, a future yet untold.

We swore to walk as one, through all the years to be,

But now that future's here, and we're not side by side, you see.

…

Oh, will the clock turn back, to days of carefree grace?

To recapture those lost years, and find that happy place?

We're all becoming ghosts, of yesterdays gone by,

But you, you walked with me, beneath a summer sky.

…

Each day a fleeting chance, a moment to embrace,

To speak the words unspoken, with love upon my face.

Let's raise a glass tonight, to friendships strong and true,

Another drink, another toast, forever me and you.

Time stands still, familiar faces appear,

The ones I've been missing, I feel you all near…"

[END]

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