Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 141 Pregnancy Test Stick

Ms. Tan was genuinely curious about what kind of girl could have changed her cold-hearted grandson so much.

In the past two years, I've noticed that he's become increasingly quiet and his emotions are hard to read. Every time he comes back, he only asks about the old lady's health and doesn't say anything else.

Until one day, Ms. Tan talked to him and tentatively asked, "Aci, have you ever thought about starting a new relationship?"

But he said, "Grandma, I don't want to settle."

"Apart from her, everyone else is just a compromise."

Ms. Tan was quite surprised that he would say such a thing.

"Then what are you worried about? If you can't let go, then go after her. It's not easy to meet someone you truly like in your lifetime."

Qu Yanci frowned slightly, "Because of her family background, Grandpa doesn't agree."

After hearing the whole story, Ms. Tan said, "I thought it was a small matter. Don't worry about it. We're all getting on in years. Let outsiders say what they want. We'll just pretend we don't hear it. Do whatever you want."

Throughout her life, she experienced both glory and constraints, but she remained true to herself no matter who she was dealing with.
-
The online uproar has come to an end. All the accounts that spread rumors received lawyer's letters. Even if they tried to delete their accounts overnight, they couldn't escape the consequences. They've really hit a brick wall, and this serves as a warning to others.

Shen Guining finally got some peace and quiet.

However, there is another problem now – not getting enough sleep at night.

She didn't know why Qu Yanci had so much energy, staying up until midnight every night.

One day, she happened to come across a post about "Ten Dangers of Staying Up Late" and sat cross-legged on the sofa to read it to the man next to her.

After she finished reading, Qu Yanci said dismissively, "Then let's not stay up late. Let's start now and try to finish before midnight."

Shen Guining's eyes widened. "It's only eight o'clock!"

Qu Yanci pinched her chin, "Didn't you say you didn't want to stay up late?"

"That's not what I meant!" Shen Guining pushed his hand away and muttered softly, "Excessive indulgence can easily lead to physical weakness."

Qu Yanci narrowed his eyes. "Do you want to give it a try?"

Sensing the danger signal from him, Shen Guining immediately admitted defeat, "I was wrong."

She didn't want to try, but it was too late.

Qu Yanci carried her directly back to her room.

Ruby, who was used to this scene, watched it all the time.

Strange humans, why do they eat each other's mouths every day?

Inside the master bedroom, an ambiguous and decadent atmosphere lingered in the air.

The people in the bed were still together, lying on their sides in an intimate embrace.

"Are you off next weekend?" Qu Yanci kissed the girl's forehead and stroked her smooth back with his warm hand.

"Do we really have to talk like this?" Shen Guining leaned against his chest, her cheeks flushed and her breathing unsteady.

The man curled his lips into a smile, feigning ignorance as he asked, "What do you mean by 'like this'?"

Shen Guining bit her lower lip and slapped him in embarrassment and annoyance.

How could someone be so wicked?

The hitting force was weak and lacked power.

Qu Yanci gripped her lower back and moved, his muscles gradually tightening. He parted his thin lips slightly and said, "My grandma asked if you have time to come home with me for a meal."

Shen Guining's thoughts were in disarray. "Go home with you?"

It took her a moment to regain her composure before she finally managed to say, "No, I'm not ready..."

She still vividly remembers Mr. Qu's imposing and dignified demeanor.

Qu Yanci knew what she was worried about. "You don't need to be afraid of the old man. At home, he has to listen to Ms. Tan."

Shen Guining still hesitated, "But... he is, after all, your grandfather."

Mr. Qu didn't like her at all. Her visit made him uncomfortable, and she herself felt awkward.

Qu Yanci didn't force her, "If you don't want to go, then don't go. We can talk about it later."

Shen Guining then asked with concern, "Won't your grandma think I'm being impolite?"

Qu Yanci comforted her, "No, don't feel pressured."
-
In December, Beijing had already entered winter, and the temperature was getting lower and lower.

The first snow arrived as promised.

In the early morning, a layer of misty snowflakes drifted outside the window, sparse and light as willow catkins, adorning the winter day.

This kind of weather is perfect for staying home and sleeping in.

Shen Guining used to never sleep in and would get up as soon as she heard the alarm clock, but lately she's always feeling sleepy and like she hasn't had enough sleep.

Qu Yanci forcibly pulled the person out of bed, saying, "If you don't get up now, you'll be late."

Shen Guining couldn't open her eyes and snuggled closer to him.

"Didn't you go to bed at 11 o'clock? Haven't you had enough sleep?" Qu Yanci carried her into the bathroom and placed her in front of the sink. "Stand still, brush your teeth and wash your face."

Shen Guining rubbed her eyes and slowly turned on the device.

Qu Yanci squeezed out the toothpaste for her, filled the water container, and handed it to her.

Shen Guining snapped out of her daze and began to wash up.

He tied his long, loose hair up with a hair tie to keep it dry.

In winter, she's too lazy to put on makeup; she usually just applies some lotion and cream before heading out.

When Shen Guining came out of the restroom, she realized it was snowing outside and immediately ran to the French windows. "It's snowing, Aci!"

Qu Yanci replied while buttoning his shirt, "Yes, it will rain for the next few days."

Shen Guining stared at the snowflakes condensing on the window, her bright peach blossom eyes curving upwards. "I want to go out and play in the snow."

Qu Yanci dissuaded her from that idea, "Isn't your period coming soon? Be careful to keep warm, or you'll have a stomachache again."

Shen Guining pouted, "Okay."

The troupe has been very busy these past two weeks, rehearsing intensively for the New Year's Day performance, which will be broadcast on CCTV. The leadership attaches great importance to this.

The rehearsal intensity is greater than usual, and we must ensure that everything goes perfectly.

The dance troupe's principal dancer, Ms. Xiong, will leave after this performance, and the selection of a new principal dancer should be imminent.

The group members discussed it privately.

"The chief is either Gui Ning or Ying Ying. They are about the same strength, and it's hard to say who is better."

“I vote for Gui Ning. She is really talented. We have to learn a dance seven or eight times, but she memorizes all the moves in three times at most, and she doesn’t make any mistakes. She was born to do this.”

“Yingying also has a great chance. She has been in the dance troupe for five years and has much more stage experience than Gui Ning.”

"But Gui Ning is prettier, which is definitely a plus. I feel the leader favors Gui Ning more."

"Why don't we make a bet and place a wager to see who gets elected..."

Shen Guining was unaware of these things and was having lunch with Yu Ting in the cafeteria.

"Sister Gui Ning, why are you eating so little?" Yu Ting saw that she had only ordered three dishes, all of which were vegetables. "You're too thin, you need to eat more."

Shen Guining took a spoonful of corn soup and drank it. "My appetite hasn't been very good these past two days."

"are you sick?"

"It seems not."

Yu Ting pushed the bowl of food towards her, "Would you like to try this chicken? It's especially fresh."

Shen Guining switched chopsticks and picked up a small piece. Just as she put it to her lips, she suddenly felt a wave of discomfort in her stomach. She quickly put down the chopsticks, covered her mouth, and began to gag.

Yu Ting quickly handed her a tissue, "Sister Gui Ning, are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Guining paused for a moment, took a sip of water, and the nausea disappeared. "It's nothing, I probably ate something bad a couple of days ago..."

Before she could finish speaking, Yu Ting suddenly looked surprised, her eyes falling on her stomach, and she lowered her voice, saying, "You're not... pregnant, are you?"

Shen Guining's movements suddenly froze.

She hadn't thought about it that way.

Her period seems to be five or six days late this month; she's been too busy these past few days and forgot about it.

But logically speaking, that's impossible. She and Qu Yanci always took precautions and never messed around.

"No, I just ate something bad." Yu Ting breathed a sigh of relief for her. "That's good. You're in the prime of your career right now, and you'll be nominated for chief soon."

If there are children at this time, it would be a disaster.

Shen Guining lowered her eyes and curled her palms.

She was somewhat out of sorts all afternoon.

When she got home in the evening, she bought several pregnancy tests at a pharmacy near her apartment complex.

It is said online that even with measures in place, it is impossible to be completely foolproof.

Shen Guining was afraid that she was one of those extremely low probability individuals.

Looking back on the past few days, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting are all symptoms of pregnancy.

She bought a pregnancy test, but she was too afraid to use it.

If something unexpected really happens, she doesn't know what to do.

Having children is not part of her plans at all; she only wants to focus on her career right now.

Qu Yanci returned at seven o'clock. When he entered the living room, he saw the little girl leaning against the sofa, lost in thought.

"Have you had dinner?" he asked.

Shen Guining blinked, her gaze focusing. "You're back."

Qu Yanci put down his suit jacket and reached up to unbutton his shirt cuffs. "What are you thinking about so intently?"

Shen Guining pursed her lips, hesitating to speak.

It's something that's not certain yet, and I don't know whether I should tell him or not.

Qu Yanci walked towards her, knelt down in front of her, and asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

“I…” Shen Guining clutched at her clothes and said in a low voice, “My period is already a week late this month…”

"And I also gagged today."

Qu Yanci stared intently at her lower abdomen. "I'll take you to the hospital for a checkup tomorrow."

"I bought a pregnancy test, but I haven't used it yet." Shen Guining's eyelashes trembled. "I'm scared."

I'm afraid to see two lines.

Qu Yanci held her hand, his palm enveloping hers. "I'm here, don't be afraid."

Shen Guining frowned, "But I..."

I don't want children.

"I know." Qu Yanci understood the second half of her sentence. "If something unexpected really happens, I will respect your choice and I will be with you."

Whether or not to have children, and when to have them, is her right.

Shen Guining bit her lip nervously, "What if... what if I really get pregnant, and I don't want her? Would you think I'm cruel?"

She couldn't bear to abort the child, but now was not the right time to have one. She was not prepared at all and did not want to disrupt all her plans for the sake of a child.

She thought she was selfish.

"What are you thinking about?" Qu Yanci raised his hand to cup her face, looking her straight in the eye. "At any time, you are yourself first. It's right to think of yourself first. You don't need to feel guilty, understand?"

His deep, warm voice brushed against her ear, gradually calming Shen Guining's uneasy heart, who had been worried that he would object.

Giving up children for one's career is considered unacceptable by many.

Fortunately, Qu Yanci fully understood her.

"If it really comes to that, I will hire the best doctors to minimize the damage to my body."

Shen Guining reached out and hugged his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, and responded in a muffled voice, "Mmm."

Qu Yanci gently stroked the back of her head with his palm, "We've always taken precautions. It might just be an upset stomach. We'll go to the hospital for a full check-up tomorrow."

"I'd better take a pregnancy test first." Shen Guining let go of him, grabbed her bag, took out the pregnancy test, and opened the packaging.

She bought three in total, just in case there was any error.

Qu Yanci glanced at the instruction manual. "Let's test it tomorrow morning; it will be more accurate."

Shen Guining nodded. "Okay."

"Have you had dinner yet?" Qu Yanci asked again.

"Not yet." Shen Guining put the pregnancy test away.

"It's so late, aren't you hungry?"

I wasn't hungry before, but I'm a little hungry now.

"Let's go eat."
-
The next morning, Shen Guining woke up at six o'clock and went to the bathroom with a pregnancy test as soon as she got out of bed.

Qu Yanci was waiting for her at the door.

The few minutes of waiting seemed to stretch on endlessly. Shen Guining stood anxiously to the side, her heart pounding in her chest, her palms sweating.

I prayed in my heart that she wouldn't joke with me.

She gripped the pregnancy test stick tightly.

When the time was almost up, he slowly moved his fingers away.

—There is only one line.

All three pregnancy tests were identical.

Shen Guining breathed a huge sigh of relief, her heart sinking.

Thankfully, thankfully not.

Qu Yanci raised his hand and knocked on the door, "Are you done?"

Shen Guining opened the door and jumped into his arms excitedly, exclaiming, "I was so scared!"

Thankfully, it was just a false alarm.

Qu Yanci firmly supported her buttocks. "Are you relieved now?"

Shen Guining smiled and said, "Mm."

Qu Yanci was still worried. "You still need to go to the hospital for a check-up. I've already made an appointment for you."

Shen Guining listened to him and called the regimental commander to ask for half a day off.

After having breakfast at home, Qu Yanci took her to a private hospital. There was no need to wait in line, and a nurse guided and accompanied her throughout the process.

After the doctor's diagnosis, he said, "There is nothing wrong with your body. It's just a false pregnancy. Delayed menstruation, loss of appetite for oily foods, nausea and vomiting are all typical symptoms. It is probably caused by stress. Try to relax more often."

Shen Guining nodded. "Okay, thank you, doctor."

After leaving the hospital, Qu Yanci asked her, "Are you under pressure at work?"

Shen Guining pulled his finger and shook it. "Just a small part."

Reaching the car door, Qu Yanci opened the back door and continued, "Anything else?"

Shen Guining bent down to get into the car, "Isn't it because you said last time that you wanted me to go home with you for the New Year?"

"Is this also a source of pressure?" Qu Yanci got into the car and closed the door.

“I remember Xixi said that you used to listen to your elders, but this time I upset your grandfather, so they must have a problem with me.”

"He will only have a problem with me. Besides, Ms. Tan likes you very much, so your worries are unnecessary."

Shen Guining didn't believe it. "She's never even met me, how could she like me? You're just trying to fool me."

Qu Yanci glanced at her and said, "She's watched those episodes of your show several times."

Shen Guining exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"Ok."

The pregnancy thing turned out to be a false alarm.

Shen Guining focused on preparing for the New Year's Day performance.

Before we knew it, another year had begun.

The theater was decorated in a festive style, with Chinese-style floor lamps, red lanterns, screens, paper-cuts, etc., decorating every corner and creating a wonderful atmosphere.