novelraw Chapter 311 - 289: As Long as You’re Willing, I Can Be Your Bride Today (5)
Chapter 311 - 289: As Long as You’re Willing, I Can Be Your Bride Today (5)
The moment their eyes met, both of them froze. Xiaoxiao was completely stunned, not even knowing where to place her gaze.Gu Moming frowned slightly but didn’t turn around and leave. His eyes fell briefly on Xiaoxiao’s rounded belly before he looked away and casually asked, "Where’s Gu Qimiao?"
Xiaoxiao answered hesitantly in a low voice, "Miaomiao... she went downstairs to buy something."
Gu Moming initially thought Gu Qimiao had brought her along for a meal, but seeing the table set for two, he figured out what was going on. Just then, his phone beeped with a text message from Gu Qimiao: "Bro, make the most of this chance."
As expected, it was her ploy.
He put away his phone and sat down across from Xiaoxiao, placing the sour plum juice he was holding on the table. His expression was calm, but his mind was in turmoil, unsure of what to say.
Since that incident, they had argued, then she never came to him again. She stayed in the hospital for so long, yet he never showed up. The child was about to be born, but he had done nothing for them, mother and child.
"Uh, let me get the waiter to bring another set of utensils."
"No need." Gu Moming stopped her, picking up the utensils placed at Gu Qimiao’s spot instead. "Let’s eat."
Xiaoxiao didn’t know how to describe her current feelings—partly worried, partly excited.
She hadn’t expected to see him, and even less did she expect that after seeing her, he wouldn’t turn his back and leave but would sit down across from her to eat. It felt like something that could only happen in dreams.
"I didn’t know you would come... Should I order two more dishes?"
"No need, it’s enough."
"Miaomiao hasn’t come back yet. Should we wait for her?"
Gu Moming said, "She went to eat somewhere else."
"Eh?"
Glancing at the cup of sour plum juice next to her, she hesitated for a moment before saying, "She ordered this sour plum juice. If you want to drink it, go ahead."
Xiaoxiao looked at the cup of sour plum juice in surprise, trying to control her smile. She carefully reached out, took the cup, inserted a straw, and took a small sip.
She felt that this time, he seemed to have changed. Although not enthusiastic, at least he didn’t show any signs of detesting her. Sitting across from each other without saying anything felt strange, so Xiaoxiao awkwardly tried to start a conversation, "Have you been busy lately?"
Gu Moming focused on eating, responding with a light "Hmm," as if pondering something but hesitating to speak.
He wanted to ask about her and the child but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to.
She was still as kind as before, not holding any grudge against him. When they met, she still smiled at him, melting even the hardest of hearts.
Xiaoxiao didn’t know what to ask, afraid that talking too much might annoy him, so she silently ate her meal.
After she finished eating, she wiped her mouth, unsure of what to do next. She stood up and said, "I’ll go downstairs to settle the bill."
He didn’t stop her but pressed the call button instead. A waiter quickly came in, and ignoring the stupefied Xiaoxiao, handed over his card, "The bill, please."
Xiaoxiao had no choice but to sit back down, holding onto the cup of sour plum juice. She smiled awkwardly and said to him, "This... it’s really good."
Gu Moming merely glanced at her, making Xiaoxiao feel a bit foolish. He didn’t respond, and yet she was still talking.
After paying the bill, they went downstairs together. Xiaoxiao followed a little behind him. Seeing him walk straight ahead, she called out to him, "I’m heading home now."
Gu Moming stopped and looked at her expressionlessly, "My car is parked over there."
Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment. Did he mean he wanted to drive her home?
She tugged at her hand, bit her lip, smiled secretly, and then followed him.
She was so delighted that she forgot she was walking on the road.
Suddenly, she heard a harsh honking sound beside her ear, and the next second, she felt a force on her waist, pulling her to the side. She found herself pressed against a warm body, especially comforting in the cold winter day.
Without realizing, Xiaoxiao’s face turned red. She sneaked a glance at his profile, watching his eyes observing the traffic with a slight frown, while she leaned against him, thoroughly protected.
The feeling was just like when she first met him, making her heart race.
Gu Moming didn’t look down at her, but he could imagine her blushing, pounding heart. In front of him, she was always shy and cautious, and now, he found that quite endearing in retrospect.
His car was parked in the lot across the street, just past the road.
He opened the passenger door for her. Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment before stepping inside and fastening her seatbelt.
"Where to?"
Seeing his change, she suddenly became greedy, not wanting to go home so quickly or part from him so soon. She said, "To the baby supply market. I have a few things to buy..."
After saying that, she watched his reaction. Seeing no signs of impatience, he smoothly turned the car around and drove towards the place she mentioned.
Xiaoxiao actually mentioned the baby supply market on purpose because from the moment they met, they hadn’t said much to each other. The only connection between them was likely the child in her belly, so she hoped he would notice the child’s existence.
She was worried that he might just drop her off at the market and leave.
There was silence in the car, making Xiaoxiao nervous. The car finally came to a slow stop.
She didn’t ask him to leave, but got out of the car quietly. For a second, she thought he would drive away as soon as she closed the door.
But as she was unbuckling her seat belt, she saw him already getting out of the car and walking around to her side.
She smiled quietly, placing her hand in the crook of his arm. Without saying a word, they walked inside together.
The baby supply market primarily consisted of expectant parents, with many bringing their children along. Naturally, the topic of conversation revolved around kids.
Topics about baby formula, bottles, and diapers all seemed like significant knowledge. Listening to the people’s discussions made Gu Moming feel a bit overwhelmed.
"What do you need to buy?"
Xiaoxiao hadn’t really thought about what to buy; she just wanted to spend more time with him and randomly picked a place. In fact, everything needed was already prepared at home.
Seeing his frowning impatience, she said guiltily, "I just want to have a look... If you have something to do, you can go first."
He didn’t respond but didn’t leave either. Instead, he walked ahead, looking around.
In front of a baby clothing store, they overheard a conversation between some mothers: "When I gave birth to my second child, it was via a C-section. It was awful, the wound got infected, and I nearly lost my life."
"Girls today are delicate. Natural birth is often not an option. Sometimes doctors take the easy way out and just cut the baby out, leaving us women to suffer. Then everyone focuses on the baby, completely ignoring you."