After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Chapter 439 Expectation and Disappointment

The noise and cries of the newborn gradually subsided, leaving only the exhaustion of surviving a disaster and a warm, comforting joy in the air.

Yuan Wanru washed her hands and carefully carried the wrinkled but now rosy and sleeping little life out to show the male owner.

With her eyelashes lowered and a gentle smile playing on her lips, she lightly stroked the baby's soft cheek with her fingertips, her focused expression as if she were holding the most precious and fragile glass in the world.

Lu Jiangnian stood aside, silently watching all of this.

He was outside just now, listening to the sounds inside, and knew that this little life almost wouldn't be able to open its eyes and see this world.

Looking at the scene before him, a new and surging emotion was quietly taking over his heart.

His gaze first lingered on the tiny swaddling clothes—the newborn, fragile yet vibrant little life that had just experienced such a perilous arrival, yet now lay peacefully in Yuan Wanru's arms.

A strange, almost painful throbbing suddenly gripped his heart.

He watched the baby unconsciously smacking its lips, its tiny fingers curled up, and a clear and intense thought sprouted within him: "If the child my wife is holding is our child..."

The idea was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a tidal wave in his heart, so turbulent that his fingertips went slightly numb.

He looked at the soft halo emanating from Yuan Wanru as she held the child, and felt that the scene was breathtakingly beautiful, making him yearn to possess it like never before.

On the way back, the evening breeze carried the fresh scent of the fields.

Lu Jiangnian was driving the carriage on the shaft when Yuan Wanru lifted the curtain and chatted with him.

Madam Lu Jiangnian's mind was like it was being scratched by a cat's claws, itching terribly, yet she didn't know how to bring it up.

He cleared his throat. "Ahem... that kid today, he looked... pretty sturdy, huh?"

He tried to make his voice sound like he was talking about the weather.

Yuan Wanru took a small sip of water and casually replied, "Yes, that's right. His cry is loud and clear, and his hands and feet are strong. He's a robust child."

"yes……"

Lu Jiangnian paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, "You know, babies this small, aren't they... particularly difficult to take care of? I heard they cry a lot at night and can't sleep well?"

He glanced back at Yuan Wanru's profile, trying to catch a glimpse of her aversion to "trouble".

Yuan Wanru nodded, with the objectivity of a doctor: "Indeed, it is common for newborns to have their days and nights reversed and cry frequently, which can be very tiring for parents."

"Oh, you must be tired..."

Lu Jiangnian's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly added, "But... as hard work is hard work, watching the child grow up day by day, learn to laugh, learn to crawl, learn to call out 'Dad' and 'Mom'... isn't that feeling... particularly different?"

His voice carried a subtle hint of longing and caution.

Yuan Wanru noticed that the topic of conversation seemed a bit strange, but she didn't think about it too deeply for the time being, assuming that he was just reflecting on his experiences today.

She continued, "Yes, being a parent involves hard work, but the joy you reap is unparalleled."

Lu Jiangnian was getting a little anxious when he saw that she didn't seem to understand his implied meaning.

He racked his brains trying to find a more "direct" approach.

“Wife, look…who does that child’s eyes look like? They’re round and bright, quite beautiful.”

"You said... what if in the future..."

He paused, his voice lower, "If in the future our... uh, I mean, if we... um..."

He kept asking "what if" for a long time but couldn't come up with anything conclusive, which was completely unlike his usual style.

Yuan Wanru finally sensed something was wrong. Her gaze fixed on his face, and in the afterglow of the setting sun, she saw the nervousness that he wanted to say but couldn't, and the expectation that he couldn't hide in his eyes.

In a flash, she realized!

So that's what this guy was thinking about all along, going around in circles and rambling on!

When they consummated their marriage, she said that she didn't want to have children too early.

This person wants it but doesn't dare to say it directly.

A sly smile instantly crept onto Yuan Wanru's lips.

She deliberately put on a stern face, let out a long sigh, and pretended to be very worried: "Alas, my husband, now that you mention it, I really do think... raising a child is just too troublesome!"

"Think about it, from the time I'm pregnant for ten months, I definitely won't be able to do whatever I want like I do now. I can't go up the mountain to collect herbs, I can't travel to treat illnesses. How boring life is!"

"You know, this isn't the life I want."

"Furthermore, after the baby is born, it cries day and night and needs constant care. There are many other troublesome things to consider."

"I have to worry about his food, clothing, health, upbringing... Ugh, just thinking about it gives me a headache! It's like putting a lifelong shackle on myself! So troublesome, so incredibly troublesome!"

"Our days as itinerant doctors have just begun. Don't you think it's interesting?"

As she spoke, she shook her head dramatically, but her eyes were fixed on Lu Jiangnian's expression out of the corner of her eye.

Sure enough, Lu Jiangnian's expression immediately became more serious.

"With Granny Pang and Liu Yan there, they can take care of the child. You're overthinking it."

Yuan Wanru shook her head: "Since I've decided to be a mother, I can't just sit back and do nothing."

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but Yuan Wanru's words were so clear and logical that they shut him up.

The light in his eyes visibly dimmed, as if he had been doused with cold water, and he became completely listless.

Fine, since she's still unwilling, then let's just wait and see.

It was just a fleeting feeling on his part today.

For the second half of the journey, he was unusually silent, just focusing on driving. Yuan Wanru deliberately tried to get him to talk, and although he answered fluently, he seemed to have lost interest.

Back in the small courtyard they rented in Dafeng Town, Lu Jiangnian started a fire and cooked as usual. His emotions seemed to have calmed down, and there was no sign of anything amiss.

Yuan Wanru saw this and chuckled inwardly, but remained outwardly composed.

After washing up, the two blew out the oil lamp and lay down on the bed.

The moonlight outside the window was like water, casting its clear glow through the windowpane.

Lu Jiangnian held her in his arms and said, "Go to sleep."

At this point, Yuan Wanru finally couldn't hold back any longer.

She stretched out her soft arms and wrapped them around Lu Jiangnian's waist, "Hey..."

Her voice was soft, with a hint of barely perceptible amusement, "Are you unhappy?"

"He barely paid any attention to me on the way back."

Lu Jiangnian looked down at her, meeting her bright eyes, and kissed her forehead: "Nonsense, I'm not unhappy, I'll listen to you."

He wasn't lying when he said that.

Although he already longed to be a father and for his family to be more complete.

But if she doesn't have that plan yet, he will respect her choice.

Yuan Wanru felt a warmth in her heart for his thoughtfulness and respect.

She tightened her arms around him, pressed her cheek against his broad chest, and felt his strong heartbeat, gentle yet clear: "Silly boy... I was just teasing you."