AMBTICBPIB Chapter 62

As Chu Yi’s classmate and desk partner, Jiang Xu spent more time with Chu Yi than with his own boyfriend.

The two were inseparable at school, best friends through thick and thin.

In the sweltering summer heat, Chu Yi, who seemed to dislike the heat, always wore loose-fitting clothes.

Jiang Xu glanced sideways. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Chu Yi looked slightly different, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. *Is his waist a little thicker?*

Jiang Xu quickly dismissed the thought. It was probably just an illusion created by Chu Yi’s loose clothing.

Chu Yi noticed Jiang Xu’s gaze and smiled wryly. Just as Dr. Meng had warned, his belly was starting to show noticeably after four months.

Only a few days ago, his stomach had been flat. Now, it had suddenly developed a slight bulge, visible upon closer inspection.

Shen Jin had bought Chu Yi a whole new wardrobe of loose-fitting clothes. With these outfits, it was nearly impossible for anyone to notice the changes in his belly.

Of course, if anyone did notice, they wouldn’t suspect anything unusual, as it would simply look like he’d eaten too much.

He decided to tell Jiang Xu about his pregnancy today.

With exams just days away and the semester ending soon, Chu Yi wanted to inform Jiang Xu before the break that he would be taking a leave of absence. They wouldn’t see each other on campus next semester.

Chu Yi found a quiet spot where few people came.

Jiang Xu looked puzzled. “What’s so mysterious you need to tell me? Aren’t you going out to eat with your boyfriend today?”

Chu Yi had told Shen Jin yesterday that he would eat at the school cafeteria today, so Shen Jin didn’t need to pick him up. Knowing what Chu Yi planned, Shen Jin had agreed.

Chu Yi said, “Jiang Xu, I’m pregnant.”

Jiang Xu instinctively replied, “Congratulations! Wait, what did you just say?”

Had he misheard Chu Yi, or had Chu Yi misspoke?

Seeing Jiang Xu’s shock, Chu Yi repeated softly, “I’m pregnant.”

Having known Chu Yi for so long, Jiang Xu knew he wouldn’t joke about something like this.

As Jiang Xu stood speechless, Chu Yi’s heart suddenly clenched. He understood that Jiang Xu might have reservations or even end their friendship. After all, male pregnancy wasn’t exactly a common occurrence.

But Shen Jin had assured him he could trust his friend completely, and Shen Jin’s words had completely dispelled any lingering doubts.

When Jiang Xu finally processed the news, his face lit up with astonishment. “You’re really pregnant?!” So he hadn’t been mistaken—Chu Yi’s waist was indeed slightly thicker than before, and his stomach had a gentle curve. Chu Yi was pregnant!

Upon confirming that Chu Yi was indeed pregnant, Shen Jin quickly pulled him down to sit. “Sit down, sit down. Don’t tire yourself out.”

As Chu Yi settled into the chair, Jiang Xu stared excitedly at his belly. “You absolutely must be careful! You absolutely must take good care of yourself and the baby!”

In Jiang Xu’s eyes, Chu Yi’s status had now surpassed even that of a rare giant panda. His dear friend was carrying a child, and for some reason, he couldn’t contain his excitement.

Contrary to Chu Yi’s expectations of scorn or disdain, Jiang Xu was overflowing with joy and concern. “When did this happen?” he asked, genuinely surprised he hadn’t noticed sooner.

After Chu Yi revealed the timeline, Jiang Xu suddenly understood. Chu Yi had already been acting strangely during that period. No wonder his appetite had suddenly decreased, no wonder he’d been nauseous and vomiting, no wonder he’d stopped playing basketball with them, no wonder he’d suddenly developed a craving for snacks.

It turned out Chu Yi had already been pregnant back then, and Jiang Xu hadn’t even noticed, thinking Chu Yi was just sick.

He was incredibly relieved he hadn’t forced Chu Yi to do any strenuous activities. He remembered several times he’d tried to get Chu Yi to play basketball with him.

*How clueless I was!* he thought. *I didn’t know anything. Thank goodness Chu Yi is doing well now.*

Jiang Xu’s eyes lit up. “When are you due?”

Chu Yi remembered the date Dr. Meng had told him.

Jiang Xu: “You’ll tell me when the time comes, right?”

Chu Yi nodded. Jiang Xu excitedly declared he would prepare a special gift for the baby, already impatient for its arrival.

Jiang Xu suddenly thought of another concern. “Will your belly get bigger and bigger? It’ll be hard to attend classes then, right? But don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you.”

Chu Yi told him, “I’m planning to take a year off after summer break.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xu felt a pang of regret but understood. “You’ll still come back to school after your leave, right?”

“Definitely,” Chu Yi replied. Having finally made it to university, he had no intention of giving up.

Jiang Xu was relieved. “It’s okay if you have to take a break from school. I’ll come visit you often.”

Ever since learning that Chu Yi was pregnant, Jiang Xu’s eyes had never left Chu Yi’s belly.

Chu Yi smiled. “Do you want to touch it?”

He could see the longing in Jiang Xu’s eyes.

Jiang Xu’s eyes widened with excitement. “Really? Can I?” he asked uncertainly.

“Of course,” Chu Yi replied. At home, Shen Jin touched his belly every day. Jiang Xu was his good friend; there was no harm in letting him touch it too.

Jiang Xu excitedly wiped his hands on his clothes before slowly reaching out to Chu Yi.

Through the fabric, Jiang Xu carefully touched Chu Yi’s belly. When he felt the round bulge, he was overjoyed.

“It’s real! It’s real! Your belly is actually getting rounder! It’s so cute! Chu Yi, you’re amazing!”

“What are you two doing?” A cold voice came from behind them.

Chu Yi and Jiang Xu turned simultaneously to see Zhou Huaixiao approaching with a solemn expression. His eyes were fixed on Jiang Xu’s hand, which was resting on Chu Yi’s belly.

The two schools weren’t far apart. During Chu Yi’s daily lunch breaks at Shen Jin’s company, Zhou Huaixiao often came to find Jiang Xu for lunch.

Today, Zhou Huaixiao arrived to see his boyfriend as usual, only to witness a rather surreal scene.

From his vantage point, Jiang Xu and Chu Yi’s interaction did appear quite intimate.

Though Zhou Huaixiao knew they were just friends, he couldn’t help feeling jealous.

Jiang Xu quickly withdrew his hand. “Don’t misunderstand,” he said. “I was just feeling Chu Yi’s stomach.”

Zhou Huaixiao looked at him, even more puzzled. “Feeling his stomach?”

Jiang Xu glanced at Chu Yi, who didn’t seem to mind, before explaining to Zhou Huaixiao, “Chu Yi’s pregnant. I was just curious, so I touched his stomach. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Zhou Huaixiao let out an “Oh.” “I didn’t say anything.”

Jiang Xu hummed in response, thinking, *Your expression just now said otherwise.*

After learning about Chu Yi’s pregnancy, Jiang Xu became even more attentive to him.

During lunch at the cafeteria, Jiang Xu gave all the braised pork ribs from his plate to Chu Yi. “Eat more,” he urged. “You need to eat more.”

Zhou Huaixiao also gave Chu Yi the meat and vegetables from his plate.

Chu Yi waved his hand. “I really can’t eat any more. Don’t give me any more. You guys eat.”

The plate in front of him was already piled high.

Jiang Xu still thought he wasn’t eating enough. “Just a little more?”

“I’m really full,” Chu Yi insisted. Faced with the double enthusiasm of Jiang Xu and Zhou Huaixiao, Chu Yi had eaten more than usual. After finishing, Jiang Xu even bought him a cup of juice.

When school let out, Jiang Xu insisted on personally escorting Chu Yi to the school gate, delivering him to Shen Jin’s side. He even told Shen Jin, “You must take good care of Chu Yi!”

Shen Jin smiled. “I will.”

After getting into the car, Shen Jin said, “So you’ve already told Jiang Xu.”

Chu Yi nodded, describing Jiang Xu’s reaction—from shock and disbelief to joy and excitement. “Today, when Jiang Xu touched my stomach, Zhou Huaixiao saw him and got jealous, ha ha ha!”

Shen Jin called his name, “Chu Yi.”

“What is it?” Chu Yi asked, oblivious to the jealousy radiating from the man beside him.

Shen Jin pulled Chu Yi onto his lap, his large hand covering Chu Yi’s stomach. “From now on, no one else is allowed to touch your belly.”

“Hahahaha!” Chu Yi burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking with mirth.

Shen Jin looked at him indulgently. “What’s so funny?”

Chu Yi teased him deliberately, “You sound like you’re jealous.”

*Zhou Huaixiao being jealous is one thing, but Shen Jin too?* In Chu Yi’s mind, Shen Jin was a mature, composed, and immensely charismatic man—the kind who wouldn’t easily get jealous.

Shen Jin had always believed the word “jealousy” wouldn’t exist in his dictionary, until Chu Yi came into his life.

“I *am* jealous,” Shen Jin declared frankly.

Hearing his straightforward admission, Chu Yi chuckled. “I thought someone your age wouldn’t get jealous.”

Shen Jin frowned. “My age? Am I that old?”

“No, no, not at all!” Chu Yi reassured him, gazing at him. “You’re handsome and charismatic. I really like you.”

These words warmed Shen Jin’s heart immensely.

Chu Yi wrapped his arms around Shen Jin’s neck. “I’ll listen to you. I won’t let anyone else touch my belly from now on.”

As soon as Chu Yi finished speaking, his expression changed, and he let out a soft “Ah!”

Shen Jin grew anxious. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Chu Yi’s eyes lit up as he looked down at his belly. After a moment, he exclaimed excitedly, “Shen Jin, Shen Jin! I think the baby just moved!” Though the movement was faint, Chu Yi was certain he had felt it.

“Really?” Shen Jin asked.

Chu Yi placed Shen Jin’s hand on his belly. “Feel for yourself.”

A large, gentle hand rested on Chu Yi’s abdomen, waiting patiently.

After about ten minutes, Shen Jin’s palm suddenly felt a faint kick. Though the movement was slight and the sensation light, the feeling traveled from his palm to his heart. Shen Jin grinned like a child. “The baby’s moving! I felt it!”

It was an indescribably magical sensation. Shen Jin couldn’t help but kiss Chu Yi’s ear. “Chu Yi, thank you. Thank you for coming into my life.”

The warm breath against Chu Yi’s neck sent a tingling sensation through him.

“From now on,” Chu Yi said, “I’ll only let you touch my belly.”