Chapter 19 Cocky

Ling Yichen gently caressed her belly, lifted her chin, and said to her in a low voice, “Woman, whoever you will belong to in the future does not concern me; however, you are currently mine. That, you must remember! Also, do not think that you have the right to be cocky towards me just because you are carrying my child... One million means nothing to me. The fact that I could hire you means that I can hire someone else as well. Even if I don’t spend a single penny, as long as I beckon any woman with a wave of a hand, she will willingly birth me a child just the same. This child, to me and to you, will not be our only one.” Tears immediately ran down her cheeks. Does he mean that this child is wanted if he pleases and unwanted if he doesn’t? “Since he will not be your only child, then give him to me! I will return your money. Just give me some time and I’ll pay you back with interest, alright?” Xia Mo didn’t dare to use her previous attitude and tone towards him. She knew very well her child will have to live under his care in the future. She didn’t have the power nor the potentiality to be cocky. “I carried him inside of me for seven months already. I love him. I beg you. Please give him to me,” Xia Mo cried as she begged him, “I’ll even sign a contract with you. I’ll find a way to earn money and pay you within the shortest amount of time. Is that okay?” “Earn money within the shortest amount of time? Do you plan to birth someone’s child and sell him too?” Ling Yichen didn’t know what was wrong with him, but upon hearing her say that she would marry another man and have his children and take the child currently in her belly away vexed him. He nearly exploded with rage. Yet, he really couldn’t do anything against her after he had seen her forlorn expression on her petite face and that extremely large belly. As a result, his only reaction was that of silence and a glacial glance. He wanted to let the woman know her place and status and not to covet things which she could never attain. He even thought that if this woman was to be more obedient, he would not mind feeding another mouth. After all, this was his child’s mother. If it was like she had said, how would people look at his child when it would be made known that she had birthed another man’s child? Her tears dropped. She blinked a few times, her curly, long lashes still moist, and looked at him in disbelief. Her stomach was in knots. She had never imagined that he could say this about her. She could say cruel words too and spite people too! But she would never do such a thing nor would she dare to. For the sake of her child, she could not afford to offend the man in front of her. At last, she indignantly said something that left Ling Yichen baffled but also conciliated. “If you keep talking like that, I’ll get really angry at you. I won’t ever be on good terms with you anymore.” “Won’t ever be on good terms with me?” Ling Yichen reached forward and pulled her into his arms. Her childish manner made him chuckle. “Then who do you want to be good towards?” “You always give me an attitude, and you mock me.” Xia Mo truly felt that she had been wronged. With tears in her eyes, she looked at him and continued, “I really feel like I have nowhere to turn to this time. That’s why I did what I did. This is my first time, but it’s enough to pain me for eternity. I will regret this until the day I enter the grave. How can I possibly go through this a second time?” His heart trembled, and his smile abruptly faded. Even when she finally rested in bed, Xia Mo was still reflecting on that man’s words. His wife was barren, and he said that her child would not be his only child. Would her child be able to live a good life then or not? Should she curry favor with him, so that he would treat her child better? But would it be of use? She placed a cushion by her side, turned over, rested her belly on top, and lightly pulled the quilt over her. “Not feeling well down there?” Constantly alert, Ling Yichen looked over and asked. Xia Mo didn’t want to talk to him at all, but after thinking about what he had said earlier, she replied, “My belly’s too big and a bit droopy. Supporting it with a cushion feels more comfortable.” After she had said this, she couldn’t help but add, “Relax. I won’t squish your child.” “He’s also yours,” Ling Yichen nonchalantly answered. Just then, they locked gazes for three seconds. Afterward, Xia Mo shut her reddened eyes and remarked, “I’m somewhat sleepy.” Ling Yichen removed his top, tugged the quilt away, and embraced her from behind. He wasn’t gentle by any means, but he wasn’t cold either. He merely said, “Go sleep!” Ling Yichen placed her head on his shoulder with one hand while the other slid into her shirt and softly massaged her belly. Xia Mo’s momentarily stiffened but soon relaxed. She lightly snorted *hm*. “If by nightfall I don’t come back, then move to the room downstairs. I’ll let Mrs. Feng clean the clutter out of that room tomorrow. Don’t shut the door either when you sleep... If not, then how about we put a small bed in the doorway?” “Who puts a bed in the doorway?” Xia Mo knitted her brows and pulled the quilt over both of their bodies. “Besides, I don’t need to be looked after like a criminal.” “If you are sleeping downstairs, I also recommend wearing clothes to bed.” Ling Yichen suddenly put his ear to her belly.” He had seen this kind of gesture in an ad today and wondered whether he could hear any sounds from within. “Hear something? His heartbeat?” Xia Mo looked at him and curiously asked. “Did you drink a lot of water today?” “No. I just drink the usual amount. What’s wrong?” “Your belly’s full of *glug glug glug* water sounds,” Ling Yichen disdainfully responded but adamantly put his ear on her belly once more. All of a sudden, there appeared a bump on her belly, and it was right where his ear was placed. Frightened, Ling Yichen sprang up. He stared at Xia Mo with a shocked expression. “What was that?” “I... I don’t know.” Xia Mo’s complexion changed somewhat. “What happened?” “Are you hurting anywhere? Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.” Ling Yichen stared at the bump, then quickly jumped out of bed, found his pants, and got dressed. He didn’t have time to care for his appearance. His eyes remained glued to the woman on the bed. She seemed fine. Her shoulders were bare, so he hastily threw a nightdress over he, and in a hurried attempt, he couldn’t get her arms through the sleeves. Suddenly, he glimpsed the telephone on the nightstand. He swiftly picked it up and called for the doctor. “What does a bump on a pregnant woman’s belly mean?” His voice slightly quivered, causing Xia Mo’s heart to palpitate. “That’s the baby moving in the belly. It’s fetal movement. That bump is probably the fetus’s butt or knee. It could be the hands or feet as well. This is normal. No need to worry...” Before the doctor could finish, Ling Yichen had already blurted out “thank you” and hung up. “It’s nothing.” Ling Yichen breathed out a sigh of relief. He then turned around to sit on the edge of the bed but rapidly stood up again. He stripped his pants and threw them several meters outward. Xia Mo didn’t know where the man’s temper had come from. She blinked at him with a perplexed look on her face.