Song Xiaoping frowned. He understood, but understanding didn't mean he could let her go.
He had been ruthless this time; if he let go again, she probably would never see him again.
"I'll take you out to see the sights as soon as I have time, okay?"
This was the maximum he could do.
Xu Qian closed her eyes and said coldly, "Whatever you say."
There was no point in talking further. He was determined to confine her, and it had to be done step by step.
Time passed agonizingly. To Xu Qian, these three months felt like hell.
For nearly a month, she suffered from morning sickness, finding no taste in food.
In her late pregnancy, symphysis pubis dysfunction, frequent urination, and other symptoms made her wish she were dead.
Song Xiaoping told stories to the baby in her belly every day, kissed and touched her through the belly, very, very gently.
Yes, the ultrasound had long confirmed the baby was a girl, and he preferred a girl even more.
He had always wanted a child exactly like her.
In the evening, the baby moved in her belly, and Xu Qian's brow furrowed. She sighed and gently patted her stomach.
She was easily woken up, and even more so with the baby.
It was so restless in the middle of the night.
Her feelings towards this child were complex. The baby grew quickly, starting to move within a month.
Perhaps it was her first time as a mother that made it feel so magical. She would occasionally pat her, and the baby would kick her legs in response.
She knew she shouldn't get attached to the baby, but she couldn't help herself.
She wanted to take her away with her.
Suddenly, Song Xiaoping sat up, turned on the bedside lamp, and asked in a hoarse voice, "What's wrong? Is the baby restless?"
As he spoke, he placed his hand on her belly. The baby, obligingly, kicked him.
"So naughty."
Song Xiaoping gently embraced her from behind, his hands stroking her belly.
"Sleep, baby, don't disturb Mommy anymore."
Xu Qian closed her eyes, not refusing.
This child was indeed magical. When Song Xiaoping spoke and touched her, she would be quiet all night and wouldn't move around.
This happened almost every day.
Once the baby settled down, he whispered, "It'll be better after the baby is born in a few days. I've failed you."
He had seen how hard pregnancy was for her. If he had known, he wouldn't have gotten her pregnant.
Compared to the child, he valued Xu Qian more.
Xu Qian responded with a hum and continued to sleep.
Her attitude had always been lukewarm. Song Xiaoping didn't get angry; having a response was better than being ignored.
Four months had passed. Now, his surveillance had relaxed a bit. The medication had been reduced, but she still couldn't handle heavy objects, like... a knife.
She was allowed out for four days a week, of course, with him accompanying her personally.
The rest of the time, she basically stayed in the villa for entertainment. But even so, she still couldn't escape.
He watched her too closely, almost all the time.
He had even moved his office into the villa.
With his office in the villa, Xu Qian gathered a lot of information. She even learned that the X Group's attack on Country D had been delayed.
Because a certain leader had ordered that everything would be dealt with after she gave birth.
Although the system hadn't given any reminders, Xu Qian could feel his favorability increasing.
In his eyes, there was only love.
As Xu Qian was drowsily about to fall asleep, a voice chimed in her mind.
【Ding, system notification: Song Xiaoping's favorability has reached the maximum score of 100. The system will resume normal operation after the child is born.】
Xu Qian's eyes suddenly widened. She didn't have time to question why it had disappeared.
【Why will it only resume after the child is born?】
Did the system mean it didn't want her to take the child away?
【Ding, yes. She is merely a tool to increase favorability. Bringing her along would only be a burden.】
Xu Qian closed her eyes fiercely. So, just because you didn't give birth to the child, you can talk such nonsense?