1979: My fiancée is a goddess

"Drip!"

At 5:30 in the evening, the sun was setting.

The sky had darkened considerably, and the temperature had suddenly plummeted as if it had plunged into an ice cave.

Jiang Ting, carrying a briefcase, got off the bus with Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli.

"Woo——"

Standing at the entrance of Xiaowei Hutong, a dry and biting cold wind blew in my face, which was blocked by the beautiful woman's black wool coat, but it messed up her neatly arranged black hair.

The beautiful woman raised her slender, delicate pinky finger and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her exquisitely beautiful, pale face turned to the two young men beside her as she asked:

"Xiaoli, why did you two suddenly call me over for dinner today? What's going on? You're being so mysterious..."

"Auntie, what are you saying? Can't I invite you over for a meal if there's nothing wrong? It's a waste of my filial piety; I've prepared such a sumptuous feast today."

Liu Xiaoli reached out and took the beautiful woman's arm, her voice soft and coquettish.

She was thinking about how she was about to tell her aunt, who had watched her grow up, about her pregnancy with Comrade Cheng's baby.

Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but feel a little shy and uneasy, and quickly turned her head to glare at Cheng Kaiyan, who was doing nothing to the side.

It's as if they're saying, "Hurry up and say something."

Seeing this, Cheng Kaiyan chuckled and replied, "Yes, Auntie, it's just the New Year these past few days, we should celebrate properly."

"Heh... I know you two too well?"

The beautiful woman crossed her arms, her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and her cold, serious gaze swept over the young couple. She said indifferently, "You're the type who wouldn't come to our door without a reason. What's making you so nervous?"

"..."

The young couple looked at each other, speechless.

My aunt has seen through them both.

"Phew... Well then I'll tell you the truth. I've called you here today because it's a big matter, but I can only tell you after we've had dinner."

Liu Xiaoli took a deep breath, suppressing her anxiety and nervousness. Her inherent calmness and composure allowed her to admit it directly.

"Okay, let's go back and have dinner first."

Jiang Ting nodded and took the lead into the alley.

Liu Xiaoli and Cheng Kaiyan followed behind, their feelings somewhat subtle and uneasy.

After all, the prevailing social atmosphere is rather conservative in this era.

Although she and Cheng Kaiyan were already engaged and had held a banquet, inviting relatives and friends to attend the ceremony.

However, due to their ages, they did not register their marriage.

Although outsiders assumed they were already married, their family members who knew them well were fully aware of the truth.

To put it bluntly, she became pregnant out of wedlock.

In this day and age, this is a shameful and disgraceful thing for many lesbians and their families.

She remembered that not long ago, her aunt had reminded them to be careful, and at that time she and Cheng Kaiyan had solemnly promised to obey.

Unexpectedly, not long after, she discovered she was pregnant.

This undoubtedly made it even more difficult for the gentle and reserved Liu Xiaoli to speak to her aunt.

But what made her even more uneasy and nervous was the fear that she would be scolded and reprimanded by her strict and indifferent aunt who couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing.

After all, she wanted her newborn child to arrive amidst the joy and blessings of her family.

Instead of others...

……

It was rush hour, and the alley was bustling with people.

Pedestrians on the road, shivering from the cold, turned up their collars, hunched their necks, and tucked their sleeves into their hands as they walked in small groups, leaving shallow footprints and tire tracks in the snow, compacting the snow beneath their feet.

Cheng Kaiyan and the other two pushed open the faded mahogany gate and walked into the depths of the courtyard.

The courtyard was bustling with activity, as every household was cooking over a wood fire.

Chimneys covered in thick snow sent up sparse, bluish-green plumes of smoke that drifted in the fiery sunset.

Not far away, Zhan Xinyu, wrapped in a padded jacket and a red scarf, and several little girls in the yard were building a snowman under a tree.

Meanwhile, her little nephew, who was following her, stood shakily to one side, holding a peeled carrot in his hand and gnawing on it with his few newly grown baby teeth.

"Kaiyan, Xiaoli, you're back! Where did you go for fun?"

Zhan Xinyu and the girls turned around and greeted the three of them with smiles.

"I took care of something."

Cheng Kaiyan chuckled and agreed, then led Xiaoli and her aunt home.

As I passed by the Zhao family's door in the west wing, Zhao Jianjun was squatting at the door eating his dinner, holding a rice bowl and wearing a warm, military-green hat that covered his ears.

Pure white, lush green, and golden yellow...

Oh, they're dumplings with chive and egg filling.

"The food is pretty good, Jianjun."

Upon seeing him, Cheng Kaiyan's heart stirred, and she greeted him.

"Hmph! It can't compare to your family."

Zhao Jianjun snorted coldly, turned his body, and faced the other side.

The day before yesterday, he also went to the cinema to watch the movie "Love Letter". He didn't really want to watch it because it was a romance movie starring Cheng Kaiyan and her sister.

How could my sister agree to film a movie with that bastard Cheng Kaiyan?

It's still about their past...

How dare that bastard go looking for his sister?
This made him very dissatisfied and indignant.

But my sister hasn't written back for a long time, mostly because of her studies and Cheng Kaiyan.

Zhao Jianjun, who was thinking about his sister, also wanted to see how she was doing through the movie, so he went to see it with a friend.

However, I was moved by the sincere first love in the movie, and saddened by the sorrow of lovers who could not stay together.

After watching the movie, he no longer doubted the past relationship between Cheng Kaiyan and her sister.

Some even wondered if there was no possibility for them to reconcile.

But... the news circulating in the hospital yesterday made him completely give up on the idea.

Zhao Jianjun subconsciously glanced at Liu Xiaoli beside him, and subconsciously thought:
Do they really have a child?
"..."

Seeing this, Cheng Kaiyan knew the reason, silently shook her head, and led the two women into the house.

He completely suppressed the last vestige of his desire to find out about the girl.

……

……

"Crackling~"

The burning wood in the hearth beneath the dining table continued to release heat and made a crisp sound.

"Wow, this is such a lavish meal! What day is it today? This is almost like a New Year's Eve dinner!"

At Liu Xiaoli's invitation, Jiang Ting sat down, leaning against the fire below while looking at the dishes on the table.

Tonight's dinner was indeed very plentiful.

There were sweet and sour pork ribs, a fragrant braised chicken with potatoes and chestnuts, a stewed white radish and beef soup, and a large bowl of red dates, white fungus, and peach gum stew—all nourishing and blood-tonifying foods, perfect for Liu Xiaoli, who was newly pregnant. "Haha! Today is a joyous day! Don't you know, A-Ting?"

Mother Xu Yuxiu carried the last dish of vegetables and rice into the house. Hearing Jiang Ting's question, she smiled happily.

"A big day?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ting immediately turned to look at her niece and Cheng Kaiyan, her expression questioning.

"Xiaoli and Kaiyan haven't told you yet? These two kids are probably just shy and embarrassed. What's there to be ashamed of?"

"Xiaoli wasn't feeling well a couple of days ago, she was vomiting a lot, so she went to Peking Union Medical College Hospital for a checkup and the doctor said she's pregnant, already two months along!"

Xu Yuxiu placed the food on the table, her face beaming with a joyful smile. As she spoke, she glanced at her daughter-in-law and asked with concern:

"Xiaoli? You don't feel nauseous today, do you? Avoiding smells that make you feel sick, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and not eating too much or too greasy food should help."

"Mom, not today."

Liu Xiaoli nodded, glanced at her aunt who had fallen silent because of the shocking news, clenched her sleeves tightly, and her heart tightened.

"What? Pregnant?"

Jiang Ting's heart skipped a beat, her lips parted slightly, and a deep look of astonishment flashed across her elegant and beautiful face.

Xiaoli is pregnant?

The beautiful woman silently processed the news, remaining speechless for a long time.

The mood is extremely complicated.

She didn't know what she was feeling—angry? dissatisfied? surprised? delighted?
Perhaps there was also a sense of envy and jealousy that even she herself found unsettling, flowing through her heart.

Before I knew it, even my niece, whom I had watched grow up, was pregnant.

When will I be able to have my own child?

Perhaps it will never be possible?
After all, it was just the two of them, Xiao Yan and me...

And it's impossible for my own body to...

Thinking of this, the beautiful woman sighed softly, unusually downcast and saddened.

"Auntie? Auntie?"

"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well? You don't look too good."

Suddenly, Liu Xiaoli's worried and nervous voice reached her ears. Jiang Ting looked up abruptly and realized that everyone at the dinner table was staring intently at her.

"Oh, no, it's nothing... Auntie was just a little surprised."

She took a sip of hot tea, somewhat flustered, to cover her momentary daze, and smiled as she offered her congratulations: "Congratulations, Xiaoli! Xiaoyan!"

"Phew... Thank you, Auntie."

Liu Xiaoli and Cheng Kaiyan exchanged a glance and almost simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief. It was unclear whether they had been worried about the same thing.

"You two will be parents soon, so you can't act like children anymore..."

Jiang Ting calmed down and gently advised, "Xiaoli, what are you planning to do about the Beijing Dance Academy? Are you going to drop out or continue this semester? Although early pregnancy won't affect your normal life too much, it's best to avoid strenuous exercise..."

She was still a little worried that the young couple would have arguments and conflicts over their child and career.

"No, I've already discussed it with Kaiyan. We'll not go to the Beijing Dance Academy for the time being, and we'll stay home to rest during my pregnancy."

After receiving her aunt's approval and blessings, Liu Xiaoli's mood improved significantly, and she smiled:
"Moreover, Kaiyan and I settled this matter at the Beijing Dance Academy today. I don't need to drop out; I can keep my student status!"

"Can I retain my student status? This is a national regulation."

Jiang Ting raised an eyebrow and looked at the two of them.

"Kaiyan donated 100,000 yuan to the Beijing Dance Academy!"

As Liu Xiaoli spoke, the girl raised her chin with a hint of pride, her almond-shaped eyes, like spring water, filled with tenderness and warm happiness.

One hundred thousand!!
Xu Yuxiu and Jiang Ting were both shocked by the number.

It's not a huge sum of money; not long ago, Cheng Kaiyan donated a million-dollar sum at a charity gala.

But this time, Cheng Kaiyan donated 100,000 yuan directly so that Xiaoli could continue to go to university and continue her dance career.

"Xiaoli has sacrificed so much for me along the way. I think as long as I can do it, I will not let her suffer any more."

Cheng Kaiyan glanced around at everyone, picked up a piece of beef and put it in Xiaoli's bowl, saying gently.

“I’m doing this willingly, and Kaiyan, I’ve seen everything about you.”

Liu Xiaoli smiled quietly, looked into his eyes, and said softly.

The two people opposite watched the lovey-dovey couple with smiles on their faces for a while, then went about their own business and started eating.

Everyone enjoyed dinner, but no alcohol was consumed.

That night, Jiang Ting slept here with Xu Yuxiu.

The next morning, she went to work at school with Cheng Kaiyan.

Cheng Kaiyan naturally had to go to school, so Xiaoli had to stay home alone to rest during her pregnancy.

Fortunately, my mother doesn't have many classes. After finishing one or two classes, I come back to spend time with her, watch TV, chat, and cook delicious food for her.

During this time, Liu Xiaoli wrote a letter to her mother, Jiang Wan, informing her of her pregnancy and explaining all the subsequent arrangements.

Upon learning this, Jiang Wan was initially delighted, but then secretly sighed for her daughter's decision to give up her dance career.

Fortunately, when she saw that Cheng Kaiyan spent 100,000 yuan to preserve the bloodstains for her daughter's dance career, she felt relieved and realized that she had not made a mistake in choosing her son-in-law and that her daughter had not made a mistake in choosing him.

The days passed peacefully like that.

Before we knew it, it was the end of January, and Cheng Kaiyan was on winter break.

Cheng Kaiyan finally had some free time and spent his days at home with his wife.

Serving tea and water, doing laundry and cooking, cleaning...

He has become the image of a stay-at-home husband.

Moreover, he worked tirelessly and took care of Liu Xiaoli in every detail.

Xiaoli's pregnancy nausea and vomiting became increasingly severe, and sometimes she didn't even want to eat.

Fortunately, Cheng Kaiyan took great care of and fed the baby.

As time went by, Xiaoli's originally flat and tender abdomen gradually became a little more prominent. Although it wasn't large, it already had some shape.

Her originally slender and graceful body has become more voluptuous, possessing a touch of the voluptuousness and charm of a young married woman.

To Xiaoli's relief, the relatively loose clothing worn in winter made it almost impossible to tell anything.

She was still a slender and graceful dance beauty.

Not long after, Jiang Wan, the mother-in-law, also took a long leave before the Chinese New Year and brought her youngest daughter to Beijing to visit and take care of her.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, let's all celebrate together in a lively atmosphere.

It's just tough on Uncle Liu, who's all alone at home.

Time flew by, and it was January 24, 1982.

Lunar New Year's Eve, the thirtieth day of the lunar calendar.

"Crack!"

On New Year's Eve, very early in the morning.

The continuous, loud sound of firecrackers echoed through the alley, waking the sleeping young couple. (End of Chapter)