ACMS 44

Chapter 44: The Reveal

A man getting pregnant—what a fantastical idea.

If someone had told Shen Hechuan before that a man could get pregnant, he would have thought that person had lost their mind.

But now, he desperately hoped it was true.

If this wasn’t a misdiagnosis, then Qiao Le was really pregnant—with his child.

Shen Hechuan’s grip on his phone unconsciously tightened. He thought of how, just yesterday, he had used this very hand to touch Qiao Le’s stomach, completely unaware of what was going on.

His fingers trembled slightly. Normally calm and self-contained, he found himself unable to suppress the turmoil in his chest. He even accidentally knocked over the teacup beside him.

“What’s wrong?” David, who had known him for years, had never seen him so out of sorts before. “Did something happen?”

The lukewarm tea had splashed onto his thigh, snapping Shen Hechuan back to his senses.

He glanced down at his dampened pants but didn’t pay much attention. He casually dabbed at them with a napkin, then looked up and said to David, “It’s nothing—just something urgent came up. I might have to leave first.”

As he spoke, he was already standing.

David stood up as well, thinking something serious had happened. He asked with concern, “Go ahead—if there’s anything I can help with, just say the word.”

“Alright,” Shen Hechuan nodded. “I’ll have a driver come by to wait. After you finish eating, he’ll take you back to the hotel. I’ll contact you later by phone.”

“Got it, got it,” David waved him off. “Hurry, don’t let it get delayed.”

Shen Hechuan turned to Lu Qian and said a brief “Excuse me,” then swiftly left the private room.

Once outside, he had a driver dispatched and then contacted the director of Lihua Hospital for the phone number of the doctor who had examined Qiao Le that day.

The doctor had been given a heads-up but was still hesitant to disclose patient information, hemming and hawing—until Shen Hechuan said, “I’m Qiao Le’s husband. This is very important to us. I want to know if there’s any possibility it was a misdiagnosis.”

As soon as the doctor heard the words misdiagnosis, he immediately shot back, “How could it be a misdiagnosis? I’ve examined so many pregnant women—do you think I can’t even interpret a basic ultrasound? What have I been doing in obstetrics for the past decade?”

Shen Hechuan hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and softly apologized.

The doctor continued, “Sure, Qiao Le was the first man I’ve ever examined for pregnancy, but his fetal heartbeat and embryo development were both clear and complete. Do you even know what those are? Let me explain—”

Shen Hechuan didn’t have the patience for a biology lecture right now, but he still listened politely. From the doctor’s explanation, he learned that although Qiao Le was biologically male, the baby was developing in a very healthy way.

When the doctor paused to take a breath, Shen Hechuan quickly asked, “So you’re saying my spouse really is pregnant?”

“Of course,” the doctor said. “The chances of male pregnancy are incredibly rare, but not impossible—and your partner just happens to be one of the rare cases.”

Your partner just happens to be one of them.

That sentence finally eased Shen Hechuan’s tense heart. His taut body gradually began to relax.

Just the day before yesterday, Qiao Le had asked if he liked children, and he’d answered honestly that he didn’t feel much one way or the other.

There were plenty of kids among his relatives—older, younger, all kinds. He’d see them during the holidays and didn’t particularly like or dislike them.

Even with Qiao Man, it was more a case of loving the house because of its master.

When Qiao Le asked if he wanted children, he’d also said no—and that wasn’t a lie either. Both of them were men, and when Shen Hechuan decided he wanted to spend his life with Qiao Le, he had already accepted that they would never have children.

But things had taken a wildly unexpected turn.

Qiao Le was suddenly pregnant.

He didn’t care about having children, but if it was their child—his and Qiao Le’s—it was a delightful surprise.

The doctor on the other end of the call was still talking, saying that Qiao Le had left right after getting the test results that day without coming back to consult him. He urged Shen Hechuan to bring Qiao Le back to the hospital for a thorough check-up. If there were still doubts, they could run more tests.

Shen Hechuan recalled how Qiao Le had seemed hesitant to speak that night and realized he must have been in shock because of this.

As a man, suddenly discovering you’re pregnant—one could only imagine the level of disbelief.

“I understand. Thank you, doctor.”

After hanging up, Shen Hechuan tried calling Qiao Le again. Still no answer. He called Su Qiao next—also no answer.

He remembered just how lively and busy the anniversary celebrations at Yunjing University could get—he had been through them himself. He figured they were both still caught up in it.

But with Qiao Le’s current condition, could his body really handle it?

Frowning, Shen Hechuan opened the car door, got in, and told the driver to head to Yunjing University.

—

Qiao Le and Su Qiao were indeed busy. Their booth hadn’t had a single idle moment from start to finish.

However, Qiao Le hadn’t been mixing drinks the whole time. The bartending was just a gimmick to attract crowds. Not long after the event began, he was pulled away for group photos. Su Qiao even brought over a stool for him to sit on like a mascot so alumni could line up to take photos with him.

Line after line formed—men, women, all ages. Qiao Le’s smile was frozen in place, and his hand doing the peace sign was starting to morph into a chicken-claw shape.

During the photo ops, quite a few people asked for Qiao Le’s WeChat. Some bold ones even asked directly if he had a boyfriend. Any time Su Qiao heard this kind of thing, she would loudly shoo them away—doing her part to protect her big-spending cousin.

The evening gala was set to begin at seven. By five, the carnival had begun winding down.

Both Qiao Le and Su Qiao had performances in the gala. After wrapping up at the carnival, they rushed to the dressing rooms to remove their makeup and change clothes, then hurried over to the auditorium.

Backstage at the auditorium, Qiao Le found his class group and finally had a moment to check his phone.

As soon as he turned it on, he saw multiple missed calls from Shen Hechuan, along with several WeChat messages asking him to call back when he saw them.

The earliest one had come in at 4:30 p.m.—the most recent just ten minutes ago.

Had Shen Hechuan already arrived?

Qiao Le walked out with his phone, heading to the side entrance of the auditorium to peek inside.

As an honorary alumnus of Yunjing University, and with Hualang Group having funded the construction of several academic buildings and libraries, Shen Hechuan’s seat was in the first row—reserved for VIPs.

There were still about thirty minutes before the event started, and the seat labeled with Shen Hechuan’s name was still empty.

He must be almost here. Or was he out looking for him?

Just as Qiao Le was about to dial, a voice suddenly came from beside him—startling him so badly he nearly dropped his phone.

“Qiao Le, who are you looking for?”

Startled, Qiao Le turned and saw Chen Hao.

“Did I scare you?” Chen Hao asked apologetically. “Sorry, my voice is kind of loud.”

Qiao Le steadied himself and replied honestly, “Yeah, a bit.”

Chen Hao chuckled. “Are you looking for someone?”

“Mm. Just checking to see which of the school leaders have arrived. Oh right, didn’t you say you wanted to meet the boss of Hualang Group? Has he come?”

“He has, he has!” Chen Hao said excitedly. “I just saw him outside. I thought he’d be about my dad’s age, but he’s actually really young—and really handsome, too.”

Young—and handsome, too.

Qiao Le pressed his lips together in a smile and asked, “So, did you shake his hand?”

“Not yet,” Chen Hao said regretfully. “The principal and all the other staff were there—I didn’t have the nerve to go over.”

Qiao Le said, “Then let’s go shake his hand together later.”

“Sure! I’m telling you—” Chen Hao suddenly changed tone and pointed toward the entrance. “They’re here! Look, the one in the middle.”

Qiao Le looked up and saw Shen Hechuan surrounded by a crowd.

In a suit, poised and striking.

Among men and women alike, he effortlessly became the center of attention.

Qiao Le stared at him intently, not even hearing what Chen Hao was saying next to him. His gaze followed Shen Hechuan’s steps.

Perhaps his gaze was too heated, or maybe there was some kind of unspoken connection between them. As Shen Hechuan passed through the crowd, he suddenly turned his head and looked in Qiao Le’s direction.

Their eyes met in midair, just for a brief moment. Qiao Le made a phone-call gesture with his hand.

Shen Hechuan gave a nearly imperceptible nod and followed the school leaders to his seat.

“Well? Doesn’t he have that aura?” Chen Hao asked.

“He really does,” Qiao Le agreed readily. “I need to step out for a moment.”

“Where are you going? The event’s about to start.”

“Going to see my boyfriend,” Qiao Le said, waving a hand. “I’ll be right back.”

He slipped out through a side door of the auditorium, went around to the back, and found a quiet spot. Then he texted Shen Hechuan, telling him he was behind the auditorium.

Shen Hechuan replied almost instantly—he shared his location directly.

Qiao Le tapped accept and watched the little red dot representing Shen Hechuan move closer and closer… until it overlapped with his own.

He turned around, and before he could even see clearly, he was pulled into a familiar, warm embrace.

It was Shen Hechuan.

On the way here, Shen Hechuan had been thinking hard about how to tell Qiao Le he already knew about the pregnancy.

But the moment he saw Qiao Le, his first instinct was to hug him.

Feeling Qiao Le’s arms come up to hug him back, Shen Hechuan couldn’t describe the feeling that stirred in his chest. He tightened his arms a little.

Qiao Le mumbled from his embrace, “You trying to suffocate me or what?”

Snapped out of his thoughts, Shen Hechuan quickly loosened his grip, asking anxiously, “Did I hurt you? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

Qiao Le found his reaction a bit funny. “No. I’m not made of glass—I’m not going to shatter with one touch.”

Shen Hechuan’s nerves finally eased a little. But to him, Qiao Le practically was made of glass right now.

“Why’d you call me so many times?” Qiao Le asked. “I was busy all afternoon—didn’t even have time to check my phone.”

The moment he suspected Qiao Le might be pregnant—and even more so after confirming it—Shen Hechuan’s first reaction had been to call him. He’d even considered rushing over to him right away, needing to confirm the news in person.

Or rather… wanting to share the joy with Qiao Le, since it belonged to the both of them.

But on the way here, he’d calmed down.

Qiao Le had taken the test results but hadn’t gone back to see the doctor, and hadn’t told him directly. Instead, he’d tried asking whether Shen Hechuan liked kids. That meant Qiao Le had been deeply shocked and anxious.

If he brought it up out of nowhere, he might only make things worse.

Some things were better left for when they got home.

“It’s nothing,” Shen Hechuan said, forcing down the urgency in his chest. “Su Qiao sent me a photo of you in uniform. You looked great. I wanted to tell you that.”

Qiao Le hadn’t even seen the photo yet. Hearing that, he got curious. “Really? Show me.”

Shen Hechuan handed him the phone. Qiao Le lit up the screen and turned it toward him. “Unlock it.”

Shen Hechuan unlocked it with his fingerprint and casually gave him a string of numbers.

Qiao Le opened WeChat. “What was that?”

“My password.”

Qiao Le’s finger paused. He looked up at him.

Shen Hechuan met his gaze. Qiao Le’s eyes darted away. He looked back down, opened Su Qiao’s chat, and was immediately greeted by a selfie of himself as the chat background.

Qiao Le: “…”

Then he saw their message history.

Qiao Le: “…”

And then, a picture of himself in women’s clothes.

Qiao Le: “…”

What the hell is all this?!

His whole face turned red. Holding the phone, he looked up at him. “Shen! He! Chuan! What exactly are you—”

Before he could finish, Shen Hechuan leaned down and kissed him, precisely sealing his lips. One hand cupped the back of his head, and his tongue slid in with ease.

Qiao Le: “…”

Fine. He could settle the score after this kiss.

Qiao Le reached out to return the hug—only to hear Chen Hao’s voice nearby: “Qiao Le, there you are! Your class is looking for you—oh! Sorry—”

Qiao Le froze, pulling away from Shen Hechuan in a flash.

Shen Hechuan instinctively moved to stand in front of Qiao Le, frowning at the intruder.

Chen Hao recognized him instantly. His eyes went wide and he pointed. “You, you, you—”

Qiao Le peeked out from behind Shen Hechuan. “Don’t ‘you’ and ‘me’—didn’t you want to shake hands with my boyfriend?”

“!!” Chen Hao froze, then realization hit him like a brick. “Wait, President Shen is your boyfriend?! Why didn’t you say so earlier!”

Then he remembered all the times he’d rambled about Shen Hechuan in front of Qiao Le and nearly died of secondhand embarrassment. “God, that was so humiliating…”

Qiao Le, thoroughly enjoying the moment, said gleefully to Shen Hechuan, “This is my friend Chen Hao. He’s heard all about you and really wants to shake your hand.”

Shen Hechuan knew who Chen Hao was—he’d heard that he was the first friend Qiao Le made after resuming school.

He offered his hand. “Hello, I’m Shen Hechuan.”

Chen Hao was flustered but delighted. “Nice to meet you! I’m Chen Hao.”

Qiao Le asked, “You said my class was looking for me?”

“Yeah.” Chen Hao nodded. “There’s been a schedule change. Your class’s performance got moved from third to second—you need to get ready.”

The event was about to begin. They had to go back.

Qiao Le turned to Shen Hechuan. “I’m heading back. Let’s walk separately.”

With that, he tugged Chen Hao along and left. Shen Hechuan watched his decisive back and stood there in silence.

This kind of felt like a secret, forbidden affair.

He let out a helpless chuckle and made his way back into the auditorium.

The school celebration was grand, packed with performances.

Shen Hechuan had a seat in the front row with an excellent view. He easily spotted Qiao Le among the choir.

He recorded a video of the choir and sent it to the family group chat. The Shen elders immediately flooded it with praise and compliments. To anyone else, it might’ve looked like Qiao Le’s solo concert.

After coming off stage, Qiao Le checked his phone and saw the barrage of flowers and red packets in the group chat. He felt both embarrassed and deeply happy.

All the warmth he’d missed from a family over the years—he’d found it in the Shen family.

By the time the event ended, it was nearly eleven. Qiao Le avoided the crowd, met up with Shen Hechuan in the parking lot, and the two of them left together.

Back at home, Qiao Le changed his shoes and stepped inside. He’d barely taken a few steps when Shen Hechuan pulled him from behind into his arms.

Qiao Le was wrapped in a full embrace, with Shen Hechuan burying his face in the crook of his neck.

“What are you doing?” Qiao Le squirmed from the ticklish sensation and gently scratched the back of his head. “Why are you acting all clingy?”

Shen Hechuan gave him one more tight hug before loosening his arms and placing both hands on his shoulders. “Lele.”

“Mm?” Qiao Le looked at him, confused. “Why so serious?”

Shen Hechuan said, “That question you asked me the other day—I want to give you a new answer.”

Qiao Le: “Hm?”

“I like kids,” Shen Hechuan said solemnly. “Especially our kid. I like it a lot. A whole lot.”

Qiao Le’s eyes widened slightly as a possibility struck him. “You found out?”

Shen Hechuan nodded. “Yeah. So don’t be scared. As long as you’re willing to give birth—I’ll be there.”

“…Huh?” Qiao Le blinked, then blurted out, “But I wasn’t planning to keep it.”

Shen Hechuan: “…”

…Did I just imagine everything I thought I heard?