Volume One, Chapter Two: It Felt Like Winning the Lottery

To be honest, the programmer’s cooking skills were impressive. His first time cooking earned unanimous praise from the whole family, putting immense pressure on the nanny, Sister Zhao, who feared being fired and losing her high-paying job.

“You decide, I’m fine with anything.”

On the other end of the phone, Xiang Zheng’s enthusiasm seemed rather low.

“Come back early. Money is endless. Tonight, I’ll try out some new dishes and maybe switch up a few new positions,” the programmer smacked his lips, thinking that being the man of a little rich wife required considerable psychological resilience.

Fortunately, his vigor in bed remained undiminished.

After hanging up, the programmer tied on his apron.

Today was the supermarket’s big sale. Xiang Zheng’s mother and the nanny had gone shopping, leaving him alone at home. Without having to answer endless questions and concerns, he finally felt a bit at ease.

An hour later, all preparations were complete. The programmer stood with hands on hips, proudly inspecting his work: cucumbers carved into bamboo shoots reminiscent of Zheng Banqiao’s paintings; tomatoes drizzled with honey, evoking the pictorial dishes popular on Little Red Book called “Sweet Tomatoes for Good Fortune”; three-layered pork belly blanched in water, ready to be cooked into glossy, mouthwatering Dongpo pork; scallions cut into sections, ginger sliced, garlic minced, along with duck blood, tofu, and tripe—all the ingredients for Xiang Zheng’s favorite spicy hotpot.

Every time he cooked, she grew even more enamored with him.

“Sure enough, a programmer who can’t cook isn’t a good man,” he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, he felt two arms reach around his waist from behind, and a face pressed against his back, sending a delightful shiver through him.

Oh, his little rich wife was back.

Turning around, the programmer leaned against the cabinet and cupped Xiang Zheng’s small face—palm-sized and seemingly stained with tears.

“My queen, what’s troubling you?” he asked gently.

Xiang Zheng didn’t reply but held him tightly.

After three years of dating, their passion still burned fiercely. At least in moments like this, their coordination was flawless.

The programmer smiled foolishly, hands taking the lead as he lifted her up onto the kitchen island. A day of scheming, frustrations, and machinations melted away into this tender moment. “Shall we try it here?”

Suspended off the ground, Xiang Zheng looked down at him, arms wrapped around his neck, eyes moist and reddened at the corners, her heart fluttering with anxiety and confusion. “Programmer, I think I’ve hit the jackpot.”

She stared intently at him, not missing a single flicker of expression.

Jackpot? His mind momentarily blank.

Though their time together often ignited explosive chemistry, the programmer always took precautions.

He had never even considered “getting on the train before buying the ticket.”

His gaze fell on her smooth belly, which he gently touched. “You mean there’s a little life growing here? Are you sure?”

Xiang Zheng nodded heavily, tears streaming down like a rapid pearl necklace breaking apart.

“My period is five or six days late. But I’m not ready yet. I was just promoted at work—to marketing director.”

“It’s all your fault for being so full of energy every day, with no restraint at all. Even the oxen in the village can’t keep up with you. What are we going to do now?”

Though it sounded like a complaint, to the programmer it felt more like praise.

“Is it my fault my girlfriend is so beautiful?”

He turned and walked away, bending down at the entrance to put on his shoes.

At a time like this, when the situation was urgent, the man wanted to run away. She hadn’t even said she wanted to keep the baby. Xiang Zheng’s heart skipped a beat, knotting with worry.

“Are you really so eager to run away?”

“Hey, baby,” the programmer stood up, ruffling her hair. “I’m just going out to buy something to test it. You’re always the top sales champion at work, under tremendous pressure. A delayed period could just be stress. Don’t scare yourself.”

Xiang Zheng stood frozen as she heard the door clang shut behind him.