Chapter 76

Ji Chun smiled, gently patting Liang Zheng's head as he said softly, "Well, Zheng'er, would you like to visit your brother tomorrow?"

"Yeah!" Liang Zheng nodded eagerly. In the dim moonlight, his face flushed slightly, betraying a hint of shyness. It seemed being an older brother for the first time had left him both excited and a little nervous.

Just then, Liang Dasao stepped out of the room and addressed Doctor Liang. "Ji Chun and I are heading to the Wang residence. We'll return shortly. Please look after Zheng'er and make sure he goes to bed early."

Once Doctor Liang nodded in agreement, she turned to Ji Chun. "Let's go. I doubt she's asleep yet."

"Alright. Thank you for your help," Ji Chun replied, nodding before following Liang Dasao out with the lantern in hand.

Fortunately, the Wang family lived nearby, and they arrived after a short walk. Ji Chun carefully memorized the route. When they reached the door, Liang Dasao stepped forward and knocked. Soon, a woman appeared, and upon recognizing Liang Dasao, the two exchanged a few words. Ji Chun overheard the woman from the Wang family say cheerfully, "No problem," before disappearing inside.

As he waited, Ji Chun grew increasingly anxious, worrying whether the baby would wake. He paced back and forth before finally asking, "Liang Daosao, what about the milk…?"

It was the first time Liang Dasao had seen Ji Chun so restless. Covering her mouth, she chuckled. "Ji Chun, don't worry. She's already inside preparing it." To distract him, she added, "If the child wakes after you return, warm the milk with hot water—just warm, not boiling. Once he drinks his fill, he'll settle back to sleep."

Ji Chun listened attentively, committing every word to memory. "I'll remember that. Thank you."

"Have you chosen a name for the child yet?" Liang Dasao asked suddenly.

"Ah… well…" Ji Chun hesitated. He had considered names before, but as the birth drew nearer, his anxiety had pushed the matter from his mind. Besides, he wanted to discuss it with Su Ran first. "We'll decide once he wakes," he explained.

Liang Dasao smiled warmly. "No need to rush. Take your time. You two are still young—if you need any advice, just call for me."

As they spoke, the woman from the Wang family reappeared, handing Liang Dasao a small jar. "If you need more later, feel free to come by."

"Thank you for your trouble." Ji Chun bowed politely, retrieving some silver from his waist and offering it to her. The woman accepted it graciously, and after a few more pleasantries, Ji Chun prepared to leave.

After escorting Liang Dasao home, Ji Chun hurried back without delay. When he arrived, Mu Miefeng and Xue Yao were already preparing for bed. Spotting the jar in his hand, Mu Miefeng asked, "Is that the milk?"

"Yes," Ji Chun answered softly, glancing toward the inner room. "Did the child wake at all?"

"He's been asleep since you left. It's late—you should rest too," Mu Miefeng said, quietly impressed by Ji Chun's newfound devotion to fatherhood.

Ji Chun nodded gratefully. "You've both worked hard today. Go and get some rest."

Once Mu Miefeng and Xue Yao had returned to the east room, Ji Chun washed up in the courtyard before quietly slipping into the inner chamber. He lit a single lamp, its faint glow barely piercing the darkness. Moving to the bedside, he gazed at the two figures lying there—Su Ran and their child, their steady breaths the only sound in the stillness.

Holding his own breath, Ji Chun pulled up a stool and sat beside them, his eyes lingering with tender devotion, as if beholding the rarest of treasures.