He made you feel good. There was no one you felt as secure and loved as Jing Yuan, who treated you like the most beautiful flower. Of all the people who dreamed of a general, he chose you, although it was hard to call it a full-fledged relationship. No, Jing Yuan didn't hide you or the fact of your "relationship", rather, he just didn't make it public and didn't let anyone into his private life. It was more like you were his mistress that he didn't want others to know about. But it was a sin to complain when every time he waited for you with open arms, tender kisses, and a soothing whisper that made the world recede into the background and anxiety disappear.

That's probably why your desire to have a child with him, which was obviously not sudden, was taken quite calmly by Jing Yuan. You both understood that it was more your own desire to become a mother than to make him a father, but he was quite happy to have a hand in it and fulfill that wish if it made you happy. It was nice to keep it a secret, exchanging meaningful glances when you met and brief kisses when you were alone. No one but the two of you knew anything, and you didn't plan on telling anyone.

The two of you approached this matter thoroughly: health checks, frequent meetings on days favorable for conception, and finally your move to Jing Yuan as soon as you found out you were pregnant. You had delayed the move on purpose to avoid attracting attention, but now that the little life you - both of you - wanted was growing in your womb, the man insisted you move. At your request, you decided to stay at work until your belly was too visible, and the General didn't resist as it meant he would have you under his care.

"Feeling good?" in a brief moment of respite, Jing Yuan leans in close to your ear. The man's gaze slides involuntarily to your stomach, which has gotten a little bigger over the past ten weeks, though you can't see it with the naked eye. A slight smile touches the general's face, and he gently places his palm on your lower back.