On March 6th of the following year, Ji Dongyang and Zhou Yining held their wedding in an ancient castle in the United Kingdom. It was a warm and romantic affair.

Neither of them were the type to flaunt their affection. They were low profile in their daily lives, and their wedding was no different. Very few friends from the industry attended, and no media outlets were invited. Fans could only catch glimpses of the wedding photos and the scene through Shiguang Media’s official account, the couple’s own Weibo posts, or snippets shared by fellow actors who attended.

The fans had long ago grown accustomed to Ji Dongyang’s style of doing things. A low key wedding was exactly what they expected.

“Fortunately, Dong-ge didn’t hide the marriage entirely. Seeing these photos is enough to satisfy me. He looks so handsome, and Yining is so beautiful.”

“The more I look at them, the more they seem like a perfect match. I’m so jealous of Zhou Yining: being able to marry a man like Dong-ge! She must have saved the galaxy in her past life!”

“I feel like Dong-ge smiles much more now that he’s with Zhou Yining. Look! When have we ever seen him smile like that before? It’s just too charming!”

“To see Dong-ge get married in my lifetime… my life is complete! Now, I’m just waiting for Yining to have a little bun!”

…

After the wedding, the couple only took two days of rest before diving back into work. The movie Anti-Terrorism was set to be released nationwide on March 20th, and they had to go on a promotional tour. Fortunately, they didn’t have to be apart. No matter how busy or tired they were, they could be together, and that was enough.

On the promotional posters, Ji Dongyang stood in a standoff with a Hollywood superstar, while Zhou Yining occupied a small corner, showing only her face.

With the involvement of Hollywood icons, this film was a crucial step for Ji Dongyang’s international career. Although Zhou Yining didn’t have many scenes, as the most prominent female character among a group of men bursting with hormones, she was undeniably the darling of the production.

Wan Wei was ecstatic. “These two years will definitely be the absolute peak of your career.”

Yang Xun agreed. “The same goes for Dongyang.”

The suggestion from both agents was that they should not consider children for at least another two years.

Zhou Yining didn’t say anything. She had been with Ji Dongyang for over two years now, and nearly six months had passed since they registered their marriage.

She had said it before: when she was ready, she was willing to have children for him.

Regarding the subject, Ji Dongyang never brought it up. Now that they had Coffee at home, and seeing how much she pampered the cat, he sometimes felt that having a cat was enough.

She wasn’t even twenty six yet. She was young, and she had her own work and dreams.

Ji Dongyang could wait.

The box office for Anti-Terrorism was unprecedentedly successful. The 3D special effects were top tier, and high quality action films were rare in the domestic market. In just one week, it broke the one billion mark. The lowest estimate for the final box office was two billion. Having missed out on the Best Actor award for the past two years, there was no way Ji Dongyang would let the trophy slip away this year.

By the end of April, Anti-Terrorism concluded its run with 2.63 billion, creating a box office legend for recent years. The film was also set to be released abroad, ensuring that the name Ji Dongyang would appear in theaters worldwide.

At the celebration banquet, Zhou Yining drank too much. Ji Dongyang took her home and carried her to bed.

Zhou Yining pulled at him. “Ji Dongyang, where are you going?”

He looked down at her. “To draw the water so you can bathe.”

Her slender fingers scratched lightly at his hand, her voice soft and sweet. “Carry me there.”

Ji Dongyang agreed, leaning down to pick her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed softly into his ear. His body stiffened slightly. He glanced at her, and once they reached the bathroom, he sat her down on the vanity.

Zhou Yining swung her slender legs, watching him as he prepared the bath.

After a moment, he straightened up and pulled her down. “Alright, go ahead and wash.”

He turned to leave after saying that.

Zhou Yining caught him, her soft arms wrapping around his lean waist. Her hands stroked his back gently. “Let’s wash together.”

She skillfully undid his belt.

When she decided to be provocative, he was always powerless to resist.

Ji Dongyang wasn’t used to soaking in a tub, so the two of them took a steaming hot shower instead. Their wet bodies were pressed tightly together. When things were at a breaking point, he picked her up and headed toward the bedroom. She kissed his Adam’s apple. “What are you doing?”

He pressed his lips together, his voice low and raspy. “Getting protection.”

Soon, she was tossed onto the bed. He pressed down on her and reached for the drawer, but she caught his hand. She tossed the item into the trash can, her slender legs hooking around his waist to pull him closer. She arched her back and hugged his neck.

She whispered in his ear, “Don’t wear it. If it happens, I’ll have the baby for you.”

Ji Dongyang snapped his head down to look at her, his throat tightening. “Are you sure?”

“You want a child, don’t you?” she asked.

He closed his eyes, kissed her lips, and then opened them again to look at her. “What matters is whether you want it.”

She arched her waist, teasing him.

“Come on…” she tempted him seductively.

The next second, a pair of large hands gripped her soft waist, and her body was instantly filled.

Zhou Yining let out a cry. After a while, she gasped: “You… Uncle Ji! Can you be a bit gentler when you’re excited?”

“…”

The man thrust deeply, as if punishing her. “What did you call me?”

“Uncle… Ji…”

“What?” Another, even harder thrust.

“Ah! Ji Dongyang! If you don’t slow down… I’m going to divorce you!”

“…”

…

From that point on, they no longer used protection. Work remained busy. With the success of Anti-Terrorism, Ji Dongyang was busier than ever, and Zhou Yining had many commitments of her own. They were both swamped, spending less than ten days a month together.

As the Golden Image Awards approached, the scandal regarding Ji Dongyang’s parents from the previous year was dug up again. However, since it was old news, it didn’t cause much of a stir. Furthermore, Anti-Terrorism had won him countless new fans, and his status as a married man only strengthened his image as an upright, reliable person.

In early June, less than ten days before the awards, Zhou Yining suddenly realized her period hadn’t arrived.

Zhang Ran bought several different pregnancy tests. “I don’t know which one is most accurate, so try them all…”

Zhou Yining nodded and took them into the bathroom.

Zhang Ran was incredibly anxious outside. She both hoped and feared that Yining was pregnant. Wan Wei had recently mentioned that she hoped Yining wouldn’t have children too early. Her career was skyrocketing; having a baby now would undoubtedly affect her momentum.

But then again, many actresses like Jing Xin or Du Yuanyuan remained popular after having children.

After a long wait, Zhou Yining emerged.

“Is it?” Zhang Ran asked hurriedly.

Zhou Yining held up the test. Two lines. She muttered to herself, “I didn’t expect it to be so fast.”

Ji Dongyang was usually very cautious, even when he lost control. He always maintained his rationality, so there had never been an accident. She hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly once they stopped trying to prevent it.

Zhang Ran was stunned for a long time, unable to tell if Yining was happy or not. Would she keep the child? After hesitating, she asked, “Then… should we tell Dong-ge?”

Ji Dongyang was currently out of town. Zhou Yining bit her lip and thought for a moment. “There’s no rush.”

The awards ceremony was in a few days. If everything went well, he would definitely win Best Actor. That trophy was very important to him.

“What about Sister Wei?” Zhang Ran asked.

“I’ll call her later,” Yining said. “Promise me you won’t say a word to anyone else, especially A Ming.”

Zhang Ran nodded quickly. “I know.”

If A Ming found out, there would be no way to keep it a secret.

So… was she keeping the baby?

The moment Wan Wei found out, she rushed over immediately.

Other actresses would do anything for exposure when they were at the height of their fame, but Zhou Yining had learned to be low profile from Ji Dongyang. Now she was pregnant, which meant her workload would have to be reduced for the next year. She wasn’t sure if the endorsements and commercials she had already signed would be renewed. Seriously! How could they be so careless?

The first thing Zhou Yining said to her was: “I am definitely keeping this child.”

It was as expected.

“Sister Wei, I’m sorry,” Yining added.

Since things had already reached this point, Wan Wei didn’t know what else to say. After a long while, she finally spoke. “Alright. I’ll reduce your workload. However, there are some things we can’t back out of. While your belly isn’t showing over the next two months, we need to finish the commercials and magazine shoots. You might have to work a little harder.”

Zhou Yining nodded. She was mentally prepared.

…

In the early hours of the morning, Ji Dongyang returned to B City to prepare for the awards ceremony.

They hadn’t seen each other for several days, yet Zhou Yining surprisingly hadn’t woken up. She was lying on her side, clutching a pillow. Usually, when he wasn’t home, Coffee would take his spot, but tonight she hadn’t let the cat into the bedroom.

Coffee followed him in anyway.

A moment later, the cat was tossed out by Ji Dongyang.

He sat by the bed, watching her sleeping face.

The room was a bit warm, and there was a light sweat on her forehead.

Ji Dongyang gently wiped her brow. She frowned slightly but didn’t wake up, only clutching the pillow tighter.

He sat there watching her for a long time before getting up to shower.

He took a cold shower, so his body was a bit chilly.

When he hugged her from behind, she instinctively rolled into his arms, found a comfortable position, and fell into an even deeper sleep.

Ji Dongyang’s lips curled into a smile as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

When she woke up the next morning, she realized he was back. She opened her eyes to find him staring at her, leaving her a bit dazed.

“Didn’t you say you’d be back today?”

“You’re awake?”

They spoke at the same time.

“I finished early,” he said. “I got home around 1:00 AM. You were sleeping very soundly.”

She nodded, her head nestled in his chest. “I’ve been busy. I’m very tired.”

“No work today?”

“I have work. Zhang Ran is picking me up at 8:30.”

He checked the time; it was already 7:30.

Ji Dongyang also had things to do. He ruffled her messy hair and asked naturally, “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Milk and a sandwich.”

“Alright,” he said, pulling back the covers. “Go wash up.”

The man left the bedroom. Zhou Yining blinked as she hugged the blanket. She would tell him in a few days.

…

A few days later, the group flew to S City for the film festival.

Once the ceremony began, Zhou Yining started to feel nervous again, perhaps even more so than the previous year.

She subconsciously touched her stomach and prayed in her heart: Baby, your daddy will definitely win.

Ji Dongyang leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Is your stomach uncomfortable?”

She froze and shook her head quickly. “No.”

Right at that moment, the host announced the Best Male Lead.

Everyone’s gaze instinctively turned toward Ji Dongyang.

The host paused for two seconds before shouting his name. Instantly, thunderous applause broke out.

Ji Dongyang was still leaning close to her ear. Zhou Yining turned her head to look at him with a brilliant smile. Since they were so close, he naturally gave her a light kiss on the cheek before standing up calmly.

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, his tall figure walked toward the stage.

Zhou Yining touched her cheek. This was the first time he had made such an intimate gesture in public. Did he forget this was a live broadcast? She laughed softly and joined the crowd in clapping forcefully.

Looking at the handsome, mature man on stage, she realized he was like a brilliant spark that had given her hope when she was lost and in pain.

Now, with everything settled, he gave her stability and pride.

This was her man.

…

Late at night, back at the hotel.

Ji Dongyang kissed her lips, his hand sliding under her skirt. He propped himself up and looked down at her. “What’s my reward?”

She had been refusing him for the past few days, saying she would only reward him if he won the trophy.

Based on her usual style, he guessed in a low voice, “You?”

Zhou Yining half closed her eyes. They were soft and moist, the corners slightly tilted up, looking incredibly seductive.

She lifted her head and whispered a sentence in his ear.

“Ji Dongyang, if my waist gets thicker over the next year, will you be a bit disappointed?”

Ji Dongyang froze. The next second, he realized what she meant. The joy in his eyes was impossible to hide, and he even widened them in shock.

Zhou Yining had never seen him like this.

She couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “After all, you have a thing for small waists.”

Ji Dongyang quickly recovered his composure, his eyes filled only with a faint tenderness. “I won’t be disappointed.”

“I’m very happy.”

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