Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 492: Pregnancy’s Trials: Love and Midnight Wontons

Jiang Jinghuai was immensely relieved to have found a workaround: without wonton wrappers, he could mask the fact that he didn’t know how to fold wontons. As a big man, he had no problem gutting fish, chopping vegetables, or cooking meals, but when it came to something as meticulous as wrapping wontons—sitting still and focusing on detailed handiwork—it was completely at odds with his masculine image.

Tian Sangsang wasn’t blind to his dithering. She pinched his leg in frustration and asked, "I’m asking you now, in your heart, am I a pearl or a worthless fish eye?"

That was a sudden leap in topic.

Jiang Jinghuai felt that dealing with a pregnant woman was harder than handling a spy. Pregnant women were endlessly unpredictable creatures. After thinking for a moment, he decided it was best to tell the truth: "Pearls and fish eyes are too cheap. In my heart, you’re akin to Heshibi jade. You’re priceless."

"Oh, please, what nonsense! Heshibi jade, huh?" Tian Sangsang curled her lips. The words that followed were completely unmerciful: "If Heshibi jade wants to eat wontons, why can’t you make them for her? I just knew it—once a woman gets pregnant, her place in a man’s heart starts plummeting like a straight-line graph. Ha! You think plowing the field is all there is to it? You can’t assume that just because you’ve sown the seeds, the field will feel grateful to you. Nor should you assume that after sowing the seeds, you can dab your sleeve and jaunt around carefree. This field still needs you to watch over it, nurture it into flourishing growth..."

Jiang Jinghuai, overwhelmed by her tirade, pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently. In a low voice, he said:

"Sangsang, wait here. I’ll go make it."

"Forget it," Tian Sangsang tugged at his sleeve and said, "I’m not some malicious woman. No wontons then. Just make whatever. As long as it’s edible, I’m starving anyway."

And so Jiang Jinghuai came to understand that pregnant women could still be hungry in the middle of the night. If his wife needed to eat, it had to be the best. How could he let her settle for anything less? He silently made a mental note: from now on, the house needed to keep a stash of late-night snacks for emergencies.

**

At five months, the baby had already taken shape and was fairly stable.

Tian Sangsang no longer experienced bouts of dry heaving or morning sickness. But new issues began to plague her—for instance, nighttime trips to the bathroom became frequent, she was growing plumper, and even when she wasn’t tossing and turning, she couldn’t sleep.

Moreover, ever since the previous ordeal, Tian Sangsang didn’t know why her temper had become a bit short, her nerves on edge, and a general sense of insecurity gnawed at her. If she didn’t see Jiang Jinghuai for even a moment, she felt like crying. She wished she could shrink him down and carry him in her pocket everywhere she went.

It was likely just a woman’s psychology: the child belongs to both partners, so the burdens ought to be shared equally. Why should he get to be so carefree? 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Jiang Jinghuai had also gone to the hospital to learn about the situation. The doctor explained that it was normal. A pregnant woman’s emotions fluctuated unpredictably, and what a husband could do was show understanding and care for her feelings, ensuring she didn’t feel hurt.

In a nutshell: whatever your wife says or does, she’s right—you just have to bear it.

Recently, whenever Tian Sangsang had free time, she enjoyed recounting her previous struggles to Jiang Jinghuai. She rambled on with a dazed demeanor: "At the beginning, I really felt nauseous all the time. Mornings were the worst—I’d dry heave—and sometimes I’d wake up in the middle of the night feeling like throwing up. Last month was even worse; everything I ate made me throw up. Eating became torture: if I didn’t eat, I’d feel famished; if I ate, I’d end up vomiting. Occasionally, I’d sneak up at midnight to grab a bite, and Yanyan got freaked out, thinking I was some giant rat..."

At moments like these, Jiang Jinghuai would pat her back softly and comfort her in a low tone: "You’ve had a tough time, Sangsang. Thank you." He enjoyed her chatter. He wasn’t afraid she’d talk too much; he just feared she’d keep things to herself. Of course, he felt heartbroken too. These past weeks had deeply impressed upon him how much suffering women endure to bear children.

Even with that loving reassurance, Sangsang wasn’t completely appeased. She continued to grumble: "I still can’t figure it out. Why is it that men don’t give birth? Why do there have to be differences between men and women? Why was I born a woman and not a man? Is pregnancy supposed to be so complicated? Look at me now—I’ve gained so much weight. It’s not just the weight; now I have to worry about keeping my husband from cheating. It’s just too exhausting..."

Jiang Jinghuai grew slightly tense, eyeing her cautiously. "You don’t want to give birth?" Or was she simply scared? He knew she was scared.

"Don’t change the subject." She thought for a moment, suspicion crossing her face. "Wait a second—why did you try to change the subject? Spill it: do you have another woman out there? Confess now!"

Jiang Jinghuai gently shook his head. "No such thing."

"Then why..." Her teeth clenched, her peach blossom-shaped eyes reddened just shy of shedding tears. Once upon a time, he had been so impatient around her, and now he acted calm as a monk, which inevitably made her suspicious. What’s more, she had indeed put on weight these days—her face was rounded, her body lacked any visible curves, and she felt she looked terribly unattractive.

Her current appearance, with misty eyes swimming in fluid, had an indescribable sorrow.

Jiang Jinghuai’s eyes grew darker. "I’m just afraid of hurting you."

Tian Sangsang pursed her lips. "That’s just an excuse."

"Alright then, let’s try..." Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he hugged her from behind. "Sangbao, come here..."

Their son wasn’t home; he had gone out to practice piano. Left alone in the living room, Tian Sangsang sprawled across the sofa, whining softly while Jiang Jinghuai, consumed with effort and sweating profusely, fought to be careful with her—always mindful that she carried a child in her belly.

This tangible presence subtly offset her recent paranoia.

He thought his wife had already shown enough mood swings in the morning—that one moment she was all smiles, the next a brooding storm cloud—and by the end, her eyes began to rain. He had never faced this kind of situation before. Even now, recalling it, he remained cautious and felt a tender, painstaking concern.

Believing he had finally calmed her down by midday, he soon realized his efforts weren’t over. That night, she flipped unpredictably once more. Although they had turned off the lights and prepared to sleep—and their son was peacefully dreaming—he joined her in bed only to find she was still wide awake.

As he embraced her, she suddenly murmured, "Jiang Jinghuai, do you prefer boys or girls?"

Jiang Jinghuai thought about it. To him, boys and girls were more or less the same.

Still, since they already had a son, he hoped the next would be a daughter—to make their family complete.

Her head resting on his arm shifted slightly, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction: "What are you hesitating about???"

Jiang Jinghuai detected her tone and guessed she was overthinking again, so he quickly replied, "A girl, then."

"Oh."

Tian Sangsang snuggled closer into his chest. "I also like girls. I want to raise her to be a little princess—happy and carefree, with no worries."

"Hmm, but why don’t you prefer boys? What if it turns out to be a boy?"

"Who says I don’t like boys? I really like Yanyan, don’t I?"

"Oh." She followed up with another question: "But which would you like more, boys or girls?"