The King’s Enchanting Chapter 1771 - 1785: Sweet Burden (7)

After a moment of consideration, Jian Anning elected to take a shower. It wasn't for the sake of calming her nerves, but rather due to Yu Zexiao's pronounced obsession with cleanliness. It was their customary ritual to cleanse themselves before engaging in any intimate activity.

As she was already carrying a child, a long soak in the bathtub was out of the question. A shower was her only option. With Yu Zexiao having been away for over a month, she had grown accustomed to bathing independently. The bathroom floor was thoroughly covered with non-slip mats, ensuring that as long as she didn't act recklessly, the likelihood of an accidental fall was practically negligible.

However, just as she was about to begin her shower, Yu Zexiao turned back, reappearing with a question: "Going to shower?"

She responded with a nod. "Yes, it's nighttime, isn't it? How can one rest without a proper shower?"

"In that case, let's do it together."

In the past, Yu Zexiao's suggestion like this typically signaled a prelude to intimacy. Yet, on this occasion, his gaze was remarkably clear, and his expression was entirely composed, devoid of even the slightest hint of such intentions.

Observing Yu Zexiao's demeanor, Jian Anning didn't feel any sadness. Instead, she found his thoughtfulness quite endearing. After all, she was pregnant, and even if he had harbored desires, she might not have consented to certain physical acts.

The two of them swiftly concluded their preparations. Once inside the bathroom and undressing, Jian Anning promptly lost all inclination to scrutinize Yu Zexiao's state of mind.

——Too unsightly! Glancing at her reflection in the mirror, she could scarcely believe it. Could this grotesquely overweight individual truly be her?!

She had never carried so much extra weight before. Even her facial features appeared distorted, compressed by the corpulence, rendering her expressions indiscernible. Not to mention her enormous, protruding abdomen and her arms, thick with unsightly rolls – it was an absolute disaster!

Just as Yu Zexiao was about to enter, she felt an immediate urge to shut the door. The bathroom door slammed shut with a resounding "bang," leaving Yu Zexiao half-undressed on the outside.

Yu Zexiao was taken aback. Jian Anning's forceful closing of the door had nearly caused him to hit his head. Now, with his clothes partially removed, and in the midst of winter, he was shivering from the cold!

"Anning, what's happening? Open the door, I need to shower."

"No!" Jian Anning vehemently shook her head, pressing her back against the glass door, adamantly refusing to open it. A genuine fear gripped her; she dared not attempt any flirtation or subtle advances. The thought of leaving a negative impression on Yu Zexiao after he saw her in this condition filled her with dread.

Women often enhance their appearance for the admiration of others, and men too, often do the same. Precisely because of her current state, she desperately wished for Yu Zexiao not to see her, not even a fleeting glimpse!

However, her extreme reaction might also be attributed to the emotional instability often experienced by expectant mothers. Even minor issues could precipitate significant emotional turmoil.

Initially, her concern over the potential developmental delay of her child had led her to gain weight rapidly. But now, knowing the child was healthy, her inherent aesthetic sensibilities began to resurface gradually. Coupled with concerns that being overweight could negatively impact the baby's health, she found herself increasingly neglecting her self-care.

"Anning, be reasonable. What if you slip and fall while you're alone?"

Yu Zexiao remained oblivious to these complexities. He had no inkling of the profound transformation Jian Anning had undergone in just one month—not only physically but also in her psychological state.

"I can't, I simply can't." She shook her head, overcome with a profound sense of disappointment. Her mind became a canvas for countless agonizing scenarios, each more dreadful than the last. Even though Yu Zexiao was the type of man unlikely to stray, she couldn't bear the thought of his affection for her dwindling with each passing day.