Pregnant with the Real Young Master's Child Nine Years After His Death

[Short story, fully written and ready to post]

After eighteen carefree years, Ruan Tang finally discovered he was the fake young master who had taken the real one's place.

Although he was allowed to stay, he no longer dared to act spoiled with his parents and older brother. Every word and gesture was meek and ingratiating.

He felt terribly guilty toward the real young master, Duan Qingye, and did everything he could to care for him and make it up to him.

But he ruined everything.

Like the vicious cannon-fodder character in a novel, he handed Duan Qingye a drugged drink and committed a grave mistake.

After one reckless night, he woke up on an unfamiliar street.

It was the ninth year after his death.

For someone hated by everyone, dying was the best ending. Ruan Tang contacted no one and tried to start over.

Penniless and mistreated at work, he was shielded by a pair of arms.

The man wore black from head to toe, like he was dressed for a funeral. As if afraid of startling him, he spoke in a barely audible voice. "Ruan Tang?"

Ruan Tang never expected to run into Duan Qingye.

Thinking of everything that had happened, he was sure Duan Qingye must hate him. But Duan Qingye put the past behind them and took him home.

After nine years apart, the awkward, taciturn boy had become a refined and elegant man, mature and steady.

Duan Qingye cared for him with the tenderness of an elder, arranging everything for him and kneeling to put his shoes on. Ruan Tang was once again the pampered young master.

The fake and real young masters finally learned to get along, until...

Ruan Tang found the results of a recent medical examination.

The mistake they'd made that night had consequences. He was pregnant, and Duan Qingye had known all along.

He instinctively tried to run, but Duan Qingye caught him.

Draped in the night, the man looked like a demon from hell. His voice was tender, yet touched with madness.

"Tangtang, are you going to abandon me again?"

After the moon fell, the Ruan family was steeped in silence, each of them consumed by regret.

As the tenth anniversary of his death approached, the Ruan family discovered that their lost treasure had a round belly and was nestled against a man's side, clearly pregnant.

Meanwhile, their biological son was coaxing and begging Ruan Tang to give him a smile.

When Duan Qingye noticed them watching, he glared at them like a wolf guarding its food, refusing to let them come any closer.

One year later, at the Ruan Group headquarters.

A beautiful young man arrived to see President Duan, carrying a child.

People whispered, assuming he was a scheming gold-digger trying to claim his place.

The usually cold President Duan rushed over, eyes full of love and tenderness.

Ruan Tang's parents and eldest brother even shoved Duan Qingye out of the way to fuss over him, as if the young man were their own beloved child.

Everyone: ???

Little bonus scene

The baby was one year old, and Ruan Tang still had his pregnancy habits. He lay contentedly in Duan Qingye's arms.

The man bit the tip of his ear. "Nine years is 3,288 days. That's an average of seven times a night. You'd better make it up to me, wife."

Ruan Tang: ??? Seven times what?

In the hazy night, Ruan Tang's gaze went unfocused. He touched his slightly rounded belly, dazedly thinking he was pregnant again.

From then on, Ruan Tang spent his days and nights struggling to pay off his debt.

Coming soon: The CEO's Widower Life with His Child After Ten Years

The wealthy Ji and Shen families were sworn enemies, yet news spread that they were to be joined in marriage.

One was a hedonist, the other unruly and unrestrained. They clashed at every turn, yet were remarkably compatible in bed.

Hoping to enjoy more of that compatibility, they both buried themselves in work, until Ji Zhufeng began vomiting frequently and discovered he was pregnant.

Ji Zhufeng: I'm a man! How can I give birth?!

The baby's arrival eased the tension between them, and they only argued once in a while.

On an utterly ordinary day, a misunderstanding led the couple to fall out. In a fit of anger, Ji Zhufeng left home.

He was gone for ten years.

Standing on an unfamiliar street, he heard that Shen Jinnian, now thirty-five, was going to marry someone new.

After realizing he'd transmigrated ten years into the future, Ji Zhufeng resolved to make a fortune and win custody of his baby.

But he couldn't adapt to the changes in the world and hit one dead end after another. In the end, he could only call Shen Jinnian, trying to hide his hurt. "I'll agree to the divorce, but you have to give me half the money."

There was a silence on the other end of the phone for half a minute. Then a low, soft voice replied, "We're not getting divorced. Everything is yours."

Ji Zhufeng finally returned to the home he remembered and was so excited to hug his sweet little darling.

But the little dumpling in his memories was gone. In his place stood a rebellious, edgy teenager who looked at him through his nostrils. "What a cocky substitute. How dare you walk into this house?"

"..."

Ji Zhufeng smiled. He decided to show the boy what it meant to be outranked by his own blood.

The big boy ran around the courtyard like a frightened chick, with Ji Zhufeng chasing him. Wailing, he spotted his savior and rushed over, eyes shining. "Dad! This substitute's gone crazy. Get him out of here!"

Shen Jinnian grabbed his shoulder and made him stand up straight to take his punishment. "Let me introduce you. This is your real dad."

???!

As a rebellious, edgy adult, Ji Zhufeng soon tamed his big boy.

The kid waited on him hand and foot, bringing tea and water, doing whatever he said, and staying utterly loyal.

Ji Zhufeng was pleased with everything, except...

After ten years apart, the once unruly Shen Jinnian had become a stiff daddy type, as cool and detached as a Buddhist monk.

Ji Zhufeng: Tch, what a poser.

No matter how much he kicked up a fuss or deliberately made things difficult, Shen Jinnian treated him with gentle, thoughtful care and never once argued with him.

It felt like living with a stranger. Ji Zhufeng found it boring and wanted to run away again.

But this time, he didn't get away.

The man watched him with a dark look, keys dangling from his fingertips, tempting him to come and take them if he wanted them.

Ji Zhufeng's heart raced, and shivers ran through him.

At last! He'd finally been waiting for this!

For the next three days, whoever wanted to go out would be the dog.

In the hazy night, Ji Zhufeng teared up. Unable to wrap his arms around the man's legs, he nuzzled his neck and tried to please him. "Woof."

I'm a dog. Let me out.

This man has been pent up for ten years. He's terrifying.

The rumor that the male lead had remarried was false. He remained faithful from beginning to end.

Theme: Be happy every day