Chapter 1634: Pregnancy Cravings

Lucas and Fredhardt eventually back out after Lory cheerfully declares that she will binge the entire soap opera season this afternoon. Lucas would rather spend the rest of the day buried beneath a mountain of paperwork than endure another minute of that utterly nonsensical soap opera.

The plot had long since descended into complete chaos, with sex changes, stolen identities, amnesia, murder, and enough outrageous twists to leave even seasoned intelligence officers questioning reality.

Compared to the drama on screen, Harland’s undercover missions suddenly seemed remarkably straightforward. Fredhardt had reached the same conclusion. If he stayed any longer, he was certain the show would claim what little remained of his sanity, and a few brain cells for good measure.

The door had barely clicked shut before Lory’s lips curved into a triumphant grin ’Mission accomplished!’

She had successfully chased the two uninvited critics out of her room. A satisfied smile tugged at Lory’s lips as she turned her gaze toward Zhao Li Xin. Curling her fingers in a flirtatious beckoning gesture.

"I know you have it," she said sweetly. "Give it to me, darling."

Her eyes sparkled with unconcealed anticipation.

Zhao Li Xin studied her for a long moment. She was asking for the spicy barbecue brisket... wasn’t she?

"Come on, I’m hungry!" Lory pouted, her impatience written all over her face.

A helpless sigh escaped Zhao Li Xin’s lips, the kind reserved for the woman who had long since made spoiling her an unavoidable part of his everyday life.

He walked over to the coffee table and gave a casual flick of his wrist. A plastic takeout bag materialized out of thin air.

"I’ll get the cutlery."

Leaving the bag where it was, he crossed the room to the compact pantry tucked neatly into one corner.

Lory’s bedroom was less a bedroom and more a luxurious private suite. A cozy sitting area occupied one side, while the pantry was fully stocked with snacks, drinks, and even a sleek little bar.

The only thing conspicuously absent was a stove.

That omission was entirely intentional.

Ever since childhood, Lory had been forbidden from cooking after one too many enthusiastic culinary experiments had nearly reduced the palace kitchen to a disaster zone.

By the time Zhao Li Xin returned, he carried a plate, a set of cutlery, and a serving tray. Rather than letting Lory eat straight from the takeout container, he carefully transferred the barbecue brisket onto the plate, arranging each slice with quiet precision before setting everything neatly on the tray. He then slid it across the coffee table until it rested comfortably within her reach.

Only after making sure everything was in place did he step back.

Lory drew in a deep breath. The smoky aroma of the spicy barbecue brisket wafted into the air, carrying the rich scent of roasted peppers, garlic, fragrant spices, and meat kissed by the flames of the grill. Her eyes immediately brightened, and she could almost feel her mouth watering before she had even taken the first bite.

"Ohhh...It feels like forever." Lory’s eyes curved into delighted crescents as her entire face blossomed with childlike joy.

Without wasting another second, she picked up her fork, looking every bit like someone who had finally been reunited with a long-lost, dearly cherished friend. She eagerly cut off a piece of the brisket and took a bite.

"Is it that good?" Zhao Li Xin asked, his deep gaze never leaving her. The usual coolness in his eyes had long since melted away, replaced by unmistakable indulgence as he watched her savor every mouthful.

Lory was far too busy chewing to answer. Instead, she nodded vigorously, her cheeks adorably puffed with food, prompting a soft chuckle from Zhao Li Xin.

Leaning back in the armchair with one leg crossed over the other, he watched her in quiet contentment. His gaze lingered on her animated expression as she savored each bite with wholehearted enthusiasm, as though the barbecue brisket were the greatest delicacy in the world.

Watching her eat gives him enough quiet sense of satisfaction. Though for Zhao Li Xin, that quiet sense of satisfaction was no mere figure of speech.

After reaching his current realm of cultivation, the need to eat had become little more than a habit. He could go for months without a proper meal, and it would make no difference to his body. Food had long since ceased to be a necessity.

Even though the manor employed a chef whose culinary skills were coveted by countless noble families, Zhao Li Xin rarely sampled his cooking. Most days, the chef prepared meals for the servants and guards instead.

Many considered it a terrible waste of extraordinary talent.

But Zhao Li Xin had always been that way. Whether it was food, weapons, cultivation resources, or the people he allowed into his life, he accepted only the very best and had no interest in settling for anything less. Fortunately for Lory, that uncompromising nature worked entirely in her favor after she came to his world

"You’re not eating, honey?" Lory asked between bites, glancing up at him.

Zhao Li Xin smiled faintly, "No. I’m fine."

As he spoke, he reached over and gently brushed a smear of barbecue sauce from the corner of her lips with his thumb.

Lory blinked before lowering her gaze to the brisket on her plate.

"You’ve never tried this before, have you?" She already knew the answer. Zhao Li Xin had never been fond of food with strong, overpowering aromas, and spicy barbecue brisket was the very definition of one.

Spearing a tender slice with her fork, she held it out toward him.

"Here, darling. Try it."

Zhao Li Xin narrowed his eyes at the offending piece of meat. Even from where he sat, the smoky aroma, laced with spices and grilled fat, was impossible to ignore.

A mischievous glint danced in Lory’s eyes. "Oh, come on. Just one bite..." She nudged the fork a little closer to his lips. "Please? Think of it as a new experience."

Faced with those beautiful velvet eyes shimmering with hopeful anticipation, how could he possibly refuse? Shaking his head with a helpless laugh, he finally surrendered. "Fine." He leaned forward and accepted the bite.

The moment the brisket touched his tongue, a burst of smoky, sweet, savory, and fiery flavors flooded his senses. Each taste was bold and unapologetic, crashing over his palate all at once. Zhao Li Xin’s eyes widened. He instinctively covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly, clearly caught off guard by the intensity.

Zhao Li Xin’s eyes widened. Instinctively, he covered his mouth with a fist and coughed lightly, completely caught off guard by the overwhelming assault of flavors.

Lory let out an awkward laugh. "Is it... that bad?"

Unable to answer immediately, Zhao Li Xin gave a reassuring wave of his hand before reaching for the glass of water on the coffee table. He drained it in one long gulp, then exhaled slowly.

Only then did he recover his voice. A faint blush colored his usually impassive face, and the corners of his eyes were slightly reddened from the lingering heat.

The sight was unexpectedly adorable. "You okay, honey?" Lory asked, unable to suppress a laugh.

Zhao Li Xin cleared his throat. "I’m fine. The flavor was simply... stronger than I expected." After a brief pause, he added earnestly, "I’ll get used to it."

"Oh, stop that." Lory shook her head. "If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself. Just eat what suits your taste."

Zhao Li Xin blinked before a helpless smile tugged at his lips. "I wasn’t forcing myself."

"You looked like you were about to choke," Lory said.

"I was merely... surprised," he refuted quite strongly.

"Like a surprise attack?" Lory snorted, clearly unconvinced, before happily taking another bite. "Whatever, you’re banned from eating this. Go back to your light, elegant cuisine. This is obviously not for you."

Lory couldn’t understand his strange determination to compete with food. Somehow, Zhao Li Xin always seemed to feel the need to win against the oddest things.

Realizing he was acting a little childish again, Zhao Li Xin scratched the side of his nose sheepishly before rising from the couch.

"Um... I made some ginger tea for you earlier," he said. "It helps after eating rich food. It’s good for digestion and relieves gas."

Lory instantly snapped, "Hey! Are you saying I’m gassy?"

Before Zhao Li Xin could answer, an unmistakable sound broke the silence.

Pppppt....ppt

The room fell deathly quiet. ℯⅇ𝙡.

Husband and wife slowly turned to look at one another.

Lory’s eyes widened, and a deep crimson spread across her face.

What kind of sound was that? Why did it even have a second note?

Zhao Li Xin stared at her for a heartbeat before a laugh escaped him. It began as a chuckle but quickly grew into genuine laughter, his shoulders trembling as he tried, but utterly failed, to compose himself.

Embarrassed, Lory immediately pointed an accusing finger at her still-flat stomach. "This is your sons’ fault!"

Without the slightest hesitation, she pinned the blame squarely on the unborn twins. That only made Zhao Li Xin laugh even harder. Rather than being disgusted, he found her flustered reaction irresistibly endearing.

After finally composing himself, he stepped forward, "Yes, yes," he said between lingering chuckles. "This is our sons’ fault."He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Finish your meal," he said softly. "I’ll prepare the ginger tea to help with your digestion. I think my wife really needs it."

The moment the words left his mouth, another burst of laughter escaped him. Still chuckling, he turned and headed toward the pantry.

The moment Zhao Li Xin disappeared into the pantry, Lory lowered her gaze to the slight curve of her abdomen and narrowed her eyes.

"You two naughty little rascals," she muttered, lightly poking her stomach. "How dare you embarrass me in front of your father? Anyone else would’ve been fine—but not him of all people."

She viciously chewed another piece of brisket, imagining she was venting her grievances on the poor meat instead.

"Just wait until you’re born," she huffed. "I’ll discipline both of you."

The poor twins weren’t even born yet, but they had already become the scapegoats for their mother’s bruised pride.

Meanwhile, in the pantry, Zhao Li Xin summoned a tin of tea leaves from his spatial ring. With a gentle flow of qi, the water in the kettle began to steam without the need for a stove. Every movement was unhurried and precise, honed by years of discipline, as the delicate fragrance of tea leaves gradually filled the air.

When the tea was ready, Zhao Li Xin returned and set the celadon tea set before Lory. He lifted a teacup and placed it gently in her hands.

"Careful," he said softly. "It’s still hot."

Lory took a cautious sip. The fragrant warmth flowed down her throat and settled in her stomach, easing the heaviness of the rich meal. She breathed a sigh of relief as the warmth spread throughout her body.

Zhao Li Xin’s gaze fell to her abdomen. Almost reverently, he rested his palm against it as if cradling the world’s most precious treasure. There was no heartbeat to hear yet, only two faint but vibrant streams of life energy beneath her skin, distinct from Lory’s aura, small yet remarkably resilient.

"The babies are strong," he murmured.

The gentleness in his eyes softened his usually cold features. It was a look Lory had seen many times before, in her father’s eyes whenever he looked at her.

"Of course they are." Lory smiled as she placed her hand over his. "They’re our babies."

Their fingers intertwined over her stomach, and their eyes met.

In that quiet moment, the reality finally sank in. Soon, they would no longer be just husband and wife.

They would become a father and a mother, while beneath Lory’s heartbeat, two tiny lives quietly waited to meet them, and they couldn’t wait to meet them as well.