Pregnant During An Apocalypse [BL]

Chapter 98: Chapter 98 - Date night

Muchen was buried in work, his mind racing to juggle the chaos that his recent news had unleashed. The plummeting stock prices had sent shockwaves through the shareholders, leaving them restless and on edge. Meeting after meeting, he’d sat under their scrutinizing gazes, trying to extinguish the flames of their outrage.

Eventually, there was no way around it. He had to reveal the truth—yes, he was in a relationship with the young man the media had been buzzing about. And no, it wasn’t a fleeting thing. The announcement was met with predictable rage, but Muchen held his ground.

”We’re living in the 21st century,” he had said firmly, his voice cutting through the clamor. ”It’s perfectly legal to love whoever we want.”

The outburst slowly simmered down as the shareholders realized there wasn’t much to do but accept it. Once the drama ebbed, the public’s frenzy seemed to calm as well. For now, he could breathe a little easier.

Yet, the mountain of work didn’t diminish. He buried himself in it, intent on smoothing things out for the future. His phone suddenly pinged, the familiar ringtone drawing his attention.

Glancing at the screen, he saw Yunfeng’s message: **Be free tonight. We are meeting.** A smiley face punctuated the words.

Muchen’s lips curved into a smile. ”This cutie,” he muttered, pressing a kiss to the screen like a smitten teenager.

Reality tugged at him again. ”If I’m meeting Yunfeng tonight, I have to finish all this as soon as possible.” Determined, he refocused, working with renewed energy. By 4 PM, most of the day’s tasks were completed. He grabbed his coat.

”Shao,” he called out, ”I’m taking the car. You’ll have to take a cab.”

Shao looked up, arching a brow. ”Seeing Yunfeng?”

”Yep.” Muchen shot him a bright grin. ”It’s our date night.”

With a laugh, he darted out of the office, leaving Shao shaking his head. ”It’s good he’s found love,” Shao mused aloud, ”but does he have to rub it in my face?”

His reflection caught his eye. ”Twenty-five and not even one relationship. At this rate, I really might end up as his old butler.” He sighed. ”Maybe I should start dating.”

---

At home, Yunfeng paced nervously near the door, his thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety. Tonight was the night. He was going to tell Muchen. But how?

”I can’t just say, ’I’m pregnant.’”

The thought made him snort. No one would believe him—not in this world, where male pregnancies weren’t a thing. Unless...

He quickly grabbed his phone, searching the internet for anything that might help. His fingers froze on an article: *Man Gives Birth to Baby.* Yunfeng’s eyes widened. Reading further, he realized it was about a transgender man who had carried the child.

”Huh,” he mumbled, ”maybe I can bring this up as a conversation starter?”

His hand instinctively rested on his belly. A warm smile softened his features. ”Today, Daddy’s going to find out. Are you excited?” he whispered to the little life growing inside him.

”Yunfeng?” His mother’s voice startled him. She was watching him with confusion. ”Are you okay? Why are you talking to yourself?”

”Oh, nothing,” Yunfeng quickly lied, grinning sheepishly.

His mother reached out, patting his head gently. ”Be careful out there, okay?”

He nodded, her concern tugging at his heart. But he hadn’t told his family yet. The first person to know had to be Muchen. Only then could he share this joy with everyone else.

Tonight, everything would change.

---

The car honked outside, jolting Yunfeng from his thoughts. He peeked out the window, spotting Muchen’s car parked by the curb. His heart raced. ”He’s here!”

Yunfeng dashed out, barely remembering to grab his coat. As he reached the car, Muchen was just stepping out, his coat slung casually over his arm. The sight of Yunfeng rushing toward him made his grin widen.

”Someone’s eager,” Muchen teased, opening his arms. Yunfeng threw himself into the hug, wrapping his arms tightly around Muchen’s waist.

”Let’s go,” Yunfeng mumbled, his voice muffled against Muchen’s chest. He didn’t want to let go, but he reluctantly pulled back when he noticed Muchen’s mother standing by the door, watching with a soft smile.

Muchen bowed politely to her before guiding Yunfeng to the car. ”Where shall we go today?” he asked as they settled into their seats.

”Home.” Yunfeng’s face lit up with a grin.

Muchen chuckled. ”Home it is.”

They arrived at Muchen’s apartment, where their routine of watching movies on the couch resumed. Tonight’s pick was an action-packed thriller, but Yunfeng wasn’t his usual animated self. He fidgeted constantly, his gaze darting between the screen and Muchen.

Noticing his unease, Muchen paused the movie. ”What’s wrong?” he asked gently.

Yunfeng shook his head, avoiding eye contact. ”Nothing,” he muttered, though his anxious movements betrayed him.

Dinner time rolled around, and Muchen headed to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he found it fully stocked with takeout. He chuckled softly. ”Shao,” he murmured, ”you really know me too well.”

He grabbed the sushi, setting the neatly packed trays on the table. Glancing at Yunfeng, he wondered, ”Will he like this?”

When their eyes met, Yunfeng’s lips parted as if to speak, but he quickly clamped them shut again. Muchen’s brows knitted in concern. He placed the sushi in front of Yunfeng and sat across from him. ”You can tell me anything,” he said softly.

Yunfeng stared at the plate, then at Muchen. His hands trembled slightly as he took a deep breath. ”I... I need to tell you something,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Yunfeng gulped, his hands shaking slightly. ”About children...” He bit his lip, as if trying to hold something back.

Muchen’s heart skipped a beat, and then his thoughts started to race. Shit, he’s still worried about that. The pieces clicked together in his mind. Is that why he rejected my advances then? A pang of guilt stung his chest. He hadn’t realized the depth of Yunfeng’s concern before.

He needed to reassure him, completely. No more avoiding it.

With a deep breath, Muchen turned to face Yunfeng, his voice dropping to a near whisper. ”I completely hate children, Yunfeng.” The words were sharp, but Muchen was determined to make his point clear. ”I don’t want them. I find them to be a bother, with their snorting noses and poopy pants. I loathe them.”

Yunfeng’s color drained from his face. His eyes widened, and his lips parted, but he didn’t say anything. Muchen didn’t even notice this at first; he was too focused on struggling with the sushi packaging, which was somehow weirdly stuck together. His fingers fumbled with the plastic, frustration mounting.

Yunfeng muttered something under his breath, but Muchen couldn’t catch the words. The sushi package finally opened, and the rancid, fishy smell instantly assaulted his nostrils. Muchen’s stomach churned, and bile rose to the back of his throat. He quickly swallowed it down, grimacing as he placed the sushi back down on the table.

”Ugh, disgusting,” he muttered. ”I should lay off fish for a while.”

When he looked up, he noticed Yunfeng staring at him, completely dazed, like he was somewhere far, far away.

Muchen’s chest tightened, and he felt an odd sense of urgency. I need to fix this. Right now.

He picked up the sushi again and, despite the stench, held it out to Yunfeng. ”Here.”

Yunfeng blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. He stared blankly at the sushi, his face unreadable.

”I... I want to go home,” Yunfeng whispered, his voice barely audible, his gaze lowering to the ground. Without another word, he hurriedly stood up and left, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room.

Muchen stood there, frozen for a moment, watching Yunfeng’s retreating figure. A lump formed in his throat, and he fought against the overwhelming sensation of regret. What did I do?