Chapter 25: The Backfiring Movie Plan: A Pregnant Proposition

The atmosphere grew incredibly awkward. Both groups sat in silence, carefully observing the subtle shifts in the room.

Apparently, nothing had truly changed. Only Shi Yuan remained fixated on the projection screen, almost as if she were in a silent spat with her wife, Xiao Xi.

Xiao Xi sat rooted to the spot, torn between looking at Sister Yuan and the movie. He was utterly flustered, especially since Senior Sister had yet to issue her next command. Helpless, he could only let out two soft coughs, a desperate plea for guidance.

‘What am I supposed to do?’ Xiao Xi thought frantically. ‘Sister Yuan is truly engrossed in the film now. What do I say next? Am I expected to apologize? Oh, no… this situation definitely warrants an apology, doesn’t it? Otherwise, Sister Yuan will never forgive me…’

Gao Meiyou, however, clearly had a different strategy in mind. Even after receiving Xiao Xi’s distress signal, she remained perfectly composed, a playful smile gracing her lips as she peered through her binoculars. Then, she picked up her walkie-talkie and spoke.

“Don’t be afraid, Xiao Xi,” Gao Meiyou instructed. “Let her watch, and you watch too. We’ll torment her for a bit. There’s no way she can endure this movie. Such a tedious plot will only make her mind wander, leading her to overthink. She’ll grow increasingly frustrated and indignant, and who knows, we might just achieve our grand success tonight!”

“But…” Shi Meng, standing nearby, voiced her doubt. “Will this truly work? Sister Yuan… what if she actually gets into it?”

“Gets into it?” Gao Meiyou scoffed, turning her head with a cold smirk. “Shi Meng, I want you to stare at that screen for twenty minutes straight. No zoning out, no bathroom breaks, and absolutely no touching your phone. Watch!”

“Oh, no…” Shi Meng’s body involuntarily trembled. She turned her head, glancing at the movie screen. ‘One second, two seconds, three seconds…’

‘One minute…’

‘Two minutes…’

‘Ah—’

‘Wuwu!’

‘I can’t endure this any longer!’

Shi Meng turned away in utter despair, completely speechless. In that moment, she felt nothing but profound admiration for Senior Sister. Forcing Sister Yuan to endure such a film would undoubtedly push her to her breaking point!

It seemed tonight’s strategic plan was truly destined for success!

Shi Meng let out a relieved sigh. ‘Hoo~’

‘Brother, you can do it!’

****

Upon receiving the instruction, Xiao Xi felt a surge of panic and a strong urge to comfort Sister Yuan. Yet, the thought that this entire endeavor hinged on his lifelong happiness prevented him from acting on his own impulses. He resolved to simply follow Senior Sister’s directions, a task Xiao Xi was quite adept at.

Consequently, he too turned his head, fixing his gaze upon the projection screen.

‘Hmm… speaking of which…’

‘What exactly is this film even trying to convey?’

‘Ahem, it’s not important. It makes no difference if I start paying attention now.’

****

The film began by explaining that since humanity launched its cosmic probes, they had journeyed through interstellar space for an extended period, transmitting back a wealth of information about planets beyond the solar system.

Among these celestial bodies, scientists had discovered several planets where the essential conditions for the emergence of life were already present.

From the very moment of its inception, life carried a unique significance. The narrative then shifted to Earth, delving into the origins of life, exploring biological reproductive systems, the fusion of gametes, and the subsequent creation of countless new lives.

The birth of each new life often symbolized the hope for a species’ continuation, with parents serving as the individuals most intimately connected to that nascent existence.

Within the animal kingdom, beyond humanity, numerous species were depicted caring for their young within cohesive family units.

The film then transitioned into a montage, showcasing various animal species engaged in reproduction and nurturing their offspring.

‘This, this, this…’

‘This has completely veered off course! Is this supposed to be a scientific documentary exploring cosmic life, or a promotional video for couples trying to conceive, celebrating parenthood and new beginnings?’

As if struck by a sudden premonition, Xiao Xi silently turned his head. True enough, Sister Yuan was gazing at him with a deeply moved expression, her lips parting slightly as she smiled.

“You silly Xiao Xi,” Sister Yuan chuckled softly. “You made me so upset earlier, but it turns out… it turns out this is what you wanted me to see all along~”

‘No, no, no, I absolutely did not have that in mind!’ Xiao Xi inwardly protested. ‘How was I supposed to know what this movie would show? Senior Sister, are you there? Senior Sister? Please, come out and explain this!’

From the back row, Gao Meiyou, who was observing the entire situation, feigned ignorance. ‘Don’t know, not clear, don’t quite understand. Are there scenes like that? I certainly didn’t see them. Ahem, this has nothing to do with me.’

“Hehe~ You naughty Xiao Xi,” Sister Yuan teased, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Do you really want children so badly? Oh, but I’m still quite busy with work, and I don’t have much free time. Plus, we’ve only just gotten married… isn’t it… a little too soon?”

Sister Yuan shyly lowered her head. ‘I’m sorry, Sister, truly sorry. It’s all my fault for not thinking things through, for being too hasty… Hasty my foot!’ Xiao Xi was on the verge of tears. ‘Sister Yuan, you weren’t like this just a moment ago!’

Just then, the movie narrator’s voice filled the room: “With the relentless march of technological advancement, an increasing number of scientists are exploring methods for male gestation, hoping to resolve certain challenges that may arise in the progression of human society.”

****

As fate would have it, precisely when Xiao Xi and Sister Yuan were locked in a cross-channel gaze, that particular sentence rang out from the film.

Sister Yuan turned her head, a keen interest sparking in her eyes, and looked back at the projection screen, nodding unconsciously.

‘Oh, my…’

“Sigh~” Sister Yuan lowered her head with a mournful expression. “If only this technology could be developed sooner. I really wish Xiao Xi could get pregnant~”

“…”

“Hehe,” Sister Yuan mused, a dreamy look on her face. “Xiao Xi, with a big belly, waiting at home for the birth, or perhaps taking care of the children after they’re born~ Oh, just imagining it is wonderful! Stay-at-home parents are truly the best!”

Sister Yuan, overcome with excitement, embraced Xiao Xi. This sudden assault left Xiao Xi utterly bewildered. He could only lie in her arms, his mind racing to formulate a counter-strategy, all while silently grumbling about how he absolutely did not want to be a stay-at-home parent.

“So~” Sister Yuan whispered, a mischievous chuckle escaping her lips, “Xiao Xi, do you want to get pregnant?”

“That’s not something I can achieve just by wishing for it, is it…?” Xiao Xi stammered, on the verge of tears. “Also, Sister Yuan, could you please let go of me first? It’s a bit stifling, wuwu…” They were too close, far too close. He was even starting to fear Sister Yuan would discover his earpiece.

“So you’re saying… you actually do want to, don’t you?” Sister Yuan burst into hearty laughter.

****

“Damn it all!” Senior Sister exclaimed, throwing her binoculars onto a nearby empty chair in a fit of pique. ‘How could this…?’

‘How did it possibly fail?’

“This damned movie! It wasn’t boring when it was supposed to be, and now it’s utterly tedious when it shouldn’t be!”

She exclaimed, seething with frustration. Shi Meng, standing beside her, offered an awkward, nervous laugh. ‘It’s over,’ she thought. ‘The prophecy came true. Am I some kind of jinx? My words came to pass far too quickly.’

“But…”

“What do you mean by… ‘when it shouldn’t be boring’?”

“Right now, of course!” Senior Sister retorted, sticking out her tongue. “The plan has failed, and the young couple has reconciled. This accursed movie can’t even offer me a moment of distraction to ease my frustration…”

“How did it… fail?” Shi Meng asked, a hint of confusion in her voice. Gao Meiyou, however, shook her head, a troubled expression on her face, and began to explain.

“It’s no good,” Gao Meiyou sighed. “This entire plan was specifically designed around this movie. Now, Shi Yuan has already managed to find that ‘little bit of sweetness’ within the film. Essentially, everything we intended to do is now pointless. Our goal was to ruin her date experience, but it seems she’s quite pleased. So, yes, it’s all for nothing, isn’t it?”

“I see. So now… what do we do?” Shi Meng nodded slowly, a hint of understanding dawning on her.

“Hmm…” Gao Meiyou mused for a moment, then picked up the walkie-talkie. “Xiao Xi, Xiao Xi,” she called out, “The movie is almost over. I’ll issue the next instruction once you two are out.”

“Ahem, ahem! [Received!]”