Chapter 21: Liu Xiaoli Is Pregnant

After the new year began, Nicole Kidman declined all movie offers. She effectively became Liu Yifei’s full-time acting coach, only occasionally appearing at brand endorsement events.

Tom Cruise had reached an agreement with Nicole Kidman regarding their marital issues. During this process, he had approached Chen Siyuan to consult on legal matters. Chen Siyuan analyzed the situation earnestly and provided his advice, which Tom Cruise accepted. Consequently, while they remained the envious "golden couple" of Hollywood in the public eye, they were, in reality, living apart.

Chen Siyuan officially began assisting them with their business division. The federal government’s blade is sharp, and they are merciless when it comes to harvesting. To minimize losses, they needed Chen Siyuan’s help. Both Tom and Nicole followed his arrangements strictly, for in their eyes, Chen Siyuan was synonymous with the law. Only he could ensure that the government's raised blade would fall lightly. Left to their own devices, a massive chunk of their wealth would be carved away, but through Chen Siyuan’s maneuvers, only a negligible fraction would be taken—all in full compliance with legal procedures, leaving no room for any objection. What was difficult for others was merely a casual task for him, requiring only occasional monitoring of the progress.

Chen Siyuan’s focus remained primarily on the mother-daughter duo, Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei. Liu Xiaoli’s national tour of "The New Death of the Swan" was a resounding success. She had become the new generation of prima ballerina in the American dance scene. Although her skin color made some uncomfortable, the geopolitical conflict with the Soviet Union took precedence; they needed her to outshine the Soviets in their most celebrated art form. Thus, they promoted her work fervently, crowning her as a new master of ballet. Indeed, she was exceptional; her performance even earned private recognition from some of the most respected Soviet ballet artists.

However, just as her fame reached its zenith, Liu Xiaoli unexpectedly handed her position as principal dancer of the New York dance troupe—along with the lead role in "The New Death of the Swan"—to Beverly. Without a hint of hesitation, she strictly followed Chen Siyuan’s plan to retreat from the dance world at the height of her success. Yet, this retreat opened up a vast new horizon.

At the moment she announced her retirement from dancing, the Bolshoi Ballet and the Moscow State Ballet jointly announced that they had appointed her as their honorary artistic director, welcoming her to the Soviet Union to promote "The New Death of the Swan." In that instant, Liu Xiaoli attained a legendary status. She was the new, globally recognized master of ballet.

***

"My dear lady, be careful! Why are you doing that yourself?" Chen Siyuan said, rushing over with a look of alarm as he saw Liu Xiaoli heading toward the sink to wash dishes.

Liu Xiaoli was visibly pregnant, her face glowing with maternal radiance. She looked at him with a helpless smile. "I’m only four or five months along. You don't need to be so nervous; I'm fine. You don't have to treat me like a giant panda."

"No, you are far more precious than any giant panda!" Chen Siyuan insisted, firmly relieving her of the dishwashing duties.

Unable to protest, Liu Xiaoli walked to the living room, cradling her belly, to join Liu Yifei and Nicole Kidman. Nicole looked at her with a hint of envy and helped her to a seat. "What did I tell you? Jack wouldn't dream of letting you do any chores now."

Liu Xiaoli sighed, her face showing the "trouble" of happiness. "He won't let me do anything. I just eat and sleep all day—I’m getting so round."

"You are so lucky. I've known Jack for so long, and I've never seen him so anxious about anything," said Nicole, who had been deprived of the right to bear children, looking at Liu Xiaoli’s belly with longing. She wished more than anything that it were her carrying that child.

"Mom, just listen to Dad," Liu Yifei said, sounding like a little adult. "Your most important task right now is to stay healthy and safely bring my little brother into the world."

Liu Xiaoli poked her daughter playfully. "Aren't you worried that once your brother is born, you'll lose your father's favor?"

Liu Yifei tilted her head proudly. "Not at all! Dad told me that my brother’s mission is to protect me!"

"Why on earth would your father tell you that?" Liu Xiaoli laughed, feeling a sudden, inexplicable pity for the little boy who hadn't even been born yet, having already been assigned such a heavy mission while still just a tiny speck.

"Haha, Mom, don't worry! I'll be good to him. Until he grows up, I'll protect him!"

"I really envy you both," Nicole said, a look of sadness crossing her eyes.

"Teacher, when the baby is born, you can be his godmother!" Liu Yifei suggested, her eyes twinkling.

Nicole’s face lit up as she looked at Liu Xiaoli with eager expectation. "Liu, would that be okay?"

"Of course. It would be his honor." Liu Xiaoli felt for Nicole; there was no greater pain than being deprived of the right to be a mother.

"Thank you, Liu!" Nicole hugged her gently.

Just then, Chen Siyuan returned. Liu Yifei ran up and grabbed his arm. "Dad! Nicole is going to be my brother's godmother!"

Chen Siyuan glanced at Nicole and nodded, acknowledging the arrangement. He sat down beside Liu Xiaoli and asked with concern, "Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll go make it for you."

Liu Xiaoli shook her head. "Go attend to your business. I'm not hungry for anything right now."

Liu Yifei pulled Chen Siyuan up. "Dad, give Mom some space; she can barely breathe with you hovering! If you're really bored, come play a role-playing game with me!"

One had to listen to the "little cotton-padded jacket." Chen Siyuan went off to play with Liu Yifei. Nicole watched and smiled. "It’s true that everything has its match. Only Crystal can handle Jack!"

"Nicole, walk with me in the garden."

"Of course."

Nicole helped Liu Xiaoli into the small, private garden Chen Siyuan had specially built to ensure she would have a peaceful, pleasant environment during her pregnancy.