"You think I'll hold you back?" Tu Bai asked, his Voice a bit cold.
Gojo Satoru froze for a moment. "That's not what I meant—"
Then what do you mean?" Tu Bai interrupted him, "Locking me up here and not letting me go anywhere, is that what you call 'protection'?
Gojo Satoru said nothing. He put down his chopsticks, took off his Sunglasses, looked at Tu Bai with his Ice Blue Eyes, his gaze very serious.
Xiao Bai," he said, "I'm not trying to lock you up. I just.. don't want anything to happen to you.
What could happen to me?" Tu Bai stood up, his voice unconsciously rising, "I am a Sorcerer, a Grade 1 Sorcerer. I have the ability to protect myself; I don't need you watching over me like I'm a child!
You are not alone right now." Gojo Satoru also stood up, his voice deepening, "You have a Child. I cannot take even the slightest risk.
“Child, child, all you ever think about is the Child!” Tu Bai blurted out, he himself was stunned by his own words after saying them.
Gojo Satoru was also stunned. He looked at Tu Bai, his brows slowly furrowing: "What do you mean by that?"
Tu Bai opened his mouth, but no words came out. He turned his face away and took a deep breath. "It doesn't mean anything. I'm full."
He turned around and walked into the Bedroom, closing the door.
Leaning against the door, he listened to the movement in the Living Room outside. Gojo Satoru did not follow him in, nor did he say anything. After a long time, he heard the sound of dishes being cleared, a Water Sound, then the sound of the TV being turned on—the volume was set very low.
Tu Bai slid down to the floor and hugged his knees.
What was he doing just now? Why did he say those words?
This was not part of the plan. He should have played the role of a dependent, vulnerable Expectant Father, rather than resisting so sharply.
But he couldn't control it. That feeling of being locked up, that suffocating sensation of being watched by others no matter what he did, made it impossible for him to breathe.
He needed to go out. He had to go out.
The day of the First Prenatal Checkup is the day after tomorrow. He needs to go see that Agent and hand over the final batch of information to confirm the progress on his False Identity.
He cannot be trapped here.
---
On the day of the First Prenatal Checkup, the weather was poor; it was a cloudy day with very strong winds.
Tu Bai had no spirit from the moment he woke up this morning; his morning sickness was more severe than usual, he spent several minutes retching in the Bathroom before he finally recovered. Gojo Satoru stayed by his side the whole time, handing him water and patting his back, waiting until Tu Bai felt better before going to make breakfast.
Neither of them said much while eating. Tu Bai quietly ate his porridge, while Gojo Satoru quietly looked at his Mobile Phone, the atmosphere feeling a bit stiff.
After finishing breakfast, Tu Bai changed his clothes. He chose a loose hoodie and long trousers, layering a thick Jacket over them. Gojo Satoru also changed into his clothes—his Jujutsu High Uniform, with that black Jacket on top.
"Let's go," Gojo Satoru said, picking up the car keys.
Tu Bai nodded and followed him out the door.
The moment they stepped out, the Barrier automatically opened a gap, only to silently close once they were out. Tu Bai glanced back at the Apartment Building, that feeling of being imprisoned surging up once again.
He withdrew his gaze and got in the car.
The car drove toward Jujutsu High. Ieiri Shoko's infirmary was not located within the Jujutsu High Main Campus, but in a separate, independent building behind it, which was relatively quiet and secluded.
There were not many cars on the road, but Gojo Satoru drove very slowly. He glanced at Tu Bai in the rearview mirror from time to time, but Tu Bai kept looking outside the window, saying nothing.
"Are you still feeling unwell?" Gojo Satoru asked.
"Better," Tu Bai said.
Gojo Satoru nodded and said nothing more.
Halfway through the drive, Tu Bai suddenly spoke up: "I want to drink Milk Tea."
Gojo Satoru looked at him through the rearview mirror: "Now?"
Mm," Tu Bai said. "The one right ahead; I remember they sell Hot Milk Tea.
Gojo Satoru glanced at the Milk Tea shop by the roadside; the storefront was very small, with a few people lining up at the entrance. He hesitated for a moment: "I'll take you to Ieiri Shoko's first, then come back to buy it?"
I want to drink it now," Tu Bai said, his Voice not loud but very insistent, "Hot, with Pearl, thirty percent sugar.
Gojo Satoru was silent for a few seconds, then he turned on his turn signal and pulled the car over to the roadside.
"Wait in the car, I'll go buy it," he said, unbuckling his seatbelt.
I'll go with you," Tu Bai said, also unbuckling his seatbelt, "It's stuffy in the car.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, his eyes behind the Sunglasses making his Emotion impossible to read. After a moment, he nodded, "Fine, then stay close to me."
The two of them got out of the taxi. The wind was strong, blowing Tu Bai's hair wildly. He pulled up the zipper of his Jacket and followed Gojo Satoru toward the Milk Tea Shop.
There weren't many people in line, maybe five or six. Gojo Satoru stood at the end of the queue, with Tu Bai standing beside him, his eyes fixed on the menu.
"What do you want to drink?" Gojo Satoru asked.
Just Hot Milk Tea with Pearl," Tu Bai said, pausing, "Do you want to buy a cup as well?
"Sure," Gojo Satoru said.
The line slowly moved forward. Just as it was almost their turn, Tu Bai suddenly let out an "Ah."
"What's wrong?" Gojo Satoru asked immediately.
I left my Wallet in the car," Tu Bai said, his tone full of annoyance, "and I didn't bring my Mobile Phone either.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, saying nothing.
Could you go help me get it?" Tu Bai said, pointing toward the car parked by the Roadside, "It will be our turn soon.
Gojo Satoru stared at him for a few seconds. Then he nodded: "Fine, wait here, don't run off."
"Understood," Tu Bai said.
Gojo Satoru turned and walked toward the car. Tu Bai watched him walk away, then quickly slipped out of the group and turned into a nearby alley.
The alley was very narrow, with the backs of residential buildings on both sides, cluttered with various miscellaneous items. Tu Bai walked quickly to the depths of the alley, where an old black car was parked, its windows tinted with dark film.
He tapped on the car window. The window rolled down halfway, revealing the face of a middle-aged man wearing a pair of ordinary glasses, looking like an ordinary office worker.
"Where is the stuff?" the Man asked, his Voice very low.
Tu Bai took an envelope from the inner pocket of his Jacket and handed it over: "Everything is inside. Photos, fingerprints, the requested signatures."
The Man took the Envelope, opened it to perform a quick check, then nodded: "Three Days Later, the usual place, bring your Passport and ID Card."
"Where is the money?" Tu Bai asked.
It has already been sent to your designated Account," the Man said, "Pay the Final Payment once you have the items in hand.
Tu Bai nodded. He glanced toward the entrance of the alley; no one was there.
"I'm leaving," he said, turning to walk away.
Wait." The Man called out to him, handing over a small Paper Bag from the car, "This is for you. The client said to give you a small Birthday Gift.
Tu Bai took the Paper Bag without opening it, stuffing it directly into his Jacket Pocket. Then, he walked quickly out of the alley and returned to the entrance of the Milk Tea Shop.
Gojo Satoru has not returned yet.
Tu Bai breathed a sigh of relief and rejoined the queue. There were still two people ahead of him, currently placing their orders.
He felt his heart beating very fast, his palms were sweating. He clenched his fists tightly and took deep breaths, trying to calm himself down.
It's fine. Gojo Satoru didn't see. He shouldn't have seen.
Another half minute passed, Gojo Satoru returned. He walked over holding Tu Bai's Wallet, handing the Wallet to him quite naturally.
"Found it, it was under the Passenger Seat," Gojo Satoru said in a casual tone.
Tu Bai took the Wallet: "Thanks."
It happened to be their turn to order. Tu Bai ordered a Hot Milk Tea with Pearl, while Gojo Satoru ordered an Americano. Neither of them spoke while waiting for their drinks.
Tu Bai could feel Gojo Satoru's gaze falling on him, but he didn't dare look back. He stared at the Clerk's movements as he prepared the drinks behind the Countertop, his Finger unconsciously picking at the edge of his Wallet.
The drinks were ready. Gojo Satoru took the two drinks and handed the Hot Milk Tea to Tu Bai.
"Be careful, it's hot," he said.
Tu Bai nodded and took the Milk Tea. The cup wall was very hot, the heat transferring through the paper cup into his Palm.
The two of them returned to the car. Tu Bai fastened his seatbelt, holding the Milk Tea and taking small sips. The Milk Tea was very sweet, the Pearls were very chewy, the warm liquid flowing down his esophagus allowed his tense nerves to relax a little.
"Is it good?" Gojo Satoru asked, starting the car.
"Yeah," Tu Bai said.
Gojo Satoru smiled and said no more.
The car set off again. Tu Bai looked outside the window, holding a cup of Milk Tea in his hands, while his other hand quietly reached into his Pocket to feel that Small Paper Bag.
Inside the Small Paper Bag was a hard little object that felt like a USB Drive.
He withdrew his hand and continued drinking his Milk Tea.
---
The prenatal checkup went very smoothly. Ieiri Shoko performed a routine examination on Tu Bai, measured his blood pressure, listened to the fetal heartbeat (using a Special Grade Cursed Tool to simulate it), drew some blood (saying it was to check his nutritional indicators). Throughout the entire process, Gojo Satoru stayed by his side; he listened intently to everything Ieiri Shoko said, occasionally asking a few questions.
The condition is quite good," Ieiri Shoko said finally, taking off his disposable gloves. "It's just a bit malnourished, so you need to eat more. Try to keep your Emotion as stable as possible and don't be too anxious.
Tu Bai nodded, "I understand, thank you, Ms. Ieiri Shoko."
Ieiri Shoko glanced at him, then glanced at Gojo Satoru, said nothing. He packed up his things and walked out of the infirmary, leaving the two of them behind.
Gojo Satoru helped Tu Bai put on his Jacket: "Let's go, let's go home."
On the way home, Tu Bai kept thinking about the contents of that Small Paper Bag. What could be on the USB Drive? What was the "Little Gift" the Agent mentioned?
He needed to find an opportunity to check it privately.
But after returning to the Apartment, Gojo Satoru didn't seem to have any plans to go out. He accompanied Tu Bai for lunch, then said he had some work to handle at home this Afternoon and entered the Study.
Tu Bai sat in the Living Room for a while, then returned to the Bedroom and closed the door.
He took the Small Paper Bag out of his Inner Pocket of Coat and opened it. Inside was indeed a USB Drive, black and without any markings. There was also a very small Note, with a line of text written on it: "Backup Plan. Use if necessary."
Tu Bai tore up the note, threw it into the trash can, then took the USB Drive, walked to the desk, turned on the computer.
He inserted the USB Drive and entered the password. There was only one Folder inside; upon opening it, he found a detailed set of information regarding a certain Nordic Small Country: the Living Environment, Medical Conditions, Education System, and.. the situation of the Demon Race Community.
And a Contact.
Tu Bai stared at the Screen for a long time. Then he closed the Folder, pulled out the USB Drive, held it in his hand.