Chen Liling was pacing back and forth in the hall, unable to calm down. Today Jianyu and Serena were going for a checkup, and they had yet to call about the results.
Zixin trotted towards her. “Grandma! Why are you walking like that?”
Chen Guiren sighed. “Liling. Calm down. You are making even Zixin worry.”
She pursed her lips. “I cannot help it.” She looked down and picked Zixin in her arms. “It’s nothing dear. Let’s say your Mama and Dada are giving an exam, and we still don’t know what the results are. So, I am nervous about them.”
Zixin curiously asked, “Mama and Dada are not in school anymore, but they still give exams?”
Chen Liling chuckled. “My dear grandson. Exams don’t get over if you just pass school or college. Those are just academic tests. Life continues to give you many such challenges in different ways that you need to face and overcome them. Today is…one such test for them.”
Zixin fully didn’t understand, but he realized that whatever they went for was very important for his parents.
He touched her cheek and said, “Mama and Dada are the best! They will pass the exam, so don’t you worry!”
Chen Guiren softly chuckled.
She kissed his cheek. “Awww, I hope what you said gets true, dear!”
A few minutes later, Serena and Jianyu entered the Chen villa.
“Serena! Jianyu!” she rushed towards them. “What happened, dear? You didn’t call until now. We were so worried.”
Jianyu and Serena had grave expressions on their faces. They said nothing.
Chen Liling glanced at Chen Guiren and pursed her lips.
Is it bad news? Does that mean that…the results came negative?
She felt heartbroken for them, especially Serena. She had seen how much she was excited about her appointment in the morning. She could hardly wait to reach the hospital. But, now, their troubled gazes said that it didn’t go the way they had hoped for.
Chen Liling quickly diverted the topic. “Come, come. First, sit down and have some tea. You must be tired. I have baked your favorite cookies too!”
“Mom…” Jianyu said.
“Oof, you don’t need to say anything. We will talk about it later. First, freshen up yourselves. It’s been a long day.”
“Mom, the doctor said…”
She shook her head. “It’s okay, dear. I understand. Don’t be disheartened-“
“Mom, the doctor said that we could go for a second child.”
She nodded. “Yes, yes, I understand how difficult it must be…” then she paused. “Wait. What?”
Chen Guiren’s sharp ears immediately caught onto it and his lips curved into a bright smile.
She blinked her eyes at them. “What did you say?”
Serena laughed and hugged her hard. “Mom! Dr. Lin said that we can try for another child! It’s not impossible!”
She gasped, and her mouth formed a small O. “Oh…oh my God! So the results came positive! Congratulations, you two!”
Jianyu grinned.
She cupped her face and kissed her forehead. Her gaze was slightly rimmed in tears. “Ah, I am so happy for you, dear.” She looked at her husband. “Guiren, did you hear the good news!?”
Chen Guiren smiled and nodded. He patted his son’s shoulder and hugged him.
Chen Liling smacked on her son’s head.
“Hey, Mom! Why did you hit me?”
“You deserve it! It’s such good news, so why were you showing such a sad expression as if everything was lost?”
Jianyu said, “We were just pulling your leg. And hey! Serena was doing the same! You didn’t hit her. This is partiality.”
“Shut up. I know it must be your plan to fool us. How dare you pretend when I was worrying here for you!” she smacked him again.
Serena giggled. “Yes, mom. Hit him more! I told him not to play with your feelings, and we should come out with it, but he didn’t listen to me at all.”
Jianyu looked at her aghast.
“Why you…you were clearly into this plan with me! You were even laughing like a devil in the car, and now you are turning your back at me! Mom, she is lying!”
Chen Liling hit him again. “Hey! Who said you can talk to my daughter-in-law like that?”
Jianyu’s eyebrow twitched.
Clearly, there was bias.
“Zhilan!”
They heard a worried voice call Serena from behind. They turned and saw the Huo family arrive.
“Mom, Dad!” Serena brightened.
“Oh, they are finally here!” Chen Liling smiled.
“Zhilan!” Huo Xiao Fan and Huo Shen quickly walked towards her. She held her hand, and anxiously asked, “What happened? You went to the hospital, right? What did the doctor say?”
Huo Xiao Fan thought that she had to be by her side today, especially if…
Huo Shen solemnly said, “Don’t worry, dear. No matter what, we are always there for you.”
Jianyu smiled. Serena squeezed back her hand with tears in her eyes. “Mom…it’s good news…my condition…I can recover.”
They were stunned. But then their hearts bloomed in joy as it sunk in. “Zhilan…ah, I am so happy!” she hugged her and patted her head.
Huo Shen asked Jianyu. “But five years ago…” His voice was strained as if he wanted to confirm that it wasn’t just false hope.
Jianyu said, “Don’t worry, Dad. We have discussed everything. Five years ago, it was difficult, but now her condition has naturally healed to a good extent, and to recover the rest of it, it will take three months for the treatment, after which we can try for another child.”
Everybody gasped. “Oh dear…God really heard our prayers…” Chen Liling wiped her tears.
Huo Xiao Fan cupped Serena’s face and smiled. “I am sorry dear…I know you must be hurt knowing that we took Jianyu’s side in this….But thank you. If you hadn’t persisted for a checkup, we would have never known this good news…it’s our fault…”
She shook her head. “No, Mom. I understand all of you. I know you were saying it all for my sake to protect me. I am not mad at you at all.”
Chen Liling clapped. “So this calls for a celebration! We should have a feast!”
“Please don’t forget me for the feast like Mom and Dad did!”
There came Liwei, holding a five-year-old girl in his arms who was licking her ice-cream cone. He was breathlessly huffing and puffing.
Huo Xiao Fan and Huo Shen sheepishly grinned and guiltily looked away.
Liwei glared at them. “Mom! Dad! How could you just run away like that, leaving your daughter with me?”
