“Luo Hang’s girlfriend doesn’t have a way out now. Her best bet is to get pregnant and use her baby as a trump card to marry Luo Hang. I actually support her decision. How unlucky of her to be with a cowardly man like Luo Hang. She had been in a relationship with Luo Hang for almost seven years, and yet he doesn’t even dare to defy his parents’ orders. She had to suffer in silence and feel aggrieved. Actually, from her perspective, she wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was just too unfortunate to have fallen in love with an irresponsible man.”
“Do you find me irresponsible too?”
“No. After all, you didn’t introduce me to your parents and I don’t know what your parents think about me. I just felt that you didn’t take me seriously. I’ll take my hats off to you if you insist on being with me even after your parents find out that I was married before.”
Gazing at her, Lu Jingrao said, “I will.”
She cocked her head toward the side and said, “Start driving.”
——
When Mu Wansheng and Tang Yucheng were at the hospital for a checkup, she kept her face concealed throughout.
The gynecologist handed her the test report and informed her that she was ten weeks pregnant.
The normal course of pregnancy would last ten months.
In other words, she was pregnant for two and a half months.
Mu Wansheng stayed silent throughout the entire journey home, for she felt that she had let Tang Yucheng down.
After much consideration, she said to him, “I don’t want to burden you. I’m already having difficulties living on my own, I can’t let my child add to your burden. You’re a good man. Why don’t we get a divorce?”
“You got pregnant before you married me. Since you’re pregnant, just give birth to it. I’ll treat him or her like my own. If you’re planning to divorce me and return home or go back to your baby’s father, I’ll agree to it. But if you’re not, I definitely won’t agree to a divorce.”
Mu Wansheng was incredibly touched, for she was already in such a horrendous state and yet he was still willing to treat her so well with sincerity. He was well aware that she wouldn’t go back to Fan Shixin.
“However, it’s not fair to you. Yucheng, I’m sorry,” Mu Wansheng said, holding her hand.
He placed his hand onto hers and said, “My parents passed away a long time ago, and my brother has gone to live with his wife’s family. All this while, I’ve been lonely and living all by myself. With you and the child around, my home will feel like an actual home again. Don’t apologize to me ever again. I didn’t even give you any betrothal gifts for our marriage. I’m the one who let you down. Happy, I’ll be a good father and a good husband.”
Mu Wansheng teared up and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you.”
Tang Yucheng patted her on her back and said, “There’ll be hope as long as you’re still alive. Although you’ve never told me about how you felt, I know that you’ve been in low spirits lately. From now on, you must pull yourself together. Don’t forget that you’re still carrying our child. When he or she is born, you’ll be Mommy and I’ll be Daddy. I’ll do my best to work hard and support you two.”
Mu Wansheng remained silent. Her heart had long been shattered into pieces. Fortunately, there was still someone who doted on her and genuinely treated her well. She decided to live properly for the sake of her child, as well as to repay his kindness.
She could not allow herself to harbor thoughts about suicide again.
“Wait for me while I make you some sweet potato and purple rice porridge.”
She answered with a nod, “Sure.”
Her mind was flooded with thoughts about her child since the moment she found out about her pregnancy. She did not want to abort the fetus at all.
Regardless of how tough it may be, she was determined to give birth to the child and raise him to adulthood.
She loved children. Besides, this child was…
… the testament and proof of the love between her and Fan Shixin. She was looking forward to the birth of their lovechild.
She did not waver, even though the father of the child was not by her side.
Mu Wansheng placed one hand on her abdomen. Strangely, she felt thrilled about the existence of the child, even though she could not feel it moving at all.
The thought of being a mother-to-be never failed to put a smile on Mu Wansheng’s face.
——
Fan Shixin began decorating the second apartment that Jin Qingyan had given him.
He would keep himself busy every day and fill his schedule with errands to ensure that he had no time to be distracted by other things.
Fan Shixin had yet to discover any flaws of Yang Qianxue’s after interacting with her for a few days. Although she seemed to be mature and understanding on the surface, he did not think that those were her true colors, especially since he had already learned his lesson after dating Wu Pingyang.
Their relationship had been mundane and plain. In order to win his heart, Yang Qianxue forced herself to curb her poor temper and became as meek as a lamb. She would adhere to his instructions and go along with his decisions all the time.
She even allowed him to decide what to order during lunch and never once gave her opinion.
Mrs. Fan invited the two of them to the Fan family home for dinner. She had specially prepared a sumptuous spread and waited for everyone to be present before digging in.
“Qianxue, have a taste of the braised meat that I had made.”
After thanking Mrs. Fan, Yang Qianxue said, “Auntie, you’ve got such great culinary skills. I must learn a thing or two from you and cook for Shixin in the future.”
Pleased to hear her compliment, Mrs. Fan answered, “Shixin is going to be blessed. No hurry, you can always pick those skills up slowly.”
Noticing how delighted his mother was, Fan Shixin decided to remain silent and continued eating. He would barely speak during meals with Yang Qianxue.
Before the meal ended, Mrs. Fan said, “I went to make a wish at a renowned temple previously and wished for Shixin to find a suitable partner as soon as possible. My wish is finally coming true. I’ll have to go back to the temple to return my prayers. Shixin, give me a lift there later.”
Fan Shixin agreed, “Alright.”
“Come along too, Qianxue.”
Fan Shixin glared at his mother without uttering a single word.
The three of them then headed to the temple by car.
The temple was rather near where Mu Wansheng was currently residing.
Coincidentally, Mu Wansheng happened to be at the temple with Tang Yucheng as well.
Instead of a mask, she was wearing a headdress that was wrapped around her head.
Tang Yucheng held her hand and proceeded to make wishes for her unborn fetus.
As soon as they exited, Tang Yucheng said to her softly, “I saw Fan Shixin.”
Mu Wansheng asked in astonishment, “Where?”
“He’s on the staircase with a middle-aged woman and another younger woman.”
Suppressing her uneasiness, Mu Wansheng said, “Let’s go home.”
Tang Yucheng helped her down the stairs slowly.
Fan Shixin and the rest walked past the two of them.
It was the first time after her close shave with death that Mu Wansheng had been in such close contact with Fan Shixin. Although she could not see or hear him, she knew that he was right there.
