Ning Rui was extremely resistant to Li Xun's intimate contact. In the past, she had endured it and played along. After the recent incident, she no longer had the mood to act. The moment he embraced her, her whole body stiffened. This reaction, more than her previous struggles and resistance, was more hurtful.
Stung, Li Xun lowered his head to kiss her. His fingers brushed aside her hair, and his hot lips and tongue kissed her earlobe. After sharing a bed for many years, he knew best how to make her beg for mercy and surrender. Although she didn't resist, her body remained stiff. Li Xun's kiss moved to her lips, intending to kiss her fully. Ning Rui finally couldn't pretend to be indifferent and hurriedly stopped him, "I'm tired."
"You sleep, it won't affect me," he said, showing no intention of letting her go.
"Aren't you afraid of something happening to the baby?" Ning Rui had to resort to this trump card to deal with him. To her surprise, he still smiled, composed and unhurried, "Do you think I would let something happen to him?"
His tone was irrefutable, his gaze firm. Ning Rui knew she had no room for argument and resigned herself to closing her eyes.
All she could do now was endure.
As her due date approached, Lin Mei had already started preparing her hospital bag. The hospital for delivery had been decided. Since it was close to home, Lin Mei had no plans to be admitted before her due date.
When it came to childbirth, Lin Mei and Xing Zheng were both novices. Although they had read many guides, they were not as proficient as Xiao Yue, who had practical experience. Lin Mei's hospital bag was prepared by Xiao Yue, while Xing Zheng ran errands for her, working diligently and without complaint.
As Xiao Yue packed, she said to Xing Zheng, "You've worked hard these past few months."
"It's not hard, it's what I should do," Xing Zheng replied. "She's worked the hardest, and you and Teacher Lin have also worked hard." Xing Zheng knew very well that Xiao Yue saying this meant she had accepted him in her heart, which was the greatest reward for him. No matter how much he gave, it was worth it.
"I can see that you like Hua Mei. She suffered too much when she was with you before. As parents, we all hope our children are safe and healthy. She was doted on and raised in our hands since childhood. How can we not feel for our own child?" Xiao Yue spoke to Xing Zheng with sincerity. "She loved beauty since she was little, and her face... Alas! Don't blame Zhengde for making you break up. Hua Mei suddenly got pregnant with your child, and because of you, she ended up like this. He was already heartbroken, but seeing that she liked you, he couldn't say much. Who knew you had another child before..."
Xing Zheng responded with an "Mm." "I understand everything you've said. I've never blamed Teacher Lin, and I will wait for him to accept me slowly."
"Our thoughts are secondary. You've also seen it, hasn't he? He doesn't oppose you anymore. It's just a matter of face, and he finds it difficult to say it," Xiao Yue smiled. "As long as you continue to be good to Hua Mei, nothing else is a problem."
"I will," Xing Zheng promised. Xie Qin Jia and Xing Sha had not seen Lin Mei and Xing Zheng for several months. Due to their reckless meeting, Lin Mei was forced to break up with Xing Zheng. Since then, the two had been consumed by guilt.
After inquiring with Gu Song, Xing Sha learned that Lin Mei had been taken back to Xiangxi by her parents. Two months later, Xing Zheng also went there and had not returned since.
Calculating, Lin Mei's delivery date was approaching, and they knew nothing about Lin Mei's condition, nor whether Xing Zheng had gained forgiveness from Lin Mei's parents.
The incident had started because of them. Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia had always felt guilty. After much deliberation, Xie Qin Jia finally made a decision and said to Xing Sha, "Lin Mei is due soon. Let's go back to Xiangxi to see her."
"They probably don't want to see us," Xing Sha said, though he also wanted to go, he was very clear-headed. "Let's have my parents go with us!"
Xie Qin Jia replied, "They don't know about Lin Mei and Xing Zheng's situation yet."
The elders had been kept in the dark, and they would have to know sooner or later. Xing Sha followed Xie Qin Jia's advice and booked flights back to Xiangxi, while Lin Mei and Xing Zheng were completely unaware of this.
Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia's sudden return surprised Xie Jun Yao and Xu Shang. "Why did you come without any notice? Yu Fei, quickly get the fruit."
As soon as they entered the living room from the courtyard, Xu Shang began bustling about. Ruan Yu Fei had returned to Xiangxi and lived with the elders. She brought out the fruit and sat down with them.
As the family settled down, Xie Jun Yao asked, "Did you come back suddenly because there's something urgent to discuss?"
Xing Sha replied, "Yes, there are some things I need to tell you and Mom."
His expression was very serious, and Xie Jun Yao and Xu Shang knew it must be something very important. "Tell us what?"
Xie Qin Jia and Xing Sha exchanged glances. They took turns explaining the past entanglements between Xing Zheng and Lin Mei to the elders. Ruan Yu Fei listened from the side, and upon hearing the words "Lin Mei is due soon," her face turned ashen.
Although Xing Zheng had rejected her, she still harbored unrealistic fantasies. Human nature is dark; what one cannot have, one does not wish for others to have. She had thought Xie Qin Jia would do everything in her power to oppose Xing Zheng and Lin Mei's relationship, but unexpectedly, she had become the matchmaker. As for Xu Shang and Xie Jun Yao, they were even more so. They had always liked Lin Mei very much and had known her parents for many years...
"How could you not tell us about such a big matter all this time!" Xu Shang was more excited than anything upon hearing that she was about to have a great-grandchild. She had always liked Lin Mei very much. "Hurry up and have the driver pick them up. Let's go see Hua Mei!"
Xie Qin Jia had done so many foolish things, causing suffering to two young people, and it was only right that she apologize. It was reasonable for Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue to be angry.
"That's what we were thinking too," Xing Sha said. "Her parents have a better relationship with you, so they might give you some face. Ah Zheng is determined about Lin Mei, and they like each other. Now that the child is about to be born, they need to become legitimate as soon as possible."
The elders agreed unanimously. Ruan Yu Fei couldn't interject a single word and could only watch them leave together for Lin Mei's home.
At this moment, Lin Mei was completely unaware of this. She was still out walking with Xing Zheng. The doctor had said that walking more and being active was beneficial for childbirth, so she went for walks two or three times a day, with Xing Zheng accompanying her every time.
In the evening, as they returned home from their walk, they opened the door to find Xing Sha, Xie Qin Jia, Xu Shang, and Xie Jun Yao chatting with Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue. The expressions of Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were quite serious.
Lin Mei and Xing Zheng's previously relaxed expressions instantly became solemn.
"Hua Mei, Ah Zheng, you're back. Come and sit down quickly." Before the two could speak, Xu Shang came over, took Lin Mei's hand, and brought her to sit beside her. She gazed at Lin Mei's belly and said, "You've really worked hard."
"Why are you here?" Xing Zheng looked at Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia and asked unhappily.