Xie Qin Jia remained silent. Xing Sha spoke to her again, "He broke up with Lin Mei for you. It was difficult for them to get together, and because of something you said..."
"They weren't suited for each other in the first place," Xie Qin Jia finally spoke, stating her position to Xing Sha. "I still don't approve of them being together. As for how he chooses, it has nothing to do with me. I've never controlled him, from his childhood until now, and it will be the same in the future."
Xing Sha understood Xie Qin Jia's meaning. He would no longer obstruct Xing Zheng and Lin Mei, but he wouldn't support them either. Her illness had recovered, but she still wouldn't treat Xing Zheng as her own child, nor would she give him even a sliver of maternal love. Compared to everything Xing Zheng had done for Xie Qin Jia, her current behavior was truly cold-blooded.
Xing Sha couldn't help but ask, "Why do you hate Ah Zheng so much?"
This question had been in his heart for a long time. In the past, Xie Qin Jia's mental state was unstable, and he attributed it to her illness. But now that she had recovered, she remained the same. Xing Sha became even more curious about the reason. What could make a mother detest the child she carried for ten months so much?
Xie Qin Jia fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. A few minutes later, she clutched her head, her expression pained. "My head hurts so much..."
"Where does it hurt?" Xing Sha became anxious, no longer thinking of pursuing his previous question.
Xie Qin Jia's headache was severe, and she hadn't finished the remaining milk and oatmeal. Xing Sha helped her to bed. After she fell asleep, he went out to find a doctor.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he opened the door, he saw Xing Zheng standing there. "You haven't left?"
Did this mean that Xing Zheng had heard everything he and Xie Qin Jia had discussed? Including the part where Xie Qin Jia distanced herself from him... Xing Sha's heart ached again, wondering how Xing Zheng would feel after hearing those words.
"Let's go find the doctor." Xing Zheng accompanied Xing Sha to find the attending physician.
Xing Sha explained the recent situation to the doctor. The attending physician had previously treated Xing Zheng and was well aware of his relationship with Xie Qin Jia.
When Xing Sha asked, "Even though the surgery was successful, why does she still have this attitude towards Ah Zheng?" the doctor immediately formed a judgment. "I suspect it has something to do with the memories she lost."
At these words, both Xing Zheng and Xing Sha's attention were captured. The doctor analyzed for them, "Her indifference towards Xing Zheng is very likely because Xing Zheng's existence, or some of his actions, bear too much resemblance to the negative events in her memory. Even though you have hypnotized her, the subconscious is difficult to erase. This is a combination of her thoughts and body's response, making it her optimal solution."
The doctor's words plunged Xing Sha into silence. He remembered clearly that when Xie Qin Jia was pregnant with Xing Zheng, she had severe morning sickness and vomited incessantly. At that time, he had consulted many doctors and changed many nutritionists, but to no avail.
During her pregnancy, her mood was also poor, and she often cried, saying she didn't want the child. Xing Sha naturally assumed she said this because she couldn't bear the morning sickness. When she was pregnant with Xing Yan, she had no severe reactions...
Combining the doctor's words, Xing Sha deduced that Xie Qin Jia must have also experienced severe morning sickness when she was pregnant with Zhao Jiang He. She repelled that experience, and when the same situation reoccurred, her aversion would be doubled.
Xing Zheng naturally thought of these things too, and he chuckled. From birth until now, he had never given up on gaining Xie Qin Jia's love. However, the harder he tried, the less he received.
The father and son emerged from the doctor's office. Xing Sha said to Xing Zheng with guilt, "It's my fault. I've wronged you."
If he hadn't left Xie Qin Jia to travel alone back then, the subsequent events wouldn't have happened. Everything stemmed from him: Xing Yan's death, Xie Qin Jia's and Xing Zheng's illnesses, the grievances Xing Zheng had endured over the years...
Whether as a father or as a husband, he was a complete failure.
"It has nothing to do with you," Xing Zheng did not accept Xing Sha's apology. "I'm going back."
After parting ways with Xing Zheng that day, Lin Mei had not contacted him again. For Xing Zheng to proactively contact her was even more far-fetched.
Lin Mei only knew that he had gone to New York to accompany Xie Qin Jia for surgery. She didn't know when Xie Qin Jia's surgery was, nor whether it was successful. She had considered asking but couldn't find the standing.
Until she returned home from work that day, Xing Sha's call came through. Lin Mei was eating dumplings and dog food while answering the phone.
On the other end, Xing Sha told her, "The surgery was very successful."
"Has Aunt Xie remembered anything from before?" Lin Mei asked.
"No." This was the outcome Xing Sha desired most. Lin Mei could hear his relief, but was this truly good for Xie Qin Jia?
She had no standing to criticize Xing Sha. The fact that Xie Qin Jia's surgery was successful and she had recovered was the best news. "Congratulations to you and Aunt Xie. Take good care of yourself, and don't overwork yourself."
"Ah Zheng hasn't slept for days and is in poor spirits," Xing Sha suddenly mentioned Xing Zheng. "I spoke with her about you and Ah Zheng. Qin Jia said she won't interfere with you anymore."
Lin Mei responded with an "Mm," without any strong reaction. Xing Sha then explained to her, "Ah Zheng broke up with you because of the surgery. He loves you very much, but he's not good at expressing it. Now that things are over, you should talk properly. Ah Zheng is also a victim in this matter. Ultimately, it's all my fault..."
"Where is he now?" Lin Mei asked hesitantly.
"He's gone back to rest. You can call him or message him on WeChat, and you should be able to reach him," Xing Sha said.
Lin Mei responded with an "Mm." After finishing the call with Xing Sha, Lin Mei held her phone, hesitating for a long time. She bought a plane ticket to New York and requested a week off from work. She didn't know Xing Zheng's address in New York, so she had to ask Feng Feng to inquire with Shen Su.
Lan Lan was angered when she found out. "You're completely wrapped around his finger. It's always you who makes the first move, spoiling him."
Lin Mei knew all of this. Xing Zheng had indeed been spoiled by her. However, at this moment, she only had the thought of "going to find him." Even if they couldn't reconcile, just seeing him would be enough.
When he had decisively said goodbye, she had felt very disappointed and angry. Anyone in a relationship hopes to be the first priority in their partner's life, and she was no exception.
In the ten-plus days they had been apart, she had slowly calmed down. Especially after hearing Xing Sha say that Xing Zheng had stayed awake for ten days and a half a month for Xie Qin Jia's surgery, her heart ached.
Even if Xing Sha hadn't said it, she knew that Xie Qin Jia's attitude towards Xing Zheng hadn't changed just because her illness had recovered.
He remained alone, standing solitary. If she also chose to abandon him, how disappointed would he be? She had to go find him and let him know that he was worthy of love.
A day later, Lin Mei entrusted her dumplings to Lan Lan's care, dragged her packed suitcase, and flew to New York alone.