"But I miss you very much too," Zheng Wei replied very readily. "Xiaoyan, I really want children, but you are even more important than children. We can have more children later, but first, I need to ensure your safety. When a woman is pregnant, her bodily functions undergo significant changes. So, don't be so naive and think it's just pregnancy. Your hormones will also change. Whether or not this will affect your voice, none of us knows. You're asking me to trade your voice for a child we might have in the future? It's very difficult for me, but I'm sorry, I can't do it. I can't just watch you choose this!"
Zheng Wei rarely spoke such long passages, but this told Shen Xiaoyan that these were Zheng Wei's truest thoughts. Yet, she still couldn't accept it. She shook her head and continued to write, "I'm not terminally ill."
After writing this sentence, she glanced coldly at Zheng Wei, then continued to write, "Leave now. I don't want to see you." Having said this, Shen Xiaoyan turned away without waiting for Zheng Wei's reaction, no longer looking at him.
As Zheng Wei was still trying to figure things out, Nugu pushed open the door and entered, carrying a large bouquet of violets. "Xiaoyan, I just happened to see the freshest violets at the flower market. You love these so much, I'll change them for you." Nugu first put down the food and then prepared to arrange the flowers for Shen Xiaoyan. However, Shen Xiaoyan grabbed a large bunch of flowers from the bed and threw them at Zheng Wei. She couldn't speak, but she was expressing herself through her actions: she didn't want Zheng Wei there.
Why would Zheng Wei leave? Besides, what hit him was just flowers! But soon, he sadly discovered that Shen Xiaoyan's emotions were becoming volatile again. Seeing this, he dared not provoke her further and immediately walked out.
Until Zheng Wei was driven out, Nugu looked on in confusion. It was only when she saw the handwriting on the paper that she understood what had happened. She sighed, likely guessing correctly.
Nugu stood behind Shen Xiaoyan, gently patting her back. Her voice was as soft as a mother's as she said to Shen Xiaoyan, "Xiaoyan, don't be angry anymore. How about eating first? You're not just yourself now, you're a mother. Only by eating on time will it be good for the baby in your belly."
Nugu was very afraid that Shen Xiaoyan wouldn't eat. But Shen Xiaoyan was actually very obedient now as long as she heard it was good for the baby. As for Zheng Wei...
Smoking was not allowed in the hospital, but he didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay by Shen Xiaoyan's side, but he was still very depressed.
There was no other way, so he could only sit on the resting chair outside, waiting for Nugu to come out with news. He had now placed all his hopes on Nugu.
As for the child, Zheng Wei felt he had no confidence in persuading her. Shen Xiaoyan wouldn't listen to anyone now. This child would most likely be kept, which was completely different from what he had initially thought.
After thinking for a moment, Zheng Wei couldn't sit still any longer. He got up and walked to a further corridor away from the ward, then took out his phone and made a call:
"Mom, have the matters there been resolved? If so, please come back as soon as possible. Xiaoyan's situation is a bit troublesome, and I can't handle it this time." Zheng Wei's voice was filled with worry. Madam Lu on the other end understood that the situation was likely difficult to resolve. She replied, "After your father finishes dealing with things, we will return immediately."
They had already planned to return when Nugu called earlier, but Zheng Fu had suddenly encountered an accident then, which delayed them. Now that things were mostly handled, they would return as soon as possible.
"Yes, please return quickly. I need your help," Zheng Wei added.
Upon hearing Zheng Wei say this, Madam Lu and Zheng Fu were both stunned. Their son had been very independent and capable since he was young. They hadn't heard such helpless words from him since he was four years old.
"Ah Wei, we'll be back tonight." Zheng Fu took the phone from Madam Lu. Although he was old, his voice was still very powerful. "Take good care of Xiaoyan, okay?"
"Yes, I understand," Zheng Wei rubbed his forehead and nodded.
The father and son spoke a few more words before hanging up.
Just as he hung up, Zheng Wei turned around and saw Nugu coming out of the ward. Seeing Nugu, Zheng Wei immediately strode towards her.
"Nugu, how is Xiaoyan eating?" He was worried she wouldn't eat due to anger with him.
Nugu nodded. "She's very well-behaved, she ate all her food and is now asleep."
Hearing she was asleep, Zheng Wei breathed a sigh of relief. He looked through the ward door and saw her sleeping.
"Young Master, Xiaoyan really wants this child." Even Nugu could see this.
Zheng Wei didn't want to discuss this topic now. He grunted and was about to push the door open to go in. But as he prepared to push the door, Nugu stopped him.
"Young Master, Xiaoyan said she doesn't want to see you right now and asked me to guard the door. If she knew I let you in, she would be very upset."
Nugu's words successfully stopped Zheng Wei. At first, he didn't pay much attention. He had only been away from Shen Xiaoyan for a short while, and he missed her so much now that he couldn't bear it any longer.
Just as Zheng Wei was about to step inside, Nugu reached out and grabbed his arm. "Young Master, pregnant women's emotions are very prone to collapse, especially someone like Xiaoyan. She's sleeping very restlessly right now. I just came out to tell you because I was worried, but if you go in and wake her up, and her emotions become agitated again, I fear the consequences will be unimaginable. She has a double body now; if anything happens to either of them, it will greatly harm her body."
At this point, Nugu stepped aside again and said to Zheng Wei in a lowered voice, "Young Master, have you considered that if Xiaoyan is forced to give up this child, it will also cause great harm to her body? I don't know if you understand, but abortion also requires confinement, known as 'minor confinement.' Abortion is also very damaging to a woman's body. It's not as simple as it sounds!"
Zheng Wei was stunned after Nugu said this. He had never considered this aspect. He had subconsciously thought that abortion was the best option for her, but he hadn't considered what Nugu had said... Even though he hadn't researched it specifically, he knew that abortion was harmful to one's body. Thinking about this, Zheng Wei was truly dumbfounded this time.
"Young Master, I hope you can consider Xiaoyan's feelings. The doctor also said that it's very important for Xiaoyan to maintain happiness. If she can keep the child, Xiaoyan will definitely be very happy." Nugu knew she shouldn't interfere in their family matters, but she really couldn't bear to see how sad Xiaoyan looked earlier.
Ultimately, all these words boiled down to men being irresponsible!
Thinking this, Nugu couldn't help but mutter, "Men are all pigs with clumsy hands."
"Nugu, what did you say?" Zheng Wei thought his ears were playing tricks on him...
Nugu quickly closed her mouth, shook her head, and then pointed to Shen Xiaoyan in the ward. "I'll go in and check on Xiaoyan. When she wakes up, I'll ask her what she wants to eat and have people from the old house make it for her!"
"No need. You stay here and watch over her. I'll handle the food," Zheng Wei waved his hand. Since Xiaoyan didn't want to see him now, he could only go back and cook. If she didn't want to see his face, she would be happy to eat food he made.
Thinking this, Zheng Wei turned to make another phone call. "Hello, Old Lu, can I borrow your aunt for a day?" There were many dietary considerations for pregnant women, which Zheng Wei didn't know yet, so he needed an experienced aunt to help take care of things.
"Yes, I'll be home in half an hour." The person on the other end seemed to agree readily. Zheng Wei nodded and turned back to look at the woman in the ward before reluctantly leaving.
"Nugu, if Xiaoyan feels unwell, notify me immediately!" Zheng Wei instructed, turning his head repeatedly.
Nugu nodded and waved at him.
...
When Zheng Wei returned home, Lin Xin and Lu Taobao had also arrived, bringing Lu's aunt with them.
Upon seeing Zheng Wei carrying a large bag of vegetables, the two young masters exchanged glances.
Old Zheng was becoming increasingly domestic...
"How is Shen Xiaoyan's condition?" Lu Taobao asked.
Zheng Wei put the food in the independent kitchen. As he opened the door, the independent kitchen became an open one. Lu's aunt was helping to wash vegetables. Zheng Wei said while taking notes, "She doesn't want to give up the child, but a pregnant woman's bodily functions change. I'm worried about any accidents. I don't want to wait until next year to deal with her voice problem."
Zheng Wei's stance on Shen Xiaoyan's voice issue had been very firm: no child was more important than Shen Xiaoyan. But now, after Nugu's words, his stance had begun to waver.
"But isn't abortion also very damaging to a woman's body?" Lin Xin suddenly interjected.
Lin Xin's words caused not only Zheng Wei and Lu Taobao but also Lu's aunt to look at him.
Lin Xin looked at them all in shock. He touched his face and frowned, "Why are you all looking at me? Don't you people understand anything? Honestly."
"Young Master Lin, I didn't expect you to know this," Lu's aunt said in surprise.
"You all underestimate him. He's been playing around for so many years without causing any serious trouble, so you can tell he has some common sense," Lu Taobao said calmly.
"You're wrong to say that. I heard about abortion from my mother. As for not causing any trouble, it doesn't mean my knowledge of obstetrics is good; it just means my precautions are good. Understand?" Lin Xin's voice grew louder as he yelled at them.
Lu's aunt felt as if she had heard something she shouldn't have. She quickly turned her head to sort the vegetables and then recorded the points to note for Zheng Wei.
"Then what do you plan to do?" Lu Taobao asked, nodding towards Zheng Wei.
"Our Old Zheng is a domineering CEO. He cares so much about Shen Xiaoyan now that he'll definitely have Shen Xiaoyan deal with her voice first!" Lin Xin believed this was unquestionable.
"But I heard someone was kicked out by his daughter-in-law and had no choice but to go home and cook obediently?" Lu Taobao leaned on the sofa, arms crossed, looking at the man busy in the independent kitchen with a leisurely tone.
The cleaver in Zheng Wei's hand suddenly chopped down on the cutting board with a "bang." He turned his head, his eyes dark, and said, "Who told you that? Why are you so nosy?"
"Do you still remember the Ou Yuan Lou family? Bai Guang's wife is also in the hospital. He said he saw you squatting in the corner smoking pitifully when he went downstairs," Lu Taobao explained.
Zheng Wei: "..."
He sneered and didn't respond. Lin Xin, however, started to get excited. "Oh, our CEO Zheng actually got kicked out before! That's rare. We definitely need to maintain a good relationship with Sister-in-law Shen Xiaoyan from now on, as Old Zheng's fate will be in Shen Xiaoyan's hands. Oh my, who would have thought? I remember when someone swore he would never become a henpecked husband like his father in the future. But look, the Zheng family's genes are unchangeable. Uncle Jiang is a henpecked husband, and so are you! If you two have sons, it will truly be... Oh my goodness!" Lin Xin became more and more excited.
Zheng Wei wiped his hands, turned back, and sneered. His gaze swept past Lu Taobao, and he said ominously, "Old Lin, among the three of us, you are the one who should be most worried. I'm married, and Old Zheng is about to find a partner. Do you think Uncle Xu and the two of them will kill you, hmm?"
"What? When is Old Lu about to find a partner? You're hiding such a big thing from me? You guys are shameless!"
Lin Xin completely exploded. He had been comfortably lying on the sofa, but after Zheng Wei said that, he leaped over the sofa and lunged at Lu Taobao, who was leaning against the sofa. He grabbed Lu Taobao's shoulders and shook his body vigorously, just like when they were children, demanding loudly, "Holy crap! Old Lu, you're being really unrighteous! Didn't we agree to be single dogs together? How can you ditch me and find a partner? It's fine if only Old Zheng gets married alone, but if you also have a girlfriend, what will I do? My mom will eat me alive, ahhhhhh!"
Lin Xin wished he could shake Lu Taobao apart. Lu Taobao, however, looked at Lin Xin with a cold expression.
"Speak, confess and be lenient. Who is the woman? Have we met before? Why does Old Zheng know but I don't? I'm not convinced! You don't consider me a brother! Why only tell Old Zheng and not me?" Lin Xin felt truly wronged; he couldn't stand it!
"You have met her," Lu Taobao said lightly. After saying this, he looked at Zheng Wei somewhat confusedly. "This matter was handled very secretly. How did you know?"
"The morning after you two slept together, she sent me a message saying she slept with my best friend! But I was busy with Xiaoyan's matters at the time and didn't have time to pay attention." Zheng Wei explained casually.
Lin Xin stood between them, looking at one then the other. He was furious! "Are you two really this shameless? Huh? Isn't I your best friend?"
"Old Lin, you're different. You have countless women. This is Old Lu's first time," Zheng Wei said regretfully.
"Enough. You don't need to mock me, as if you're not the same. Do you have any other women besides Shen Xiaoyan?" Lu Taobao's question successfully shifted Lin Xin's attention to Zheng Wei.
"That's not fair to say. How do I remember a singer who was very close to Old Zheng back then? Old Zheng even took her to a few banquets!" Mentioning this, Lin Xin's expression became very thoughtful.
"I don't remember," Lu Taobao considered his memory to be very good, but he didn't seem to recall such an event.
"Alas, you were abroad at the time!" Lin Xin calculated the time. Lu Taobao had gone abroad a year later than them, so he was indeed abroad at the time.
"It seems Shen Xiaoyan isn't your first love either?" Lu Taobao found it very surprising.
"My first time for everything was with Shen Xiaoyan," Zheng Wei's sentence negated Lin Xin's words.
"But you were really close to that singer back then," Lin Xin really wanted to argue. He even searched for the singer's name on his phone and showed it to Lu Taobao.
"Look, she's now a diva. She's so much better than Niu Shufang," Lin Xin pointed to the beautiful face on the phone screen.
"You must never discuss such matters in front of Xiaoyan. A few days ago, when I was buying groceries, I ran into Aunt Jiang. Aunt Jiang said that her husband found someone outside..."
It was a story about a third party, but the three men present all fell silent.
They had all grown up in such an environment and had actually heard such things often, because too many people couldn't resist temptation. Once infidelity occurred, the harm it caused to the family and children was immense.
Zheng Wei glanced at Lin Xin. "It's all your fault."