Ji Furong smiled and said, "This is the baby's heartbeat."
As Zhao Xiyin lay there, tears streamed down her face.
Dr. Ji was very thoughtful; he even recorded an audio message and sent it to Zhao Xiyin afterwards. Zhao Xiyin then forwarded it to Zhou Qishen.
On that day, Boss Zhou called out to Gu Heping and Lao Cheng one by one, saying, "Did you hear that?! It's my son's heartbeat! It's my son!"
Gu Heping was extremely jealous and deliberately mocked him, "What era are we living in? You still keep saying that your son is a sexist and you prefer sons to daughters."
That makes sense. So Zhou Qishen sent the voice message again: "Did you hear that! It's my daughter's heartbeat! It's my daughter!"
Gu Heping was completely convinced and asked Lao Cheng with a sense of sympathy, "Are all married men like this?"
Old Cheng sent an angry emoji: "How the hell should I know!"
"Oh right, Zhao Zhao has been sleeping with you for three, four, or five years, and you still haven't been officially promoted." Gu Heping was always right to annoy people. "Useless thing."
Smoke was billowing from Old Cheng's head, and his face was blackened by the soot.
Once Zhao Xiyin's early pregnancy was over, all her discomfort disappeared. She felt light as a feather and showed no obvious signs of pregnancy. She ate regularly and maintained a good sleep schedule. She had signed a contract with Su Ying's art center, and although she couldn't perform on stage now, she still had to participate in some behind-the-scenes choreography work.
The art center was too far from the CBD, and Zhou Qishen was worried about her commuting every day, so he simply bought a fully furnished loft apartment near the art center. He didn't want Zhao Xiyin to work so hard, so he would rush here from his company every day after work. This small apartment felt more like home than the luxury mansion in the Vanke Plaza.
Being so close to the art center meant they were bound to be seen together, but Zhao Xiyin didn't say anything, and Su Ying simply said it was a normal task assignment. Everyone still assumed Zhou Qishen was just her boyfriend.
This boyfriend is so rich; his car is a Land Rover with three 8s in Beijing license plates.
This boyfriend is so good to Zhao Xiyin. They were even seen that day, holding Zhao Xiyin's face and kissing her gently in the car.
Everyone said they were in the honeymoon phase, and the girls in the troupe boldly approached Zhao Xiyin to chat. Zhao Xiyin generously said, "He's not my boyfriend, he's my husband."
Everyone was shocked. "You're married? How long have you been married?"
Zhao Xiyin smiled and said, "Four or five years."
It's true, from the first time until now, it's still the same person.
In early May, the days are getting longer, and because it's far from the city, you can often see the stars at night. Zhao Xiyin is almost four months pregnant. At first glance, her figure is still slender and graceful, but when she takes off her coat and wears only a thin base layer, you can vaguely see the subtle changes in the curve of her abdomen.
In recent days, Zhao Xiyin has noticed that Zhou Qishen has been appearing more and more dazed when he is at home reading documents.
Having been together for so many years, she certainly understood what he was thinking.
It was completely dark when Zhou Qishen sat on the bay window, gazing into the distance, his silence almost oppressive. Zhao Xiyin stood at the door for a while before he noticed her. Upon seeing her, Zhou Qishen instinctively tucked his belongings under a cushion, then his eyes softened. "What's wrong?"
Zhao Xiyin walked over, said nothing, and gently put her arm around his shoulder.
Two people, one sitting, one standing.
At this height, Zhou Qishen's profile rested perfectly on her slightly protruding belly.
The wind and moon outside the window are like dust and dirt, but they cannot compare to the sense of belonging and closeness I feel in this moment.
Zhou Qishen slowly closed his eyes, feeling Zhao Xiyin's pulse beat gently, rhythmically, and powerfully, like a lullaby, which made him suddenly realize that from now on, he, Zhou Qishen, would no longer be alone and helpless in this world.
Zhao Xiyin lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Go find her. No matter what the outcome, don't let yourself have any regrets."
Zhou Qishen had read the paternity test report countless times late at night. Zhao Xiyin hadn't asked about it until now, but after hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke up, "How did you come to think of Aunt Fei?"
"Hmm?" Zhou Qishen lifted his head from her stomach, took her hand and made her sit on the bay window as well. "When I got on her at Xining Airport that time, I didn't suspect anything until you two recognized each other. It wasn't until the next day when I went to her house for dinner that I saw a picture of her youngest son. I looked just like that when I was sixteen or seventeen."
Zhao Xiyin frowned slightly, and looking back now, it really was a subtle twist of fate.
"After searching for so many years, maybe I'm just being too sensitive," Zhou Qishen said with a self-deprecating laugh. "In the past, when I saw someone my age, I would subconsciously take a second look."
Zhao Xiyin found a comfortable position in his arms, squeezed his hand and said, "Brother Zhou, your dream has come true, that's a good thing."
Zhou Qishen frankly said, "Xi'er, I'm a little nervous."
Zhao Xiyin asked, "Are you afraid that Aunt Fei won't recognize you?"
“No.” Zhou Qi paused for a moment and said, “After so many years, we’ve finally got results, but my heart feels empty.”
Zhao Xiyin grasped his hand in return, "You don't ask her for anything, nor do you need her to take responsibility. She's still alive and living well, and that's the best outcome."
Zhou Qishen hugged her tightly, his chin gently resting on the side of her neck.
Zhao Xiyin thought for a moment, then asked, "Brother Zhou, will you take your mother back to Xi'an?"
"No," Zhou Qishen answered firmly. "She finally escaped her suffering; I can't bring myself to let her go back."
Zhao Xiyin chuckled.
The two embraced quietly, gazing out the window at the still, deep night.
Zhao Xiyin suddenly whispered, "Zhou-ge'er, go to Qinghai to find your mother."
Regardless of the outcome, the most important thing is to resolve your own inner conflicts.
Without hesitation, Zhou Qishen immediately booked a flight to Xining for the next day.
He went directly to Ruan Fei's residence without contacting anyone beforehand.
As evening approached, Ruan Fei drove home. His old van creaked and rattled, and when he slammed on the brakes, the whole vehicle swayed. Ruan Fei, who was exposed to the sun year-round, had dark, ruddy skin. For convenience, he wore simple sportswear and flat cloth shoes, a very unassuming outfit.
She was stunned when she saw Zhou Qishen standing at the door.
Zhou Qishen smiled faintly, without saying a word.