“Hmm.” Xinyu looked up and said seriously to Ruolin, “You should think about it carefully for a few days before making a decision. I’m not exaggerating, but abortion is very harmful to a woman’s body. If there is any mishap, you may not be able to have children in the future. Also, if you still insist on not having children, I will help you make an appointment with the most authoritative gynecologist in the city. A friend of mine’s sister is a doctor at an obstetrics and gynecology hospital.”
"Okay. Thank you, Xinyu." Ruolin was deeply touched by Xinyu's thoughtfulness.
“We’re best friends, it’s only right,” Xinyu said with a smile, patting Ruolin’s shoulder.
Chapter Seventy-Nine
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Although he was turned away by Ruolin several times, Han Haoxuan did not give up. Instead, he adopted a gentle offensive, gradually advancing and defending against her retreat. He not only visited Ruolin every day, but also ignored her cold attitude and shamelessly smiled at her. He also went to great lengths to persuade his stubborn mother, Xu Ling, to personally apologize to Ruolin.
Ruolin really didn't expect Xu Ling to come looking for her.
Ruolin was very surprised when she received Xu Ling's call. Xu Ling spoke in a gentle tone that Ruolin had never heard before: "Hello, Ruolin, may I meet with you? There are some things I would like to talk to you about in person."
"May I ask what brings you here?" Ruolin asked politely.
"It's hard to explain over the phone, let's meet and talk."
Ruolin couldn't find a reason to refuse, so she had no choice but to agree reluctantly. She figured she'd deal with whatever came her way. She guessed Xu Ling probably knew about her pregnancy before coming to her. But what was Xu Ling's purpose in contacting her? Was he offering her money to abort the child so he wouldn't use it to threaten Han Haoxuan, or was he trying to get her to give birth to the child so they could continue the Han family line?
In fact, Ruolin had been seriously considering whether or not to keep the baby recently. She canceled her previous appointment with the doctor and met with the doctor recommended by Xinyu. After examining her, the doctor told her that her constitution was weak, and that an abortion would be very damaging to her body, easily leading to many gynecological diseases. The doctor also said that if she had an abortion, she might not be able to have children in the future. This was like a bolt from the blue for Ruolin. As a woman, how could she experience motherhood if she couldn't even have children? So, Ruolin hesitated. She didn't want her child to lack a father's love, but she also didn't want to lose her right to be a mother. Besides, she hadn't completely ignored the kindness Han Haoxuan had shown her recently. The scales in her heart were gradually tipping towards "keeping the baby," and the idea of "aborting the baby" was gradually weakening, leaving only a feeling of desperate struggle.
Xu Ling's attitude towards Ruolin this time was indeed much better than the previous two times; she acted like a loving mother.
Upon meeting Ruolin, Xu Ling first apologized to her for some of his past inappropriate behavior and asked for her forgiveness.
This was the first time Ruolin had seen the "tiger mom" transformed into Hello Kitty, but instead of feeling flattered, she felt like she was walking on thin ice. She had a feeling that beneath the sunny surface might lie deeper, darker clouds. Perhaps this was Xu Ling's way of subtly inducing a response; first giving her a sweet treat to make her happy, then delivering a crushing blow.
She said cautiously, "It's alright, Auntie, that's all in the past." It's said that one should be forgiving when possible, especially since the other person is an elder. Ruolin understood this principle.
"There's something else I wanted to hear your thoughts on this time..." Xu Ling finally got to the point, and Ruolin's heart was in her throat.
Ruolin held her breath and continued listening.
"Haoxuan told me about your pregnancy. Since things have come to this, I think you two should choose an auspicious day to hold your wedding, that way you can have some peace of mind. I wonder what your thoughts are..." Xu Ling needed a lot of courage to say these words. Deep down, she still harbored some resentment towards Ruolin, after all, this girl had talked back to her before, and Ruolin's family background was really quite ordinary. However, for Haoxuan's sake, and for the sake of the Han family's descendants, she felt it necessary to lower her stance and try to speak to Ruolin gently and patiently.
"My thoughts..." Ruolin hesitated, wondering if saying she didn't plan to have children would anger Xu Ling. After a pause, she continued, "I'd like to wait a bit before discussing the wedding."
"Why?" This time it was Xu Ling's turn to be puzzled. For so many unmarried girls, rising from humble beginnings to become a phoenix is their lifelong dream. How could Ruolin not appreciate it?
"I've been quite busy with work lately, and I also want to ask my mother's opinion." Ruolin really couldn't think of any other reason to postpone the wedding.
"Alright. It's time to meet your future mother-in-law. After you greet her, let me know, either we go over or she comes over." Xu Ling's attitude today was unbelievably good; she even called her "future mother-in-law," a term that almost shocked Ruolin. It seems that the combined strength of her and Han Haoxuan is far less than that of a child. Xinyu was right; a mother's status rises with her son's.
Afterwards, Xu Ling, speaking as a mother herself, told Ruolin about some precautions to take during pregnancy and even suggested that she quit her job to rest at home. Ruolin shook her head: "My colleagues continue to work even when they are pregnant, I don't want to be different."
"That's fine, but try to use computers and mobile phones as little as possible, it's not good for the child..." Xu Ling said a few more words before leaving.
Watching Xu Ling's retreating figure, Ruolin was filled with countless thoughts.
The reason why someone as arrogant as Xu Ling could lower her pride must be because, besides Ruolin's pregnancy, Han Haoxuan must have done a lot of work to persuade Xu Ling, right? To be honest, Han Haoxuan has been incredibly good to her lately. Every day at noon, he comes to the company to deliver soups and food suitable for pregnant women, and he even bought her anti-radiation clothing.
She never gave him a kind look, and was always sarcastic and cold, but he remained calm and cheerful, saying, "It's not good for the baby if you're angry. You should be happy and joyful." Then he would tell her jokes, gesturing wildly with his hands and feet, which was unusual for him and made him look especially adorable. Ruolin never expected that he, who was usually so elegant and gentlemanly, could be so lively and cute.
Besides this, Han Haoxuan picked up and dropped off Ruolin every day without fail. His conspicuous luxury car was parked at the entrance of her apartment complex or below her office building. Each time, Han Haoxuan would lean out of the window and greet Ruolin with a casual smile, "Honey! I'm here." He would reveal a set of perfectly white teeth as he spoke. Ruolin often sighed at this; it was as if he wanted everyone to know about their relationship. Ruolin had told him several times to stop picking her up, but he insisted, "No, my wife is pregnant. How can I let her take the bus?"
"Who's your wife?" Ruolin glared at him.
"You, Shen Ruolin," Han Haoxuan said with a chuckle, completely unconcerned about Ruolin's displeasure.
Han Haoxuan's obvious actions, coupled with Ruolin's early pregnancy symptoms, made it difficult for her colleagues not to suspect her. One after another, they asked, "Are you married to Young Master Han? Why didn't you invite us to your wedding?"
At times like these, Ruolin always felt awkward, but she couldn't deny it. No matter what, this man was the father of the child in her womb, and no one could deny that.
When Han Haoxuan heard similar words, he would say with a beaming smile, "I will invite you to the wedding banquet. Ruolin is pregnant now, and we have to think about the baby. Holding the wedding now might be too tiring for Ruolin because she has to toast everyone and such. It's not too late to hold the wedding after the baby is a month old." He said it with great seriousness, as if it were a real event.
"Han Haoxuan, it's such a waste that you're not an actor," Ruolin mocked him.
"Yes, yes, it's a pity no one has discovered me, otherwise I would have been a big star long ago. But if I had become a big star, how would I have known you? For you, I would rather be an ordinary person." Han Haoxuan continued, following Ruolin's train of thought.
No woman can resist sweet words. Hearing such words, Ruolin was actually overjoyed, but she still stubbornly said, "He's just a smooth talker, an unreliable man."
"Time will tell, Ruolin. Time will prove how deep my love for you is. I'm serious about you." Han Haoxuan became serious.
Ruolin wasn't unmoved by Han Haoxuan's actions towards her, but she didn't know how long that feeling would last. She wondered if Han Haoxuan was only being nice to her because she was pregnant, and if his true, despicable nature would be exposed after the child was born.
In the end, Ruolin chose to keep the child. This wasn't just for her own health, but also because she wanted to leave behind some trace of love.
If her feelings for Mu Jingyan were a habitual continuation of her teenage affections, then her feelings for Han Haoxuan were a sudden, fleeting infatuation. She couldn't really define which feeling was love, but she genuinely wanted to be with Han Haoxuan right now.
She's actually not good at expressing her emotions, both in the past and now. So Han Haoxuan has no idea what she's really thinking.
Han Haoxuan assumed marriage was a sensitive topic for Ruolin, so he simply avoided mentioning it. Because every time he brought up marriage while Ruolin hesitated about keeping the child, she would frown and quickly change the subject. Therefore, Han Haoxuan assumed Ruolin was afraid of marriage and stopped pressuring her.
Their current relationship resembles that of a married couple, yet it doesn't quite. Although he takes care of picking her up and dropping her off every day, and accompanies her to the hospital for routine checkups, they live separately. He lives in his apartment, while she continues to live in her rented place. Han Haoxuan once suggested that Ruolin move in with him so he could take better care of her, but she refused.
Actually, Ruolin didn't want to live there because she was afraid of remembering some unpleasant things. For example, this child was the product of Han Haoxuan's forced possession of her in that room.
Han Haoxuan was very clever, and he gradually figured out Ruolin's thoughts. So he intentionally or unintentionally revealed that he had bought another house in the southern suburbs.
"Why buy so many houses? To support your mistress?" Ruolin sneered.
"It's for you and the child; it's a gift from me to the child," Han Haoxuan said earnestly.
"You're really generous. I thank you on behalf of the child."
"Of course. Why don't you move there now?"
"Let's see what the child chooses after the baby is born."
"That house was a gift to you too. Don't be so hard on yourself, Ruolin. Can't you and the child live a better life?" Han Haoxuan asked, frowning.
"Give me time, okay? Give me time to think about it. I haven't decided yet whether I want to marry you." Ruolin finally took the initiative to say the word "marriage" for the first time.
"Okay, I'll wait for you." Han Haoxuan's brows immediately relaxed, and his voice was filled with undisguised joy. Although it wasn't a definite answer, it gave Han Haoxuan tremendous confidence and encouragement.
end
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One night more than six months later.
A high-class delivery room in a maternity hospital.
The contractions, one after another, left Ruolin drenched in sweat from the pain. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying her best not to cry out. But the pain intensified with each contraction, growing stronger with each one. Ruolin couldn't bear it any longer, and tears streamed down her face. They say childbirth is like going through hell, and that's certainly true. The pain was almost indescribable.
"It hurts so much, Haoxuan!" Ruolin finally couldn't help but cry out.
“Darling, I’m here. I know you’re in a lot of pain and it’s really hard for you. I wish I could take your pain away from you. Just bear with it, baby, just bear with it…” Han Haoxuan held Ruolin’s hand tightly and encouraged her.
She was in so much pain that she clung to Han Haoxuan's arm like a piece of driftwood. When she squeezed, she couldn't help but pinch Han Haoxuan, her nails digging deep into his skin. Han Haoxuan was in a lot of pain too, but he didn't say anything. He endured it while encouraging Ruolin.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but Ruolin only heard the midwives shouting, "Push! Don't stop!" "Push one more time, it's almost out, we can see the head!"
Ruolin felt so exhausted that it was as if her soul was about to leave her body. Han Haoxuan wiped her sweat and said, "Keep going, baby, you're great!"
Ruolin strained with all her might, and with the midwife applying abdominal pressure, the pain was excruciating, almost to the point of losing consciousness. But finally, she heard someone exclaim with delight, "It's born! It's a healthy baby boy!"
Then came a clear, loud cry. Ruolin felt her soul slowly returning to her body, and her consciousness gradually cleared.
"Darling, our baby was born at 9:20 tonight. Do you remember? It was this time when I gave you the watch on your birthday. 9:20 means 'I love you,' and we are destined to be together for the rest of our lives." Han Haoxuan whispered softly in Ruolin's ear.
"Where is the child? I want to see him." Ruolin's heart was still thinking about her child.
"The pediatrician took it for a check-up and will bring it back shortly," Han Haoxuan replied.
"The baby is 52 centimeters tall and weighs 3.4 kilograms. He is very healthy." After completing the examination, the pediatrician brought the child to Ruolin.
The newborn baby's skin was wrinkled and red, not particularly beautiful. But gazing at the infant in her swaddling clothes, Ruolin couldn't help but shed tears. Not from the hardship of childbirth, but from overwhelming emotion. Seeing this tiny life, Ruolin felt that all the suffering she had endured for this child was worthwhile.
"This is our baby. Ruolin, you are so great to bring such a lovely child into this world." Han Haoxuan was also very excited, and his eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you, Ruolin. I love you." It was a heartfelt confession.
At that moment, Han Haoxuan's confession was so sincere and moving. Ruolin couldn't help but look at Han Haoxuan, only to see his haggard face and stubble. He hadn't had a good night's sleep for days, staying with her and waiting for the arrival of their new life. Ruolin felt a pang of sadness and heartache as she looked at him. Then she noticed a red, swollen patch on his arm, with deep fingernail marks on it, a shocking sight. She couldn't help but ask, "What is this?"
Han Haoxuan smiled and said, "You left this there just now, have you forgotten?"
Ruolin then remembered how painful it was when she gave birth, so she couldn't help but grab his arm... Her face immediately turned red.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt at all," Han Haoxuan said with a smile. At that moment, he was filled with joy and didn't care about the pain at all.
"The child is so adorable. Let's work together to build a happy and fulfilling home for him, okay?" Han Haoxuan knew how to seize the opportunity and press his advantage. At this moment, Ruolin had almost no psychological defenses, as if she had undergone a transformation. The joy of creating a new life filled her entire heart, and her face radiated maternal glow.
"Okay," Ruolin replied softly.
"After you're discharged from the hospital, when the baby is a month old, how about we have a grand wedding?"
"good."
"After you're discharged from the hospital, how about you move to that house?"
"good."
...
No matter what Han Haoxuan said, Ruolin smiled and said "okay".
Humans aren't plants or trees; in fact, she saw and remembered everything Han Haoxuan did for her during her pregnancy. She had been waiting for him to propose to her again. Who would have thought that this guy, who seemed to know a bit about romance, would always choose to propose when she was in bed?
There was no romance, no flowers, no kneeling... but what does it matter? These are all formalities. As long as two people live together and love each other, what do other difficulties and barriers matter?
Ruolin seemed to have suddenly realized something.
Perhaps only by experiencing the pain of childbirth and the joy of giving birth can one truly understand the meaning of life?
So when Han Haoxuan said, "I want the three of us to be together forever," Ruolin didn't say anything, she just nodded, nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with glistening tears. Those were tears of happiness, tears of contentment.