“We still have some time. I will find other renowned specialists to examine you and make sure that you have a safe delivery. Don’t be so worried.”
Zong Jinghao rubbed her back gently in a comforting manner.
Lin Xinyan closed her eyes gradually. She was still dazed.
“Be good and leave everything to me.” Zong Jinghao planted a kiss on her forehead and asked tenderly, “Are you sleepy?”
Lin Xinyan shook her head and asked him, “Have you eaten? Shall I ask Mom to leave some food for you?”
“I have eaten.”
Actually, he had not taken his dinner, but he did not have any appetite now.
“Then why don’t you accompany me for a walk?” Lin Xinyan did not wish to return to the room. It’s too suffocating.
Zong Jinghao agreed readily and held her hands as they strolled along the roadside; a cool night breeze caressed their skin.
Lin Xinyan slipped her arms into his and asked, “Will you stay at home tomorrow morning?”
Zong Jinghao looked at her in surprise.
Smiling, she reminded him, “It’s the first of September tomorrow.”
Oh yes! How can I forget about it? I have already missed the opportunity to witness the birth of the kids; there is no way that I will miss their first day of primary school!
“Don’t we need to prepare anything for their first day of school?” Suddenly, Zong Jinghao felt excited. My kids will be starting primary school!
Lin Xinyan cast a disdainful glance at him. “It will be too late if I count on you for the preparations.”
Zong Jinghao was speechless.
So she has prepared everything already.
Meanwhile in the Song family.
After dropping by at the police station, Shen Peichuan headed to the Song family house immediately to settle the matter with Song Yaxin.
The entire Song family was shocked to see him. After a long while, Captain Song was the first to recover himself, and he chided Mrs. Song, “Why are you standing at the doorway? Hurry up and let him in!”
Upon hearing Captain Song’s voice, Mrs. Song was jolted back to her senses and quickly invited Shen Peichuan into the house.
“Peichuan, you are finally back. Do you know how worried Yaxin has been during the time you have gone missing? She could neither eat nor sleep well. Look at her. She has become so skinny now because of the worrying.”
Mrs. Song was anxious to put in a good word for her daughter before Shen Peichuan.
But Song Yaxin was still in shock over Shen Peichuan’s sudden return. She only managed to utter “Peichuan” as she continued to stare at him in a daze.
Shen Peichuan maintained a composed demeanor and apologized politely, “I am sorry to have made you worry.”
“It’s fine. I’m so relieved that you’re back alive. Do you know how much I cried during the days when you were missing? Even though you and Yaxin are not married yet, I have treated you as my son-in-law long ago. I’m so glad you’re home safely.” Mrs. Song pulled Shen Peichuan’s hand. “Quickly sit down. Have you eaten? Let me make you dinner.”
Yaxin’s future is secured that now Shen Peichuan is back! With that thought in mind, Mrs. Song showered Shen Peichuan with attention.
“It’s not necessary. I’m not hungry.”
“I should still cook some dinner for you.”
“It’s really not necessary,” Shen Peichuan said firmly.
Captain Song could not stand his wife’s hypocrisy any longer and ordered her in a solemn tone, “Keep quiet!”
Since when has she cried over Shen Peichuan’s disappearance? All this while, she has been trying to convince our daughter to forget about him and see someone new.
He sighed deeply and asked, “Peichuan, what happened? Why did you go missing for so long?”
Shen Peichuan told them everything about his near-death experience, but he purposely left Sang Yu out of the picture.
Captain Song sighed. “It’s good that you are safe now.”
“Sorry for making you worry.”
“It’s fine so long as you’re back, safe and sound.” Song Yaxin disregarded her parents and ran over to hug him.
Shen Peichuan stiffened. “Yaxin.”
He tried to push her away but to no avail. Instead, her arms tightened around his body as she said, “Do you know how terrible I have felt for the last few days? I was on the verge of a breakdown! Thank god you have returned!”
Giving up, Shen Peichuan dropped his hands down to his sides and said, “I’m sorry that you have to worry about me. Can you please get off me first?”
But his words made Song Yaxin tighten her embrace. “No, I don’t want to let go of you. I’m afraid you will disappear again once I let go.”
Shen Peichuan was placed in a predicament by Song Yaxin’s behavior.
“Yaxin, there is something I want to tell you.” He was a decisive man and wanted to make things clear to her once and for all.
Song Yaxin raised her head to look at him. “What do you want to tell me? Are you proposing to me?”
“No. Yaxin, let’s break up,” Shen Peichuan said honestly.
Song Yaxin’s face darkened immediately, and so did Mrs. Song’s. The latter exclaimed in agitation, “Shen Peichuan, do you know what you are saying?”
Shen Peichuan stood up and bowed to her and Captain Song. “I’m sorry, but I can’t be together with Yaxin.”
Captain Song was not surprised by Shen Peichuan’s decision. He had known right from the start that Shen Peichuan did not like his daughter and had only agreed to date her because of him.
“What’s the use of your apology? How can you break your promise? You have promised to be together with Yaxin. Have you lost your conscience?” Mrs. Song hollered.
Shen Peichuan apologized repeatedly. After all, I have gone back on my word indeed.
“You can’t just dump our daughter after agreeing to be together with her…”
“Enough!” Captain Song interrupted his wife as he was irritated with her incessant ranting. Although he was aware of Shen Peichuan’s lack of feelings towards his daughter, he did not expect him to break up with her so abruptly. Thus, he demanded an explanation from him. “Tell me. What happened?”
Song Yaxin stared at Shen Peichuan. “Is there another woman?”
I know him well. He is a responsible man and has even introduced me to his friends and family immediately after accepting me as his girlfriend. He will not suggest a breakup if not for another woman. And he must love that woman a lot.
“Tell me who she is!” Song Yaxin clenched her fists tightly.
But Shen Peichuan merely replied, “I’m sorry.”
“What’s the use of apologizing? Can it make my daughter feel better? Shen Peichuan, let me warn you: I will never agree to you dumping my daughter. You heartless creature! To think that we have been so worried about you when you went missing! I can’t believe you’re suggesting to break up with Yaxin immediately upon your return! Are you even fit to be human?”
