The two arrived at the hospital only to realize it was a false alarm. Not only was Jiang Yuxin fine, but she was also pregnant.
The vomiting was a sign of pregnancy.
Li Chonglou excitedly grasped Jiang Yuxin's hand, "You're pregnant, you're pregnant with our child!"
Jiang Yuxin smiled and nodded. Li Chonglou's reaction brought her more joy than the pregnancy itself. What woman wouldn't care about her partner's attitude?
Li Chonglou carefully caressed Jiang Yuxin's small belly and murmured, "That's strange, why didn't I sense it?"
The doctor beside them replied impatiently, "It's only been a few days. It would be truly odd if you could feel it with your hands!"
Pfft, Jiang Yuxin couldn't help but laugh. Li Chonglou chuckled foolishly, not arguing. Afterward, the two left the hospital. As soon as they returned to the Jiang family, their mother-in-law, Liu Zhiru, eagerly inquired about the situation.
"Mom, I'm fine, it's just..." Jiang Yuxin said, looking shyly at Li Chonglou. Seeing her daughter falter, Liu Zhiru's face instantly filled with a sense of foreboding. With a slight quiver in her voice, she grabbed Jiang Yuxin's hand and said earnestly, "Mom can handle it. Just tell me directly, okay? Don't lie to Mom."
Li Chonglou found himself between laughter and tears. Jiang Yuxin quickly explained, "Mom! You've misunderstood. It's nothing bad, it's that I'm pregnant."
"Pregnant? Pregnant with what?"
Liu Zhiru didn't immediately grasp the meaning. Only when she saw the expressions on their faces—one radiant with happiness, the other flushed with shyness—did Liu Zhiru finally understand. She exclaimed in surprise, "Pregnant? Daughter, you're pregnant? You're expecting?"
Jiang Yuxin nodded. Liu Zhiru's joy intensified, but then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she let go and started walking inside. Jiang Yuxin quickly called out, "Mom, where are you going?"
"Mom's going to change clothes and go out to buy you things, like clothes. You can't wear those tight outfits for now!"
Liu Zhiru's words reminded Li Chonglou. Although it was a bit early to buy things now, it would be necessary eventually, so there was no harm in getting them sooner. Thus, Li Chonglou also called out to Liu Zhiru, "Let me accompany Yuxin then."
Liu Zhiru paused and said, "That's right, it's better if you two pick them out. I'll tidy up the room first."
Pregnant women have different environmental requirements than ordinary people; they are more sensitive to their surroundings. As someone who had been through it before, Liu Zhiru naturally had experience.
Li Chonglou understood this, so he entrusted the household matters to Liu Zhiru and left the Jiang residence with Jiang Yuxin again.
As they were finishing buying some necessities, Li Chonglou's phone suddenly rang. He looked at it and saw it was a call from his senior sister, Lin Ying.
Why would senior sister call me at this time? Has something happened to Master?
Li Chonglou answered the phone with a vague sense of unease.
"Master's health has taken a turn for the worse. Hurry and come."
As soon as the call connected, Lin Ying's anxious voice came through, stating the name of a hospital.
Li Chonglou's heart skipped a beat. After he replied with a simple "Okay," the line went dead. It was clear the situation was not optimistic.
Li Chonglou looked at Jiang Yuxin beside him with an apologetic expression. She gently stroked his hand and comforted him, "I'm fine. You go first."
"Okay, okay. When you get back, remember to be careful, no matter what!"
Afterward, Li Chonglou sent Jiang Yuxin back to the Jiang family and rushed to the hospital Lin Ying had mentioned.
Upon arrival, he found his senior sister, Lin Ying, waiting by the entrance with a haggard expression. The moment she saw him, she hurried forward and said, "You're finally here! Quickly go in and see Master..."
Lin Zhendong's injuries had originally been healed by Li Chonglou, and now that something had happened again, she naturally saw Li Chonglou as a lifesaver. Li Chonglou understood Lin Ying's feelings. After a brief word of comfort, he entered the ward.
As soon as he entered, Li Chonglou noticed that his Master's complexion was drastically different from before.
Not only had he lost his color, but he also appeared noticeably aged. Li Chonglou strode to Lin Zhendong's side.
"Master, how did this happen? Weren't your injuries healed? Did something happen again?"
Lin Zhendong's weak expression gained some color upon seeing Li Chonglou. He then sighed softly and explained, "We underestimated things. This Green Salt consumed lifespan and potential. Master doesn't have much time left."
Li Chonglou's expression froze, his brow furrowed. "It consumes lifespan?"
Lin Zhendong nodded and said, "I only realized it not long ago. The energy within me is fading faster and faster, and my body grows weaker day by day. Yesterday, I tried to use a secret technique, but it backfired."
Lin Zhendong sighed deeply as he continued, "Master is now nearing his end. He has at most one year to live."
The sigh echoed for a long time, filling the room with sorrow.
Lin Ying couldn't help but sob. For a moment, a sense of impending separation overwhelmed Li Chonglou.
No, I must save Master! Li Chonglou's eyes suddenly became resolute. He asked, "Master, is there really no other way?"
"It's not that there's no way, but..."
Lin Zhendong hesitated to speak further. Li Chonglou immediately urged, "Please, Master, speak your mind."
Lin Zhendong sighed again before revealing the only possible solution.
"Shi Boqiong. Only Shi Boqiong can contend with the heavens for destiny and reverse fate. Otherwise, all is lost."
Li Chonglou's pupils contracted. Master had been searching for it for so many years, and the lead had gone cold.
It seemed he couldn't rest.
This matter had to be taken on by him.
"Don't worry, Master. Leave it to me. You should rest well." He immediately made a solemn promise to obtain it within the year.
Lin Zhendong simply nodded slightly, seemingly not holding much hope. Seeing their low spirits, Li Chonglou pondered for a moment, dismissing a flash of inspiration, and announced Jiang Yuxin's pregnancy.
"What? Really?"
Indeed, the moment this news broke, it dispelled the sorrow in the room. Lin Zhendong's weak expression was replaced by joy, and a happy smile appeared on his face as he said, "This is truly great news! By the way, have you thought of a name for the child yet?"
Li Chonglou was taken aback. "Naming it now? Isn't that a bit early?"
Lin Zhendong chuckled, "Not at all, not at all. Let me think..."
"If it's a boy, call him Li Yi. If it's a girl, call her Li Yin. What do you think?"
Li Yi, Li Yin. Li Chonglou immediately understood the meaning: after hardship comes sweetness, and fate is reversed. He nodded heavily, saying, "Good names."
Afterward, they chatted briefly. Lin Zhendong used Jiang Yuxin's pregnancy as a reason to urge Li Chonglou to return early. Before Li Chonglou left, Lin Zhendong specially gave him a large red envelope.
Patting Li Chonglou's hand, he instructed, "Chonglou, don't worry about me. I will be there for your battle with Lu Weishen at the end of the year."
Li Chonglou's heart warmed, and he nodded solemnly.