Xing Zheng fell silent, and only after finishing a cigarette did he speak, voicing his thoughts, "I want to keep this child too."
However, for him, her health was far more important than the child. "This is our second child."
Aunt Wen knew about Lin Mei's previous miscarriage. After the child was gone, Xing Zheng had returned once, just like this, smoking and telling her, "A person like me doesn't deserve to have children."
Aunt Wen had comforted him for a long time then, but he hadn't taken her words to heart. She had seen his tears, the most he had cried since adulthood. He hadn't cried like that even when Xing Yan left.
When Aunt Wen heard Xing Zheng say Lin Mei didn't want the child, she was also very surprised. Especially the part about her cruelly harming herself, it sounded so far-fetched. If she truly disliked children, why would she argue so vehemently this time, even at such a great cost, to keep the child?
After much thought, Aunt Wen said to Xing Zheng, "A Zheng, have you ever considered that there might be another reason for your first child?"
"She's protecting this child at the risk of her own safety, which means she doesn't want to lose another one. If the previous child was indeed lost because she harmed herself, why would she be like this now?" Aunt Wen said, "Lin Mei's temper is a bit stubborn, but how could she possibly harm a child just to spite you... You should ask her clearly."
Lin Mei returned to her apartment in Nanjiang City. Stepping into this familiar environment, the tension in her nerves for several days finally relaxed. Lan Lan and Feng Feng were worried about her being alone and wanted her to stay with them, but Lin Mei declined, as they were too busy with work.
Although she didn't stay at either of their homes, Lan Lan and Feng Feng would visit her apartment whenever they had time. Her life alone was very quiet. Lin Mei was in no condition to go to work, so she stayed home peacefully. Her sleep quality was still not good; even when she slept, she was often woken by nightmares. Lack of sleep worsened her pregnancy symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.
If it weren't for the health of the fetus, she probably wouldn't even eat. Lan Lan found her a nutritionist who delivered three meals a day, along with healthy snacks. When Lan Lan and Feng Feng visited, they always bought her many things, filling up her storage cabinets and refrigerator.
One day, after Lin Mei finished throwing up, she received a call from Zhou Yue, "You should come for your consultation. Your counselor is waiting for you."
It had been over a week since she moved back from the villa in Anning City. During this time, Lin Mei had not contacted Xing Zheng. On the way back that day, she had blocked all his contact information, likely acting on impulse.
Xing Zheng had also not contacted her, disappearing completely from her world. Lin Mei knew very well that he could reach her, but he chose not to. If he wanted to, no matter how she blocked him, he would find a way to contact her. It simply meant she wasn't that important...
Every time she thought of this, she became more agitated and anxious. She really needed to see a counselor.
"Oh, I'm coming over now," Lin Mei said.
"Are you at the apartment? I'll pick you up," Zhou Yue said. "Your condition isn't suitable for driving."
"I'll take a taxi," Lin Mei refused. "I won't trouble you."
"I'm out and about and will be passing by your place on my way back to the hospital. It's no trouble," Zhou Yue insisted. Lin Mei had no choice but to agree and went to change and wait.
Zhou Yue hung up the phone under Xing Zheng's gaze. "I'm going to pick someone up. I'll contact you after the consultation."
Xing Zheng grunted and lit another cigarette. Zhou Yue, seeing his颓废 appearance, couldn't help but remind him, "Smoke less."
He didn't expect Xing Zheng to reply. Since Lin Mei left, he had been smoking heavily, as if he could live on cigarettes, ignoring everyone's advice.
Zhou Yue arrived quite quickly, in less than twenty minutes. On the way to the hospital, Zhou Yue asked Lin Mei, "Have you been sleeping well lately?"
Lin Mei remained silent, unsure how to answer. Lying to an experienced doctor like Zhou Yue was pointless.
And Zhou Yue was so perceptive that he could deduce the answer from her silence. "You haven't been sleeping?"
Lin Mei nodded. "One or two hours, nightmares every day."
"If you continue to stop taking your medication, this situation might worsen," Zhou Yue reminded Lin Mei rationally. "Are you mentally prepared for that?"
Lin Mei immediately understood Zhou Yue's ulterior motive. "I will not give up this child."
"I know." She had already fallen out with Xing Zheng to keep the child; how could he not know? "Then come for regular psychological consultations. Let's see if this can help you relax a bit."
"Okay," Lin Mei nodded.
Zhou Yue then said, "You should be mentally prepared for this child, shouldn't you?"
"What?" Lin Mei asked instinctively.
"The dosage of the medication you were taking before wasn't small. Although the duration wasn't long, it doesn't guarantee there won't be any effects on the fetus. You should be prepared for the ten-week anomaly scan," Zhou Yue said.
"I am." Although she said this, Lin Mei lowered her head, visibly dejected. Zhou Yue could see that she was only prepared in words; if there were any complications with the child, she wouldn't be able to accept it.
Lin Mei arrived at the hospital and met with the counselor. After Zhou Yue dropped her off, he left.
The counselor was a very gentle middle-aged woman. Lin Mei talked with her for over an hour, but her condition couldn't be cured by counseling alone. Even after talking with the counselor, the symptoms remained: waking up from nightmares, cold sweats, palpitations, and trembling, which were almost nightly occurrences. The counselor suggested Lin Mei get more sunlight.
The next day happened to be sunny. Lin Mei sat on the balcony. The spring sunlight shone on her, making her close her eyes comfortably, her nerves gradually relaxing. She actually fell asleep on the balcony. If the nutritionist hadn't come to deliver food, she would have slept longer.
Since being kidnapped, Lin Mei hadn't had such a full night's sleep in a long time. After sleeping soundly for a few hours, she felt very relaxed and had a better appetite for lunch than usual.
While eating, Lin Mei received a WeChat message from Xu Ying. He was on a business trip to Nanjiang City and was at the bank handling work. Hearing that she had taken a long leave, he came to ask for the reason. Lin Mei then told him about the kidnapping. Xu Ying immediately became worried and drove to the apartment shortly after.
Seeing Lin Mei's haggard face and the scar on her face, Xu Ying's usual smile vanished instantly. He pulled Lin Mei's arm. "Did they do this to your face too? Where are the people who kidnapped you now?"
"They were taken away by the police," Lin Mei said.
"What about Xing Zheng?" Xu Ying was very displeased. "After something like this happened, he still lets you live alone in the apartment?"
"We broke up," Lin Mei stated the fact calmly.