Before Xu Shang could finish speaking, she knew that without her saying more, Xing Zheng would understand her meaning. Everyone turned their gaze to Xing Zheng, holding their breath, waiting for him to state his position. Xing Zheng, however, said, "Don't interfere in my affairs anymore."
Even with Xu Shang intervening, his attitude remained unchanged. Xu Shang couldn't help but persuade him, "A Zheng, you've suffered too much injustice over the years; I've seen it all. Your mother was ill before, and she actually felt very guilty towards you. Give her a chance to make amends, at least, don't let your relationship be so strained."
"Soon, you'll have your own family, and when the child is born, they'll need grandparents..." Although Xu Shang knew what Xing Zheng had been through, she still hoped that mother and son could let go of their grievances. The older generation had traditional family values etched in their minds. Back then, Xu Shang had also persuaded Xie Qin Jia in the same way.
However, Xing Zheng's response to Xu Shang was silence. His silence was a sign of respect for Xu Shang and a rejection of Xie Qin Jia. Xie Qin Jia hesitated, and after a long while, finally said to him, "I was an unqualified mother; I'm sorry."
Her tone was sincere and filled with guilt. Even Xing Sha had never seen her like this before. Anyone could tell she was genuinely seeking reconciliation with Xing Zheng, but Xing Zheng, the person involved, remained indifferent.
"Don't go to Lin Mei's house anymore," he replied, deviating from the topic and stating the purpose of his return with them.
"We have no ill intentions; we just want to see how she and the baby are doing," Xing Sha explained to Xing Zheng. "That child is also our grandson. Lin Mei's pregnancy was not easy, and her parents have been taking care of her. We also need to let them see our attitude, otherwise, her parents won't feel at ease handing their daughter over to you."
"After she gives birth, I will go," Xie Qin Jia did not argue, only making a small concession. Although her voice was not loud, it was firm.
Xu Shang and Xie Jun Yao were troubled. In some ways, mother and son were exactly the same!
Ultimately, the negotiation failed to reach an agreement. Xing Zheng prepared to leave, and Xu Shang followed him outside, stopping by the car. "A Zheng, I know it's selfish to ask you to forgive your mother, but life is very short. I hope your mother-son relationship improves, not just for her, but for you too. You've never had a normal family life since you were a child..."
Xing Zheng let out a wry smile. "I forgave her long ago." Forgiveness meant having no further expectations or hopes.
"Then you..."
"It's getting late; you should get some sleep." Xing Zheng's demeanor clearly indicated he refused to continue discussing the topic. Xu Shang could not force him further and had to let him go.
After Xing Zheng left, Xie Qin Jia spoke very little. Before going to bed, she was still lost in thought. Xing Sha put his arm around her shoulder. "Still thinking about A Zheng?"
"Nearly thirty years have passed; he needs time," Xing Sha comforted Xie Qin Jia. "He'll eventually come around. Your health is important; get some sleep."
"What he said is not wrong," Xie Qin Jia said. "Let's not interfere in his affairs anymore."
Xing Sha fell silent. He had known earlier that Xie Qin Jia did not have a strong desire to reconcile with Xing Zheng. All along, it was he who hoped for harmonious family relationships and a "normal" relationship between mother and son...
Although Xie Qin Jia felt guilty towards Xing Zheng, they had never lived together since childhood. People's feelings need to be cultivated. How much affection could there be between two people who had never interacted as mother and son?
"Qin Jia, you need to be more patient with A Zheng," Xing Sha advised her. "A rift of nearly thirty years cannot be completely forgotten by a few instances of us showing weakness. I still hope that our family can be well."
"But he doesn't mean it," Xie Qin Jia felt wronged too. She believed she had already shown enough humility. "I've apologized several times, and I don't think he cares at all."
"Have you considered that when he craved your attention before, he felt more wronged than you do now?" Xing Sha's words silenced Xie Qin Jia once more.
The next morning, Xing Zheng arrived at Lin Mei's home as usual. Lin Mei had already finished breakfast, and Xing Zheng accompanied her for a walk downstairs.
During their usual walks, Xing Zheng would talk a lot. Today, however, he became unusually silent. Lin Mei knew well that it was likely related to what happened last night. She asked him, "What did you talk about with them last night?"
When this was mentioned, Xing Zheng let out a wry smile. Lin Mei heard a deep self-mockery and sadness in his laughter. "We didn't talk about anything." His tone was flat, but it couldn't hide his melancholy.
Lin Mei held his hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. The baby happened to move. Lin Mei said to him, "He can feel it if you're unhappy."
Xing Zheng stopped and pulled her into his embrace. He held her tightly, and for the first time, Lin Mei didn't struggle. She hugged him and said, "No one has ever been in your situation. No one has the right to ask you to let go, to not hold grudges, to not force yourself, or to be harsh on yourself. I think from now on, every decision we make should follow our hearts." She didn't mention Xie Qin Jia at all, but she was able to convey her meaning to Xing Zheng precisely.
"She doesn't need me," he finally voiced his thoughts. "She just wants to ease her conscience, or perhaps she's listening to my father."
"You can tell that?" Lin Mei was surprised. Although Xie Qin Jia had been excessive, she had never thought of it that way. When she had tried to mend their relationship several times, she had assumed she wanted to repair things with Xing Zheng...
"She's not like this with A Yan," Xing Zheng said simply.
Lin Mei understood. He had craved Xie Qin Jia's attention and love since childhood and had witnessed her interactions with Xing Yan daily. Therefore, he knew best what it was like when Xie Qin Jia truly doted on someone.
Lin Mei's eyes welled up, and she hugged him tighter. She then heard him say, "My father has always hoped for a thaw in our relationship. She didn't listen to advice before, but now she's just following his suggestion. She doesn't need me."
Doesn't need, and never loved.
She understood the latter part without him having to say it. Words of comfort seemed so pale. She could no longer speak. As she tried to hold him tighter, he suddenly let go. "For our child, I want to give him the best family environment. Do you have faith in me?"
"Yes." She had never doubted it. "I believe in you."
He was quite surprised. "Aren't you afraid I won't do a good job?"
How could someone like him, who had never experienced a normal family life, play the role of a father well?
Lin Mei saw through his thoughts and said to him, "Don't be afraid. We're both first-time parents; we can learn together."
Xing Zheng suddenly gripped her hand. Lin Mei felt the slight sweat on his palm and looked up, seeing his unnaturally red ears.
She frowned. "Are you... blushing?"