Shao Xu rushed to the hospital but couldn't find her mother's ward.
Grabbing a nurse on rounds, tears welled up as she choked out, "Nurse, where's my mother?"
The nurse recognized her, her brow furrowed. "Your mother passed away during the night. Why are you only arriving now?"
Like a bolt from the blue, Shao Xu froze, her mind going blank.
Her mother was gone.
She was, after all, too late.
Her vision darkened, and Shao Xu could barely withstand the blow. Her body, still aching from recent suffering, couldn't steady itself. She swayed, nearly falling.
Seeing her like this, the nurse couldn't help but say, "We told you before that the patient's emotions shouldn't fluctuate too much and that she shouldn't see too many people. You didn't listen..."
Shao Xu looked up, her tear-filled eyes filled with bewilderment. "Who came?"
The nurse shook her head, sighed, and left.
As Shao Xu tried to follow, she was blocked by someone who appeared before her.
"Slap!"
The middle-aged man in front immediately slapped Shao Xu, sending her weakened body to the ground.
Father Shao roared, "You slut, where were you when your mother was dying?!"
Shao Xu's tears gushed out, not from grievance, but from pain and heartbreak.
A woman with exquisite makeup linked arms with Father Shao, gently persuading, "Zheng Gang, Xiao Xu is still young. Don't be like this; you'll scare her." As she spoke, she reached out to help Shao Xu up.
Father Shao snorted, "When her mother was on her deathbed, she was off having fun with some unknown men, living it up!"
These words pierced Shao Xu's heart like steel blades, causing her to bleed profusely. Was this what her father would say?
Where was he when her mother needed medical expenses?
Father Shao continued, "Don't ever say you're part of the Shao family when you go out. I'm ashamed!"
Shao Xu shoved away the woman who was trying to help her. She was her father's unbetrothed new wife, Wang Meilan.
Wang Meilan didn't seem bothered and maintained her gentle and kind facade. "Xiao Xu, your father is just angry. Don't blame him. Your mother told me before she passed to treat you well. Don't worry, I'll dote on you like my own daughter from now on. Even Linlin can't compare to you."
Shao Xu looked up, her eyes as cold as ice, staring directly at Wang Meilan. "Did you go see my mother?"
Wang Meilan, where Father Shao couldn't see, smiled meaningfully at Shao Xu and pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Shao Xu finally understood. Filled with extreme hatred and rage, she lunged to grab Wang Meilan, demanding she pay for her mother's death!
She cried out in anger, "Wang Meilan! You killed my mother!"
No wonder her father, who hadn't been seen for over half a year, would suddenly appear at the hospital. It was all this vicious woman's scheme!
She had sold her chastity, sold her dignity, yet ultimately failed to save her mother's life!
Overwhelmed by a torrent of furious despair, her throat felt sweet, the taste of blood...
Finally, her vision darkened, and she fell unconscious.
...
Ten months later, at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of City Third Hospital.
Shao Xu bit her lip fiercely, cold sweat beading on her forehead. The labor pains made her body tremble. The midwife's guiding voice was in her ears, urging her to push again and again. The pain almost tore her apart.
Tears streamed down her face as a flood of memories surged into her mind...
After handling her mother's funeral, she had fainted by the tombstone.
The hospital told her she was pregnant – conceived that night. She had wanted to terminate it, but was informed she had a difficult-to-conceive constitution.
If she aborted this one, she would have little chance of getting pregnant again in her lifetime.
The only family she had in this world was gone, and perhaps this was heaven's solace.
As her pregnancy progressed, she could feel the baby growing within her. The feeling of motherhood gradually eased her sorrow over her mother's passing.
She decided to give birth to the child.
"I can see the baby's head! Push, you're almost there!"
The midwife's voice brought her back to reality. Shao Xu took a deep breath and pushed with all her might. Suddenly, a baby's loud cry filled the air.
As if all her strength had drained away instantly, she collapsed into darkness...
A nurse, taking advantage of her unconsciousness, quietly carried one of the babies out of the ward.
Shao Lin took the child and handed a thick envelope to the nurse. "Thank you for your trouble. Please keep this matter secret."
The nurse nodded. "Don't worry. From beginning to end, she thought she only had one child. She'll never suspect a thing."
Shao Lin smiled, a sharp glint in her eyes.
Soon, she would become the most honored woman in Jiang City.
In the delivery room, Shao Xu opened her eyes and saw the nurse standing by her bedside, holding a small infant.
The nurse smiled and said, "Congratulations, Miss Shao. You've given birth to a baby girl."
Shao Xu took the child, gazing at the sleeping baby's face – pink and tender, incredibly cute. A smile also appeared on her pale, weak face. "Thank you."