CH 100

The hotpot restaurant was having a promotion. Although it was past mealtime, there were still quite a few people. Even before entering, they could smell the spicy chili oil. 

Her stomach protested strongly, and Tian Jing discreetly furrowed her brows, forcibly suppressing the urge to vomit. 

They were led to a table for two, with a thin menu and a pencil placed in front of them.

Shan Yue, entirely focused on Tian Jing, noticed her discomfort and asked worriedly, “Are you really okay?”

Tian Jing paused, then nodded, “I’m fine, just a bit anemic. The doctor prescribed some medication.”

“They say medicine is three parts poison. I’ll cook something nice for you tonight,” Shan Yue said naturally, as if they were already living together.

Tian Jing suddenly remembered their time together in the past, feeling a mix of bitterness and sadness. She chuckled lightly, “With your cooking skills?”

“You’re underestimating me?” Shan Yue glanced at her, a bit hurt, but then confidently added, “One day, I’ll spoil your taste buds so much that you won’t be able to live without me.”

Tian Jing scoffed and looked away.

Shan Yue smiled and turned her attention back to the menu, “Let’s get a half and half pot. You like spicy food, right?”

“Whatever.”

Shan Yue asked, “What side dishes do you want?”

“Whatever.”

Feeling somewhat helpless, Shan Yue selected a few of Tian Jing’s favorite vegetables and added a half and half hotpot base before handing the menu to the server.

Tian Jing felt increasingly uneasy, the urge to vomit still lingering in her throat. When the pot base arrived, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and stood up, “I need to go to the restroom.”

Seeing her pale face, Shan Yue grew more worried, “I’ll go with you.”

Tian Jing, fearing she would vomit if she spoke, only had time to wave her hand before hurrying out, following the signs at a quick pace.

Once in the restroom, she couldn’t hold it back any longer and leaned over the sink, vomiting violently. Shan Yue, who had followed her in, was stunned for a moment. She gently patted Tian Jing’s back, not even noticing her own trembling fingers. Her eyes were fixed on the back of Tian Jing’s head, her mind unable to process the situation.

Having studied and practiced gynecology for over ten years, Shan Yue immediately recognized this as morning sickness. Her mind was now filled with the realization that Tian Jing was pregnant, her expression growing increasingly grim.

Tian Jing was pregnant with her child again but hadn’t planned to tell her.

Since reuniting with Tian Jing, they had only been together that one night. It was clear how far along the pregnancy was.

Tian Jing finally recovered, her body suddenly stiffening. She turned slowly, her face pale as she looked at Shan Yue. She had thought she could keep it a secret for a while, but now it seemed she had been exposed almost immediately.

“Are you alright?” Shan Yue struggled to find the right expression. She didn’t feel entitled to anger, considering her past mistakes. Tian Jing’s lack of trust was understandable, but she also didn’t feel deserving of sorrow, knowing Tian Jing was feeling much worse.

“You…” Tian Jing choked up, unsure of what to say.

Shan Yue forced a smile, “Pregnant women shouldn’t eat hotpot. Let’s go somewhere else.”

Tian Jing slowly calmed down and asked, “Is that really your reaction?”

“What kind of reaction should I have?”

“At the very least… it shouldn’t be this indifferent.”

Shan Yue pulled her into a tight embrace, burying her face in Tian Jing’s neck and speaking in a low, hoarse voice, “I’m not indifferent at all. I want to ask why you didn’t tell me, if you’re planning to leave again, and if you’re feeling unwell. There are so many things I want to ask, but I realize I don’t have the right. As a lover, I’ve been utterly negligent.”

Hearing her self-reproach, Tian Jing felt a stir in her heart and asked softly, “Do you want this child?”

Shan Yue, thinking Tian Jing didn’t plan to keep the child and recalling her visit to the hospital, tensed up again. She replied heavily, “I respect your decision.”

“Do you want it or not?”

Shan Yue said urgently, “This is our child. Of course, I want it.”

“Oh, I see.” Hearing her answer, Tian Jing felt relieved. She said softly, “Let go of me.”

Shan Yue hesitated but then released her, looking at her with concern and asking cautiously, “What’s wrong?”

Tian Jing’s expression was unnatural, “Let’s go outside first.”

“Okay.”

They had already ordered, but since Tian Jing was pregnant, especially in the early stages, she definitely couldn’t have hotpot, especially the spicy kind, which could contain many warming ingredients harmful to the fetus. Shan Yue took Tian Jing straight to the front desk to pay and leave, then found a quiet Chinese restaurant. Knowing Tian Jing was pregnant, she considerately ordered some mild dishes. Although Shan Yue preferred spicy food, with her wife pregnant, she had to compromise.

Tian Jing checked the time and said, “I really need to go back. I won’t be staying for the meal.”

Shan Yue pressed her down, got up, and walked over to Tian Jing’s side, dominantly pushing her further into the seat and sitting on the outside, blocking her from leaving.

After a while, Shan Yue picked up her phone, pulled up a number from her contacts, and called. After a moment, the call was answered, and Shan Yue said, “Xiao Jing isn’t feeling well, she’s with me now. She won’t be coming back to work this afternoon.”

Without waiting for a response, she hung up, turning to Tian Jing with a raised eyebrow, “Feel better now?”

Tian Jing’s expression darkened with anger, “Who told you to make decisions for me?”

Shan Yue replied, “I made the decision.”

Tian Jing stiffened, “Move. I want to leave.”

“Let’s eat first. Then we’ll go back to the hospital for a check-up.”

“No need. I’ve already been checked and have my medication.”

Shan Yue’s expression changed as well. She asked accusingly, “You went to another hospital? So, you really didn’t plan to tell me? If I hadn’t found out, would I have only known when the baby was born?”

“I already missed watching Tiantian grow up. Do you want to take this one away from me too?” Shan Yue knew she shouldn’t be losing her temper, but the thought of all her efforts met with Tian Jing’s repeated evasions wore her down. “If you really don’t love me anymore, just end it now. Keeping me hanging is fun for you, isn’t it?”

Tian Jing was taken aback by the accusation, then found it ironically amusing. “Was it my fault you missed Tiantian’s growth? I thought you’d have matured a bit over the years, but you’re still the same. I must be insane to think of starting over with you.”

“I’ll terminate this pregnancy, and I’ll resign from Yue Feng. You accuse me of stringing you along; well, starting today, I won’t. Do whatever you want…” 

Tears welled up in Tian Jing’s eyes, unable to continue speaking. All she wanted was to leave. “Move.”

Feeling regretful, Shan Yue wiped her face. She didn’t move aside but instead hugged Tian Jing tightly. “I’m sorry, Xiao Jing. I was too impatient. I shouldn’t have said those things. It’s my fault for being immature. Please don’t be angry. If you must, hit me a few times to let off some steam.”

Tian Jing didn’t speak, she just kept struggling. There weren’t many people in the restaurant, but their argument was enough to attract attention. People stopped to look, some hesitating whether to step in and help.

Shan Yue held her tightly, saying, “Don’t move, you might hurt the baby.”

Tian Jing stopped struggling at those words, her face expressionless. “Let go of me.”

“No, if I let go, you’ll leave, and I’ll have no idea where to find you.” Shan Yue, feeling wronged, continued, “It was my fault back then. I was selfish. I disappeared without a word. After I calmed down, I tried to find you, but you were gone. I couldn’t find you anywhere. I thought you had really left me…”

Tian Jing lowered her eyes, hiding the pain in them, and reminded her, “You were the one who suggested breaking up.”

“I was too self-centered back then. Now that we’ve met again, can’t you give me another chance?” Shan Yue’s voice choked with emotion. She said softly, “I really like you… no, I really love you. As for Wen Wenxue, I can promise you, nothing ever happened between us. I never betrayed you.”

Tian Jing said nothing.

Shan Yue’s earlier words had indeed hurt her. Now, she felt confused. With a child suddenly in her belly, how was she supposed to explain to her parents and daughter? How long would she be a single mother? What about her job? Could she raise a second child well?

A flood of questions overwhelmed her, making her dizzy. She suddenly felt very tired, wanting to stop and rest for a while. Tian Jing closed her eyes. She could still hear Shan Yue’s voice but couldn’t make out what she was saying.

Shan Yue, holding Tian Jing, noticed her body gradually going limp. She called out softly but got no response. She pushed Tian Jing away slightly and, seeing her eyes closed, was startled. “Xiao Jing!”

…..

When Tian Jing woke up, she was in a hospital, the unique smell of the place filling her nose.

She sat up suddenly, taking in her surroundings. After a moment, she gently pulled back the white curtain and saw Shan Yue sitting there, consulting with a pregnant woman. Shan Yue held a pen and seemed to be writing something. After a while, the pregnant woman left.

“You’re finally awake.”

Tian Jing looked at herself and asked uncertainly, “What happened to me?”

Shan Yue, on the verge of tears, said, “You fell asleep in my arms and scared me to death.”

Tian Jing: …..

“How long has it been since you had a good rest?”

Tian Jing remained silent.

She still remembered what Shan Yue had said earlier.

Shan Yue sighed silently. She hung a “Paused for Consultation” sign outside, locked the door, and came back to Tian Jing’s side.

They were silent for a long time before Shan Yue spoke. “Whether you decide to have this baby or not, I respect your decision. After all, I’ve been a jerk. But I hope you’ll let me take care of you during this time. Although I’m not great at cooking, I’ll learn. Plus, I’m an OB-GYN, so I know what you need to eat. You have anemia, which isn’t good for the baby’s growth. She’ll absorb your nutrients. Even if you decide to terminate the pregnancy, you need to be in good health to avoid more harm.”

Shan Yue paused, seeing no reaction from Tian Jing. She cautiously asked, “Is that okay?”

Tian Jing slowly turned her gaze to her, not speaking for a long time. Her hand unconsciously touched her belly.

She admitted she could never let go of Shan Yue. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let things go as far as they did that day, and there wouldn’t be this child now. After all this time, it was impossible not to feel touched. Maybe it was time to give each other a chance and let Shan Yue learn how to be a mother.

Shan Yue’s expression darkened, thinking she would be rejected. Just when she was about to give up hope, Tian Jing suddenly said, “Okay.”

“Really?” Shan Yue came alive in an instant.

Tian Jing almost got blinded by her smile and felt inexplicably dissatisfied, “But if you make me angry again during this time, you can go back to the Shan family.”

Shan Yue’s smile faded slightly but quickly returned, “You mean I can stay at your place to take care of you?!”

Tian Jing: “…I didn’t say that.”

“But that’s what you mean.”

“I did not.”

Ignoring her denials, Shan Yue hugged her and kissed her.