Chapter 60:

“What result?”

Lin Qiao gave a bitter smile. “A result that can’t really be called a result.” She walked toward Shen Qingzhou and Xie Jiayi, handing them the pregnancy test stick. “The color is too faint to tell anything. It’s probably expired.”

“Expired already? It was just bought,” Shen Qinghou frowned and reached for the test stick, but Xie Jiayi grabbed it first.

Ignoring his son’s disapproving gaze, Xie Jiayi calmly examined the test stick and said, “Testing at night is inaccurate. It’s best to use morning urine. Let’s go to the hospital. No appetite for dinner anymore anyway.”

Lin Qiao said, “Let’s eat first, Madam Xie. We can go after dinner. The food is getting cold…”

“You’re such a child.” Xie Jiayi sighed, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “Look at Qingzhou. Do you think he can eat right now?”

Lin Qiao glanced at Shen Qingzhou, who was watching the two whispering women with a thin-lipped expression. He opened his mouth and said one word: “Eat.”

Xie Jiayi was taken aback, seemingly surprised by his reaction. Shen Qingzhou said calmly, “Food is the most important thing. She gets hungry easily lately.” Then he took Lin Qiao’s hand and led her toward the dining room.

Walking behind them, Xie Jiayi said, “From what you’re saying, it seems like you’re not in a hurry to find out whether you’re going to be a father.”

Shen Qingzhou didn’t turn around. As he pulled out a chair for Lin Qiao, he said, “I’m anxious, but making sure she’s well-fed comes first.”

Lin Qiao looked up at him. He patted her head gently and said, “Eat now.”

Lin Qiao nodded. She politely served Xie Jiayi first, then reached for another bowl to serve herself. But Shen Qingzhou, sitting beside her, naturally pulled her back, took his own bowl, filled it with rice, and pushed it toward her. “Here.”

Lin Qiao didn’t refuse. She picked up the rice he had served her and began eating slowly and politely, looking sweet and well-mannered.

Shen Qingzhou went to get more bowls and chopsticks. At the table, only Lin Qiao and Xie Jiayi remained. Watching her daughter-in-law and son interact so harmoniously and happily, Xie Jiayi couldn’t help but recall her own past with her late husband—Shen Yinming.

Suddenly she lost her appetite. Xie Jiayi took a few symbolic bites and then put down her chopsticks, sitting silently and staring blankly into space.

Noticing her discomfort, Lin Qiao nudged Shen Qingzhou with her elbow. He glanced sideways at her, and she gestured toward Xie Jiayi. He obediently looked over and saw his mother’s dazed expression clearly.

They say a mother and child are connected by heart. When a mother feels pain, the child senses it too. And Shen Qingzhou was so clever—he could tell from Xie Jiayi’s unfocused gaze exactly why she had suddenly become so gloomy.

Putting down his chopsticks, Shen Qingzhou asked Lin Qiao softly, “Are you full?”

Lin Qiao nodded. “Yes.”

“Then let’s go to the hospital.” Shen Qingzhou stood up and called to Xie Jiayi, “Mom, let’s go.”

Xie Jiayi snapped out of her thoughts, stood up, and asked, “Shouldn’t we clean up first?”

“Later. Let’s go now.” Shen Qingzhou walked ahead toward the dining room exit. “I’ll go change and get the car keys. Wait downstairs.”

Lin Qiao nodded and walked out of the dining room with Xie Jiayi. They walked side by side, leaving the room and stepping into the yard. The moon hung high in the sky. That night, there were no stars, and the sky stretched endlessly dark.

“Madam Xie… are you feeling down?”

After hesitating for a while, Lin Qiao finally asked. She was about to marry Shen Qingzhou, and Xie Jiayi would then become her mother-in-law. Although Xie Jiayi seemed strong and hard to please, Lin Qiao’s own mother had passed away. If she could have another mother, she truly hoped to treat her well.

Hearing Lin Qiao’s question, Xie Jiayi slowly turned her gaze toward her. After a moment’s silence, she nodded. “It’s just the way women are. Seeing you and Qingzhou so happy together made me think of the days when your father-in-law was still around.” She sighed, her voice full of nostalgia. “Isn’t it strange? So much time has passed, and I can barely remember what he looked like anymore. But why do I still remember every little moment we shared so clearly, as if it were yesterday?”

Lin Qiao bit her lip. She knew her words might sound awkward, but she still said, “That means you still love him.”

Xie Jiayi was stunned, her eyes turning slightly unfocused. When Shen Qingzhou came out, changed clothes and holding the car keys, he saw Lin Qiao and Xie Jiayi standing silently at the door. He walked up and asked Lin Qiao, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Qiao shook her head without speaking. Xie Jiayi simply said, “Let’s go.”

Shen Qingzhou frowned but didn’t ask further, and followed them silently toward the hospital.

Shen Qingzhou didn’t drive fast, and the traffic was relatively smooth that day. They reached the nearest hospital in no time.

At the hospital, Lin Qiao underwent a series of tests to confirm her pregnancy. The results lifted the mood of the three of them.

“Congratulations, you’re going to be a mother,” the doctor smiled at Lin Qiao. “The fetus is doing well. You’ll need to take better care of yourself from now on. The first three months of pregnancy are more dangerous, so be extra careful.”

Lin Qiao listened carefully and smiled. “Thank you, doctor.”

“You’re welcome.” The doctor politely smiled back. “I need to get back to work now. See you.”

After saying goodbye to the doctor, Lin Qiao turned to look at Shen Qingzhou. He and Xie Jiayi had been silent since the results came out, still standing there wordlessly.

“What’s wrong with you two?” Lin Qiao asked, puzzled.

Xie Jiayi exhaled, her face full of smiles, though they carried a hint of sadness. “Wonderful. I’m going to be a grandmother.”

That reaction… seemed a little slow.

“Now that it’s confirmed, you shouldn’t go to work anymore,” Shen Qingzhou finally spoke, his tone direct. “Stay home and rest. I’ll hire a helper tomorrow.”

Xie Jiayi said, “No need. I’m available. I’m much more reliable than a maid.”

Shen Qingzhou looked at her doubtfully, frowning. “Can you handle it?”

Xie Jiayi’s face darkened. She reached out to pinch Shen Qingzhou’s ear, but he was too tall. Before she could touch him, he had already dodged away.

“You little brat, you really don’t know your place. I’m giving you face in front of your wife, but you’re getting too confident. Do you think you were born this big? It’s me who raised you.”

Such direct and fierce words made Lin Qiao laugh out loud. Shen Qingzhou awkwardly glanced at the nearby medical staff and coughed lightly. “Okay, let’s talk about this at home.”

Xie Jiayi huffed but restrained herself. The family left the hospital together.

In the end, it wasn’t decided that Xie Jiayi would take care of Lin Qiao, because Lin Qiao hadn’t intended to stop working and stay home. For one thing, she wasn’t that delicate. For another, she simply couldn’t stand staying at home for long—she would get headaches and feel isolated from the world.

Shen Qingzhou couldn’t convince her otherwise, so he gave in. He had been busy recently handling Xiao Ning’s affairs—hospital fees and medication costs needed to be paid. Besides, Xiao Ning’s condition had improved a lot. If things went smoothly, he should be able to be discharged by the end of the year.

By October, the crisis seemed to have faded. Lin Qiao was less than two months pregnant. She hadn’t seen Wang Jiaqi and Fang Zheng for a while and thought she might never see them again. But she soon realized how wrong she was—very, very wrong.

After work, Lin Qiao went to the supermarket to buy yogurt. It was her usual supermarket, located near an upscale residential complex, and further ahead was Shen Qingzhou’s residence.

The last time, she had met Zhao Chunjun there. She thought it was just a coincidence, but now she saw him again—and they made eye contact.

Zhao Chunjun wore gloves and held a box of knives. His thin figure stood straight in front of her, like a cold, emotionless machine. Being near him made Lin Qiao involuntarily shiver.

“Long time no see,” Zhao Chunjun greeted her first, smiling politely. “Miss Lin, I hope you’ve been doing well lately.”

Lin Qiao replied coldly, “Thanks to you.”

Zhao Chunjun raised an eyebrow, stepped past her as if he was about to leave—but then he stopped.

“I just remembered something. Maybe it’ll help you.” He slightly bent down, ignoring her instinctive flinch, and whispered in her ear, “Qi Zheng has recently been collecting evidence, preparing to sue Mr. Shen in court for custody of the child.”

Lin Qiao looked at him in shock. “Is that true?”

Zhao Chunjun straightened up and looked down at her. “Do I have any reason to lie to you?”

“You certainly have no reason to help me.”

“Haha.” Zhao Chunjun smiled lightly, rubbing his temple. “Miss Lin, you’re so humorous. Helping others brings joy. Of course I have a reason to help you—mainly to help Mr. Shen. If Mr. Shen lives well, my life will be better too, because he’s a man who repays kindness.” He lowered his voice meaningfully, “Miss Lin, Fang Zheng has been out for a while, but even though he’s free, his father has restricted him at home. But that restriction won’t last forever. When the day comes, all of you will still have a hard time.” He spoke as if giving sincere advice, “Because he’s a petty man who never forgets a grudge.”

Lin Qiao frowned as she listened, then asked quietly, “So that’s your goal? You want to use us to deal with Fang Zheng and save yourself?”

Zhao Chunjun snapped his fingers. “Smart. No wonder you’re Mr. Shen’s wife.”

Caught off guard by his words, Lin Qiao felt a wave of nausea and stepped back to distance herself.

Zhao Chunjun shrugged. “Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t investigate you. I just couldn’t help noticing that diamond ring on your finger—it’s too dazzling.” He joked, “Make sure to send me an invitation to the wedding. I’ll be waiting. If you forget, I’ll be heartbroken. And when I’m heartbroken, I might do something unpredictable.” With that, he turned and walked away, not looking back once.

Lin Qiao felt a sourness rise in her stomach, nausea overwhelming her. She hurriedly checked out and rushed home.

Not long after she returned, Xie Jiayi also came back—with Fang Mingjun.

Seeing Fang Mingjun there surprised Lin Qiao. What surprised her even more was that behind Fang Mingjun were Jian Shi and Fang Zheng.

What was this? A meeting?

Noticing Lin Qiao’s obvious discomfort, Xie Jiayi explained, “Qingzhou knows they’re coming. Don’t mind. He’ll be back soon.”

Lin Qiao simply said “Oh,” wanting to ask what they were here for but holding back. She decided to wait for Shen Qingzhou to return before asking.

Shen Qingzhou returned quickly, but not alone. Two men accompanied him. Lin Qiao recognized one of them—it was the police officer who had warned them when they went to the police station.

“Please have a seat,” Shen Qingzhou said to the two men he had brought with him, then turned his gaze to the living room. Everyone inside had seen him, and each reacted differently. The most intense reactions came from Fang Zheng and Fang Mingjun.

Fang Zheng stood up abruptly and whispered to Fang Mingjun, “What’s going on? Why are there police here? Wasn’t this supposed to be a private matter?”

Fang Mingjun frowned tightly and stood up too, staring at Shen Qingzhou for a long time. When the latter ignored him, he turned to Xie Jiayi, his expression tense. “What does this mean?”

Xie Jiayi sighed helplessly and shrugged, signaling her own innocence.

Shen Qingzhou stepped into the living room, unbuttoning his suit jacket. He smirked slightly. “What’s the matter? Scared?”