Chapter 120: The Child

She had once possessed a delicate, fair complexion, but now her skin looked sallow and dark circles were prominent under her eyes. It was hard to fathom how she had spiraled into such a wretched state.

Cheng Hui washed her face thoroughly and let her hair down. It was messy, curled, and frizzy. Too lazy to style it, she simply gave it a quick tug and headed out.

Mrs. Cheng was resting in her room. After taking her medicine, she asked the housekeeper, "Where is Cheng Hui?"

"Cheng Jiu was in her room just a moment ago. She should still be there."

"Did you give Cheng Jiu the key?"

"No, no, I didn't."

Mrs. Cheng instructed, "Go and keep an eye on her. Don't let Cheng Hui run out. She is not allowed to leave; she must stay at home."

The housekeeper wanted to reason with Mrs. Cheng, but she didn't know where to begin and feared triggering another emotional outburst, so she held her tongue. Keeping Cheng Hui locked up like this was not a solution, but given Mrs. Cheng’s current health, no one dared to defy her.

When Cheng Hui came downstairs and saw that Mrs. Cheng wasn't there, she let out a sigh of relief. She sat on the sofa, clutching a pillow in silence.

Xin Gan brought a bowl of soup from the kitchen and sat beside her. "Huihui, drink your soup."

Cheng Hui looked listless and uninterested, but since Xin Gan had personally brought it to her, she didn't want to be rude. Despite having no appetite, she took the bowl and drank it.

Cheng Jiu then spoke up, "You are to stay home for the time being. Don't talk back to her. Even if she says things you don't like, don't provoke her or make her angry."

Cheng Hui kept her head down, looking clearly unhappy and dejected. She remained silent, as if sulking.

"Why are you keeping your head down? Look at me," Cheng Jiu commanded.

Cheng Hui raised her head, though quite unwillingly. "I heard you."

"Her health is poor, as you can see. If you can avoid provoking her, then don't."

Cheng Jiu’s expression was stern and his tone severe. In the past, he had never been this harsh with her, but the situation had spiraled out of control and caused Mrs. Cheng to fall ill, leaving him no choice but to be firm.

Cheng Hui’s stance softened. "I understand."

Xin Gan, standing nearby, felt it wasn't her place to intervene. It was Cheng Jiu’s duty as an older brother to discipline his sister. Although she was his wife, she was ultimately an outsider, and the matter was serious enough that Cheng Jiu wouldn't be this strict otherwise. If she were to shield Cheng Hui now, it might end up harming her in the long run.

Shortly after Cheng Jiu finished speaking, his phone rang. Someone needed him, so he stepped outside to take the call. Once he was gone, Xin Gan reached out and stroked Cheng Hui’s hair.

With tear-filled eyes, Cheng Hui asked, "Why is my brother becoming so fierce?"

"He is a bit, yes."

"Is he going through menopause?"

Xin Gan couldn't help but chuckle. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell on you?"

"You wouldn't. You're not that kind of person," Cheng Hui said, sighing. "I wish you were my sister. I don't want a brother; he only knows how to bully me. He ignored me in the past and left me to He Chuan, and now that I'm with He Chuan, he hasn't even said a word in my favor."

Xin Gan patted her shoulder. "Cheng Jiu is on your side, but Mother has her reasons for opposing you and He Chuan. First, there's the age gap, and second, she’s afraid you’ll be deceived. There is a significant difference between you and He Chuan, and she fears you'll end up suffering. That is understandable, Huihui. But for now, don't think too much. We will all help you."

What Xin Gan said made sense, but...

"But the things she said were so cruel. Why couldn't she just talk to me properly? Why would she say those things to me?"

Recalling the memory still made Cheng Hui’s heart ache with anger. Why use such harsh words? She was her own daughter; didn't she worry about how much it would hurt her? Even the strongest relationships can develop cracks when one party says hurtful things in the heat of the moment.

Cheng Hui could still remember the way Mrs. Cheng looked when she was angry, pointing a finger at her. Every word felt like a sharp needle piercing her flesh. That kind of pain, even if it heals, leaves a memory.

Although Xin Gan didn't know exactly what Mrs. Cheng had said, she could tell from Cheng Hui’s expression that they were deeply wounding words. It was impossible to ask her not to care. Anyone in her position would feel the same.

Instead of lecturing her, Xin Gan gently stroked her hair and changed the subject.

When Cheng Jiu returned from his call, he looked at Cheng Hui and said, "Don't run around while you're at home. If something happens, call me."

"I know," Cheng Hui mumbled.

Cheng Jiu had matters to attend to and had to leave. Xin Gan stayed behind, both to look after Mrs. Cheng and to prevent any further confrontations between the mother and daughter. Her presence served as a buffer, helping to mediate and avoid arguments.

Cheng Hui was no longer locked in her room and could move around the house, but the housekeeper followed her everywhere—clearly monitoring her to ensure she didn't flee.

"I’m not going to run away, Auntie. Please stop following me," Cheng Hui said.

The housekeeper looked troubled. "The Madam gave me these orders, Huihui. I have no choice."

"She asked you to spy on me?"

"The Madam is just worried about you..."

"That sounds nice, but it's just surveillance. You're afraid I'll go out to find He Chuan, right?"

The housekeeper was merely following orders. Being employed by Mrs. Cheng, she had no choice but to comply. "Huihui, just be a bit more obedient. The Madam isn't well; please don't upset her anymore."

"You don't need to stare at me," Cheng Hui insisted. "I won't upset her any further at a time like this. I won't go out."

Despite her words, the housekeeper continued to follow her.

In the bedroom, Xin Gan sat with Mrs. Cheng. Mrs. Cheng held her hand and sighed, "The house is in such disarray, and I've dragged you into taking care of me. Is your studio busy right now?"

"Not at all. The other teachers are handling the classes," Xin Gan said softly. "Mom, please don't get angry. It’s bad for your health. Whatever the issue is, let's wait until you've recovered. There's no rush."

"You don't understand. Huihui has already been deceived once; she cannot be bullied again," Mrs. Cheng said, clutching her chest in agony. "It is my fault as a mother for not taking better care of her, which is why she ended up in this situation."

"Mom, let’s not talk about this anymore. Please don't get agitated. The doctor said you must avoid emotional extremes. Just lie down and rest."

After finally calming Mrs. Cheng down, Xin Gan had barely caught her breath when Mrs. Cheng added, "Xinxin, you and Cheng Jiu should hurry up and have a child. I'm truly worried that I won't live to see my grandchild. I know you two don't have plans for a baby right now, but please consider the Cheng family. Cheng Jiu isn't young anymore, and his father and I are already halfway in the grave..."

Xin Gan hadn't expected Mrs. Cheng to urge them to have a child so directly. Seeing her in this state, she couldn't bring herself to say they weren't planning on it. Fearing it would only make Mrs. Cheng more distressed and lead to further health complications, she hesitated before nodding in agreement.

"I'll discuss it with Cheng Jiu when I get back."

"That's a good girl. I knew I wasn't wrong about you. You are a wonderful daughter-in-law."

Once Mrs. Cheng was resting, Xin Gan left the room. Cheng Hui was waiting at the door. "Is she asleep?"

"Yes, just now."

Cheng Hui whispered, "Sister Xinxin, can I borrow your phone?"

The housekeeper was standing not far away, afraid to get too close. Cheng Hui had lost her temper earlier, so the woman kept her distance. Cheng Hui demanded her own space; she wasn't a prisoner.

"Sure," Xin Gan said, handing her the phone. As Cheng Hui took it, the housekeeper immediately stepped forward. "Huihui, who are you calling?"

"Do I need to report to you every time I make a call? Besides, who told you that holding a phone means I'm making a call? Can't I play a game? Can't I scroll through my feed?"

The housekeeper’s demeanor weakened. "Huihui, please don't make this difficult for me. I'm just following the Madam's orders..."

"I'm giving you enough face by standing here right now. Don't annoy me again, or I’ll just run away."

The housekeeper fell silent.

Xin Gan tugged at Cheng Hui’s sleeve. "Don't be like that, Huihui."

Cheng Hui reined in her temper. "As long as she doesn't interfere with me, I won't be mean to her."

Xin Gan coaxed her, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Let’s talk nicely."

Cheng Hui’s attitude toward Xin Gan improved. "Sister Xinxin, I’ll give it back to you in a moment."

Xin Gan roughly guessed what she intended to do with the phone and didn't stop her. If she were in Cheng Hui’s shoes—being locked up and unable to see the person she loved—she might have acted even more impulsively. She understood Cheng Hui’s frustration; balancing one’s mother and one’s beloved was an impossible task.

Cheng Hui ducked into the bathroom to call He Chuan, but the call didn't go through. His phone was off.

She tried several times, but it remained unreachable.

Cheng Hui stood there, at a loss for words, squatting on the floor and pulling at her hair. A sense of suffocating anxiety and irritability welled up in her. She wanted to find He Chuan; she wanted to see him right now. But Mrs. Cheng wouldn't let her leave, so she had to beg Xin Gan to help her sneak out.

Xin Gan bit her lip, caught in a dilemma. "What can you do even if you find He Chuan now? If your mother wakes up and sees you're gone, have you thought about what might happen? Huihui, I know you're anxious, but you can't be impulsive. Listen to Cheng Jiu and wait at home for news. We are all on your side."

"But I can't reach He Chuan. I can't just sit here and wait. I feel like a useless person, unable to help at all. If He Chuan can't reach me, he must be very worried."

Xin Gan was truly torn. "Huihui, are you sure you want to go out and find him?"

"Yes, I have to."

"Do you even know where he is? If you run off recklessly, have you considered your mother?" Xin Gan persisted with her advice. Cheng Hui eventually calmed down, but exhausted, she returned to her room to rest.

However, she did not return the phone.

Xin Gan had told her the password earlier, and once inside her room, Cheng Hui locked the door, changed her clothes, and opened the window to check the height. There was a water pipe nearby; she could climb down. It was dangerous, but she had done it plenty of times before to sneak out.

It was already dark, and no one noticed her slipping out quietly.

Cheng Hui ran to the gate of the residential complex and waited for a taxi, then left.

It wasn't until half an hour later that Xin Gan discovered she had slipped out. Since her phone had been taken by Cheng Hui, she had to use the housekeeper's phone to call Cheng Jiu and inform him.

He Chuan happened to be with Cheng Jiu at that moment, so Cheng Jiu told him that Cheng Hui had sneaked out.

He Chuan nearly stumbled. He frantically reached for his phone, only to realize it was out of battery and turned off.

Cheng Jiu had been calling Xin Gan’s phone, which was in Cheng Hui’s possession. Cheng Hui didn't dare answer, fearing Cheng Jiu would order her to return, so she kept rejecting his calls.

After several attempts, Cheng Jiu sent a text message telling her to pick up. Cheng Hui finally answered, but before she could speak, Cheng Jiu demanded, "Where are you?"

"I'm not telling you. You'll just make me go home."

"It's so late. Where are you going if not home?"

"I'm going to find He Chuan."

"What are you doing? Do you know what time it is?"

Cheng Hui’s voice dropped. "I know."

Cheng Jiu was truly at his wit's end. He sighed, his voice softening slightly. "Where are you now?"

"In a taxi."

"Tell the driver to take you to Guanghui Road. He Chuan is with me."

"..."

Soon, Cheng Hui arrived. He Chuan was already waiting at the intersection and paid the fare for her.

Cheng Hui stared greedily at his back, her eyes moist. She hadn't seen him for a while, and he seemed even more composed than before. She reached out, grasped his pinky finger, and gave it a gentle shake. "Are you okay?"

He Chuan gave her a cold glance, looked away, and said, "Let's go."

He showed no other reaction. Cheng Hui felt uneasy, but she followed him anyway.

Cheng Jiu was at the club, along with Song Chen and his wife, and their daughter, Keke.

Cheng Hui was surprised to see so many people, especially when she saw Xin Gan’s cousin.

Seeing Cheng Jiu, Cheng Hui lowered her head, feeling embarrassed, like a child caught doing something wrong.

Song Chen joked, "Oh, is this your sister, Cheng Jiu?"

Keke climbed down from Shen Ruxin’s lap and ran straight to Cheng Hui, reaching out to be held.

Cheng Hui nodded shyly, then crouched down in front of Keke. "Do you want a hug?"

Keke nodded. "Big sister, hug!"

Keke couldn't resist a pretty face and insisted on being held. Shen Ruxin didn't stop her, instead inviting Cheng Hui to sit beside her. They chatted casually.

No one asked her about her relationship with He Chuan or why she was out so late. He Chuan didn't look at her either, remaining focused on his business discussion with Song Chen.

Not understanding what they were discussing, Cheng Hui spent her time playing with Keke.

After watching her for a while, Shen Ruxin smiled and asked, "Are you and He Chuan dating?"

Cheng Hui’s face turned red, and she nodded.

"I was so curious about what kind of girl someone like He Chuan would like. Song Chen tried to introduce him to people before, but he turned them all down. He wasn't moved by any pretty girl. So, he had someone in his heart all along."

Cheng Hui asked hesitantly, "Cousin, you all knew?" (She addressed Shen Ruxin as 'Cousin' following Xin Gan).

"How could we not? But you're quite brave, being so direct. Just now, when He Chuan heard it was you calling, his eyes lit up—he was terrified something had happened to you. In the future, don't go out alone so late; you need to protect yourself."

Cheng Hui tried to listen to their conversation, but it was too complex, so she went back to playing with Keke.

Before long, Keke grew sleepy and was carried away by Shen Ruxin. Once the family of three left, and the work discussion was wrapped up, Cheng Hui stood up. She looked at Cheng Jiu and then at He Chuan, lowering her head. "Brother, I was wrong."

Cheng Jiu glanced at her but said nothing.

He Chuan walked over, took her hand, and led her outside. Cheng Jiu didn't stop them or say a word.

Cheng Hui followed He Chuan into the room next door. Once the door closed, He Chuan asked, "You've grown bold, haven't you? Daring to sneak out—aren't you afraid your mother will find out and get angry?"

"Your phone was off, and I was worried," Cheng Hui replied.

He Chuan stared at her face for a long time. Seeing she didn't look well, his heart softened. "I forgot to charge my phone, and it died right when you called. That’s why I didn't pick up."

He had finally explained. Cheng Hui blinked. "You didn't look very happy to see me earlier."

And for the whole time she had been stuck at home, he hadn't come to see her.

"No," He Chuan said, "I was very happy."

She wrapped her fingers around his sleeve. "He Chuan, I'm sorry."

"I should be the one saying sorry. I ignored your feelings. Cheng Jiu told me your mother is ill. It was because of me, wasn't it?"

Cheng Hui shook her head, biting her lip. "Once she's better, I'll talk to her again."

"Let me hold you for a bit, then I'll take you home."

"Okay."

After a brief embrace, they talked for a while. She didn't want to leave, but Mrs. Cheng was sick. If she found out Cheng Hui had snuck out, she would surely be furious, and if that triggered a relapse...

Having seen He Chuan, she felt more at peace. "She will accept us. I will talk to her properly. He Chuan, wait for me for a little while, okay?"

"Okay. I understand."

Cheng Jiu had been on the phone with Xin Gan, who reported that Mrs. Cheng was still resting and hadn't noticed Cheng Hui was missing.

"That's good," Cheng Jiu said. "I'll bring Cheng Hui back shortly. Don't worry, just wait for us at home."

"Okay, I understand."

Cheng Hui was reluctant to leave, turning back to look at He Chuan with every step. Finally, Cheng Jiu lost his patience, grabbed her by the collar, and threw her into the car. "It’s not like we're parting forever. What are you dragging your feet for? I haven't even settled the score with you for sneaking out tonight."

"Who knew you were meeting He Chuan tonight without telling me?"

"If I told you, you would have begged me to take you along," Cheng Jiu poked her forehead. "Behave yourself. Don't pull any more stunts."

Cheng Hui pressed her face against the car window. "He Chuan, wait for me."

He Chuan stood in the distance, the corner of his mouth curving upward, but he said nothing.

Cheng Jiu drove away quickly, and soon He Chuan was out of sight. Cheng Hui slumped back in her seat, looking dejected.

"He Chuan came to discuss business with Song Chen. I was called over by Song Chen midway—he's Xin Gan's brother-in-law."

"I know," Cheng Hui said, distracted.

"Listen, He Chuan has other things to attend to for a while and won't be able to look after you. Take this time to stay home and look after Mom. Don't upset her. Once she's better, He Chuan will come for you."

"What do you mean, 'come for me'?"

"He'll propose. But it'll be a while, not now. I'm telling you this so you can have peace of mind and stay at home."

Cheng Hui’s hope was rekindled, but she wilted just as quickly. "But Mom still won't agree..."

"If it were that easy, He Chuan wouldn't have been unable to even cross our doorstep."

"What do you mean?"

"He came by a while ago, but he was turned away before he could even enter the complex. You don't need me to tell you who arranged that."

"So, he did come to find me?"

"Of course."

Cheng Hui was so happy she wanted to jump. She had thought he hadn't come and that he might be angry or indifferent, but he had tried—he just couldn't get in.

"Why don't I have your luck, Brother? I wish things were as smooth for me as they are for you and Sister Xinxin."

Smooth?

Cheng Jiu’s expression turned cold. He and Xin Gan had also weathered great storms. There was a time he was prepared to sacrifice everything and had tried to push her away, wanting her to go back to Yongcheng and find someone suitable. His relationship with Xin Gan had been anything but smooth.

The more ordinary and mundane life is, the more precious it becomes. He cherished these moments. He would rather Xin Gan never touched the darkness he had lived through, never had to bear such burdens.

The difficulties Cheng Hui and He Chuan faced seemed trivial to him—a minor matter. Of course, that excluded the incident where Cheng Hui was bullied by Tang Que.

When they returned, Xin Gan was on the sofa, nearly asleep. It was late, and she had been waiting for them. Hearing the car, she woke up and went to meet them, rubbing her eyes.

Cheng Jiu parked the car and, seeing her at the door, hurried over. "Why aren't you asleep? Were you waiting for me?"

Xin Gan nodded. "I was worried."

"You silly thing, look how tired you are. Go back to bed."

Cheng Jiu ignored Cheng Hui and wrapped his arm around Xin Gan, leading her upstairs to rest. Xin Gan was too tired to even speak, and before she knew it, she was guided away.

Back in the room, Cheng Jiu wiped her face with a warm towel. "Do you want a shower?"

Xin Gan shook her head, muttering, "I already washed."

"Then I'll shower. You go to sleep first."

Xin Gan nodded.

As she heard the sound of water running in the bathroom, she slowly woke up. Recalling what Mrs. Cheng had said to her earlier that day, she bit her lip, lost in thought.

When Cheng Jiu finished showering and dried his hair, he climbed into bed and wrapped his arms around her from behind. His voice was warm and steady. "Sleep."

Xin Gan turned over and burrowed into his embrace. She asked quietly, "Cheng Jiu, do you want a child?"

Cheng Jiu went silent.