I Became the Mother of His Child

Xu Jingjing hadn't stayed long at the county hospital. Early that morning, Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanhuan had rushed back to the hospital in the county, Mr. and Mrs. Xu had rested in the lodge overnight and felt a bit better, but Mrs. Xu still looked dreadfully wan. It was clear she had spent the previous night quietly shedding tears—though whether those were for Si Ya or Xu Fangfang, Xu Xiuxiu didn't have the mind to probe.

Because the elderly Xu couple were preparing to take Jingjing home for recovery.

"Si Ya, why don't you stay in the hospital for a couple more days? We can afford it," Xu Xiuxiu tried to persuade Xu Jingjing, feeling that a longer hospital stay would reassure her.

"No need, sis. Resting at home will be just the same," Xu Jingjing replied faintly, shaking her head. The baby was already gone, and as a rural woman unaccustomed to being pampered, it was uncommon for her to stay several days in the hospital after losing a child. Besides, she didn't like the smell of the hospital's disinfectant. It was more comfortable to stay at home during the festive season, at least it wasn't so desolate.

Since Xu Jingjing also wanted to go home, Xu Xiuxiu didn't insist further. Worried about Xu Jingjing, Xu Xiuxiu decided to accompany Si Ya back to Xu Village. Concerned that the journey would be too exhausting for Xu Jingjing, Xu Xiuxiu asked Song Yuanhuan to find a tricycle outside the hospital to take them back to Xu Village.

Xu Xiuxiu was helping Xu Jingjing out of the hospital when they unexpectedly ran into a tall, simple-looking man outside.

"Miss Xu, I'm Wei Jiaqiang. Do you remember me? I helped you with your luggage on the train!" Wei Jiaqiang, holding a box of food, greeted her excitedly upon seeing the pale-faced Xu Jingjing leaving the hospital. After the greeting, he quickly realized something was amiss and looked at her worriedly, "Miss Xu, why are you coming out of the hospital? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?" Wei Jiaqiang stared anxiously at Xu Jingjing, overlooking Xu Xiuxiu and Mr. and Mrs. Xu by her side.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern," Xu Jingjing was somewhat surprised to see Wei Jiaqiang, recalling that they met on the train back to her hometown, and thinking that it marked the start of her despair, her reply to Wei Jiaqiang sounded somewhat cold.

Seeing this, Wei Jiaqiang slightly flinched, then naively scratched his buzzed head, "Sorry, Miss Xu! I was just so surprised to see you, I forgot about everything else. You are heading home, right? You look pale, so I won't disturb you any longer. Please, head home quickly!" With that, Wei Jiaqiang quickly stepped aside to let Xu Jingjing pass.

Xu Jingjing hummed in acknowledgment, just as Song Yuanhuan found a small tricycle, instructing the driver to bring it to the entrance of the hospital.

"Get on," Song Yuanhuan jumped down from a chair next to the driver's seat and first assisted Mr. and Mrs. Xu onto the tricycle. After settling them in, he then turned to help his sister-in-law and wife into the cargo bay of the tricycle.

"The cargo bay doesn't have a door; it'll be drafty when we start moving, so wrap up tight," Song Yuanhuan tugged at Xu Xiuxiu's military coat, worried about her catching a cold. He even considered taking off his own jacket to drape over his wife's knees.

"Got it." The tricycle was small, the cargo bay just fitting four people. Xu Jingjing sat inside, with Xu Xiuxiu near the drafty part, which made Song Yuanhuan particularly uneasy.

"If you're cold, I'll take off my jacket for you," Song Yuanhuan said, as he jumped off the tricycle and headed to the seat next to the driver's seat.

"Okay." Xu Xiuxiu appreciated Song Yuanhuan's concern, her hands tucked in the pockets of her military coat, snugly wrapped. She nodded at Song Yuanhuan, then looked outside the tricycle. Her eyes curiously glanced at a man still standing outside the hospital who hadn't left yet. Seeing his simple and honest appearance, which was clearly not the type Xu Jingjing liked, she didn't bother to ask more, assuming he was merely an acquaintance.

Soon, the doorless tricycle began to clatter toward Xu Village, chilling Xu Xiuxiu to the bone. Her little face turned pale from the cold, and her upper and lower teeth chattered non-stop. It was with great difficulty that she finally reached Xu Village. Not waiting for Song Yuanhuan to help her, she hurriedly jumped off the tricycle and walked back and forth a few steps, her legs numb from the cold wind.

Xu Jingjing seemed to be in better shape compared to Xu Xiuxiu. Seeing this, Xu Xiuxiu put away her worries and planned to tidy up and return home. She couldn't bear to stay out anymore, as being outside for a few hours made her heart ache with longing for her children back home.

However, as Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanhuan walked out of the Xu family's front gate, they were once again embarrassingly blocked by Xu Fangfang, who was lingering awkwardly outside the false gate. Xu Xiuxiu, extremely impatient, looked at Xu Fangfang's condition and then at her shoes caked with yellow mud. It was most likely that she had returned from another visit to the county hospital earlier this morning after learning Xu Jingjing was home, and had hurriedly rushed back to Xu Village.

"Xiuxiu," Xu Fangfang called out pleasingly as soon as she saw Xu Xiuxiu emerge, trying her best to wear a smile on her face, which clearly showed more sincerity and a better attitude than yesterday in the hospital.

"Xiuxiu, please help your elder sister!" Xu Fangfang pleaded earnestly, her tone filled with less jealousy and resentment, making it much more comfortable to deal with.

Xu Xiuxiu frowned deeply at this and found herself unable to refuse harshly like she had the day before.

"Xiuxiu, can you lend me some money, even a few hundred dollars, to pay off the interest to Lin Erbiao? Otherwise, I'm afraid Doudou won't make it. Today, they came demanding money and even broke your elder brother-in-law's legs. Doudou is my only son; I really can't lose him. Sister, I'm begging you, please?" Xu Fangfang was a mess of tears and snot as she showed her desperation and helplessness.

Song Guomin's legs had been broken? No wonder he hadn't come with Xu Fangfang.

"Xiuxiu, I know I deserve to die, and it's my fault that Jingjing suffered. I have sinned, and I truly realize my mistakes. I promise to be as hardworking as an ox and horse to repay Siya. Can you please help me get through this tough time?" Xu Fangfang continued with her remorseful words.

"Xu Fangfang, why don't you go to the west room and talk to Jingjing? If she forgives you, and she says the word, I'll help you," Xu Xiuxiu said, feeling very troubled, thus planning to pass this bothersome issue over to Xu Jingjing.

After all, Xu Jingjing's feelings toward Xu Fangfang were much more complex than hers. If Xu Jingjing could let bygones be bygones, then Xu Xiuxiu might consider helping Xu Fangfang.

"Okay, I'll go find Siya right now," Xu Fangfang said, wiping her cheeks with her somewhat worn sleeve before mustering the courage to walk into the Xu house.