Chapter 37: Stay Part 1

Far in the distance, she spotted a familiar figure.

Lin Hanbing wore high heels, her expression calm and composed, her back ramrod straight, though her steps carried a hint of haste.

She hurried forward and called out.

Cheng Zhanya’s footsteps halted abruptly. Her fingertips trembled lightly as she closed her eyes in annoyance.

How could she have forgotten that the Old Lady was in this hospital? Running into Lin Hanbing here wasn’t strange at all.

She glanced at Fan Yaobai and frowned slightly, her eyes conveying a silent plea.

Fan Yaobai understood her gaze immediately.

This was a request to keep quiet.

She sighed inwardly. Why make things so complicated between them? But as a friend, if Cheng Zhanya didn’t want to talk about it, she would seal her lips tight.

Fan Yaobai returned a reassuring look and smiled, turning to greet Lin Hanbing first.

“Hanbing, it’s been a while.”

“Not that long.”

Lin Hanbing gave a light smile, her eyes fixed intently on Cheng Zhanya the whole time.

“Your face looks pale.”

“Are you feeling unwell?” Lin Hanbing frowned, raising her fair hand to gently touch Cheng Zhanya’s forehead in an intimate gesture.

Cheng Zhanya hadn’t tied her hair back. Long, dark locks cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a loose T-shirt and pants that accentuated her slender, emaciated frame, her small face unnaturally pale, almost sickly.

The cool, familiar touch on her forehead made Cheng Zhanya’s heart stir for a moment. She turned her face away, dodging the affection.

Lin Hanbing’s expression stiffened briefly before she regained her calm composure. She pursed her lips and said, “No fever.”

“Are you here to see Grandma?”

Cheng Zhanya shook her head softly. “I am feeling a bit unwell. I came to see a doctor.”

“What’s wrong?” Lin Hanbing’s usually serene eyes narrowed, the faint lines around them tightening as her voice filled with urgency. “Where does it hurt?”

Not entirely a robot, after all.

At least she still cared whether her wife—ex-wife now—was comfortable.

Fan Yaobai watched from the side, her emotions a tangled mix.

She glanced at Cheng Zhanya’s belly, easily imagining the sweet family life of their trio.

Why did it have to end in divorce?

“It’s nothing serious, just a little cold.” Cheng Zhanya forced a smile at the corners of her lips, meeting Lin Hanbing’s eyes directly. “You’re here for Grandma. Why not head up first?”

Lin Hanbing asked, “Are you coming?”

“…”

Cheng Zhanya looked at her, her expression faint and emotionless, even a touch cold.

Now that the whole family knew they were divorced, was it appropriate for her, the ex, to keep visiting her ex-wife’s relatives?

The constant entanglement left her troubled at times.

Moreover, she had a secret now—one Lin Hanbing couldn’t know. The more they crossed paths, the sooner it would come out.

Suddenly, she recalled how much Lin Hanbing resisted the idea of children. Out of curiosity, she wondered: if she knew Cheng Zhanya was really pregnant, what would her reaction be?

Would she force her to get rid of it?

Or let her keep it?

For some inexplicable reason, a spark of anger ignited within her.

She let out a breath. “I’m not going.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Lin Hanbing’s eyes. She let out a chuckle. “It’s fine. I’ll be there.”

“I’ll go with you for the checkup, okay?”

“No need. Baibai’s here.”

“…” Being suddenly dragged into it, Fan Yaobai felt a bit helpless.

She shouldn’t be here. She should be outside, letting these two sort out their awkwardness without an audience. It was painful to watch.

The three of them had been standing there for quite a while. This wasn’t the place for catching up.

Fan Yaobai decided to play the villain.

She chimed in, “Yeah, I’ve got Ya’er covered. Grandma’s more important—leave it to me with confidence.”

Cheng Zhanya shot her a puzzled glance.

What was she saying?

She and Lin Hanbing were done. Why talk like she was handing over the rest of her life to her?

Lin Hanbing gazed deeply at Cheng Zhanya for a moment before finally looking away. “Alright then. Can you send me the report later?”

“…” Fan Yaobai was at a loss for words.

“Lin Hanbing.” Cheng Zhanya called her name softly, her tone laced with irritation. “Don’t meddle in my affairs.”

“You didn’t before, and you don’t need to now.”

“Why should I give you my medical report? Can you stop treating me like one of your company underlings? It’s really annoying.”

Annoying?

Lin Hanbing’s figure paused, a pang of hurt striking her.

Her face grew uncomfortable.

She had always believed their divorce wasn’t because the love was gone. But now it seemed it was—Cheng Zhanya no longer loved her. The adoration that used to shine in her eyes whenever they met was absent.

All that remained was endless rejection.

In the heat of summer, she suddenly felt cold. Was the hospital AC too strong?

Or was the air thick with unspoken human complexities?

A sudden blare of ambulance sirens echoed from outside the hospital. Moments later, medical staff wheeled a stretcher out of the elevator, heading right toward them.

“Make way!”

“Coming through!”

Three staff members pushed the bed hurriedly, someone trailing behind with an emergency kit, shouting as they rushed over.

Cheng Zhanya had no time to react. In the next instant, she was pulled into a warm embrace.

The familiar scent was intoxicating, easy to grow attached to.

Her heart pounded wildly. She swallowed hard.

“Are you okay?”

Lin Hanbing looked down at her, her arm around Cheng Zhanya’s waist refusing to loosen even slightly, a trace of reluctance in her grip.

Cheng Zhanya came back to her senses and struggled lightly, pulling away from the embrace. Her face heated up as she shook her head. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

Recalling what had just happened, it all felt a bit blurry.

Even though it was only moments ago.

Things had moved so fast she hadn’t had time to think. Lin Hanbing had simply swept her up, the only clear sensation being the touch at her waist.

She averted her gaze and glanced at Lin Hanbing, reminding her, “You… you should go see Grandma. It’s getting late.”

Lin Hanbing looked at her with restrained emotion and replied, “…Okay.”

Her eyelashes lowered as she let out a faint, almost inaudible breath. Only then did she turn and walk away.

Her back was straight and desolate, her steps steady and graceful.

It was a scene Cheng Zhanya had witnessed countless times.

A memory etched into her bones—one that still ached no matter how often she saw it.

She looked away, a faint loneliness flashing in her eyes.

Fan Yaobai had been startled too, instinctively wanting to shield Cheng Zhanya.

Her body now couldn’t afford any rough handling.

But someone had beaten her to it.

Fan Yaobai tugged at Cheng Zhanya’s hand. “Let’s go.”

She had seen all the undercurrents between them. They clearly loved each other, yet both were masters at making it harder than it needed to be.

“Mm.”

Cheng Zhanya murmured in agreement, unconsciously touching the spot where Lin Hanbing had held her. Her heart skipped a beat.

That was so close to the baby.

Could the child sense the touch of its other mother?

The thought struck her as odd. The next second, she quickly withdrew her hand, lowering her eyes as a few strands of hair fell across her face.

Fan Yaobai got her a number, and then came the long wait.

The doctor who examined her wasn’t the same one from yesterday. This one was young, probably under thirty, but her technique was highly professional and convincing.

Her words echoed the previous doctor’s almost exactly.

The baby was just a bit small but growing healthily.

Fan Yaobai watched her closely, not missing a single detail. Cheng Zhanya seemed to waver, head bowed in thought, as if deciding the child’s fate.

After a long pause.

She said with difficulty, “Take it out.”

Just two light words, yet they condemned a budding life.

Cruel, laced with endless despair.

Fan Yaobai asked softly, “Ya’er, are you sure?”

“I…”

Cheng Zhanya hesitated.

She touched her belly. Through the fabric, she couldn’t feel any warmth there, only softness—a perfect nest already prepared for the little life.

No heartbeat yet, but suddenly she imagined a twitch, like its final struggle.

The doctor wrote out the prescription and surgery orders matter-of-factly, tearing off the sheet without comment or expression, as if it were just scribbles.

“If you’ve decided, go pay at the counter.”

Seeing Cheng Zhanya frozen, the doctor added flatly, “I have other patients.”

Cheng Zhanya took the thin sheet of paper, which felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

This single form held her child’s fate.

She couldn’t muster a thank you. Clutching the form, she left the room with Fan Yaobai.

The payment window was on the first floor. While waiting for the elevator, Cheng Zhanya looked down and gently touched her abdomen.

A little life dwelled here.

One on the verge of vanishing.

She bit her lip in restraint, silently bidding the child farewell.

The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped in.

They were alone inside, the space quiet save for the hum of the machinery.

Fan Yaobai sighed.

She clearly didn’t want to terminate the pregnancy, yet she was forcing the decision.

“You’re really going through with it?”

She knew this was her last chance to speak. Any more, and she might sway Cheng Zhanya.

Cheng Zhanya didn’t respond, eyes downcast, fixed on her belly.

After paying, they were directed back to the fourth-floor clinic.

Soon, a nurse handed her some pills and sterile garments. Cheng Zhanya changed behind a blue privacy screen, her movements agonizingly slow.

“Take the medicine.”

“Lie down and spread your legs.”

Unlike the examining doctor, the surgeon seemed impatient, her tone tinged with faint disgust.

Of course. How many had lain on this bed? Each with their own reasons, but all erasing a little life.

Hard not to resent it.

Cheng Zhanya took the water cup and stared at the pills in her palm.

Once swallowed, there was no turning back. She touched her belly repeatedly, whispering sorry in her mind.

Sorry for denying you the right to this world.

Fan Yaobai, as accompaniment, was allowed into the procedure room. She stood by, watching silently without another word.

Cheng Zhanya looked at her. Fan Yaobai offered only a comforting glance.

Lying on the narrow bed, Cheng Zhanya’s heart raced, each thump resounding in her ears.

“Haven’t taken the medicine?”

The doctor, masked and adjusting the anesthetic, eyed the thin needle squirting clear droplets. Cheng Zhanya’s hands shook.

She clenched her fist, the pill crushed in her grip, burning against her skin.

But she barely felt it, squeezing tighter.

How many times had she ignored the discomfort in her belly? How many times had she resolved to end it? Yet now, at this moment, reluctance and fear gripped her.

The baby must feel pain, right?

Why else would it protest so fiercely each time, tugging at her flesh and blood?

Its other mother had just touched it.

It hadn’t felt a drop of love yet…

Seeing this, Fan Yaobai stepped forward and pried her fingers open one by one until her palm lay flat. She took the pill and tossed it into the nearby trash bin.

“If you can’t bear to let go, then bring it into the world.”

“You can’t even afford to raise a child?” Fan Yaobai pulled her down from the bed and turned to the doctor. “We’re not doing the surgery.”

The doctor stared at them expressionlessly but said nothing.

Everything on the small cart was already prepared. Once Cheng Zhanya received the anesthesia, it would all be over in moments.

Fan Yaobai pulled Cheng Zhanya out of the operating room. She was still wearing the blue sterile gown and was barefoot.

Only after a moment did Fan Yaobai realize something was amiss.

She had moved too quickly.

She had been afraid that Cheng Zhanya would slip back into her dazed state.

“Too rash of me,” Fan Yaobai said, touching her nose with a smile. “Let’s go to the bathroom to change.

“I’ll grab your clothes for you. Just wait here for a second.”

No sooner had she spoken than Fan Yaobai pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Cheng Zhanya stood there, her fingers twisting together nervously as she applied a bit of pressure.

Slowly, she released them and touched her belly.

In the end, she decided to keep the baby.

Of course.

The child had endured so much suffering yet never abandoned her.

How could she abandon it?

No matter what happened, thank you for choosing me as your mother.

I’ll take good care of you from now on.

I’ll love you twice as much.

Cheng Zhanya murmured these words silently in her heart, determined to make up for her past neglect.

Fan Yaobai emerged quickly, clothes in hand. She even waved them around proudly to show off.

Cheng Zhanya folded the sterile gown neatly and tossed it into the bathroom trash bin. After washing her hands and drying them, she said softly to Fan Yaobai, “Thank you, Baibai.”

“Don’t thank me yet—it’s a little premature.” Fan Yaobai chuckled. “You’re almost three months along now. If you don’t get rid of it today, you won’t be able to later.”

“And when that time comes, if you regret it, don’t come blaming me.”

Cheng Zhanya lowered her head and smiled. “I won’t regret it.”

“And I won’t blame you.”

“I want her.”

She felt this was the best choice.

She only hoped that, once the child was born, she wouldn’t resent her for not providing a complete family.

“Next up, we’ll start preparing baby stuff and get ready for the birth.”

“Isn’t that a bit early?” Cheng Zhanya replied helplessly.

Right now, she had no other thoughts. She just wanted to bring the child into the world safely.

Not to mention her job.

She had only just started working, and her career was at its peak. Getting pregnant and deciding to keep the baby now was a devastating blow.

Electronic products emitted too much radiation, and long hours at the computer would harm the child—but her work couldn’t be done without one.

After the Old Lady fell asleep, Lin Hanbing hadn’t left.

Uncertain whether Cheng Zhanya had gone, what illness she might have, or if the checks were complete, she simply sat in the first-floor lobby, waiting.

Her tablet rested on her lap as she glanced up now and then.

She reviewed a document from one of her subordinates, approved it after verifying it was correct, and sent her reply.

Closing the device, she looked up again.

That graceful silhouette was etched into her very soul. She could spot Cheng Zhanya at a glance.

Lin Hanbing rose to her feet and walked toward them.