Chapter 7: Heartbroken Again

Lin Yi spoke softly and unhurriedly. As these words were uttered, silence fell over the room. Wang Zhiwen, who had been wearing a confident smile, felt his expression stiffen and then collapse, leaving him with a sensation of suffocation. What did he mean by them having a child and choosing him as a godfather? Could it be... they already had a child together? Perhaps his family would accept a woman who'd been in love before, but they would never accept someone who already had a child... Wang Zhiwen had always been confident, in his appearance and his abilities, never settling for second place. Yet, today he was dealt a significant blow. First, by Lin Yi's face that outshone women's in beauty, and now by his words which felt like a gunshot to the chest. While he stood there full of confidence, believing he could surpass anyone, Lin Yi had already made his move, and seemingly impregnated his girlfriend. "This…" Xia Qianqian, Xia Hongjun, and even Zhang Xiu were all slack-jawed. Now Xia Hongjun and Zhang Xiu finally understood why their daughter had been so reluctant to bring her boyfriend home... Because she was pregnant. What woman wouldn't be nervous about being pregnant before marriage? Now they began to comprehend their daughter's predicament. She wouldn't want to meet someone new with all of this going on. Had it not been for Lin Yi's announcement, they still might be in the dark. "Lin Yi, you... you…" Xia Qianqian at that moment wanted to shake Lin Yi — her shared boyfriend who was meant to be her shield — for saying she was pregnant with his child. How was she supposed to cover this up now? "If you don't want to marry this man, just play along with me." Lin Yi whispered as he held Xia Qianqian's hand. She did calm down a bit at his words but then pinched his waist fiercely as revenge for his bold move. "Dad, Mom... I've been through another breakup..." Suddenly, Xia Xiaoxiao burst into tears. It felt as if she'd been stabbed in the chest again, no, as if someone was suffocating her and then stabbing her relentlessly. The pain was so intense she couldn't even speak. She'd thought she might have a chance with Lin Yi before, but now with a child on the way, what chance did she have? "Why another breakup?" Xia Hongjun asked, utterly bewildered. "It's just a breakup, okay! From now on… I'll never believe in love again. Waaa…" Throwing a tantrum, Xia Xiaoxiao then tearfully ran to her room. "What on earth is that girl babbling about?" Xia Hongjun was more confused than ever with his younger daughter. She should be happy about the pregnancy — what breakup was she talking about if she'd never even dated? "Sweetheart, getting pregnant is a big deal, why didn't you talk to us about it first? Come sit down." Zhang Xiu and Xia Hongjun stood up together, quickly moving to support their daughter. "Dad, Mom, it's no big deal, I was going to tell you," Xia Qianqian replied, on the verge of tears. Lin Yi was supposed to be her savior, her pretend boyfriend. Now, what was she going to do? "You're still saying that! Don't you know? Pregnant women need nutrition, look how thin you've gotten," Zhang Xiu scolded. "Come on, let's have dinner. Lin Yi, Zhiwen, join us," Xia Hongjun said, his emotions a mix of unease and excitement for the forthcoming grandchild. "Uncle, you should enjoy the family reunion. I should be going," Wang Zhiwen replied, thinking it best to leave. Staying any longer would only serve to embarrass himself further. Here he was, trying to court a woman who already had a child with another man. How could he not feel awkward? "What do you mean you're going? Sit down, have dinner before leaving. What? You think you're too good for an old man like me? I heard from your dad you're good at drinking. Have a few rounds with me before you go," Xia Hongjun insisted, feeling guilty about the situation and not wanting Wang Zhiwen to leave without at least having dinner. "Besides, you prepared all these dishes. If you leave now, you'd be taking the food with you."

"This is…" Wang Zhiwen grew even more embarrassed. Now it was awkward whether he stayed or left. "Zhiwen, sit down! Have a meal before you leave." Zhang Xiu called out to him. "Well, alright then, Auntie..." Wang Zhiwen could only reluctantly sit down, as it would indeed be rude to leave after what had been said. "Xiaoxiao, come out for dinner." Zhang Xiu shouted toward the room and then went to knock on the door. "Lin Yi, come, sit next to me. You can serve me some dishes later." Xia Qianqian settled down and purposely pulled Lin Yi to sit by her side. "Alright." Lin Yi had no objections and directly took a seat beside Xia Qianqian. "Hmph…" At that moment, Xia Xiaoxiao also emerged from her room, taking a seat on Lin Yi's other side, glaring disapprovingly at Xia Qianqian and Lin Yi. "Come on, everyone's here. Let's eat." Xia Hongjun, seeing his younger daughter had also joined, called everyone to start the meal, and brought out his liquor. "Wait a second…" Zhang Xiu immediately intervened as she saw Xia Qianqian about to eat a piece of spicy fried pork, stopping her in her tracks. "Honey, you're pregnant now. You have to be careful with your diet during pregnancy. You can't eat dishes with chili in them. Just wait a moment, I'll make you some chicken soup." Zhang Xiu admonished her daughter with concern. "Mom, is it really that serious?" Xia Qianqian felt overwhelmed by the pregnancy situation; now she couldn't even eat her favorite dishes. "What do you mean is it serious? Just wait, I'll have the soup ready in a moment." Zhang Xiu urged repeatedly, then hurried into the kitchen. Seeing her mother's actions, Xia Qianqian directed all her frustration at Lin Yi, irritated by this fabricated pregnancy mess. If it turned into a real pregnancy, what then? She'd be sent right over the edge. If not for him, things would not have gotten this out of hand.