Chapter 108 — Soulful Conversations

"Look at me Xiao Chen." Li Chuanmo waited till he complied before he continued.

"Believe me when I say your birth was the best thing that ever happened to me. The day you were born, you looked so adorable and lovely that I immediately became smitten.

"I love you very much son. You're smart, intelligent and cute to boot. If she doesn't love you, she doesn't know what she's missing. If she thinks you're not important to her, know that you're very important to me, to your grandma, your grand pa, your Auntie Pei and many others.

"But most importantly, you're yourself. As long as you love yourself and love the person you're growing up to be, what other irrelevant people think do not matter. So take such hurtful words out of your memory, Son. You're daddy's treasure."

Li Yuchen sniffled as he hugged Li Chuanmo. "Thank you Dad."

Li Chuanmo patted his back lovingly. For long minutes, silence reigned. Only the sounds of Li Yuchen's sniffles as he tried to stop crying could be heard. Li Chuanmo on his part was trying to control his anger. His son needed him more at this point.

"But Dad, did you really mean that?" It was Li Yuchen that still broke the silence eventually.

"What?"

"That I looked so adorable when I was born?"

"Of course."

"But Gramps said you thought I was sick because I looked all red and wrinkly. Are you lying to make me feel better?"

Li Chuanmo: "...."

Your memory is indeed unnecessarily sharp!

He coughed, "I was just scared that something was wrong. When I took a proper look later, you really looked adorable as you clutched at your shawl."

"Really?" Li Yuchen still looked sceptical.

"Have I ever lied to you?" What kind of turn has this conversation taken? Li Chuanmo wondered.

'Of course you have. You just lied now.' Li Yuchen said inwardly. "If you say so Dad." He said out loud, holding on to Li Chuanmo's shirt.

He soon fell asleep, still holding his father's shirt, while Li Chuanmo sat still, thinking.

*****

After a long and tiring day, Pei Yueran really wanted to do nothing more than eat and sleep. But she jumped into a sitting position abruptly when she realized that she had still not heard from Su Qianhua.

She immediately dialed her number. Su Qianhua picked at the thirtieth second.

Her nervous excitement was cut short abruptly when she saw Su Qianhua's red, swollen eyes. Her heart began to pound in worry, her good news forgotten.

"Qianhua, what happened to you?"

Su Qianhua adjusted her sitting position. "A lot, Ranran, a whole lot. Where do I even start?"

With a little coaxing, she opened up, sharing the entire tale.

"...So for now, Philip and I are conditioning my body, waiting till I'm fit for the surgery. Ranran, How could this happen to me? Am I not dumb? How could I not even think about protective measures?

"I sound very resolute when I'm with Philip, but the truth is that I feel so guilty, and I'm also scared. The baby didn't do anything wrong. The baby is innocent in all these, and I feel bad everytime I see Jiang Philip, bless his heart, trying to act nonchalant, even though I know he really wants this baby.

"Then the fear. I'm plagued by thoughts of how the surgery will go, and what it will change about me. Will I still recognize myself? Will I begin to subconsciously see myself as a murderer?" By this time, she was already sobbing again, her shoulders shaking.

Pei Yueran felt the full weight of her friends emotions and she broke down in tears as well. Tears for the anguish she was passing through, tears for the heavy decision pressing on her friend's shoulders.

The both cried until there were no tears left to shed. After letting out her fears and emotions, Su Qianhua felt better. She wasn't expecting Pei Yueran to give her advice, only a listening ear. No words were needed between them, but Pei Yueran spoke all the same.

"Whatever you chose to do, be strong. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's not the end of the world, or of your life for that matter. This phase will eventually pass and everything will be behind you soon. Should I come over?"

Su Qianhua shook her head. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. Philip is also here and he said he'll be with me till then."

"So, your mind is made up? Both of you are not informing your parents?"

"Yes, my mind is made up. About informing parents, it didn't even cross my mind. If my mom knew, we would be married in a heartbeat."

"I'm not trying to be suggestive in any way, but will that be so bad?"

Su Qianhua sighed. "Jiang Philip also proposed marriage at the time. But Ranran, I don't want to get married out of this obligation. If I marry him simply because of the baby, will the baby's existence be enough to sustain us when other issues arise?

"In my own opinion, marriage should be a union of two people who love each other, not as a stop loss measure. Even true love is not enough these days to keep a couple together, let alone an unplanned baby."

Pei Yueran nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. That's a rational evaluation. "After a short pause, she asked, "And work? what would you do?"

"I'll continue as usual. I don't think there'll be any problems if I eat well and avoid strenuous tasks. The doctor said there would be no more dizzy spells then."

"Alright. Please stay healthy Qianhua, and stay positive. Everything will be fine, let's hold on to hope. Remember, if you need me, don't hesitate. I'll drop everything right away and come."

Su Qianhua felt fine by this time and even had the mood to tease her, "Are you sure? What if you're with Boss Li, would you abandon him for me?"

Pei Yueran smiled before replying, "Of course. You will always be the first person in my heart."

"Liar!" Su Qianhua shouted before dissolving into laughter. Pei Yueran joined her even as she tried to convince her, "I'm serious. I hold my Huahua at the tip of my heart. She is the most important person to me."

"I just recorded your touching declaration. Should I send it straight to Boss Li?"

"You dare?!" Pei Yueran shouted, laughing.

Su Qianhua's comical eye roll showed how much she was enjoying their banter. Her problems had been set aside for the moment.

"By the way, how was your weekend getaway? Any juicy highlights?" She asked, winking suggestively.

That reminded Pei Yueran of her news. The news that she wanted to share so excitedly at the beginning was now bittersweet. She didn't want to share her news while her friend was going through so much, but she figured she would want to know.

So she raised her left hand to the camera, displaying her engagement ring.

"Waaaaa!"

Su Qianhua screamed in excited surprise.