Chapter 89: The Child

At that moment, Aunt Rong noticed the commotion outside. Lin Wanbai had just finished resting, so she came out to take a look. Fu Juxing had no intention of letting Lin Wanbai know about the child’s condition; he planned to discuss it in the doctor’s office. Aunt Rong came out just then, heard that the child might have problems, and hurried to follow him.

Seeing this, Liang Yusheng did not linger. He had only intended to briefly meet Fu Juxing and had no real desire to see Lin Wanbai. He didn’t care much about these people or matters; what truly concerned him was the whereabouts of Liang Yukang.

Fu Xian had already been found, but Liang Yukang was still missing. Fu Xian’s fate cast a shadow over his heart. Although he knew that Liang Yukang’s end probably wouldn’t be any better, without seeing the body, he couldn’t find peace. Deep inside, he harbored a small, nagging premonition.

The fact that he didn’t appear alongside Fu Xian suggested that he might still have a chance to live—perhaps he was still alive somewhere in the world.

With that thought, he said to Qin Guang, “Go to the police station. I want to see Jiang Shuzhi.”

It was time to see her; she surely knew something.

After sending off Liang Yusheng and the others, Fu Juxing and Aunt Rong headed together to the doctor’s office. The neonatal specialist thoroughly explained the child’s condition. The doctor was clear and straightforward, making it easy to understand.

In summary, the situation was bleak. There was a risk of cerebral palsy. There were two choices: either give up treatment or do everything possible to save the child.

Aunt Rong began to cry; her heart had just settled, only to be gripped by worry again.

Fu Juxing, as always, showed no reaction. Aunt Rong soon composed herself, and both of them almost simultaneously gave their answers.

“Save him!”

“Give up.”

Aunt Rong was incredulous and turned to look at him. “Young Master!”

The doctor, noticing their differing opinions, found an excuse to leave, allowing them to discuss matters privately.

Once the doctor left, Aunt Rong became somewhat reckless. “How can you give up? Young Master, that’s your child!”

Fu Juxing said quietly, “I know.”

“If there’s even one percent chance, we should fight for it. We can’t just give up! It’s a life. Even if he really ends up with cerebral palsy, Young Master, you have the means to raise him.” Aunt Rong couldn’t fathom his mindset. Suddenly, she knelt before him, grasped his hand, and pleaded, “Young Master, I beg you, please save him! If this child is lost, you will truly lose Xiao Bai.”

Those words stirred something in Fu Juxing. His eyes flickered as he met hers. “Why?”

“The child is the bond. No matter how much discord you two have in the future, there will always be that connection. If there’s no child, after she leaves...”

“Who said she will leave?” Fu Juxing interrupted. “Even without the child, she won’t leave. Ever.”

“She’s unwilling in her heart. Are you going to imprison her forever?”

“She only has me.”

“You know Xiao Bai’s character. Even if you cut off all her paths, she would break through with a bloody trail. Do you think you can imprison her forever? Even if you can, would you be happy with such possession?”

“I only want her.”

Aunt Rong sensed that he was difficult to reason with. His thoughts were unlike ordinary people’s and deeply entrenched, making it nearly impossible for others to change them.

His usual gentleness seemed to have been a façade.

She admitted she lacked the ability to change his mind and stopped arguing. “Regardless, this is your child—a life. No matter what, he deserves to be saved. If he can’t be saved, then perhaps it’s not his fate. If he can survive but has difficulties later, you can entrust him to me. I will take him back to my hometown and raise him personally. It won’t affect you at all. Is that acceptable?”

For Fu Juxing, whether to save or not was the same. He didn’t care if the child was healthy or not, or even alive or dead.

He simply believed that raising an abnormal child would be a torment, a life of unbearable pain.

What was there to look forward to in such a life?

Better to depart before fully tasting the cruelty of this world—then at least it would be easy and free.

Others did not have the heart to bear it because they could not feel his pain. All suffering was his alone. Could others share the burden? No.

At most, they could offer a few words of pity or some money. But they could not take on the pain. After pitying, they would turn away, and might not even remember you later.

To be born human was itself a trial.

He was merely ending this trial before it began. There was nothing wrong with that; it was a great kindness, far better than a future of torment.

Seeing no opposition from him, Aunt Rong secretly rejoiced. “Then I’ll tell the doctors to do everything they can. Whatever the result, we’ll have a clear conscience.”

Fu Juxing glanced at her but remained silent.

Aunt Rong eagerly rose to call the doctor.

As the door opened, Liang Xi stood there. She already knew their conversation and the doctor’s diagnosis.

She glanced at Aunt Rong and blocked the doorway, unwilling to move.

Aunt Rong said, “Miss Liang, please let me through.”

Liang Xi didn’t budge. “Aunt Rong, don’t you watch the news at all? Even whether the child in Lin Wanbai’s womb is Ah Xing’s isn’t certain. Now you’re all emotional, but if the child isn’t his, how awkward will that be?”

Aunt Rong was stunned and immediately retorted, “There’s no way the child isn’t the Young Master’s!”

“Why not?”

Aunt Rong looked to Fu Juxing, obviously disbelieving Liang Xi’s words.

Liang Xi continued, “Didn’t someone say that when Lin Wanbai went to Fukushima with Jiang Shuzhi and others, it was seen that Fu Yanchuan took a drunken Lin Wanbai into a villa? They stayed inside a long time without coming out. Who knows what happened in there? If you calculate the time, wouldn’t that be when the child was conceived?”

Aunt Rong had no knowledge of these things. But she absolutely did not believe that Lin Wanbai would do such a thing. If it had happened, she would have had an abortion. She remembered the joy when she found out she was pregnant; it couldn’t be Fu Yanchuan’s child. It was absurd.

“Miss Liang, it’s best not to speak recklessly. Your words might cause misunderstandings between the Young Master and Xiao Bai, and that’s ill-intentioned.”

Liang Xi approached Fu Juxing, looked at him, and said, “What misunderstanding? Ah Xing knows this himself. Is the child his or not?”

Fu Juxing cast a cold glance at her and replied calmly, “The child is mine.”

Liang Xi’s expression stiffened, and her tone softened slightly. “I think it’s better to test first. There’s no harm in verifying before saving.”

“No need.” Fu Juxing’s tone brooked no argument. Without another word, he left the office.

Aunt Rong ignored her and went to speak with the doctor.

Liang Xi was left alone in the consultation room. She bit her lip and stomped her foot hard.

Fu Juxing returned to the ward. Lin Wanbai was asleep, appearing weak, her face pale as paper, lips faintly colored. She looked peaceful in sleep, like a little white rabbit—only extremely thin.

He sat beside the bed, eyes fixed on her face without looking away for a moment.

After a while, he stood, leaned over, and kissed her lips gently.

Feeling it wasn’t enough, he kissed her several more times.

Liang Xi came over and saw this scene. Her heart sank, and a voice echoed in her mind: He really does like Lin Wanbai!

She clenched the door handle tightly, unwilling to believe it.

The next second, she coughed heavily.

Fu Juxing’s eyes darkened. He glanced sideways and saw Liang Xi smiling as she approached.

She said, “I was about to leave, but then I remembered Dad has been in Beicheng for a few days and we haven’t had a meal together. No matter what, you owe us dinner tonight, alright?”

Fu Juxing leaned back in his chair. “Maybe later.”

“Lin Wanbai has someone watching her here, and in her condition, she can’t go anywhere. Ah Xing, Dad is an elder. Besides, you should get back to the company. The press conference is set for next Monday. Don’t drag it out. Don’t you want to see the old lady and her family so angry they spit blood? Let those who bullied you watch—their hard days are coming.”

“I know my limits. You don’t have to remind me.” His face was expressionless, his tone cold.

Liang Xi felt uneasy but kept her cheerful demeanor. “I’ll leave first. Don’t forget dinner tonight. Dad is staying at my place, you know.”

He remained unmoved.

Liang Xi glanced at him, said nothing more, and began to leave. At the door, Fu Juxing called her back.

“Liang Xi.”

“Hmm?”

She returned and bent down, reducing the distance between them.

Fu Juxing slowly turned his head to meet her gaze. “If you say things like that again, I won’t be polite.”

Liang Xi’s smile froze. After a moment of eye contact, Fu Juxing looked away first. She straightened up slowly, maintained her smile, but inside, a storm raged, barely keeping her composure.

She wanted to argue.

It was he who had shaped Lin Wanbai into this now, step by step. What was he pretending for?

She bit her molars and after a long moment steadied herself. “Got it. I’ll go now.”

Liang Xi left the ward and met Zhou Lin, who approached with a bandaged face and a cast on her arm.

Liang Xi recognized her and greeted, “Nurse Zhou?”

Zhou Lin didn’t recognize her but saw her coming out of Lin Wanbai’s ward and asked, “Who are you?”

Liang Xi smiled, “It’s normal you don’t know me. I’m Liang Xi, Fu Juxing’s most trusted aide. I know about his issues with Chen Songyuan. Are you here to find him?”

Zhou Lin eyed her cautiously, then seemed to relax slightly. “Yes, I’m here to see Fu Juxing.”

“He’s busy now. Whatever you want with him, just tell me.”

“I came for two things: Songyuan wants to see him and asked him to visit the ICU on the fourth floor. The other is about my daughter, Lin Yao. She’s still trapped with Lin Wanbai. I hope he can help get her out.”

They had thought Lin Yao would have been released by now, but she remained in Lin Wanbai’s custody. Zhou Lin was angry. Since Chen Songyuan’s accident, Fu Juxing had only visited once. Hearing that the company’s shareholders and senior employees supported him to be chairman, Chen Songyuan nearly died of rage.

Apparently, Fu Juxing was using him as a pawn.

In borrowing his hand, it seemed the Lin family was indifferent to Lin Yao. Most likely, his feelings for her were false.

What a Fu Juxing!

Chen Songyuan had broken a leg and was now more irritable than before, prone to uncontrollable outbursts whenever awake.

Liang Xi quietly listened to Zhou Lin’s account, sensing the resentment toward Chen Songyuan.

“I’ll go with you to see him. I have nothing else to do. If you want to relay anything to Fu Juxing, tell me. Some things I can handle on his behalf.”

Zhou Lin remembered Liang Xi was Fu Juxing’s former secretary and trusted her enough to take her to Chen Songyuan’s ward.

Along the way, Zhou Lin described Lin Wanbai’s violent behavior, how she beat Chen until he was battered and concussed.

She said, “What’s the difference between her and a lunatic? If she’s truly ill, she should be locked in a mental institution.”

Liang Xi raised an eyebrow, pursed her lips, and smiled slightly without commenting.

At the ward, Chen Songyuan was smashing things again. A glass narrowly missed them.

They both jumped back. Zhou Lin stepped forward and scolded, “Enough! You broke a leg, not your life! As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. Keep this up and you’re finished!”

“You say that easily. Try breaking a leg yourself!” Chen Songyuan’s anger wasn’t just about his leg but also because after Zhou Lin left, Old Zheng had come with a representative to visit and inform him of the company’s decision: Fu Juxing was to act as chairman.

The tide was turning in Beicheng.

Fu Juxing was the rising star.

Rumors had emerged that Mr. Liang of Chaoseng was Fu Juxing’s uncle, and Fu Juxing was the heir to Chaoseng.

The acquisition of the Fu Corporation was merely a test for Fu Juxing.

This news exploded in Beicheng’s high society. Comparing the Fu family’s current plight with Fu Juxing’s hidden identity was Fu Juxing’s revenge.

Those who once oppressed, insulted, and trampled him were shocked and terrified.

Old Zheng had told Chen Songyuan.

Knowing this, Chen Songyuan could no longer remain calm. It was a clear message: all these years, he had been a pawn—one not even needing his own guidance.

All his plans had been building someone else’s empire.

Luckily, Fu Juxing held no shares in the Lin family, controlling nothing. Controlling Lin Corporation would be difficult.

He must hold on.

Seeing Chen’s state, Zhou Lin softened her tone. “I’ve brought Fu Juxing’s secretary.”

Chen glanced at Liang Xi with anger but kept his composure. He knew the pros and cons. Stirring up trouble now wouldn’t help. Fu Juxing was still pretending to care for Lin Wanbai; he couldn’t reveal his hand too soon.

He suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and lay back down. “Sorry to trouble you, Miss Liang.”

Liang Xi carefully stepped over broken glass and approached the bed with a fitting expression. “I know you lost a leg and are in a bad mood. Zhou just told me Lin Yao hasn’t been rescued yet?”

“Yes. I’ve been trying to call but no luck. I don’t know where Lin Wanbai is holding her. With Lin Wanbai’s madness, I fear she might do something extreme and take it out on Yao.”

Liang Xi nodded. “Ah Xing is busy right now. Some things he really can’t handle. I will take care of Lin Yao’s situation and make sure she’s rescued. You just focus on recovering.”

Chen’s face was pale; he gave a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth and forced a weak smile. “Thank you.”

...

Liang Yusheng arrived at the police jurisdiction hospital. The officers had arranged everything; he could see the person directly.

The old lady lay in bed, hooked to IV and oxygen, though not handcuffed.

At her age, even if she wanted to escape, she couldn’t.

Liang Yusheng sat down.

Jiang Shuzhi slightly opened her eyes, glanced at him, then closed them again, snorting, “Who’s the big shot? I don’t think I know you.”

“You don’t know me, but I know you.”

“Many know me. Who are you?” She didn’t open her eyes, speaking lightly.

“My surname is Liang, Liang Yusheng.”

At first no reaction. After a moment, she seemed to recall something, opened her eyes wide, looked at him intently, and finally said, “Relative of Liang Yukang?”

Liang Yusheng smiled. “You’re sharp. I’m Liang Yukang’s younger brother and chairman of Chaoseng.”

Though imprisoned, Jiang Shuzhi was aware of Fu Corporation’s developments. She knew it had been sold to Chaoseng.

She cackled, louder and louder. “I get it, I get it. You’ve been helping that bastard behind the scenes.”

“You’re an educated, refined person. Calling him ‘bastard’ is too crude. No, it’s filthy.”

Jiang Shuzhi slowly said, “He is a bastard. Feng Yahan’s descendants are all bastards; none are clean. You mix with these scoundrels; you’re filthy too.”

Liang Yusheng didn’t bother arguing. “I’ve come to ask you one thing.”

“To ask where Liang Yukang is?” She tilted her head, black eyes bright and sharp.

“Yes. You must know.”

Smiling, she said, “Of course I know, but I won’t tell you.”

Liang Yusheng’s smile faltered. Before he could get angry, Jiang Shuzhi said, “Tell Fu Juxing to come. I’ll tell him where his father is. If he comes, I’ll talk.”

Liang Yusheng said nothing, locking eyes with her for a moment.

She said slowly, “If he doesn’t come, this secret will go with me to the grave.”

She laughed softly.

Jiang Shuzhi had nothing left to lose; nothing could threaten her now. Liang Yusheng had no choice but to leave the hospital in a fury, slammed the door, and got into his car.

After calming down, he told Qin Guang, “Call Ah Xing. Tell him to come home for dinner. I have something important to discuss. He must come. If he refuses, you must bring him back by force, understand?”

“Understood.”

...

Aunt Rong stayed in neonatology for a while, took videos and photos, then returned to the ward, wiping away tears before entering.

Lin Wanbai had awakened, staring out the window, while Fu Juxing sat beside her. Neither spoke; the atmosphere was icy.

Aunt Rong couldn’t break the silence. She sat on the other side and smiled at Lin Wanbai. “I went to see the baby.”

Lin Wanbai didn’t respond or look at her, as if she hadn’t heard.

Aunt Rong took out her phone and showed her pictures of the baby without tubes attached. She leaned closer and handed the phone over. “Look, see how tiny he is? Isn’t it amazing? I’ve never had children, but I really love babies. To grow from this little to big is truly miraculous.”

“Look how hard he’s fighting to live. Look at his little hands...”

Lin Wanbai looked at the wrinkled, reddish baby in the photos. Emotions surged, and she pushed the phone away. “I don’t want to see.”

Aunt Rong didn’t give up. Thinking of the child’s condition and the parents’ reactions, tears welled uncontrollably. She turned away and swallowed the bitterness. “The doctor said he’s premature but not seriously ill. He needs to stay in the incubator for a month, then we can take him home.”

“I guess when you’re discharged, we can leave with the baby. Isn’t that nice?” Aunt Rong kept smiling. “There’s one important thing—you haven’t named the baby yet. I heard you can get a birth certificate now, so you must decide quickly.”

Lin Wanbai frowned deeply, breathing unevenly, unwilling to hear any of it. “What about my mother? Has she left the ICU?”

It should have been a week by now. Lin Jingyu should be out of intensive care.

No one was paying attention to Lin Jingyu’s condition, not even Aunt Rong.

Lin Wanbai looked at Fu Juxing.

He, of course, knew nothing. He had been here the whole time, never leaving, not even answering a call.

Aunt Rong said, “I’ll go check now. You wait here.”

She was about to get up but then sat back down. “Young Master, maybe you should go. You know better. You signed the papers for her surgery and talked to the doctors. You understand the situation best.”

“I only have a partial understanding. I might misjudge things if I go.”

Fu Juxing nodded and pointed to the food on the table. “Eat a little.”

Lin Wanbai ignored him, not even glancing his way.

Fu Juxing looked at her once then turned and left.

Aunt Rong breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Lin Wanbai said, “Thank you.”

“For what? I just hope you all are well. The child is innocent—a part of you. Don’t take your anger out on him. He’s the most pitiful.”

Aunt Rong’s voice choked, eyes reddening.

Lin Wanbai saw this and knew the situation was grave.

She opened her mouth, wanting to ask but hesitated.

She thought of the months she had shared with her child, every second in her womb.

Men could be heartless to children, but women could not.

After carrying a child for ten months, that bond could not be severed.

She finally asked, “What’s wrong with the baby?”

Aunt Rong could no longer hold back and cried. “The baby is not well. Very ill. The doctor said there’s fluid accumulation and infections. It’s difficult. I just saw him, so tiny, with so many tubes. I couldn’t bear to look.”

Lin Wanbai’s heart tightened, feeling the pain as if it were her own. Tears fell. Her heart felt blocked, as if hands were choking her, making it hard to breathe.

She had failed the child, failed to protect him, leading to this torment from birth.

She closed her eyes; it felt as if the sky was falling. She couldn’t bear it and was about to be crushed.

Aunt Rong’s suppressed sobbing sounded like reproaches, blaming her for not protecting herself and the child, causing unnecessary suffering.

She bit her lip hard to suppress any sound and began trembling violently.

By the time Aunt Rong noticed, Lin Wanbai had fainted.

Aunt Rong panicked and hurried to fetch a doctor.

Lin Jingyu’s condition was still critical; she couldn’t leave the ICU.

On the day Lin Wanbai gave birth, Lin Jingyu had complications, and the doctors had to perform emergency resuscitation to save her.

The doctor told him, “Your family must prepare at all times. It’s best to have someone here every day. This is the current situation. We will do everything we can, hoping she can hold on. Your family must stay strong too. Keep fighting.”

Just as the doctor left, Qin Guang called. Fu Juxing glanced and immediately rejected the call, preparing to return to obstetrics.

Fortunately, Qin Guang was at the hospital and guessed Fu Juxing wouldn’t answer, so after sending Liang Yusheng home, he came over.

By chance, they met in the elevator.

Qin Guang said, “Caught him, huh?”

Fu Juxing glanced at him without replying.

Qin Guang didn’t mind and continued, “Mr. Liang wants you home for dinner tonight. He has something to discuss.”

“Another day.”

“No can do. It has to be tonight.” Qin Guang put a hand on his shoulder. “My mission is to get you home.”

Fu Juxing looked at his hand. “Are you sure?”

Before Qin Guang could answer, Fu Juxing grabbed his wrist, spun around, and pinned him against the elevator wall.

“Tell your uncle, another day.”

Qin Guang didn’t resist. One hand pressed against the wall, he turned his head and said, “You’re so rude! Let go! You’re killing me!”

After a moment of silence, Fu Juxing released his grip and repeated, “Another day.”

Qin Guang exhaled, staring at his profile, understanding his current struggles. “What’s the point of staying here? She doesn’t want to see you. Seeing you angry won’t help her heal.”

Fu Juxing slowly turned, cold eyes meeting his.

Qin Guang cleared his throat nervously. “This is serious. Mr. Liang insisted you come. How about this: you go home, and I’ll watch things here. There’s no one else to help now. What do you have to worry about?”

“Please, will you go? If you don’t, Mr. Liang will definitely scold me. For my sake.”

Both were stubborn and ruthless; neither dared to offend the other.

As the elevator reached obstetrics, Fu Juxing showed no expression and stepped out.

His phone rang—Liang Yusheng calling.

He had guessed Qin Guang couldn’t persuade him, so he called himself.

Of course, it didn’t help.

Fu Juxing didn’t answer.

He just glanced at the screen, put the phone away, and told Qin Guang, “Tell your uncle, another day.”

As for when, only heaven knew.

Qin Guang didn’t follow. After waiting a moment, he called Liang Yusheng to report.

Liang Yusheng was furious, raging on the other end.

Liang Xi returned home to find him roaring in the living room, throwing a tantrum.

She approached, stood beside him, and waited for him to vent before asking, “What’s wrong? Why so angry?”

“Fu Juxing! That brat! I told him to come back; he won’t! What does he want?!”

Liang Xi immediately recalled what she saw at the hospital and felt uneasy.

Liang Yusheng looked at her. “Don’t be presumptuous. I believe you when you say he doesn’t like Lin Yao. But if you say he’s indifferent to Lin Wanbai, then what do you make of this? He’s guarding the hospital like a dog. He even ignores me!”

“This means nothing else in the world is more important than Lin Wanbai to him.”

Liang Xi shook her head. “No! It’s because of the Lin family! Lin Zhaowei is influential. If Fu Juxing shows coldness now, those people will notice. He can’t reveal himself immediately. You can’t let the duck on your lips fly away!”

That did make some sense.

Liang Yusheng waved his hand. “Fine, I’ll leave this to Qin Guang.”

On the other side, Qin Guang hung up and immediately caught up with Fu Juxing. “Mr. Liang wants you back. He just wants a favor.”

“What?”

“Today, Mr. Liang visited Jiang Shuzhi and asked about your father. Jiang Shuzhi said she’d only tell if you come. Mr. Liang wants you to go. Don’t you want to know where your biological father is?”

Fu Juxing paused. “I know.”

He said that and turned to leave.

Qin Guang grabbed him again. “You’ll go, right?”

He vaguely sensed Fu Juxing wasn’t really interested in his father’s whereabouts.

“I will.”