In contrast to Xie Lin, who at the other end was practically seething with rage, Han Jingnian, inside the car, chuckled subtly, his lips pulling up at the corners.

He allowed his mind to wander off within the looping dialogue between Xia Wan’an and Xie Lin. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

At first, he only thought she was different from the others; later, he invited her into his heart; only now has he realised that in his world, she wasn’t just an invitee, she was a frontrunner.

In their two-year long marriage, he only truly began to notice her a few months ago. However, it was in those brief few hundred moments that she allowed everything in his barren world to flourish.

Ever since his father’s death, he seldom interacted with anyone, fearing that he might burden others. Likewise, he feared the loss of what he had, as the feeling was genuinely unbearable which had him practice emotional detachment over the years. But her sudden intrusion made him feel encounters of joy, anxiety, fret, anger... He had tasted every flavor of emotions in that instant.

Ever since he had clarity about his feelings, he knew she was important to him. That being said, the day Xie Lin called to say she was under medical examination at the hospital, he felt tensed, panicked and at a complete loss... even thinking if Xie Lin revealed any health issues to her, causing her sadness or tears, he would annihilate the hospital.

Once he had deceived her about the truth, he heaved a sigh of relief... a sigh akin to escaping a near-death experience, which even caused a stir in his heart.

That was when he realised, she meant far more to him than he had ever imagined.

Without children, he would undoubtedly feel regret; but if there was no Xia Wan’an, Han Jingnian would undoubtedly be dead.

...

Post her departure from the hospital, Xia Wan’an found a secluded spot, hid herself away and wept for a long time.

She had been fond of Han Jingnian for eight years. During the lengthy period of her secret admiration, he had upset her countless times leading to endless disappointment and tears. She had even come close to giving up in despair.

She thought that was the most painful moment of her life. But today, upon learning about Han Jingnian’s condition from Xie Lin, she realised there was a pain more unbearable than the one inflicted on oneself.

Han Jingnian... he valued family more than anything. Although he never spoke about it or showed it, his family members one by one leaving him was the deepest scar of his life. Her grandmother once told her that childbirth, a new life, would surely heal him.

But she never thought... it would be difficult for him to have a new life.

The more Xia Wan’an thought about it, the more her heart ached, tears trickling down her cheek, uncontrollable.

Having cried for a good half an hour, Xia Wan’an finally calmed down, her eyes swollen from tears. Luckily, because his blockhead Han Jingnian wouldn’t be home, she didn’t worry about him noticing anything odd. Once home, she headed straight to the study, turned on the computer and began researching on "low sperm survival rates", before diligently noting down the precautions like a studious middle schooler.