I Want a Lifetime with You
Chapter 414

Qin Xiaoxiao?

Fu Chengyan narrowed his eyes as he stared at Fu Ling.

His sister gazed back into those frosty eyes of his and pursed her lips. "She is the adopted daughter of the Qin family and Qin Yanzhi's younger sister."

So something happened between Qin Yanzhi and Qin Xiaoxiao, and Qin Xiaoxiao came to Jiang City just to bear this child? And that was where she happened to meet Fu Ling by chance?

Seeing realization dawn on Fu Chengyan's face, Fu Ling knew that he had guessed what happened. "Before she died, she told me not to let Qin Yanzhi know about the child. She said that Qin Yanzhi would hate her and that he'd take all his anger out on the child."

Fu Ling's eyes gleamed as she spoke, but they darkened the moment she subconsciously touched her own belly. "Honestly, I have my own selfish desires too. Bai has helped make up for my previous loss, and he's given me the courage to live on. That's why I never wanted to bring him back here to meet Qin Yanzhi. I'd never have come back if his illness hadn't worsened, nor would I have ever let Qin Yanzhi replace out about this child's existence. No mother would ever allow her own child to suffer. Since Qin Xiaoxiao had chosen to give birth to him, I'm sure she wanted Bai to live a happy life. That's why I don't want him to return to the Qin family."

“But Bai is a member of the Qin family. Now that you're here, do you think they'll let him roam around outside if they replace out about him?" Fu Chengyan was a more logical person. The facts he had just spoken were what Fu Ling had constantly been trying to avoid.

A hint of sadness flashed in Fu Ling's eyes as she stared at Fu Chengyan. "Isn't there any other way? I don't want to delay Bai's treatment, but I don't want him to leave me either!"

I know I'm selfish. I've never denied this.

Fu Chengyan gazed at her deeply. "You should know that I don't have the right to do this."

Fu Ling smiled wryly. "I understand."

She turned around, only to see Su Shaoqing standing not far off, staring at her with a complicated look on his face.

Fu Ling froze completely. She gripped her fists before immediately loosening them. Meanwhile, Su Shaoqing's eyes never left her. He continued to stare at her, thinking about what he had just heard. Then, he took a step forward, attempting to walk over to Fu Ling. Yet, the woman stilled for a moment before walking past Su Shaoqing. Just as Su Shaoqing was about to grab onto her, she shot him a cold glare, causing his hand to freeze in mid-air.

With a twitch of his lips, Su Shaoqing watched as Fu Ling walked further away. He did not go after her.

"Let's go." Fu Chengyan stood next to Su Shaoqing and gave him a quick glance. "Feeling miserable?"

Su Shaoqing smirked. "You're happy about that, aren't you?"

Fu Chengyan huffed. "Instead of wasting time standing here, why don't you think of a way to help her? I'm sure you heard everything she just said."

Su Shaoqing furrowed his brows. It was rare for him to be so deep in thought. "Qin Xiaoxiao, huh?"

The Qin family wasn't a particularly powerful household, but they were still considered nobles. Qin Yanzhi was a difficult child to raise. That was why the Qin family had adopted a daughter in hopes of improving the situation. If I recall correctly, her name was indeed Qin Xiaoxiao.

According to what I've heard, a little girl would constantly follow Qin Yanzhi everywhere. He treated her really well. Everyone used to say she was Qin Yanzhi's future wife, but Qin Yanzhi thought of her as his little sister all along.

Then, the girl suddenly vanished one day. So, she left home to give birth to the child?

Su Shaoqing lowered his gaze as his hands balled into fists. "I'll grant all her wishes." He owed her so much that he could never repay her for his entire lifetime.

Fu Ling arrived outside the ward and heard Shi Nuan telling Bai a story. The little boy's eyes twinkled in excitement the whole time, and he never stopped tugging on Shi Nuan. Fu Ling's gaze softened. Bai is practically my life. I would have never been able to live if I lost him. That's the only reason I come back to Jiang City. But if... If the Qin family takes him away...

Fu Ling's eyes turned bleak. I'll do anything to make sure Bai is happy and well.

Taking in a deep breath, she opened the door. "Hey, Shi Nuan!"

Shi Nuan froze for a moment. She didn't know what had happened outside, but from the way Fu Ling was addressing her now, it was clear that things had gotten much better.

Hence, she beamed. "Bai is adorable and really smart."

"Aunt Nuan tells me such nice stories, Mommy! I've never heard any of them before."

Hearing that, a look of remorse surfaced in Fu Ling's eyes. "It's my fault, Bai. Mommy will tell you more stories from now on, okay?" Before this, she used to only care about making money for Bai's treatment. I forgot that Bai is just a child. He needs a wholesome childhood.

Yet, Bai was spending most of his life in the hospital. Even if he were at home, Fu Ling had to get a nanny to look after him because she had to work.

The thought of this suddenly made Fu Ling feel unworthy of being called a mother. I've been so inconsiderate.

Seeing the look on Fu Ling's face, Shi Nuan got up and walked toward her. "Honestly, Ling, you can always move here. If you don't like staying at the Fu Residence, you can come and live with Yan and I. The Wutong Residence is huge, and it's normally just Yan and I living there. I'd have more company if you move in, and I'll be able to help you look after Bai too."

With her hand being held by Shi Nuan, Fu Ling gazed at her in shock. "What do you think?" Shi Nuan asked, smiling.

"That won't be necessary." Fu Ling shook her head. "Actually, I'm doing pretty okay now. Besides..." She glanced at Bai. "He's spending more time in the hospital these days."

"I'm talking about after Bai's surgery." Shi Nuan patted Fu Ling's shoulder lightly. "You have to trust Yan and Shaoqing. I may not know what happened between the three of you back then, but ever since you've come back, Yan and Shaoqing have constantly been trying to make things up to you."

"Whatever happened has already happened - that's a fact no one can change. To be honest, so many years have passed. I'm no longer as hung up about it as I once was. All I want now is a way to get Qin Yanzhi to donate some of his bone marrow. I don't have anything else in mind."

Outside the ward, Su Shaoqing's gaze darkened as he pursed his lips. He had wanted to push the door open, but he turned to leave in the end.

Fu Chengyan squinted and shook his head helplessly as he watched Su Shaoqing walk away.

Then, he entered the ward. "How's Bai doing?"

"He's okay. The doctor just dropped by and said Bai's been doing pretty well, but you'll have to be quick. Bai is really young, after all. Chemotherapy is going to take a huge toll on him."

Fu Ling turned to Fu Chengyan in anguish at the mention of chemotherapy.

Fu Chengyan pursed his lips. "Shaoqing's already on the hunt for the best bone marrow match. Meanwhile... I'll get Qin Yanzhi to come over as quickly as possible. Don't worry."

"Alright, stop worrying too much," Shi Nuan consoled while patting Fu Ling's hand. "Bai is such an adorable child, so I'm sure the heavens are always watching over him. Come live with us at the Wutong Residence after he gets better!"

Bai was so tired that he had fallen asleep while they were talking.

Fu Ling softened her tone and called the nurse over to look after Bai after realizing that he was already in a slumber.

Shi Nuan headed outside while holding Fu Ling's hand. "You've had a long day, so you must be starving! I've just had Yan book a place. Let's have dinner together."

Fu Ling wanted to decline the offer, but for some reason, Shi Nuan had the ability to prevent that.

Fu Ling gazed at Shi Nuan. She's really kind and mild-tempered, but there's just something about her that's so charming. I can never say no to her.

Hence, Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan took Fu Ling out for a meal. Night fell by the time they were done, so Shi Nuan suggested that Fu Chengyan give Fu Ling a ride home. Once again, Fu Ling wanted to turn down the offer, but Shi Nuan insisted on sending her home, so she relented.

Yet, Shi Nuan was slightly taken aback when Fu Ling told them where she lived. Even Fu Chengyan couldn't help but glance at her in surprise.

Feeling anxious under Fu Chengyan's heated gaze, Fu Ling hurriedly turned to look out the window. Fu Chengyan narrowed his eyes but remained silent.

When they arrived in front of Su Shaoqing's villa, Fu Chengyan turned off the car's engine and fixed his gaze on Fu Ling. "Shaoqing hasn't had it easy these years either, Ling. He messed up back then, but I think he's done enough to pay for his mistakes. Now that you've moved in with him, I suppose you want to be on good terms again, so-"

"I'm afraid you've misunderstood the situation," Fu Ling cut him off. "I moved in only because he agreed to treat Bai. I'll do anything to make sure Bai gets better. Besides, I'll only be here for a few days."

Fu Ling spoke so casually that the change in her emotions remained hidden. "Su Shaoqing and I were never meant to be. If I couldn't be with him back then, what makes you think I'd be with him now?" It wasn't just time holding them back. There was also the child that she had lost.

Fu Chengyan frowned. He wanted to say more, but Fu Ling quickly opened the car door and alighted, not giving him a chance to do so.

The creases between his brows deepened as he watched Fu Ling enter Su Shaoqing's villa. He looked as though there was now a huge obstacle to take care of.

Seeing how he looked, Shi Nuan held him by the hand. "Don't rush anything. We have all the time. Ling is obviously really sentimental, and she hasn't gotten over Shaoqing. Otherwise, she wouldn't have explained herself so confidently."

Fu Chengyan nodded. "She's still brooding over the past."

"So, what happened back then? Did Ling really get an abortion because of Shaoqing? Why did she do so?"

Fu Chengyan sighed. "All you see right now is how Shaoqing constantly chases after her, so of course, you wouldn't know how Ling was like before."

Shi Nuan gazed at Fu Chengyan in puzzlement.

"Ling, Huan, and Shaoqing were classmates back in university. If even Huan had no idea that Ling was secretly in love with Shaoqing for more than ten years, how would Shaoqing himself ever know it?"