Chapter 24

The insomnia I hadn’t had for a long time came back. Every day was torture; several sleepless nights in a row left my head heavy and my legs weak.

On my way home from work, a sudden downpour crashed from the sky. A violent gust of wind snapped the ribs of my umbrella in an instant, so I simply threw it into a puddle.n
“God, if I’ve done something wrong, just strike me with lightning, will you? Why are you doing this to me instead!”

My vision went black, and I collapsed onto the waterlogged pavement. In a daze, I felt someone pick me up. The feeling was so familiar that I drifted into what felt like a dream.

In the dream, Bai Zifan was carrying me. “So heavy, like a giant penguin!”

“Rude, you’re the giant penguin!”

I woke up in the hospital and actually heard Bai Zifan’s voice. He was anxiously asking the doctor, “How could she just suddenly pass out?”

“Pregnant and still out in the rain? You young people, honestly!” The middle‑aged female doctor rolled her eyes and unleashed a scolding at Bai Zifan. “You’re a husband and you’re this careless? Your wife is pregnant and you didn’t notice? Early pregnancy makes low blood sugar more likely-why would you let her get soaked in the rain? You must pay attention to her safety!”

Bai Zifan’s face was bright red. He kept apologizing. “Uh… yeah… okay.”

“Pregnant?” The word struck like a bolt from the blue. I jerked myself upright.

“You’re awake!” Bai Zifan hurried over, his eyes full of worry. “You fainted by the roadside. You scared me half to death!”

“Doctor, can you estimate when I conceived?” I asked.

The doctor flipped through the test results. “The fetus looks to be about seven weeks along. Conception should’ve been around mid‑June.”

Mid‑June. I suddenly remembered the day I found that strange button. June sixteenth.

“I don’t want this baby!” My voice shook. “Doctor, please arrange an abortion for me.”

The doctor frowned. “With your physical condition, I don’t recommend a termination.” She looked at me seriously. “This kind of thing needs to be discussed properly with your family. Don’t make a rash decision.”

After the doctor left, Bai Zifan cautiously said, “She’s right, don’t rush into anything. How about… you tell Suhang first and talk it over with him?”

“No need!”

Bai Zifan sat down at the edge of the bed. “What on earth happened? Did Suhang do something to you?”

I shook my head. Before I could speak, tears started spilling down.

“Don’t decide yet. Focus on getting your strength back first.” Bai Zifan wiped away my tears and poured a cup of warm water, pressing it into my hand. His voice was gentle. “Whatever you’re going through, I’m here. I’ll stay with you, okay? Just trust me.”

Right then, my phone rang sharply. It was Suhang. Bai Zifan had already told him I was in the hospital; he was on his way, rushing over in a panic, and would be here any minute.

“Help me keep this a secret. Don’t tell Suhang I’m pregnant.”

Bai Zifan’s brows knit together. “What exactly is going on between you two…?”

Before he could finish, the ward door was pushed open. Suhang strode in, breathing hard, raindrops still clinging to his suit. “Lili, are you okay?”

I told him I was fine, that I’d just fainted from low blood sugar. Fortunately, Manager Li happened to be passing by and saw me, then brought me to the hospital, so I was all right now.

Suhang grasped Bai Zifan’s hands with both of his, full of gratitude. “Thank you, Manager Li, thank you so much!”

Bai Zifan nodded, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Just then, that same female doctor came back. She shoved a prescription slip into Bai Zifan’s hand and said loudly, “Family member of Bed 30, this is the patient’s prescription. Pay the bill first, then pick up the medicine. The mother‑to‑be is physically weak. No sex at all for the first three months, got it?”

Bai Zifan’s face froze with embarrassment. Before he could react, Suhang snatched the slip from his hand.

“What? Pregnant? Honey, you’re pregnant?”

The female doctor, who’d been about to turn and leave, stopped dead in her tracks, stunned. Her gaze bounced back and forth between the two men in disbelief.

Suhang’s eyes reddened instantly, his voice tripping over itself with excitement. “Th‑that’s… that’s wonderful! I’ll go get the medicine right now!” He nearly walked straight into the doorframe on his way out, like an overgrown boy who’d completely lost his bearings.

I watched his jubilant back disappearing down the hall, and a chill spread through my chest. Was he really that happy? Or was this just superb acting? Could it be he didn’t realize… that this child very likely isn’t his at all?