CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: SORRY BABY, MOM CAN’T KEEP YOU

Time slipped by silently. Yan Xinxin sat outside the consultation room, her thoughts uneasy.

"Is Lady Yan Xinxin here?"

The nurse’s gentle call came from the doorway of the consultation room.

Yan Xinxin sprang to her feet as though startled.

"Yes, I’m here."

"Please come in!"

The nurse offered a faint smile, but Yan Xinxin felt as though the world spun around her, especially when she heard the female doctor deliver the test results...

"Lady Yan, you are indeed pregnant. Since it’s still very early in your pregnancy, the condition of the fetus isn’t entirely clear. I recommend you come back for another check-up in a week."

Hearing the doctor’s words, Yan Xinxin froze in place, as if immobilized by a spell.

Seeing Yan Xinxin stunned and motionless, the female doctor’s face revealed a trace of coldness and contempt.

"If you don’t want to keep this child, you should come to the hospital for the procedure as soon as possible. The sooner, the better."

"..."

These words made Yan Xinxin’s heart skip a beat.

"You young people—fine, enjoy your lives if you want—but don’t make a mess of things by creating new life irresponsibly. What’s in your belly is also a living being! Think it through carefully. If you truly decide not to keep it, bring the father of the child to sign the forms. The hospital will arrange for the procedure promptly!"

Yan Xinxin stumbled out of the hospital doors, wandering aimlessly along the streets.

The clear sunlight fell upon her pale, delicate face, but it could not dispel the shadow lodged in her heart.

Why did heaven insist on toying with her like this?

Once five years ago, and now, once more five years later.

Was she destined to bear children after being with strange men?

Yan Xinxin lifted her hand to touch her flat stomach, letting out a bitter laugh. As memories of five years ago surfaced, a bit of dampness clung to the corners of her eyes.

Five years ago, after that incident, she discovered she was pregnant.

When Ye Lirong found out, she scolded her harshly yet again, even hitting her with a broom and kicking her out of the house.

Looking back, she remembered how the 15-year-old Yan Zhirou had merely stood by, leisurely sucking on a lollipop and watching. If it hadn’t been for the father who cared for her, she probably would have long since been driven out.

During the ten months she was pregnant, Ye Lirong cursed her nearly every day, following up each tirade by pressuring her to have an abortion.

Every day, Yan Xinxin got up at dawn to work part-time jobs, only returning home after Ye Lirong had gone to sleep.

Though she was carrying twins, her belly was no larger than that of an average pregnant woman. She ate little, suffered from poor nutrition, and had to endure her mother’s disdain, along with the judgmental stares of distant relatives and acquaintances...

"Plop!"

Tears silently fell onto the back of her hand.

Yan Xinxin snapped back to her senses, hurriedly raising her hand to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. Once more, she reached out to touch her abdomen.

"I’m sorry, baby. Mommy can’t keep you..."

She really couldn’t.

Her relationship with Mo Chuxi was merely contractual. Sooner or later, they would part ways. She couldn’t have this baby.

Otherwise, in the future, the one who would suffer the most would be her...

Mo Chuxi was the dream man of countless young women, their Prince Charming. But Yan Xinxin had no glass slippers; she wasn’t some Cinderella...

"Honk, honk—"

The sound of a car horn suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned her head toward the road and saw Sheng Yehan’s refined, handsome face.

Seeing the trace of moisture in Yan Xinxin’s reddened eyes, Sheng Yehan quickly stepped out of the car.

"Why are you coming out of the hospital? Are you sick?"

"No!"

Yan Xinxin shook her head, hastily coming up with an excuse.

"I—I came to visit a friend. I’ll leave now, so as not to hold you up."

"Are you interested in coming with me somewhere?"

Sheng Yehan called out to stop Yan Xinxin, inviting her.

"I think you’ll really like this place."