"You're marrying Lin Lin after Xiao Xi is discharged from the hospital?" Zhao Qin asked excitedly.
Jin Ye didn't reply, but Zhao Qin took it as confirmation.
After Jin Xiao Xi received Shao Lin's blood, his condition improved significantly.
The doctor kept smiling, "That's right, that's right..."
Jin Ye's expression remained largely unchanged. He entered the ward, touched Xiao Xi's face, and was about to leave.
"Brother Jin," Shao Lin called out to him "weakly."
"What is it?" Jin Ye asked coldly.
"I heard Auntie say that after Xiao Xi is discharged, you'll marry me?" Shao Lin looked up nervously, her tear-filled deer-like eyes filled with deep affection.
Jin Ye was silent for a few seconds, "We'll talk about it after discharge."
He didn't give her a definite answer, but Shao Lin was already content. At least Jin Ye wasn't as dismissive of her as before.
Over the next month, Shao Lin moved back into the Jin family home.
Jin Miao Miao had previously looked down on Shao Lin, but after experiencing Jin Ye's intense affection for Su Ding, her animosity towards Shao Lin inexplicably lessened.
Perhaps there was a sense of shared suffering.
In Jin Miao Miao's eyes, no one was worthy of Jin Ye, let alone worthy of his love.
But Su Ding had it and didn't cherish it, making her a slut!
Relatively speaking, although Shao Lin wasn't quite up to par, they both belonged to the category of ordinary people, so she no longer disliked her as much.
"Miao Miao, look what I have?"
Shao Lin knocked on Jin Miao Miao's door and handed her a small box.
Jin Miao Miao had received many small favors from Shao Lin before, and her attitude had gradually improved.
She opened it and her face lit up with surprise.
Inside was the latest Cartier necklace, which she had been discussing with her classmates on video not long ago.
Shao Lin knew she had chosen the right gift from Jin Miao Miao's expression. She smiled and said, "Do you like it? It's for you."
"I love it, thank you!" Jin Miao Miao smiled and snatched it, pulling her into the room. "Sister-in-law, please come in."
After Shao Lin entered, Jin Miao Miao asked again, "I've noticed your complexion hasn't been good lately. Isn't Xiao Xi being discharged soon?"
"Yes, the doctor says it's very soon," Shao Lin nodded.
"You need to take good care of yourself too, or you won't be a beautiful bride. Auntie has been preparing for your wedding recently, and many relatives know about it," Jin Miao Miao said, hugging a teddy bear.
Shao Lin's face brightened, "Really?"
Jin Miao Miao nodded, "Yes. How is cousin? Is he still cold? Have you been to the company to see him?"
"I have, but his attitude towards me is still indifferent," Shao Lin said with some dejection.
Jin Miao Miao sighed, "He's probably still thinking about that woman."
Shao Lin clenched her fists, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.
As long as she stayed with Jin Ye for long enough, she was sure Su Ding would disappear.
Another week passed, and Xiao Xi was finally discharged.
He had basically recovered; the蛊虫 (gu worms) no longer had any effect on him. He only needed to go home and rest well.
Upon returning home, Jin Xiao Xi became withdrawn.
He refused to interact with anyone, staying confined to his room. He had the servants deliver his meals, and didn't come out otherwise.
Shao Lin and Zhao Qin were both met with closed doors.
Even when Jin Ye returned, Jin Xiao Xi wouldn't give him a pleasant look.
However, Jin Ye didn't offer him any pleasantries either.
One day, a bombshell piece of news broke within the Huang Qi Group: Jin Ye and Shao Lin were engaged.
Many people knew Shao Lin as Jin Ye's former rumored wife.
It seemed he had been heartbroken by Su Ding, his celebrity ex-girlfriend, and had reconciled with Shao Lin.
Instantly, many people came to fawn over Shao Lin again.
Jin Ye had never directly responded to these rumors, but combined with the previous scandals, people increasingly believed this was tacit approval.
"She really made it to the top."
"Probably. It's said they've announced wedding plans. After all, she saved his son, and they had five years of history before. Plus, Miss Shao is beautiful."
"Actually, Su Ding is prettier than Miss Shao, but alas..."
The two nurses gossiping exchanged glances, both knowing what was implied.
It was simply that Shao Lin's background was stronger.
As they whispered their gossip, they failed to notice that Su Ding on the bed had already woken up.
A tear silently rolled down her cheek.
Her movements had been restricted to this room for days, and she had barely seen the sunlight.
She had once fantasized that in the next moment, the door would be forcefully kicked open, and Jin Ye would rush in, bathed in light, to save her.
He would be full of anxiety, carry her home, and lay her on their bed.
He would hold her hand, speaking of his longing.
She would happily give birth to their baby, and their family of five would live happily ever after.
But...
It was impossible now.
When she saw herself and Wang Yan lying on the bed in disheveled clothing, she knew that she and Jin Ye could never be together again.
She couldn't accept her own tarnished self.
Upon hearing that Jin Ye was with Shao Lin, beyond grief and pain, she had no hope left.
It was truly over.
Thinking this, Su Ding's suppressed emotions caused tears to stream down her face. She fought to contain the impulse, her face turning red.
She clenched her fists, breathing deeply to calm herself.
But then, she felt a warmth flowing from her lower body...
"Ah... Ah!"
She cried out in panic, her body lacking strength.
Even though she had been eating and sleeping all these days, her spirit and energy had been waning.
Even though she had been eating and sleeping all these days, her spirit and energy had been waning. She didn't know what they had done to her.
Seeing this, the two nurses' expressions changed. It looked like she was going into labor!