"What's done is done, and there's no point in dwelling on it. I've asked you here today because I want to tell you that I need your support. I want to pursue Ge'er with all my heart, to give her and the child a home."
"Of course, if the Shang family is willing, I will treat the child as my own. If not... I will respect Ge'er's wishes and support her wholeheartedly."
"She's been in a very bad state recently. I know you're worried, and I'm anxious seeing it."
"I can't promise that I'll achieve great things in the future, surpass you and Uncle Zhan, and provide her with a life of luxury. But I can guarantee that as long as we are together, she and the child will be happy every day."
"I want to ask for an opportunity, Auntie. Please help me get closer to her. I will seize this chance with all my might and not disappoint your expectations."
Although Jiang Nanfang hadn't interacted much with Lei Dongyi, her years of experience in judging people told her from the very beginning that he was a good, capable, and steady young man with upright character.
To be honest, she was very surprised when she learned that Ge'er and Shang Jincheng had secretly registered their marriage.
This was because Shang Jincheng's personality and demeanor were never the type that Ge'er truly admired.
But since the deed was done, as parents, they couldn't say much more. Moreover, Shang Jincheng had gone through such an ordeal.
When her daughter had just left home and encountered such a major event, the worst thing parents could do was to blame her.
She wanted to help her recover quickly, but the children of the Zhan family were all strong-willed and proud. They didn't want their parents to interfere too much, so she couldn't truly enter her heart.
As a mother, she naturally feared that her daughter would give up on herself and remain lonely for life.
To be pursued by a young man she admired was also a great relief to her.
However, Jiang Nanfang stared at him for a few seconds.
"I believe you're not joking with me, so this is a very sincere agreement between us."
"A true man keeps his word and strives to fulfill it. She has already suffered a great setback. I don't want your appearance to be another disaster."
"Lei Dongyi, I am about to give you a chance. You must swear to me that unless something unforeseen happens, you will keep your word."
Lei Dongyi immediately swore to the heavens that unless he died, he would absolutely keep his word.
Jiang Nanfang quickly returned to the examination room. The check-up was completed. Shang's mother quietly pulled her aside to say that the results weren't particularly good, but it wasn't a major problem.
"The doctor said it's due to emotional distress and poor nutrition, and the pregnancy isn't very stable. Nanfang, why don't I take her to the Shang residence? In this condition, if she's alone without anyone to care for her, I can't feel at ease."
Jiang Nanfang shook her head. "If she were willing to go, would we have to wait until today?"
"Young people have a generation gap with us. It's uncomfortable to live together, so let her be. Don't worry, she's not a fool. A mother's instinct will make her protect her child. We'll tell her the results truthfully, and let her decide how to proceed."
The examination report was given to Ge'er. Seeing that the fetus wasn't doing well, she was also very worried.
After all, this was the only bloodline Shang Jincheng had left in the world.
Unless she died, she had to protect it. She already owed the Shang family enough.
As they left the examination room, Shang's mother and Jiang Nanfang exchanged glances.
"Come home for dinner tonight. I'll have the housekeeper cook some good food to nourish you. You've lost weight again recently."
Jiang Nanfang said, "I've been having Auntie stew various nourishing soups for her recently, she's probably tired of them. We've all been through that, and we know that when morning sickness is severe, these things don't help. She understands our good intentions and won't resent you."
"Let her handle it herself. She's not a child anymore. She'll manage her own child. If she really can't eat or sleep, and the child can't be saved, then that's her fate."
Ge'er wasn't foolish. She knew they were saying this deliberately for her to hear, so she tried to control her emotions and made a statement.
"I will eat and sleep well from now on. Don't worry. Starting today, my task is to nurture the child, and I won't think about messy things anymore."
After seeing off Shang Jincheng's mother, Jiang Nanfang spoke to Ge'er.
"We haven't had a meal together in a long time. Can you grace me with your presence for dinner today? Daddy discovered a great new place to eat. I'll get some light dishes for you. If you don't want to talk, that's fine. Mommy will just sit with you quietly, okay?"
None of her children were worry-free. Seeing her mother speak so cautiously, Ge'er felt ashamed.
The chosen restaurant wasn't in a prime location, but its decor was exceptionally elegant.
After they were seated, Jiang Nanfang ordered several light and refined dishes that suited Ge'er's appetite.
Coupled with her desire to protect the pregnancy, she remained silent throughout, eating with all her might.
Seeing that Ge'er was in good spirits and could listen to others, Jiang Nanfang pretended to receive a phone call halfway through their meal.
"Your younger brother, that troublesome boy, has gotten into trouble again. I can't make it to dinner. I'll drive the car away and go back to see what's going on. Can you take a taxi home by yourself later?"
Her mother wasn't treating her like an invalid who couldn't take care of herself, and Ge'er felt respected. She agreed.
Jiang Nanfang said, "Then send me a message when you get home."
As they exited the restaurant, they encountered Lei Dongyi at the entrance.
They exchanged a glance, said nothing, and passed each other.
Ge'er asked the waiter for another bowl of rice and buried her head in eating. Suddenly, she felt someone sit down opposite her.
She thought Jiang Nanfang had returned and quickly looked up, only to see...
"Lei Dongyi? What are you doing here?"
Since his return this time, Lei Dongyi had worn this calm and gentle smile every day.
"I was just about to ask you. Didn't you say you had a poor appetite? Why did you come all the way here to eat?"
"In the end, you didn't want to eat with me and didn't give me face."
Ge'er thought to herself, "Who do you think you are? Why should I give you face?"
She looked around.
"Not with friends? Coming all this way to eat by yourself, you really know how to enjoy yourself."
Lei Dongyi curved his lips. "Absolutely. In this life, besides eating and drinking, everything else is minor. Why work so hard if not to enjoy yourself? Are you alone too?"
Ge'er had almost finished eating and didn't want to get entangled with him further. She took a napkin to wipe her mouth.
"I'm done eating. I'll be leaving now. You enjoy your meal."
With that, she grabbed her bag and stood up. Lei Dongyi also stood up.
"Who told you I haven't eaten? I'm done too, and I even had a couple of drinks. I was about to call a designated driver, but since I ran into you, let's go back together."
What a thick skin. Who wanted to go back with him?
Ge'er knew what she was about to say, so Lei Dongyi added immediately.
"You're driving alone anyway, and it's a lot of gas. Me riding with you is also a lot of gas. It's just a small favor, why be so calculative?"
Just as Ge'er was about to retort, he continued.