Chapter 56.1: She Will Definitely Never Leave Him
"Pregnant."
The dim light of morning glimmered faintly outside the window. Inside the room, it was warm and quiet. Both of them looked at each other, and for a moment, they did not say anything.
It was early in the morning and Ji Bai was really stunned by the news that he could not think clearly. However, he was stunned only for a brief moment. Joy quickly and quietly spread through his being like fields of flourishing, fresh, green gra.s.s.
He pulled her into his arms, and said softly: "Didn"t I always use condoms? You were also taking oral contraceptives."
There was a period of time when Ji Bai didn"t use condoms, and Xu Xu took a commonly available contraceptive, safe for long-term use. She replied in a m.u.f.fled voice: "Lin City"s weather is humid, maybe the contraceptives got damp. Also, wasn"t there one time where the condom was rubbed off?”
Ji Bai stared at her for a moment, then held both her hands tightly in his own. With a hint of a smile in his voice: "I"m to blame."
Xu Xu lowered her head and did not say anything.
Seeing her so quiet and solemn, Ji Bai"s heart thumped loudly.
In truth, if Xu Xu wanted to abort the baby, Ji Bai would not be too upset. She had just graduated and was still young, without any prior plans to have children. In addition, with her independent character, and her dedication to her work, it was highly likely that she would make such a choice.
However, Ji Bai"s upbringing had drummed into him that abortion was something that should never happen.
Moreover, how could he let his woman undergo an abortion? It would cause too much harm to the body.
He raised his eyes and looked at her quiet and pale little face, and a warm tenderness spread through his entire being. However, persuading her to keep the baby was not without its uncertainties. After some deep thought, he was just about to speak when he saw her suddenly lift her head to look at him resolutely.
Ji Bai felt a sudden tightness in the pit of his stomach.
Xu Xu stared at him and said: "We"ll still have to go to the hospital to confirm it, but it"s pretty much certain."
She continued, haltingly: "If I"m pregnant, frankly, no matter what you think, I still want to keep this baby."
Outside the window, the sky brightened slightly. The surroundings were peaceful and quiet, with a dream-like quality. Ji Bai looked at her black, crystal clear eyes, and waves of warmth and joy surged in his heart.
Perhaps due to Ji Bai"s lingering silence, Xu Xu"s brows furrowed, and she methodically continued her explanation: "I have made this decision after thorough consideration: 25 or 26 is the best age for a woman to bear a child, and abortion would definitely harm the body. Moreover, this is clearly a life, I am unable to accept . . . "
"Alright." A deep, resonant voice interrupted her exposition. Ji Bai pulled her into his arms swiftly, and bent his head to kiss her.
Their lips and tongues were enthusiastically entangled for a moment before Ji Bai finally released her, his black eyes constantly on her face. His voice held a tinge of amus.e.m.e.nt as he said: "Since you want to have the baby, I will of course, listen to you."
Xu Xu could not help but laugh.
In fact, after she had discovered the pregnancy, she had been heavy-hearted the entire night. Although she had made a prompt decision to have the baby, in the end, this situation was a major one, and she had not been prepared for it. Thus, how would she be able to feel relief? However, faced with Ji Bai"s obvious joy and approval, she was greatly comforted.
Ji Bai glanced up at the clock on the wall and it was 6am. This meant that there was still 2 more hours til work started. He had not been able to take leave these past few days.
"Let"s change and go to the hospital now."
"Mm."
While Xu Xu was taking a shower, Ji Bai changed into his clothes, rang up his friend, and contacted the Lin City Women"s and Children"s Hospital. When all the arrangements had been made, he took up the car keys on the table and walked a few steps towards the door. However, he then turned back and opened a drawer, took out the ring which had been hidden in a pile of clothes, and slid it into his pocket.
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The sky was overcast, and the rain fell steadily. In the early morning, the hospital was chilly and quiet. The two of them waited in the obstetrics and gynecology department for a while before a doctor arrived.
The results of the examination came out quickly and every indicator was in line with the norm, confirming the pregnancy beyond a doubt.
It was still pouring incessantly when they returned to the car. The sky had lightened, but the entire street was so wet, it was as if they were enveloped in a water-logged mist.
Ji Bai did not immediately drive off, but parked the car in the avenue outside the hospital. He held her hand, quietly gazing at the curtain of rain.
Xu Xu was also quiet. This news was so sudden that she had a lot to ponder over.
Ji Bai was also deep in thought: Recently, we have both been busy with the case, but I must find time to visit her family to talk about marriage. Originally, the plan was to have an engagement, however, we can skip that now. Once the case is concluded, we can prepare for the wedding, but the timing is tight and no matter what happens, it"s possible that she may have to go through the wedding ceremony with a big tummy . . .
His hand reached into his pocket and held onto the ring box. The setting was too common and not at all romantic, but he was still unable to suppress the slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
After coughing and clearing his throat, he was about the bring out the ring, when he heard her say: "Third Brother, I want to discuss the topic of marriage with you."
Ji Bai was startled: "Go ahead." His hand held on to the ring without moving.
Xu Xu turned to gaze at him, her eyes frank and open: "Pregnancy is pregnancy, marriage is marriage; we don"t have to hasten our marriage for the sake of the child. We have only been together for half a year. Although I already love you very much, marriage is a lifetime commitment, and we should be cautious about making such a commitment.
We are still at the beginning of the sweet stage of our relationship, so we should take this time to understand each other better. After we have gotten used to each other, when our feelings are more stable and mature, then the conditions will be right for us to discuss marriage (水到渠成 – when the water comes, a channel is formed i.e. when conditions are right, success is achieved). In this way, our marriage will be more stable, more enduring, more greatly blessed.
Of course, the child will take your surname."
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The rain pitter-pattered outside the window, and more cars pa.s.sed by on the road outside. Ji Bai looked at Xu Xu in silence.
He should have antic.i.p.ated that being pregnant before marriage would not be something to fuss about in Xu Xu"s mind. That she hoped that their feelings would mature before marriage was also in line with her cautious and somewhat oblivious personality. In fact, when he first started this relationship, he had also thought of being engaged first, and then obtaining the marriage booklet (official registration of marriage) the following year.
However, her straightforward statement of "I already love you very much" caused his heart to beat faster with excitement. They had never said "I love you" or other sweet nothings to each other, who knew that she would blurt that out inadvertently today.
It was only . . .if he followed her proposal, in the future, when the child has grown up, would it be certain that he would be recognized as legitimate?
And he, as the man, would have failed utterly.
He naturally would not let such a situation occur.
After a moment"s thought, he said softly: "Xu Xu, of course, marriage is only possible if you are willing. However, you don"t need to make a decision so early – look, we"ve only just conceived a child, so it will be almost a year before the child is born. By that time, we would have been together for almost two years, and your perspective will not be the same as now. When we first started dating, did you ever think that, one day, you would "love me very much"? I think, we can wait until the time comes to make a decision. This would be the more prudent and responsible approach."
Xu Xu thought this made sense, and nodded: "Ok."
Ji Bai smiled faintly and did not pursue the topic. Although it was a delaying tactic, and he had managed to persuade her to decide when the time came, there was still a sense of regret. The ring in his pocket would have to stay hidden for a while longer. However, he was not overly anxious – leaving aside the fact that, when the time came, the father"s responsibility would be great while the child would be precious, she herself had grown to really love him within half a year. After another year, she would definitely not leave him.
Both of them did not speak again. Ji Bai drove carefully to ensure the car moved especially smoothly, and joined the stream of traffic.
At the traffic light, he slowed to a stop. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xu Xu taking out the photographs of the murder case.
Ji Bai was initially unconcerned but after a while, he had a sudden thought – this kind of prenatal education was too b.l.o.o.d.y.
Nevertheless, she was a criminal investigator and it definitely could not be avoided. In the end, Ji Bai still uttered: "If you can see less (of such "b.l.o.o.d.y" photographs), then please do so."
Xu Xu was a little distracted, and did not answer. All of a sudden, she raised her head and looked at him with shining eyes: "I remember where I"ve seen a similar photograph!"
Translators: Shl, miumiu
TL checkers: Mel
Proofreaders: Librismuse
Copyright MerakiTranslations tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this translation, except linking and excerpts with due credit to the translators and tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com, is strictly prohibited.