Chapter 901: Chapter 901 - 902: Calm Before the Storm

Cheng Su finished marking the last day of September on the calendar and cheered inside; barring any surprises, Qi Taiguo would be back in the next few days.

Excitedly, she cleaned the house from top to bottom, taking advantage of the crisp autumn weather. She washed and dried the bedding, made everything neat, and bought fresh flowers to adorn the house, making it bright and clean, ready for the man’s return at any time.

Compared to Cheng Su’s excitement, Hualing felt that something was a bit off these days. No, to be precise, it was Chen Shouwang who was off.

Who knows what happened, but he seemed dazed every day, sometimes needing to be called three or four times before he responded, as if he’d lost his soul.

"Are you hiding something from me? You seem so absent-minded all the time. Did something happen?" Hualing asked him.

Chen Shouwang’s heart skipped a few beats, but he forced a smile and said, "What could possibly happen? You’re overthinking!"

"You say nothing’s wrong, but you act so mysterious all the time." Hualing looked skeptical and, after thinking for a while, asked, "Is something going on back home? Do you need money? I have some here."

Chen Shouwang felt a pang of guilt and shame, kissed her quickly, and said, "Really, there’s nothing wrong." But in his heart, he felt dejected and uneasy.

How come just when things were going so well with Hualing, Liu Li ended up pregnant? She called almost every day, and he was nearly at his wit’s end.

Looking at Hualing’s profile, Chen Shouwang made a silent decision; this thing had to be resolved, and he could only let go of one.

Thinking of this, Chen Shouwang said to her, "Today I’m going out for dinner with a comrade, you don’t need to wait for me to eat, I’ll be back later."

Hualing didn’t suspect anything and nodded.

After leaving the unit, Chen Shouwang went straight to the small tavern. When he saw the tavern’s flag, he no longer felt the past joy and peace, replaced instead by heaviness.

Liu Li was delighted by his arrival, but her smile froze after hearing what Chen Shouwang had to say.

"I’m sorry," Chen Shouwang lowered his head and said, "We really can’t keep the child. You choose a day, and I’ll go to the hospital with you."

Liu Li’s tears flowed long and hard, a chilling sensation creeping into her heart.

"But, I love you," she tried to awaken the conscience in Chen Shouwang, saying, "You said you wanted to be a father, that was why I..."

"I did want that, but I never thought he would be illegitimate."

"Then just get a divorce; you said you and her don’t get along, that you spend every day fighting, it’s pointless to live like that, you said you’d divorce her!" Liu Li cried.

Chen Shouwang pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Liu Li cried for a while, seeing that he remained silent, and said, "Say something!"

"I’m the one letting you down. But, she won’t agree to a divorce." Chen Shouwang spoke painfully.

"You never actually confronted her, did you?" Liu Li asked, biting her lip.

Chen Shouwang lowered his head.

Liu Li stared at him for a long time, then said, "I understand. I will go to the hospital."

Chen Shouwang lifted his head, opened his mouth wanting to say something, but upon seeing Liu Li’s despairing expression, he couldn’t find the words, only saying, "I’ll have the money ready, don’t worry."

"Alright!"

"Then, I’m leaving now!" Chen Shouwang stood up.

Liu Li said nothing; he touched her shoulder as he passed, apologized once more, and left the small tavern.

This place, probably he would never come again.

Inside the tavern, there were no more sounds of crying, just peace. Chen Shouwang paused, but resolutely turned and left, not knowing this was just the calm before the storm.