Chapter 470: Chapter 470
Xu Meng only vaguely heard Old Sir Wu’s hoarse voice,
"Everyone come with me to the study!"
Then there were the sounds of footsteps going upstairs.
Soon it returned to silence, but Wu Fei felt the air around her was so heavy it could crush her shoulders. Through the study door, she could even hear her grandfather’s shouting and Mrs. Wu’s faint sobbing.
On the grid shelf against one wall, there were a few picture frames.
The elder uncle was not in them, and it was hard to spot the elder uncle in the family photos.
Wu Fei heard the sound of a car outside.
She hurried to the window to look down.
With short and thick hair, Song Moting had deep and sharp eyes, and his sharply-defined features had made many people fall for him. At least she had seen Song Moting that way back then.
Now he had one hand on Jiang Xiaoxiao’s waist, carefully helping the heavily pregnant Jiang Xiaoxiao out of the car, with a moment of gentle tenderness in his eyes seemingly blossoming for the woman in his arms.
The study door on the second floor suddenly opened, and the noise inside was instantly magnified countless times—it was the sound of porcelain shattering!
Wu Fei hurriedly rushed downstairs.
Jiang Xiaoxiao and Song Moting sensed something was wrong as soon as they entered; the atmosphere seemed off.
At this moment, Wu Fei came sprinting down from upstairs, her small face still registering shock.
Mrs. Wu also came downstairs upon hearing the commotion.
Jiang Xiaoxiao sensitively noticed the traces of tears at the corners of Mrs. Wu’s eyes.
"Grandma Wu, if it’s inconvenient, we’ll come another day."
She did not want to be involved in the Wu family’s affairs.
No matter if she was Wu Weiguo’s daughter or not.
"You unfilial son, even if Jiang Xiaoxiao is your daughter, how do you plan to recognize her? Are you going to tell her she was born from someone drugged into having a child, not welcomed into this world one bit?"
Old Sir Wu’s shout drew a full stop for everyone there.
Song Moting gripped Jiang Xiaoxiao’s hand, looking worriedly at her. This statement implied that Jiang Xiaoxiao was related to the Wu family.
Jiang Xiaoxiao raised her hand to hold his back, Song Moting’s hand was large and thin, with hardly any flesh on the hand back and wrist, yet it felt reassuringly solid when held.
"Grandma Wu, we’ll be leaving now!"
Jiang Xiaoxiao replied without changing her expression, pulling Song Moting along.
It was like an earthquake in the Wu family.
Did Wu Weiguo go insane, wanting to reveal all secrets and lay bare the truth despite knowing the issue with Ye Hua could never be revealed to outsiders?
Wu Weiguo had feelings for a child who wasn’t even born out of love?
Who would believe that!
Life experiences tell her that even one’s own parents may not treat you well.
Besides, her appearance signified disgrace for the Wu family and a lifelong stigma for Wu Weiguo.
Just because Wu Weiguo went insane doesn’t mean she did too.
Pretending nothing happened is the best approach.
Sadly, dreams are beautiful, but reality is stark.
Before anyone could act, Mrs. Wu had already stepped forward and tightly grasped Jiang Xiaoxiao’s wrist.
"Xiao Xiao, listen to Grandma, you are..."
Jiang Xiaoxiao remained expressionless, politely withdrawing her hand, knowing how much effort it took.
Mrs. Wu had a strength defying her age.
"Grandma Wu, I have things to tend to, I will be heading back. Xiao Cheng’s illness has improved, I won’t trouble you anymore. It’s best we cut ties, going our separate ways for mutual happiness."
The intention in her words was clear, and Mrs. Wu, given her lived experience, could not possibly misunderstand.
Mrs. Wu looked at her own empty palm, realizing this child genuinely didn’t want to acknowledge them.
Anyone would refuse to believe such a thing.
Without openly acknowledging the child, what could they possibly ask of her?
"Xiao Xiao! Let’s go!"
Song Moting wrapped his arm around Jiang Xiaoxiao’s waist, protecting her belly, worried that she might be upset.
This incident was a shocking revelation.
He hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.
Judging by Jiang Xiaoxiao’s expression, he figured she probably already knew, or otherwise she wouldn’t be so composed in such a situation.
Xiao Xiao was already nearly nine months pregnant; this wasn’t the time for her to endure such emotional distress.
How could the Wu family be so reckless?
Don’t they know that heightened emotions are risky for a woman close to giving birth?
They evidently didn’t care for their own daughter-in-law, making her hesitant to recognize her biological father.
Song Moting protected Jiang Xiaoxiao as they left.
The car had already been on the road for ten minutes, yet neither said a word.
There was nothing to say.
Too many things had happened today.
All Song Moting could do was hold Jiang Xiaoxiao’s hand, offering silent support and comfort. In this moment, saying nothing was better than any attempt at comfort.
Jiang Xiaoxiao sighed, "Second brother! Take me to the hospital!"
No matter how carefully one plans, fate has its own agenda.
She had hoped to wait until the baby was full term, but evidently, fate had other plans.
She could feel the faint pain in her belly.
Most likely, there would be a premature birth.
My child, it’s not that Mommy wants this; please forgive Mommy.
Stunned, Song Moting glanced at Jiang Xiaoxiao, whose face was pale yet held a smile. He turned the wheel and headed straight for the hospital.
On the evening of August 20th, Jiang Xiaoxiao lay in a hospital waiting room, holding Song Moting’s hand trying to focus on her breathing.
She had been there for over twenty-four hours and was exhausted, but the nurses continually assured her everything was normal.
Song Moting hadn’t shaved, and dark circles had formed under his eyes.
Fan Xiuying went back to prepare food, likely coming soon; Jiang Lao anxiously paced outside, nearly tearing the floor up.
Old Mrs. Song and Old Song were also waiting outside.
"Xiao Xiao, it’s alright, you’ll be alright, the baby will be alright, I’ll stay by your side."
Song Moting tried not to unravel in despair, but anxiety shook him as he attempted to console Jiang Xiaoxiao.
"You look as if you’re the one about to give birth."
She laughed, but the laughter abruptly cut off when yet another wave of pain hit her.
This time the intensity was different; she could feel it.
She leaned back against his arm weakly, "I don’t think it will be much longer."
He didn’t know how much longer he could endure.
Witnessing her pain yet unable to help was the hardest thing he had ever faced, and he seriously considered limiting their children to one.
This heartache was a pain he never wanted to endure again.
He pressed his lips to her sweaty forehead.
The nurse checking in found humor in Song Moting’s nearing-the-end demeanor, smiling softly after examining Jiang Xiaoxiao.
"Mr. Song, your wife was right, it won’t be much longer. We should move her to the delivery room; you wait outside."
Throughout the delivery, Song Moting several times wished to be by her side.
But the doctor had conducted thorough prenatal checks, not believing Jiang Xiaoxiao would encounter any issues during delivery.
Firmly rejecting his request, not even the Song family’s influence could change things.
Song Moting worriedly wondered if the doctor’s definition of "issues" differed from his own.
She had been experiencing contractions for thirty-six hours.
He didn’t know if that was normal.
Half an hour later, Song Moting held his flushed newborn son.
In the hospital room, freshly out of the delivery room, Jiang Xiaoxiao watched him with tear-blurred eyes and couldn’t help but smile.
Song Moting’s expression was so gentle it was nearly overwhelming.
It was a guilty tenderness.
"Six pounds, eight ounces; you barely passed safely."
The baby being too large wasn’t good for the mother.
Jiang Xiaoxiao laughed out loud and reached out for them.
Song Moting placed the snugly wrapped baby in her arms, remaining close to her, unable to avert his gaze from the two.
He had never seen such a beautiful sight in his life; god, it felt so good!
Though exhausted, it felt so good.