Xiang Wan spoke with a clear train of thought. Looking at her complexion and the time she arrived at the hospital, it was evident she hadn't slept well the previous night and had given the matter considerable thought.
Tang Haichao encouraged her to proceed.
Therefore, after listening, he offered no objection.
"That's good. Thinking this way shows you're taking responsibility for your own life."
"Then what will happen to your brother after you leave?"
Xiang Wan was also troubled by the issue of Xiang Yang.
After all, he was attending university and couldn't leave with her.
She could only hope that the Lu family wouldn't continue to trouble him after she was gone.
Xiang Wan explained her brother's situation truthfully to him, which surprised Tang Haichao.
"So, you two didn't have a peaceful breakup? Things weren't made clear, were they?"
Xiang Wan shook her head.
"It's probably impossible to make things clear now. Let it be. I haven't wronged them, and I don't believe he would dare do anything to my brother."
"After I leave, I'll have my brother live in the dormitory. Are they really going to rush to the school to find trouble with him?"
Tang Haichao pondered, "That's true. Your brother is a man, after all. He has to learn to face things independently. Consider this the first lesson he learns before entering society."
Soon, the queue for registration began.
Xiang Wan was first, and Tang Haichao was second.
After registering, Xiang Wan was called into the consultation room.
Seeing that she was alone, Tang Haichao, out of concern, followed her to the door.
The nurse asked him if he was family and if he would come in. "If not, I'll close the door."
Xiang Wan glanced back. Tang Haichao was about to leave, and she said, "Come in."
After drawing the curtain, the doctor first examined Xiang Wan and then asked about her wishes.
Xiang Wan stated she didn't want to keep the child, which surprised the doctor.
"It's been over three months, and the baby's development is quite good in all aspects. You want to get rid of it just like that?"
Hearing the doctor's words and recalling the previous prenatal check-up, Xiang Wan felt a pang of sadness.
But she couldn't show it.
"I just don't want it. Don't ask so many questions. When can the surgery be done?"
"This surgery isn't something that can be done on demand. Where is the family? Has the family arrived?"
Tang Haichao, who had been standing at the door, quickly walked over.
"I am her family."
The doctor looked at the medical record again and found Xiang Wan's name familiar.
Upon closer inspection of her and then Tang Haichao, she seemed to recall something.
"Didn't you come to the hospital a few days ago? I remember at that time... what is he to you?"
Before Xiang Wan could answer, Tang Haichao interjected, "I'm her brother."
"Where is your spouse? I remember last time your spouse and your brother accompanied you. Wasn't he quite happy about your pregnancy? Now you want to get rid of it, have you discussed it?"
The doctor's expression was stern.
"This kind of matter is not a joke. Many pregnant women come for surgery without family consent, and then the family causes trouble at our hospital."
"Therefore, the hospital now has a clear regulation that surgery cannot be performed without the signature of a spouse or guardian. Please don't get me into trouble."
Upon hearing the doctor's statement, Xiang Wan had no choice but to tell her the truth.
That person was not her spouse; they were just boyfriend and girlfriend. They had broken up, so she couldn't keep the child.
It was common for doctors to see young people breaking up and getting back together, treating relationships as child's play.
Seeing her say this, the doctor was speechless.
"Then you need to undergo a few more examinations. If all examinations are satisfactory and someone signs, I will arrange the surgery for you."
Xiang Wan took the form and went out. Tang Haichao said he would wait for her and sign for her later.
When she returned after a series of examinations, Tang Haichao's ex-wife had already finished her check-up and left.
Tang Haichao waited for her at the consultation room door and accompanied her inside to show the doctor the reports.
After a long wait, it was their turn. When the doctor looked at the reports, her expression became even more serious.
"The size of your fetus now is not suitable for a miscarriage, but for an induced labor, which can cause great harm to your body."
"Furthermore, your uterine lining is relatively thin. After an induced labor, it is very likely to cause pelvic inflammation, leading to adhesions of the lining and lifelong infertility."
"You are still young, Miss Xiang. I advise you to consider this carefully."
Xiang Wan hadn't expected to be so unlucky.
She had lived for 30 years, this was her only pregnancy, and she had only considered an abortion once, only to find out it couldn't be done.
She might become infertile for life? She hesitated.
No woman, as she grew older, could resist the allure of having a child.
If she truly became permanently unable to bear children, and then met someone she liked, how would she explain it to him?
Besides, did she really dislike this child that much?
As if sensing Xiang Wan's thoughts, the baby stirred gently in her womb.
Xiang Wan shivered at this unfamiliar sensation. "My stomach seems to have moved."
The doctor said, "Under normal circumstances, there would be fetal movement at over three months, as the baby has already taken shape."
"Look, she's even greeting you in your womb. Can you really bear to just cast her away like this?"
Xiang Wan gently stroked her belly, imagining the child's appearance.
Lu Mingzhe had such a straight nose, such beautiful eyes, a good physique, and good skin.
Regardless of his character, a child born from his genes would certainly not be bad.
Such a cute child, and she was half responsible for it...
After a moment of thought, she finally changed her mind again.
For no one else but herself, she would keep the child.
Love was too hard to come by. If she was fortunate enough to meet it again in the future, and if not, at least she would have a child to accompany her.
Also, her grandmother would surely be very happy to see her child.
And so, she left the consultation room again.
On her way out, she asked Tang Haichao, "Am I quite pathetic?"
Tang Haichao replied, "Of course not. You are very great. You've chosen a path that you know is difficult but are willing to walk. You are a very brave woman."
"The child is not just his; half of it is yours. Whether you give birth or not, your choice is the right one. I support you in whatever you decide."
Xiang Wan was touched for a moment, unsure how to express it. "Mr. Tang..."
"Still calling me Mr. Tang? After all this, can't you call me Haichao?"
Xiang Wan found it a bit awkward and couldn't bring herself to say it. Tang Haichao smiled.
"Alright, alright, I'm not joking with you. I'll drive you to your company."
Xiang Wan said it wasn't necessary, as she had driven herself.
"So, what are you planning to do next?"
Xiang Wan said she would sell the apartment, transfer the studio, pay off her debts, and then leave this place.
"Where will you go? Won't you go back to your hometown? If he wants to find you, won't it be easy to locate you?"
She wouldn't return to her hometown.
Over the years, her relatives had spread rumors, both openly and subtly, that Xiang Wan had entered a disreputable profession, had attached herself to a wealthy man, and that was why her life was prosperous.
She had no friends and few relatives. Her grandmother had never traveled far in her life, so it was time to take her to see distant places.
"I plan to go to Hangzhou. I heard that the seasons there aren't particularly distinct, and it's quite comfortable to live there."
"More importantly, it's a base for influencers, so it'll be easier to find work. I have to plan for my future too."