Xiao Pang was truly innocent, never harboring any ill intentions. Hou Mingzhu didn't want to drag Xiao Pang into these disputes, wishing only for the chubby boy to live his life peacefully.
"Brother Ye, how is it? I knew you'd be in a terrible state. If I didn't have work commitments, I would have rushed over to support you immediately. You're my best brother, and I won't let anyone bully you."
"I wasn't bullied much. The truly pitiable one is Hou Mingzhu. She divorced me and is now pregnant. Even if she doesn't keep the child, it will cause significant harm to her body."
"It's good that you think that way. I also feel that Sister-in-law is quite pitiful. How about this, I'll go talk to her. I feel that Sister-in-law is a good person. Even after Brother Ye left, she still took good care of me, her brother-in-law. You never implicated me because of your own troubles, and I think that shows Hou Mingzhu has a very broad mind."
"Alright then. I can't rely on anyone else now. Xiao Pang, you just come. You at least have some connection with your sister-in-law. Can you put in a good word for me? I'm truly out of options."
Xiao Pang had been through many things with Ye Tiancheng, but he had never seen Ye Tiancheng so dejected. His heart ached.
"Okay, Brother Ye. We are brothers. No matter what happens, we'll face it together. I will absolutely not abandon my brother and leave him alone. You can rest assured. I will do my best to persuade Sister-in-law to reconsider and keep the child. I know you, Brother Ye, really want this child."
Without even asking Ye Tiancheng, Xiao Pang sensed his intentions. As they were close brothers, he quickly went to the ward to persuade Hou Mingzhu.
"Sister-in-law, I'm not saying this as a brother to defend Ye Tiancheng, but the situation is indeed like this. Ye Tiancheng has had a very difficult time. To save the Pure Land, he could only let you down. Brother Ye has truly suffered a lot. Why don't you try to understand him? Honestly, regarding this child, as an outsider, I shouldn't say too much, but I also hope Sister-in-law can consider keeping it. If not, I, Xiao Pang, will beg for food to raise this child well. If you don't like it, just hand the child over to me."
Compared to Ye Tiancheng, Xiao Pang seemed even more humble. In reality, he also longed to see Ye Tiancheng's child, but if Hou Mingzhu chose not to give birth, they were helpless.
"Xiao Pang, I won't speak rudely to you because, as a brother, you've done everything you could. I think Ye Tiancheng doesn't deserve such a good brother. What right does he have? Such a heartless person should be alone for life. You're still sticking by his side; I don't know if your brain is broken."
"I, Xiao Pang, was nothing before. Not only was I poor, but my body was covered in fat, and everyone looked down on me, thinking I was lazy and greedy, which is why I looked like that. I lived a miserable life, but I didn't want to. I was just a good-for-nothing. Yet, Brother Ye was willing to let me follow him and never looked down on me. Now my health has recovered, and with Brother Ye's care, I have a stable job. Brother Ye is my reborn parent. Such a brother is better than a blood brother. I will never betray Brother Ye."
Faced with Xiao Pang's stubbornness, Hou Mingzhu could only shake her head helplessly. "It's impossible. Once disloyal, never trusted again. I've given up on Ye Tiancheng. If I keep this child, I won't be able to completely sever ties with Ye Tiancheng. I will always be the one hurt. I won't be so foolish. After being deceived so badly before, to fall into the same trap again and place my life in the hands of a heartless person, I would truly be damned."
Indeed, in certain matters, Ye Tiancheng wouldn't think of Hou Mingzhu first. This was something Ye Tiancheng himself admitted were his shortcomings. Even Xiao Pang, an observer, felt Ye Tiancheng was being excessive.
"Alright, Sister-in-law, the most important thing for you now is to take care of your health. Calm your emotions. This is a big matter, and we must resolve it step by step. We cannot be too hasty."
"Okay, Xiao Pang, you don't need to waste your time trying to persuade me. I understand. Also, go back and tell Ye Tiancheng that if the surgery wasn't scheduled, I would have already dealt with the child in my womb. Don't let him harbor any illusions."
"Understood, Sister-in-law. You get some rest."
After Xiao Pang relayed Hou Mingzhu's words to Ye Tiancheng, Ye Tiancheng still didn't want to give up. A sliver of hope remained in his heart, so he stayed near Hou Mingzhu, but dared not approach her. He paced back and forth in the hospital corridor, looking like a pathetic figure who wasn't welcome.
He didn't sleep much that night, leaning against a chair in the corridor for a while. Even that brief rest was of little use. He hadn't slept long before waking up the next day with dark circles under his eyes, still watching Hou Mingzhu's room.
Whenever a doctor went in, Ye Tiancheng would worry if they were going to perform an abortion on Hou Mingzhu. He had to grab them and ask for details to feel at ease, which greatly angered Hou Mingzhu.
"Excuse me, sir, Miss Hou wants you to come in. She has something to tell you."
Ye Tiancheng thought Hou Mingzhu had reconsidered and hurried into the ward, only to be scolded by Hou Mingzhu again.
"Do I have to call the bodyguards and have you dragged out, making a spectacle of it and losing all your dignity before you'll behave? I'm speaking nicely to you now, why aren't you listening? You're truly stubborn!"
Hou Mingzhu's patience was wearing thin. Ye Tiancheng had never been so persistent. She had initially thought he was a heartless person, and it would have been better if he remained so. But now, with him constantly pestering her, Hou Mingzhu was utterly distressed.
"Hou Mingzhu, I don't want to make you angry, but I'm afraid that if I leave, you'll impulsively abort the child. Can you promise me? You can set conditions. As long as you say them, I'll do them. Just don't abort this child."
"Alright, I hate that you only talk and don't act. You'll agree to any condition I give you? Then go and divorce Su Muxian now."
This wasn't Hou Mingzhu's true intention. She just wanted to make things difficult for Ye Tiancheng so he would back down.
"Okay, as long as you promise not to abort the child, I'll divorce Su Muxian immediately."
Ye Tiancheng had hurt the hearts of two women. Trying to think of anything else now was unrealistic. Ye Tiancheng could only try his best to keep this child.
Although going to tell Su Muxian about the divorce might invite divine retribution for his heartlessness, Ye Tiancheng was willing to endure lightning strikes to keep this hard-won child. It was a gift from heaven to him, Ye Tiancheng.
"Fine, then go say it now. As long as you place your divorce certificate with Su Muxian in front of me, rest assured, even if this child burdens me for life, I am willing to bear the responsibility."
Ye Tiancheng's provocation worked. Hou Mingzhu was also very curious about how far Ye Tiancheng would go. Since he had boasted, Hou Mingzhu didn't mind if things got messier. Her own life was already a mess, so why fear what worse things she might face?
"Alright, wait for me, Hou Mingzhu. I'll divorce her for you."
Ye Tiancheng left the hospital and called Su Muxian. Su Muxian had already regretted her actions, feeling that as a wife, she hadn't understood Ye Tiancheng at all. She was just about to call Ye Tiancheng to apologize when his call came first, which was quite coincidental.
"Brother Ye, I was just about to call you. I was a bit too impulsive earlier and said some harsh things to you. I hope you're not angry. You didn't come home all last night, and I don't know where you went. I won't ask too much. Just come home quickly."
Su Muxian was very forgiving towards Ye Tiancheng. As long as he came home, that was good enough. Su Muxian wouldn't pry further. This was also a test of their relationship.
"Su Muxian, are you still at the hospital? I want to see you. I have something to tell you."
Proposing divorce was too difficult for Ye Tiancheng; it was practically a social death sentence. Yet, Ye Tiancheng had to do it, even if Su Muxian slapped him, he would have to bear it.
"I've returned home. At the hospital, Ouyang Xinnuo kept bothering me, and I didn't want to stay there anymore, so I came home. I haven't been home for long. You should come home quickly too. Ye Tiancheng, I'm waiting for you."
"Okay."
Ye Tiancheng should have said it by now. Communicating verbally with Su Muxian at this moment was a waste of time. It would have been the correct course of action to have his uncle bring the marriage certificate, and then go to the civil affairs bureau together to complete the procedures.
However, Ye Tiancheng couldn't bring himself to do it. It was too scummy, the kind that would incur the wrath of gods and men. Ye Tiancheng still retained a sliver of conscience, at least thinking he could tell Su Muxian face-to-face, which was a form of respect.
Although he had feelings for Su Muxian, Ye Tiancheng didn't intend to stay with her long-term. It was as if he subconsciously knew they would part ways soon.
He had only delayed it for so long because he didn't want to act so immorally. Even with feelings, it was no use. Perhaps they were fated to be together but not to be, and reaching this point was already good.
Ye Tiancheng finally returned home. The time between him hanging up the phone and actually seeing Ye Tiancheng was a great torment for Su Muxian.
The moment she saw Ye Tiancheng, she realized how deep her feelings for him were. Perhaps everything could be forgiven. In the beginning, she just found him interesting. That inexplicable sense of familiarity had led Su Muxian to try every way to get closer to Ye Tiancheng.
One thought led to obsession. By the time she realized it, it was too late. She had already fallen irrevocably in love with this man.
Su Muxian rushed forward and hugged Ye Tiancheng tightly. "Ye Tiancheng, you're finally back. I thought I had angered you and you wouldn't talk to me anymore."
At this point, saying any more sweet words was meaningless between them. They had reached this stage and should part ways.
"I'm sorry, Su Muxian. It's all my fault. You can resent me or hate me, but when I married you, it was to use you. Now I have other plans, so I need to divorce you."