Chapter 124: To Everyone's Astonishment, She Was Pregnant with Triplets!

Shi Runrun did not know what he was busy with every day, and she couldn't help but feel depressed, filled with a whirlwind of questions she longed to ask.

However, just as she was consumed by worry, she suddenly learned from Sister Li that her grandfather’s condition had taken a turn for the worse. It occurred to her that she hadn’t visited the hospital in several days. She had no idea his illness had reached such a critical stage. The doctors had previously stated that the heart transplant her grandfather required was urgent, but Shi Runrun knew that a matching donor had yet to be found. She wondered if he could even hold on long enough.

Thinking of this, she no longer blamed Xiao Xuezheng for his recent erratic behavior. With his grandfather so ill, it was only natural for him to be managing such a massive company while coming home late and leaving early. He was juggling work and caring for his grandfather, returning exhausted every day; she could understand why he didn’t want to talk. Still, her heart ached for him. He could have told her the truth. She was his wife, and he could have shared his burdens with her; they could have faced it together. Now, during her break, she didn't have to worry about internships or job hunting; she could help him look after his grandfather at the hospital. Even though the old man didn't care for her, she wasn't afraid of being disliked. The saying went that one shouldn't strike a smiling face; if she insisted on being there, he wouldn't drive her away. She could bring meals to her grandparents every day. She wasn't afraid of the hardship.

Yet, he wouldn't tell her anything. Sighing, Shi Runrun felt a sharp, bitter pang in her heart. That was just how Xiao Xuezheng was—he carried everything on his own shoulders. What she didn't know was that, in addition to his grandfather’s illness, he was also working hard to expose Chi Wanwan’s scheme. Originally, Xiao Xuezheng had been confident that as soon as his grandfather’s health improved enough to withstand the disappointment of the lost great-grandchild, he would expose Chi Wanwan right in front of him. The hotel surveillance footage he possessed was ironclad proof; he had never slept with her, so where could this child in her belly possibly have come from? He just needed time. But time, it seemed, was not on their side.

That morning, the sky was overcast, heavy clouds pressing down, and the air felt stifling and stagnant. Shi Runrun’s mood matched the weather—somewhat gloomy.

Bored in the living room, she watched TV for a while, but nothing on was worth seeing. After some time, she turned it off, planning to go upstairs to rest. Her morning sickness had improved recently, but she remained incredibly cautious, refusing to let her guard down. She had booked an appointment at the hospital for that afternoon for a prenatal check-up. It was her first check-up since becoming pregnant, and she felt a bit nervous, especially since she was going alone. She didn't dare ask anyone to accompany her, not even Huanhuan, fearing that her friend might let the secret slip. With a nervous heart, she prayed for everything to go smoothly.

Clinging to that hope, she went upstairs to rest. When she opened her eyes again, it was already one o'clock. Her appointment was at two-thirty, the first slot after the doctors returned, so she couldn't sleep any longer. Rubbing her drowsy eyes, she tidied up in the bathroom, grabbed her small bag, and headed out.

Downstairs, she ran into Sister Li, who asked where she was going at this hour. Shi Runrun made up a casual excuse to brush her off. She declined Sister Li’s offer to have the family driver take her, instead hailing a ride-sharing car at the gate and heading to the hospital.

At the hospital.

"What?! Triplets!"

Sitting in the consulting room, Shi Runrun stared at the female obstetrician in disbelief. Her mouth hung open in an "O," and her almond-shaped eyes widened in shock. The doctor smiled at her. "Yes, Ms. Shi. The ultrasound results show that you are pregnant with triplets!"

Shi Runrun was stunned. She stared at the doctor, her breath hitching for a moment, unable to process the news for quite some time.

"Ms. Shi? Ms. Shi?"

It took several calls from the doctor for Shi Runrun to snap out of it. Then, a smile spread across her face—no, it was a radiant, ecstatic beam! She truly couldn't believe that this time, she was carrying three at once.

"Doctor! You aren't fooling me, are you? I’m really having triplets?!"

The doctor laughed helplessly, holding up the ultrasound printout to explain. "Yes, it’s true. The image shows triplets, and according to all the tests, the babies are very healthy. You are just a bit physically weak; you need to increase your nutrition and supplement properly when you get home! With triplets, the mother's nutritional intake must keep up..."

Shi Runrun stopped hearing the rest of the words. She took the ultrasound report from the nurse with trembling hands, staring at it intently. Though she couldn't read the images, her eyes welled up with hot tears that threatened to spill over. She still couldn't believe it—three babies. Three children belonging to her and Xiao Xuezheng.

Her grandfather longed so much for a great-grandchild; if he knew, he would be so happy! Surely, his condition would improve! After struggling for so long and weathering so many storms with Xiao Xuezheng, they had finally achieved the best possible outcome.

Clutching the report, she left the office in high spirits. She meticulously recorded the doctor’s instructions in her phone, including the need to avoid intimacy with Xiao Xuezheng for a time, to eat nutritiously, and to get plenty of rest. As a second-time mother, and with triplets on the way, she would be extra careful this time. She had to ensure these three children were born safely and healthily!

But three... all at once, three babies... Walking down the corridor, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by tears, her entire body trembling. Was it possible that Heaven had heard her prayers, not only returning the baby she had tragically lost before but blessing her with two more?

As she walked, Shi Runrun placed a hand over her abdomen, stroking it gently, and whispered to herself, "My little ones... even if I have to risk my life, Mommy will protect you and bring you safely into this world!"

She made her way through the hospital hallway, preparing to leave and find a car. But just as she reached the first floor, a man suddenly burst through the entrance. Before anyone could react, there was a loud *bang*!

A deafening gunshot rang out through the ground floor of the hospital!

"Ah!"

People screamed, scattering in all directions like panicked birds. The man who had burst in held a gun, his eyes bloodshot. He pointed it at the fleeing crowd and roared, "Everyone stay where you are! If anyone runs, I’ll shoot you dead!"

He then grabbed a person nearby, holding them hostage, and pressed the muzzle of the gun against the victim's forehead. "Nobody move! Get the director of this hospital out here!"

Shi Runrun had been too shocked to react, but as she regained her senses and saw who the madman was holding, her eyes widened in horror.

"Sister Chi!"