Chapter 079: The Matter of Creating Life is Brought to the Agenda!

A month passed just like that.

Grandfather’s health gradually improved, but his attitude toward her remained as resolute as ever.

Every day, Shi Runrun shuttled between school and the hospital. Xiao Xuezheng had been particularly busy during this period, so she took his place to stay by Grandfather’s side.

Although Grandfather refused to see her and would not let her into his room, she still helped Xuezheng deliver things to the hospital—his daily meals, nutritional supplements—and she would wait outside the ward, asking the doctor about Grandfather’s condition and the points to watch for in his care after the rounds were done.

All this coming and going, all her concern and worry for Grandfather, did not escape Grandmother’s notice.

One day, Grandmother walked out of the ward, came over, and took Shi Runrun’s small hand in her own as she sat waiting on the bench outside. With a sigh, she said, “Runrun, you’ve worked so hard these days.”

Shi Runrun immediately shook her head. “It’s not hard at all, Grandma. This is what I should do! How is Grandpa today? Is he doing better?”

Grandmother took up the conversation, “His condition is about the same. Lately, Xuezheng has been discussing sending your grandfather abroad for treatment, to see if there’s any other solution besides a heart transplant.”

As she finished speaking, Grandmother’s gaze fell on the dark circles under Shi Runrun’s eyes. She couldn’t help but gently rub her hand, her voice filled with affection. “Runrun, I’ve seen all your care and attention to Grandpa. Don’t be a stranger. He’s only upset that you didn’t protect the child. He longs for a great-grandchild so much—that’s why he’s like this. Don’t hold it against him.”

Hearing this, Shi Runrun’s heart softened and ached.

Her eyes reddened, and she nodded, her voice thick with emotion. “I understand, Grandma. I know—it was my fault for not protecting the child. Grandpa has every right to be upset with me. How could I ever blame him? All of this… it was my own carelessness…”

Seeing how sensible Shi Runrun was, Grandmother finally revealed the first smile she’d shown since the incident.

She patted the back of Shi Runrun’s hand and smiled softly. “Good child… Xuezheng is fortunate to have married you.”

…

Grandmother’s mention of sending Grandfather abroad for treatment was carried out half a month later, once his health had improved.

That afternoon, after class, Shi Runrun went with Xiao Xuezheng to the airport.

They watched as Grandfather was taken aboard Xuezheng’s private jet. With Grandmother accompanying him, he was sent to America.

It wasn’t a matter of idolizing the foreign; it was simply that medical technology abroad was indeed more advanced than at home.

Grandfather had always resisted the idea of a heart transplant. Now, being sent abroad in search of new hope, he finally agreed.

Before the plane took off, Grandfather finally spoke to them—no, to be precise, to Shi Runrun—for the first time since the incident.

“After I leave, you two must work hard. I hope that before I return, I’ll hear good news from your belly.”

Though he did not name names, his words were clearly directed at her.

Hearing this, Shi Runrun felt a moment of daze. It took her a while to react, her eyes suddenly welling with hot tears as she nodded repeatedly.

After sending off Grandfather and Grandmother, life between her and Xiao Xuezheng seemed to return to its former calm.

She attended her classes as usual; he went to work as usual. No longer having to hide anything from the elders, they both felt a sense of relief.

But aside from their daily lives, the task of having a child was now firmly on the agenda.

Before they knew it, the weather had grown hot.

It was Friday. Shi Runrun finished her classes for the week and left the campus.

As usual, Xiao Xuezheng’s car was waiting for her at the school gate.

But today was different. This morning, before leaving the house, Shi Runrun had remembered Grandfather’s words and specifically asked him to finish work early, pick her up, and then head home… to make a baby…

The word itself was enough to set a man’s ears ablaze.

The focus was not so much on the child, but on the act itself…

Shi Runrun got in the car and sat in the passenger seat.

Once the door closed, only their unsteady breathing filled the spacious cabin.

She didn’t know why, but even after being married for so long, it felt as if they’d returned to the beginning, to the days just after they’d registered their marriage—awkward and shy at every turn.

Pressed tightly against the car door, she kept her eyes firmly fixed outside.

She could sense his uneven breathing from the other side and dared not look at him.

Just thinking of what awaited them that evening made her face flush with heat, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

Though Xiao Xuezheng was hardly inexperienced, tonight he too was uncharacteristically nervous, like a youth who’d never done such things before.

Perhaps because, ever since marrying her, he’d been cautious for the sake of her pregnancy and had never touched her. Tonight, he found himself looking forward to it more than ever.

Neither of them said a word. In silent understanding, Xiao Xuezheng drove them home.

As soon as the car stopped, Shi Runrun unfastened her seatbelt and rushed out.

Her face was simply too red; she couldn’t bring herself to face him just yet.

Xiao Xuezheng tossed his keys to the security guard at the door, followed her inside, and said in a deep voice, “Slow down. Why are you running? I’m not really going to eat you up!”

Inwardly, Shi Runrun thought, It’s not much different even if you do…

One after the other, they entered the house. Aunt Li was already serving a delicious meal at the table.

Shi Runrun immediately noticed something was different. The living room was decorated, festooned with streamers. The tablecloth was pink, and a white candle—she had no idea from where—was burning at the center of the table. Even the air itself seemed tinged with romance.

“Aunt Li, what is all this?”

Shi Runrun asked in surprise.

Aunt Li set down the last dish, poured two glasses of red wine, and covered her mouth as she laughed. “Young Madam, the Young Master specially asked for these decorations. And the wine—he took it from the cellar; it’s been kept for years. Tonight, you must drink with the Young Master!”

Shi Runrun was speechless.

As she stood there, stunned, she suddenly felt a heavy hand settle on her shoulder, followed by the warmth of a man’s chest pressing against her back. That familiar, low masculine voice murmured in her ear:

“Just a simple bit of atmosphere—makes for a good meal, and then we’ll have the energy for what comes after.”

Energy…

Shi Runrun was mortified, her face burning red at the mere thought of what awaited.

Then Xiao Xuezheng instructed Aunt Li and the other servants to leave them alone for the evening, forbidding any interruptions. He led Shi Runrun, cheeks aflame and heart pounding, to the table…