Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

Knowing Huo Xin’s physical condition, Huo Wen’an immediately guessed what Huo Xin was worried about. ”Are you worried that the child’s health might be compromised?”

Huo Xin nodded, pulling her coat’s collar tighter to block the invading cold wind.

She said, ”You know, I’m a congenital cerebral palsy patient, my genes aren’t normal. The child I give birth to will inevitably have intellectual impact. You know how I grew up.”

Leaning against Huo Wen’an’s shoulder, Huo Xin took small sips of hot water and said softly, ”When I was a child, I was almost assaulted by passing strangers, if my mother hadn’t found me in time, I might have been hurt long ago.”

”What’s more...” Huo Xin clutched her drink cup tightly, her mind vividly recalling the heartbreaking scene from ten years ago, her body trembled uncontrollably, her voice cracked, utterly hoarse: ”I can never forget those bastards treating me like an animal.”

Hearing this, Huo Wen’an felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He held Huo Xin’s shoulder, his eyes flashing a cold light, ”All those who harmed you, and their families, didn’t end well. I have dealt with them for you.”

”I know. But for Little Sin, the scars from the harm remain even if healed.”

Huo Wen’an was silent.

Huo Xin placed one hand inside her coat, gently covering her flat belly, hesitatingly says, ”I’m afraid his health won’t be good, I’m afraid I can’t protect him well. If he is born only to be shunned by others, then it’s better...”

Not to give birth.

But if she really were to terminate the pregnancy, Huo Xin couldn’t bear the thought.

You Jiaoyang was very aware of Huo Xin’s physical condition, so they were always cautious during intimacy to prevent pregnancy. The only indulgence came the night You Jiaoyang confessed he was Wang Yue.

Unexpectedly, just that one time, and she was pregnant.

”It’s not that serious,” Huo Wen’an said: ”Once the child grows a bit more, we can do a genetic test, if there’s no genetic issue, we can proceed with birth. If there is, we can reconsider and it won’t be too late.”

”But the longer he stays in my belly, the deeper our emotional bond becomes, and by then, I definitely won’t want to part with him.” Huo Xin chuckled self-deprecatingly, ”Little Sin, I finally understand why they say a child is the best way to bind a mother. He’s only just entered my life, and I’m already somewhat under his control.”

Remembering how Xie Jinyun and Andariel changed drastically after losing their child, Huo Wen’an sighed: ”That’s why they say mother and child are connected at heart.”

”Let’s wait two more months before making a decision.” Huo Wen’an tightened his hold on Huo Xin’s shoulder, ”Sister, you should give the child a chance.”

Give the child a chance.

These words touched Huo Xin deeply, calming her restless heart. ”Alright.”

*

In the afternoon, seeing Huo Xin return to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hall with a calm expression, Xu Xingguang surmised she had made up her mind, and said to her: ”Studies show that a mother’s will and thoughts can subtly influence her child. The most typical example is of a mother repeatedly staring at a poster of an idol and telling her child, you must grow up to look as good as him. In the end, the child really does share a resemblance to the idol.”

”Sister Huo Xin, you should speak encouraging words to the baby every day, two months later, he’ll surely give you a satisfactory answer.”

Upon hearing this, Huo Xin smiled contentedly, ”Sure.”

On the third day, You Jiaoyang rushed to the Capital City covered in dust, squeezing into Huo Xin’s single apartment. He picked up and dropped off Huo Xin from work daily, bringing her lunch at noon.

Xu Xingguang and Ying Ziyao joined them in this routine.

The pregnancy diet focused on balanced nutrition, and after more than ten days of eating it, both Ying Ziyao’s face had rounded out, and even Xu Xingguang gained some weight.

On the night of Lunar December 26, after completing tests for Xu Xingguang and her, Ying Ziyao suddenly said, ”Pack up and let’s all go home for the New Year tomorrow morning.”

Turning, Huo Xin looked at Xu Xingguang and said, ”He’s invited me to spend this New Year with him at his home.” Considering the dramatic nature of You Jiaoyang’s family and Xu Xingguang, Huo Xin said: ”We’ll not invite you and Little Sin this time. After the New Year, you can visit us for a meal.”

Xu Xingguang almost smiled, ”It’s okay, if you don’t mind, you could bring Brother A Zui and me along as witnesses when you resolve things. I assure you when You Jingqiu sees us, she’ll never dare to bully you again.”

Huo Xin couldn’t help but chuckle imagining that scene.

”Wang Yue is now Jiaoyang, he’s using his body, and must support his mother. No matter what, we can’t completely fall out with her. Besides, even without you two backing me up, she wouldn’t dare to play tricks on me.”

Huo Xin blinked, her eyes suddenly taking on a sinister, eerie look, she said: ”I’m a doctor in a psychiatric hospital, she’s likely afraid I’d admit her here.”

”Pfft.” Xu Xingguang burst into laughter.

But thinking about how You Jingqiu loves her two children equally, she continued: ”Morally, You Jingqiu might be questionable, but she’s wholeheartedly committed to her son and daughter. Whether it’s the daughter or the son, she’s equally devoted.”

”You’re so excellent, and truly loved by You Jiaoyang, when she sees you, she’ll definitely like you.”

”True that.”

Listening to their conversation, Ying Ziyao suddenly said: ”I’m heading back to Cangshan Town for the New Year too.”

Huo Xin asked him: ”Teacher, why do you want to go back to Cangshan Town for the New Year this year?”

”I grew up there.” Ying Ziyao glanced at them, frowned and asked: ”Why? Can’t I go back?”

”Of course you can!”

Both Huo Xin and Xu Xingguang spoke at once: ”Then come stay at my place.”

Ying Ziyao hesitated for a moment, then looked at Xu Xingguang, ”I’ll stay at your place.” The house at No. 219 was built on the site of Yingtu’s former residence; Ying Ziyao has an attachment to that place, so choosing to stay at Xu Xingguang’s home isn’t surprising.

The three of them left the medicinal herb warehouse together, Huo Xin saw You Jiaoyang waiting at the gate, said goodbye to Ying Ziyao, and left with You Jiaoyang.

Xu Xingguang took the car keys from her canvas bag and was about to leave, when suddenly she heard Ying Ziyao say: ”You’re going to Divine Concealment Island for the New Year this year, right.”

Xu Xingguang nodded, ”Yes, it’s our first New Year after marriage, I have to celebrate with the Huo Family.”

”When are you going to pay respects to your mother?” Ying Ziyao asked her.

Xu Xingguang thought for a moment and then said: ”Tomorrow night, perhaps. After the New Year, Huo Wen’an and I plan to visit the Kunze Mountain Range to see grandpa.”

”I see.” Ying Ziyao hesitated before saying: ”Please give my regards to your mother.”

”Uncle, why don’t you come with us?”

Shaking his head, Ying Ziyao chuckled self-deprecatingly: ”I don’t have the face to see her.”

”...Alright then.”

The next day, the four returned to Yujiang City and were picked up by a driver sent by Huo Lan. Huo Xin and You Jiaoyang sat in the car behind, while Xu Xingguang and Ying Ziyao were in the first car.

To return to Cangshan Town from the airport, the Yujiang River express bridge must be crossed.

The express bridge and Yujiang River No.1 Bridge are built on the river, with a straight-line distance of over three hundred meters. Yujiang River No.1 Bridge is the bridge where Mo Yinshu fell into the river years ago.

While passing over the express bridge, both Xu Xingguang and Ying Ziyao subconsciously stared at the bridge opposite.

Xu Xingguang noticed, next to her, Ying Ziyao’s fingers were trembling slightly.

She suddenly realized, it may be her uncle who feels the most pain about her mother’s death.