Over the next few days, Zhong Shao went to the countryside to shoot a promotional video for a United Nations-themed day, while Yu Cheng stayed in the city to organise projects. Xiaohui officially established a project team named the "Sperm Bank Project."
Under Dong Yi's arrangement, Yu Cheng participated in a lecture titled "The Birth and Rebirth of Sperm Banks," given by Director Zhang of the sperm bank in City B.
After the lecture, Yu Cheng discussed various topics related to sperm banks with the director. One of the topics mentioned in the lecture was the issue of sperm hierarchy. According to regulations, seekers of sperm cannot meet donors and can only interact with the doctors at the sperm bank. The origin and destination of the sperm are kept confidential, and doctors at the sperm bank match sperm according to the needs of the seekers. All matched sperm undergo detailed tracking to prevent the possibility of consanguineous marriages.
In recent years, with the increase in the number of sperm banks, seekers have become more specific in their requirements for donors based on appearance, height, education, etc., transforming the sperm bank from a seller's market to a buyer's market. As a result, an invisible hierarchy among sperm and between sperm has formed. To address this issue, the sperm bank is undergoing a transformation, with policies shifting from encouraging sperm donation to advocating for sperm freezing and fertility preservation.
Regarding the second issue, Yu Cheng received direct answers from Director Zhang.
—— How can the rights and interests of children born to a same-sex couple who divorce after having a child be safeguarded?
Director Zhang remarked: "Generally speaking, when selecting a sperm donor, blood type compatibility is often a top priority for the applicants, as it signifies a crucial aspect of family lineage and emotional bonds. During the selection process, we require each couple seeking artificial insemination to sign a relevant agreement, an unnotarizable document that will ensure they become legal parents, sharing the responsibility of raising the child. Therefore, regardless of whether a couple is in a same-sex marriage, as long as they are legally recognised as spouses, they must fulfil the obligations and responsibilities related to raising the child. Failure to do so will result in legal consequences."
Upon bidding farewell to Director Zhang, Yu Cheng met Xiaohui at Dongyi's Law Firm. Concealed behind the curtain in the conversation room, Yu Cheng caught sight of Xiaohui for the first time.
Despite the intertwining challenges of marriage and illness affecting her physical and mental well-being, Xiaohui remained resilient. Her complexion showed signs of fatigue, yet she displayed no signs of weakness.
Xiaohui agreed with Dongyi's strategic approach to her divorce case and recounted the recent heartfelt pleas from Ahui's parents. Throughout, they had been aware of Ahui's sexual orientation. Lacking formal education and fearing neighbourhood gossip and family talk, their reaction was more one of panic and fear than anger. This led them to desperate measures, pressuring Ahui to surrender and marry a girl to lead a "normal" life. They believed this would set their son on the path to a conventional life, correcting what they perceived as his abnormal thoughts. However, they had not foreseen their son's infertility, nor had they anticipated the couple's decision to use a sperm bank for conception. In their minds, procreation was a vital aspect of family life, and if the sperm did not come from their son, what significance would the child hold for them? Yet, in a twist of fate, their son lacked viable sperm.
After much deliberation, the elderly couple contemplated the absurd and morally questionable solution of using the father's sperm for conception. However, their scheme was exposed before fruition, as the daughter-in-law had already disrupted their son's "normal life."
This revelation left the elderly couple in disarray.
After learning of Xiaohui's decision, they approached her several times in hopes of persuading her to abandon the idea of divorce, promising that Ahui would definitely "turn over a new leaf," even going as far as to kneel before Xiaohui.
Xiaohui recalled a candid conversation she had with Ahui after catching him cheating and deciding to divorce. Unlike any previous occasion, Ahui openly confessed his emotions over the years, acknowledging his wrongdoing towards Xiaohui but also hoping she would reconsider the divorce.
Xiaohui recorded this conversation. Despite the events that unfolded, she still believed that homosexuality was not shameful, but rather the disgrace lay in the failure of a traditional family education.
The almost morally coercive behaviour of Ahui's family forced her to change her phone number and move away from her current residence.
After Xiaohui left, Dong Yi walked in with a cup of coffee behind the curtain, sitting on the sofa with a slightly furrowed brow.
Dong Yi sat opposite and asked, "What are your thoughts?"
Yu Cheng raised his gaze, his brow slightly furrowed but not fully, "I am thinking, in this marriage, who is the real victim?"
Dong Yi looked puzzled, the elite man in a white shirt and black trousers raised his brow, looking at Yi Cheng again. He handed the coffee towards Yu Cheng and then pulled it back, "You and I are like two weights on opposite ends of a scale. I represent one type of man, you represent another, and I believe that on this issue, you have more say than I do."
The implication was clear, so share your thoughts.
Yu Cheng shook his head, "No solution."