The days following Ruoxuan's announcement passed in a whirlwind of activity. Chen Xiang buried himself in work, focusing on the property renovation and his investments, using the busy schedule as a way to distract himself from the thought of her leaving. Yet, no matter how much he tried, her words lingered in his mind.
One quiet morning, as he was working through the latest projections for the property, his phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with an unexpected message from Ruoxuan: "Can we meet? I have some news to share."
He quickly typed back: "Where and when?"
"The park. Our usual spot. Noon."
Curiosity mixed with anticipation as Chen Xiang finished his tasks and headed out. The sun was high in the sky when he arrived, casting a warm glow over the familiar park. He spotted Ruoxuan sitting on a bench beneath the shade of a tree, her ponytail swaying gently in the breeze.
"You're early," he said as he approached, offering her a faint smile.
"I didn't want to be late," she replied, her expression a mix of nervousness and excitement. "Thanks for coming."
He sat down beside her, his hands resting on his knees. "You said you had news?"
She nodded, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small envelope. Handing it to him, she waited silently as he opened it. His brow furrowed as he scanned the contents—a black-and-white ultrasound image.
Chen Xiang froze, the realization dawning on him like a bolt of lightning. He looked up at her, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're… pregnant?"
Ruoxuan nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she folded them in her lap. "I found out a few days ago. I wanted to tell you in person."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Chen Xiang's thoughts raced, a storm of emotions swirling inside him. Shock, joy, fear—it all hit him at once. "Is it…?"
"Yes," she said quickly, meeting his gaze. "It's yours."
His chest tightened, the weight of the news settling over him. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I wasn't sure how," she admitted, her voice soft. "With the program and everything else, I didn't want to overwhelm you. But I couldn't keep it from you."
He nodded slowly, his mind struggling to catch up. "What about the program? Are you still going?"
She hesitated, her expression conflicted. "I don't know. I've been thinking about it nonstop. I don't want to give up on my dreams, but… this changes everything."
Chen Xiang took a deep breath, his hands clenching and unclenching as he processed her words. "Ruoxuan, whatever you decide, I'll support you. But we need to figure this out together."
Her eyes filled with tears, and she nodded. "Thank you, Chen Xiang. I was so scared you'd be angry or push me away."
"I could never do that," he said firmly. "You're not in this alone. We'll find a way."
They sat together for a long time, the weight of the moment sinking in. As the breeze rustled the leaves above them, Chen Xiang reached out, covering her hand with his. "This isn't going to be easy," he said. "But we'll make it work. For us. For the baby."
Her lips trembled, and a small smile broke through her tears. "You really mean that?"
"Of course I do," he said. "We've been through so much already. What's one more challenge?"
She laughed softly, wiping her tears. "You always know how to make things seem possible."
For the first time in weeks, Chen Xiang felt a sense of clarity. The road ahead would be full of uncertainties, but he was determined to face them head-on. Ruoxuan's dreams, their future together, and the life they were about to bring into the world—it all mattered.
As they left the park, walking side by side, Chen Xiang found himself looking forward to what lay ahead. It wouldn't be easy, but he wasn't afraid. Together, they could handle anything.