Never Ending Summer

Another summer arrived.

Lush trees provided shade while cicadas chirped incessantly.

Since that year's major competition, Zhou Wan had participated in several highly prestigious events, steadily building her reputation within the industry. By the end of last year, she had even been seconded to a government unit to assist with work, remaining exceptionally busy for several consecutive months.

"Ms. Zhou."

Zhou Wan had recently taken on a protégé—a college senior still interning. "I've sent all the materials I organized to your email. Could you please review them when you have time?"

"Alright." Zhou Wan glanced at her watch; it was almost time to leave work. "I'll look them over tonight and get back to you tomorrow morning."

"Okay, thank you, Ms. Zhou."

"You're welcome." Zhou Wan smiled.

She packed her bag and headed out. "I'm leaving now. You should head home early too."

"Mhm."

Zhou Wan had bought a car a couple of years ago, though Lu Xixiao still drove her to and from work most days. She only drove herself on the occasional days when he was too busy to pick her up.

Today was one of those "occasional" days.

Lu Xixiao had been on a business trip and was returning today.

Zhou Wan got into the car and calculated the timing. If she hurried, she should just make it to the airport in time to pick him up.

It was rush hour, and the roads were congested. The sun beat down fiercely, and as she drove west, the setting sun shone directly into her eyes, making it almost impossible to keep them open.

Zhou Wan felt stuffy and uncomfortably warm from the sun, with a slight tightness in her chest. During a red light, she reached over and turned the air conditioning down a few degrees.

After an hour, she finally reached the airport.

She didn't have to wait long before she spotted Lu Xixiao walking toward her amid the crowd.

Zhou Wan raised her hand and called out, "Lu Xixiao."

Even after marriage, she was still accustomed to calling him by his full name. Though he had pressured her into calling him "husband" a few times, Zhou Wan still wasn't comfortable using such an intimate term in public.

Lu Xixiao looked up, and the moment he saw her, he broke into a smile, quickening his pace.

After marriage, he rarely went on business trips. He had only gone this time because it was unavoidable.

Though it had only been a week, they had never been apart for so many days in all these years, and he had missed her terribly.

Lu Xixiao strode quickly to her side, released his suitcase, leaned down, and kissed her lips.

Both of them were strikingly attractive, and their kiss in the bustling airport at sunset, bathed in warm golden light, created a scene so perfect it seemed straight out of an idol drama, drawing many glances from passersby.

After a long moment, Lu Xixiao finally released her, lifting his hand to gently tap her chin. "Did you miss me?"

Zhou Wan nodded obediently. "Yes."

He chuckled, taking her hand. "Let's go home then."

They walked to the parking lot, where Lu Xixiao stowed his suitcase in the trunk. Instead of letting Zhou Wan drive, he took the driver's seat and drove them home.

"Was the contract negotiation successful?" Zhou Wan asked.

"Yes, it went smoothly."

"That's good." Zhou Wan smiled slightly. "You can rest properly for a few days now."

They chatted idly, catching up on the trivial matters they had each encountered during their week apart.

After a while, Zhou Wan yawned. Lu Xixiao glanced at her. "What time did you go to bed last night?"

"Midnight." Zhou Wan rubbed her temples. "I've been a bit busy lately."

Lu Xixiao frowned. Just as they stopped at a red light, he leaned over, reclined the passenger seat slightly, and pulled a thin blanket from the back to cover Zhou Wan. "Get some sleep for now."

Zhou Wan wasn't really sleepy, but lying down to rest would still be good.

Only, whether it was from the earlier dizziness caused by the sun or something else, she felt somewhat unwell—a stifling sensation in her chest, as if stuffed with cotton, and a bit nauseous.

Zhou Wan rolled down the window.

"What's wrong?" Lu Xixiao asked.

"Maybe a little carsick."Lu Xixiao frowned slightly. "Do you want to rest for a while?"

"It's fine." Zhou Wan shook her head. "I'm not that uncomfortable. I'll feel better after getting some fresh air."

"We'll be home in about ten minutes. I'll drive steadily. Tell me if you feel unwell."

"Mm."

The wind helped ease the nausea in her chest a little, and the warm breeze made Zhou Wan increasingly drowsy.

When they got home, she had no appetite for dinner and went straight to the bedroom to sleep. Not long after, Lu Xixiao came in with a bottle of Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui he had bought from the pharmacy on the way.

"Drink this before you sleep." Lu Xixiao brushed aside the stray hairs on her cheek. "If you're really unwell, we'll go to the hospital. Don't tough it out."

"Mm." Zhou Wan took the medicine bottle.

"I'll get you a glass of water."

After Lu Xixiao left the bedroom again, Zhou Wan picked up the medicine bottle but paused before drinking it, suddenly remembering something.

She got up and rummaged through a drawer for a pregnancy test—it had been bought half a year ago. Zhou Wan's menstrual cycle had always been irregular, and back when she had a cold and needed to take medicine, she bought a box just to be safe. There was still one left.

...

Lu Xixiao returned to the bedroom with a glass of water but didn't see her on the bed. Turning his head, he found her standing in front of the bathroom vanity, looking dazed.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Wan slowly turned her head but didn't speak.

Lu Xixiao looked over and froze for a moment when he saw the two lines, not quite processing it. "What is this?"

"A pregnancy test." Zhou Wan blinked and said softly, "I think... I'm pregnant."

They had been using contraception ever since they got married.

But it had already been three years since their wedding. During that time, Zhou Wan had brought up whether they should have a child, as a way to move into the next phase of their lives.

However, Lu Xixiao didn't seem particularly interested in children. Zhou Wan knew he didn't like kids and had no particular fixation on having them, so she let things take their natural course, and they never had a child.

Only during the holiday in early May, when they went on a trip together, did they have one instance of failed contraception.

But at the time, Zhou Wan had just finished her period, which was considered the "safe period," so she didn't think much of it.

Thinking back, it must have been that one time.

"Are you feeling unwell anywhere else?" Lu Xixiao asked after a brief moment of shock.

Zhou Wan shook her head.

"Let's go to the hospital first." He pulled a thin coat from the wardrobe and helped Zhou Wan put it on.

...

Two hours later, the results came out.

It was true... she was pregnant.

Almost two months along.

Fortunately, all the check-up results showed that her indicators were normal.

On the way home, Lu Xixiao drove in silence, not saying a word.

Zhou Wan looked at his profile and asked softly, "Lu Xixiao, do you not want a child?"

"No." His voice was slightly hoarse.

Perhaps he was tired from just returning from a business trip and all the commotion afterward. Zhou Wan didn't say anything more and gently placed her hand on her stomach. It was hard to believe... that a life nearly two months old was growing inside.

It was her and Lu Xixiao's child.

When they got home, as soon as they stepped inside, Lu Xixiao suddenly hugged her from behind. He didn't dare hold her too tightly, so he buried his face deeply into the crook of her neck, trying to convey even a fraction of what he was feeling.

Zhou Wan paused for a moment, then held his hand. "What's wrong?"

"Wanwan." His voice trembled. "It's not that I don't want one. I just... can't bear to see you go through so much hardship."

"It's not hardship."

Zhou Wan smiled softly. "I'm really happy to have a child with you."

Lu Xixiao lowered his gaze and said in a deep voice, "I'll treat you well.""Mm." Zhou Wan smiled. "You're already very good to me."

So good that these past three years have felt like a beautiful dream.

I've never even dreamed of such a beautiful, happy life.

And now, we have another child.

Flowing with my blood and yours, nurtured by us together. They'll resemble you, or perhaps me—the most precious existence in this world besides each other. Just thinking about it feels magical.

Due to her pregnancy, Zhou Wan ended her temporary assignment early.

Every prenatal checkup went smoothly, but she suffered from severe morning sickness, often vomiting whatever she ate. During that period, she lost several pounds.

Since she couldn't eat properly, Lu Xixiao also ate poorly.

If he had known pregnancy symptoms would be this severe, he would have preferred not to get pregnant at all. He even felt particularly annoyed with the little one in her belly.

One evening, they were curled up on the sofa watching TV.

Lu Xixiao gently patted Zhou Wan's stomach and said, "It took me years to put a few ounces of meat on your mom, and you've wasted it all in just a few months."

Zhou Wan laughed and grabbed his hand. "Why are you picking on them?"

"Because it's their fault."

"My colleague said it's normal to lose some weight in the first few months. I'll gain plenty by the third trimester."

"You should gain some weight."

"I'm fine like this," Zhou Wan said. "Any heavier wouldn't look good."

"Being a bit heavier is better."

Zhou Wan curved her lips and couldn't help tilting her head up to kiss him.

Lu Xixiao bit her firmly, raised his eyebrows, and patted her butt playfully. "Trying to mess with me on purpose?"

"..."

Fortunately, after four months, her morning sickness eased significantly. She stopped vomiting after meals and gradually regained the weight.

Zhou Wan didn't take the pregnancy too seriously—just resting adequately, watching her diet, and attending regular checkups. But Lu Xixiao was extremely nervous, growing more anxious as the months passed, almost to the point of overreacting.

By the last three months, he didn't even want her to go to work.

However, Zhou Wan wasn't the delicate type and wasn't used to being pampered. Unwilling to stay home every day, she insisted on working.

Lu Xixiao had no choice. Previously, he had rejected many interview requests from magazines and newspapers, but this time he proactively agreed to a long-term, in-depth feature.

Using his position for personal gain, he arranged for Zhou Wan to work directly under his supervision.

Though it was called work, she was practically being waited on.

With food, drinks, and even massages from the president himself, Zhou Wan felt embarrassed to accept her salary.

Even the work chat groups were filled with jokes during that period.

[Just saw President Lu and Mrs. Lu in the elevator. President Lu was sticking to her side like a big puppy!!!! The contrast cuteness is real!!!!!]

[I used to think no woman could completely tame President Lu, until I saw him acting spoiled today!Do we really have to be fed dog food at work!?The boss lady is so pretty! Saw her getting mad at President Lu in the garage—so cute, cute, cute!]

[How gorgeous will their child be? I already want to ruа them!]

...

Zhou Wan's due date was in late February of the following year.

Before the New Year, Gu Meng organized a class reunion, which Zhou Wan attended.

When it ended in the afternoon, Lu Xixiao came to pick her up. But as soon as she got in the car, her stomach suddenly started hurting—still over half a month before her due date.

"Lu Xixiao," Zhou Wan said through the pain. "Don't panic. Drive slowly."Most of the time, Lu Xixiao was the epitome of composure.

Only when it came to matters involving her did he easily become flustered.

After speeding all the way to the hospital, Zhou Wan was immediately taken for examination.

The results indicated that she needed to deliver immediately, and due to a change in the baby's position, a cesarean section was required.

Lu Xixiao had never been so panicked in his life—his hands trembled uncontrollably. He had always assumed it would be a natural birth and had prepared himself to accompany her through labor. He never expected she would suddenly need a C-section.

Zhou Wan held his hand and said gently, "Don't be afraid, Lu Xixiao. It'll be over soon, and you'll get to meet our baby."

A nurse nearby couldn't help but laugh. "Usually, it's the husband comforting the wife. With you two, it's the other way around."

Lu Xixiao's eyes reddened.

He was terrified that even the slightest risk or accident might occur during the surgery.

"I'll be right outside," Lu Xixiao said, half-kneeling on the floor as he kissed Zhou Wan's forehead. "I love you, Wanwan."

"Mm."

Zhou Wan curved her lips into a smile. "Soon, there will be one more person in this world who loves you."

Both the baby and I will love you.

...

Zhou Wan was someone exceptionally skilled at enduring hardship.

But when it came to childbirth, even she couldn't hold back her tears from the pain.

Perhaps due to her unique constitution, the anesthesia didn't take full effect, making the entire process excruciatingly painful.

And every sharp pang of pain reminded her of the knife that had pierced Lu Xixiao's chest.

Because of this, the pain gave her a strange, illusory sense of atonement.

Not long after, a loud infant's cry cut through the air in the operating room.

The nurse said it was a boy—fair, chubby, and exceptionally handsome.

Once the incision was sutured, Zhou Wan was wheeled out of the operating room.

Lu Xixiao rushed over immediately, gripping her hand. Seeing the beads of sweat covering her forehead, his heart ached unbearably. "Why are you sweating so much? Didn't they give you anesthesia?"

Zhou Wan was too weak to speak. A nurse nearby explained, "She has a unique constitution and doesn't respond well to anesthesia."

For a moment, Lu Xixiao was speechless.

What did it mean that she didn't respond well to anesthesia?

He couldn't imagine how Zhou Wan had endured the entire surgery.

"Lu Xixiao," she whispered weakly.

"I'm here," he leaned down, bringing his ear closer to her.

"Back then... did it hurt this much for you too?"

Lu Xixiao froze.

For the first half-minute, he didn't understand what she meant. Then he saw her red-rimmed eyes—not from her own pain, but from sympathy for his past suffering.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his nose tingled with emotion. "No," he said, pressing his lips together firmly before soothing her in a low voice, "It didn't hurt, Wanwan. It's not the same."

"But now I've felt pain too, A Xiao," Zhou Wan said with a soft smile. "It feels like I've made up for a little more of what you went through."

Now we have a child.

We share matching tattoos and matching scars.

Those dark, desolate years you walked alone—the pain you endured, the blood you shed—I'm willing to walk that path again for you.

And from now on, our lives will open a new chapter.

A family of three.

Hand in hand, racing toward the light.