Chapter 13: Flashback Kills Three

At 6 AM sharp, the alarm clock went off on time. With the first sound of the alarm, Wen Lan Sheng quickly pressed the snooze button and habitually glanced at Fan Xia.

Her messy, silky long hair fanned out on the soft pillow, her beautiful face sinking into the goose down, drowsy with sleep, seemingly undisturbed by the alarm.

Wen Lan Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead, and gently kissed her brow before getting up and heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Xie Cen was getting on in years and naturally woke up early. Seeing Wen Lan Sheng up bright and early, entering the kitchen to cook, he asked, “Are you making breakfast or lunch?”

As Wen Lan Sheng sliced the tomatoes, he replied, “Both. The employee cafeteria only has a few styles of dishes, which Fan Xia might not like. Plus, she’s used to my cooking and definitely won’t be accustomed to others’.”

Watching his own son being so considerate of Fan Xia, Xie Cen couldn’t help but sigh, “Having a son isn’t great. Before even marrying Fan Xia, you already only have eyes for her, getting up at 6 AM to prepare breakfast and lunch. Even your own parents don’t get this treatment.”

Wen Lan Sheng gave him a reproachful look and laughed, “Dad, don’t tease me.”

“Okay, okay, no more jokes. Let’s talk about serious matters.” Xie Cen leaned in close to Wen Lan Sheng’s ear and said in a serious tone, “Last night, you two…”

Wen Lan Sheng’s face instantly flushed scarlet, the knife in his hand nearly slipping from his grasp as he asked in shock and embarrassment, “You… you all heard?”

“We couldn’t hear from inside the room, but I woke up thirsty in the middle of the night and came out to pour a glass of water. You two… your passion is truly strong. Even your mother and I weren’t this intense as newlyweds.” Xie Cen had a knowing look.

Wen Lan Sheng covered his ears, protesting in mortified whispers, “Dad, please stop.”

“Still shy in front of your own father, I see.” Xie Cen pulled Wen Lan Sheng’s hands down. “It’s good that you two are so in love. You don’t know how many couples fall prey to the seven-year itch. If that area isn’t working well, no matter how good the relationship, it can’t last. The woman will cheat sooner or later.”

Wen Lan Sheng casually poured the tomatoes into the soup and said, “What Fan Xia and I have goes beyond seven years. Don’t compare us to those ordinary couples.”

“Not seven years? Didn’t you get together in university?” Xie Cen asked.

Stirring the seafood soup in the pot with nonchalance, Wen Lan Sheng replied, “More or less. We confessed our feelings to each other right before the college entrance exams, and naturally got together after.”

“So that’s how it was. Childhood sweethearts do have stronger bonds than average couples.” Xie Cen nodded.

Seeing that he had successfully fooled Xie Cen, Wen Lan Sheng let out a small sigh of relief.

They had indeed confessed to each other before the college entrance exams, but didn’t the second year of high school also count as before the exams?

Ever since the accident with Fan Xia’s parents, only he had wholeheartedly stayed by her side, giving her his all and warmth. Initially, Fan Xia was still somewhat guarded against him, but as time passed, Wen Lan Sheng clearly sensed that the way she looked at him was different from how she looked at other male classmates. Everything afterwards developed naturally.

Wen Lan Sheng never dreamed that one day he would fully possess Fan Xia and become her boyfriend.

He was overjoyed to the point of losing control.

That midsummer at the end of their second year of high school, he gave himself completely to her.

Dense steam gathered before his eyes as Wen Lan Sheng’s thoughts gradually drifted, as if returning to that first night of tasting the forbidden fruit, that intoxicating summer evening. He curled up in Fan Xia’s embrace, thrilled and ecstatic to become her first man. Especially when Fan Xia leaned over his ear, her hoarse, languid voice brushing against his earlobe as she whispered her love for him, Wen Lan Sheng’s soul spasmed with bliss.

Holding Fan Xia, he had a good, cathartic cry.

Fan Xia kissed away his tears, not understanding why. “Lan Sheng, why are you crying? Did I hurt you?”

Wen Lan Sheng shook his head, embracing Fan Xia tightly. He cried out of joy, but also guilt. He would redeem his mother’s sins, he would replace Principal Fan and Uncle Jie in loving Fan Xia for a lifetime. No one in this world could love Fan Xia more than he did. He was willing to give her his everything.

Young and naive, once he tasted intimacy, he couldn’t stop.

He craved more, taking every opportunity to beg Fan Xia, but due to youthful ignorance, they didn’t take any contraceptive measures whatsoever. By the time they realized, he was already three months pregnant.

He was only seventeen then, at an age when he should’ve been gearing up for the college entrance exams. Yet the arrival of this child didn’t leave him at a loss. On the contrary, it gave him direction in life.

He wanted to keep this child.

It was his and Fan Xia’s baby. He couldn’t abandon it.

Wen Lan Sheng naturally knew that pregnancy out of wedlock was shameful. If his parents found out, they would disown him if not beat him to death. The school would expel him too. His future, his everything would be ruined.

But whenever he thought of Fan Xia’s child growing inside him, he felt that everything he was about to face was no longer a nightmare, merely a trial he had to endure to become the parent of Fan Xia’s child. Being able to father her baby was an honor in itself. He was willing to do anything for Fan Xia.

By the time Fan Xia found out, he was nearly four months along.

His belly had a slight bump, easily hidden from his parents but not her.

Fan Xia gently caressed his stomach, even more tender than when touching her own. Wen Lan Sheng could feel her love for this child, the only person in this world who shared her blood.

This was also Wen Lan Sheng’s secret motive, aside from loving this unborn baby.

With this child, his relationship with Fan Xia would progress to the next level. After getting together with her, he lived each day in fear and insecurity that she would have a change of heart. If they had a baby, it would become an eternal bond between them. No matter how Fan Xia’s feelings changed in the future, for the sake of this child, she would have to turn back and look at him.

However, this tenderness didn’t last long. Fan Xia stroked his face with pity. “Lan Sheng, let’s get rid of it.”

Wen Lan Sheng covered his belly and stepped back, shaking his head vehemently. “No, I don’t want to. This is our child.”

“Lan Sheng, you can’t keep this baby. You should be focusing on your studies, going to college, not becoming a father while still a minor yourself.”

“But I don’t necessarily have to study, I don’t have to go to college. Fan Xia, I want this child, I really want to keep him. This is our baby.” Wen Lan Sheng held her hands as tears streamed down his face. “Fan Xia, I’ll be a good father, believe me.”

“I believe you.” Fan Xia embraced him, kissing away his tears. “But Lan Sheng, we’ll have children in the future. This child… it’s not the right time. Let’s get rid of it. After we get married, we can have many, many babies together, okay?”

In the end, Wen Lan Sheng relented.

He was willing to do anything for Fan Xia, including aborting this child.

He chose to take leave on the day of the monthly exam, not letting Fan Xia accompany him, because he heard that seeing blood during an abortion was bad luck for women.

As a minor, he couldn’t go to a regular hospital, only a small clinic. His memories of what happened after were hazy. He only remembered the pungent smell of disinfectant, the pain, bleeding a lot. His child disappeared before even getting a name.

“Lan Sheng? Lan Sheng?” Fan Xia’s voice rang in his ears. Wen Lan Sheng abruptly snapped out of his reverie.

Fan Xia turned off the stove and gently pinched his cheek with warm fingertips, laughing. “Keep cooking and the seafood soup will turn to seafood mush.” Wen Lan Sheng chuckled, hiding the sorrow in his eyes. “Why are you up so early? Why not sleep in a bit more?”

“Couldn’t fall back asleep, so I got up to help you.” Fan Xia picked up a knife, ready to assist him.

“Don’t, you just changed into clean clothes. Don’t get them smelling like the kitchen. I already put breakfast in the dining room. Go eat first, this will be ready soon.” Wen Lan Sheng ushered Fan Xia out of the kitchen.

Xie Cen laughed, “Our Lan Sheng, we raised him for nothing. His heart and mind are all devoted to you.”

Fan Xia took a sip of milk, a faint smile on her lips. “Then I must thank you and Auntie for raising such a wonderful husband for me.”

Xie Cen was amused into hearty laughter. “You really have a way with words, unlike our Jing Jing who’s even better at flattery.”

At the mention of Wen Jing, Xie Cen’s relaxed demeanor changed, a hint of worry in his tone. “Speaking of Jing Jing, she’s all alone in Europe, so pitiful. She finally found a hobby in skiing, but can’t afford the equipment because she has no money.”

Wen Lan Sheng was pouring the seafood soup into a thermos, deeply frowning upon hearing Xie Cen’s words. Just as he was about to speak, Fan Xia interjected.

“It’s good to have a hobby. I’m getting paid today anyway, so I’ll wire her a few ten thousand later.”

“Oh my, how can we let you do that?” Xie Cen grinned from ear to ear.

“Just consider it a bit of support from her soon-to-be sister-in-law.” Fan Xia smiled.

Wen Lan Sheng tightened the thermos lid unhappily, packed the lunchboxes, and walked out of the kitchen.

“I’m done eating. Take your time, Uncle.” Fan Xia stood up and took the things from Wen Lan Sheng’s hands, preparing to leave.

Wen Lan Sheng saw Fan Xia out, reluctantly smoothing down her slightly upturned collar, his tone mildly reproachful. “Why give Jing Jing so much money? She’s not going skiing, she’s clearly just fooling around. You’re giving her so much cash, she must be thrilled. She’ll focus even less on her studies now. Makes sense though, that school she bribed her way into is just a diploma mill. What studies are there to speak of?”

“Don’t say that, we’re all family. Besides, with Uncle saying that in front of me, how could I not offer the money?” Fan Xia said softly.

“Actually, even if you didn’t give the money, he wouldn’t make things difficult for you.” Wen Lan Sheng tugged on her sleeve, eyes alluringly hooked. “I’m the one marrying you, not my dad marrying you.”

Fan Xia suppressed a laugh.

“Don’t laugh.” Wen Lan Sheng squeezed her palm. “Anyway, don’t casually give Jing Jing money again in the future, got it?”

“Mm, got it.” Fan Xia covered her mouth, still laughing.

“Alright, off to work with you. Drive safe.” Wen Lan Sheng kissed her cheek and watched as Fan Xia entered the elevator. Taking a deep breath, he returned to the apartment.