She paused, her tone softening, "Actually... Mom and Dad didn't mean to hide it from you..."
A faint hint of sadness flashed across Shen Huaichuan's eyes, but he quickly concealed it, saying in a calm tone:
"It's okay. I've gotten used to it over the years. In the past, whenever something happened at home, my parents would always discuss it with my eldest brother first, and then with my second brother... They never thought of telling me."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiqi felt even worse and hurriedly tried to explain:
"That's not how it is! Huaichuan, please don't think like that! Before, you were young, and your parents were afraid you would worry. Later... later, one thing after another happened at home, and your parents were also suffering. They were afraid... afraid they couldn't take care of you..."
But the more she spoke, the weaker and weaker her explanations seemed. She was really bad at dealing with such complex family emotional issues, and everything she said sounded like an excuse. In the end, she could only dryly conclude:
"Oh well! Anyway! Your parents definitely don't distrust you, and they certainly don't disregard you! It's definitely not what you think!"
Shen Huaichuan knew his wife meant well and didn't want to put her in a difficult position, so he took the initiative to end the topic.
He gently patted the back of her hand, then casually returned to the main topic:
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Let's talk about the most important thing right now: Zhouzhou's treatment. How did you and your parents discuss it? What are your plans for the future?"
Zhou Qiqi also composed herself and became serious, telling Shen Huaichuan about her previous worries and struggles with her in-laws.
The elderly couple felt sorry for their child and were inclined to stop there.
She herself was caught in a dilemma and couldn't make up her mind.
In this matter, Shen Huaichuan did not let Zhou Qiqi make the decision as usual, but directly stated his position:
"Stop the treatment. As it is now, Zhouzhou can slowly start to speak, and that's enough. Let bygones be bygones."
For the past three years, he has suspected that Zhouzhou is not his second brother's biological son.
However, they never treated her with the slightest estrangement, and had long regarded her as an indispensable member of the Shen family. This attitude itself speaks volumes.
Today I learned the truth, and that even in that desperate situation, she risked her life to untie the ropes binding her second brother and sister-in-law.
This made him feel even more sorry for Zhouzhou.
He looked at Zhou Qiqi and said:
"If possible, let those memories be sealed away forever, let her serve as a ferry for our Shen family for the rest of her life, and be happy. That's better than anything else."
Seeing the same look in Shen Huaichuan's eyes as in his parents' eyes, Zhou Qiqi's heart finally began to tip in a clear direction.
She nodded and said softly, "Okay."
Indeed, it's better to let a child relive those painful memories and live in pain for the rest of their life because of the possibility of a relapse.
Why not let her forget all that and live a happy life?
When Shen Huaichuan saw that his wife had agreed, he felt relieved and a smile appeared on his face.
He reached out and put his arm around Zhou Qiqi's shoulder, comforting her:
"Don't worry! Even if Zhouzhou's illness relapses in the future, we're not afraid! We're here for her! Mom and Dad, you, me, our whole family will be with her! Maybe then..."
He deliberately dragged out his words, with a hint of mocking laughter.
"You've given her a whole bunch of little sisters already, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! The whole family is happily gathered around her, what obstacle can't she overcome?"
At first, Zhou Qiqi felt warm and touched, but when she heard the phrase "five, six, seven, eight," she immediately felt something was wrong!
Her pretty face flushed red, and in embarrassment and annoyance, she raised her hand and slapped him:
"You, Shen Huaichuan! Five, six, seven, eight? Do you think I'm a sow giving birth?! Let me tell you, I've heard childbirth is incredibly painful..."
She is most afraid of pain.
Moreover, she felt that she was only twenty years old, which would be the age of going to university in later generations, and she really didn't want to be tied down by a child so early.
However, she didn't dare to voice this second thought. People in this era valued early marriage and childbirth, and her idea was probably a bit unconventional.
Unexpectedly, Shen Huaichuan seemed to be able to see through her thoughts and chuckled softly.
He stopped walking, turned around, and looked at her intently in the dim night, his gaze gentle yet firm.
"I'll do whatever you say. Whenever you want to have a baby, we'll have one. How many babies you want, we'll have one. Even if you don't want any, that's okay. We still have Zhouzhou, right? She's our daughter. Nothing is more important to me than your happiness and well-being."
Shen Huaichuan rarely expressed his love so directly.
Zhou Qiqi's cheeks flushed slightly under his gaze, her heart filled with sweetness, but she refused to back down. She gave him a coquettish glance and muttered softly:
"I never said I wouldn't have children. I think it would be great if we had a boy like you..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Huaichuan's smile deepened, yet carried a hint of unspoken meaning, as he softly replied:
"Have a girl...someone like you would be perfect..."
He seemed to have something more to say, but hesitated, simply gazing intently at her.
Zhou Qiqi didn't notice the subtle changes in his expression; she was already filled with wonderful anticipation for the future.
She looked up at the twinkling stars in the clear winter night sky, her eyes sparkling, and began to dream:
"Hmm...how about this! Let's have a boy and a girl, that'll make a perfect 'good' family! Once we have kids, our current house definitely won't be big enough! Let's save up and build a second floor! And give each child a spacious and bright bedroom..."
She became more and more excited as she thought about it.
"Oh no, if we're going to build one, let's make it three stories! And on the top floor, give me a huge studio where I can draw and do design! There also needs to be a big balcony where I can sunbathe and grow flowers! Then..."
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