Ling Ruoke was genuinely taken aback, then abruptly turned to stare at Mei Yanting. She hadn't expected that Mei Yanting would ask about this matter.
"Sister Ximeng, is that right?" Mei Yanting pressed further, thinking that her stunned expression was a sign of guilt.
Ling Ruoke quickly regained her composure and looked calmly at Mei Yanting. "Who told you Xu An was dead? And who told you I killed Xu An?" Why dig up something like this? What are the motives of the person behind this?
Mei Yanting didn't answer, but instead pressed, "Sister Ximeng, are you just saying yes or no?"
Ling Ruoke remained indifferent, her gaze towards her containing a hint of mockery and coldness. "If I said no, would you believe me?"
"Then..." Mei Yanting seemed unsure what to say for a moment, and after a silence, she said, "But why did I hear people say that you killed Xu An? It was you who caused Xu An to be expelled and even driven out of that big city!"
Ling Ruoke recalled the past and then thought about Mei Yanting's actions now, feeling increasingly emotional. "I don't know who told you these things, but I can tell you from my conscience that I didn't harm Xu An. Neither later nor back in college. It was Xu An who, back in college, because he liked me and saw that I had a boyfriend, posted photos on the school bulletin board and wrote all sorts of nonsense saying that I was being kept by someone. I admit that it was my boyfriend at the time who got him expelled from school, but I didn't know that at the time."
"He likes you?" Mei Yanting's voice suddenly rose. Xu An's behavior towards Ling Ruoke had been strange before; she'd always thought that expression was a mixture of love and hate. But Xu An said no, and the two seemed like complete strangers, so she believed him. She'd always thought that although Xu An occasionally beat and scolded her, he loved her deep down. Now, she realized that perhaps he'd never loved her at all, and that she was merely a tool for his venting.
This thought was like a knife, tearing a piece out of Mei Yanting's heart, causing her to grit her teeth in pain. Even though she had married Chen Shan and Xu An had been gone for a long time, he was her first love and her first man; he still held a place in her heart. Despite all the past hurts, how could she not be heartbroken to learn that he had never loved her in the first place?
Seeing her behavior, Ling Ruoke felt even more distressed and thought it was unfair to Chen Shan. So much time had passed, yet she was still so relentlessly pursuing a man who had never treated her well, even suffering so much for him. "Whether he likes me or not, I don't know; that's just his one-sided statement."
Mei Yanting didn't speak, she was in a daze, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Ling Ruoke sighed deeply, feeling a sharp pain in her heart. She remained silent, waiting for Mei Yanting to come to her senses. Her own feelings were incredibly complex; if Mei Yanting hadn't suddenly asked, she would have almost forgotten Xu An and the hurt he had caused her.
"Sister Ximeng, back in Y City, did you recognize Xu An?" Mei Yanting finally came to her senses, but was still somewhat dazed. Looking into Ling Ruoke's eyes, she asked again.
Ling Ruoke looked at her and shook her head. "I have no recollection of this person. I only remember that he insulted me back then, but I don't remember the person himself."
"Then Xu An suddenly disappeared, was it because of you..." Mei Yanting seemed to have come to her senses and had some ideas.
Ling Ruoke frowned slightly, recalling the humiliation and pain she had suffered. "The night before I left Y City, Xu An suddenly rushed in, trying to defile me. He even poured pepper spray on me, injuring my throat and stomach. Later, he knocked me unconscious, and when I woke up, I was in A City. As for where he went, I don't know, and I don't want to know."
Mei Yanting stared at her blankly, seemingly unable to understand.
Ling Ruoke didn't want to say anything more to her, only saying, "Yanting, I don't know who told you these things, but I can tell you that the other person definitely didn't mean any harm. Also, let me give you a piece of advice: although Chen Shan is a kind and good person, and a man's heart can tolerate anything, he cannot tolerate his woman having feelings for someone else. Xu An is in the past no matter what. If you still want to live a good life with Chen Shan, then erase everything from your mind, or at least seal it away in your heart. Otherwise, you will only suffer the consequences in the end. That's all I have to say. You'd better think carefully."
"Sister Ximeng, don't be angry. I don't doubt you, and I don't want to do anything with Xu An, I just..." Mei Yanting didn't even understand what she was thinking.
Ling Ruoke really didn't want to listen anymore. She was a gentle person, rarely angry, but when she was, it was deadly. This was what the saying meant by "silent until the moment of truth." "Yanting, you don't need to explain anything to me. You just need to be responsible for yourself. Whether you believe that person or not, whether you care about Xu An or not, it doesn't affect me. But I still say the same thing: focus on the present and the future, and cherish what you should cherish."
Then, Ling Ruoke turned cold and refused to look at her again.
Seeing that her face was pale, Mei Yanting hesitated several times before finally leaving quietly. Since they met, Ling Ruoke had always been gentle and loving towards her like a younger sister, but she never expected her to be so fierce now.
After Mei Yanting left, Ling Ruoke stood up, let out a long sigh, and stretched. Feeling incredibly annoyed, she decided to stop thinking about it and started playing with Xiao Lele.
Around noon, Tan Peishi returned from the hospital.
Ling Ruoke handed Xiao Lele over to her, took lunch to the hospital to give to Tan's mother, and then asked the guard to take her home.
Mrs. Tan's condition wasn't serious; she just had difficulty moving around. She was currently reading the newspaper in bed, enjoying her peace and quiet, though she was suffering a little physical pain.
Ling Ruoke was in a hurry to get back to her unit and didn't want to get home too late, so she only spent a few words with her before leaving.
As soon as she stepped out of the hospital, the smell of disinfectant in her nose faded, and Ling Ruoke felt much better. If she weren't so heavily pregnant that she couldn't run, she would have run. It had only been three days since they last saw each other, but it felt like a long time; she missed him terribly.
I hadn't walked two steps when I came face to face with a man and a woman. The man was tall and imposing, with an extraordinary presence; the woman was slender and graceful, with a beautiful face and a charming gait.
Ling Ruoke was slightly taken aback. She didn't recognize the man, but although she hadn't seen the woman for a long time, she still recognized her. Even after so long, she was still radiant and beautiful, as if she hadn't been released from prison, but rather returned from studying abroad.
Ling Ruoke could completely forgive Gu Miaomiao, but she couldn't be completely without resentment towards Gu Zhenzhen. Therefore, she subconsciously didn't want the two of them to meet.
Unfortunately, the other person had already seen her and was already smiling as they approached.
"If you'd like, it's been a long time." Gu Zhenzhen smiled gently, her expression full of sincerity.
Ling Ruoke thought she was really amazing; after such a entanglement, they could greet each other like old friends reunited after many years. However, since the other person hadn't given her any bad signals, she naturally wouldn't put on a long face. "Yes, it's been a long time. How have you been lately?"
The Gu family was investigated. Although they didn't end up in dire straits, their status plummeted and they are no longer what they used to be.
"It's fine." Gu Zhenzhen still smiled sweetly, her gaze fixed on her abdomen.
Ling Ruoke instinctively wanted to take a step back. But she only thought about it and didn't move.
"Oh my, you're pregnant! Look at that belly, it looks like you're about to give birth. Congratulations!" Gu Zhenzhen seemed to want to touch her belly, but after reaching out, she withdrew her hand and touched her own nose instead.
Ling Ruoke returned a faint smile. "Thank you. I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry, I have to go now, goodbye!" She was most afraid of scheming people, so unless necessary, she generally didn't want to have much contact with such people.
Nodding, Ling Ruoke slipped away.
Gu Zhenzhen didn't make things difficult for her. She simply turned back and silently watched her retreating figure for a while after she had passed. Her face was expressionless, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Ling Ruoke didn't breathe a sigh of relief until she was in the car. If she were alone, she wouldn't have been so nervous. But… touching the little one in her belly, feeling the strength in her palm, softened her heart. She had been very nervous, afraid that Gu Zhenzhen would hurt her child. Being pregnant, her own fighting ability was negligible.
The car started, but Ling Ruoke was somewhat dazed. Images of Mei Yanting questioning her flashed through her mind, followed by Gu Zhenzhen approaching as if she were a friend. A sense of doubt crept into her heart: Could it be that Gu Zhenzhen told Mei Yanting about Xu An? If it was her, what were her intentions? If not her, then who was it?
After thinking for a long time without reaching a conclusion, I shook my head, temporarily banishing these worries from my mind. I let that tall, upright figure and that resolute face fill my thoughts.
It had only been three days, but Ling Ruoke felt as if it had been a long time. As the car sped along the road, she wished she could sprout wings and fly to him immediately. In her mind, she imagined his possible reaction to seeing her return home, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.
The journey of several hours didn't feel long because of the longing and anticipation in my heart. By the time I got back to the unit, it was already dark.
Ling Ruoke had just stepped outside her door when she saw the lights were on, and a smile immediately bloomed on her face. She pushed open the door and called out loudly, "Honey, I'm home!"
The sound of the stove being turned off came from the kitchen, and the next second, that tall, imposing figure appeared before her, scooping her up in his arms and spinning her around several times. "Wife, I missed you so much!"
He bent down and put her down, then lowered his head to find her lips, sucking on them fiercely as if they hadn't been seen for lifetimes, until she felt a little pain. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, and his body pressed down lower and lower, as if he wanted to pin her to the ground and punish her on the spot.
Ling Ruoke was completely enveloped by his passion. Although her lips were bitten painfully, she did not flinch. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She let out soft moans, enduring the longing and passion of their brief separation.
Finally, Huo Qingfeng reluctantly released her. His forehead was pressed against hers, he was breathing heavily, and large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
If she is already more than seven months pregnant, it is no longer advisable for her to have sexual intercourse.
Huo Qingfeng reached out and touched it; it was burning hot, as if it had been roasted by fire. He couldn't help but sigh, feeling a bittersweet pang in his heart. His wife was the purest and most lovely woman.
"I...I'm going to take a shower!" Ling Ruoke mumbled, then turned and fled. Unfortunately, she was clumsy, so what was described as fleeing was actually a slow, labored movement.
Huo Qingfeng really wanted to step over and pull her back into his arms. But then he thought of how red his wife's face was, and how she would explode if he kept arguing with her. So he held back and watched her go into the bathroom.
After standing there for a while, I remembered that my wife hadn't brought her pajamas. My eyes darted around furtively as I washed my hands and went to the bedroom to get her some.
Sure enough, Ling Ruoke had finished showering. She then realized with a start that she hadn't brought her pajamas. He usually helped her shower, and she'd slowly gotten used to it. But after doing that to him, she really didn't dare call him in.
Just as I was hesitating whether to wrap myself in a large bath towel and go out, there was a knock on the bathroom door.
"Honey, I brought you your pajamas, open the door quickly."
The sound was no different from usual, but Ling Ruoke felt the heat that had just subsided rise again.
"Honey, open the door quickly. Even though it's summer, you're prone to catching a cold right now."
Hearing his words, Ling Ruoke stopped being coy; the child was the most important thing. She dressed neatly and came out, only to find Huo Qingfeng had already prepared the last dish and was serving it.
"Wife, sit down and eat." Huo Qingfeng helped his wife to a chair and handed her the bowl and chopsticks in a conciliatory manner.
Ling Ruoke was really hungry, and since it was her husband's cooking, she ate with extra relish. Before she knew it, she was stuffed.
So, after dinner, Huo Qingfeng didn't go back to training; instead, he helped his wife go for a walk. The doctor said that pregnant women should move around more when they are close to giving birth, as this will help with a smooth delivery. He kept this in mind and helped his wife go for a stroll whenever he had free time.
Ling Ruoke, recalling Mei Yanting and Gu Zhenzhen's situation, briefly mentioned it to Huo Qingfeng, also sharing her concerns. "Do you think it's possible that Gu Zhenzhen hasn't let go yet?"
Huo Qingfeng looked at her, not answering immediately, but thinking seriously. He didn't like to jump to conclusions, so he usually wouldn't say things like "probably."
Seeing that he didn't answer, Ling Ruoke said, "I think I'm being a bit cynical." Perhaps it really was just a coincidence; Gu Zhenzhen might not be that bad after all.
Huo Qingfeng smiled slightly and reached out to touch her face. "It's always better to be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you and the child. Don't worry, I'll have someone investigate thoroughly." He would never let anyone who dared to harm his wife and child get away with it.
Ling Ruoke giggled. "I'm not worried. I live in the special forces, no one can hurt me, so I'm not afraid. I'm just worried that if it really is her, she'll use my loved ones as a threat again, like Guzheng did."
In any case, she didn't want anyone she cared about or who cared about her to get hurt.
Huo Qingfeng pulled her into his arms, gently stroking the top of her head with his chin. "Don't worry, I will definitely find out the truth." If it really was true, no matter who threatened him, his silly wife would take the risk.
Ling Ruoke chuckled softly, pressing her face against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. Just hearing that sound made her feel incredibly secure; even if someone told her the world was about to collapse, she wouldn't be afraid.
After walking for about half an hour, Ling Ruoke got tired and kept yawning.
"Go back to sleep." Huo Qingfeng smiled slightly, looking at her sleepy eyes and finding her adorable.
Ling Ruoke covered her mouth and yawned, then nodded. "Okay."
Having received her permission, Huo Qingfeng bent down and picked her up in his arms. Since becoming pregnant, she had gained a considerable amount of weight, but this weight was still nothing to her.
Ling Ruoke gasped and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. She wouldn't normally gasp, but she was still half-asleep and her mind was foggy. When she finally came to her senses, she saw her prominently protruding belly and asked him, "Is it heavy?"
Huo Qingfeng bent down and kissed her before heading home. "Your weight is nothing to me. Even if you were twice as heavy, I could still easily lift you up."
Ling Ruoke pouted. "Wouldn't I become a fat pig then? I don't want that!"
"No matter how fat my wife is, she is still the cutest and most beautiful fat woman in the world."
Ling Ruoke chuckled, but she was so sleepy that she pressed her face against his neck. Feeling the up-and-down motion of his steps, she became even more drowsy. By the time they got home, she was almost asleep, unable to even keep her eyes open.
Huo Qingfeng took off her shoes, changed her into pajamas, and laid her on the bed. She let out a soft moan, rubbed against the ice pillow, and then fell into a deep sleep.
He leaned down and silently gazed at her rosy face. Even during her pregnancy, her face was smooth and delicate, without any blemishes. However, her waist and legs had indeed thickened considerably. Her bust had also noticeably increased.
Huo Qingfeng kissed her forehead, smiling slightly. Even so, he felt the restlessness within him begin to rage again. He growled in frustration and went into the bathroom.
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