Chapter 41 Modern Life
In a penthouse apartment in a modern city, sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows onto a cream-colored carpet. Wang Yi, dressed in comfortable maternity loungewear, was playing with her two-year-old daughter, Xiao Lizhi, building blocks in the play area. Her daughter had inherited her parents' superior genes; her features possessed both the heroic air of Li Shimin and the cool elegance of Wang Yi, yet her smile was exceptionally sweet.
"Mom, when will my little brother or sister come?" Xiao Lizhi asked curiously, touching Wang Yi's slightly protruding belly.
"There are still six months left," Wang Yi replied gently, though she was calculating the time in her mind. This pregnancy reaction was more pronounced than last time, but everything was still under control.
When he left, she was already over a year and a half old. Now, four months later, the child is over two years old. Perhaps due to Li Shimin's genes, Lizhi grows faster than other children and has a higher IQ. If you didn't know, who would guess that this child who can express her own thoughts is only two years old?
Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, a rare, genuine smile flashed in Wang Yi's eyes.
"Zhou Wei? You're in China?"
A cheerful female voice came from the other end of the phone: "Just got off the plane, still jet-lagged but calling you first. I heard you're pregnant again? Wang, you're really fast."
"Stop being so cheeky. When do you have time to come over for a visit?"
"Tomorrow is fine. I can't wait to meet the legendary little princess and, while I'm at it, give you a good interrogation."
After hanging up the phone, Wang Yi seemed lost in thought. Zhou Wei was one of her few friends from her youth. The two companies had collaborated for many years; the Zhou family mainly engaged in international trade and overseas investment, complementing the Wang family's technology industry. Zhou Wei had been living abroad for seven years, and although the two had maintained contact during that time, they had met only a handful of times.
The doorbell rang precisely on time the following afternoon.
After opening the door, the two women sized each other up. Zhou Wei had a neat short haircut, wore a well-tailored suit and trousers, and carried a Hermès Birkin bag, exuding a powerful and capable aura. Wang Yi, on the other hand, wore a loose beige knitted dress, her long hair casually tied up, and despite being pregnant, she still possessed outstanding elegance.
"My goodness, you're still so beautiful. Even pregnant, you look like a fairy." Zhou Wei exclaimed in admiration, then squatted down and smiled gently at the curious Xiao Lizhi. "Is this the little princess? She's even more beautiful than in the photos."
"Hello, Auntie." Xiao Li greeted politely, her manners and upbringing inherited from her father making her appear exceptionally poised.
Zhou Wei brought a small pile of gifts—limited-edition dolls and custom-made children's clothing for the child, and a top-of-the-line maternity skincare set and supplements for Wang Yi. The two sat down in the living room, while the nanny took Xiao Lizhi to the playroom, leaving the sisters some space to chat privately.
"So, who's the lucky one this time?" Zhou Wei picked up her black tea and cut to the chase. "You were so secretive last time I asked you. Now that you're pregnant with your second child, you should at least tell me something, right?"
Wang Yi chuckled: "You probably didn't come back just to see me, did you?"
"You're quite adept at changing the subject." Zhou Wei raised an eyebrow. "But you're right, I did come back this time to take care of something—a divorce."
Wang Yi put down his teacup, slightly surprised: "With that bodyguard?"
“Yes, Zhang Zhen.” Zhou Wei’s eyes turned cold. “Back then, to avoid being forced into an arranged marriage, I chose the most extreme method—marrying my bodyguard. I knew the day we got our marriage certificate that this marriage wouldn’t last.”
"I remember you signed a prenuptial agreement before you got married."
“Yes, he voluntarily gave up all marital property, only receiving a fixed allowance of ten million yuan a year. Over the years, he has squandered it all abroad and has been keeping mistresses behind my back.” Zhou Wei sneered, “Now that I want a divorce, he refuses to leave with nothing, saying that I have ‘neglected’ him all these years and demanding a share of the property. Dream on.”
Wang Yi listened quietly. She knew Zhou Wei was always decisive and ruthless, but she never expected there to be such a story behind this marriage.
"So you deliberately chose someone easy to control back then?"
“It must be under control.” Zhou Wei nodded. “Zhang Zhen comes from an ordinary family. He’s a bit clever, but his vision is limited. I thought I could settle things by giving him enough money, but I didn’t expect people’s appetites to grow bigger and bigger.”
She paused for a moment, then continued, "You know what? In the second year of my marriage, I went abroad for IVF. I had twins, a boy and a girl, who are now five years old. The sperm came from a high-achieving student from Harvard Medical School, who is 188 cm tall, has an IQ of 160, and has no family history of genetic diseases."
Wang Yi was not surprised. Zhou Wei had always been a person with clear goals and direct methods.
Do the children know?
“I don’t know about my father’s situation yet, but I’ll explain when the time is right.” Zhou Wei took a sip of tea. “I haven’t been idle abroad all these years. On the surface, I was ‘exiled,’ but in reality, I was gradually acquiring shares in the family business through offshore companies. Now I have a certain say on the board of directors.”
"Do you need any help with this divorce case?" Wang Yi asked.
“We’ve already found a top-tier divorce lawyer team in China,” Zhou Wei said confidently. “The prenuptial agreement is clear, and he has no chance of winning. It’s just that the process might not be pleasant, since he’s going to make a scene.”
The topic shifted back to Wang Yi. Zhou Wei stared at her stomach, her eyes probing: "Alright, I've finished my business. It's your turn. Who is the father of the child? Don't tell me it's another 'accident'."
Wang Yi remained silent for a moment. She couldn't reveal the secret of time travel, but she was willing to share part of the truth with her longtime friend.
“He is a very special person. We could not have a marriage in the traditional sense, but he knew about the child and accepted it.”
"A married man?" Zhou Wei frowned.
“The situation is more complicated.” Wang Yi carefully chose his words. “We are in different worlds, and we each have our own responsibilities. But he has genuine feelings for the children and has given them names and blessings.”
Have you chosen a name for your child?
"If it's a boy, we'll name him Li Huaijin; if it's a girl, we'll name her Li Shuyao," Wang Yi said softly.
Zhou Wei savored the two names: "They have a classical feel, like the naming style of a scholarly family. The surname Li... There are many prominent families with the surname Li in China, but someone who can win Miss Wang's heart is probably no ordinary person."
She didn't press the matter further; a wise person knows when to stop.
"Are you planning to continue like this? Raising two children on your own?"
“I have the ability to give them the best.” Wang Yi stroked her lower abdomen. “Moreover, it’s never ‘alone.’ They have a father’s love, just in a different form.”
Zhou Wei sighed: "You're always so calm and rational, even having a baby is like completing some kind of plan. But since it's your choice, I support you. Don't hesitate to ask if you need any help."
"Thank you." Wang Yi smiled. "Actually, I've been researching some new medical technology projects recently, and perhaps we can collaborate."
“I knew you wouldn’t be idle during your pregnancy,” Zhou Wei laughed. “Send me the proposal, I’ll take a look. If it looks promising, I can connect you with the Zhou family’s investment fund.”
The two chatted for an entire afternoon, discussing everything from business collaborations to parenting experiences, from past memories to future plans. As evening approached and Zhou Wei was about to leave, Xiao Lizhi ran over to give her a painting she had created herself.
"Auntie, this is for you."
Zhou Wei took the painting; it depicted two adults and three children, vibrant in color and full of childlike charm. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she knelt down to hug Xiao Lizhi: "Thank you, darling, Auntie will treasure this."
After seeing Zhou Wei off, Wang Yi stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the city lights begin to twinkle. She thought of Li Shimin, of that glorious era, and of the responsibilities and secrets she carried on her shoulders.
The baby in her womb moved slightly, as if responding to her thoughts.
"Whether you're Huaijin or Shuyao, whoever you are, Mom will pave the way for you." She murmured to herself, "In this world, you are free to choose your own life."
Wang Yi's phone vibrated; it was the latest prenatal checkup report from the medical team. Everything was normal, and the fetus was developing well. After replying, Wang Yi pulled up the project proposal on her computer—a detailed plan for leveraging cross-temporal knowledge to advance modern medical technology.
She not only wanted to create a comfortable life for herself and her child, but also to use the knowledge and resources she had accumulated in both worlds to leave a meaningful mark on this era. Pregnancy was only one part of her life plan, not the whole of it.
The city lights outside the window shone brightly, like another starry sky. Wang Yi knew that, whether in the Tang Dynasty or the modern era, she had to be strong enough to protect everything she cared about. And at this moment, she was steadily walking on her predetermined path, each step firm and clear.
As expected, Zhou Wei's divorce case became a huge scandal. Zhang Zhen played the pitiful victim of infidelity in front of the media, claiming that Zhou Wei was "cold-hearted," that their "seven-year marriage was in name only," and that she "kept a gigolo abroad." Some tabloids, eager for sensationalism, embellished the story, portraying Zhou Wei as an arrogant and domineering heiress who played with people's feelings.
Wang Yi frowned as she looked at these reports. She knew all too well the tactics of information warfare.
"Weiwei, do you need any help?" When she dialed Zhou Wei's number, the other party's voice sounded tired but firm.
“I’m already preparing materials to fight back. I have photos of him with those women, bank transfer records, and recordings of him trying to blackmail me.”
“That’s not enough,” Wang Yi calmly analyzed. “What you need is to change public perception. Zhang Zhen is taking the victim route, so you have to be more ‘righteous’ than him.”
She contacted several media friends she had good relationships with and also leveraged her connections in high society circles. A few days later, a series of meticulously planned reports began appearing in mainstream media:
Modern Women's Awakening: Why She Chose a Marriage That Wouldn't Be Compromised
The Legal Significance of Prenuptial Agreements and the Protection of Women's Property
From an arranged marriage to independent choice: Zhou Wei's seven-year overseas business empire
These articles objectively recount Zhou Wei's marital background, emphasizing her choices to escape a business marriage and her success in building her career independently overseas. Meanwhile, legal experts interpret the importance of prenuptial agreements, pointing out that Zhou Wei's actions precisely protect the property rights of modern women.
Wang Yi also secretly arranged for several socialites who were on good terms with Zhou Wei to be interviewed. They spoke from a friend's perspective about Zhou Wei's character—that she was hardworking, loved her children, and was sincere to her friends.
"Zhou Wei has been abroad for years, raising her children while expanding the family business, often working until the early hours of the morning," a jewelry designer friend said in an interview. "Her ex-husband? Oh, you mean Mr. Zhang? It seems he spends most of his time on golf courses and in casinos, right?"
Public opinion began to shift. The focus shifted from Zhou Wei's career achievements as an independent woman to her "failed" marriage. Zhang Zhen's attempts to elicit sympathy backfired, and netizens instead uncovered more of his extravagant spending habits.
On the day of the court hearing, Zhou Wei appeared at the courthouse entrance in a smart white suit. Facing the camera, she said frankly, "I am standing here today not only to fight for my legal rights, but also to speak out for all women who insist on being themselves and protecting their property in marriage."
She paused, her eyes resolute: "Marriage should not be a cage for women, but a partnership of equality and respect. When this balance is broken, we have the right to say no."
These words were widely circulated, and Zhou Wei almost became the spokesperson for modern independent women.
The lawsuit was won without any suspense. The prenuptial agreement was clear and valid, and Zhang Zhen received nothing except for the pocket money he had received over the years. On the day of the court's verdict, Zhou Wei immediately called Wang Yi.
“We won.” Her voice was filled with relief. “Thank you. Without your public relations strategy, the process wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”
"Don't mention it." Wang Yi was lying on the hospital's delivery room bed. Her due date had arrived, and she had been hospitalized for three days. "Now that you're done here, you can come and help me take care of Lizhi. Although nannies are reliable, children still need someone close to them."
"I'll go pick up the little princess right away," Zhou Wei agreed immediately. "How are you? Any signs of anything?"
"Not yet, the doctor said it might be in the next day or two." Wang Yi touched her swollen belly. "This little guy is quite patient."
Zhou Wei rushed to Wang Yi's house to pick up Lizhi. The little girl obediently packed her small suitcase, which contained a gift she had prepared for her "younger brother or sister"—a handmade little rabbit and several of her favorite picture books.
“Mom said she’s going to give birth and it will be very painful.” On the way to the hospital, Lizhi said earnestly to Zhou Wei, “I prepared a medal of courage for her.”
Zhou Wei's heart softened: "The little princess is so thoughtful. Mom will be very touched when she sees this."
At the hospital, Wang Yi's contractions became regular that evening. Zhou Wei waited with Lizhi in the outer room of the suite, listening to the faint, suppressed moans coming from inside. Lizhi nervously clutched the little rabbit's ears.
"Will Mom be in a lot of pain?" she asked softly.
“There will be a little, but the doctors and nurses are helping Mom.” Zhou Wei hugged her tightly. “And Mom is very strong; she knows the little baby is coming to meet us.”
As the long night passed and dawn broke, a loud cry of a newborn baby came from the delivery room.
After a while, the nurse came out carrying the swaddled newborn: "Congratulations, it's a healthy baby girl, weighing 6 pounds 8 ounces."
Zhou Wei led Li Zhi quietly into the inner room. Wang Yi was pale but still in relatively good spirits, with beads of sweat still clinging to her forehead. Seeing them, she gave a weak smile.
"Lizhi, come and see your younger sister."
Lizhi cautiously approached, looking at the rosy, wrinkled little baby with curiosity in her eyes: "She's so tiny."
“You were like this when you were born,” Wang Yi said gently.
Zhou Wei took the baby and held her skillfully—after all, she had raised twins before. She carefully examined the baby's features: "Her eyebrows and eyes are like yours, but the contours of her nose and chin... are very dashing. Her father must have been a handsome man."
Wang Yi nodded, but a strange sense of irritation welled up inside her. After Zhou Wei took Lizhi out to eat and the nurse left, she stared at her sleeping baby daughter in the crib and suddenly felt a surge of resentment.
"Why is it my daughter again..." she muttered to herself, then was startled by her own thought.
Of course, she didn't discriminate against girls. Xiao Lizhi was her most precious treasure, and she loved this newborn daughter just as much. But a scientific theory from a corner of her memory suddenly popped up—it's said that differences in parental IQ can affect the sex of children; a smarter father is more likely to have a daughter, while a smarter mother is more likely to have a son.
"Could I possibly be dumber than Li Shimin?" The thought struck Wang Yi as absurd.
That's Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin! The emperor who ushered in the prosperous reign of Zhenguan! His civil and military achievements, political acumen, military talent, literary cultivation... weren't they all top-notch? Although I have the advantage of modern knowledge and systems, how could I possibly surpass that shining figure in history in terms of comprehensive ability and wisdom?
"Wang Yi, Wang Yi, you've really gone mad from pregnancy." She shook her head self-deprecatingly. "You actually tried to outsmart an emperor from over a thousand years ago, and even used the baby's gender as proof..."
But that indomitable spirit still lingered in her heart. She remembered the name Li Shimin had given her—Li Shuyao. Shuyao, meaning peaceful and serene, graceful and beautiful. It was a gentle name, carrying her father's best wishes for his daughter.
"Shuyao..." she called softly, watching her little daughter move her lips slightly in her sleep. "Whether you're a boy or a girl, you're a precious baby that your mother brought into this world after going through many hardships. To hell with those boring theories."
When Zhou Wei returned with the nutritious meal, she saw Wang Yi gazing tenderly at the crib, and her earlier slight mood vanished.
During her hospitalization, Zhou Wei visited almost every day, helping to take care of Lizhi and handling matters that Wang Yi couldn't handle personally. Their friendship deepened amidst this turmoil and new beginning.
"I'll throw a party when Shuyao turns one month old," Wang Yi told Zhou Wei the day before she was discharged from the hospital. "To formally introduce my little daughter to everyone."
“Absolutely,” Zhou Wei said with a smile. “But before that, shouldn’t you tell me if that mysterious ‘Mr. Li’ knows he has another daughter? Although you said your situation is special, the child has the right to know her father.”
Wang Yi was silent for a moment: "When the time is right, many things are too complicated to explain in a few words."
Wang Yi didn't want to talk about it, and as a friend, she naturally wouldn't ask any further.
"By the way, I read the proposal for the medical technology collaboration project you mentioned earlier," Zhou Wei changed the subject. "It's very promising. I've already contacted the investment department at home, and they're very interested. We can discuss it in detail once you've recovered."
Wang Yi snapped out of her thoughts, nodded and smiled: "Okay."
A new life brings a new beginning. Whether it's the modern business empire or the complex relationships that transcend time and space, Wang Yi knows that the path she has chosen has never been easy. But looking at Shu Yao sleeping peacefully in the crib, and Li Zhi gently singing to her younger sister beside her, she feels that it's all worthwhile.
Women's world is never just about love and marriage; it also encompasses multiple dimensions such as career, friendship, motherhood, and self-realization. And she is writing her own legend in every dimension.
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