From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 233 - 211: Heart in Chaos Like Snow

Xu Chunliang certainly remembered that those fireflies were summoned by himself, a spontaneous act of kindness that left Zhao Xiaohui with a stunningly romantic image in her life.

"Are beautiful things fleeting, or because they are fleeting, do you find them beautiful?" Zhao Xiaohui's eyes were filled with a misty light, as if tears were about to fall.

Xu Chunliang realized that she might be in trouble and whispered, "Sister Xiaohui, do you remember the promise I made to you back then?"

Zhao Xiaohui nodded. She remembered that Xu Chunliang said if one day she encountered trouble, he would sincerely help her solve it. At that time, she didn't believe him, but now she was gradually beginning to trust him.

"Xiaoxu, I... I might be pregnant..."

Xu Chunliang felt a jolt inside. Zhao Xiaohui had previously undergone surgery for an ectopic pregnancy and had one ovary removed. It was understandable that she wouldn't easily conceive. Could it be that she and Chen Jianxin had reconciled?

Xu Chunliang didn't know much about Zhao Xiaohui's private life, nor was he interested.

However, her willingness to share such a private matter with him proved that she truly saw him as a good friend with whom she could confide her heart.

Xu Chunliang couldn't conveniently probe into who the other party in her pregnancy was. He could only tactfully ask, "What do you plan to do?"

He believed Zhao Xiaohui probably didn't want the child, and she didn't want to attract attention, which was why she told him about it. She likely wanted his help in resolving it.

Zhao Xiaohui bit her lip, looked around, and after a long while, seemingly having made up her mind, said, "I want to keep this child."

If she didn't intend to keep it, Xu Chunliang could have helped. But since she wanted to keep it, Xu Chunliang could only offer his blessings, though with lingering doubts, yet there were some things that were inconvenient to ask out loud.

Zhao Xiaohui said, "I'm very hesitant, and I don't know how people will view me."

Xu Chunliang basically understood. It was likely that the person who caused her pregnancy this time and the last time was the same person. Although he didn't know who this person was, he also understood that this person couldn't be exposed to the light.

As a friend, Xu Chunliang still reminded her, "You might lose your career because of this."

If Dongzhou's popular female host were to have a child out of wedlock, it would inevitably become a topic of hot discussion. At least in Dongzhou, Zhao Xiaohui's career was as good as over.

Zhao Xiaohui nodded, "That's exactly what I'm conflicted about, Xiaoxu. I'm not young anymore, and you know my situation very well. The doctor said it's difficult for me to get pregnant. If I don't have this child, I might never have the chance to be a mother again."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Xiaohui, as long as you've decided, I will support you."

Zhao Xiaohui nodded with emotion. Saying it aloud brought her comfort. Ever since she found out she might be pregnant, her inner feelings were a mix of surprise and fear, and she didn't know who she could tell. Fortunately, she had Xu Chunliang by her side as a friend.

"What will the child's surname be in the future?"

Zhao Xiaohui said, "Sheng..." She stopped after saying a word, smiled, and said, "Of course, it'll have my surname, Zhao."

Xu Chunliang pondered silently. Could it be that the child's father's surname was Sheng? He looked at Zhao Xiaohui, wanting to speak but hesitated.

Zhao Xiaohui guessed what he wanted to ask and softly said, "He won't agree to let me have this child. I will raise the child alone, and I never planned to get married."

Xu Chunliang said, "I don't care who he is. If he dares bully you, you must tell me, and I'll stand up for you."

Zhao Xiaohui's eyes turned red, her nose tingled, and suddenly she felt the urge to cry. As an only child, she didn't know what sibling love felt like, but at this moment, she felt that Xu Chunliang was just like her brother, someone she could trust and rely on.

Zhao Xiaohui silently nodded, "I will remember that."

Xu Chunliang said, "Actually, there are many single mothers like this abroad. Perhaps there's a win-win solution for your problem."

Zhao Xiaohui shook her head and said, "There's no such thing as a perfect solution. I don't want to lie. I've decided to leave Dongzhou and find a place where no one knows me to have this child."

Xu Chunliang said, "Then it seems I won't even have a chance to give a gift."

Zhao Xiaohui smiled, "There will definitely be one. As an uncle, don't think you can get away from it."

Both of them laughed. Their laughter startled a few herons perched on the railing. Under the orange sun, the silver herons drew a few graceful arcs in the air, their silver outlines reflecting the orange light, like ribbons dancing between heaven and earth.

Zhao Xiaohui gazed at the beautiful scene before her in a daze and murmured like a dream, "I wish I could die here!"

As Xu Chunliang was leaving, he ran into Zhang Yiben coming out of the restroom. He took the initiative to greet Zhang Yiben, who gave him an awkward smile.

Xu Chunliang thought this guy still remembered the time he got him drunk and laughed, "Section Chief Zhang, have you recovered?"

Zhang Yiben shook his head, "No... no problem!"

Xu Chunliang saw a bruise on his head, evidently a result of the abuse he took that day. He patted Zhang Yiben on the shoulder cheerfully and said, "Chief Zhang, you can't give up on eating for fear of choking. How can a man not drink?"

Zhang Yiben smiled wryly, "That day you sent me to have my stomach pumped, if I drink more, this little life of mine would be donated."

Xu Chunliang said, "You don't look so good, your forehead is a bit bluish, why don't I take a look?"

Zhang Yiben shook his head in fright, "It's not that my forehead is bruised, I just bumped my head after drinking."

That afternoon, Wang Jinwu arranged for a yacht to take the TV station staff back. Xu Chunliang and Zhang Yiben rode back together, and Zhang Haitao had already been waiting at the farm. Zhang Yiben hitched a ride back with them.

On the way, Xu Chunliang sent a message to Mei Ru Xue, sending her two movie tickets. A new cinema had just opened in town, and Xu Chunliang booked two tickets, inviting Mei Ru Xue to watch. Considering Mei Ru Xue's status, it wasn't appropriate for her to be seen publicly with him, so he sent her the tickets, implying to meet at the cinema.

Mei Ru Xue didn't reply to his message. Her silence didn't necessarily mean she didn't want to go. Xu Chunliang, oh Xu Chunliang, you finally remembered to invite me? Glancing at the schedule, she realized today was the day the TV station interview team was leaving, sparking a thought in her mind.

Xu Chunliang sent her another message, "Let's watch a movie together!"

After much deliberation, Mei Ru Xue finally replied with one word — "Okay."

Upon returning, Zhang Yiben went straight to the mayor's office to report the successful completion of the reception task to Mei Ru Xue.

Mei Ru Xue briefly inquired about the farewell situation at noon, and Zhang Yiben explained in detail. Hearing that Xu Chunliang also went, a slight pang of jealousy stirred within her.

Mei Ru Xue didn't want to listen any further and softly said, "You've worked hard, go rest for a while."

Zhang Yiben didn't leave immediately.

Mei Ru Xue noticed he had more to say, "Anything else?"

Zhang Yiben said, "There's something I don't know whether I should say or not, it's about Xu Chunliang."

Mei Ru Xue's first instinct was not to listen, but she couldn't suppress her concern for Xu Chunliang and nodded, indicating he should speak.

Zhang Yiben whispered, "Today, when I went to the restroom, I accidentally overheard Xu Chunliang talking with Zhao Xiaohui at the bow."

Mei Ru Xue frowned. Zhang Yiben was definitely not accidental; he must have maliciously eavesdropped. A voice inside her warned that this person was stirring up trouble. She took a deep breath, believing she should have the ability to discern truth from falsehood.

Zhang Yiben said, "Zhao Xiaohui said she's pregnant, and she said she..."

"Leave!"

Mei Ru Xue's tone remained calm but carried a steadfast coldness.

Zhang Yiben was stunned, but he quickly understood the reason and nodded, "Then I'll leave now!"

Mei Ru Xue didn't glance at him.

Zhang Yiben slinked away and carefully closed the door behind him.

The pen Mei Ru Xue was gripping broke under the pressure. She bit her lip tightly and slowly stood up; her hands and feet were icy cold. Actually, during yesterday's lunch with Zhao Xiaohui, she already had a foreboding feeling.

Mei Ru Xue reminded herself to remain calm. Why was she angry? There was nothing between her and Xu Chunliang. Zhang Yiben, that petty man, was originally maliciously causing trouble.

Maybe he was lying?

Mei Ru Xue's thoughts were more chaotic than ever before. She opened her phone and saw Xu Chunliang's avatar, feeling an impulse to block him immediately.

Yet in the end, Mei Ru Xue did nothing, her gaze falling on the wall with bold calligraphy — "Disorder ensued as plum blossoms fell like snow," her heart felt like snow, in turmoil...

The newly opened cinema wasn't crowded, Xu Chunliang specially wore the hat Mei Ru Xue bought for him, donned the shirt she got for him, and snuck into the cinema, feeling like a kept man sneaking around.

The cinema only had three theaters, and Xu Chunliang chose a relatively obscure film "The Mortician," which had pretty good ratings. He thought Mei Ru Xue, being inherently artistic, would like it.

There were just five minutes left until the show started, and Mei Ru Xue hadn't arrived yet. Xu Chunliang figured she was worried about running into acquaintances and waited patiently a bit longer. Still, Mei Ru Xue's shadow was nowhere in sight. He believed that since Mei Ru Xue agreed, she would definitely come, but he still sent her a message, "It's about to start."

The message was like a stone thrown into the sea, without a trace, and Xu Chunliang began to realize that Mei Ru Xue might not be coming. Only two tickets were sold for this show, so Xu Chunliang decided to go to the theater and wait. What he said must, of course, count.

The most unforgettable memory should be the movie's score "Memory," a soothing and flowing melody echoing in the empty theater.

Sitting alone in the theater, Xu Chunliang found that amidst this romantic and healing music, he felt a touch of melancholy, like "Moonlight over the Spring" played alone.

Almost simultaneously, Mei Ru Xue opened her computer. She had known about this film for a long time but hadn't had the time to watch it. When the cello's melody sounded in the room, she turned off the lights and seemed to see him alone in the cinema.

The same space, the same melody, watching the same movie, although they couldn't see each other, their hearts were filled with the image of the other...