To Sink Into You - Chapter 42

The New Year holiday ended quickly, and Ming Qian and Wen Yuxi threw themselves back into their busy careers, leaving early and returning late, with less and less time to see each other.

After finishing work, Wen Yuxi went to Quyao Street. Ming Qian had a dinner engagement later and dropped her off at the entrance of her residential complex on the way.

“Thank you, Sister,” Wen Yuxi said, waving goodbye with a smile as she got out of the car. “Remember to drink less alcohol tonight!”

“Mm,” Ming Qian replied, her smile gentle. “Where are you staying tonight? Should I pick you up later?”

Wen Yuxi thought for a moment. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know later, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Bye, Sister!”

“Bye.”

Wen Yuxi carried the freshly bought fruit upstairs. Su Xi opened the door to greet her, her face beaming. “I saw the Ming Family’s car from the balcony while watering the plants. Qianqian must have dropped you off, right?”

“Mm,” Wen Yuxi said, handing the fruit to her mother. “She had a dinner appointment nearby and gave me a ride.”

Su Xi’s smile widened. “That’s good, that’s good. I’ve noticed you two have grown much closer lately. This is a good thing.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Wen Yuxi said, suppressing a laugh. “We’re married now. Our relationship is naturally getting better and better.”

Su Xi nodded repeatedly. “I think Qianqian really likes you. That’s wonderful. She’s always doted on you since you were little. I’ll have her take care of you in the future, so I can rest assured.”

Wen Yuxi sighed helplessly. “Even if I don’t get married, I can take care of myself.”

Su Xi countered, “No matter how independent you are, you’re still a girl, an Omega. You need someone to rely on. How can I not worry about you living alone?”

Wen Yuxi smiled and shook her head, choosing not to argue further.

People with different paths don’t walk together. Even as mother and daughter, they didn’t need to fully understand each other. Harmony in difference was enough; there was no need to force others to accept her views.

“Is Dad back from work yet?”

“Not yet. He’s been busy lately.” Su Xi walked into the kitchen and put the fruit in the refrigerator. “Your father’s been craving meat. I bought pork ribs at the supermarket at noon. I’m planning to braise them in soy sauce. Come help me.”

Wen Yuxi agreed and paused before asking, “Mom, what do you want to eat?”

“What could I possibly want?” Su Xi chopped the ribs, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Your father works so hard; he deserves something good. I’m home all day, so I don’t mind what I eat.”

She sighed wistfully. “When you were little, I was busy taking care of you. Now that you’re grown, I have nothing to do. I’m bored to death, so I just focus on taking care of your father.”

Wen Yuxi said lightly, “Why not take some time for yourself? Find a hobby, pursue your own interests—wouldn’t that be a fulfilling way to live?”

Su Xi turned with a smile and pinched her daughter’s cheek. “My life’s purpose has always been raising you well.”

Wen Yuxi didn’t know what to say, a sudden wave of sorrow washing over her.

Her mother had never truly lived for herself.

As a child, she had worried about her parents; after marriage, she had focused on her husband; and during pregnancy, her entire world had revolved around her child. After half a lifetime of relentless toil, Su Xi had developed a host of health problems, yet she had never once prioritized her own well-being.

Wen Yuxi lowered her head, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of a bruise on Su Xi’s arm. Her expression darkened. “Did he hit you again?”

“No,” Su Xi said with a stiff smile, tugging her sleeve down to cover the mark. “I accidentally bumped into something while mopping yesterday.”

Wen Yuxi’s chest rose and fell rapidly. “What did you bump into?”

Su Xi pushed her daughter gently toward the living room, brushing off her concern. “Just the table. It’s nothing, doesn’t even hurt. Go watch TV for a while, I’ll handle things here.”

“I’ll help you make the ribs.”

“No need. Go get some rest and stop making trouble for me.”

Wen Yuxi clenched her jaw and silently left the kitchen.

As dusk gradually deepened, Wen Jiayang finally returned home after 7 PM.

“Dad.”

Wen Jiayang paused, startled by Wen Yuxi’s presence. “When did you get back?”

“About half an hour ago,” Wen Yuxi replied.

Wen Jiayang kicked off his shoes, collapsed onto the sofa, propped his legs on the coffee table, and casually turned on the TV. “Staying the night?”

“No, I just came for dinner,” Wen Yuxi said coolly. “I’ll leave soon.”

“Hmm.” Wen Jiayang yawned. “Spend more time with Ming Qian. Be a good wife, you know?”

Wen Yuxi sneered. “Should I give her a child too?”

The mention of children made Wen Jiayang choke, his expression instantly shifting. “Xixi, your father is working on it. You’re only in your early twenties—there’s no rush.”

Wen Yuxi gave a lazy smile.

Wen Jiayang quickly changed the subject. “Where’s your mother? Isn’t dinner ready yet?”

“In the kitchen,” Wen Yuxi said, rising. “I’ll go help.”

The dishes were brought to the table, and the three family members settled down to eat. Su Xi placed a pork rib on Wen Jiayang’s plate, asking with concern, “You’ve been coming home so late these past few days. What’s going on?”

Wen Jiayang snapped impatiently, “Overtime. Why do you need to know more? Just eat your food.”

Su Xi, long accustomed to his temper, ignored him and placed another piece of sparerib on Wen Yuxi’s plate. “Here, eat more and grow strong.”

Wen Yuxi smiled faintly. “I’m already grown up. What’s there left to grow?”

“Of course you can still grow,” Su Xi said with a smile. “Omegas need to be pampered. Taking good care of your body now will ensure you can have a healthy baby later. It’s good for both mother and child.”

Wen Yuxi seemed to have heard something deeply upsetting. She fell silent, her back slightly hunched, and took a tasteless bite of the sparerib.

Noticing her distress, Su Xi asked, “Xixi, what’s wrong?”

“You still have the nerve to ask?” Wen Jiayang slammed his chopsticks down, his voice sharp. “Xixi is still so young! Why are you always bringing up having children?!”

Su Xi frowned, her suspicion deepening. “I wasn’t pressuring Xixi to have children. I just mentioned it once. Why are you so angry?”

Wen Jiayang, already harboring a guilty conscience, erupted at her questioning. “Shut up! All you do is nag! If you can’t say anything useful, then don’t say anything at all!”

Though Su Xi was gentle by nature, she wasn’t devoid of emotions. Her husband’s sudden harshness ignited a spark of anger within her. “How am I being naggy? I’m just concerned about Xixi. Omegas will have children eventually. Is it wrong to encourage her to take care of her health beforehand?”

These words only fueled the fire. Wen Jiayang shot to his feet, his face flushed with rage. “Can you just shut the fvck up?!”

“Stop fighting!”

A tearful voice cut through the air, startling both Su Xi and Wen Jiayang. They turned to see their daughter.

Wen Yuxi trembled violently, tears streaming down her face as she choked out, “Mom, please stop. I can’t have children anymore.”

Su Xi’s eyes widened in shock. “What are you saying?”

Wen Jiayang panicked. “Xixi—”

Wen Yuxi sobbed uncontrollably, her voice filled with the anguish of shattered dreams. “When I said I wanted to focus on my career… that I didn’t want children… it was all a lie. Mom, that fever wasn’t an illness. I was drugged. I was drugged, and now I can never have children…”

Su Xi’s eyes instantly reddened. She rose and embraced Wen Yuxi, her hands fluttering helplessly. “What happened, Xixi? Why didn’t you tell Mom sooner?”