Now, Lin Wan's understanding of love had grown with more tolerance.
Love, as long as it appears when most needed, is real—it's worth recognizing and cherishing.
For someone who has experienced hardships, letting go of the past and grasping the happiness of the present is the most important thing.
Thinking this, Lin Wan placed the peeled pomelo slices into the fruit bowl and handed it to her father. Lin's father set aside the newspaper he had been reading, looked out the window at the bright sunshine, and sighed, "Such a good day, and you're here with me, what a waste."
Lin Wan folded the newspaper and placed it on the bedside table, "Look at you, good weather is everywhere. When you get out of the hospital, I'll take you to the countryside for a walk. Xiao Bao has been asking about it for days."
"Isn't today perfect for that?" her father said, "Chen Jin is here. You guys should go out and have some fun. Isn't it better than sitting here smelling medicine?"
Lin Wan froze. "How did you know he was coming?"
"He came early this morning," her father said, nodding toward the corner, "Look, those things were brought by him." Lin Wan looked over and saw the mountain-like pile of gift boxes. The packaging clearly indicated they were expensive, and none of them were ordinary supplements you'd find on the market. She had noticed them when she arrived, assuming they were sent by her father's subordinates. Her gaze unconsciously lingered on the boxes. While she felt annoyed by his actions, she also felt a slight sense of comfort.
"Xiao Bao is so big now, and Chen Jin's health has improved. I've observed him, and he doesn't seem to have any aftereffects. Isn't it time for you two to think about the next step?" her father said, seeing her expression carefully. When he saw her staring at the gift boxes, silent, his voice turned a little more concerned. "Wanwan, what are you really thinking?"
Lin Wan snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh, he's better now. I'm happy for him."
Her father seemed puzzled, "Is that all?"
"Yeah, I told him he could visit the child anytime."
"You didn't consider getting back together with him?"
"No."
"Why not? Didn't you wait for him all these years?" Her father was a bit confused. "I haven't said anything these years because I was worried about his health, didn't want you to be dragged down. I thought we could wait and see. Your aunt mentioned introducing you to someone a few times, but I turned it down. Now that he's recovered, what's holding you back?"
"We're not suited to each other," Lin Wan said quietly.
Her father sighed, then asked, "Is it because of his brother?"
Lin Wan looked at her father in surprise, "You know?"
Her father showed a hint of guilt: "I should have known about this earlier. But I only found out about the connection here when I asked about Chen Jin's illness two years ago." He paused for a moment, then added, "I'm not sure about the details between you two, but now that you've come this far, and you have a child together, even if it's just for Xiao Bao, you should think about it."
At the mention of this, Lin Wan's heart tightened. Yes, for the sake of the child, couples who were distant shouldn't divorce, and divorced couples should consider getting back together. But what if the marriage was unhappy? Wouldn't that be another kind of harm to the child? Every couple comes together because of love, but even the deepest feelings might not withstand the test of time. Not to mention her and Chen Jin—there were obvious problems, and they had no emotional foundation.
Last night, she hadn't slept well, with his image haunting her both in her dreams and in reality. Now, this conversation triggered her fatigue. She rubbed her forehead and said, "I don't know what will happen in the future. For now, I have no such thoughts. Let's just go with the flow."
But her father didn't see it that way. "Wanwan, you're almost thirty. A woman's best years are limited, but men are different." He coughed, then added, "Don't think your dad is being worldly. This is just the reality. Plus, with someone like Chen Jin, I'm sure there are plenty of people watching him. If you drag it on, what if someone else snatches him up? What will you and Xiao Bao do then?"
Lin Wan lowered her head, silent. Her father continued, "There's no such thing as a perfect person. Regardless of his flaws, as long as he treats you well and takes care of his family, he's a man worth entrusting yourself to. Besides, you have feelings for him, don't you? Or else, why would you keep Xiao Bao? You've told me to cherish the present before. Why can't you do that for yourself now?"
As people get older, they tend to talk more. Especially in the past two years, since her relationship with her father had gotten better, he spoke without hesitation. Lin Wan could only listen, occasionally agreeing with what he said, but just as often, she found herself challenging it.
The moment her phone vibrated in her bag, she felt a sense of relief. She took it out, and her lips unconsciously lifted. It was a call from Chen Jin. She quickly told her father and went outside, answering the phone at the end of the hallway. Xiao Bao's excited voice came through, "Mom, guess who I am?"
She couldn't help but laugh. Her son was her source of happiness, always able to make her smile in his simple, unique way. She smiled and asked, "Did you have fun in the underwater world?"
"Yeah! I saw so many fish, and also polar bears, penguins, sea lions..." Xiao Bao's childish voice listed them all, "Dad took so many pictures for me. I'll show them to you when we get home." Then he sighed, "Dad is amazing. He knows everything."
Lin Wan tightened her grip on the phone. Just this morning, he had been distant, but now he spoke so familiarly. She wasn't sure if it was Chen Jin's skills or the power of blood that had such an effect on Xiao Bao. Her mind wandered as she heard Xiao Bao ask, "Mom, when are you coming back? I'll go pick you up."
She laughed again, "You'll pick me up?"
"Hehe, I'll go with Dad to pick you up."
After hanging up, Lin Wan stood by the window, lost in thought. Her father's words, and the scent that still lingered in the hallway, triggered a buried memory. Scientists say that no matter how deep the pain, it will heal in seven years, because seven years is enough to replace all the cells in our body. Psychologists say that true healing doesn't mean the pain disappears or never returns; it means we find the meaning to keep living.
She wasn't sure if she had healed. Every time she thought about that nightmare, she would shiver. Even now, remembering the person she once loved, there was still a faint ache in her heart. But she had indeed found the meaning of life, and she was grateful to be alive, to enjoy the delayed gifts from fate.
Because of this, she didn't dare to easily gamble on the future.
When her aunt arrived, it was during rush hour, and the traffic was terrible. By the time they reached the hospital, it was almost seven o'clock. Lin Wan chatted with them for a bit before leaving. As she stepped out of the hospital building, she heard a familiar call, "Mom, you're finally out."
She looked over and saw a tall man standing by the flower bed, holding a small child. The little one was curled up in the adult's arms, swinging his legs back and forth. She saw the smiling eyes of the man, calm yet full of affection, and the cheerful sound of her son's laughter, making it clear to everyone just how happy he was.
Behind them was a sky full of red clouds, white buildings, green trees, and the vibrant flowers surrounding them. A large figure and a small one, one still and one moving—everything looked harmonious and beautiful.
Lin Wan couldn't help but sigh softly in her heart. If this was part of the bet, she thought, she had been tempted.
Perhaps sensing her indifference, Xiao Bao dragged out his words, "Mom..." He kicked his little legs, trying to get down, but Chen Jin quickly picked him up and strode toward her.
In his arms, Xiao Bao stretched his little hand toward her from afar, his face radiating happiness.
Lin Wan stood quietly in place, watching them approach in slow motion.
Suddenly, a gust of wind brought a scent of flowers.
She thought, that must be the scent of happiness.
In her ears, someone seemed to whisper, "Can we start again?"
Can we?
Start over?
Forget who he was, and just remember—he is the father of her child.
Just think, maybe that would be the true happiness.