“You and I will both keep seeking treatment for him but we cannot expect him to wake up for certain. All we can say is that at least we can still come and visit Qingshen from time to time.”
Fu Shuang could hold back no longer. She buried her face against his arm and wept aloud.
“How could this happen. Both our boys. It has come to this.”
Commander Lu patted her shoulder, his voice thick with emotion. “A Shuang I will bring in the best specialists to assess his condition. I will not give up hope.”
Fu Shuang nodded through her tears and gradually regained her composure.
“Go speak to the lead doctor about Qingshen’s condition. I will speak with Qin Jian.” She stood up, her expression steady once more though her eyes remained red.
He gestured toward her eyes. Fu Shuang nodded and went to the restroom to compose herself.
Qin Jian sat on a bench in the gynecology wing and looked at her report, letting out a quiet sigh.
“Comrade Qin.” Xiao Liu walked down the corridor. Another young soldier stood beside her, the one Commander Lu had assigned to accompany her to the appointment.
“Xiao Liu the results are in. The baby is healthy and developing well.” She stood and told him openly.
Xiao Liu stated his purpose. “Comrade Qin Director Fu would like to speak with you privately.”
“Thank you for showing the way.” Qin Jian had steeled herself for this meeting. Her expression was calm as she followed him to an empty room on the second floor. Fu Shuang stood by the window.
A tightness came over Qin Jian. One reason she had never pictured a future with Lu Qingshen was Fu Shuang herself. Everything about her was poised and proper and exacting. Qin Jian was ordinary. She had grown up working in the fields with her grandfather. She could not always keep her appearance perfect when she was tired or unwell.
“Auntie.” Qin Jian bore her no ill will. In her past life Fu Shuang had never been unkind to her. She admired her work greatly too. Fu Shuang was a diplomat.
“Auntie?” Fu Shuang sounded displeased.
Qin Jian pressed her lips together. “Auntie I know you never saw me as a worthy daughter in law. I know I am not. I will not hold on to the place. Lu Qingshen and I had agreed we would discuss divorce after the baby is born. I have been living elsewhere to rest and look after my health. If Lu Qingshen needs care I will stay and tend to him.”
Fu Shuang understood then that her son had truly wanted to stay married. He would not have used such a gentle way to buy time otherwise.
“You.” She paused, a woman so accustomed to finding the right words settling instead on a soft sigh. “If you wish to end the marriage now Commander Lu and I can act on Qingshen’s behalf and see the paperwork through.”
Qin Jian had expected her to treat her as an inconvenience. She had not imagined being offered freedom at such a time. It reminded her of her past life. They had never been unkind to her then either. They had stayed respectful and offered help where it was needed.
She asked quietly. “Auntie what if I do not want a divorce?”
Fu Shuang looked surprised but answered plainly. “That is your choice too. Only you must be sure. Qingshen may never wake up. You must prepare yourself for that possibility.”
It was true then. The family had always been good to her. They could have forced her out easily if they had wanted to.
Qin Jian took a steadying breath. She owed them this much.
“Auntie I gave Lu Qingshen my word. If he has not woken when the baby comes I will wait until he does before speaking of divorce. It would not be right to leave him now. In my past life your family stood by me when others did not. I will not leave you to face this alone.”
Fu Shuang looked at her with genuine surprise as if seeing her for the first time.
“And if he never wakes up?”
Qin Jian thought of Lu Qingshen in her past life. He had been distant and absent all those years. It had felt much the same. Besides he would wake. She knew he would. He had called her at New Year.
“If he does not wake we stay married.”
“Qin Jian you are still young. You could build a life with someone else. If you are concerned about what people might say wait six months then decide. You have your whole life ahead of you. You do not have to sacrifice it for him.” Fu Shuang saw her differently now.
“I know.” Qin Jian nodded. “We will wait and see what happens when he wakes. In the meantime I will rest and care for the baby.”
“You still want to have this child?” Fu Shuang’s voice was filled with disbelief. “If he does not wake the baby will grow up without a father.”
The words sounded familiar. She was certain Fu Shuang had said much the same thing over the phone back then.
“I want this child. I will have this child regardless.” She looked at Fu Shuang warily, afraid she might suggest ending the pregnancy.
Fu Shuang’s expression softened. Had it not been for this tragedy she might never have known Qin Jian’s heart. There was goodness in her after all.
“Qin Jian think carefully. You would stay married and raise the child on your own.” She spoke with great seriousness.
Qin Jian nodded quickly. She remembered those words too. “I have thought about it. This is what I want.”
Fu Shuang’s eyes glistened. She reached out and placed a hand on Qin Jian’s shoulder. “You are a good girl. From today you are truly family to me. Commander Lu and I will stand beside you and see to you and the child as Qingshen would have done. This child will always be part of this family.”
Qin Jian knew Fu Shuang spoke out of grief and the fear that her son would not recover. For now it did not matter. She had what she wanted. They would remain on good terms and the baby would be welcomed and safe.