Zhou Ji reached out and took it. His gaze slightly narrowed upon seeing the words "early pregnancy within the uterus" written on it.
Xin Zhiyao had been carefully observing his reaction. Seeing him staring at the paper without speaking, she suddenly became flustered and quickly explained, "Professor Zhou, this child is yours. I... I've only been with one man, and that was you."
After she finished speaking, her face involuntarily turned red.
Zhou Ji's gaze finally shifted from the paper to her.
No wonder she had been so nervous from the very beginning.
She was just a 21-year-old university student who hadn't experienced anything yet. The moment she knew she was pregnant, she must have felt helpless and scared. If she had any other choice, she probably wouldn't have come to him.
Zhou Ji cursed himself as a scoundrel, realizing one moment of lost control had ruined the little girl's life.
He placed the examination results on the table and asked her gently, "What are your thoughts?"
His overly calm demeanor left Xin Zhiyao a bit stunned, unable to gauge his intentions.
But she still honestly shook her head, saying blankly, "I don't know. I... I'm a little scared."
Zhou Ji watched her hands wringing continuously, a feeling of pity rising in his heart.
"It's normal to be scared. Anyone your age facing this situation would be scared."
Xin Zhiyao lowered her head and said nothing.
Zhou Ji began to analyze his thoughts: "You're only 21 and still in university. Your studies are the most important thing for you right now. The best choice is to have an abortion."
As expected, Xin Zhiyao's heart trembled. She said in a low voice, "I don't dare tell my parents. The surgery requires family member's signature."
Zhou Ji saw her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"First, I want to apologize to you. I had drunk alcohol that night and lost control for a moment..." Zhou Ji found it somewhat difficult to articulate and skipped over it: "I'm older than you, I should have exercised more restraint."
Xin Zhiyao's face quietly turned red, and she repeatedly waved her hands, "No, it was my fault too..."
"If you decide to have the abortion, I will accompany you throughout the entire process. I will be fully responsible for the surgery fees and post-operative recuperation until your body has fully recovered," Zhou Ji's steady voice miraculously calmed Xin Zhiyao's anxious heart a little.
At least, she wasn't without someone to discuss this with.
Xin Zhiyao bit her lip and nodded, "Okay."
Zhou Ji's suggestion was the best possible choice, and her concerns about the signature and costs were now guaranteed.
Who knew Zhou Ji would continue, "I haven't finished. Here's the second option."
Xin Zhiyao was slightly taken aback, "What?"
There was a second option?
Zhou Ji looked at her and said, with words that shocked the world, "We get married."
Huh??????
Xin Zhiyao's eyes immediately widened, looking at Zhou Ji as if she had misheard him.
He looked calm, as if he didn't think his words were shocking at all.
"Abortion can cause significant damage to the body. If we get married, the child can be born legitimately, and I will fulfill my responsibilities as a husband and father. As for your studies, you can take a six-month leave of absence during the late stages of pregnancy. After confinement, you can resume your studies. I will take care of the child. While you are at home giving birth, I can also tutor you. I am confident I can ensure your studies are not delayed."
Zhou Ji met Xin Zhiyao's shocked gaze.
"Of course, you might think I'm much older than you. This isn't entirely a bad thing. I've experienced some things before you, and I can share my experiences with you, helping you avoid detours. Plus, I'll start receiving my pension earlier than you."
This was some kind of joke from the century.
Xin Zhiyao hadn't expected that in just a few minutes, Zhou Ji had not only quickly accepted the fact that he was going to be a father but also presented two options, one of which was marriage. He had even thought about her studies and taking care of the child.
This professor's mind was truly different, spinning faster than others.
Xin Zhiyao's emotions shifted from shock to panic, "Professor Zhou, please don't joke."
"I'm not joking."
Zhou Ji's serious expression froze Xin Zhiyao's face.
"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Zhou Ji, I'm 29 years old, a local from Lin Hai City, with a doctorate. I'm currently employed at Lin Hai Peking Union Medical College. My salary is decent enough for family expenses. Since I just returned to the country, I'm currently renting, but I can buy a house anytime. I drive a family car. I don't smoke or drink, and I'm not prone to domestic violence. My hobbies are reading and running. My parents own a small company, and their retirement is secured. You won't have to live with my parents after marriage. I've just started my new position, so I might be busy, but things will stabilize. I have weekends off, winter and summer vacations, and ample time to spend with you and the child."
What a down-to-earth self-introduction.
Anyone who didn't know would think they were on a blind date.
Xin Zhiyao was struck by lightning, speechless for a long time.
Zhou Ji looked at her dazed expression and patiently asked, "Take a look at what I've just said. Does it meet your requirements for a partner?"
It couldn't be more suitable, she even felt like a pie had fallen from the sky and hit her.
Such an excellent Professor Zhou wanted to marry her?
Under the table, Xin Zhiyao pinched her thigh.
Ouch, it hurt!
It wasn't a dream.
Xin Zhiyao met Zhou Ji's serious gaze and finally realized he wasn't joking; he was genuinely treating this matter seriously.
But marriage...
Xin Zhiyao had always felt that word was distant from her, never having considered it.
This was a more significant matter than an abortion.
Xin Zhiyao mumbled, "Professor Zhou, can I consider it?"
"For how long?"
"I'll give you an answer before next Monday."
"Okay," Zhou Ji nodded.
In fact, Xin Zhiyao didn't need that much time. When she returned home, still preoccupied, she opened the door to hear the voices of Lin Haiying and Xin Haozhe coming from inside.
"I want to buy shoes," it was Xin Haozhe's voice.
"Didn't you just buy some not long ago?" Lin Haiying said.
"I kicked them and ruined them while playing basketball yesterday."
Lin Haiying hesitated, "How much?"
"One thousand eight hundred."
Lin Haiying's voice suddenly became higher, "So expensive, Hao Hao, we don't really need to spend so much money on a pair of shoes."
Xin Haozhe's tone immediately became impatient, "My classmates wear more expensive ones. I can't even hold my head up at school now. Forget it, I won't buy them if you don't want to. Anyway, I'm used to being ridiculed by classmates."
Lin Haiying quickly said, "Buy, buy, buy, Hao Hao, Mom will buy them for you."
Xin Zhiyao's body stiffened on the spot.
Their family wasn't well-off. Lin Haiying was a full-time housewife who occasionally made handicrafts to sell. Xin Wu was an insignificant section chief in a nearby community, and his salary wasn't high.
Ever since Xin Zhiyao was sensible, she often heard her parents tell her how poor their family was, how hard it was for them to earn money, and that she shouldn't spend carelessly.
Therefore, when she was in school, she had almost no living expenses. Only when she started boarding in high school did they give her a few hundred yuan for living expenses, and they never offered it proactively. She had to save diligently and only dared to ask for money when she was completely broke, and even then, she would be lectured.
Later, when she went to university, apart from tuition fees, she almost never asked them for a single cent again.
One thousand eight hundred yuan was her living expenses for several months during high school.
She had to build up her mental fortitude for a long time and brace herself before daring to ask for it. Now, it was easily obtained by their son.
An overwhelming sense of suffocation washed over her. Xin Zhiyao suddenly had a strong urge to escape her original family.
And Zhou Ji seemed to have become her only lifeline.
She rushed out of the house and, downstairs in the residential complex, took out her mobile phone and found Zhou Ji's number.
"Hello," the man's voice was as clear, moist, and steady as ever.
"Professor Zhou," hearing this man's voice, Xin Zhiyao's eyes inexplicably welled up with tears. She tightly gripped her phone and said with a trembling voice, "Let's get married."
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