Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Han Chuan is already eighty this year, while Wu Qin is merely sixty-two, an eighteen-year gap.

Naturally, Wu Qin was not Han Chuan's first wife.

She married Han Chuan when she was twenty-eight.

In earlier years, the country was in turmoil, and as a doctor, Wu Qin bore significant responsibility. During one war, she suffered severe injuries from a gunshot wound.

Since then, she could no longer bear children.

A woman's life was ruined by those words.

At twenty-three, Wu Qin was at the prime age for marriage, but she was forced to wait five more years before marrying Han Chuan, who was divorced.

Fortunately, Han Chuan was capable, and Wu Qin did not feel wronged; in fact, she grew fond of him deep down.

After all, even if it was his second marriage, as long as he was competent, many young women would vie for his attention. Yet, it was the infertile Wu Qin who won him over.

During that period, Wu Qin felt particularly proud, believing it was her own excellence that had attracted him.

But after marrying into the Han family, she only found coldness. Her husband, who rarely stayed home, would return only to sleep with his son in his arms.

Yes, his son.

The child from his previous marriage.

Wu Qin looked at that innocent boy, who spent his days laughing and playing, with a venomous gaze hidden in her eyes.

But she couldn't bear children, couldn't have her own offspring, so she had no choice but to be kind to him.

Every time she reached this point in her thoughts, Wu Qin wondered if Han Chuan had married her precisely because she couldn't bear children.

It took Wu Qin eighteen years to raise that child, and Han Chuan's son was rebellious. She couldn't control him, and with Han Chuan returning home so infrequently, there was little he could do either. Often, it was Wu Qin who ended up hospitalized from anger, unwilling to return home.

Then, just as he turned eighteen, he brought back a girl, saying they were going to get married.

Before Wu Qin could react, Han Chuan flew into a rage and struck out with his military stick.

That blow sent them away.

In the long years that followed, during her hospital stays and the cold treatment from Han Chuan, Wu Qin often recalled that child.

How could he have been hit and killed? There were so few people who could afford cars; how did he end up being one of the unlucky ones?

When Han Chuan heard the news, he spat out blood and rushed south, only to see his son's remains.

And the pregnant girl.

Wu Qin was elated. If she could raise the child under her care, what would she have to worry about in her old age?

This time, she was determined to raise the child properly, starting from a young age. Thinking of Han Chuan's praise for her, Wu Qin wanted to negotiate with the girl.

The girl agreed, and together they headed north. Han Chuan had a residence in Jing City, and Wu Qin was willing to take a break from work to bring her there.

But the next day, the girl was gone.

Wu Qin and Han Chuan searched for years before finally finding the child.

Just as life seemed to offer some hope, another blow came to Wu Qin: she couldn't bear children!?

If she couldn't bear children, how could she hold a child in her arms?!

After waiting for so many years, was it all for nothing?

"Didn't you promise me that you'd let me raise one of your children?" Wu Qin said painfully.

Her entire life had been confined by her inability to have children. Now, she simply wanted a child.

Han Chuan froze. He never expected that she too was like a hen that wouldn't lay eggs.

What a pity, thinking of the scent from earlier and Xie Junli's affection for her.

Han Chuan spoke decisively, "When the time comes, we'll take him to Jing City. Divorce and remarry, and everything will be fine."

Hearing Han Chuan's words, Wu Qin felt reassured.

Regardless of the circumstances, she would secure a descendant of the Han family.

She smiled. "I'll push you back now and go talk to Xiao Li."

Han Chuan nodded indifferently. "Mm."

At eighty years old, even with good habits, the injuries from his youth that hadn't fully healed had all come back to haunt him.

Exhausted, he closed his eyes, allowing Wu Qin to push him.

"When do you plan on telling Xiao Li?"

"There's no rush. We'll wait until we've investigated further. My Han family's child, without clear evidence, how can we believe it?"

Wu Qin's heart stirred with emotion. Han Chuan was a man of his word, and once he made a promise, he would keep it.

Since he said he would give her a child, he would make it happen.

Back in the ward, Xie Junli had already fallen asleep. Wu Qin smiled as she glanced at his sleeping face.

The father and son truly lived up to their familial bond, both resembling each other as they gently helped Han Chuan onto the hospital bed. Wu Qin watched the grandfather and grandson, a faint smile gracing her face.

Seeing that both had fallen into a deep sleep, Wu Qin silently slipped out of the room.

Though retired, she couldn't abandon the work she loved. Without the experience of consulting, she would teach instead, dedicating all she had learned throughout her life.

Xie Junli closed his eyes, only to open them again to see Xu Yuqing.

Xu Yuqing looked at him with slight concern. "Does your wound hurt? Are you alright?"

How could he have slept for so long? The old Xie Junli had never slept this much before.

It was indeed a depletion of his vitality, and Xu Yuqing felt a pang of heartache. "Sister Lifang invited me to the small market earlier, but I didn't go. Instead, I asked her to check if there were any chickens available, planning to buy one to make you some soup."

Xie Junli found her hand, caressing it. "I'm fine, I'll recover soon."

This was merely the first time for his wife to experience such a situation; Xie Junli had endured far worse injuries in the past.

Even the wives in the courtyard, though worried, had grown accustomed to such occurrences.

Xu Yuqing tenderly touched the bandages. "What do you want to eat tonight? Should I make you some dumpling soup?"

It was nutritious and easy to digest.

Xie Junli wasn't particular; whatever his wife prepared would be delicious to him. He actually craved oil-splashed noodles, but seeing Xu Yuqing's anxious expression, he wisely kept quiet.

On the adjacent bed, Han Chuan slowly opened his eyes.

Old age meant less sleep, and he had been awake for quite some time, simply waiting for his grandson to awaken.

When Xu Yuqing arrived, he listened quietly.

Upon hearing their conversation, he opened his eyes, realizing that things might become complicated.

Men often struggled against the allure of beautiful women.

With this woman's good looks and the blossoming affection between them, convincing his grandson to divorce her might prove difficult.

But the Han family could not afford to lose its lineage.

Han Chuan slowly sat up.

His authoritative presence cast a casual glance at Xu Yuqing before turning to Xie Junli.

Both Xu Yuqing and Xie Junli noticed this minor incident, causing Xu Yuqing to frown wordlessly.

For no apparent reason, did she owe these two something?

Poisonous.

Internally, she silently criticized herself, sitting by Xie Junli's side. Xie Junli held her hand, soothing her quietly.

"Make a bit more dumpling soup tonight. Little Li is quite hungry."

Xie Junli thought for a moment, finding a topic.

Little Li?

Xu Yuqing hadn't met Little Li alone and couldn't match the name to a face, but she knew he must also be a food lover.

"Alright."

As her mood improved, Xie Junli sighed in relief.

"But how does Little Li know that my cooking is good?"

"He ate the porridge at noon and praised you for a long time," Xie Junli said with a smile.

The two chatted softly by the bedside, exchanging casual conversation. The warm atmosphere made it impossible for others to intrude.

Han Chuan, on the neighboring bed, had never been treated this way. Always outstanding and in a position of power, even after retirement, he maintained a firm grip on his influence.

Outside, people addressed him as Chief.

But now, in front of his grandson, he felt isolated, an emperor without subjects. Han Chuan's cloudy gaze turned toward the window.

He needed to urge those people.

Reconnecting with his roots and demonstrating to everyone that the Han family had successors was the priority.

As for this woman, Han Chuan had reached a decision in that fleeting moment.

If his grandson refused to divorce her, then so be it. She was just a woman, after all.

Recalling the painful lessons from the past, Han Chuan shook his head, determined to remain steady.

Find someone secretly, have a child, and send her away. This woman would gain a son without effort.

There was no way she could refuse.