Lin Wanyi sat in the spacious, bright, exquisitely decorated and modern office of the law firm. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows allowed her to take in the bustling and noisy scenery of the city without reservation. In the distance, high-rise buildings were lined up one after another, and the busy streets were like flowing blood, supplying endless vitality to the city. The sun tried hard to penetrate the clouds, but could only cast mottled light and shadows between the towering buildings. However, Lin Wanyi had no intention of appreciating all this at the moment. The room was filled with high-end and luxurious office furniture, and various heavy legal books and piles of documents were neatly displayed on the spotless bookshelves, demonstrating the owner’s professionalism and authority, but her attention was like being attracted by a strong magnet, completely occupied by the strong discomfort coming from her body.

At first, she just felt a faint nausea in her stomach. She frowned slightly, stopped reviewing an extremely important contract, and gently rubbed her stomach, thinking that it was just a slight stomach discomfort, which would soon pass with her own resistance. But just a moment later, the nausea came like a surging, unstoppable wave, with an overwhelming force. Her stomach began to churn and stir wildly, as if a thrilling, violent storm was raging in it. Her face instantly turned pale as paper, without a trace of blood, as if the vitality of life was taken away in an instant, and dense, crystal clear beads of sweat quickly oozed out of her forehead, flashing cold light under the bright and somewhat dazzling light, just like dew condensed on grass leaves in the morning, but with a heart-wrenching chill. At this moment, the air in the office seemed to be frozen, with only the monotonous ticking sound of the wall clock, as if it was mercilessly urging the passage of time, and as if it was mocking her current embarrassment.

Secretary Xiao Li knocked on the door a few times and got a response, so he carefully pushed the door open and walked in to report on his work. Seeing Lin Wanyi’s extremely ugly face, Xiao Li was immediately startled, his heart suddenly shrank, and he hurriedly asked with concern: “Boss Lin, are you feeling unwell?” Lin Wanyi tried to squeeze out a forced smile on her face, trying to appease her subordinates’ concerns, but that smile was uglier than crying, and her voice was also weak and could not be concealed: “Maybe I’m a little tired, it’s nothing serious, you go and get busy first.” But in fact, the strong discomfort was like the devil’s claws, ruthlessly tearing her body, making it particularly difficult for her to even respond simply, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of her throat.

As time went by and it was close to noon, the employees in the law firm stopped their work one after another and went to the restaurant to eat together, chatting and laughing. The entire office area gradually became quiet, leaving only the depressing silence in Lin Wanyi’s office. Outside the window, the breeze gently blew through the trees on the street, and the leaves rustled, as if telling some secrets. However, Lin Wanyi still sat alone in front of the extremely large desk, staring blankly at the important unfinished legal documents on the computer screen, her thoughts seemed to fall into an endless abyss of chaos. The restaurant food that usually made her salivate and full of temptation did not arouse any ripples of appetite in her mind at this moment, like a pool of stagnant water, without any waves. She just held her stomach tightly with both hands, as if she could suppress the severe pain and surging nausea with her own strength. Her hands trembled slightly because of the force, and her knuckles turned white.

After a long, intense, and smoke-filled case discussion in the conference room, Jiang Tingyan hurried back to the office. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Lin Wanyi, who was haggard and in pain. His heart suddenly tightened, and his brows instantly wrinkled into a deep “川” shape. His eyes were full of anxiety and heartache. He hurried to her side in two steps and asked anxiously, “Wanyi, what’s wrong with you? Why do you look so bad?” Lin Wanyi slowly raised her head, her eyes full of fatigue and pain, and said weakly, “I have been feeling uncomfortable since this morning. It feels like something is stirring in my stomach. I feel so uncomfortable that I didn’t even eat lunch.” Jiang Tingyan hurriedly reached out and gently touched her forehead. After confirming that she didn’t have a fever, his worries did not diminish at all. He frowned, his thick eyebrows seemed to be twisted into an unsolvable knot. After thinking for a moment, he said firmly, “I don’t think this will work. We still have to go to the hospital. Only in this way can I feel relieved.” Lin Wanyi wanted to refuse stubbornly, her lips trembling slightly, and she hesitated to speak. In her opinion, this might be just a minor problem, and a little rest should be able to alleviate it. She really didn’t want to delay Jiang Tingyan’s busy work because of her physical condition, and didn’t want to become a stumbling block on his career path. But under Jiang Tingyan’s concerned and unquestionable gaze, she finally nodded helplessly, and the nodding action seemed to have exhausted all her strength.

Jiang Tingyan carefully helped Lin Wanyi to stand up, and the two slowly walked out of the spacious office, which was filled with a depressing atmosphere. The lights in the corridor were a little dim, and occasionally a few employees who were working overtime hurried by and cast curious glances. Jiang Tingyan always held Lin Wanyi’s hands tightly. His hands were broad and warm, as if he wanted to pass on his strength to her in this way, giving her support and courage. Lin Wanyi leaned weakly on him, feeling his warm and solid support. The haze in her heart caused by physical discomfort seemed to be inadvertently alleviated a little, as if she saw a ray of light in the darkness.

Seeing that Lin Wanyi was still hesitating, Jiang Tingyan’s tone became more resolute: “Wanyi, no matter how busy you are at work, your health is the most important. There is no room for negotiation on this matter. You must go to the hospital for a check-up.” Lin Wanyi’s eyes once again swept over the piles of case materials on the table, and a trace of entanglement and helplessness flashed in her eyes. Those cases were like heavy shackles, binding her thoughts. She subconsciously wanted to shake her head and refuse, but when she turned back to meet Jiang Tingyan’s extremely firm and unquestionable eyes, the persistence in her heart gradually disintegrated, just like a solid fortress collapsed under fierce artillery fire, and finally compromised helplessly.

On the way to the hospital, the sky was gradually covered by dark clouds, as gloomy as a huge lead plate that could fall at any time. The trees on both sides of the street trembled in the strong wind, and the branches were like dancing arms, struggling desperately. Lin Wanyi was full of worries, and her mind kept circling around various matters that had not been handled in the law firm. Those complicated legal provisions and the demands of the parties were like a group of buzzing flies, lingering. At the same time, the life and study of the two children at home kept flashing like slides. Jiang Tingyan drove silently on the side, holding the steering wheel steadily with both hands, staring at the road ahead with concentration, and occasionally glancing at Lin Wanyi with concern. His eyes were full of worry and affection, trying to comfort her with his eyes, as if saying: “I am here, don’t be afraid.” The atmosphere in the car was a bit dull, with only the roar of the car engine and the rhythmic scraping of the wipers, as if playing a depressing symphony. Jiang Tingyan was also worried. He was afraid that Lin Wanyi was really seriously ill and that the family couldn’t live without her. He prayed silently in his heart, hoping that it was just a false alarm. At the same time, he was also thinking about how to take good care of her while also taking care of the work of the law firm, especially the major commercial dispute case that had entered a critical stage. Nothing could go wrong.

When they arrived at the hospital, the hall was bustling with people. There were anxiously waiting family members, rushing medical staff, and patients groaning in pain. The smell of disinfectant filled the air, pungent but reassuring. After a series of detailed examinations, the doctor told them with a smile: “Congratulations, Ms. Lin, you are pregnant.” When Lin Wanyi heard the news, she was stunned for a moment, her eyes full of confusion and astonishment, her mouth slightly open, as if her soul had left her body, her mind blank. She subconsciously covered her abdomen, her hand trembling slightly, as if she couldn’t believe that a new life was being nurtured there. “How could it be… I was not mentally prepared at all.” She murmured to herself, her voice as light as fallen leaves in the wind.

Jiang Tingyan was stunned at first, then a look of surprise appeared on his face, his eyes suddenly lit up, and the surprise was like a flower blooming in spring, brilliant and warm. But he soon noticed Lin Wanyi’s hesitation. Back home, in the garden of the family, the flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the colorful petals exuded a faint fragrance. The laughter of children came from afar, like the most beautiful music. Lin Wanyi sat alone in front of the bedroom window, looking at the figures of children playing in the garden outside the window, fell into deep thought, her eyes full of worry. She thought that she already had a son and a daughter, the children were well-behaved and sensible, the family life was warm and harmonious, and her career was thriving under her own efforts. If there is another child, it will undoubtedly break the existing peace and balance, just like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, rippling layers of ripples. She was worried that she would not be able to give her three children enough love and companionship, that she would ignore their growth needs in her busy life, and that her career would be impacted and her family would fall into chaos and disorder, and the harmony and beauty that once existed would be shattered.

Jiang Tingyan walked into the bedroom gently, his footsteps were as light as if he was stepping on clouds, for fear of disturbing Lin Wanyi’s thoughts. He sat beside her and held her hands, which conveyed warmth and strength: “Wanyi, I know what you are worried about. But this is a new life, the fruit of our love. There may be difficulties, but we have gone through so many storms together, and we can definitely cope with it this time. Just like every challenge in the past, we work hand in hand and always overcome difficulties.” Lin Wanyi looked at him, tears flashing in her eyes, and the tears were like the twinkling stars in the night sky: “But I am really afraid that I can’t take good care of you, and I am afraid that it will affect your development in the law firm. You are now in the rising period of your career. I don’t want to be a burden to you, and I don’t want you to miss the opportunity because of me.”

Jiang Tingyan held her in his arms, and that embrace was like the safest harbor: “You have never been a burden. Family is my foundation. With you and the children, I have the motivation to work hard. As for the work in the law firm, I will arrange my time reasonably. We can also hire a nanny to help take care of the family and share some of the pressure.” Lin Wanyi leaned in his arms, feeling mixed emotions, and all kinds of emotions surged in her heart like a tide.

In the following days, Lin Wanyi would still involuntarily fall into contradictions. When she was accompanying her daughter to practice the piano, she suddenly thought of the future education expenses for the three children, which would be a considerable amount. Like a heavy boulder pressing on her heart, she couldn’t help but say to Jiang Tingyan: “Tingyan, the education expenses for three children are not a small amount, we have to plan it well.” Jiang Tingyan patted her shoulder gently and looked at her firmly: “Don’t worry too much, we can make some reserves for the education fund in advance, there will always be a way.” When discussing study with her son, she was worried that she had limited energy and could not take care of both. She was afraid that her son would feel neglected because of the arrival of a new life. She said to her son: “Baby, Mom may be a little busier in the future, but Mom will try her best to take time to accompany you.” The son nodded sensibly with a well-behaved smile on his face: “Mom, I will study hard by myself, you don’t have to worry about me.”

Jiang Tingyan was actively preparing for the new member of the family. He began to research baby products and browsed various information about cribs, strollers and milk powder on the Internet, like a rigorous scholar delving into academic problems, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes showing a satisfied look. He carefully planned the layout of the baby’s room, holding a ruler and gesturing in the empty room, imagining the future life scene of the baby here. At the same time, he also coordinated with his colleagues in the law firm to minimize unnecessary overtime and business trips, and explained his family situation to them. His colleagues expressed understanding and support.

However, a major commercial dispute case taken over by the law firm has entered a critical stage. The other party has hired a strong team of lawyers. Those lawyers are experienced and eloquent. They try to make a fuss about evidence and legal provisions, which creates a lot of trouble for Jiang Tingyan and his team. Jiang Tingyan has to deal with the complex problems in the case, find a breakthrough in the pile of evidence, and argue with the other party’s lawyers in court with a serious and focused expression. At the same time, he has to take care of Lin Wanyi’s emotions and family affairs. He is often busy and exhausted, like a spinning top that never stops. (End of this chapter)