Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

Her daughter had become so thin in just over a month. Holding Rainy, she walked forwards continuously until she reached a garden outside. The sky, with warm sunlight, was unlike the dark, rainy weather a few days ago.

They had seen a sunny day, but would they still be able to see a tomorrow?

She sat down and settled Rainy in her arms so the sun shone on their bodies. She lowered her head and gently caressed her daughter’s face with her fingers. A drop of tear fell on the child’s pale little face.

“It’s so warm, Mommy.” Rainy placed her little hands over her eyes. She had not seen such warm sunlight for a long time.

“Well, shall we sit for a longer while?” Xia Ruoxin hugged her tightly and asked softly.

“Okay.” Rainy nodded quietly, not looking too good. Her small hands tugged on her mother’s shirt, no strength in her fingers.

“Mommy, Rainy is hungry,” Rainy said softly upon hearing her stomach grumble. She really wanted to eat something.

“Alright, Mommy will take you.” Xia Ruoxin picked her up and took her to the ward. When she walked in, the doctor was already standing there; and there was a needle in the nurse’s hand. “It’s time for your injection, little one.”

Otherwise, her body would not be able to take it.

“Rainy, let’s get an injection first, okay? When we’re done, Mommy will bring you to your favorite cake.” Xia Ruoxin lowered her head, placing her forehead against her daughter’s slightly cold one.

“Okay,” Rainy agreed obediently. Her small lips curled into a smile. “Mommy, Rainy is not afraid of pain.”

The young piping voice made everyone present felt unbearable. It was not something an adult might be able to endure, let alone a child.

Xia Ruoxin laid her daughter on the bed. Rainy’s hand shuffled around occasionally as if looking for something.

A doll was placed in her arms, and she closed her eyes, satisfied. Xia Ruoxin positioned the doll before standing aside.

A thin needle pierced into the back of Rainy’s small hands.

She continued to close her eyes quietly and placed the doll in front of her.

It did not hurt; it really did not hurt. As long as she had the doll and her Mommy. Xia Ruoxin’s heart ached immensely. She didn’t want to see her daughter in pain anymore. She was suffering in pain living like this.

However, she really couldn’t bear her gone so allow her to be a little selfish, please. At least she could still hear Rainy call her ‘Mommy’. She could still touch her little body and feel her breath.

She walked out and stood outside and then ran emphatically outside. She did not forget her promise to get her favorite cake.

Inside the cake shop, she picked up the piece of cake cautiously. The patissier remembered her, and, hence, gave her an extra strawberry. “For your daughter.” The patissier smiled. “Your daughter is very lovely. I remember her from just a glance.”

“Thank you,” Xia Ruoxin bowed to him and walked out, but her legs felt as heavy as lead. She held the cake carefully in her hands, but a car sped past her.

It made her skirt flutter against her legs, revealing a pair of legs that still had obvious abrasions.

The car disappeared from sight, but the number plate was etched in her brain.

She ran forward in a hurry. If possible, could he give her another chance?

She was a mother. Just a mother…

She ran towards the direction of the car until she could move no further. She looked up and saw all kinds of people. She sized up this unfamiliar place until she stopped and realized that she was at an airport.

As she walked closer, people kept squeezing past her; and she just carefully shield the piece of cake in her arms.

From afar, she caught sight of the silhouette of a couple. The man was gently protecting the woman in his arms, and the woman’s smiling side profile was extremely beautiful. Her bliss was evident on her face, but it pierced through another woman’s heart.

“Chu Lui…” Xia Ruoxin’s lips moved slightly. She walked forwards subconsciously but was blocked by someone.

“Excuse me, miss. The plane has already taken off. Please take the next flight.” A mechanical but polite voice went. Xia Ruoxin’s heart almost stopped beating. Her whole body was freezing cold without any warmth.

She blinked once, and in the dim light, the plane had flown, leaving only a pale shadow in front of her.

He left. He really left.

She turned around and then started to leave. The heavens did not give her another chance; neither to her daughter. As they welcomed the arrival of a new life, another young life was dying.

Was this fair?

Was it?

In the first-class seats of the plane, Li Manni was covered with a blanket. It was only when the plane took off that she felt an unmatchable relief. She closed her eyes, leaning onto the shoulders of the man beside her.

“Lui, will the company be fine with us gone?” She asked thoughtfully. He was so busy every day with work. Was it really alright to leave such a big corporation behind?

“It’s alright. Jingtang’s there.” Chu Lui tucked her deeper into the blanket. He reached his hand out to her stomach. “Are you feeling alright?” He was worried about her sitting on a plane. His mother was actually against them going overseas, but Manni was too persistent so they could only follow her wishes.

As long as she wanted to, she could do anything.

“Yes, I’m fine, and the baby is very obedient.” She laid her hands on top of Chu Lui’s big hands. The feeling of the dry temperature of his palm could almost make her melt.

She closed her eyes in satisfaction and put her whole weight on Chu Lui’s body. “Lui, I’m going to take a nap. I’m tired.” Chu Lui’s arm slid over her waist to make her sleep more comfortable.

He still kept his hand on her stomach, feeling the child’s existence. This was the only way he could prevent himself from regretting to save another child for the sake of his own.

Perhaps leaving was for the better. That way, he would not receive news of the child so soon. Her life and death would be none of their business. She would not be part of his world anymore when they returned.

He let out a soft sigh. He looked out of the plane with dark, complicated eyes. He realized that they were high in the air, going further and further away from the place they were leaving. In a few hours, they would be in another country.