CHAPTER 527: CHAPTER 511: ANOTHER PATH

Back at home, Jiang Xiaoxiao settled Feng Na into the guest room with Hu Zi.

Their home had three bedrooms and a living room. One of the bedrooms was originally shared by her and Song Moting, with Tang Yuan sleeping alongside them. There was no other choice, as this little guy climbed into their bed every night.

He showed no courtesy at all.

If not allowed to stay, he’d act cute and whiny.

If push came to shove, he’d snuggle into Bai Yiyi’s bed; there was no way he’d sleep alone.

The other room was Bai Yiyi’s bedroom.

The free room was now just right for Hu Zi.

Watching the child sleep soundly.

Feng Na started to cry.

"Why are you crying?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao offered her a handkerchief.

Feng Na wiped her tears.

"Xiao Xiao, you probably already guessed. Hu Zi is not my brother, Hu Zi is my son. When I was working as a young intellectual on the farm, I accidentally fell into the water, and Hu Zi’s father saved me. Back then, if I hadn’t married him, rumors would have driven me out of the farm!

Eventually, I had no choice but to marry him, believing there was no chance for me to return to the city. After giving birth to Hu Zi, I regretted it deeply, never imagining Hu Zi would have a cleft palate.

Later, I heard the college entrance exams were reinstated, and I thought of taking the exam to return to the city. But Hu Zi’s father disagreed, and none of my in-laws were on board either. They feared I’d run away once I returned.

Yet, I secretly took the exam myself, and luckily, I succeeded. When I received the acceptance letter, Hu Zi’s father planned to bind me and tear the letter apart.

I pressed a knife to my throat, telling him if he dared to do that, I’d die for him to see. I took my acceptance letter and returned to the city, keeping it all a secret, fearing people would find out. Marriage isn’t scary, what’s frightening is having a child with a cleft palate after people’s knowledge.

I’m afraid the rumors would make it impossible for me to stay in medical school. I worked hard to study medicine hoping one day I’d perform surgery for my son, allowing him to live openly before others. But now I lack the courage and the ability to endure those rumors.

Who knew Hu Zi’s father still came. He knows my personality won’t compromise or follow him back. So he deliberately left the child with me, letting everyone in public know, forcing me to quit medical school."

Feng Na covered her face and cried.

Jiang Xiaoxiao understood Feng Na’s helplessness.

In this era, many narrow-minded views and omnipresent gossip could ruin a person’s life.

Many people hide having children and marriage because of the fear of people’s opinions.

Feng Na is just an ordinary woman, dreaming of a better life. Her pursuit isn’t selfish; this era bred many like her.

Jiang Xiaoxiao has no reason to despise them, nor any ground to attack them.

If she hadn’t been reborn, she might be worse off than Feng Na. Why would she stand on the moral high ground to criticize others?

"Stop crying and think about what you’ll do next. Crying won’t solve the problem. This matter can’t be delayed. Do you plan to divorce, raise the child yourself, or return?

You must make a choice."

Jiang Xiaoxiao knew she was being harsh.

Her words were too cold-hearted.

But Feng Na had no time for tears.

Liu Daniu left the child behind, certain Feng Na wouldn’t abandon her son.

Hu Zi’s situation made it even harder to show him publicly.

This is a difficult choice.

If Hu Zi were an ordinary healthy child, Liu Daniu might not have been so ruthless to abandon him.

Perhaps due to being tired of ridicule and a life of mockery, wanting to retaliate so Feng Na wouldn’t have it any easier.

Regardless, Hu Zi can’t live in Jiang Xiaoxiao’s house forever.

Feng Na must devise a plan.

Feng Na helplessly pinched her hand, looked with fear at the sleeping child; the scarf was removed now that he was asleep.

Revealing the alarming gap on the child’s lip.

Feng Na cried until her heart broke.

What could she do?

Return him?

She would never get out again in this lifetime.

If not returned?

What about the child?

Being discovered married isn’t terrifying, what’s scary is the child can’t see the light of day.

Her parents would never accept this child.

Neighbors, relatives would all be affected by her situation. What should she do?

Feng Na wickedly thought about abandoning the child?

Yet thinking about it made her wish she could kill herself in disgust.

Aren’t you a mother, yet having such wicked thoughts?

You don’t deserve to be human, or a mother.

Feng Na felt it better to die with her son.

Spare him the pain and herself the sorrow.

Living without hope, dying would be liberation.

"If you’re uncertain, I can suggest an idea. Come with me now, to a place."

Jiang Xiaoxiao picked up her coat.

Pulling the numbed Feng Na, who really was aimless and lost now.

Jiang Xiaoxiao instructed Aunt and Bai Yiyi to watch over Hu Zi, Bai Yiyi just found out there was a new child at home after school.

She took Feng Na to her hospital.

Opened the door to the operating room.

Feng Na was already stunned with shock.

"This is a hospital? This is..."

Feeling the brand new machinery, Feng Na was dumbfounded like Alice in Wonderland.

"This is my hospital, yet to officially open, equipped with the most advanced surgical devices. What I want to say is if you trust me, I will arrange for Hu Zi to undergo plastic surgery here. If nothing goes wrong, after several surgeries, Hu Zi will be cured, and you’ll be able to show him proudly before others."

Jiang Xiaoxiao offered her another path.

She understands Feng Na’s struggles and despair.

No mother truly abandons her child, but Feng Na was pushed to the limit by Liu Daniu. Heaven forbid, she might act recklessly.

Feng Na stared blankly at Jiang Xiaoxiao, taking a long time to process Jiang Xiaoxiao’s words.

"You mean... here Hu Zi can have surgery? Impossible, Xiao Xiao, don’t joke, we’ve taken Hu Zi to many doctors and they all said post-surgery effects weren’t ideal! Especially the younger the age, the sooner the surgery is done, the higher chance of recovery.

But we didn’t have money then, couldn’t afford surgery, now, doctors say the best treatment window is missed, Hu Zi’s case is among the most severe for cleft palate.

Doctors said they weren’t confident in good results, maybe surgery will make little difference, and we should prepare ourselves for such."

Feng Na considered seeking treatment for the child.

But such conclusions left her and Liu Daniu without recourse.

Surgery might equate to no surgery at all, not to mention the astronomical cost.