innocent lotus flower

Preparing

The phone rings for a while before it's picked up. A sharp voice answers.

"Wei Ying, you better have a damn good reason for calling during my night shift, or so help me-"

"Qing Jie, why are you so aggressive?" Wei Ying laughs softly.

"Keep laughing until I get my hands on you," Wen Qing growls, though her tone is more fond than furious.

"Qing Jie..." Wei Ying says again, this time quieter, hesitant.

Wen Qing immediately picks up on the change. If Wei Ying sounds this serious, it must be important.

"He found us. He came tonight," Wei Ying says. He doesn't need to say Lan Wangji's name-Wen Qing already knows who he means.

"What?! Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" she asks, panic lacing her voice.

"No, I'm fine but..." Wei Ying hesitates, then begins recounting everything that happened. When he's done, his voice trembles slightly. "Now I don't know what to do. Did I make the right decision, giving him another chance? What else could I have done? If I'd run, how do I know he wouldn't have just caught me and dragged me back? I'm scared, Qing Jie."

It's the first time Wen Qing has heard Wei Ying openly admit fear. She can hear him struggling to hold back tears.

"It's okay, Wei Ying," she says gently. "You made the only choice you could. How about I come over tomorrow when you meet him? Don't worry, I won't do anything to provoke him. I just want to be there for you."

"Thank you, Qing Jie. I appreciate it."

"Anytime. Should I call Wen Ning to come over tonight?"

"No. Don't worry him. I just needed someone to talk to. See you tomorrow."

They exchange a few more words before hanging up. Wei Ying feels lighter. He isn't alone anymore-he has family, people who will stand up for him. No matter what happens, if Lan Wangji reverts to the man he once was, Wei Ying won't hesitate to take his son and disappear. He sighs, closes his eyes, and finally drifts to sleep.

...

Wen Qing stares at her phone, deep in thought. She can't wrap her head around it-why would Lan Wangji come back and ask for forgiveness? She runs a hand through her hair in frustration. No matter how rich or powerful he is, she won't let him hurt Wei Ying again.

...

The hotel suite is luxurious, more like a house than a room. Lan Wangji lies on the oversized bed, unable to sleep. His thoughts keep drifting to Wei Ying and the child-their child.

A faint smile creeps onto his lips, but it fades quickly as guilt settles in. He missed the pregnancy, the birth... everything, because of Cheng Xiao. That woman. He should've made her suffer more.

He pushes the thought away with a groan. Better to think about tomorrow-he'll finally meet his son. Thankfully, the boy isn't too old. There's still time to build a bond.

But sadness claws at him-he missed his child's first words, first steps, all the little moments. It eats at him.

Restless, he opens his laptop and begins researching pregnancy and childbirth. As he reads about morning sickness and health complications, he remembers the medical report Wei Ying showed him. Excessive morning sickness, malnourishment, a dangerously difficult pregnancy... all endured in silence. Lan Wangji feels a tightness in his chest.

He keeps reading into the night, consumed by guilt and curiosity.

...

The next morning, Wei Ying wakes early to prepare the café. By 8 a.m., the employees have arrived, and he rushes upstairs to get A-Yuan ready. He's in the middle of dressing his son when the door bursts open.

Standing in the doorway is Wen Qing, looking every inch a goddess of revenge. She raises an eyebrow at him, clearly unimpressed.

"What?" Wei Ying says, blinking.

"I'm meeting that scumbag today. I figured I might as well look the part. Let him know he can't just stroll in here and bully you like before. So, you better appreciate my effort."

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right," Wei Ying says with a sheepish smile. "And I'm very grateful."

He turns back to tidying the room, which is a mess from their scramble to find A-Yuan's clothes.

Wei Ying may look composed, but inside, he's unraveling. A part of him wants to scoop up his son and run-to a foreign country, anywhere far away from Lan Wangji.

...

Author's Note:
Apologies for the late update! I'll try to post more regularly since I might have more time now. Thank you so much to everyone who voted and continues to support this novel ❤️❤️❤️ Your encouragement means everything. See you in the next chapter!