After that night, the topic of "a child" was like a stone thrown into deep water, sending ripples through the seemingly calm lake of Yu Sheng's heart that refused to settle.
If she had never truly considered this issue before, now she had no choice but to face it.
A few days later, one evening, Yu Sheng had just finished a long international video conference.
Rubbing her slightly aching temples, she stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of Jingshui Bay Apartment, overlooking the gradually lighting city below. Just then, her phone rang, the screen displaying "Mom."
She answered, her tone soft in a way reserved only for family: "Mom."
"Sheng Sheng, did I interrupt your work?" Her mother's voice came through, as gentle as ever, though faintly weak beneath it.
"I just finished. How have you been feeling lately?" Yu Sheng walked to the sofa and sat down, putting the phone on speaker, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the cool leather armrest.
The mother and daughter chatted about everyday matters. Then the other end of the line suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.
Yu Sheng keenly sensed something, but didn't urge her, simply waiting quietly.
"Sheng Sheng," her mother's voice came again, carrying a cautious kind of persuasion. "These past couple of days I've been thinking… I'm getting old, and my health is good some days and bad on others. What I can't let go of most is you."
Yu Sheng's fingers, which had been idly rubbing the armrest, suddenly stilled.
Her mother continued, speaking a little faster as if afraid of being interrupted. "I know your mind is all on your career right now, and as for relationships… I won't push you. But times are different now. You don't necessarily need a traditional family. If you're worried about it affecting your work, or… we could think of other ways, like surrogacy?" There was a trace of urgency in her voice. "Mom just doesn't want… that if one day I'm gone, you'll be all alone. Having a child connected to you by blood at your side would at least be something to hold onto, someone to rely on."
"Mom," Yu Sheng said. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "Don't bring up surrogacy again. I would never use another woman's womb to carry a child related to me. There's no discussion to be had about this."
The other end fell into brief silence, only her mother's faint breathing audible. Yu Sheng could almost picture the disappointed yet understanding expression on her mother's face.
Imagining her mother sitting there alone, worrying about her future, her heart tightened with a dense ache.
After a moment of silence, she finally softened her tone and made a promise that even surprised herself. "Mom, about the child… I'll think about it seriously. Don't worry about this. Take good care of your health—that matters more than anything."
"Really?" her mother's voice instantly brightened. "Good, good! I won't rush you. Take your time and think it through carefully. As long as you have this in mind, I can rest easy!"
Hearing the obvious relief and hope in her mother's voice only made Yu Sheng's emotions more complicated.
After hanging up, she sat alone on the sofa for a long time.
The word "child" forced her to truly and rationally examine the possibility.
Once her rational mind began to work, many options that had previously been obscured by emotion became clear.
If she had to have a child, then who would be the most suitable other party?
Almost uncontrollably, Shen Yunmian's figure entered her mind.
Setting aside their tangled and unresolved emotional history, from an objective standpoint: Shen Yunmian's intelligence, capability, and physical attributes were all top-tier. From a purely genetic perspective, she was undoubtedly the best choice.
She even found herself thinking somewhat maliciously: if the child inherited Shen Yunmian's brains and looks, and was then personally raised and educated by her and her mother, there was every chance the child would grow into someone exceptional—at the very least, not into someone with Shen Yunmian's… irritating personality.
More importantly, Shen Yunmian's earlier proposal—that their child would one day inherit both the Yu and Shen groups, integrating resources—was indeed a solution that could fundamentally resolve inheritance issues and ensure the stable continuation of both business empires.
A child carrying both their blood would be the strongest possible link connecting everything.
This realization began to tip the scales.
Over the next few days, during breaks in her work, Yu Sheng repeatedly weighed the pros and cons. Rationally, she knew this was the optimal solution; emotionally, forming such a deep and inseparable bond with Shen Yunmian again made her instinctively resistant and uneasy.
These two forces tugged back and forth within her, leaving her in unprecedented conflict.
In the end, the balance in her heart gradually tilted toward reason.
A few days later, one evening, after finishing a quiet dinner together in the Jingshui Bay apartment.
The setting sun cast a warm golden glow through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Yu Sheng set down her chopsticks, wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, and looked calmly at Shen Yunmian across from her.
"About your earlier proposal—the child," Yu Sheng began, her voice measured and composed. "We need to discuss the details more specifically."
Shen Yunmian's hands, which had been clearing the dishes, froze. Her fingers tightened slightly.
She looked up, trying to maintain composure, but the flicker of light in her eyes betrayed her inner turbulence.
"Alright."
She set everything down and sat upright, fully attentive.
"First, custody," Yu Sheng said calmly. "After the child is born, who will raise them? How will we align on education?" She emphasized one point. "I'm very busy with work, and you won't be free either. So after the child is born, my mother will primarily take care of them. That must be clear from the start."
Shen Yunmian didn't hesitate. "Of course. Auntie raised you very well. I'll fully cooperate and provide whatever resources I can. As for education, your opinion will take priority." She met Yu Sheng's eyes and added the most crucial point, "The child can take your surname, Yu. I have no objections."
Yu Sheng's gaze shifted slightly, surprised by how readily Shen Yunmian conceded.
She continued, "Then what about the child's future position within the Yu and Shen groups? You said this is to integrate resources and avoid conflict. How exactly would that work?"
Shen Yunmian had clearly thought this through. "We can establish a legally binding agreement in advance, naming the child as the first-in-line heir to both groups. Before adulthood, a trust fund and professional management team jointly appointed by us would manage the shares and assets. Once the child is capable, we would gradually transfer control. This would minimize future disputes and internal friction."
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze sincere. "Sheng Sheng, I'm not suggesting this to bind you with a child, nor to compete for anything. It's just… objectively, this seems like the best option for the long-term development of both companies, and for the child's future security. Of course," she added, "everything depends on your wishes. If you feel anything is inappropriate or have a better plan, I'll accept it."
Throughout the conversation, Shen Yunmian showed no calculation or forcefulness—only complete cooperation and concession. It noticeably lowered Yu Sheng's guard.
Leaning back in her chair, Yu Sheng fell silent for a moment, not giving a firm rejection.
After a while, she looked away toward the darkening sky outside and finally said, with clear hesitation, "This is a major decision. There's too much involved." She paused before conceding, "I need time to think about it."
Those words loosened the tension in Shen Yunmian instantly.
A surge of joy and hope flooded her, nearly overwhelming her. Her eyes heated, but she clenched her palms tightly, forcing herself to stay calm.
"I understand," she said steadily. "Take your time. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait. Whatever you decide, I'll respect it."
She didn't press further or try to persuade her again.
From that day on, as promised, Shen Yunmian never brought up the topic of a child again.
She buried her intense longing deep inside, maintaining the fragile balance between them.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
One Saturday morning, sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Jingshui Bay apartment, filling the room with warmth.
Yu Sheng woke and stepped out of the bedroom, immediately seeing Shen Yunmian busy in the open kitchen.
Dressed in simple loungewear, her figure looked slightly slender in the morning light as she focused on the small pot of millet porridge bubbling gently. The air carried its faint, comforting aroma.
Yu Sheng watched quietly for a moment before walking to the kitchen doorway.
Hearing her footsteps, Shen Yunmian turned around, her usual smile appearing instantly. "You're up? The porridge will be ready soon. I also made the shrimp dumplings you like."
"Mm," Yu Sheng replied. Her gaze lingered on her for a few seconds.
The kitchen was quiet, filled only with the soft bubbling of the porridge.
Under her gaze, Shen Yunmian grew uneasy, instinctively looking away and turning to grab bowls and chopsticks.
At that moment, Yu Sheng's calm voice sounded behind her, clear as a stone striking ice:
"I've made my decision."
Shen Yunmian's hands trembled, the bowls clinking sharply together.
She turned stiffly, her heart pounding as she stared at Yu Sheng without blinking, holding her breath.
Meeting her anxious gaze, Yu Sheng spoke evenly, her tone calm yet resolute:
"I agree to have a child."
Shen Yunmian's pupils contracted sharply as overwhelming joy surged through her like a tidal wave.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Her eyes reddened instantly, filling with mist.
Yu Sheng paused, then added the specific plan: "We'll use the batch of eggs that were previously stored at the reproductive center. As for the procedures and medical arrangements, contact the hospital and coordinate everything."
"…Okay!" Shen Yunmian finally found her voice, thick with a nasal tone and uncontrollable trembling. She nodded repeatedly, almost frantically. "I'll arrange it—I'll go arrange it right away! Sheng Sheng, thank you… thank you…"
She was so emotional that her words became incoherent, the bowls and chopsticks in her hands nearly slipping before she caught them in a fluster.
In that moment, there was none of her usual composure from the business world.
Watching her lose control like this, Yu Sheng felt a mix of emotions.
She said nothing more, only shifting her gaze away and walking toward the dining area.
In the days that followed, Shen Yunmian mobilized all available resources with remarkable efficiency, contacting top reproductive medicine teams worldwide to ensure absolute safety and privacy throughout the process.
The embryo implantation was arranged at a top-tier private hospital.
The environment was quiet and comfortable, almost isolated from the outside world.
On the day of the procedure, Shen Yunmian lay on the spotless operating table, the surgical lights glaring overhead.
She felt a slight chill brush across her skin, but she wasn't afraid.
On the contrary, her heart was filled with an almost sacred calm and anticipation.
She closed her eyes, and what surfaced in her mind was Yu Sheng's expression when she calmly said "I agree," along with the tiny life that would soon carry both of their blood.
"Relax, Miss Shen. It'll be over soon," the doctor's gentle voice sounded beside her.
Shen Yunmian softly responded, her fingertips quietly resting over her flat abdomen as she whispered silently in her heart: Baby, please come safely to me.
The procedure went smoothly. Afterward, she needed a period of rest and observation.
Shen Yunmian followed the doctor's instructions with near-religious devotion.
She canceled all unnecessary work and social engagements, staying in the Jing Shui Bay apartment to recover. Yu Sheng said nothing, silently permitting her presence.
The wait for results felt especially long.
Every day, Shen Yunmian lived between hope and anxiety.
She didn't dare show it too obviously, afraid of putting pressure on Yu Sheng, so she buried all her unease deep inside.
Finally, the day came to return to the hospital for confirmation.
When the doctor looked at the report and smiled, saying, "Congratulations, the pregnancy is successful. All indicators are normal," Shen Yunmian's tightly wound nerves instantly relaxed.
Almost instinctively, she reached out and grabbed Yu Sheng's wrist beside her, gripping so tightly that Yu Sheng frowned slightly.
"It… it really worked?" Shen Yunmian's voice trembled with disbelief, her eyes reddening instantly.
"Yes, Miss Shen. You're going to be a mother," the doctor confirmed.
Shen Yunmian turned to look at Yu Sheng, tears suddenly pouring out uncontrollably.
"Sheng Sheng… did you hear that? It worked… our child…" she choked, unable to form complete sentences.
Yu Sheng looked at her crying and laughing at the same time, feeling the tight grip and slight trembling on her wrist.
She remained silent—she neither pulled away nor responded to the overwhelming emotion. But when her gaze fell on Shen Yunmian's still-flat abdomen, a fleeting, deeply complicated ripple passed through her eyes.
Was the child she had once lost… returning?
—
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