Chapter 84: The Road of Exile, Part Twenty-Six

Shiyan Yu felt that things shouldn’t be this way…

Reproduction is a basic human right. If a person isn’t beautiful, intelligent, or wealthy, does that mean they don’t deserve to have a child of their own? Why must life be ranked by status or worth?

Isn’t the reason humanity creates so many social rules precisely to ensure that those who aren’t so exceptional can still find happiness?

Yet…

She had grown up in a relatively just and peaceful world, and her views were inevitably shaped and limited by her own experiences. When the world’s resources become scarce and even the ability to bear children turns into a rare commodity, perhaps her beliefs would shatter and collapse.

So, even if Shiyan Yu disagreed with Luobo, she couldn’t be certain that she was right.

Godmother or birth mother—which was truly better for Lu Li?

If one day she developed the ability to bear children, should she become a surrogate?

And if she fell in love with a boy whose genes weren’t considered excellent, what choice should she make?

Shiyan Yu couldn’t untangle any of these questions, but a faint sense of caution had already taken root in her heart: she mustn’t take it for granted that the values of her own world should be used to instruct Lu Li, who lived in this one.

With a sigh in her heart, Shiyan Yu thought: being a parent is truly difficult…

……

That afternoon, Lu Li returned from the nursery, bouncing along the way, full of excitement.

It seemed she had fully adapted to life there. Even if she never found her birth mother and had to stay, she would probably do just fine.

Shiyan Yu silently calculated the time. The notices they had posted should receive a response soon, but since the contact information was left with Ye Liuyun, they’d have to wait for her return to find out anything.

Lu Li tugged gently at Shiyan Yu’s hand.

Looking down, Shiyan Yu saw her beaming as she held up her sketchbook, on which was written: Tomorrow there’s an event at the nursery.

Shiyan Yu was slightly surprised. “What kind of event?”

Lu Li tilted her head, thinking, then wrote: Singing, playing the piano, dan—

She didn’t know how to write the rest and paused, furrowing her brows in distress.

Shiyan Yu smiled. “Sounds like a performance. Do you have a part in it, Little Li?”

Lu Li pursed her lips and shook her head, writing: I don’t know how.

“You’ll learn in time. This time, we’ll just watch everyone else perform,” Shiyan Yu said, holding her hand cheerfully. “But our Little Li should dress up beautifully and be the cutest girl there.”

Lu Li grinned from ear to ear.

Back in the camper, Lu Li went straight to check her little potted plants in their milk cartons, as usual.

Both cartons were thriving, with tender green shoots almost overflowing. A few of them had already produced three or four leaves. They’d planted tomatoes, tangerines, and watermelon back then, but it was hard to tell now which was which.

“We didn’t go to the market today. Tomorrow, I’ll buy two flower pots,” Shiyan Yu mused, gazing at the flourishing green. “And I’ll need to dig up some sand, too. I just hope they’ll survive the transplant.”

Lu Li nodded vigorously beside her.

Shiyan Yu chuckled and pinched her cheek. “With such care from you, they’re sure to thrive.”

Lu Li beamed.

Shiyan Yu handed her back the milk cartons, patted her head, and went off to prepare dinner. Lu Li was well-behaved and didn’t require much attention. While Shiyan Yu cooked, she sat at the table reading stories or drawing.

Tonight’s meal was the usual frozen food: two bags of pan-fried beef dumplings, mung bean porridge, and pickled vegetables. Complicated dishes weren’t her strength, and frozen food saved her a lot of trouble.

As the sun was setting, the sound of an engine came from outside.

Shiyan Yu looked out the window. Ye Liuyun’s armored vehicle was back.

They’d been out longer than expected, and all of them looked dusty and tired. When Ye Liuyun got out, her back was slightly hunched and her face looked drawn, as though she were in pain.

The bearded man called from the vehicle, “Boss, don’t push yourself. If you’re not feeling well, go get checked at the hospital.”

Ye Liuyun was clearly irritable. “Just take the car for repairs. Don’t worry about me.”

The bearded man pressed on, “Should I bring you some food from the cafeteria later?”

Ye Liuyun obviously had no appetite. She just waved him off and walked straight into the house.

The bearded man had no choice but to drive away.

Feeling uneasy, Shiyan Yu set down her work and got out of the camper to ask, “Are you hurt? Do you want me to come with you to the hospital?”

“No need…” Ye Liuyun opened her door and managed a wry smile. “It’s probably cramps. My cycle’s been irregular lately. I just need to rest.”

Shiyan Yu understood immediately—no wonder she didn’t want to go to the hospital; it was just menstrual pain.

“I have painkillers in my car. I’ll get you a box,” she said. “I also made porridge. Would you like some? A little hot food might help.”

Ye Liuyun, likely in too much pain to refuse, nodded. “Alright, thanks.”

Usually, Ye Liuyun carried herself like a man—she even kept her hair cropped short for convenience on missions. This sudden bout made Shiyan Yu realize that, just like herself, Ye Liuyun also had those inconvenient days every month.

She rummaged through the medicine box for some pills, ladled out a bowl of porridge, and told Lu Li not to wander after dinner, then headed over with the porridge.

Ye Liuyun’s door was unlocked.

Entering, Shiyan Yu immediately spotted her lying on the sofa and was startled.

“Maybe… you should still go to the hospital?” She saw Ye Liuyun’s forehead beaded with cold sweat and lips pale, and grew anxious. “Does it usually hurt this much?”

“Not this bad before…” Ye Liuyun took a slow breath, pressing a hand to her abdomen. “I don’t know what’s wrong this time…”

Shiyan Yu quickly set down the porridge, poured a glass of water, and handed her both the cup and the painkillers. “If it’s this bad, the medicine might not help enough. Should I go with you to the hospital?”

Ye Liuyun managed to sit up a little, took the medicine in one gulp, then lay back down, breathing heavily. “If I go to the hospital for cramps, they’ll never let me hear the end of it.”

Shiyan Yu looked at her uncertainly. “But—what should you do then? Just tough it out?”

Ye Liuyun sighed. “Don’t worry, it’s just a minor issue. I’ll be fine after a nap.”

But even as she said it, her condition looked anything but reassuring.

Shiyan Yu didn’t feel comfortable leaving Ye Liuyun alone. When she saw her finally doze off on the sofa, she returned to the camper to fetch a blanket and pillow, then made a bed on the floor beside her to keep watch and make caregiving easier.

Ye Liuyun was in pain throughout, managing only half a bowl of porridge, visiting the bathroom twice—there was no blood, just a persistent ache in her abdomen that made rest impossible.

Late at night, Shiyan Yu was woken by Ye Liuyun calling her name. Rubbing her eyes, she asked, “Do you want some water? I’ll go get—”

“No…” Ye Liuyun looked pale as she faced her. “Xiaoyu, could you do me a favor?”

“What is it?” Shiyan Yu asked.

Ye Liuyun bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then said, “I think this might not be cramps after all.”