A week later, Lin Xinyuan’s body gradually recovered.
Although she still felt pain, at least it was no longer like before, when even the slightest movement caused her great agony.
Lin Xinyuan’s family and friends came to visit her one after another.
The first to arrive were naturally the Qin family and Lin’s mother.
At this time in the ward, everyone was gathered around the bed.
Among them, Qin’s mother was holding the little one, who neither cried nor fussed, rocking her gently and coaxing with a loving gaze.
“Little treasure, I’m your grandmother…”
The little one responded with a string of “ah-yah” sounds, as if replying to Jiang Ningyue.
Her big, jet-black eyes were the spitting image of her mother’s.
The others felt an itch to hold her, especially Qin’s father, but out of concern for his image, he didn’t show his eagerness.
Instead, Grandpa Qin took her, laughing joyfully.
Even when she tugged at his beard, he didn’t mind, doting on the adorable little one.
Everyone had smiles in their eyes as they played with the child for a while.
Qin Nanfeng and Lin Xinyuan watched this scene, unconsciously smiling.
Then their gazes met instinctively, but Lin Xinyuan quickly looked away, as if ignoring him.
Seeing this, Qin Nanfeng wasn’t discouraged.
He glanced at their tightly clasped hands and felt his little wife’s soft hand, content in his heart.
The road was still long; he had to take it slow…
After a round of doting, the topic that concerned everyone the most came up: the little one’s name.
“How about Qin Ke? She’s very cute, just like her mother!” Jiang Ningyue was the first to suggest.
These words made Lin Xinyuan’s face flush red. She felt very embarrassed, shy inside, but she didn’t speak up.
Hearing this, others also shared their opinions, like “Ruyan” or “Shiting” and so on.
In the end, they couldn’t agree, and Grandpa Qin’s head started to ache.
He simply waved his hand and looked at the child’s parents.
“Xiao Feng, Xiao Yuan, you two pick the name yourselves. We won’t interfere.”
At this, Qin’s mother and the others had no objections; they actually agreed.
Lin Xinyuan had been listening quietly.
When Qin’s father mentioned “Shiting,” she unconsciously thought of someone with the same surname as hers, and immediately rejected it in her mind.
As for the name “Ruyan” that Qin Qingge suggested, she found it somewhat speechless.
As for her own mother, she didn’t intend to join in; she just held the little one with a gentle look.
But soon, Lin Xinyuan’s thoughts were interrupted by the elder’s words.
She was slightly stunned and instinctively glanced at Qin Nanfeng.
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke. “Feng Ge, how about you name her…”
“Mm, that works too.”
Even though it was a very brief glance, Qin Nanfeng saw the anticipation in Lin Xinyuan’s eyes, so he didn’t decline and simply nodded.
Under the curious gazes of the family, Qin Nanfeng pondered for a moment, then stared tenderly at the little one, who was sucking her fingers in Mother Lin’s arms.
“Let’s call her Qin Yiyi.”
When they heard the name, Qin’s mother and the others thought it was nice enough, but they also felt it was a bit too common.
They all looked puzzled, and even Lin Xinyuan was curious about the meaning behind the name.
Seeing their confused expressions, Qin Nanfeng smiled and didn’t hide it.
“Willow branches hang softly—though they are supple, they are extremely resilient, bending a thousand times without breaking. It’s ordinary, but I think ordinary is good. Happiness is what matters…”
Upon hearing this, Lin Xinyuan’s eyes lit up, and her heart stirred.
’Feng Ge… he really guessed what I was thinking…’
’That’s good…’
Thinking this, she couldn’t help sneaking another glance at him.
The coldness in her eyes toward him unconsciously thawed a little.
When the elders heard this explanation, they found it very fitting and stopped being conflicted.
Grandpa Qin nodded and made the final decision. “It’s indeed good. Let’s go with this.”
In the elder’s view, a name didn’t need to be extravagant or poetic.
Instead, those plain yet meaningful names were the best, and for a child, it was a kind of blessing and hope.
Happiness varies from person to person, but everyone agrees it is humanity’s highest pursuit.
After a bit more small talk, everyone prepared to leave, as there were still quite a few people.
Staying a short while was fine, but staying too long would affect both Lin Xinyuan and her daughter, as they were still in a weak stage and needed rest.
Before leaving, Mother Lin, who had been silent the whole time, gently pinched her granddaughter’s little cheek.
In a daze, she seemed to see Lin Xinyuan as a child. Her gaze grew even more loving, and she couldn’t bear to let go.
But in the end, she didn’t hold her for too long and carefully handed the little one back to Lin Xinyuan.
Then she patted Lin Xinyuan’s head and said warmly, “I’ll come see you and Yiyi again tomorrow. I’m leaving now.”
“Okay, Mom.” Lin Xinyuan held little Yiyi and nodded.
But perhaps influenced by her memories, her expression toward her mother became unavoidably complicated, even resentful.
After speaking, Lin Xinyuan quickly lowered her head and looked at the little one.
Seeing this, Mother Lin’s eyes flickered with doubt.
She instinctively glanced at the man beside her, but Qin Nanfeng only smiled, as if telling her not to worry.
With that, Mother Lin sighed and didn’t ask further.
Although she didn’t understand why Lin Xinyuan’s attitude toward her had changed recently—even avoiding her—she assumed it was probably postpartum depression.
Perhaps it was because she was remembering things from childhood that her attitude had changed.
After all, when she gave birth to Lin Xinyuan back then, she had gone through the same thing.
She simply thought Lin Xinyuan just needed some time to recuperate and didn’t think much of it.
“Mom, take care.”
Qin Nanfeng saw Mother Lin out of the ward before returning.
He closed the door, sat back down on the stool, and stayed by Lin Xinyuan’s side.
He used his hand to play with his daughter, but the little one’s face scrunched up as if she was displeased, though at least she didn’t cry.
“You… why aren’t you leaving yet…”
Lin Xinyuan was irritated by the man’s occasional glances and couldn’t help glaring at him.
With the family gone, her expression turned cold again.
“I’ll stay here to take care of you and Yiyi during this time,” Qin Nanfeng said, and couldn’t help reaching out to stroke Lin Xinyuan’s pale cheek, his eyes full of concern. “I can’t rest easy…”
Seeing this, Lin Xinyuan’s heart skipped a beat, pounding violently.
She almost couldn’t stop a smile from appearing on her lips, but she withdrew it in panic, barely stabilizing her restless emotions.
“Suit yourself!” Lin Xinyuan turned her face away, acting indifferent.
After all, the room actually had two beds, one prepared for family members who needed to care for patients.
But after a moment, she still couldn’t help worrying. “Then what about your company?”
Seeing his wife’s adorable appearance—clearly caring deeply but putting on a cold front—Qin Nanfeng really wanted to laugh, but he held it in.
Right now, Xiao Yuan was influenced by her memories.
Limited emotional stimulation was fine, but too strong could easily trigger an outburst from “her.”
“It’s fine. There’s nothing major going on lately, and the company can operate normally without me.”
Qin Nanfeng continued to lovingly stroke his wife’s head, a smile lingering at the corner of his mouth.
Then his tone dropped. “Besides… you’re the most important…”
“Mm…” Lin Xinyuan lowered her head, her shoulders trembling.
She was stunned, but in the end, she didn’t say anything.
The atmosphere fell silent, as if sinking back into the quiet of before.
But just then, the man spoke up again, slowly, with a tone that couldn’t hide his affection.
“Curling smoke from the village, clinging to never part…”
At that moment, Lin Xinyuan’s beautiful eyes moved, her heart trembled violently, and a sour feeling spread through her chest.
She naturally knew he was referring to little Yiyi’s name.
She still didn’t dare lift her head.
She just stared blankly at the little one in her arms—who was now extremely cute compared to the wrinkled, ugly appearance she had at birth, smiling happily at her—and her heart throbbed.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her head.
Fleeting memories flashed through her mind, and the gloom wrapped around her heart seemed to recede a little.
’So there was another meaning… I knew it wasn’t that simple…’
’Feng Ge…’
’Why… why are you still so good to me…’
She felt sad…
But also so happy…