Chapter 103: The Choice to Reveal

Thus, the final decision once again fell upon Jiang Huan. Jiang Huan glanced at the woman, who flinched slightly, seemingly convinced that Jiang Huan would refuse, her face already marked by a hint of fear.

Jiang Huan thought to herself, Am I really that intimidating?

“I have only two questions,” Jiang Huan said. “First, can you find someone to deliver the baby? Second, if the disaster worsens, are you prepared to make the decision to give birth to this child no matter what?”

Jiang Huan’s questions gave pause even to those who were endlessly tolerant of children.

Some even wondered, what if the situation turned out like those zombie scenarios in books and on television?

Children are often unpredictable.

“We’re not worried about that. Is there a doctor? I will take good care of the child and won’t trouble anyone,” the woman said, her face glowing with maternal love.

Jiang Huan nodded. “Since that’s the case, if no one objects, I won’t interfere with your choice. However, I don’t like hearing a baby crying next door, so I need a different neighbor. As compensation for your hard work moving, I will personally provide some supplies to you.”

The woman exchanged a glance with her husband and accepted the terms.

The others were happy for the woman being allowed to keep her child.

This disaster had dragged on for nearly a year without end, and the imminent arrival of new life was a spiritual uplift.

New life always symbolizes new possibilities, new hope.

In the end, the one who moved next to Jiang Huan and her sibling was Xie Congzhou. He was quiet; at night, Jiang Huan could hear no sounds from next door. Once during a midday rest, he left his door open, and Jiang Huan saw him lying perfectly straight as he slept.

Is it really possible to sleep so stiffly?

The woman with the child in her womb often sought out Bai Weishuang, likely influenced by Jiang Huan’s question that prompted her to choose Bai Weishuang as the midwife for her baby.

However, Jiang Huan had noticed Liu Ling’s strange gaze more than once.

Jiang Huan wasn’t one to pry into others’ affairs, but she did remember Liu Ling and Wang Ping. Back in Building Six, those two seemed to be preparing for pregnancy.

She couldn’t recall if Liu Ling had ever been pregnant—if she had, the pregnancy must have ended in miscarriage given how long her belly hadn’t changed.

Lately, Liu Ling kept watching Bai Weishuang; could it be that she also wanted a child?

Jiang Huan asked subtly, “Sister Liu, if you want a child too, I will help you.”

Liu Ling’s significance to Jiang Huan was unlike anyone else’s.

If Liu Ling longed for a child, Jiang Huan was capable of offering that help.

Liu Ling paused, unsure whether to feel touched or amused. “No, the weather clearly signals a turning point. If the situation worsens, carrying a child won’t be good for any of us. If things improve, it’s not too late for us to have children.”

Jiang Huan nodded. Since Liu Ling wasn’t desperately yearning for a child, she said, “Then why have you been watching Bai Weishuang so much lately? I thought you might have your own plans.”

Liu Ling’s expression turned serious as she tugged on Jiang Huan’s arm. “Come here, I have something to tell you.”

Previously, Liu Ling had wanted to speak but never found the right moment, especially after the news of Xie Li’s pregnancy caused disruptions, and then she simply forgot amidst the chaos.

Now was the perfect moment.

Following Liu Ling’s lead, they walked about a hundred meters before she stopped.

So secretive—what could she be about to say?

“I think, no, I’m certain Bai Weishuang is acting strangely,” Liu Ling said. She shared her observations, including how Bai Weishuang had deliberately mentioned the pitiful conditions at the mountain base during a meal and then followed Liu Ling afterward.

She added, “I’ve been watching her closely these past few days. She’s unusually close to the Xie family. It’s not forbidden to be friendly—after all, you said everyone lives together with no need for clear boundaries—but Bai Weishuang initially came to rely on you and has lived under our protection in Building Six. Even so, she shouldn’t be more attentive to the Xie family. Moreover, she’s been giving that woman extra rations, including nutritional supplements. I don’t think that woman is malnourished.”

After Liu Ling finished, Jiang Huan’s curious expression faded, replaced by a cold detachment.

She had zero tolerance for betrayal or treachery.

However, it would be best to catch her in the act; otherwise, the shelter would lose a valuable doctor.

Liu Ling seemed aware of the situation’s complexity and recalled the Chinese medicine father and son. She shook her head. “Their skills are good, but family is family. Choosing to take refuge at the base is natural. But what we can provide is no worse than the base.”

Liu Ling had been to the base with Jiang Huan. The cafeteria there served various flour-based cakes and thickened soups, with occasional meat, vegetables, rice, noodles, buns, canned food, and sweet soups made from frozen fruit—a level of treatment Liu Ling didn’t think any other place matched.