Chapter 17

Dr. Lin was investigated too.

Supernatural events couldn't serve as evidence.

But bottles of medicine, irregular prenatal records, and conflicting statements could all be examined.

I handed everything to the authorities.

I no longer wanted to handle it myself.

I only wanted to rest through the rest of my pregnancy.

To bring Nian'an safely into the world.

But from that day on, she never spoke.

I began counting the days.

Twenty-eight weeks.

Thirty.

Thirty-two.

Every test came back normal.

The doctor said she was developing well.

Still, I couldn't relax.

Every night before sleep, I rested a hand on my belly.

"Nian'an."

"I had your favorite food today."

"Grandma bought you lots of clothes."

"There's a yellow dress too."

"I think you'll look lovely in it."

No answer.

I kept talking.

"You don't have to tell fortunes anymore."

"You don't have to know the future."

"You don't have to save me."

My voice caught.

"Just grow up safe and well."

A gentle kick.

I laughed through my tears.

"Yes."

"I know you can hear."

At thirty-six weeks, the nightmares began.

In them, I stood before the old well.

Its mouth had been destroyed.

But I could still hear water below.

Drip.

Drip.

A voice sounded.

"Qinghe."

I turned.

No one.

The voice came again.

"Did you think it was over?"

I went cold.

Lu Changsheng.

I looked down into the well.

Blackness.

A pair of eyes slowly opened.

He smiled.

"Have you forgotten?"

"A pact can be revoked."

"But a curse…"

"Never disappears."

I jolted awake.

3:17.

A dull ache pulsed in my lower belly.

I touched it.

"Nian'an?"

Nothing.

Panic rose.

"Sweetheart?"

Still silence.

I called Mom immediately.

She took me to hospital in the middle of the night.

After examining me, the doctor said I was showing signs of labor.

They took me into the delivery room.

Before the doors closed, I gripped Mom's hand.

"Mom."

"I'm scared."

She cried.

"It's all right."

"I'm here."

I shook my head.

"I'm not afraid of the pain."

I looked at my belly.

"I'm afraid…"

"She won't let herself be born."

Chapter 12: The Eighteenth Time, She Was Born

Labor lasted for hours.

The pain left me too weak to speak.

The doctor and midwife kept encouraging me.

I tried to follow their instructions.

But only one thought remained.

Nian'an.

Please be safe.

Toward dawn, the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

The baby's heart rate dropped at times.

The doctor assessed the situation quickly and decided to intervene.

I lay there, soaked in sweat, my ears ringing.

Through the haze, I saw the red room again.

But this time, the four walls were white.

A small bed stood in the center.

Nian'an sat on it in a white dress.

Soft black hair.

Her back turned to me.

I began to cry.

"Nian'an!"

She didn't turn.

I stepped closer.

"Sweetheart!"

Softly, she answered, "Mommy."

I dropped to my knees and embraced her.

"At last. I've finally found you."

Nian'an put her arms around my neck.

She was warm.

I couldn't stop crying.

"Where have you been?"

"Why wouldn't you talk to me?"

She was silent.

I drew back and looked at her little face.

She smiled.

"Mommy."

"I have to go."

I went numb.

"Where?"

No answer.

I gripped her hand.

"No."

"You promised you'd be born!"

She looked at me, her eyes red.

"Mommy."

"I've used up all my memories."

I shook my head.

"That's all right."

"You can forget."

"I'll remember for you."

She began to cry.

"But I'm scared…"

I held her.

"Of what?"

Her voice broke.

"I'm scared that when I'm born…"

"I won't remember you."

I froze.

Then I laughed through my tears.

"Silly girl."

I stroked her hair.

"Babies don't remember being in their mother's belly."

"But I'll still be your mommy."

"Even if you remember nothing…"

I hugged her tight.

"I'll still love you."

She looked up.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Even if I can't tell fortunes anymore?"

"Yes."

"Even if I can't save you?"

"Yes."

"Even if I'm just an ordinary child?"

I began to cry.

"That's what I want most of all."

She watched me for a long time.

Then she smiled.