On the day of the divorce, I became Qin Shao's darling.

Lin Xiwei also noticed this and subconsciously straightened her back, feeling a sense of hope.

"Well, my husband and I have been married for four years and have one child..."

Lin Xiwei briefly explained her situation with Su Yunfan.

This includes the couple's division of labor in the family, the operation of Su Yunfan's company, Su Yunfan's current extramarital affair and his initiative to file for divorce, and the fact that their child is sick and hospitalized, requiring a lot of money, etc.

"Finally, there's one more unusual point: the child isn't my husband's biological child. He suffers from fertility issues, and the child was conceived through IVF with donor sperm. I've heard that in such situations, the court tends to award custody to the father?"

Qin Jiamo listened to the previous paragraphs, but remained expressionless and did not react.

His expression changed slightly when he heard that the child was conceived through in-vitro fertilization with donor sperm.

A few days ago, Meng Junhe said that in recent years, the proportion of infertility in our country has been increasing year by year, and the government has had to actively encourage college students and firefighters to donate sperm to enrich the China Sperm Bank.

Unexpectedly, there is a real-life example right before our eyes, where someone actually fulfilled their wish to become a parent through this method.

"That's generally how it is, but there are some special circumstances that the court will take into consideration. For example, as you said, the man has shown signs of abandonment," Qin Jiamo explained calmly.

Lin Xiwei perked up, "So, the court doesn't necessarily have to award custody of the child to him?"

"certainly."

Qin Jiamo responded to her question verbally, but in his heart he was thinking about the investigation on his friend's side.

Last week, Meng Junhe said that Yue Lang's sample had been used and they were looking for information about the child, which would take at most two days.

It's Monday already, why haven't we heard anything yet?

Looking at the woman in front of him, his mind began to wander.

Could the woman in front of me be the person my friend is looking for?

—Could it be that her child is the bloodline that Yue Lang has never met?

Qin Jiamo has never paid much attention to women. Apart from the chance encounter on the balcony, he didn't know that he and Lin Xiwei had met several times in the elevator before, nor did he know that Lin Xiwei was the "mother of the lost little boy" that Han Rui had mentioned.

Otherwise, he would definitely ask more about the child's situation now.

Returning to his senses, he looked at Lin Xiwei, paused slightly, and said with a hint of apology, "Ms. Lin, I sympathize with your situation, but I've been very busy with personal matters lately and don't have time to represent you. If you'd like, I can arrange for other divorce lawyers in my team to serve you; they are also very excellent."

This sincerity has exceeded Qin Jiamo's usual style and attitude.

Firstly, it's about saving face for Professor Chu.

Secondly, it's a way of thanking the person who fixed the computer.

Third, Lin Xiwei's personal charm.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiwei nodded without much hesitation, "Of course I accept, thank you, Attorney Qin."

Actually, she was already prepared before she came.

Given Qin Jiamo's status and position in the legal profession, it's highly unlikely that he would take on such a small case. The fact that he even gets to see her is out of respect for Professor Chu.

The fact that she's giving her such a polite reply now is probably to repay the favor she received from the person who fixed her computer earlier.

Lin Xiwei was secretly delighted. It seemed that God was on her side, allowing her to help Attorney Qin in such a convenient way, which resulted in this opportunity.

"Then I'll have my secretary arrange it." Qin Jiamo finished speaking and was about to press the intercom when his personal cell phone rang.

He glanced at it, and seeing it was a friend, his gaze instantly sharpened.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call." He picked up his phone, turned and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, then answered in a low voice, "Junhe, did you find out?"

On the other end, Meng Junhe's tone was somewhat complicated, "We found out, but..."

"What is it?" Qin Jiamo urged.

"We did find out, but the other party's IVF failed and the embryo was miscarried," Meng Junhe replied.

Qin Jiamo's face darkened: "It failed and miscarried?"

"Yes, the success rate of IVF is not high to begin with, and miscarriage is very normal. Some people only succeed after three or four attempts."

Meng Junhe specializes in reproductive medicine and is very knowledgeable about this.

"Could there be a mistake?" Qin Jiamo was clearly unable to accept this result and asked with a glimmer of hope.

"Impossible, I won't tell you anything uncertain."

Qin Jiamo held his phone, his deep eyes gazing at the skyscrapers outside through the floor-to-ceiling window, his emotions a complex mix that defied description.

Originally, he thought that his younger brother would have a bloodline left in the world, which would bring some comfort to his elderly parents.

I don't want to see any glimmer of hope shattered again.

At her desk, Lin Xiwei took out her phone and texted Sister Hong, asking how her son was doing that morning and whether he had eaten lunch.

She was startled when Qin Jiamo suddenly asked, "Did you have a miscarriage?"

So this lawyer Qin is already married?

And his wife had a miscarriage?

Holding her phone, she felt a little embarrassed, her mind filled with thoughts of how to comfort him later.

Qin Jiamo put down her phone, then remembered that there were still clients in the office. She quickly composed herself and turned back.

Lin Xiwei put away her phone, sat up, looked at him, cleared her throat, and said, "Um... Attorney Qin, you're still young, you'll definitely have children in the future."

"Huh?" Qin Jiamo was taken aback and looked at her. "What child?"

"Well... when you answered the phone just now, I heard something about a miscarriage."

Lin Xiwei's smile grew increasingly awkward. In an attempt to offer more sincere comfort, she hastily used herself as an example, "Actually, I only succeeded on my second attempt at IVF. As long as we are destined to have a child, it will come sooner or later."

Her intention was to comfort him, but her comfort hit Qin Jiamo precisely where his depression was.

My friend also said that the success rate of IVF is not high.

Here's a living example right now.

His mood darkened further. Not wanting to explain the misunderstanding, he simply pressed the intercom button and let Fangfang in.

"Attorney Qin, you wanted to see me?" Fangfang knocked on the door and entered, smiling elegantly.

Attorney Qin nodded slightly: "Take Miss Lin to see Attorney Zeng and have her wholeheartedly represent Miss Lin's case."

"Okay." Fangfang nodded in response, and extended her hand to Lin Xiwei, "Miss Lin, please come with me."

Lin Xiwei stood up and looked at Qin Jiamo sincerely, saying, "Thank you, Attorney Qin, for your trouble."

"You're welcome."

Lin Xiwei turned around and followed Fangfang's steps, but just as she reached the door, Han Rui walked in.

Fangfang greeted Han Rui.

Han Rui nodded and smiled, but his gaze shifted to Lin Xiwei, and his expression froze: "Hey, what a coincidence? Didn't we meet in the hospital elevator a few days ago?"

Lin Xiwei also recognized Han Rui and replied with a smile, "Yes, we met at the hospital."

After exchanging greetings, the two went their separate ways.

Han Rui entered the office and looked at Qin Jiamo, saying, "Boss, isn't this woman the little boy's mother? What does she want with you?"

Qin Jiamo was in a bad mood, and his expression became even colder. He casually asked, "What little boy?"

"Just a few days ago, when we came out of the old lady's ward, we encountered a lost little boy. Director Yan and I both thought the little boy looked like you..."

At this point, Han Rui remembered that his boss didn't like hearing this, so he immediately stopped.

Qin Jiamo's expression froze, and she looked up at him.

Han Rui's scalp tightened, thinking he had once again offended his boss, and he quickly explained, "Um... it's just that Director Yan and I have bad eyesight, we didn't mean anything by it."

But Qin Jiamo didn't scold him. Instead, she asked sincerely, "Does that child really look like me?"

Han Rui raised an eyebrow, looking at the boss who didn't understand what he meant.

"I'm asking you a question."

Han Rui snapped out of his daze and quickly nodded: "It does look a bit like him! But I think he looks more like the Second Young Master, it's a pity that the Second Young Master is also single and unmarried."

Qin Jiamo's expression changed even more noticeably. "You mean that child is the son of that Miss Lin from earlier?"

"Is that lady surnamed Lin?" Han Rui asked, then nodded in response, "That child is her son. We've bumped into each other a few times in the hospital elevator."

Qin Jiamo fell into deep thought, his mind replaying his friend's words.

His shattered hope suddenly rekindled, and he picked up his phone to call Meng Junhe again.

Are you sure there are no errors in the investigation?

Meng Junhe was speechless. "There's no way I could make a mistake. You're so suspicious of my work?"

"Okay, got it."

Qin Jiamo hung up the phone and looked at Han Rui, instructing him, "Go and investigate that Miss Lin's son."

Han Rui looked surprised and paused for a few seconds before asking, "Boss, what... what does this mean? Did you and that Miss Lin... have a brief affair?"

So you suspect that someone else's child is—

Qin Jiamo shot him a cold, sharp glare, and he shrank back, quickly nodding, "I'll go check right away!"

Fangfang took Lin Xiwei to see a female lawyer surnamed Zeng.

Attorney Zeng, who specializes in divorce cases, was filled with righteous indignation upon hearing about Lin Xiwei's ordeal.

However, Lin Xiwei was in a hurry to get back to work and didn't have time to continue the conversation, so the two had to reschedule for another day.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the hospital, after Su Chengjun woke up from his afternoon nap, he was surprised to find that his father was actually watching over him by his bedside.

Although he was angry that his father didn't defend his mother, and he knew that his father had fallen for someone else, children are ultimately simple-minded.

Especially when the little one is cooped up in the hospital and feels very lonely.

Seeing his father come to keep him company, his little heart immediately gave in.

There was a brief silence between father and son. Su Yunfan fed his son some cut fruit and asked with a smile, "Junjun, did you miss your dad?"

The little one pouted, his eyes reddened, and he said, "I want to..."

Su Yunfan stroked her son's bald head and asked, "Did Mom shave it for you?"

"Um."

"Where did Mom go? Why isn't she at the hospital with you?" Su Yunfan continued to play the role of a loving father.

Caught off guard, Junjun ate the fruit his father fed him while replying, "Mom went to work, she'll come and keep me company tonight."

"Going to work?" Su Yunfan asked in surprise. "When did Mom find a job?"

Junjun shook his head, his eyes looking bewildered.

Su Yunfan didn't speak, but his expression became thoughtful.

He understood that Lin Xiwei was going to work so that she would have more leverage when she fought him for custody of their child.

He didn't care whether he could win the child or not; he just wanted to protect the property he had worked so hard to earn.

Lost in thought for a moment, Su Yunfan smiled and asked his son, "Junjun, if Mommy and Daddy separated, would you stay with Daddy or Mommy?"

Without hesitation, the little one replied, "With Mommy."

"But Mom is too busy and doesn't have time to spend with you. Besides, Mom doesn't have money to treat your illness, let alone buy you delicious food or fun toys."

Su Yunfan gently and patiently coaxed her son.

"Why don't you stay with your dad? Dad's a boss, he's got a lot of money. He can not only cure your illness, but also fulfill all your wishes."

He emphasized "all" in a very exaggerated tone.

Junjun stared blankly at his father as he listened to his words.

Su Yunfan thought the child was interested, so he touched his face and tried even harder to coax him: "If you stay with your dad, you'll have a big sister to play with you and take care of you every day. Aunt Xiaorou will also be a very gentle mom."

"No." Junjun shook his head, refusing to eat the fruit. "I want my mom."

"..." Su Yunfan's smile froze instantly.

Outside the ward, Grandma Qin, supported by her caregiver, gazed longingly at the little boy inside, her face trembling with an excited smile.

"This child is so cute...just as lovable as Yue Lang when he was a child."

Grandpa Qin kept pulling at him, saying, "Let's go quickly, their father is here. Don't let them find out and think we're child traffickers."

Su Yunfan had his back to the door, so the Qin family elders could only see his back.

In their eyes, the father and son in the ward were chatting and laughing, creating a warm atmosphere.

When the nanny, Sister Hong, returned from outside, she saw several people gathered outside the ward and asked curiously, "Who are you? Are you here to visit Junjun?"

Mr. Qin was startled and turned around abruptly.

"Uh... um, we're looking for someone, but we've come to the wrong ward..." the old man replied, urging his wife to hurry up and leave.

Grandma Qin turned around, smiled kindly at Sister Hong, and inquired, "The child inside... is called Junjun?"

Sister Hong looked wary and didn't answer. Instead, she asked them, "Who are you? Mr. Su is inside. Ask him what you want to say."

As she spoke, Sister Hong was about to push the door open and go inside.

"No, no, we've gone to the wrong ward." Mr. Qin, feeling guilty, quickly gestured to the caregiver.

Madam Qin was pulled back into her wheelchair, and the group left in a hurry.

"That's strange... Could it be that Mr. Su's mistress's parents have come to the hospital?" Sister Hong muttered to herself as she pushed open the door to the ward.

Seeing that his son was unresponsive, Su Yunfan's face fell and he stood up.

Just then, I saw Sister Hong come back.

"You take care of him. I have something to do at the company, so I'm leaving," Su Yunfan said calmly.

Sister Hong hesitated for a moment, then called out, "Mr. Su."

"What's wrong?"

"I just saw an elderly couple outside the door, acting suspiciously. I wonder if they were looking for you," Sister Hong said hesitantly.

Su Yunfan glanced at the door, unconcerned. "They must have gone to the wrong place. I don't know any elderly couple."

Su Yunfan's mother passed away from illness two years ago.

My father is still alive, but he has always lived alone.

What elderly couple would be looking for him?

Before Sister Hong could say anything more, Su Yunfan's phone rang. He answered the call and walked away without looking back.

"What a heartless person! He abandoned his family after having a mistress. He'll get his comeuppance," Sister Hong muttered to herself, then turned to keep Junjun company as he looked dejected.

Mr. Qin pushed his wife in a wheelchair, with a caregiver by their side, and the group slowly returned to the outside of the ward.

The old lady's mind was filled with thoughts of the child she had just seen, and she kept sighing, "Old Qin, if only that child were Yue Lang's..."

"They have a father, so stop daydreaming."

Mr. Qin spoke frankly, and although he also hoped for it, he remained rational.

"Let me think about it, it's not illegal..." The old lady's eyes were red, and she held one hand to her chest. "I dreamt last night that I was playing with that child, and he called me grandma. Oh, my heart melted."

The old man continued his sarcastic remarks: "Hey, I think you've gone mad! Try another hospital tomorrow. I'm afraid if you keep going like this, you might really lose control and try to snatch the child."

"What do you mean, snatching the child?" Qin Jiamo walked out of the ward, looked at her parents who had returned from outside, and questioned them in a deep voice.

"Where did you go? Didn't the doctor tell you to stay in bed and rest? Why did you get out of bed and run out?"