The Introvert is Becoming the Police Station's Beloved!

Chapter 430: Chapter 430: Zhou Lin (Part 1)

After the two graduated, she defied her parents’ wishes for the first time and secretly registered her marriage with Shi Jie.

After getting married, Shi Jie always pampered her and went along with her.

Except for the issue of having children, she was very happy.

But unfortunately, they just couldn’t have children!

They had seen doctors and taken medicine, but to no avail.

It had been ten years; this year marked their tenth anniversary.

In their eighth year, they agreed that if they still didn’t have a child by the tenth year, they would adopt one.

Today, they were going to adopt a child.

Zhou Lin looked grim, unable to overcome the barrier in her heart.

How was she supposed to love a child that wasn’t hers?

Shi Jie understood his wife’s dilemma, but there was nothing he could do as the family pressure was too overwhelming.

They finished their meal in silence, then packed up to head to the orphanage where they had an appointment.

On the way, Zhou Lin looked at her husband’s profile and asked, "Honey, I don’t know if I can truly love an adopted child. What if I can’t...?"

Shi Jie: "Don’t think too much. Feelings will develop over time.

I believe, over time, you’ll come to see the child as your own."

Hearing her husband’s words, Zhou Lin turned to look out the window, convinced that she wouldn’t.

A child born to her and one not born to her were fundamentally different.

When they arrived at the orphanage, the staff took them inside.

The director warmly welcomed them when they arrived.

Zhou Lin and Shi Jie looked at the children in the orphanage, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

The director brought them to a room to introduce each child in the facility.

They were not interested in the older children.

Nor were they considering younger children, as they required too much energy and attention; they didn’t want to be overwhelmed with looking after a child.

Both of them were working and had busy schedules.

"These are the children aged four to six."

The director led ten children into the room.

The children brightened when they saw Zhou Lin and Shi Jie, but their eyes were filled with caution and expectancy.

Zhou Lin looked at them numbly, feeling a sense of resistance.

Shi Jie kindly chatted with each child.

After talking with all the children, Shi Jie focused on one.

He was a little boy, cute, perceptive, and very clever.

Shi Jie discussed it with his wife, Zhou Lin glanced at the boy her husband pointed out and casually nodded.

"As long as you’re satisfied."

Shi Jie: ...

He sighed and began arrangements with the director.

The adoption process was quickly completed, and the name was changed to Shi Ming.

When Shi Jie and Zhou Lin left, there was one more little boy with them.

"Mingming, this will be your home from now on. Are you happy?"

Shi Ming looked at his new home, smiling happily, "Happy! Mom and Dad, I really like it here, and I really like you too!"

Seeing the child’s expectant eyes, Zhou Lin forced a smile, "Hmm, sit down and rest. After dinner, go to your room and sleep."

After saying this, Zhou Lin went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Shi Jie watched his wife leave, then looked down at Shi Ming, his expression somber.

Shi Ming looked up, innocently smiling at Shi Jie, unaware of his somber mood.

"Heh."

Seeing the child like this, Shi Jie chuckled softly and pointed at the sofa, gently saying, "Sit on the sofa and rest for a while. I’ll buy you toys tomorrow."

"Thank you, Dad!"

Shi Ming obediently went to the sofa, clumsily climbed up, and sat down.

Watching this series of actions, Shi Jie chuckled again and headed to the study.

In the evening, with one more child in the house, the atmosphere noticeably changed.

Shi Ming was very happy, chatting eagerly with his new parents, trying hard to please them.

Shi Jie cooperated well.

Zhou Lin... she didn’t know why, but she couldn’t bring herself to like the child.

Even though he was well-behaved, obedient, and perceptive, she still couldn’t like him.

At night, Shi Jie took the child to bathe, while Zhou Lin listened to the playful laughter from the bathroom, feeling a sense of powerlessness rise in her heart.

At that moment, Zhou Lin’s mother called.

"Hello, Mom..."

Hearing her mother’s voice, Zhou Lin’s eyes welled up with warmth.

However, when her mother asked about the adoption, she became numb again.

About twenty minutes after hanging up, the doorbell rang.

Father and Mrs. Zhou knew that their daughter and son-in-law had adopted a child and came over immediately.

Shi Jie had just finished bathing Shi Ming and was getting him ready for bed when he saw his in-laws arriving, greatly surprised.

Father Zhou waved his hand, "We heard you adopted a child, so we came to take a look."

Mrs. Zhou happily looked at Shi Ming, taking out a toy she bought on the way, "Mingming, I’m Grandma. This is a toy Grandma bought for you. Do you like it?"

Shi Ming glanced at his parents; Shi Jie nodded, "Quick, thank Grandpa and Grandma."

"Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma," Shi Ming grinned, happily accepting the toy.

"Ah, that’s good."

Mrs. Zhou beamed at Shi Ming, as elderly people tended to like children.

But since her daughter and son-in-law couldn’t have their own child, she understood her daughter’s pride.

However, Shi Jie was such a good man that they couldn’t be selfish about it.

They supported their daughter and son-in-law’s decision to adopt.

If you can’t have one, then adopt.

As long as the child is well-raised, biological or not, they will be filial.

Father Zhou glanced around the living room but didn’t see his daughter.

"Where’s Linlin?"

Shi Jie awkwardly pointed to the bedroom, "Linlin’s not feeling well, she’s lying down in the bedroom."

Father and Mrs. Zhou sighed.

Mrs. Zhou got up and headed towards the bedroom, "I’ll go check on Linlin."

Father Zhou stayed in the living room, watching Shi Jie and Shi Ming.

"When will the child’s registration be done?"

Shi Jie: "Probably next week. We both go back to work tomorrow and won’t have time, so I’ll schedule an appointment online tomorrow."

Father Zhou nodded at these words, turning his gaze to the child playing with a toy.

"This child... since you’ve brought him home, treat him well. He’s still young, and if you’re good to him, he’ll remember it."

"I understand, Dad."

Soon, Mrs. Zhou came out, her face filled with concern.

"Let’s go, let them have some time to adjust. The child just arrived; they need time for each other."

Father Zhou stood up and spoke slowly.

Father and Mrs. Zhou left, leaving only Shi Jie and the newly adopted Shi Ming in the living room.

Playing with his toy, Shi Ming suddenly looked up at Shi Jie.

His expression and gaze were nothing like those of a typical five or six-year-old child.

Seeing Shi Ming’s expression, Shi Jie slightly raised an eyebrow, his voice cold, "Go rest."

He spoke and then, without another glance at Shi Ming, returned to his bedroom.

In the quiet living room, the child got up slowly, looking around at his new home.