Bringing the Nation’s Husband Home - Chapter 850

Chapter 850: Ending (11)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

“Miss Qiao Anhao, do you take Mr. Lu Jinnian to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him, and to honor him all the days of your life?”

Qiao Anhao returned Lu Jinnian’s gaze. Her eyes were smiling and the corner of her lips arched upwards. She was brimming with happiness. “I do.”

Amid the thundering applause from the entire audience, the assistant reminded them to exchange rings.

Beside them, Xu Jiamu hurriedly brought over the rings. Lu Jinnian picked up the female wedding ring and helped Qiao Anhao put it on, after which she picked up the male wedding ring and put it on him.

Infinite applause rose again.

Amid it, the assistant spurred the bride and groom to kiss.

Lu Jinnian stared transfixed at Qiao Anhao. The moment he was just about to lean into the kiss, the assistant suddenly said, “Sorry to interrupt but we all know that the groom has secretly had a crush on the bride for many years, and the bride has liked the groom for a really long time as well, yet the two of you stubbornly didn’t tell each other. On behalf of everyone, I want to ask who was first to break the ice? I mean, who was the first to confess?”

Who was first to confess?

This question left Qiao Anhao dumbfounded… She accidentally broke the porcelain doll and saw the note inside, then found out that Lu Jinnian was in love with her. That was why she chased him to America and harassed him… did that count?

Just as Qiao Anhao racked her brain over how to answer, Lu Jinnian all of a sudden said out loud, “She confessed first.”

The entire audience burst into an incredible commotion.

Qiao Anhao’s face turned a little red from everyone’s cheering. She turned her head and shot Lu Jinnian a scolding glance, muttering, “I wonder who gave me the porcelain doll with the love letter inside.”

There was a microphone on Qiao Anhao’s wedding dress, and so although she spoke quietly, everyone present heard it. The noise rose again.

Lu Jinnian copied Qiao Anhao’s tone of voice and calmly said, “I wonder who chased me to America, hugged me in the airport, crying, threw a tantrum, and said she loves me.”

Qiao Anhao was so instantly stifled by his words, she was left gaping and speechless. When she heard the sound of laughter below the stage, her face flushed, her cheeks puffed up, and she secretly cursed him, he was being so annoying!

In a wheelchair below the stage, Qiao Anxia heard Lu Jinnian’s words and shot Qiao Anhao a look as though to call her ‘worthless’. Then she casually laughed along with the crowd at her discomfort.

Due to that steady gaze and smile, Qiao Anhao became more disgruntled. She pursed her lips and retaliated in anger, “Then I wonder who played ‘Paper, Scissors, Rock’ every time to confess, 520 1 !”

“Wa…” When Qiao Anhao said this, there were quite a lot of women in the audience who made the hand gesture for “Paper, Scissors, Rock”. As they realized that it was really 520, they couldn’t help but shriek with admiration.

Lu Jinnian said, “I wonder who wrote a me a love letter in the fourth year of university with the words ‘In this lifetime, I will only love you’.”

So annoying… why couldn’t he just let her have this? He was the first to confess!

Qiao Anhao wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction. “Hm… I wonder who went and engraved the word ‘Shmily’ onto each gift he gave me, including the wedding ring!”

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Chapter 851: Ending (12)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Shmily… Everyone knew this brand and they knew the secret message behind the letters… See-how-much-I-love-you…

Actually, it wasn’t like Lu Jinnian didn’t want to let Qiao Anhao win. At first, he just wanted to tease her, but he never imagined that she’d come back with so many retorts. With that, he continued on.

“I wonder who studied hard for over half a year to get into Class One just to be my classmate.”

“I wonder who left half the maths test paper empty just to be my classmate, and got switched over to Class Three!” retaliated Qiao Anhao, unwilling to submit. Later, she added, “So much so he especially tracked down my desk to use!”

“I wonder who got into A University for me in the end!”

“I wonder who went to Hangzhou just for me!” In case one might not be enough, Qiao Anhao added, “Also, when everyone hung out together in middle high, I wonder who stayed up and secretly drove the mosquitoes away!”

In actuality, she didn’t know about it at first but she found out after secretly talking to Qiao Anxia these past few days. Naturally, her sister also told her something else, so Qiao Anhao continued by adding, “Also, who was the one who asked around for my whereabouts during the five years we didn’t keep in contact!”

Hehe… Qiao Anxia told her? Well she had told him something too… Lu Jinnian calmly said, “Then I wonder who would run off to Shanghai every other day to hang out with her sister, but was actually coming to find me in Hangzhou!”

With that, Lu Jinnian also quietly added, “Oh, and I wonder who kept those airplane and train tickets, and the couple hundred bucks I gave to her back then until now.”

Qiao Anhao’s eyes suddenly shot wide open, and she then stared at Qiao Anxia below the stage!

Traitor!

In the past few days, Qiao Anhao had told her sister all her little secrets when she asked her about the moment she fell in love with Lu Jinnian. And in the end, that Qiao Anxia actually told everything to Lu Jinnian?

As Qiao Anxia met Qiao Anhao’s eyes, she let out a gentle chuckle and looked completely not bothered by the hate-filled gaze Instead, she slightly raised her chin, and even gave her a look as if to say ‘what can you do about it?’.

They say sisterhood runs deep! So it’s all just a lie!

Qiao Anhao secretly gritted her teeth, she turned her head and stared into Lu Jinnian’s relaxed eyes, and said while fuming, “I wonder who stalked me in the middle of the night a few times, just to sneak a glance from afar back then!”

She said this in the spur of the moment, but when she said it out loud, she felt intensely touched in her heart.

The two of them only now realized just how many wonderful memories they shared, once they took the time to actually run through what had happened.

At that moment, Lu Jinnian, who was just playing around at first, looked over with a serious and intense gaze. His tone of voice was no longer calm and emotionless but filled with passion. “I wonder who saw that we were voted the best screen couple at the New Years and crouched down outside of the Qiao villa to cry alone.”

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Chapter 852: Ending (13)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Did Qiao Anxia tell him this too?

But at that moment, Qiao Anhao’s heart still lingered with unwillingness to lose.

Obviously every one was just making jokes and messing around, but in the end, their chests were brimming with a warm sensation.

It was meant to be time to start the reception dinner, but as the master of ceremonies, the assistant didn’t go and interrupt their conversation to remind them. Instead, he secretly walked off stage, said a few words to the staff below, and walked back up.

Qiao Anhao’s eyes started to heat up, as she stared transfixed at Lu Jinnian’s handsome complexion. Her voice started to evidently tremble. “I wonder who was the one who went to school during the day and worked nights in middle high just to be able to buy me a cake from Black Swan.”

As she said this, the “Wedding march song” that was playing stopped. Another song started playing.

That song was the official soundtrack from a recently popular movie. Many people had heard it before.

As the song played on, it turned out that it wasn’t the original singer’s voice, but instead Qiao Anhao’s!

“Often I’d think back to the speckled desk… when I dazed out, I would stare at your silhouette… Perhaps you didn’t know that little ol’ me back then… Secrets in my youth were buried in the far corners of my heart…”

Did Xu Jiamu tell her?

Lu Jinnian shot Xu Jiamu a glance. His brother turned his head, and looked over at Song Xiangsi beside him.

When the female verse was over, it was time for the male verse. Every single person present could tell that the voice was Lu Jinnian’s. “Waited for you at the crossing with my bike… You stayed with me through chilly nights… No matter how beautiful the sunset may be, it doesn’t compare to the color of your eyes… Never said goodbye and farewell, but stayed silent…”

This time, Qiao Anhao didn’t wait for Lu Jinnian to speak. Whilst the song played, she continued to list one incident after the other. “Also, I wonder who took me to the nurse’s room when I was sick, then stayed with me all afternoon, causing the teacher to punish him to stand for the whole day for skipping class.”

In the background, her voice played again. “Did you also think of me every now and then? Like how I often softly recounted the past… In the spring wind and autumn rain, we didn’t say a word… Yet, the spring goes and autumn comes, contact is lost in between.”

Lu Jinnian’s facial expression turned solemn. “And I wonder who entered the entertainment industry just to be the best screen couple with me.”

Qiao Anhao lightly blinked her long eyelashes and said in a low voice, “I wonder who started liking me during the third year of senior high.”

Lu Jinnian gently replied with a question, “I wonder who also fell in love at first sight when we found shelter from the rain in the third year of senior high?”

Qiao Anhao’s tears finally fell. She curved the corner of her lips and said, “Me.”

“Me,” said Lu Jinnian at practically the same time.

The two of them looked at one another and smiled.

The song in the background played on.

“Did you think of me every now and then? Or are you living a life with nothing to do with me… Luckily, we didn’t miss out on our youth… My youth had you, and yours had me.”

After just about a minute, the two of them opened their mouths. The words they said were exactly the same, “I’ve loved you for thirteen years.”

They clearly hadn’t rehearsed this, and yet they were so in sync.

This time, the audience was quiet. The faces of everyone who had laughed at their bickering had an emotional glow about them.

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Chapter 853: Ending (14)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Lu Jinnian shot Qiao Anhao a gentle smile, then finally reached his arms out and pulled her into his embrace. He lowered his head and deeply kissed her lips.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he gave her a deep kiss.

Qiao Anhao raised her arms, hugged his neck, and clumsily kissed him back.

The glistening crystal lights turned endlessly, and the special effects of falling petals floated without end.

The man and woman at center stage kissed deeper, as though there was no one around them.

The ballad about youth played on an infinite loop.

On the final line of the song, after who knows how many replays, the two of them still couldn’t bear to part

“Luckily, we didn’t miss out on our youth… My youth had you, and yours had me.”

The whole audience remained in complete silence.

Lu Jinnian slightly lowered his body and pressed his forehead to Qiao Anhao’s, and followed along with the lyrics, “My youth had you.”

“And mine you,” followed Qiao Anhao, slightly changing the lyrics.

Hard to say who was the first to clap, but what followed was a wave of applause.

Lu Jinnian hugged Qiao Anhao tightly in his arms.

My youth had you, and yours had me.

She was the most beautiful memory of his youth, and he was the most magnificent dream of her adolescence.

–

Lu Jinnian and Qiao Anhao didn’t invite any press to their wedding ceremony, but an unknown guest had recorded a clip and uploaded it online.

In two short hours, there were two headline topics.

[The Big Lu Qiao Wedding] and [Lu Qiao Extravagantly Profess Their Love].

[The Big Lu Qiao Wedding] This thread had quite a few high quality photos of Qiao Anhao and Lu Jinnian’s wedding. The entire scene looked like a dream, and the image touched everyone’s inner romantic.

[Lu Qiao Extravagantly Profess Their Love] contained the video of Qiao Anhao and Lu Jinnian bickering on stage. At first everyone saw the video as a joke, but then it made a lot of viewers cry.

Not only did they cry over the touching thirteen year long love, but they also cried for the similar incidents in their own youth.

Who hasn’t ever gone through adolescence, or had their first awakening of love, or loved anyone in their wild and rebellious youth… Yet, who has relentlessly pursued that love to the very end?

The most touching thing wasn’t love, but that Lu Jinnian and Qiao Anhao had fulfilled the dreams of others who had given up on their love, eventually defeated by reality and lack of trust in themselves.

Because of the scandal, everyone had previously attacked Qiao Anhao. Even after Xu Jiamu came out to clear things up, there were still people who persistently smeared the Lu Qiao couple. However, on this day, they finally received everyone’s honest blessings.

They wished the Lu Qiao to live to a ripe old age together in conjugal bliss.

–

At three in the afternoon, Lu Jinnian took Qiao Anhao to their hotel room to get some rest.

She was pregnant, so after rushing around, she must be tired. Lu Jinnian helped her get out of her difficult dress and into comfortable clothes. He hugged her and asked, “Are you tired?”

Qiao Anhao was actually was a little tired, but tired in a happy way.

She shook her head, and gently kissed him on the lips.

Lu Jinnian took the chance to kiss her deeper. Then, at the right time, he pulled away and stayed with her for a while, until his assistant called him to come down and continue entertaining the guests.

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Chapter 854: Ending (15)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Qiao Anxia hadn’t completely recovered from her wound. After the ceremony ended and they finished with the reception dinner, she headed back to the hospital.

With her gone, all Mother and Father Qiao could do was stay behind to support Qiao Anhao on her big day as a family. Chen Yang was also going to leave with Qiao Anxia, but eventually she stopped him by saying that she was just going to sleep in the hospital anyway so he may as well stay there and have fun for a while. It’d never be too late to come over later that night.

Chen Yang followed her wishes and agreed to stay, but not without personally carrying her into the car first. He fastened her seat belt and gave her a kiss on the lips.

As Qiao Anxia hugged his neck, she whined for another kiss before she finally let go of him.

The car had driven only for a bit when Qiao Anxia turned back to look at Chen Yang’s figure through the front view mirror. He still stood at the hotel doors.

Her face lit up with a beaming smile.

After everything, the heavens didn’t treat her all too bad. She didn’t die, and she and Chen Yang had set a date for May Day to get married. When she fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital, then they could really plan their wedding. By then, she imagined that she’ll definitely be as happy as Qiao Anhao. She had to get better now so that she could be like her sister and have a baby with Chen Yang.

The only thing she regretted as a sister was that her child would have to call Qiao Anhao’s child ‘Big Brother’ or ‘Big Sister’!

Back in the hospital, Qiao Anxia felt weak with exhaustion. The doctor gave her a check up to find that her wound showed signs of opening up again but it wasn’t serious. After the staff fixed her up, it became no big deal.

On an IV drip, Qiao Anxia didn’t take long to fall into deep sleep. She didn’t know if it was because of Qiao Anhao’s wedding, but she had a dream. She dreamed of her and Chen Yang’s wedding, until she eventually woke up with a radiant smile. The sun had set outside, the drip had been removed by the nurse, and there were already two plasters stuck on her arm.

She groggily shifted around as she felt around for her phone under her pillow. She wanted to call Chen Yang to ask him how things were at the wedding, but before she could find his number, she heard the sound of nurses outside chatting quietly outside her room. “Your patient really got stabbed in the uterus? Can’t get pregnant?”

Qiao Anxia was stunned. Her fingers were about to make the call when they suddenly froze. Then, she heard the nurse taking care of her say “shhh”. “Don’t say those things in my room. You’re lucky she’s asleep right now, if she wakes up and hears you, then I’m in deep shit!”

“Isn’t she asleep?” asked another nurse.

The nurse taking care of Qiao Anxia whispered, “I’m afraid she can’t get pregnant, but the family’s keeping it from her. Let’s talk about it outside…”

With that, the door closed shut and silence returned to the room.

Qiao Anxia laid dumbfounded in bed for ten whole minutes without the slightest movement, as though someone had pushed her pressure points.

Until a single tear finally rolled down from the corner of her eyes. Only then did she blink, causing even more tears to come crashing down.

What did they say… She damaged her uterus and won’t be able to get pregnant?

What did they mean by ‘can’t get pregnant’? Did that mean she would never be able to become a mother?

Which went to say that the image she had had that afternoon of a cute little baby calling the baby in Qiao Anhao’s belly ‘Big Brother’ or ‘Big Sister’ would never come into existence?

Chapter 855: Ending (16)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Qiao Anxia’s eyes became hollow.

Her pitch-black pupils quivered with helplessness and loss.

How could this be… She wasn’t even qualified to be a mother… Was this punishment for her wrongs from the heavens?

All of a sudden, Qiao Anxia broke into a sob.

How long did she cry for? She didn’t know. It was not until she head a knock at the door that she stopped crying, burying her head into the covers.

It was the nurse. She walked up to the bed and maybe because she assumed that the patient was still asleep, she left soon after.

After the door closed, Qiao Anxia popped her head out from the covers to reveal her falling tears. Her eyes stared at the snowy white ceiling in a daze, as her head went blank.

The nurse returned to the room at seven in the evening.

The tears on Qiao Anxia’s face had dried, but the rims of her eyes were still red. Looking carefully, it wasn’t hard to tell that she was just crying.

“Miss Qiao, you’re awake?” The nurse shot Qiao Anxia a warm smile, as she carried some food over to the table in front of her. “What a coincidence Miss Qiao, dinner’s ready. I’ll come back to take the tray away later.”

Qiao Anxia silently gave a gentle nod but didn’t reach her arm out to grab her chopsticks.

After an hour passed, the nurse came back to take the tray. Seeing that Qiao Anxia hadn’t touched her food, she couldn’t help but ask worriedly, “Miss Qiao, why haven’t you touched your food? Are you not feeling well?”

Qiao Anxia appeared exhausted when she shook her head. She was about to signal for the nurse to take the food away, when suddenly the door swung open. Chen Yang walked in, dressed in the best man’s suit.

“Mr. Chen, you’re back?” The nurse turned her head and greeted Chen Yang, then said, “We don’t know what’s wrong… Miss Qiao didn’t really eat dinner.”

Chen Yang furrowed his brows. He walked over to the front of the bed, reached his hand out to touch the tray and realized that the food was a little cold. He asked the nurse to get a new one, then took a seat by the bed. He felt Qiao Anxia’s forehead and relaxed when he felt that her temperature was normal. His voice was tender when he spoke. “Why aren’t you eating dinner? Is the food not to your liking or are you not feeling well?”

Chen Yang’s series of movements made Qiao Anxia’s heart ache, causing tears to surge again. She quickly lowered them, trying her best to control her emotions, and attempted to sound as normal as possible. “No, perhaps I ate too much at Qiao Qiao’s reception. I’m not really hungry right now.”

“But you have to eat a little or how will you recover.”

Qiao Anxia silently gave a gentle nod and buried herself into his arms.

The nurse swiftly brought over a new tray of food. Chen Yang could tell that Qiao Anxia didn’t really have an appetite, so he fed her one spoonful after another. When she finished eating, he even helped her wipe the corner of her lips. After half an hour, he watched as she took her medicine and helped her brush her teeth, before he put her back in bed.

He knew that she loved her face. Even if she didn’t put on any make up, she had to wash her face every night, so he carefully wiped it with a cleansing facial wipe.

Since Qiao Anxia woke up, Chen Yang would do these things for her every single day.

Before, her heart was filled with happiness, but now it just ached deeply.

It wasn’t like he didn’t know… She couldn’t give birth now, she was disabled, and would never be able to give him a complete family. Why was he treating her so well?

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Chapter 856: Ending?17?

Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem

Just as Cheng Yang was tossing the makeup wipes in the bin, he saw Qiao Anxia staring at him. Bending forward, he patted her face and lightly asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Qiao Anxia snapped out of her daze and shook her head, her eyes still focused on him.

He chuckled as he stood up, then walked to the sofa that was piled full of things.

Qiao Anxia knew that he was finding her makeup bag. She stared at his back for a while more before asking, “Cheng Yang, would you prefer a boy or a girl?”

She could clearly see him still, but the next moment, he turned, glancing at her. “Why the sudden question?”

Qiao Anxia could sense his nervousness, it was as though he was worried about something. “Even Qiao Qiao is pregnant, I think it’s time we consider this issue. So, do you prefer a boy or a girl?”

Cheng Yang calmed slightly upon her response. “You want to hear the truth?”

“Hmm,” she replied. Then added, “Obviously.”

Cheng Yang headed over to the bed with her makeup bag. He removed a cream, squeezing a bit onto his palm before applying it lightly onto her face. Staring straight into her eyes, he replied seriously, “Children are too troublesome, I would much prefer just the two of us.”

Did he say that because he knew she couldn’t get pregnant?

He once told her that if she gave birth to a boy, he could protect her, but if she gave birth to a girl, he would protect the both of them…

Qiao Anxia stared into his eyes, starting to get emotional.

Cheng Yang placed the bottle of cream onto the table. Reaching for her hands, he continued, “Xia Xia, once you’re discharged, let’s get our wedding certificate.”

Her eyes started to sting, and she lowered her them, nodding lightly.

A bright smile tainted Cheng Yang’s lips. Bending, he planted a kiss on her forehead. “Alright, it’s getting late, you should rest now.”

Qiao Anxia struggled to keep a smile, her lips trembling. “Mmh, goodnight.”

“Night.” Cheng Yang caressed her hair and tucked her in before heading to the bathroom.

Only when she heard the sound of running water did she finally collapse. Hiding under the blanket, she started to cry.

He said he wanted to marry her… But how could the Qiao Anxia now be his bride?

She didn’t regret saving Qiao Anhao. Even if she hadn’t done her any wrong and the same incident were to repeat, she would still protect her selflessly…

Hence, she never once blamed anyone for the consequences.

But she couldn’t let Cheng Yang shoulder the burden with her….

–

Today, Lu Jinnian was joyous from deep within, and he never rejected anyone when they came forward to toast him. Towards the end, he started to sway slightly from the alcohol. Before all the guests had left, he was already dead drunk. Xu Jiamu and the assistant had to carry him all the way up.

Xu Jiamu remained downstairs with Mother and Father Qiao all the way till 7 pm. When the guests were finally gone and he was going to rest, his phone started to ring.

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Chapter 857: Ending?18?

Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem

Xu Jiamu stopped and reached for his phone. It was an unknown number. After hesitating slightly, he answered the call.

–

Song Xiangsi wasn’t far from Xu Jiamu when his phone rang. Instinctively, she turned.The instance he picked up the call, his face fell, and the next instance he dashed out of the hotel.

Something must have happened. Song Xiangsi hesitated for a heartbeat before finally following right after him.

When his car started, she pulled open the passenger seat and planted herself down. Xu Jiamu took a quick glance, and without chasing her out he slammed into the accelerator, turning the steering wheel.

The car was silent the entire journey. Xu Jiamu drove over the speed limit, and Song Xiangsi could distinctively feel his hands trembling as he held onto the steering wheel.

The car stopped at the entrance of People’s Hospital. Xu Jiamu didn’t head to the emergency building but instead continued on to the remote mortuary.

There was a policeman standing outside it. He seemed to recognize Xu Jiamu, for he brought him in when he arrived.

Song Xiangsi stood at the entrance, absorbing the eeriness that the place was emitting. She stilled, hesitated, but in the end, she still wasn’t able to enter.

The policeman led Xu Jiamu to one of the beds.

There was a corpse lying there, its face covered with a piece of white cloth.

Xu Jiamu stared at the white cloth for a long while, trembling. In time, he pulled it downwards, revealing Han Ruchu’s pale but peaceful face.

“She bit her tongue and choked to death on the blood.”

Song Xiangsi turned to glance at Xu Jiamu.

He had on a solemn expression. Not once did he open his mouth as he gazed at Han Ruchu.

The room was silent. After about five minutes, Xu Jiamu released the white cloth and took a step back. “Contact the crematorium.”

His voice was calm but Song Xiangsi could see moisture welling up in his eyes.

–

Han Ruchu was an only child. When she married Xu Wanli, the Han family’s business went under Xu family’s business.

After her parents passed away, Han Ruchu rarely contacted the relatives from her side of the family.

Originally, she had some close friends within the circle, but after so many things happened, her reputation was in tatters. No one was willing to be in contact with her, and since she didn’t contact others much, gradually she was left all by herself.

When she was still alive, there weren’t many people she was close to and now that she was dead, why would anyone be willing to send her off?

Even her husband Xu Wanli was currently impossible to contact overseas.

In the end, on her deathbed, the only one there was the son who she believed had betrayed and abandoned her.

Xu Jiamu didn’t hold a funeral for her. Funerals were meant for people to mourn but his mother’s life had been surrounded by schemes and menace, even if he held one, it would end up as a joke.

Throughout the entire cremation and burial, Song Xiangsi stayed by his side.

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Chapter 858: Ending?19?

Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem

Xu Jiamu personally chose the photo for the tombstone. It was taken by Xu Wanli when they were on their honeymoon.

In the photo, Han Ruchu had on a dazzling smile, her face emitting vigor and confidence.

In Xu Jiamu’s memory, his mother had never smiled like that. In front of him, she was always caring and motherly. When she was with Xu Wanli, they were always a loving couple, but behind close doors, they were strangers that didn’t meddle in each other’s business.

When Xu Jiamu received the call informing him about her suicide, he was on the brink of collapse. Even while he was driving, all he could think about was the previous night when she was finally willing to speak to him. At that time, he told her that he would wait for her to come out… Why would she kill herself?

But when her body was finally cremated, he felt unusually calm.

His mother had indeed forgiven him but she didn’t want to live anymore.

She told him, “Jiamu, take good care of yourself.” At that time, she must have already come to the decision.

Maybe when she said that, she had already regretting how she’d led her life to this tragedy. But it was all too late, she could no longer turn back after spending her entire life in hatred. When she was suddenly asked to put down the hate, she was probably confused as to how to continue, choosing the easy way out.

Death was able to rid her off her torment.

What about her? She was finally able to free herself.

Xu Jiamu understood that to Han Ruchu, death was much better than living. 　.

When she was alive, the immense amount of hatred and sorrow she felt had driven her to become a demon.

When she was finally buried, Xu Jiamu could no longer hold it in. He knelt in front of the tombstone, tears streaming down his face.

Regardless of her misdoings, she was after all his mother. She was the one who had suffered in pregnancy for ten long months and had brought him up giving him all the best.

In her entire life, even if she never treated others sincerely, he couldn’t deny that she had treated him wholeheartedly.

After Xu Jiamu and Song Xiangsi left, it was already 5 am the next morning. From the dark skies, there was a tiny drizzle.

Now that it was still early spring, the night rain had them trembling in cold. Xu Jiamu removed his jacket, placing it on Song Xiangsi’s shoulders. He took her hand and they carefully tread down the wet staircase.

They didn’t talk, silently taking in each other’s presence. Sometimes, a silent companion could triumph over a thousand words.

It was 11 am when they returned to the city, the skies already bright. While Xu Jiamu bathed, Song Xiangsi headed downstairs to grab breakfast.

When she returned, she laid the breakfast on the table. Walking over to the dishwasher, she grabbed a few plates over. Just as she was about to put them down, the bedroom door open. Xu Jiamu held up her phone with soaking wet hair. “Phone.”

It was ringing repeatedly.

Song Xiangsi reached over for the phone. After glancing at the screen, she answered the call.

“Xiangsi, what time will you be in the hospital?”

She instinctively turned to glance at Xu Jiamu—he was using a towel to dry his hair. “I’m a little busy now, can I contact you in a few days?”

Chapter 859: Ending?20?

After Song Xiangsi hung up, Xu Jiamu causally asked, “Who called?”

In her memory, he had never asked about her personal life so she was startled by his sudden interest. Randomly, she found an excuse, “It’s from an advertiser but since I’m a little busy recently, I didn’t want to take on anything.”

“Oh.”

“Lets have breakfast,” she said, casually changing the topic.

Xu Jiamu nodded and walked towards the dinning table. With chopsticks, he picked up a bun and stuffed it into his mouth. Lifting his head, he glanced at Song Xiangsi. “If you’re tired, you should just retire. Haven’t you been mentioning quitting for quite some time?”

Song Xiangsi swept a glance at him and joked, “Where am I going to get my income then? Are you going to feed me?”

“I can,” Xu Jiamu replied without hesitation.

Song Xiangsi froze, glancing at him before adding jokingly, “I don’t want to just be a bimbo.”

Xu Jiamu’s lips went up.

Song Xiangsi’s eyes darkened. Bending, she continued to eat the porridge.

Xu Jiamu stared at her, repeating the conversation just now.

Are you going to feed me?

I can.

As he pondered over it, he seemed to have figured things out.

–

Lu Jinnian and Qiao Anhao only found out about Han Ruchu’s death three days after the wedding.

At that time, Qiao Anhao had just visited Qiao Anxia at the hospital, and since it was still early, they decided to shop around the mall for baby products.

While they were looking at baby cots, the sales attendant came forward to introduce the products enthusiastically before asking, “Which one would Mr. and Mrs. Lu prefer?”

Lu Jinnian pointed to a cot made from solid wood. “This.”

Qiao Anhao pointed to a cot with a prettier design. “This”

Together, they replied at the same time.

Glancing at each other, they pointed to the cot the other party had chosen before speaking at the same time yet again. “This one then!”

Both of them wanted to choose the cot the other one preferred but after three tries, they still weren’t able to come to a conclusion. Irritated, Qiao Anhao could no longer hold it in. “Lu Jinnian, stop being so fickle. Which one do you want?”

‘But you’re fickle too…’ Lu Jinnian retorted silently. Looking towards the sales attendant, he said, “We want both.”

Just as he was about to reach for his card, his phone rang, it was a call from his assistant. Lu Jinnian listened as he made payment, his face darkening with each second.

Qiao Anhao glanced at his expression, starting to get nervous as well.

“I understand.” With just two words, Lu Jinnian hung up. After leaving the delivery address, he left the baby shop with Qiao Anhao. When they were out, he turned to look at her. “Qiao Qiao, Han Ruchu is dead.”

Dead?

Qiao Anhao’s mouth went wide in shock as she glanced at Lu Jinnian in disbelief.

Chapter 860: Ending?21?

Qiao Anhao’s mouth went wide in shock as she glanced at Lu Jinnian in disbelief.

After a moment, she asked, “How did she die?”

“She bit her tongue, committing suicide.” After a short pause, he added, “She died yesterday and the burial was done that night.”

It was actually the day before, on their wedding, but Xu Jiamu had pushed the date forward by one day.

Qiao Anhao remained silent.

Han Ruchu had done many bad things – she had killed their child, caused Qiao Anxia to never have children, made Lu Jinnian commit suicide… The more she had thought about it, the more she had wanted to murder her… But now that she was really dead, she couldn’t help feeling sympathetic.

Regardless of circumstances, death is never a good news. Qiao Anhao lost the mood to shop, heading back to Mian Xiu Garden with Lu Jinnian.

On the way back, she sighed. “I never expected her to die just like that, even though in the past I really wished she would just drop dead.”

Lu Jinnian remained silent, focusing on the road ahead.

–

After the wedding, Qiao Anhao only had one job – have a smooth pregnancy.

Qiao Anxia also had one job – rest until she was alright.

Lu Jinnian moved the majority of his work home, and ever since Qiao Anhao became pregnant, he specifically employed Madam Chen, who had served them previously when they were acting as a couple.

As for Xu Jiamu, he resumed his work three days after his mother passed away.

Everyone seemed to be living peacefully, putting everything behind them.

Seven days after Han Ruchu passed away, Xu Jiamu headed over to the cemetery to buy her some incense and to place a bouquet of flowers. When he was back to Su Yuan apartment, it was already 9 pm.

When he opened the apartment door, he heard sounds from the television. Lifting his head, he glanced over at the living room. Song Xiangsi was huddled on the sofa with a light blanket covering her. The image was comforting, so with his lips lifting into smile, he placed his car keys on the cabinet before walking over.

“Have you eaten?” Only after he asked did he realize she was already asleep.

‘Isn’t it still early… How can she have fallen asleep?’ Xu Jiamu mumbled internally.

Subconsciously, he knelt down to stare at her face.

After a long while, he stood up and carried her to the bedroom gingerly. After placing her on the bed, he tucked her in. Just then, she opened her glazed eyes and asked sleepily, “You’re back?”

“Mmh.”

Song Xiangsi sat up. “Have you eaten?”

Xu Jiamu shook his head.

“I left you dinner, it’s in the flask.” Song Xiangsi turned, preparing to get up.

Xu Jiamu reached out to stop her. “I’ll do it, you should sleep.”

“It’s okay, I slept enough.” Due to her pregnancy, she was often asleep so it didn’t matter whether or not she slept now.

Xu Jiamu followed her out of the bedroom. He leaned against the dinning table, staring as she heated the food. Unknowingly, his lips curled upwards into a smile.

Even though Song Xiangsi had already eaten, she sat with him as he ate.

Chapter 861: Ending?22?

Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem

Just then, the commercial break ended and a new variety show “Where are we going, dad?” started airing.

The little boy inside the program was exceptionally cute, his words novel and refreshing, delighting Song Xiangsi. “He’s adorable!” she commented.

Towards the end of the show, she exclaimed, “I hope my child would be this cute!”

Xu Jiamu had always been careful about anti-pregnancy measures so he wasn’t bothered by her words. As he chewed on the rice, he casually replied, “Our child would definitely be much cuter.”

Our child… Those two words caused her heart to tremble, a wave of emotions gushing through her.

Was it just a casual remark or did he really want a child with her?

Song Xiangsi was confused. After a long while, she turned to glance at Xu Jiamu. “Jiamu…”

“Mmh?” He lifted his head towards her. “What’s is it?”

Song Xiangsi lowered her eyes while smiling brightly. Just as she was about to continue, his phone started to ring.

She swallowed the words that she was about to say and using her chin pointed towards the phone.

Even though it was just a glance, she could clearly see the name on his phone screen: Lin Qianqian.

Xu Jiamu swept a glance at the screen. Slowly, he picked up the phone but didn’t rush to answer it, instead, he looked over at Song Xiangsi. “What is it?”

Song Xiangsi shook her head, indicating him to to answer his call.

Xu Jiamu swiped the phone screen and placed the phone by his ear. “Princess Lin, what can I do for you?”

“Brother Jiamu, my father will be back from Beijing tomorrow afternoon, as my fiance, you should come over for a meal…”

Ever since the start of the year after they had verbally initiated the engagement, Lin Qianqian had been calling him her fiance. Even though he was already used to the term, he suddenly felt anxious in front of Song Xiangsi. Instinctively, he raised his palm to cover the speaker. Turning to her, he pointed to the balcony.

Song Xiangsi sat alone at the dinning table, looking at him as he walked to the balcony. After entering, he had even closed the doors…

With a door in between, Song Xiangsi wasn’t able to hear a word he said.

But just now when he was beside her, she had clearly heard what the girl Lin Qianqian had said.

“Brother Jiamu, my father will be back from Beijing tomorrow afternoon, as my fiance, you should come over for a meal…”

Was Xu Jiamu going to visit his father-in-law tomorrow?

Just a moment ago, she had naively wanted to ask what if she was pregnant? Were they going to marry or would she have to get an abortion?

There must be something wrong with her. After just a few days of care and concern, she thought that he had fallen for her.

Song Xiangsi stared at the balcony, her expression turning glazed.

==========================================================================

Chapter 862: Ending?23?

Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem

Xu Jiamu had been planning to speak with Lin Qianqian for the past two days. Now that she called, he agreed without hesitation.

They arranged to meet the next day at noon, and while she rambled on as usual, Xu Jiamu took a puff of a cigarette impatiently. Glancing into the room, he could see Song Xiangsi staring at him, and his heart skipped a beat. Hurriedly, he ended the call. “I’m busy right now, we can talk tomorrow.”

Without waiting for her to respond, he decisively hung up. Lifting his cigarette up to his mouth, he took two swift puffs before heading back to the living room.

After settling back in, he turned his phone to silent, afraid of Lin Qianqian’s constant harassment. Turning over to Song Xiangsi, he asked again, “What did you want to say just now?”

“Remember to get some fruits before you come home,” she lied perfectly.

“Oh.” Xu Jiamu lowered his head and continued to eat, but just then, he seemed to have thought of something. “What fruit do you want?” he mumbled through a mouthful of food.

“Anything is fine,” Song Xiangsi replied casually while watching the television.

“Mmh.”

–

The next day, Xu Jiamu got up early, as usual for work.

Song Xiangsi was already awake when he prepared but only when he left did she open her eyes.

Sitting up, she stared out the window at the brightening skies before heading to the bathroom.

When she was done preparing, she didn’t get breakfast. Instead, she went to the laptop in the study room to browse for flights.

Closing the laptop after, she walked to the safe at the corner. She retrieved her passport, stuffed it in her bag, and left the apartment.

Song Xiangsi first drove to Xu Enterprise. After about half an hour, she saw Xu Jiamu’s car drive out of the underground car park. Once his car was a distance away, she started her car and followed behind, ending up at Jade Wave Garden.

The moment he left the car, the girl grabbed onto his elbow, hugging it while bringing him into Jade Wave Garden animatedly.

Song Xiangsi stared at his figure until it disappeared. Forcing her gaze away, she sat in silence for a long while before reaching for her phone to make a call. “It’s me, Xiangsi. … Mmh, yes, the surgery. … Is today afternoon okay? Great. … I’ll go over now. ”

Tears started to stream down her face, and she reached up to brush her face haphazardly. Reaching for the steering wheel after, she started the car.

Song Xiangsi was really afraid that she would regret her decision. The moment she reached the hospital, she registered, paid, took a check up, and filled up the forms efficiently.

The gynecologist looked through the forms carefully, then turned to her and asked, “Xiangsi, let me ask you one last time, do you really want to abort this child?”

Chapter 863: Ending (24)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

The gynecologist looked through the forms carefully, then turned to her and asked, “Xiangsi, let me ask you one last time, do you really want to abort this child?”

Song Xiangsi wore a calm expression on her face, which gave off a ruthless and apathetic feeling. Then, she said in a bone-chillingly cold voice, “Yes.”

“You really don’t want to think about it some more?” asked the gynecologist again. Seeing as Song Xiangsi turned her head and looked out of the window in annoyance, the doctor handed over the check up results, then returned to her professional voice. “Results show that there are no problems. Please prepare yourself. In half an hour’s time, I will personally perform the operation.”

–

Soon after Xu Jiamu and Lin Qianqian entered the private dining room, Father Lin also arrived.

Lin Qianqian hugged Father Lin’s arm for a good while. Seeing this, Xu Jiamu, who sat in his seat beside them, only just gave them a gentle smile and lowered his eyes.

The waiter brought over the menu. Father Lin ordered two healthy dishes, then passed the menu back to the waiter to hand it to Lin Qianqian and Xu Jiamu.

Lin Qianqian flipped through the menu. With every dish, she would turn her head and ask Xu Jiamu, “Big Brother Jiamu, do you like to eat this?”

Once she finished flipping to the final page of the menu, Xu Jiamu told Lin Qianqian in a flat tone, “I came here today to talk, not eat, so order what you like.”

“Oh.” Lin Qianqian pouted, and casually ordered some dishes. After the waiter confirmed her order and left, she tilted her head, looked over at him, and asked, “Big Brother Jiamu, did you have something to talk to my dad about? Go ahead, my dad will definitely promise you.”

Xu Jiamu smiled. “Today, what I want to talk about isn’t business related, but private.” With that, he paused for a moment before speaking again. “Let’s eat first, and we’ll talk about it after.”

Father Lin remained calm and earnestly gave a nod.

Lin Qianqian’s pitch black eyes turned. Every now and then, she’d sneak a glance at Xu Jiamu.

The waiter quickly wheeled in a cart of beautiful dishes. There weren’t many dishes but they looked so exquisite, it worked up people’s appetite.

The three of them silently started to eat, but Xu Jiamu didn’t have much of an appetite. When Lin Qianqian put her chopsticks down, she realized that there wasn’t a single trace of oil on his plate.

“Big Brother Jiamu are you not feeling well? Why aren’t you eating?” she asked.

Instead of replying to her, Xu Jiamu’s gaze fell on Father Lin’s face. “Uncle, the question you just asked is exactly what I wanted to speak to you about today.”

Lin Qianqian wore a face of joy. “Big Brother Jiamu, daddy just asked you when you’ll marry me. Just when do you plan to marry me?”

Xu Jiamu glanced over at the smiling girl before unhurriedly meeting Father Lin’s eyes again. “This marriage, I won’t go through with it.”

The expression on Lin Qianqian’s face instantly froze. A slither of a surprised smile still lingered on the corners of her lips.

Father Lin stared into Xu Jiamu’s eyes with a flash of confusion.

Both father and daughter didn’t say a word.

The private room fell silent.

Xu Jiamu sat calmly in his seat. After about a minute, he repeated the words he’d just said once more. “My sincere apologies, I can’t go through with this wedding.”

==========================================================================

Chapter 864: Ending (25)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Xu Jiamu didn’t know how to do it the first time, couldn’t do it the second time… Then, he gained a lot more determination.

So much so that at that very moment, the expression on his face was unusually serious and dignified. It was as though he practically had a duty to do what he was going to do.

Sitting beside him, Lin Qianqian blinked, and finally snapped to her senses. Tears rolled down her face. “Big Brother Jiamu, are you joking…”

Xu Jiamu was silent.

Tears poured down the girl’s face. “Big Brother Jiamu, don’t forget that my daddy promised that if you marry me, then that piece of land, Dongyuan, will be yours… and that collaboration with Chengsi…”

Xu Jiamu remained silent. The expression on his face didn’t have a trace of warmth.

Lin Qianqian suddenly stood up in anger from Xu Jiamu’s indifference. “Big Brother Jiamu, Dongyuan and Chengsi, you’ve had your eye on them for a long time. Could it be that you don’t want them anymore?”

“I don’t want them.” Xu Jiamu finally spoke up. In comparison to Lin Qianqian’s emotional display, he was evidently calm, as though this was something in which he had put some serious consideration. “I thought about it deeply for a long while. I don’t want any of it.”

Father Lin, who had remained quiet from the very start, asked, “Why?”

Xu Jiamu turned away from the sobbing Lin Qianqian beside him and stared at Father Lin, and said in a heavy tone, “Because there’s something I treasure more.”

“A woman?” asked Father Lin.

“A woman,” repeated Xu Jiamu, with a firm tone.

“Is it worth it?” asked Father Lin in response as though he had heard a funny joke. “For a woman, you can give up such a bright future? Don’t you forget, once you get Dongyuan and Chengsi, the entire business scene of Beijing will be yours to rule…”

“The world is an unworthy exchange for her.” It was obvious that Xu Jiamu didn’t want to talk about it. With that reply, he stood right up, grabbed his jacket, and politely said “Goodbye”, as he walked out of the private dining room.

When he pulled the doors open, he stopped outside and called for the waiter, “Check, please.”

He then shut the doors, silencing the faint, heart-wrenching cries of Lin Qianqian.

–

It was three in the afternoon when Xu Jiamu left Jade Wave Garden, the time when the sun was fiercest.

He stood at the entrance with his head up high, staring at the bright sun in the sky. He suddenly felt the most relaxed and peaceful he had felt in a long time.

Ever since he were little till now, he felt that men ought to rule the business world, like the heroes in ancient history who fought on the battlefields in high spirits. He thought that all that romantic, lovey-dovey stuff was completely unimportant.

So he never thought about love or marriage whilst he was with Song Xiangsi for seven years.

But sometimes, even if you don’t think about it, that doesn’t mean that love won’t come.

There were many times when he was really confused. At first, when he and Song Xiangsi broke up, he wondered why he was so angry. He was the one who obviously left the apartment in anger, and yet why did he linger outside the door, not wanting to really leave?

Then, he waited three whole hours for her but she didn’t come out. He had felt a ball of fire in his heart burn, intensifying as time went by. Eventually, he stormed downstairs to his car and sped off. And because of how emotional he was, he got into an accident.

After he woke up, he was even more annoyed when she didn’t come to see him.

==========================================================================

Chapter 865: Ending (26)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

When he bumped into her at the Royal Palace, and saw just how nonchalant she was, he got so angry he dragged her back home and slapped her.

He never understood… Why was he so angry?

He didn’t understand for several months. It was not until recently, when she randomly showed her colors, that he stopped fighting her. Instead, he wanted to cheer her up. That’s when he realized that something was wrong with him. He even wanted to buy her a ring… Later on, his mother was imprisoned for murder, then committed suicide and was buried. She loyally stayed by his side through it all, and that’s when he finally understood.

At first, he bought her for five million bucks in the spur of a moment. Why did he stay with her for almost eight years after that?

Although he looked good, his background was good, and so many women would come flocking towards him, during those seven years, why did he not touch any other woman besides her?

All this… How could he have not realized it after so many years…

It was like he never understood that he’d long ago unwittingly fallen in love with that woman, Song Xiangsi.

When exactly did he fall in love, he did not know, but it silently cultivated it’s strength over the years. It let him love her deeper and deeper, till the point where… he had to have her, or nothing would matter.

–

Xu Jiamu started the car and drove into the crowded road. He didn’t go back to the office but to “Bliss for a Hundred Years”.

Inside, there were a few couples picking out rings. The women’s faces would glow with happiness when they tried on the rings.

Xu Jiamu couldn’t help but curve the corners of his lips as he walked over to the display and stopped in front of a pink diamond ring he had been staring at before.

“Sir, how may I help you?” asked the sale assistant lady with a wholehearted smile.

Xu Jiamu gave a light nod, then pointed at the pink diamond ring to signal for her to take it out for him to see.

He brought the ring in front of him. It was far more breathtaking up close than on display.

Xu Jiamu took a good look at it in satisfaction, then gave the sales assistant Song Xiangsi’s finger measurements.

He had secretly gotten them last night after she fell asleep.

“Apologies sir, we don’t have the right size. May I ask, do you urgently need it? If not, we can get one of our specialists to help you adjust it.”

“Alright.” Xu Jiamu gave a nod, then pulled out his card to settle the bill.

It was five in the afternoon when he received the adjusted ring. He checked it twice to confirm that there weren’t any problems, then put it into the ring box and left with the box in his inner pocket.

On the way home, he gave China World Hotel a call, booked a room, and told them to prepare a bouquet of flowers.

Just as the car was about to reach Su Yuan apartments, he remembered that last night Song Xiangsi had asked him to buy some fruit for today, so he turned his car back to the supermarket.

Song Xiangsi told him to decided himself, and so he just picked some of each fruit. In the end, he realized it was too much and left the supermarket with their address and asked them to deliver it to his doorstep. Then, he drove home.

He opened the door. The apartment was silent, and the room glowed half red from the setting sun outside the windows.

Xu Jiamu scanned the living room but didn’t see Song Xiangsi, so he called her name.

No answer. He changed into slippers and walked over to the bedroom. When he pushed open the doors, he saw that it was empty.

==========================================================================

Chapter 866: Ending (27)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Not at home?

Xu Jiamu furrowed his brows, pulled out his phone, then called Song Xiangsi. When the call just went through, he heard the faint ringing of someone’s phone behind. He turned around, pushed open the living room door, and immediately put his phone away. He rushed over to Song Xiangsi and asked, “Where did you go?”

Song Xiangsi didn’t look too good. Her hair was draped loosely in a mess bun. When she heard his voice, she raised her head, shot him a glance, and let her head fall down again to change into her slippers.

Xu Jiamu spoke again. “I booked a table at the China World Hotel. Don’t change your shoes, let’s go straight there to eat.”

It was like Song Xiangsi hadn’t hear him at all. Without warning, she walked over to the dining room, poured herself a cup of water, and started to take a drink.

After being ignored twice, Xu Jiamu furrowed his brows again. “What’s wrong? You’re in a bad mood?”

After she downed the cup of water, and put the cup down, she didn’t go tot he living room, but leaned against the dining table behind her. She turned her head and stared at Xu Jiamu, then said, “I went to the hospital this afternoon.”

Hospital? Xu Jiamu’s face was instantly filled with anxiety, and he didn’t think twice to rush over to her side. “What’s wrong? Where are you sick? Why did you go to the hospital and not tell me? I could of gone with you…”

Song Xiangsi didn’t wait for him to finish, interrupting him without warning. “I’m pregnant.”

A sense of disbelief rose within Xu Jiamu’s eyes and an hard to explain sense of happiness overcame his heart. He was instantly left stunned, and his lips started to curl upward. “Really…”

Before he could finish though, Song Xiangsi turned around and pulled out a few pieces of paper and handed them to him.

“Pregnancy check up report?” Xu Jiamu asked happily in response. He took the papers, lowered his head, and read on. After just two lines of words his expression ran cold. The hand clutching the papers started to tremble frantically. He stared for a good long time before he raised his head with bloodshot eyes and asked Song Xiangsi, “What is this?”.

She shot him a gentle smile as she heartlessly said, “It’s there in black and white. Can you not clearly read it, young master Xu?”

Xu Jiamu stared at Song Xiangsi, his breath becoming unsteady.

Song Xiangsi continued to smile as she grabbed the paper from Xu Jiamu’s hand and used an incredibly relaxed tone to read it aloud for him. “Song Xiangsi, female, surgical abortion…”

“Shut your mouth!” Xu Jiamu roared suddenly.

Song Xiangsi continued to read like she didn’t hear a word he had just said.

He abruptly snatched the papers from her and threw them hard across her face. “Shut your fucking mouth! You hear me!”

Song Xiangsi really shut her mouth. She looked back into Xu Jiamu’s eyes with a dark yet serene and tranquil expression.

At that very moment, Xu Jiamu felt like Song Xiangsi’s eyes were unusually frightening. He pointed to the piece of paper and said in a trembling voice, “You really aborted my child?”

“Yes…” Song Xiangsi nodded. “It’s gone. If you need it, I can read the abortion papers again for you…”

With that, she bent down to pick up the papers Xu Jiamu had thrown to the ground.

Her fingertips didn’t manage to touch the papers before Xu Jiamu suddenly reached his arm out and grabbed her arm. He mercilessly dragged her and pushed her down onto the table. “I’ll ask you one last time, did you really abort my child?”

Chapter 867: Ending (28)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

“How many times do I need to repeat it for you to believe it?” Song Xiangsi stared back into Xu Jiamu’s eyes. After a pause, she spoke again. “Yes, I aborted your child…”

Xu Jiamu’s expression instantly turned sinister. He aggressively grabbed her shoulder and violently shook her. Her head slammed into the dining table with a loud thud.

The pain drilled right into Song Xiangsi’s heart, but besides her pale complexion, she appeared completely calm and emotionless.

Her stillness successfully defeated Xu Jiamu’s heart, making him completely lose his sense. Without so much as a second thought, he raised his arms to strangle her. “Give me back my child! Give me back my child! I’ll strangle you to death! Strangle you to death!”

Song Xiangsi just shut her eyes, completely composed, as she let him strangle her. She didn’t struggle, fight back, or beg for mercy.

Her breathing gradually became unsteady, and just when she thought she was really going to die of suffocation, he suddenly let go of her neck. He brutally seized her from the dining table and shoved her hard onto the sofa by the side.

Song Xiangsi was dizzy from being thrown around. She instinctively covered her abdomen, as she heard the deafening crash of something being smashed.

She turned her head to see Xu Jiamu like an all-out crazy person, hurling any object that could be lifted to the ground. He even carried the dining chair and threw it all over the place, smashing all the glass lights. As they came scattering down, some crashed onto his head and cut his own face, but he didn’t react to it at all.

The sound of breaking glass rang for over an hour before it came to a stop. The entire living room was in tatters and there was practically nowhere to stand. At that moment, Xu Jiamu had used up all his strength. He stared at her, heaving, for a long long time, before he staggered over. He stooped down, grabbed her chin and stared directly into her eyes. With curled lips, he started to chuckle. “Song Xiangsi, you’re something… You’re really something…

“You’re far more ruthless than I imagined… They say no matter how vicious, a tiger would never eat their own… You’re so fucking heartless, you even killed your own child!

“What fucking right do you have to abort my child? Did you ever ask me?”

“Huh huh…” As Xu Jiamu spoke, he started to laugh on his own. His eyes became wet, and he wouldn’t stop nodding at her. Then, all of a sudden, he opened his eyes, and stared out into the dark skies out the window. “Eight years… After today, we’d have known each other for eight years…”

Eight years… such a long long time… all of a sudden, he felt a little bewildered.

He wanted to propose to her tonight, but that beautiful idea completely shattered with her abortion papers.

She didn’t want his child, so why would she care for him?

That’s right… He always thought that he loved her, but he never considered whether she ever liked him after their whole deal.

Xu Jiamu let out another chuckle. He stared into her pretty, teary, red eyes, and after much thought, said, “Song Xiangsi, from today onwards we have absolutely nothing to do with each other!”

==========================================================================

Chapter 868: Ending (29)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Over a year ago, she wanted to break up with him.

After he woke up from his coma, he came to find her a few times. Each and every time, she would fight him measure for measure, so he stopped disturbing her. Thinking back, at that time, they were kind of on a break. If he hadn’t gone to Su Yuan apartments, bumped into her, or hugged her, then perhaps they would of truly ended…

Actually, in the eight years they had been together, he never mentioned a thing about marriage, nor did she talk to him about love. Even when she would get into scandals with other men in the entertainment industry, he would never question her and she would never have to explain herself to him.

The two of them had a mutual understanding to not concern themselves with or reveal their private lives to the other person.

In actuality, it was a business deal. A deal which eventually moved him.

Eight years, eight years had come to such an ending.

It’s just a shame that in the end, he wasn’t Lu Jinnian and she wasn’t Qiao Anhao.

Even if they went on like this for much longer, they would never be able to have such a beautiful story like those two.

Xu Jiamu slowly released Song Xiangsi’s chin, and took two steps back. He then turned around, tears rolling down his face. There was no hesitation in his step when he strode out of the apartment.

–

The very moment the door closed, Song Xiangsi couldn’t contain her tears any longer, and they came crashing down in the end.

It was over… It was finally over.

Eight years. After being together for as long as eight years, at this very moment, they finally ended it.

Since the moment she knew him, she knew that they didn’t belong to the same world.

She was Cinderella, and he was the prince, but they didn’t live in a fairy tale.

In reality, she had always told herself not to love him, but… she let herself down. In the end, she still fell in love with him.

She had clearly tried to force herself to give up on him a few times, but she failed on every attempt.

In the end, she had no other choice but to force herself into a dead end with her own hands. She killed his child, and let him completely and utterly hate her.

Just as she’d wished, he said ‘Song Xiangsi, from this day forth, we have absolutely nothing to do with each other!’.

She had no other way out… For over half a year, she had wanted to completely cut off all ties between them, and now she finally did it.

She couldn’t get angry with anyone else. With her own hands, she had forced herself into a dead end.

She didn’t even have place to regret what she did.

In this lifetime, the two of them would never be able to be together.

She didn’t even have a chance at being his secretly ashamed lover.

This road was clearly the one she chose herself… She knew that she was too softhearted when it came to him, so she had to be decisive. Yet, why was she this hurt after she got what she wished for?

Eight years! Eight years! She personally killed all ties between her and the person she had loved for eight years.

From here on out, for the rest of their lives, they parted ways, never to have any relation with one another.

Song Xiangsi finally couldn’t help but cry out loud. Eventually, she cried till her entire body trembled. She covered her abdomen and let out a tragic and helpless sob.

At nine o’clock, she dragged her suitcase from Su Yuan apartments, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the airport.

At eleven o’clock, she boarded a plane. When she entered the airport, she chucked her mobile phone into a bin.

At half past eleven, the plane took off. Song Xiangsi stared out into the glistening night view of Beijing through the window with a cold expression on her face.

Love gradually grows deeper. Coffee slowly turns cold. Stories gradually draw to an end.

From no love, to a deep love, to eventually letting go of love, a person will never be able to see hope.

Farewell, my lover. Farewell, you who stayed by me for eight years.

==========================================================================

Chapter 869: Ending (30)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

The plane ascended, and eventually Song Xiangsi couldn’t see the lights of Beijing. Tears rolled down her face again.

Through them, she vaguely saw the Song Xiangsi from eight years ago, in a white dress and braided pigtails. In front of the bright and handsome Xu Jiamu, she stared at the credit card in his hands. She bit the corner of her lips helplessly and uncomfortably for a long while before she eventually shut her eyes and gave a gentle nod. “Alright, I’m with you.”

–

The day Qiao Anxia was discharged from the hospital, the city of Beijing had become warm.

Early in the morning, Chen Yang and Mother Qiao had started to help pack. The two sisters had said they’d meet that day at the Qiao family home, but seeing as how big Qiao Anhao’s belly had gotten, Lu Jinnian decided it’d be better if he accompanied her, so he went to the hospital to pick her up.

It was already twelve in the afternoon when they returned to the Qiao family home. The servants had just finished preparing lunch. Since Qiao Anxia was injured and Qiao Anhao was pregnant, the dishes were particularly light and nutritious.

After lunch, Chen Yang and Lu Jinnian followed Father Qiao into the study room, leaving the three of women to watch television in the living room.

Qiao Anhao, who was three months pregnant, liked to nap and was quite lazy. As she watched TV up against Qiao Anxia’s shoulder, she dozed off.

When she felt her shoulder become heavier, Qiao Anxia couldn’t help but turn her head. When she saw that her sister had fallen deep asleep, she immediately nudged Mother Qiao and pointed at the blanket not too far away. She whispered softly, “Give me the blanket.”

As she caught the blanket, she gently pulled it over Qiao Anhao. Just when she tried to slip the covers under her arm, she coincidentally saw her sister’s little bump. Her gaze involuntarily froze, and her hand subconsciously reach out to stroke Qiao Anhao’s belly. A tinge of envy instantly crept into her heart. Then, like an electric shock, her hand swiftly shrank back, and her eyes darkened as she lowered them.

It was already six in the evening when Qiao Anhao woke up. Mother Qiao had prepared dinner, so everyone decided to stay for dinner before parting.

Qiao Anhao and Lu Jinnian went back to Mian Xiu Garden and Chen Yang drove Qiao Anxia straight to his apartment. Perhaps it was because she was tired, she had shut her eyes and didn’t say a word through the whole journey.

When they reached the apartment, Chen Yang opened the door and blocked Qiao Anxia’s way. “First, shut your eyes.”

She lifted her head in confusion and glanced over at him. “What?”

“Shut your eyes,” Chen Yang repeated.

Taking in how unimpressed Qiao Anxia looked, he figured he may as well go around and behind her. He raised his hands and covered her eyes, then kicked the door open. He nudged her into house after that.

“Chen Yang, what are you doing?”

Qiao Anxia shifted her head, wanting to pry Chen Yang’s hands apart. He lowered his head and gently whispered “shhh” into her ear. He casually closed the door, and continued to push her onward until they stopped in the center of the living room. Then, he slowly took his hands from Qiao Anxia’s eyes.

“Chen Yang, what the hell are you…”

As Qiao Anxia said this, she opened her eyes to find that there were a lot of fireflies flying all around her. The warm balls of glowing yellow light lit up the dark room.

==========================================================================

Chapter 870: Ending (31)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

With the glow of the fireflies, Qiao Anxia saw that there were light pink rose petals scattered across the apartment floor. In front of her was a mannequin with a beautiful white dress.

Originally, Mother and Father Qiao hoped that she and Chen Yang could stay over at the family home, but he told them that he’d take her to his place. At the time, she thought that it was because the two of them hadn’t been intimate for a long time, and since it wasn’t exactly convenient for them to do so at the family home, she didn’t think much of his request. Who could of imagined that he had prepared a surprise for her there.

Fireflies… it was a dream she had had as a child. She learned from books and cartoons that these things existed in the world. When she was young, she’d used to badger Father Qiao for fireflies, but it’s a shame that they were difficult to find in Beijing. Since then, fireflies had been a dream of hers.

When she and Chen Yang first got together, she mentioned these childhood fancies to him, but just as a joke.

She never imagined that he would make up for the dream she had never fulfilled.

Qiao Anxia stared at the fireflies dancing endlessly around her and Chen Yang, a beaming smile on her face. Her head subconsciously turned towards him.

Under the glow of the numerous fireflies, Chen Yang stared back at her, and gave a warm smile. Then, without any warning at all, he crouched down in front of her. He pulled a red jewelry box from his pocket, opened it, and raised it up to Qiao Anxia. “Xia xia, will you marry me?”

Qiao Anxia lowered her head, and saw the dazzling diamond ring in the box. She opened her mouth, wanting to let out a “Yes”, but then her mind flashed to the thought of her never being able to get pregnant. It felt like she just downed glue, her single ‘yes’ got stuck in her throat. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t spit it out.

Chen Yang stayed steadily on one knee in front of Qiao Anxia, and waited with a warm and extremely patient expression.

She subconsciously balled her hands up into a fist. In her mind, two voices were caught in a vicious duel.

One was telling her not to bother Chen Yang, and the other nodded in response to his proposal.

After struggling with the idea for a long long time, she suddenly took a step back and gently shook her head at Chen Yang. “Chen Yang, I can’t marry you.”

Chen Yang slightly furrowed his brows, a confused look coming to his face .

Tears welled up beneath Qiao Anxia’s eyes, and her lips quivered wildly. “Chen Yang, you know that I can’t have babies, why do you still want to marry me?”

Recently, she’d been wanting to pretend to act stupid, like she didn’t know that she could never be a mother. She thought by doing so, she could peacefully be with Chen Yang, but after waking up from her afternoon nap, she couldn’t sleep right. With her eyes wide open, she looked at Chen Yang sleeping on the sofa, and felt unusually somber and guilty.

“Do you even know that I’m useless right now? I will never be able to give you a family!

“I truly want to be with you forever, but I can’t be selfish and bring you down. This isn’t fair to you…” Qiao Anxia finally couldn’t hold her tears in any longer. “So Chen Yang, don’t marry me, okay? Don’t marry me…”

Chapter 871: Ending (32)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Chen Yang put the ring away and stood up. He raised his arm, and wiped Qiao Anxia’s ceaseless tears. “Xia Xia… What I want isn’t fairness. What I want is you.”

Qiao Anxia’s tears fell so violently that no matter how hard he tried to wipe her them away, they never ended. Eventually, he held her face up and stared right into her eyes. “If you don’t want to get married now, that’s fine. We can continue to be girlfriend and boyfriend. If you don’t want to ever marry because you’re worried about being a nuisance, then we can be girlfriend and boyfriend forever. Besides, if you don’t want to ever get married, then I don’t…”

Qiao Anxia let out a “Wahhh!”, then hugged Chen Yang’s neck, as she wailed like a child.

Chen Yang took her in his arms and patted her back. With a gentle voice, he comforted her softly, “Alright, don’t cry…”

The cries didn’t cease in the slightest.

The fireflies tirelessly circled the two of them, their warm yellow glow flashing incessantly.

–

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, spring had gone and summer had come, the summer was over and autumn arrived, autumn left and winter came. On a heavily snowy night, one week before Qiao Anhao’s due date, she was suddenly woken up by a sharp pain. She instinctively reached her arm out and pushed Lu Jinnian beside her.

He quickly woke up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Right after, he was instantly wide awake, for he heard Qiao Anhao’s painful groans. He swiftly turned the lights on to see Qiao Anhao’s pale face and the drenched sheets below. Her water had broke!

Because Lu Jinnian hadn’t a clue about giving birth, he took enough preparation classes in advance to welcome Little Rice Cake into the world. Despite practically being half a gynecologist, he was still evidently lost in fear at such a predicament.

He practically jumped out of the bed and landed on the ground. He first called the doctor, then without even bothering to get changed, he carried Qiao Anhao, and ran down the stairs.

Qiao Anhao was in so much pain, her entire body curled up. Seeing her like that, Lu Jinnian was even more shaken. It took him two tries to start up the car engine.

It snowed heavily. The streets were covered in white, and the temperature was so low that the falling snow turned to ice. Lu Jinnian drove so fast that every now and then, when he would make a turn, Qiao Anhao could hear the tires screech. She endured the pain, and instinctively said, “Lu Jinnian, don’t be so worried…”

Don’t worry? How could he not be worried?

He was truly happy that she was pregnant. They finally were having a baby, and their family was finally going to be complete.

But now, seeing in just how much pain she was, the immense happiness he felt was replaced with fear.

When they reached the hospital, Lu Jinnian practically jumped out of the car once he had barely turned the car engine off. Without any grace at all, he barged into the maternity ward.

–

The moment Qiao Anhao entered the delivery room, Lu Jinnian was left all alone in the corridor outside.

Every now and then, Qiao Anhao’s heart wrenching screams could be heard from the delivery room. Her cries left Lu Jinnian scared witless. For someone who was always mentally strong, he actually felt flustered as to what to do next. Eventually, when he reached the very end of his wits, he couldn’t care too much any more. He pulled out his phone and called Xu Jiamu, Chen Yang, Qiao Anxia, his assistant, Zhao Meng, all of them to come over.

Xu Jiamu was the first to arrive. Just as he came out of the elevator, he heard Lu Jinnian’s voice traveling through the corridor.

==========================================================================

Chapter 872: Ending (33)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

Xu Jiamu was the first to arrive. Just as he came out of the elevator, he heard Lu Jinnian’s voice traveling through the corridor.

“What’s going on? It’s been almost an hour now. Why is she still in so much pain?”

As Lu Jinnian said this, Qiao Anhao’s screams came from the delivery room, causing him to cry in distress. “Qiao Qiao! Qiao Qiao! How are you doing?”

Then there were a series of frantic ‘dong-dong-dong’ kicking sounds against the door.

Xu Jiamu rushed over to Lu Jinnian, grabbed his arm, and dragged him back by a good meter. Just then, Qiao Anhao let out a harrowing scream from the delivery room, causing Lu Jinnian to abruptly jumped for the delivery room doors again. Thankfully Xu Jiamu had quick reflexes. He reached his arm out, hugged his waist, and viciously dragged him back. “Lu Jinnian, can you calm down?”

“Can’t you hear her scream my name? She’s been screaming for an hour now!” Lu Jinnian’s arms and legs flailed about as he attempted to escape Xu Jiamu’s grip. “I have to go in… go in!”.

“Go in my back foot!” Just as Xu Jiamu couldn’t hold Lu Jinnian, who had already completely lost his mind, back any longer, Qiao Anxia bustled into the scene in her high heels. Behind her was Chen Yang, who carried her bag.

Qiao Anxia didn’t think twice, lifted her leg, and mercilessly kicked Lu Jinnian in the leg. “Why are you screaming? I heard you screaming before I even got out of the elevator. Qiao Anhao was in the right frame of mind to give birth, but after your hollering, she’s probably going into a difficult labor!”

“Qiao Anxia, who the fuck are you saying is having a difficult labor?” Lu Jinnian glared at Qiao Anxia with bloodshot eyes.

Qiao Anxia let out a tut, before turning her head without so much as a glance back at him. She reached her arm out and pulled Xu Jiamu’s hands right off

Lu Jinnian stumbled forward and almost bumped his head into the delivery room doors.

As he found his balance, he raised his leg, ready to kick the doors again.

But before his foot touched the delivery room door, Qiao Anxia crisp voice spoke again. “Go on, kick it. You’d better open it with one kick, so everyone can go in. After all, seeing a bunch of people rush in will surely affect the doctor… And no matter what, Qiao Anhao will certainly be the person affected the most… If it’s serious, then she and the child will end up dead… Now wouldn’t that be the perfect way to get the mother and child murdered…”

It was like someone had pressed the pressure points on Lu Jinnian’s body, all of a sudden he stopped kicking. His leg stayed suspended in midair for about half a minute, then he finally lowered it, turned around, and stepped away from the delivery room doors with a cold expression on his face.

In the delivery room, Qiao Anhao cried ceaselessly in pain.

The assistant and Zhao Meng also rushed in, one after the other.

The few people in the corridor fell silent.

Lu Jinnian paced incessantly up and down. Every time he heard Qiao Anhao’s excruciating cries, his body would quiver. His face turned unusually pale and eventually, he was dripping in sweat.

Time ticked by. In the end, the delivery room fell completely silent.

“Is it over?” asked Qiao Anxia in relief.

No one replied. Everybody listened intently for any movement.

One second, ten seconds, one minute, two minutes… The delivery room was still silent as ever. There weren’t any painful cries from adults nor from babies. This type of silence felt far more horrifying than Qiao Anhao’s piercing screams.

==========================================================================

Chapter 873: Ending (34)

Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem

“Why is it so quiet?” Qiao Anxia asked again, then shot Chen Yang a look for consolation. Having never experienced such a thing, he wore a grave expression on his face and shook his head to say he had no idea.

Lu Jinnian held his pose. He didn’t move an inch, but his heart had already shot up to his throat.

“Nothing bad could’ve happened, right?” said Zhao Meng.

“Nah it can’t be, right?” said Chen Yang.

Xu Jiamu anxiously also spoke up. “But why hasn’t there been any sound in there for so long?”

The assistant completely unintentionally said, “I heard in the news recently that there was a doctor who secretly ran out of the delivery room because the pregnant woman and child died…”

After having calmed down with much difficulty due to Qiao Anxia’s chatter, Lu Jinnian’s entire body suddenly trembled. Like a crazy person, he hurled himself at the delivery room door and kicked it incredibly hard. The door shook so hard, the glass vibrated with a clang.

Just as Lu Jinnian was close to losing it completely, a sudden “Waaaaah” came from inside.

The cry was crisp and powerful, striking every single person’s eardrum.

“It’s born! It’s born!” Qiao Anxia abruptly reached her hand out and grabbed the assistant beside her into a hug. She jumped twice happily on the spot before Chen Yang dragged her into his arms.

The assistant’s smiling face was instantly filled with joy. “Mr. Lu, Miss Xiao Qiao has given birth…”

Zhao Meng excitedly cried, “Qiao Qiao finally gave birth!”

Xu Jiamu’s body visibly relaxed. “I’m an uncle!”

Lu Jinnian was the only one who stood on the spot, with no reaction at all, like he was in a daze.

Just as they were going to pull the door open, a nurse came out hugging a cleaned baby, and said with a happy smile, “Congratulations Mr. Lu, it’s a boy.”

“Let me see, let me see!”

A group of them huddled together in a mess around him.

“Ahhh, so cute!”

“Yeah, so soft and smooth…”

“Ahhh, he’s smiling at me!”

All of a sudden, Lu Jinnian snapped back to reality. Without even taking a glance at Little Rice Cake, who was surrounded by everyone, he legged it towards the delivery room and hurled himself towards the bed and crouched down.

Qiao Anhao lay there drenched in sweat. Her face was pale white, her eyes slightly closed, and her breathing unstable. She looked so weak.

Lu Jinnian stared at her like that for a long time, before he abruptly grabbed her hand. “Qiao Qiao…”.

When Qiao Anhao heard his voice, she slightly lifted her eyelids. Instantly she saw that Lu Jinnian had an awful expression. She started to feel a warm sensation from the bottom of her heart. As she pursed the corner of her lips, she said in sweet and aggrieved voice, “Really hurts.”

Lu Jinnian squeezed her hand hard, and nodded his head frantically, then said, “Sorry”. He put her hand to his lips and kissed it, as tears crashed heavily down. “Let’s never have another baby, no more.”

When he said this, Qiao Anhao clearly felt his hand tremble. After holding her hand for a short minute, his palms were soaked. So he was more nervous than she was whilst giving birth to their child.

In an instant, all the pain she’d gone through just now felt like it was all worth the happiness.

==========================================================================

Chapter 874: Ending?35?

 

Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem

The skies were already bright by the time Qiao Anhao was finally out of labor. Exhausted, she fell asleep while being wheeled back to the ward.

After ensuring that both the mother and baby were well, the people who had waited the entire night gradually started to leave.

Xu Jiamu was the last one to go. Before he left, he walked to the baby cot to take one last look at Little Rice Cake. The baby had just been fed and was fast asleep.

Little Rice Cake seemed to have sensed that someone was looking at him, he shook his tiny head lightly and even pouted before breaking into a faint smile.

Xu Jiamu was delighted by the gesture, a bright smile engulfing his face. Gradually, his expression turned slightly glazed.

He stared at Little Rice Cake for a long while before finally leaving with a heavy heart.

It had been snowing in Beijing since the previous night, turning the city into a winter wonderland.

Xu Jiamu reached for a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. Leaning against his car, he took a puff as the snow fell on him mercilessly,

Little Rice Cakes was born, he was now an uncle… He should be ecstatic, and he was… But somehow, the happiness seemed to be drowned out by sorrow.

As he stared at Little Rice Cake’s innocent expression, he couldn’t help but be reminded of the child that Song Xiangsi had aborted…

If that child was still alive, Song Xiangsi would be about eight months into the pregnancy… In just another month, the child would be born just like Little Rice Cake… At that time, they would be able to grow up together and he could bring the both of them to amusement parks…

As he thought of the endless possibilities, his eyes started to sting, turning red.

What was he thinking about? The child was dead and his dream woman had left. The both of them were now just as he had said that day – strangers.

–

Qiao Anxia had informed Father and Mother Qiao early in the morning. When they found out that Qiao Anhao had went into labor the previous night, Mother Qiao personally cooked a pot of ginger soup before heading to the hospital.

That afternoon, Qiao Anxia, Zhao Meng, and Lu Jinnian’s assistant came over again, staying till evening. After they left, peace settled in the ward. Qiao Anhao used the short gap after she finished feeding Little Rice Cake to snap a photo onto Weibo.

Soon, the photo leaked onto the internet and the news spread like wildfire, quickly gaining the most hits.

–

In Seattle, it was currently 8 am in the morning.

The bright rays entered through tiny openings, spilling onto an European style bed, a single ray coincidentally covering Song Xiangsi’s eyes. She frowned slightly, her long lashes trembling. She opened her eyes instinctively and reached out to shield them from the light before sitting up lazily.

Song Xiangsi reached for the iPad she had tossed at the side. The first notification that popped up was from Weibo: Lu Qiao couple Welcomes a Son.

Her lips moved slightly. When she clicked onto the notification, a photo showed up: A big hand holding onto a tiny one.

The big hand was slender and elegant, with the Heart of Eternity glistening on the ring finger.

Song Xiangsi skimmed through the article. When she learned that both the mother and child were healthy and well, her lips curled slightly. Yanking the blanket aside, she climbed down from the bed carefully. She still possessed a slender figure, even though her belly was protruding.