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Qiao Nuo had never liked sitting by the window on a plane, especially in economy class where the space was cramped and there was no room to stretch out. Unfortunately, due to the rush in booking her ticket, she had no choice but to take a window seat.
She thought that if someone came along and asked to switch seats, she would be open to it.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat that concealed her face, she felt somewhat disguised. However, flying away was not entirely safe; Jin Chengyan would surely find her quickly.
Trains and cars were too bumpy, and she worried about how her body would handle it.
After all, there was a little baby inside her.
She gently touched her belly, feeling a strong desire to protect it.
So even if she had to leave Jin Chengyan, she was determined to carry the baby to term.
With that thought in mind, Qiao Nuo took out her phone to send a message to Qiao Chen before the plane took off, asking him to take good care of Qiao Kawai.
As soon as she turned on her phone, numerous notifications popped up—messages and calls, most of them from Jin Chengyan, wanting to know where she was.
Qiao Nuo chose to ignore them and quickly found Qiao Chen's number. She typed out a message and sent it before turning off her phone again.
In those brief three minutes, Qiao Nuo felt her hands trembling. She didn’t know how Qiao Chen would react upon reading her message or what Jin Chengyan’s state of mind was at that moment.
All she wanted was to quietly give birth to the child.
“Hello, this is my seat.” A hoarse male voice interrupted her thoughts from above. Qiao Nuo looked up and saw a familiar face.
It was him?
He must have been one of the last passengers to board; with few others behind him, he stood in the aisle without blocking anyone. Yet his tall frame made him seem somewhat cramped in the cabin.
Qiao Nuo quickly stood up and said, “I’m sorry, could we switch seats? I’m not used to sitting by the window.”
Yan Beiting noticed that Qiao Nuo looked slightly pale, likely due to her physical condition. She probably knew that Jin Chengyan was frantically searching for her outside, which made her understandably anxious.
"I don't like the window seat either," Yan Beiting said softly, a faint smile on his face.
Hearing this, Qiao Nuo felt a bit awkward, but she had to grab her things and head to the window seat since that was what was written on the ticket.
"Just sit down," he gently pressed on Qiao Nuo's shoulder, guiding her back to the aisle seat.
Qiao Nuo stiffened; she didn't really like being in close contact with unfamiliar men. Although they had met a few times, she still felt uncomfortable.
Yan Beiting realized he had overstepped and withdrew his hand.
"I can sit in the middle seat. I guess there won't be anyone next to me," he added. Of course, there wouldn't be anyone; he had just torn up that ticket, so it was a given.
An indescribable feeling washed over Qiao Nuo; he felt both familiar and strange to her.
"Thank you," she said softly, truly lacking the energy.
Still, she needed to stand up; the economy class seats were cramped, and there was no way for him to get through while she was sitting.
As she stood up to move toward the aisle, he merely placed his hand on her shoulder. With his tall and sturdy frame, Qiao Nuo found it impossible to get past him.
He turned slightly, almost brushing against her as he leaned back against the seat behind him and maneuvered his way through.
Qiao Nuo thought, "..."
Had she just been teased?
Her face flushed slightly, but she didn't feel particularly repulsed. She thought it was odd that she felt this way, yet that inexplicable sense of familiarity left her feeling flustered.
Jin Chengyan had clearly told her that Yan Beiting was dead. So whether she dug up Yan Beiting's ashes for DNA testing or whatever else, it wouldn't change the fact that he had died four years ago.
Thinking of this made Qiao Nuo's mood plummet. She quietly sat down and fastened her seatbelt, waiting for the plane to take off.
As the plane taxied down the runway, Qiao Nuo's heart finally settled. Leaving Qin Cheng behind and arriving in Shanghai meant that Jin Chengyan's influence would be somewhat diminished. Surely, he couldn't still have Xiao Yuanshan monitoring her every move like he did in Qin Cheng, could he?
Of course, perhaps there was nothing Jin Chengyan couldn't do.
She had made it very clear: don't look for her, or she would hide.
"Are you... nervous?" a voice came from her left. Qiao Nuo snapped back to reality and saw the man sitting next to her. There was indeed an empty seat in the middle, and he had chosen to sit here.
Qiao Nuo shook her head; her tension had been noticed.
"What are you going to Shanghai for alone?" It felt like a casual conversation between two people trying to stave off boredom during the journey.
However, it was evident that Qiao Nuo had no intention of engaging in small talk. She nodded apologetically, then pulled her hat down a little lower and leaned back against the seat, ready to sleep...
Yan Beiting had always known that Qiao Nuo was not a particularly enthusiastic person. She struggled to make conversation with those she barely knew, but once she became familiar with someone, she could be quite chatty.
But now, with a face that wasn't his own, Qiao Nuo naturally wouldn't have much to say to him.
Suddenly, Qiao Nuo pulled up her hat and turned to look at him.
"Are you close with Ye Yun?" she asked, still unwilling to give up.
Yan Beiting, who had turned away moments before, noticed the sudden excitement in her voice and turned back to see her eyes sparkling—just moments ago, she had seemed so downcast.
"Yes, we know each other well."
"Then you... must know Yan Beiting, right?"
It seemed they had circled back to the topic of Yan Beiting after all.
His brow twitched slightly. He knew that all these years, Qiao Nuo had never forgotten what happened back then; it remained a wound in her heart.
If he were standing in front of Qiao Nuo, healthy and whole, he would have told her without hesitation that yes, he is Yan Beiting, and he is still alive.
However, the medical report he carried with him revealed the truth that even Jin Chengyan had not disclosed; only Ye Yun knew just how bad his condition was.
Every extra day he lived was a gift from God.
"Do you know him?" Yan Beiting asked casually.
"More than just knowing him." He was a man she would remember for a lifetime, transcending love simply because of who he was.
Yan Beiting noticed the dazed look on Qiao Nuo's face. Wanting to lighten the mood, he asked, "Is he your boyfriend?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Yan Beiting felt an urge to bite his tongue. He always found it hard to speak sincerely in front of Qiao Nuo.
"No, he's a very good friend."
"Oh..." The conversation seemed to stall there, coming to an abrupt stop with Yan Beiting.
The flight was scheduled to take two hours and ten minutes, with lunch served on board. Qiao Nuo didn't want to eat the airplane food at first, but her stomach growled loudly. Realizing she wasn't alone anymore, she thought that even if it tasted bad, she couldn't let the little one inside her go hungry.
She lowered the small tray table and placed the meal box on top. As she opened it, a greasy smell wafted up to her nose. The overwhelming scent made her cover her mouth immediately; she felt nauseous!
Before she could retract the tray table, Qiao Nuo hurriedly covered her mouth and rushed toward the bathroom at the back of the plane. Unfortunately, the meal cart blocked the aisle. After some effort to get past it, she finally reached the restroom and leaned over the sink, throwing up.
"Cough cough... cough cough..." It was uncomfortable; even though her stomach was empty, she couldn't help but feel sick.
Then, a warm hand gently patted her back from behind.
In her rush earlier, Qiao Nuo hadn't had time to close the door and was now lost in her discomfort.
After finally calming down a bit, a flight attendant came over with concern. "Ma'am, are you feeling unwell?"
Qiao Nuo shook her head; this must be morning sickness, but she didn't expect it to come so early.
"Is there anything you need? We are here to serve you at any time, sir, madam. Wishing you a pleasant journey," the Flight Attendant cheerfully inquired before continuing to distribute meals.
As for Qiao Nuo, she still felt a bit uncomfortable after throwing up, but looking at the person standing at the door reminded her that the Flight Attendant had mistakenly thought they were a couple.
Well, there was no need for explanations; after all, once they parted ways, they would likely never meet again.
"Pregnant?" he said jokingly.
Qiao Nuo was taken aback. Was it that obvious?
"How did you know?" Could it be motion sickness?
"Do you believe me if I say I'm a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner? You seem weak and pale. Not only is your health poor, but your baby might not be getting enough nutrition either."
Qiao Nuo wasn't sure if the man in front of her was talking nonsense or if he really knew what he was saying, but she did know that her health wasn't great.
She was also worried about not being able to provide enough nutrition for her baby, so once she arrived in Shanghai, she needed to find a reputable hospital quickly to take care of herself.
Qiao Nuo was still in a daze when he walked over to where drinks were being served and brought her a cup of warm water.
"Drink some warm water; it will help a bit. Once we land, go to the airport restaurant and eat something. You need to take care of your body; otherwise, giving birth will be very difficult."
Qiao Nuo took the warm water, feeling its comforting warmth in her hands.
He was Ye Yun's friend and had an inexplicable connection with Yan Beiting. Qiao Nuo always felt as if she had known him for many years, and now he was showing concern for her...
Her emotions were a bit tangled.
After that, until they landed, Qiao Nuo didn't say another word. Once they disembarked, she didn't stop by any nearby eateries; instead, she took a taxi straight to the hotel and planned to look for a better hospital afterward.
Yan Beiting stepped out of the airport and saw Qiao Nuo getting into a taxi alone. Naturally, he followed suit and instructed the driver to follow her cab.
As soon as his phone powered on, Jin Chengyan's call came through, clearly indicating that he had been waiting for quite some time.
"I've been waiting for you in Jin Mansion for two hours, and now you tell me you're in Shanghai," Jin Chengyan's voice was laced with suppressed anger.
Two and a half hours earlier, he had learned that Yan Beiting was on a flight to Shanghai, and on the same flight was a woman—Qiao Nuo.
He had initially planned to disregard everything and head straight there, ideally intercepting her at the airport and bringing her back to Qin Cheng to give her a proper lesson.
However, he found himself sitting in the living room of Jin Mansion, watching time tick away second by second.
It wasn't that he lacked the ability to go to Shanghai right now or the courage to bring Qiao Nuo back immediately.
But what would happen after that? Would he just send her straight to the operating table, making Qiao Nuo resent him for life?
Or perhaps he would bring her back and try to reason with her, only for Qiao Nuo to run away again.
After several attempts like this, he wouldn’t be the only one exhausted; Qiao Nuo would be worn out too. At this rate, not only would she struggle to maintain her pregnancy, but her own health would also be at risk.
Wasn't he just stuck in a passive situation?
However, knowing that Yan Beiting was by Qiao Nuo's side eased his mind somewhat. At least with Yan Beiting around, he could prevent Qiao Nuo from making any irrational decisions.
Yet, having Yan Beiting near Qiao Nuo still left Jin Chengyan feeling uneasy.
He wasn't unaware of Yan Beiting's feelings for Qiao Nuo.
But what could he do? There was only one Qiao Nuo in this world. If she chose to be with him, Jin Chengyan, then there was no way she could be with Yan Beiting.
“Give me a few days, and I will bring Qiao Nuo to you safe and sound.” He felt an inexplicable confidence; even though he hadn’t exchanged many words with Qiao Nuo, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she shouldn’t be left alone out there.
She should return to Jin Chengyan’s side. Only there would she truly find happiness.
Only then would she be genuinely happy.
With things having developed to this point, Jin Chengyan seemed to have no other options. He couldn’t allow Qiao Nuo to remain out there alone; if he appeared before her, she would surely run away again.
“Tell me where you are now.”
Later, when they arrived at the hotel, Yan Beiting informed Jin Chengyan of their location. There was no harm in telling him; he simply wanted to know Qiao Nuo’s every move and ensure that she was still safe.
After hanging up the phone, Jin Chengyan got up from the sofa. Sitting in one position for too long had made his shoulders ache. He checked his documents and booked two tickets for a flight to Shanghai—the last flight of the day, departing at eleven o'clock at night.
He packed a simple bag, fully aware that the flight wouldn’t take off until late at night, yet he was already on his way.
In the back seat, Qiao Kawai was bubbling with excitement. Her daddy had just said he would take her out to play, and she had never gone out with him before.
Though she wished her mommy could join them too.
After seeing the message Qiao Nuo sent her, Qiao Chen hurried home. Jin Mengxi informed him that Jin Chengyan had already picked up Qiao Kawai.
Eventually, after some twists and turns, Qiao Chen called Jin Chengyan. After some effort, he and Jin Mengxi arrived at the airport and found Jin Chengyan in the VIP lounge.
When Qiao Kawai saw Qiao Chen, she initially wanted to greet him enthusiastically but quickly noticed that Little Daddy looked upset. Her little mommy immediately took her aside so that Little Daddy could talk with her daddy; it seemed quite serious.
Could it be that Little Daddy didn’t want her daddy to take her out to play?
Jin Mengxi watched through the glass as Jin Chengyan and Qiao Chen faced each other. She sincerely hoped they wouldn’t start fighting; otherwise, she wouldn’t know whether to support her brother or her man.
On this side, the two men faced off against each other. This wasn’t their first clash; although Jin Chengyan’s life experience gave him an edge over Qiao Chen, the fearless spirit of youth radiating from Qiao Chen was not something to be underestimated.
"I only want my sister to come back safely; I don't care about your child."
"For once, we agree on something."
"In the future, if you want to be together, I have no objections. But if you dare to let her down, I will make you pay, no matter what it takes."
"Likewise, if you dare to treat Xi Er poorly, don't think that being Qiao Nuo's brother will save you; I won't let you off the hook."
It seemed they had reached a consensus. In truth, both Jin Chengyan and Qiao Chen, regardless of their motives, ultimately hoped for Qiao Nuo's happiness and well-being, wishing for Jin Mengxi to be joyful as well—all for the sake of those they cared about.
Yet initially, they had resorted to the cruelest methods to hurt each other's loved ones.
However, it was not too late for everything.
"I'll take Qiao Kawai back. Don't be fooled by how happy she seems with you now; she'll have trouble sleeping tonight away from home. You can't focus on two things at once," Qiao Chen said, turning to look outside at Jin Mengxi, who was at a loss for words while holding Qiao Kawai.
From this perspective, both Qiao Kawai and Jin Mengxi were particularly adorable.
He almost missed his chance with her.
"No need; after all, the little cutie will be living with me and Qiao Nuo. She needs to get used to my presence as soon as possible. To me, she is like my daughter."
With Jin Chengyan's reassuring response, Qiao Chen felt a bit more at ease.
He knew that with his own strength alone, he could not persuade Qiao Nuo, who was determined to have the child. Only Jin Chengyan could change her mind—whether through forceful means or gentle persuasion.
It wasn't that they didn't want Qiao Nuo to have children; it was just that if this child threatened her life, even if it were her last child, she would not be able to bring it into the world.
The child was a lifelong pain for Qiao Nuo; thus, Qiao Nuo became a lifelong pain for both Qiao Chen and Jin Chengyan.
Jin Mengxi was surprised to find that Qiao Chen and Jin Chengyan had ended their discussion peacefully. When they emerged, it seemed they had reached some sort of understanding.
Jin Mengxi was still worried about how her brother, Jin Chengyan, would react upon seeing her. To her surprise, he smiled gently at her and said that he was doing well with Qiao Chen.
Jin Mengxi thought to herself that her brother must have been possessed.
As she left with Qiao Chen, she linked her arm with Qiao Chen's and asked, "What did you just say to my brother? Why does he seem... a bit off?"
Qiao Chen's lips curled into a slight smile as he reached out with his other hand to ruffle Jin Mengxi's hair. This tender gesture made Jin Mengxi's heart flutter, and she immediately became obedient.
"We should talk about whether I should call him 'Brother-in-law' or 'Brother' in the future." This was indeed a pressing question!
Jin Mengxi's face flushed, and she buried her head in Qiao Chen's shoulder.
"Who said I was going to marry you?" Just one day after reconciling, did he want to skip straight to marriage?
No way!
However, Qiao Chen replied, "Did I say I would propose to you again?"
Jin Mengxi immediately lifted her head, looking at Qiao Chen with a mix of anger, grievance, and discomfort.
Seeing the expression on Jin Mengxi's face, Qiao Chen felt himself surrendering. Why was it that he was losing control over her more and more?
"I was just joking. I will marry no one but you!"
"Did I say I wanted to marry you?" Jin Mengxi replied with a proud look.
We only learn to cherish what we have after losing it. Fortunately, some of what we've lost still has a chance to return to us; we just fear that there may be no opportunity left.
In the waiting area, Qiao Kawai sat on Jin Chengyan's lap, unaware that they were on their way to find their mother.
She said, "Daddy, let's go to the botanical garden, the zoo, and the aquarium together with Mommy in the future. We should take lots and lots of pictures to hang on the wall, okay?"
“Good!” Jin Chengyan could already imagine how happy that scene would be. For the moment Qiao Kawai described, he would do everything in his power to persuade Qiao Nuo to give up that child.
Late at night, the flight arrived in Shanghai. After exiting the airport, it was already two in the morning. Although he hadn’t brought A Shan along, arrangements had been made here; a driver was waiting to take him and Qiao Kawai to the hotel.
There was only one floor separating him from Qiao Nuo’s room. If they were on the same floor, it was very likely that Qiao Nuo would discover him.
Despite the close distance, Jin Chengyan felt as if he and Qiao Nuo were separated by an entire universe.
He wanted to bridge that cosmic distance and get closer to Qiao Nuo.
Jin Chengyan placed Qiao Kawai on the bed and dimmed the lights in the room. Only then did he head to the bathroom for a shower. When he emerged, a towel was wrapped around his waist, and droplets of water trickled down his skin, following its contours before disappearing into the towel.
He fished out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket, walked to the balcony, and lit up under the night sky.
The night in Shanghai was still dazzling even though it was early morning; the stars were nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile, on the balcony of the same room downstairs, Qiao Nuo sat wrapped in a coat, gazing at the sparkling lights of Night Shanghai.
She couldn’t sleep.
Qiao Nuo recalled four years ago when she had just left Jin Chengyan; Yan Beiting had also passed away. She spent countless sleepless nights in a foreign land, feeling unfamiliar with both the bed and surroundings.
On those sleepless nights, she would sit on the balcony and stare at the night sky.
Now, as she looked at the same sky, Qiao Nuo wondered if he was also gazing at this dark night.
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