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For several days, Qiao Chen had not seen Jono, and naturally, she felt that something was off. She wanted to contact her, but there were matters concerning Qiao Lovely that she couldn't leave unattended.
With the surgery just a day away, Qiao Chen intended to inform Jono. As she stepped out of the ward after seeing Qiao Lovely, she encountered Jin Chengyan approaching.
The two had never really gotten along from the start, but Qiao Chen knew that it was because of Jin Chengyan that Qiao Lovely was able to undergo the bone marrow transplant. Even though she wasn't particularly fond of him, she still maintained a polite demeanor.
What she didn't expect was for Jin Chengyan to step in front of her first.
"Before you go see Qiao Lovely, I want to talk to you," Jin Chengyan said. Being older than Qiao Chen and having dominated the business world for many years, he found it easy to handle this newcomer.
"What do you want to talk about?" Qiao Chen glanced at the time, not in a hurry to find Jono.
"Let's change locations."
They then went up to the hospital rooftop.
The rooftop was a good place—no one would disturb them, and if something were to happen, there were no cameras around to catch them in the act.
"Do you smoke?" Jin Chengyan pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Qiao Chen.
"I don't smoke." If she did, her sister would scold her; in front of Jono, she still wanted to appear as a more obedient child.
Jin Chengyan didn't press the issue. He was about to light up but thought better of it since the surgery was tomorrow and put the cigarette back in the pack.
He was skilled at using courtesy before confrontation.
"Getting close to Xi Er—your intentions aren't pure, are they?" Jin Chengyan cut straight to the point, his piercing gaze locking onto Qiao Chen, leaving her nowhere to hide.
"This is between me and Xi Er; it has nothing to do with you."
"She is my sister, how can she not be related to me?" Jin Chengyan raised an eyebrow. "I can understand that you might have overlooked her because of Qiao Lovely, but I cannot tolerate your deliberate approach towards her! If you don't truly love her, stay away from her. Otherwise, don't think that just because you are Jono's brother, I won't do anything to you!"
"So what if I'm Jono's brother? You and my sister are already divorced! Do you really care about her... no, even six parts out of ten?"
"Don't change the subject. I'm talking to you about Xi Er! It's either marriage or breakup!"
Jin Mengxi had been feeling down lately. Jin Chengyan had a lot on his plate and was scheduled for surgery tomorrow. But if Jin Mengxi's situation wasn't resolved soon, he wouldn't know how to help her when she fell deeper into trouble.
"Breakup? Jin Chengyan, right now your sister is clinging to me. I'm afraid that if I say we should break up, she'll cry, throw a tantrum, and even threaten to hang herself. Don't you know her personality by now?"
It was precisely because he knew that Jin Chengyan sought out Qiao Chen for this conversation.
He wanted to force Qiao Chen into making a decision.
But if it really came down to breaking up, it would be better to end it quickly rather than prolong the pain. Watching Jin Mengxi suffer like that was unbearable.
"Qiao Chen! Xi Er is my sister. Just try to hurt her and see what the consequences will be."
"Then let's wait and see."
Qiao Chen left.
Now Jin Chengyan was genuinely feeling irritated.
If before coming here he wasn't sure whether Qiao Chen was truly using Jin Mengxi to get at him, after their conversation, he was certain.
If the person were Jin Mengli, then everything would be easier. Jin Mengli was the kind of person who could easily detach herself from relationships. No matter how much she loved someone, she could turn away. Wasn't that the case with her father and Chuyu Xiu?
But Jin Mengxi was different; she had always been spoiled. Whatever she liked, she had to have. If she found out that Qiao Chen was only using her, she would definitely be unable to bear it.
Jin Chengyan rubbed his temples, wanting to take out a cigarette. He brought it to his lips but, thinking about the surgery tomorrow, he put it back down.
Smoking had become a habit after Jono left. During that time, he drank and smoked, doing whatever he could to torment his body.
He truly went through a period of depression.
Fortunately, that person had returned.
Returned... but what difference did it make?
At night, he slept in the room upstairs while she slept in the room downstairs. Despite being so close, it felt like there was an entire universe separating them, an insurmountable distance.
Jin Chengyan turned to head downstairs when his phone rang.
A text message.
For four years, hardly anyone had texted him. He found texting cumbersome; if something could be resolved with a phone call, he would never waste time with back-and-forth messages.
But when he saw who the message was from, Jin Chengyan stopped in his tracks and swiped open the screen. The message contained just a few words.
"Are you coming back for dinner tonight?"
It was asked so cautiously.
Yet those few words struck Jin Chengyan's heart with considerable force.
No one would ask him if he would return home for dinner in the evening. Even at the Jin Family Mansion, he would only have his secretary inform the housekeeper whether he had social engagements or not.
Being born into such a family was inherently tragic.
Suddenly wanting to hear Jono's voice, he called directly.
It seemed unexpected for Jono that Jin Chengyan would call back. There was a moment of surprise when Jono answered the phone.
"There's surgery tomorrow, no social engagements," Jin Chengyan said calmly. Their relationship had always been tense, with neither of them bringing up what had happened that day.
"Yes, you should rest well."
However, this statement carried a different weight in Jin Chengyan's ears, as he was preparing for a transplant surgery for Qiao Lovely the next day. He couldn't afford to be tired.
So, her thoughts were still on Qiao Lovely.
Without thinking twice, Jin Chengyan abruptly hung up the phone.
Did this woman not care about herself at all?
Jono listened to the dial tone, unsure of how he had provoked Jin Chengyan. He had specifically called back to say there would be no social engagements.
It was truly… incomprehensible.
...
After taking a moment to collect himself, Jin Chengyan made his way to Qiao Lovely's hospital room. The originally drowsy Qiao Lovely brightened up upon seeing him enter.
"Daddy, it's been a long time since you came to see me!" Qiao Lovely blinked her big eyes, looking as if she had been waiting forever.
Jin Chengyan sat down beside Qiao Lovely's hospital bed. This little girl was becoming more and more endearing; if it weren't for her suffering from illness, she should be happily playing right now.
"And Mommy, I haven't seen her for several days either. Is it because she doesn't like me anymore that she doesn't want to see me?" Qiao Lovely's voice grew softer.
"How could that be? Mommy has just been very tired these past few days. I told her to rest at home; she definitely still loves you, my little darling." Jin Chengyan thought about how Jono had practically slept in the hospital every day to take care of Qiao Lovely.
He hadn't expected Qiao Lovely to miss her mother so much, but Jono had never mentioned it to him.
The two of them were truly at odds with each other.
"Really?" Qiao Lovely looked at Jin Chengyan with her innocent big eyes.
"Of course! You're so adorable; who wouldn't like you?"
"But... some people don't like me..." Qiao Lovely lowered her head and spoke softly.
"Who?" Jin Chengyan was unsure what thoughts were running through Qiao Lovely's mind. "Little darling, not everyone in this world will like you. You can only do your best to be good to those who do like you and forget about those who don't. That way, you can be a happy little princess."
Clearly, Jin Chengyan's words were too complicated for Qiao Lovely to grasp. Her Chinese wasn't very fluent, and now he was giving her a long-winded explanation.
She looked at Jin Chengyan in confusion.
Jin Chengyan smiled slightly. "Just understand it this way: Mommy and I, along with your Little Daddy, we all love you. As long as you love us back, that's enough."
"I love you all!" Qiao Lovely could understand that part, "And Daddy Xi too!"
Qiao Lovely felt a tightness in her heart when it came to Xi Yisheng.
“Cough, do you really like your... Daddy Xi that much?” Jin Chengyan was genuinely concerned about Xi Yisheng.
After all, he had been with Jono for four years, helping her rise from the depths to the light, aiding her transformation and rebirth.
“I like him a lot!” Qiao Lovely nodded, noticing that Jin Chengyan seemed a bit off. She quickly added, “Of course, my favorite is still you, Daddy!”
Hearing this from Qiao Lovely, Jin Chengyan relaxed immediately; it was worth preparing for the transplant for this little one tomorrow.
“The handsome Dr. Qi told me that I will have surgery tomorrow and will be asleep for a long time. When I wake up, will the first person I see be you, Daddy?”
Of course not. Jin Chengyan would also be undergoing surgery tomorrow. Although his procedure would finish after Qiao Lovely's, the anesthesia would still be in effect at that time. Even if he woke up, he wouldn’t be able to stay by Qiao Lovely’s bedside.
But did Qiao Lovely really call him “the handsome Dr. Qi”?
This little girl truly knew how to win hearts; he had heard that all the doctors and nurses here had been charmed by her.
“How about I stay with you in the operating room tomorrow?”
“Can you really do that?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Daddy!” Qiao Lovely blinked her eyes. “I wish Mommy were here too.”
Qiao Lovely really missed Jono, and Jin Chengyan could see that clearly.
At this moment, should he call someone over? However, the way the phone call ended just now was so decisive...
Watching Qiao Lovely quickly fall asleep, Jin Chengyan instructed the nurse to take good care of her before stepping out of the ward. He thought about sending a text to Jono.
As Jin Chengyan began to type, he realized that sending a message was quite a frustrating task. How could he make the text seem less stiff?
Even though the other person couldn't see his expression through the screen, women always seemed to be better at reading between the lines.
Their relationship was already awkward; if anything else happened, Jin Chengyan really wouldn't know how to mend things with Jono.
Just as he was about to send the message, his phone rang, covering the messaging interface. He let out a long sigh.
It was a call from Melancholy.
"Ayan, come home for dinner tonight," Melancholy instructed Jin Chengyan directly.
He remembered promising Jono that he would return home tonight and replied, "I've been a bit busy these past few days. I'll come back to see you and Dad in a few days."
"Busy with what? Are you not even eating? If you don't come back tonight, then don't bother coming back at all."
"Mom..."
Melancholy hung up on Jin Chengyan's call abruptly and decisively.
Jin Chengyan wondered if he had done something to upset Melancholy to provoke such a strong reaction from her.
Could it be that they found out about the surgery?
It was impossible. Ever since Jin Zhongshu discovered it last time, he had been very careful, ensuring that the hospital could not reveal who provided Qiao Lovely with the Bone Marrow transplant.
What was Melancholy angry about?
Because of Melancholy's actions, Jin Chengyan felt unsettled and drove straight to the Jin Family Mansion.
He found A-Shan already waiting for him at the entrance.
"Why are you standing outside? Did your godfather punish you?" Jin Chengyan teased A-Shan lightly.
A-Shan made a helpless expression. "My phone was just taken by Godmother, so I couldn't notify you."
"Notify me about what?" A sense of unease crept into Jin Chengyan. Did Melancholy really find out?
He was already planning to leave the Jin Family Mansion immediately; after all, he had to perform the surgery on Qiao Lovely tomorrow. He couldn't just stand by and watch such a lovely girl perish.
Before A-Shan could respond, footsteps echoed from inside.
It was Melancholy. After all these years, she always wore fitted clothes at home and high heels as well, so being the matriarch of the Jin Family was not a role just anyone could take on.
"Ayan, you're back!" However, Melancholy's voice was particularly gentle, making Jin Chengyan feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Caught by Melancholy, there was no way for Jin Chengyan to leave; he could only stand still.
Seeing Melancholy come out from inside, accompanied by a fresh-faced young woman, and then glancing at A-Shan's expression, he instantly understood.
"Mom, I'm back," Jin Chengyan replied lightly. Over the past few years, Melancholy had not stopped trying to set him up on blind dates.
The topic that others dared not mention in front of him was brought up by Melancholy, who seemed intent on rubbing salt into his wounds.
In the past, Jin Chengyan could use the excuse that he had not divorced Jono, but now Jin Zhongshu had surely informed Melancholy that he and Jono were no longer together.
And now, here she was, bringing along a fresh-faced girl, who he suspected was the daughter of one of her friends.
"You're just in time! I was just talking to Yunxin about you for quite a while. Come here, let me introduce you," Melancholy said, pulling Yunxin's hand as if promoting her son. "Ayan, this is the daughter of my friend, named Yunxin. She just returned from studying abroad and is an amazing artist. She's about to hold an exhibition soon, and you must go and support her."
The girl named Yunxin was indeed sweet and charming, graceful and lovely; however, Jin Chengyan felt absolutely nothing for her.
Hearing his mother’s introduction, he politely nodded out of gentlemanly decorum.
"Yunxin, this is my son, Ayan."
"Hello, Mr. Jin. I've heard so much about you while abroad; you're even more handsome in person than in the magazines."
"Not just handsome; he's capable too. With him around, his father and I can relax so much," Melancholy chimed in.
"That's true, Auntie," Yunxin added, both she and Melancholy showering Jin Chengyan with compliments that lifted him to the heavens.
Yet the person in question paid no mind to their praises at all.
At this moment, he should be thinking about how to extricate himself from the situation.
"What are you still doing standing at the door? Come into the living room; dinner will be ready soon," Melancholy said as she released Yunxin's hand, clearly indicating for her to move closer to Jin Chengyan.
Jin Chengyan immediately pulled A-Shan beside him and asked casually, "When did you come back? Why didn’t you let me know?"
A-Shan: "..." I've been back for a while now, and it was you who called me back. We've met many times.
However, because of Jin Chengyan's action, Yunxin felt a bit awkward, but her refined demeanor as a young lady kept her from showing it.
Melancholy shot Jin Chengyan a glare, signaling him not to be too reckless.
With that, it was clear that Jin Chengyan wouldn't be leaving today; he had to stay for dinner. Otherwise, he wouldn't have a moment's peace tomorrow, especially since he was going in for surgery.
Being targeted by Melancholy was definitely not a good sign.
Melancholy and Yunxin walked ahead while Jin Chengyan and A-Shan followed behind.
"Why didn't you notify me earlier?" Jin Chengyan frowned slightly.
"When I got back, Godmother took my phone away."
"Don't you know there’s a landline? I can't believe how inflexible you've become! It seems the one who needs to go on a blind date isn't me, but you!"
A-Shan paused for a moment. "Godmother had all the signals blocked here."
Jin Chengyan: "..."
Whatever Melancholy intended to do would surely succeed.
"Find a way to help me get out of here later; I promised Jono I'd go back."
After spending some time in the living room, Jin Chengyan had already learned about Yunxin's family background and interests through Melancholy and Yunxin's introductions.
He simply nodded, refraining from offering any comments; knowing was enough.
Melancholy was quite dissatisfied with his attitude. After all, Yunxin was a girl she liked more. If they could really be together, she could eventually become the matriarch of the Jin Family, helping Jin Chengyan with many things.
But unfortunately, Jin Chengyan was not enthusiastic about this matter.
Not wanting to make things awkward, Melancholy suggested they go eat first.
So, the group got up from the sofa, and at Melancholy's suggestion, Yunxin moved closer to Jin Chengyan.
Jin Chengyan was the object of affection for many girls. So what if he had been married and divorced? He was still a catch—handsome and charming, with countless women willing to approach him.
Jin Chengyan glanced at A-Shan, wondering why he wasn't doing anything.
However, A-Shan pretended not to see... not to see...
If Jin Chengyan had to spend the entire evening with Yunxin, he thought he would have to deal with A-Shan tomorrow.
Just as he was thinking this, A-Shan, who had been holding a cup of water, walked past and seemed to trip over something. The hot water from the cup splashed all over Jin Chengyan.
What a clever move.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," A-Shan quickly set down the teacup and tried to wipe off the water from Jin Chengyan.
But nearby, Miss Yunxin immediately grabbed a napkin from the coffee table and leaned down to help wipe him off...
Melancholy watched everything unfold, knowing that A-Shan had done it on purpose while also recognizing that Yunxin genuinely cared for Jin Chengyan. This girl was not bad at all.
"Ayan, are you okay? The tea seems really hot," Yunxin said, wiping Jin Chengyan's arm with a look of concern.
Jin Chengyan quickly stepped back, placing the culprit A-Shan in front of him. He disliked and was unaccustomed to other women being so close to him.
"Look what you've done; you've spilled tea all over me. I'm going to change clothes now," Jin Chengyan said in a low voice, scolding A-Shan.
A-Shan lowered her head in acknowledgment of her mistake. Wasn't this all because Jin Chengyan had insisted on it?
But it was he who had to suffer from the scalding tea.
"Then hurry up and change; we'll wait for you to have dinner," Yunxin urged.
"No need to wait for me; I'm leaving first," Jin Chengyan replied without even glancing at Yunxin. He immediately exited the living room, but not in the direction of the stairs.
The Jin Family Mansion had many villas, yet Jin Chengyan lived in this particular one, with his room located here as well. If he insisted on leaving, it was clear he wanted to escape.
Since Yunxin was still there, Melancholy didn't say much.
She simply mentioned that they would go eat without waiting for Jin Chengyan and headed to the dining room with Yunxin, casting a glare at A-Shan along the way.
Fifteen minutes later, Jin Chengyan called to say that a major client had come up unexpectedly and he had to go see them in person. He wouldn't be coming back and wanted to apologize to Yunxin.
His words sounded so grand that Melancholy really didn't want to scold Jin Chengyan.
Meanwhile, Jin Chengyan was driving in wet pants, which was quite uncomfortable.
Checking the time, he sped up towards Jin Mansion.
Arriving at the Jin Mansion, Jin Chengyan felt it was still a fairly standard time to finish work. He adjusted his hairstyle in the rearview mirror.
Not bad, still looking handsome.
Though the tea stains on his pants were a bit unfortunate.
However, his looks could make up for that.
He opened the car door and confidently walked inside, thinking about the woman waiting for him at home, which lifted his spirits and made him forget about the blind date he had just been on.
Upon entering, he heard sounds coming from the kitchen. Turning left, he walked through the hallway and stood at the kitchen door, where he indeed saw Jono inside.
Since she was at home, she wore a simple cotton long-sleeve T-shirt and cotton pants, her long hair tied back with a hair tie, with a few strands escaping, adding to her casual beauty.
In the past, only Melancholy had cooked for him. Although there were housekeepers later on, it just didn't feel the same.
None of them were Jin Chengyan's.
Only Jono was truly Jin Chengyan's.
As if sensing someone at the door, Jono turned around and saw Jin Chengyan, momentarily startled.
Is he smiling at himself?
He was indeed smiling, though subtly.
It wasn't that she expected such a smile from him, but it reminded Jono of the past when he used to smile like that at himself.
"What's wrong with your pants?" Jono pulled back his thoughts, reminding himself not to be swayed by just one smile. Besides, he was no longer the person he used to be.
Even back then, he hadn't cared much about her!
"I got scalded by hot water..." he said dramatically, as if a whole bucket of boiling water had been thrown on him.
"Is it serious?" Jono had already grabbed a paper towel and was walking toward Jin Chengyan.
She knew that his return meant he was fine, and that standing there talking to her indicated it wasn't serious at all, yet she couldn't help but step closer.
That instinctive action was truly the most frightening.
Having reached Jin Chengyan's side, she paused.
She wanted to step back but was caught by Jin Chengyan's grip on her wrist.
"What's wrong? Are you worried about me?" His tone was so teasing.
Jono felt a surge of irritation. Why did he always have to be like this?
"I'm worried you might be injured and unable to have surgery!"
He released her. Sure, he was a bit hurt, but it was all his own doing—who could he blame?
Still, Jono placed the paper towel on his pants, feeling that they were still damp.
But as she got closer, she caught a whiff of a different scent coming from him—definitely not her perfume.
The hand froze in that moment, and then suddenly pulled away, completely unaware that the tissue had fallen to the ground.
Jin Chengyan could easily see that something was off with Jono. He couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Jono's reaction was indeed unusual; after all, it was just a quick wipe of his pants. How could that possibly reveal that he had just been on a blind date?
Jono snapped back to reality and, for some reason, let out a laugh. However, the sound made Jin Chengyan feel uneasy.
"Nothing, what could it be? I understand, right now I'm just your lover; am I not allowed to care about your matters?" Jono truly felt like he was going crazy, as if even the smallest things could turn his world upside down.
But he couldn't shake off the discomfort. Why was it that four years ago he could be with her while also being with Ruan Shengyu, and now he could let other women get close to him?
Women are indeed sensitive beings.
"Huh?" Jin Chengyan genuinely didn't understand Jono's words.
"I just want to ask you one thing: when will you get tired of me?" The cold voice came from Jono's lips.
Jin Chengyan felt a pang of anger; she actually remembered his offhand remark!
"At least not now." He lifted her chin and kissed her lips.
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