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In the living room, Jono sat on the sofa, hugging a cushion. Jin Chengyan came in from the kitchen, holding a cup of hot milk, which he placed into Jono's hands.
His expression was serious. He had been in the kitchen for a long time, claiming he was heating milk for Jono, but in reality, he had gone to call Qi Ziluo to ask whether it was safe for Jono to have a baby given her current condition.
The answer was evident from the look on his face now.
"Drink the milk, then take a shower and rest well. I've kept your things for you," Jin Chengyan said, reaching out to pat Jono's head as if she were a small animal.
Jono nodded and took a sip of the milk. In truth, she didn't particularly like the sweet taste of milk, but it was good for the baby and provided calcium, so she forced herself to drink it.
"And then we can schedule a time to go to the hospital to... terminate the pregnancy."
The cup of milk slipped from Jono's hands with a crash, spilling its contents all over the floor in an unsightly mess.
Just now, Jono had heard Jin Chengyan say they would terminate the pregnancy?
"I won't do it," Jono said immediately as she stood up, putting on her shoes and heading not upstairs but towards the door!
Jin Chengyan hurried to catch up with her and grabbed her arm.
"Jono, don’t be unreasonable! I just spoke with Ziluo; given your current health, it's dangerous not just to have a baby but even to be sick! Do you think I would risk your life for a child? If we don't have a child, then we don't have one. Qiao Lovely is my daughter! I don’t want to endure the pain of losing you shortly after you come back into my life!" Qi Ziluo had said that if Jono tried to have a baby now, it would be akin to slow suicide!
When faced with the choice between protecting Jono and protecting the child, Jin Chengyan undoubtedly chose Jono.
Jono pulled her hand away from Jin Chengyan's grasp and lowered her head, avoiding his gaze. However, her eyes were already red.
"Do you know? Four years ago, from the moment I found out I was pregnant to when I miscarried was just a matter of hours. I went from being a mother to possibly never being able to conceive again. Do you know how big that emotional gap is? Now that I finally have the chance to have my own child, you want me to terminate it? I won’t agree to that. I want to give birth to this child—not just because of you but because I want my own child. Please promise me!" Jono had never begged Jin Chengyan for anything except this; she had her own convictions regarding having children.
Jin Chengyan felt a painful tug at his heart as he looked at Jono's stubbornness.
Wasn't he hurt when he decided they should terminate the pregnancy? This was their child—the fruit of their love! When he learned he was going to be a father, he felt excitement and dreams of a happy future with their family of four...
However, all thoughts of Jono's physical condition came to a sudden halt.
Compared to the happy moments of a family of four, Jin Chengyan preferred to be alone with Jono. Wasn't it the same with Qiao Lovely?
Yet, he understood Jono's desire to have this child.
No mother would agree to give up her own child!
"Jono, please try to understand my feelings. I would rather lose the child than lose you." He pulled Jono close, gently pressing her against him. "From the moment I met you, we were destined to share a lifelong bond. When you left four years ago, I felt like I had lost my one true love. Knowing you were still alive, do you know how many times I thanked the heavens from the bottom of my heart? But now, even the heavens don't know how sad I am."
Jin Chengyan lowered his gaze, feeling the slight tremor in Jono's body. He could sense how much she struggled with the thought of terminating the pregnancy.
Yes, both of them had their own convictions, and each had valid reasons—wasn't it all because they loved each other too much?
"Just listen to me this once, okay?" Even if Jono was angry with him, this time he had to follow his instincts; otherwise, Jono's life would be in danger.
Jono remained silent. Although she knew how much Jin Chengyan wanted her by his side, it was just as strong as her desire to give birth to their baby.
Back in their room, Jono took a shower and changed into her pajamas before lying down on the bed. Jin Chengyan also finished his shower from another bathroom and joined her.
How long had it been since they lay peacefully together in bed? How long had it been since Jin Chengyan held Jono like this, doing nothing but listening to her steady breathing?
Jono lay with her back to Jin Chengyan, leaning against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his hand on her lower abdomen—whether intentionally or not, he wasn't sure.
The sound of her even breathing reached Jono's ears, making her think he had fallen asleep. Then she heard him say, "Do you know? For these four years without you, I didn't dare step foot in this place. The house is filled with your presence; even the smallest object reminds me of you. In the kitchen, I can picture you cooking; in the living room, I see you sitting cross-legged on the sofa watching TV; in the garden, I remember you watering the flowers... You said that every day without you has been restless for me. I've never found peace again until you returned."
Listening to Jin Chengyan's deep and magnetic voice as he slowly shared his thoughts made Jono's eyes well up with tears. Silent tears fell onto the pillow, soaking a patch of it.
"So nothing else matters; as long as we have each other here, we will create the most beautiful memories together. Having you is already perfect for me; I don't need anything more. Jono, my only wish is simple: just to be with you. You can fulfill that for me, right?"
Jono nodded, unable to answer Jin Chengyan's question.
But her heart ached. Did she not want to be with Jin Chengyan? Yet when it came to choosing between the child and Jin Chengyan, she truly found herself at a loss.
The future seemed so beautiful; she and Jin Chengyan could live happily together. However, she could not be a mother in the truest sense.
Or perhaps, the child would be born, and she would tragically fall away, leaving Jin Chengyan to raise the child alone.
No matter which scenario it was, Jono felt distressed.
Why couldn't there be a way to have it all?
To give birth to the child and still be able to stay with Jin Chengyan.
"Do you know? In my heart, I have already lived an entire life with you." She held his hand and placed it on her small belly.
A lifetime—a word so heavy. She had thought that life was something to be lived out, but now she had to articulate it.
Indeed, in her mind, she had already spent a lifetime with Jin Chengyan.
No, from the moment they first met, they had already begun anew.
They met at a formal occasion; she hadn’t stripped away his towel or seen him completely naked, nor had he proposed any marriage demands.
They introduced themselves and developed mutual feelings. They went on dates and did everything couples do. Then Jin Chengyan proposed to her, and she accepted. Their families met and agreed on their relationship.
They held a wedding, went on a honeymoon, and she became pregnant. He was overjoyed. They welcomed a healthy baby into the world and raised the child together. Yes, she had even thought of what name to give the baby.
Their child would go to school, grow up, fall in love, and eventually get married.
They gradually grew old together, always by each other's side, unaware of who would leave this world first. However, the one left behind would continue to live well, and when the time came for the remaining one to depart, they would meet again in heaven and restart their love.
Look, Jono has already lived this life in his heart with Jin Chengyan.
Though ordinary and similar to the lives of others, monotonous and plain, this was the life Jono desired—being with the person he loved, living the simplest life, loving his dearest.
Jin Chengyan held Jono close; how could he not have already planned their life together in his mind?
Yet now, the atmosphere between them felt somewhat subdued. Perhaps after some time, when Jono no longer missed that child so intensely, when they could begin anew, everything would become much simpler.
Time always smooths over many scars.
Jono's breathing gradually became steady, his body softening as if he had fallen asleep.
But Jin Chengyan couldn't sleep at all, no matter what. Even with Jono in his arms.
Forgive his selfishness; he wanted Jono's heart more than he wanted a child. The child surely wouldn't blame him! If it came down to a choice, Jin Chengyan would unhesitatingly choose Jono.
Perhaps in this lifetime he was destined not to be a father; maybe in the next one!
“Baby, in our next life, let’s be a family again, okay?” Jin Chengyan softly spoke to the little one inside Jono's belly.
In the stillness of the night, in a quiet room, a pair of long-separated lovers lay on the same bed, each lost in their own thoughts.
Around four or five in the morning, Jono slowly opened his eyes and felt Jin Chengyan holding him. Turning around, she saw his face just inches away.
She remembered being captivated by that face the first time she saw it, even before their encounter at the hotel.
He was always the most dazzling one in the crowd—confident and aloof. His innate charm set him apart from others.
At that moment, Jono was wondering just how exceptional this man must be to become who he was.
Now, that exceptional man lay beside her, whispering sweet nothings, making her feel that perhaps this life was not in vain after all.
She remembered that he had loved her deeply.
And she too harbored an unbreakable affection for this man. From that day forward, she would carry his love with her through each passing day.
"Ayan, I'm sorry for leaving you with the child while I'm gone." Jono caressed Jin Chengyan's face, tracing the high bridge of his nose, his long eyelashes, and the perfect shape of his lips...
She gently kissed his lips, warm and tender.
Goodbye.
Jono quietly got out of bed and tucked Jin Chengyan in. Her gaze fell once more into the pitch-black room; she could clearly picture where everything was placed, able to navigate the space even with her eyes closed.
She thought that it was likely she would never return to this place again.
The person on the bed slept soundly. Perhaps when he woke up to find the bed empty tomorrow morning, he would be very angry, anxious, or even scared.
But there was no need to be afraid or nervous; it would be alright. He would not lose her forever. Whether it was their child or herself, one of them would always be by his side.
Goodbye.
She softly uttered those two words to the peacefully sleeping Jin Chengyan before closing the door and leaving the room.
Upstairs were Jin Chengyan's bedroom, study, and a living room. However, he often spent more time in the living room downstairs, perhaps because he felt Jono's presence there made it more comforting.
Descending the spiral staircase and taking a couple of steps brought her to Jono's old room. He had said he would turn it into a nursery. She estimated she wouldn’t get to see that nursery after all, but it was alright; her child could keep an eye on it for her.
In the early hours of the morning, around four or five, it was pitch black. Jono had not turned on the lights, and it felt as if she had come and gone in this old house, Jin Mansion—just a fleeting visitor, hurriedly passing through.
...
By seven or eight in the morning, Jin Chengyan woke from his sleep. A strong instinct urged him to reach out for Jono. The thought that he would be taking her to the hospital today made his heart flutter slightly.
However, he could not find Jono's body in bed, and the spot beside him was already cold. Had she been up for a long time?
He suddenly opened his eyes wide.
"Jono?" Jin Chengyan immediately threw off the covers, a bad premonition rising in his chest.
He searched the bathroom and every corner of the second floor but found no trace of Jono!
Going downstairs, he rummaged through every nook and cranny on the first floor, yet there was still no sign of her!
"Jono—" Without even having time to put on his shoes, Jin Chengyan shouted into the room, as if calling her name would somehow bring her back.
But all he received in response was silence; there was no sign of Jono and no sound from her.
His phone!
Jin Chengyan quickly grabbed the nearest landline to call Jono. He knew her number by heart. He dialed, but it went straight to voicemail. He tried again, but it was still off.
This time, Jin Chengyan wasn't worried about Jono wanting to break away from him or concocting some flimsy excuse. What he feared was that she might be hiding somewhere, preparing to give birth all alone!
How could her body possibly handle that?
He hurried back to his room to grab his cellphone and call A-Shan.
As soon as he opened his phone, he saw an unread message from Jono.
“Ayan, by the time you read this message, you should know that I’m gone. I’m sorry for what I said last night; in the end, I deceived you. But… I can’t bear to send my child away myself. I want to see it born healthy and have a happy childhood. Please don’t come looking for me; you can’t change my mind about having this baby. I love you, and I love our child. I’m sorry.”
The message abruptly ended, leaving no further words.
But if Jin Chengyan were to follow Jono's message, he wouldn’t be Jin Chengyan!
How could he possibly allow Jono to go through this alone? That would be like watching her die right before his eyes!
He immediately called A-Shan.
“A-Shan, no matter what it takes, find Jono right now and get her to the hospital!” Jin Chengyan was determined to ensure Jono’s safety. As for the baby, he would go get a vasectomy right away—he would never let Jono get pregnant again!
He didn’t want a child; he only wanted Jono.
“Young Mistress, she returned to Jin Mansion with you yesterday…”
“She left again. She’s pregnant and wants to have the baby alone, but her current health condition can’t handle it. You need to find her and take her to the hospital immediately! I want to see her on the operating table myself!” Jin Chengyan rubbed his temples, feeling like his head was about to explode. Every minute without Jono by his side was dangerous!
“Understood!” A-Shan responded promptly.
Jin Chengyan hung up the phone without changing his clothes, grabbing his phone and car keys as he rushed out of Jin Mansion. He needed to find Xining—the woman who had always been by Jono's side. Without her help, where could Jono possibly go?
Just as he drove off, his phone rang. Thinking it was Jono, he glanced at the caller ID and realized he really didn’t want to answer.
However, Jin Chengyan still picked up.
“Mom, I’ll explain Jono’s situation later, but right now, I need to find her!” Perhaps because A-Shan had mobilized too many people from the Jin family, Melancholy might have found out. But even if she knew, there was nothing that could stop Jin Chengyan from wanting to find Jono right now.
"Go home right now! I'm only saying this once!" Melancholy was particularly assertive; otherwise, how could she have raised such a strong-willed son like Jin Chengyan?
Jin Chengyan threw his phone in frustration and suddenly turned the car around, heading towards Jin Family Villa.
The journey from Jin Mansion to Jin Family Villa, which usually took forty minutes, was compressed to twenty as he sped along. The car finally came to a halt at the entrance of the villa, and without bothering to close the door, he stormed inside.
The servants sensed the anger radiating from Jin Chengyan, yet none dared to stop him.
In the side hall, Melancholy sat elegantly, waiting for Jin Chengyan's arrival, with A-Shan standing beside her.
Wasn't A-Shan supposed to be looking for Jono? Why was she here?
However, A-Shan didn’t dare meet Jin Chengyan's gaze; it seemed she had been called by Melancholy.
"Mrs. Jin, if you have something to say, please do it quickly. I have my own matters to attend to." Even when there were disagreements between Jin Chengyan and Melancholy in the past, he had never openly contradicted her. But today, his tone was thick with dissatisfaction—how could anyone not notice?
"Jin Chengyan, how can you speak to your elder like that?" Melancholy frowned.
"And how have you treated my wife? You used a child's life to force her away from me. I've known you for so many years and I know that no matter how ruthless you are, you would never go too far. However, threatening her when Jono was powerless—I cannot comprehend that! This time, I will find her! I won't let you stop us from being together again."
Jin Chengyan had initially planned to resolve this matter with Melancholy later, but now everything had collided; it had to be addressed immediately.
"Fine. If you won't let A-Shan go find Jono, then I'll go myself. What you'll lose is not just a grandson; it could very well be a son." He couldn't understand why his usually reasonable mother would act this way. Even if she wanted to protect her son, Jin Chengyan couldn't fathom it—he was using Bone Marrow; there shouldn't be any issues!
"Jin Chengyan!" Melancholy slammed her palm on the mahogany table and stood up, her face filled with fury. "Is this really how you want to speak?"
"You forced me into this!"
"Godmother, Ayan, both of you should hold your tongues for now. Shouldn't we focus on finding Young Mistress first? If we delay any longer and something happens—what then?" A-Shan interjected in an attempt to mediate.
"What do you mean by 'Young Mistress'? Jono has nothing to do with our Jin Family anymore!" Melancholy was also furious. "Are you going to listen to that ungrateful child or your Godmother?"
A-Shan found herself caught in the middle, struggling to mediate.
"A-Shan, never mind. I'll go find someone myself." Jin Chengyan didn't want to make things difficult for A-Shan. After expressing his stance on the matter, he quickly left the side hall.
Melancholy was extremely upset and sat down heavily in a chair, trying to calm herself.
A-Shan comforted Melancholy for a moment before rushing out to catch up with Jin Chengyan.
"Ayan, wait a moment." A-Shan called out to Jin Chengyan. "Actually, making a big fuss about looking for Young Mistress right now might not be the wisest move."
"Are you also going to side with your Godmother? I don't understand when she became like this; it's simply incomprehensible!" Jin Chengyan was truly exasperated.
"I'm naturally on your side, but right now Young Mistress genuinely wants to avoid you. If you go looking for her so openly, she'll just hide even more. Given her current condition, do you really think she can handle running around and hiding?" A-Shan's words were quite persuasive, leaving Jin Chengyan speechless.
"Am I supposed to just watch her risk her life to give birth to some unknown child?" Jin Chengyan had no fondness for this child at all.
At this point, A-Shan was also at a loss for words. Whether he searched for her or not, Jin Chengyan found himself in a dilemma, trapped in a difficult situation.
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