Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shu Laide listened to Shu Panâs words and let out a sigh. âSince youâve made up your mind, then go ahead and keep the baby. Weâll raise her together.â
âPanpan, have you really thought this through? Youâre still so young. If you have a child by your side, who will be with you in the future? Others might find it burdensome,â Lu Lifen, thinking she was the most rational and level-headed among them, tried to persuade her.
She was worried that Shu Pan was being impulsive. A child was a life, not something to be taken lightly. It was a lifetime commitment.
âAuntie Lu, Iâve thought it through. I donât plan on marrying again in the future. Iâll just have a child to keep me company. Iâm sorry, Iâve been selfish,â Shu Pan felt guilty for causing her family to worry.
âSilly child, if youâve really made up your mind, weâll support you. Just be prepared for the challenges ahead. Taking care of a child on your own wonât be easy, â Lu Lifen patted Shu Panâs hand, expressing her concern.
âAfter dinner, go rest in your room. We donât know when youâll be back, but Iâve already prepared your room for you.â
Shu Pan felt touched by their words.
As she opened the door to her room and saw everything inside, she was moved.
She didnât like complicated things, so the simple decor in the room suited her perfectly. The bedroom had light-colored wallpaper, pale blue curtains, and floral bed sheets. Everything was simple and unadorned, yet she loved it.
âBaby, this will be our home from now on. You have to grow up well,â Shu Pan said gently, her head lowered.
At this moment, Gu Shaoting returned home from outside. The house was silent, devoid of any sound, pitch-black. He turned on the light, and the dim glow enveloped him, making his figure appear lonely and desolate.
Suddenly, he became a bit restless, unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt. He walked slowly to the sofa and sat down, leaning against the backrest. He closed his eyes, and various images played in his mind.
Shu Pan preparing honey water for him, taking care of him in the hospital, and the many moments they had sharedâ¦
Sometimes, it was the loss that made you realize the value.
He opened his eyes, unwilling to dwell on those thoughts. He took out his phone from his pocket and went to the balcony. âLetâs go out for a drink.â After the call was connected, he stated without much explanation.
On the other end of the line, He Ming was taken aback, thinking he must have misheard.
No, it was indeed Gu Shaotingâs call. However, when he had invited him out before, Gu Shaoting seemed uninterested. So why nowâ¦
âSure, Iâll accompany you to hell.â He Ming agreed readily.
âBrother Ting, take it easy. You were just in the hospital not long ago, and it took you a while to recover. Letâs stick to red wine. Slow down. Donât chug it like that. Youâll get drunk,â He Ming, startled by Gu Shaotingâs heavy drinking, quickly advised. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Gu Shaotingâs mind echoed with Shu Panâs words about not drinking too much. It left a bittersweet feeling.
He picked up the wine glass and emptied it in one gulp.
âBrother Ting, do you want me to call some girls in to keep you company and chat?â He Ming looked at him, inquiring. After his divorce with Shu Pan, he had become like this, so maybe spending time with a woman could ease his mind.
âNo, women are too noisy. I want some peace and quiet. Donât talk nonsense. Just drink up,â Gu Shaoting immediately declined. He had a cleanliness issue and didnât have a playerâs tendencies.
He Ming nodded helplessly, unable to figure out what he was thinking.
Then, he poured himself a glass and started to sip slowly.
Gu Shaoting gazed at the swirling red wine in his glass through narrowed eyes. His thoughts were spinning as well..