"Shut up!" Sheng Chenjin slammed his hand on the table, glaring at her with a dark expression.
Shi Xinxin froze, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes. "Chenjin Ge, you hit me?! You yelled at me?!"
Sheng Chenjin was startled by her reaction and looked at her helplessly.
His actions had indeed been a bit impulsive...
Shi Xinxin glanced at him, turned away, and sobbed uncontrollably.
Sheng Chenjin sighed, his tone low. "Shi Xinxin, if you really can't bear to get rid of the child, I can give you a sum of money. It will be enough to support you in raising this child. I promise that you and the child will not suffer any hardship."
Hearing this, Shi Xinxin cried even harder.
She trembled with sobs, as if she had suffered the greatest humiliation in the world.
She clutched her chest, crouched on the floor in pain, and whimpered.
Sheng Chenjin frowned, his heart tightening with hers. A sharp pain seized him, making his nerves taut.
He slowly walked over and reached out a hand, intending to help her up.
Shi Xinxin, however, dodged his touch, her sobs intensifying.
Sheng Chenjin: "..."
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm sorry." Sheng Chenjin knelt on the floor, head bowed, his voice low.
"Leave, just leave! *Wu wu*, I don't need your pity... You don't like me at all, and you don't love me... You don't love me at all..."
Shi Xinxin's cries grew louder and more piercing, as if threatening to shatter eardrums.
Stimulated by her wailing, Sheng Chenjin's head throbbed. He couldn't help but rub his forehead.
"Chenjin Ge, let's break up..." Shi Xinxin cried out, "I beg you, let's break up... Let's break up..."
Sheng Chenjin's face contorted. He grabbed her wrist. "What did you say?!"
"I beg you, let's break up... I'm not worthy of getting engaged to you... I'm not worthy of being your fiancée..." Shi Xinxin sobbed, shaking her head. "Chenjin Ge... let's break up..."
Sheng Chenjin's grip tightened.
Shi Xinxin gasped in pain, "Chenjin Ge, what are you doing?"
Sheng Chenjin stared at her coldly. "Try mentioning breaking up again."
Shi Xinxin was terrified, her eyes brimming with tears. "Chenjin Ge, don't be angry anymore. I promise, I'll never mention breaking up again..."
Shi Xinxin's sobbing irritated him. Sheng Chenjin threw the hairdryer to the floor with a flick of his wrist, strode out of the room, and slammed the door shut with a bang.
After Sheng Chenjin left, Shi Xinxin continued to cry without stopping.
She cried with heart-wrenching grief until she was finally exhausted and fell asleep on the bed.
The night deepened gradually.
Sheng Chenjin lay on the sofa, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
It was his birthday, yet he was spending it away from home.
He missed his mother, and he missed the woman who had been by his side for over thirty years.
But after his mother's death, he had never seen that woman again. He didn't even know where her tombstone was...
Mother, do you still remember your son?
I miss you.
Sheng Chenjin sat up and gazed at the starry night sky outside the window, his heart in turmoil.
He suddenly recalled a line of poetry:
On the night of the full moon, longing meets.
His mother, at this moment, must be thinking of him.
Sheng Chenjin rose from the bedside, intending to go to the wine cellar for a drink. But then he thought of Shi Xinxin and retreated.
He entered the bedroom and looked at Shi Xinxin, who was fast asleep with her head on the desk. His eyes were filled with complexity.
Shi Xinxin's cheeks were flushed, and her long eyelashes were still adorned with crystal-clear tears, which dripped down one by one, shimmering like pearls.
His fingers involuntarily caressed her cheek. The smooth, cool sensation transmitted from his fingertips sent an indescribable tremor through him. He held his breath involuntarily, then stiffly lowered his arm, turned, and walked out of the room.
As if sensing something in her sleep, Shi Xinxin's eyelashes fluttered lightly. Then, she opened her eyes.
She watched Sheng Chenjin's retreating back, a sarcastic smile curling her lips. She slowly closed her eyes again, pretending to continue sleeping.
However, deep down, she harbored an intense hatred for that man.
If not for that man's ruthlessness, his mother would not have died. If not for that man's coldness, she would not be heartbroken.
She didn't want to forgive that man.
But he insisted on being a good person.
There were too few good people in this world, so he was exceptionally good, wasn't he?
Then, she could only choose to hate.
She hated that man.
She wanted to make him regret it for the rest of his life.
The next day, Sheng Chenjin woke up at eight o'clock.
He threw off the covers and got out of bed. After washing up, he left the bedroom.
A rich aroma wafted from the kitchen, making his stomach rumble.
Sheng Chenjin looked at the figure busy in the dining room, his heart warming slightly.
Shi Xinxin turned around and saw Sheng Chenjin standing at the doorway. Her smile bloomed instantly.
"Chenjin Ge, you're awake? Come and eat quickly."
She placed a bowl of steaming porridge in front of him. "Chenjin Ge, have some porridge to warm your stomach. I've been simmering it for a long time."
Sheng Chenjin nodded, sat down, and picked up the spoon. He tasted a small spoonful. The fragrance of the porridge filled his nostrils, whetting his appetite. He unhesitatingly drank the entire bowl.
"How is it? Delicious, right?" Shi Xinxin's bright eyes sparkled.
Sheng Chenjin looked at her expectant expression and nodded. "Mmm."
"Hehe, I knew my cooking was great." Shi Xinxin was beaming with joy. "Chenjin Ge, aren't you full yet? Should I serve you another bowl?"
"No, thank you." Sheng Chenjin declined. "I haven't had breakfast yet. I'll go brush my teeth and wash my face first."
He took his toiletries into the bathroom, washed up, changed his clothes, and left the room.
Shi Xinxin, who hadn't eaten breakfast yet, followed him.
Sheng Chenjin walked into the kitchen without a word. He picked up the spatula and skillfully stir-fried the dishes, while Shi Xinxin watched beside him.
As he chopped vegetables, Sheng Chenjin said, "Shi Xinxin, if you want to leave me, then pack your things and get out early."
Shi Xinxin choked. "I..."
"I don't have time to waste with you. I still don't know how to face you. If you're willing to wait, then wait. But if you're determined to leave, I won't stop you."
Sheng Chenjin's tone was resolute, not like he was negotiating, but rather commanding.
His firm attitude made Shi Xinxin's heart sink. She knew that Sheng Chenjin had truly made up his mind.
Her face paled slightly.
She understood what he meant.
If neither of them wanted to drag things out, they should cut off all contact.
But she couldn't bear it.
She couldn't bear to part with him, couldn't bear to...
"Chenjin Ge..." she opened her mouth, her voice hoarse. "I... I can consider it."