Chapter 069　 He always felt that a love that required so much effort wasn't a good thing.

  *

  After Fujikawa finished his speech, the party resumed. The band began to play, and the atmosphere grew even more lively.

  Li Chengshi searched everywhere for Su Xian, but he only saw Yoshida Wakaba chatting with people; Zhao Nanfeng was nowhere to be seen either. A bad premonition welled up in his heart. He turned and walked out of the hall. Just as he entered the foyer, he saw the silhouettes of Zhao Nanfeng and Su Xian through the glass wall, and he immediately rushed out.

  Having stabilized Su Xian’s emotions, Zhao Nanfeng lowered his head and whispered, "You don't need to worry about a thing. Just pretend as if nothing happened."

  Su Xian nodded.

  "Do we need to 'network' even among our own people?"

  Li Chengshi’s voice suddenly rang out from behind. Zhao Nanfeng turned around instantly and said with a smile, "Your wife drank too much and feels dizzy. Stay here with her for a bit. Take her home once she feels better; you don't need to go back in to say goodbye."

  Li Chengshi immediately stepped forward to support Su Xian, asking worriedly, "How are you feeling? Do you want me to go buy some medicine?"

  "No need. I feel much better after getting some fresh air. Let's start driving back slowly now."

  "Alright."

  Li Chengshi took off the watch and returned it to Zhao Nanfeng. "Thanks, Boss."

  "Be careful on the road. Off you go."

  *

  The car wound its way down the high slope; the night view was elegant and beautiful.

  To alleviate her anxiety, Su Xian took the initiative to speak. "Baby, I saw you chatting quite well with everyone tonight. I'm finally relieved."

  "And why exactly were you worried before?"

  "I was afraid you’d only talk to people you know and turn into a little mute in front of strangers."

  Li Chengshi chuckled. "I’m indeed not good at handling these occasions. My palms were sweating the whole time just now. But isn't that worry of yours a bit belittling?"

  Su Xian burst into laughter.

  "What about you, though? How did you end up drinking too much? No one was pushing drinks on you."

  "Actually, I didn't drink that much. But because I barely ate and mixed different kinds of alcohol, I suddenly felt nauseous. I went to the restroom to throw up for a bit and ran into Zhao Nanfeng on the way out. We chatted for a few minutes; don't be jealous..."

  "You threw up?" His voice rose. "It must have upset your stomach. We’ll buy some medicine on the way, and I’ll cook some porridge for you when we get home."

  "Okay, baby. You're so thoughtful."

  He picked up from her earlier comment. "Don't worry, I’m not jealous." To be honest, standing in the foyer earlier and seeing Su Xian and Zhao Nanfeng together—their height, looks, age, and temperament all seemed so perfectly matched—it was impossible to be completely indifferent.

  Su Xian reached out and placed her hand on his leg.

  "Take it off. It’s affecting my safe driving."

  "Okay, baby."

  "Looks like your stomach really is upset. Otherwise, how could you let me off so easily?"

  "I’m so hungry I have no strength left."

  "Then let's stop talking. You get some sleep."

  **

  A week later, Zhao Nanfeng took Su Xian and Yoshida Wakaba to Takamatsu Airport. The trip was changed from the original three days and two nights to four days and three nights, under the pretext that the client had added a day of meetings for discussion in addition to the site investigation.

  Of course, this was an excuse made up by Zhao Nanfeng.

  After landing and settling Yoshida in the hotel, he immediately took Su Xian to the pre-booked clinic.

  Inside the taxi, Su Xian let out a long sigh. These past few days, she had been terrified that Li Chengshi would notice something, so she had been cautious in everything. Combined with the drastic hormonal changes of early pregnancy, she felt immensely fatigued.

  Zhao Nanfeng comforted her, "Don't worry, it'll be over soon."

  She was still a bit uneasy. "Is a clinic in a small place like this reliable?"

  "It was recommended by a doctor friend of mine. It's very reliable. Besides, you're in early pregnancy; they use the suction method. It’ll be done in ten minutes, and the trauma is minimal. Don't be afraid."

  Su Xian remained silent. Thirty-five years old, her first pregnancy in life, and she had decided to end it without hesitation.

  Something like this is impossible to feel light about.

  *

  After a full set of check-ups, her condition was good. When the doctor performed the final confirmation, Su Xian remained firm. She loved Li Chengshi, but how could someone who wasn't even willing to sign a marriage contract want a child?

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  The surgery was minor but required general anesthesia.

  When she woke up again, Zhao Nanfeng was sitting by the hospital bed, looking down at her with a smile. "The doctor said it was very successful with minimal bleeding. There might be some stinging and continued spotting, but it’ll be fine in two or three days. You’ll need a follow-up in a week, but you don't have to come here specifically. I'll arrange a clinic in Tokyo and take you there using some excuse when the time comes."

  "Thank you." She was still a bit lightheaded.

  "The doctor says you need to stay here for an hour of observation. If everything's okay, we can leave. Rest for now; I’ll be right here."

  Su Xian closed her eyes and lay there for a while, then opened them again. "You should go for a walk. Seeing you when I open my eyes only deepens my guilt."

  "Why feel guilty? When Li Chengshi got together with you, he should have known you didn't want to marry or have kids. But after falling in love, he felt he could take it a step further, so those expectations gradually surfaced. That’s his problem."

  "He didn't demand any of this. It was I who gave him hope."

  "Then you can regret that part and be clearer about your stance in the future, but there’s no need to blame yourself for this accident."

  "Sigh, no matter how much you try to exonerate me..." She pulled the white sheet up to cover her face, crying silently for a while, then reached out her hand for a tissue.

  Zhao Nanfeng asked the nurse for a tissue and handed it to her.

  "Stop crying. I just heard two nurses over there chatting. They were saying a man my age is irresponsible for stringing a girlfriend along without marrying her and then making her get an abortion after she gets pregnant. A total scumbag."

  "Well, you aren't being wrongly accused then." Su Xian pulled down the sheet to reveal her face.

  Zhao Nanfeng took the crumpled tissue from her hand and threw it into the trash, mocking himself. "I have never once let a girlfriend have an accidental pregnancy."

  "Have you checked? Maybe your sperm just isn't up to the task."

  "Hey, how can you be so heartless? Here I am trying my best to comfort you, and you turn around and trample on my bottom line as a man with that nonsense."

  Su Xian let out a snort of laughter. "As if you have a bottom line."

  Seeing her laugh, Zhao Nanfeng felt relieved. He could see the efforts she made to give Li Chengshi a sense of security, but he always felt that a love that required so much effort wasn't a good thing—just like her tears today, which were originally unnecessary.

  *

  An hour later, the doctor came by for a check-up and consultation, confirming she was in good condition. He prescribed pain relievers and anti-inflammatories and told them they could leave.

  In Japan, health insurance cannot be used for pregnancy terminations. The surgery plus the check-up fees came to about 200,000 yen. Su Xian wanted to use her credit card, but Zhao Nanfeng paid in cash.

  After walking out of the clinic, Su Xian said, "I'll transfer the money back to you."

  "How would you explain it to Li Chengshi if he accidentally sees the transfer record?"

  "Then I'll withdraw cash and pay you back."

  "I don't want money. Just sleep with me once you've recovered."

  Su Xian kicked him. "You bastard! How can you still make that kind of joke? Do you have any humanity?!"

  "I have no humanity, obviously; you should know that better than anyone. Come on, let me take you to eat something good to nourish you."

  "Forget it. Let's go back to the hotel and eat separately. Now that you saw my flaw, you bastard will definitely continue to tease me. Morally speaking, I should be immersed in sorrow right now and shouldn't have to listen to your dirty crap."

  "To hell with morality; why do you care about it? I swear I won't talk nonsense anymore, but you must come to dinner with me. If I don't see you eat a good meal, how can I sleep soundly at night holding another woman?"

  Su Xian said with disgust, "Ugh, can you stop being gross and considerate at the same time? You're confusing me. Just stick to being a scumbag."

  "People... how can they ever be that simple?"

  **