The Jin master’s taste is unique, allowing a prostitute who’s been used by many to get pregnant and even willing to make him take fertility drugs to bear her child. The abandoned man, heavily pregnant and filled with jealousy and despair, had fallen in love with a client. He secretly took fertility drugs to be with her, only to be left in this state, now forced to service rough women to survive.
Suxi’s face turned pale as he recalled Jin Yu’s words: “Marry me, and I’ll take care of you and the baby for life.” His hand touched his belly; she had promised to care for them and give them a home. He believed her completely, convinced she wouldn’t leave him.
After this realization, Suxi’s complexion improved, and his tense body relaxed. Xiao Lian understood that others looked down on him and Suxi, and felt hurt and angry for Suxi. His brother was no seductress; the gossip was nonsense.
Xiao Lian, feeling upset, looked to Suxi for comfort. “Brother, don’t listen to them. The Jin family master treats you well. She sends us gifts and even carved a hairpin for you. Now that you’re pregnant, she’ll surely continue to treat you kindly.”
Suxi smiled softly, stroking Xiao Lian’s hair as they walked “home.” “I know she’s good to us. I won’t overthink things.” For Suxi, home was where family was—Xiao Lian, Jin Yu, and the baby in his belly. As long as they were together, everything was fine.
Sui Xi came to her senses, glanced at Xiao Lian, and picked up her needle and thread to continue working, casually saying, “No need to pay attention.” Everyone in Shi Li Town knew that the master of the Jin family and Yun Zheng’s wife had not consummated their marriage. Sui Xi sometimes wondered why, despite her feelings, she remained cold towards him. It had been two years, and any man would be miserable without his wife’s affection. Sui Xi shook her head, thinking that as long as she had him and the baby, it was enough.
Xiao Lian was dissatisfied with these words. “But that person… that person is bullying…”
Sui Xi looked up at Xiao Lian helplessly. “You shouldn’t go out so often. Learn men’s crafts first.”
Xiao Lian felt troubled by the suggestion; he didn’t want to stay indoors working on crafts with his brother.
When Jin Yu entered, Xiao Lian had picked up the needle and thread but immediately set them down upon seeing her. Her presence made him forget about his tasks.
Sui Xi looked at Jin Yu in surprise. “Why are you back so early today?”
Jin Yu, as gentle as usual, took the needle, thread, and fabric from Sui Xi’s hands and embraced him. “You’re pregnant; you can’t be tired. Let others handle these tasks.”
Sui Xi lowered his head shyly, feeling a hint of apology. “I know, but I want to sew for the baby myself. I’m used to this and won’t tire the baby.”
After a moment of silence, Sui Xi glanced up, seeing Jin Yu’s bright smile. Enchanted, he stared blankly as she kissed his face several times, her soft lips warm and ticklish against his skin.
A blush spread across Sui Xi’s face as he shyly leaned into Jin Yu’s embrace.
“You seem a bit different today…”
“How am I different?” Jin Yu caressed her slightly protruding belly.
Sui Xi’s face heated up, grasping him tightly. It was still daytime; what if someone heard? Her face gradually reddened, and she whispered, “It’s still daytime…”
Jin Yu let go and stroked Sui Xi’s belly. “How am I different today?”
Sui Xi looked up at Jin Yu, whose eyes were full of tenderness. A surge of happiness filled him, and he felt fortunate. He buried himself in Jin Yu’s arms again. “You seem especially happy… Is something good happening today?”
Jin Yu paused, her hand touching her face before hugging Sui Xi again. Did her expression show so clearly? She lowered her head and kissed Sui Xi’s forehead, then effortlessly sat him on her lap. Her hand circled Sui Xi’s slightly larger waist as she sighed, “These days must have been hard on you.” One reason she let Sui Xi stay in her room was to prevent him from being wronged. She knew he would keep his grievances to himself.
Sui Xi’s eyes turned sour, and his voice was soft, “As long as I’m with you, it’s fine.” He had endured much contempt in the beauty house before, but compared to the past, things were much better now.
He just wanted to be with her – something he wouldn’t have dared to dream of before.
Jin Yu tightened her embrace, feeling both heartache and love for Sui Xi. She stroked his delicate hand and asked, “Sui Xi, if we need to leave here for a while, will you miss the Gu family?” The Gu family was Sui Xi’s maternal home, and Jin Yu wondered if he still had feelings for them.
Knowing this might touch a painful spot, she emphasized the choice he faced. She wanted to take him away from Shi Li Town, where he had lived for over a decade. If he was reluctant, they could return to visit. For her, it didn’t matter where she was, as long as he was by her side.
Sui Xi fell silent. After a long while, he spoke in a dejected tone, “Ever since I was married to the Chen family to ward off bad luck, and since Xiao Lian was driven out, I’ve had no attachment to that family.” He recalled having only seen his mother once when she coldly told him he was to be married to the Chen family. From childhood, they had been abandoned in a remote corner of the family, often starving and worse off than the lowest servants, until they were ultimately driven out.
He had always hoped to see his mother, but her heartless face was unforgettable.
After being beaten near death by the Chen family and surviving a destitute life with Xiao Lian, his longing for family had diminished.
Recalling those events, Sui Xi’s eyes dimmed. His only family then was his sick brother, Xiao Lian.
Jin Yu embraced him in silent comfort, understanding his feelings due to her own similar experiences. However, she had never believed in family. She asked softly, “Do you still want to go back to the Gu family and take a look?”
Sui Xi looked up at Jin Yu, then buried his face in her embrace, saying, “I want to be with you and the baby.” He had long lost hope for the Gu family. During his hardship with Xiao Lian, he once hoped they would help. When Xiao Lian was seriously ill, he knelt at the Gu family’s gate, crying and begging, but was driven away by the servants without seeing his mother. In his moment of desperation, she saved them and continued to care for them, sparking a glimmer of hope in his desolate heart.
He thought that if she hadn’t appeared then, he might have taken Xiao Lian to ‘leave’ together. If she hadn’t ‘frequently’ visited him, he would have had no desire to continue living in pain.
Jin Yu remained silent, her heart aching for him since the moment she was reborn. The first sight of him was of a brutalized and lifeless body, covered in scars. She remembered that morning when she kissed his face, almost forgetting her previous pain, with eyes that could only see him. She never expected to develop such compassion for a man so quickly after her rebirth.
Upon receiving news of him and learning about his background, she sent people to help him and Xiao Lian, visiting him frequently. She wanted to touch him, secretly protecting him and caring for him in various ways without his knowledge. She didn’t believe in love, avoiding her feelings for him. Yet, her visits became more frequent until she realized she couldn’t let go.
She had never cared about death, and after rebirth, life and death became insignificant. But because of him, she wanted to live for the first time, to live well. In this life, she would never let go of him.
Jin Yu kissed Su Xi’s cheek, her hand tenderly caressing his face. “Su Xi, let’s leave here together.”
Su Xi was stunned, looking up at Jin Yu in confusion. “Leave? Where to?”
Jin Yu stroked his back. “I’ve prepared a house elsewhere. We might not return after leaving.”
