Pampered by My Ex's Cousin

Chapter 408 - 402 Unacceptable Truth (Part 7)

Ji Fen clenched his teeth with resentment, "Yang Yufang is a person who would sacrifice even you, her own daughter, to achieve her goals. If her plans of many years fail, she certainly won’t let it go."

"Chicheng’s surname is Ji, he will be under great scrutiny, which is something his capabilities can’t prevent. When that time comes, how much public pressure will you two have to bear?"

"And do you really think that you can be together, knowing you’re related by blood, without any psychological barriers?"

"What about children? Even if he is willing to go without children for your sake for the rest of his life, can you bear it?"

Every single word from the old man struck against Ji Anning’s resolute heart.

Each point he made touched upon what she least wanted—and was most afraid—to consider.

"Do you really like children, Uncle?"

"Um... so you want to have more children with me as a way of repaying me?"

Her expression blank and her steps faltering, she retreated, "Don’t say anymore, please stop, I don’t want to listen, I don’t want to hear it."

She covered her ears, not wanting to listen.

"In those years, his mother could have chosen to tell him the truth, to tell him that she was seriously ill and not long for this world, but she chose to let him hate her. Because that was the only way he could become stronger and carry on after losing the only pillar of his life."

After speaking, the old man stood at the doorway, stared at Ji Anning for a while, and then, helplessly, turned and left.

Ji Anning lay on her bed, burying her face into her pillow, her tears almost soaking half the pillow.

Her Uncle, whom she loved so dearly, how could she have the heart to hurt him, how could she bear to let him go?

...

On her fifth day in C City, a heavy snow fell on C City. Ji Anning leaned against a pillar in the corridor, watching the snowflakes fall before her.

Her eyes were filled with desolation.

She reached out her hand, the snowflakes landing in her palm and immediately melting.

The phone in her other hand began to ring for the second time, the familiar lyrics adding a touch of sadness to the heavy snowfall.

With a sigh, unable to resist any longer, she finally pressed the answer button.

She turned on the speakerphone and a familiar, pleasing male voice came through, "Why did you take so long to answer the phone?"

"Uncle, it’s snowing heavily in C City." Ji Anning’s gaze turned towards the distant horizon, her eyes forlorn.

The man’s voice from the handset softened even more, "Did you put on the clothes I bought for you?"

Ji Anning’s nose tingled, and she nodded before giving an "Mhmm," fighting back tears again.

Ji Chicheng asked, "Don’t you plan on coming back?"

Clutching her nose and mouth, Ji Anning took a breath, adjusted herself, and then replied with a laugh, "I’ll come back when the snow stops, is that okay?"

"If you get a cold and come back, you’re in for it." Even though it was a warning, Ji Chicheng’s tone was indulgent, "I’ll pick you up when you return."

Ji Anning’s eyes reddened, and her voice was choked up.

Ji Chicheng was always patient with her, not pressing her, and from over the distance, they listened to each other’s breathing over the phone.

Suddenly, a gust of wind carrying a few snowflakes swept over, hitting her and causing Ji Anning to shiver, snapping her back to reality.

She said, "Let’s break up."

"Ji Anning!" Ji Chicheng called out her full name through gritted teeth, a warning in his voice.

This time his tone was serious.

Ji Anning’s heart fluttered, and she quickly forced a silly laugh, "I was just kidding, you’re so good to me."

The waves of sorrowful emotions continued to surge, but after her words, her throat tightened again. She couldn’t bear to listen to his voice, his breath, any longer.

She was on the verge of a breakdown.

"Uncle, my mom is calling for me. I have to go."

She made up an excuse, hung up, and continued to stare vacantly at the snowflakes dancing in the sky.

She still couldn’t do it.

...

During the New Year’s holiday, the weather in Hai City was lovely, with three consecutive days of gentle breeze and warm sun.

Ji Mingyue had also come back a few days earlier because the patriarch had been hospitalized, making the house lively.

After dinner, everyone sat in the living room watching TV. The patriarch was dragged in by Ji Mingyue to join them.