novelraw Chapter 192 I need to stay away from you
Chapter 192 I need to stay away from you
"Lin Chen, are you envious?" Xue Jingyan leaned against the car window, watching Lin Chen open the car door.
"I'm going to be a great-uncle, are you envious of me?" Lin Chen couldn't suppress the smile on his face, and he had already started thinking about what gift to buy.
Xue Jingyan rolled his eyes and got into the passenger seat. "You don't even have a girlfriend, and you're already acting like a great-uncle, skipping generational boundaries." He fastened his seatbelt, then suddenly leaned closer to Lin Chen, lowering his voice, "But, I've known you for so many years, and you've never had a woman by your side. Could it be…?"
Lin Chen started the car and ignored him.
"You don't actually like men, do you?" Xue Jingyan's eyes lit up as if he had discovered a new continent. "Looks like I'll have to stay away from you."
Lin Chen glanced at him and stepped on the gas. "Even if I like men, don't worry, I won't like you."
Xue Jingyan choked for a moment, then snorted.
Lin Chen parked the car in front of Yun Yu Ji restaurant. "Let's go, I'm in a good mood today, I'll treat you to a big meal."
"Then I'll have to give you a good beating." Xue Jingyan pushed open the car door, suddenly turned around, and his expression turned serious. "Jingyan, this matter must be kept absolutely secret." Lin Chen looked into his eyes. "You also know about three years ago..."
Xue Jingyan paused for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."
In the room, Gu Yanshen had arranged everything perfectly. A thermos was placed on the bedside table, the water temperature just right; the curtains were drawn tightly; her phone was charging and placed within easy reach. Lu Xiran sat on the bed, watching his careful demeanor, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
"Get out." Her voice was cold. She glanced at the thermos on the bedside table. "The water's been poured; you can leave now."
Gu Yanshen didn't move. He walked to the sofa and lay down. "I'll sleep here tonight."
"No." Lu Xiran glared at him. "I've been sleeping here all this time. I feel more at ease when I'm with you."
"I don't need it!" Her voice rose. "Gu Yanshen, I won't be moved. What you're doing only moves yourself."
"There's nothing to be moved about." He lay on his side on the sofa, his legs so long they were half-draped over the armrest, his posture incredibly awkward. He closed his eyes and said softly, "Go to sleep."
Lu Xiran looked at him. The sofa was so short, and he, such a big person, was hunched over it, his shoulders dangling in the air. Something in her heart softened, but she wouldn't allow herself to. She turned over, her back to him.
"Whatever."
The lights were off, leaving only a nightlight. The dim yellow light fell between the two people, like a river they dared not cross.
It was quiet for a long time.
Gu Yanshen suddenly coughed. It was very soft, as if he was afraid of disturbing her, and he covered his mouth with his hand. Lu Xiran's heart jumped. He coughed twice more, unable to suppress it.
"Stop coughing," she said sullenly.
"Okay," he replied, but then coughed twice.
Lu Xiran sat up abruptly and turned to look at him. He covered his mouth with his hand, his shoulders slightly hunched, huddled on the pitifully short sofa like a large dog soaked by the rain. "Gu Yanshen!" Her voice was filled with anger, but also with a heartache she herself didn't realize. "Go back to sleep. You'll catch a cold."
"It's nothing, you probably choked." He lowered his hand and smiled at her. The smile was faint, but it made her nose tingle.
She didn't know why, but wasn't this what she had always hoped for? He was by her side, taking care of her, comforting her, saying the things she wanted to hear. But having been hurt too many times, she couldn't allow herself to forgive him so easily. She was afraid. Afraid that it was just a passing fancy, afraid that he would revert to the cold and aloof Gu Yanshen in a few days, afraid that when she said "okay," he would say, "You're just my ex-wife."
"You...you come and sleep in the bed," she heard herself say.
"Okay." Before the words were even finished, he had already slipped into bed, his movements as swift as if he had been waiting for those words his entire life. He lay down beside her, his body carrying the cool scent of the sofa. He didn't immediately move closer, but simply lay there quietly, waiting for her to adjust.
After a long time, he gently placed his hand on her lower abdomen, his palm warm, like a leaf falling on the snow.
"Goodnight, baby." His voice was very low, as if he were only speaking to that unseen seed.
"He's too young to hear," Lu Xiran's voice muffled beneath the pillow.
"He knows."
Lu Xiran was silent for a while. "Gu Yanshen, are you only staying with me for the sake of the child?" she asked. She told herself to give up hope, but she still couldn't accept it. She wanted to know the answer. Even if the answer would hurt her, she still wanted to know.
Gu Yanshen sat up. He looked at her, and in the dim light of the night lamp, his deep eyes drew her in unconsciously.
"Ranran." His voice was soft, but every word carried weight. "I can't deny that because of the child, I've decided I can't leave you again." His fingers gently pressed against her lower abdomen. "But my love for you has nothing to do with the child. I'm happy because this is our child."
Lu Xiran looked at him, overwhelmed with mixed feelings. She wanted to believe him, but she didn't dare. She pulled the blanket up, covering half her face. "I'm sleepy," she said. She turned over, her back to him.
He lay down and hugged her from behind. His arms encircled her waist, his palms resting on her lower abdomen, not tightly, just gently, as if afraid that any force would break them. She didn't struggle.
The next day, Gu Yanshen and Lin Chen went to work.
Lu Xiran was home alone. The sun was shining brightly. She leaned against the headboard, her hand resting on her lower abdomen, lost in thought.
The phone rang. Jin Qiqi.
"Ranran!" The voice on the other end was hurried and energetic, with a little girl's babbling in the background. The little one seemed to be struggling with something, and her cries were full of energy.
"I'm here~" Lu Xiran's voice softened.
"Today is Best Friend Day!" Jin Qiqi whispered. "But no one's taking Yinuo out today, so I have to bring him along~"
Yinuo called out "Godmother" in a low but forceful voice.
"Okay, okay, bring him here." Lu Xiran was completely charmed.
Just as Jin Qiqi hung up the phone, Lian Bichen came in carrying fruit.
"Qiqi, where are you going?" She placed the fruit plate on the coffee table, her gaze falling on Yi Nuo before shifting to Jin Qiqi's face.
"Take Yinuo to see her godmother~" Jin Qiqi squatted down and helped Yinuo put on her light blue jacket. The little one was restless, twisting and turning, and it took her a lot of effort to get one sleeve on. "Mom, don't worry, go to your appointment~"
"Godmother?" Lian Bichen repeated the two words, her voice very soft, but there was something indescribable in her tone.