When Leng Yixiu returned to the villa, Lin Yixun was already asleep. The man tiptoed to the bedside and turned on the bedside lamp, only to see Lin Yixun’s body pressed tightly against the edge of the bed, her thin body curled up like an innocent little cat. The man stared at Lin Yixun’s thin profile, his gaze slowly moving down until it landed on the wound on her neck. The wound was wrapped in gauze; he remembered that Lin Yixun had bled a lot at the time. To prevent that person from going to extremes and to force him to leave, she was really ruthless, even disregarding her own life. In her heart, is that person’s place something that can never be replaced? But even though he knew she could never change her mind, Leng Yixiu continued to hold on to her, sadly, helplessly, and desperately. Isn’t it ridiculous? Chapters first released on novel[f]ire.net As he looked at Lin Yixun’s peaceful sleeping face, the man couldn’t resist reaching out his hand, but hesitated in midair. He glanced deeply at Lin Yixun’s slightly trembling eyelashes, and finally withdrew his hand. He knew that Lin Yixun was not really asleep. She was pretending in order to avoid him. She had always loathed him, and he was all too aware of this. The man let out a bitter laugh, then rose from the bed and walked slowly into the bathroom. After a while, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Lin Yixun slowly opened her eyes and looked at the bathroom door, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She had become this ghostly figure, neither living nor dead. What on earth was there about her that this man was so fixated on? When would these hopeless days ever come to an end? That night, Lin Yixun still suffered from insomnia. It was not until dawn that she finally fell into a fitful sleep, but even then, she had endless nightmares. In her dream, she seemed to be in an enclosed room. The large room was empty except for a small bed. Vaguely, Lin Yixun heard the cry of a baby coming from the direction of the small bed. She walked towards the bed, barefoot, and sure enough, she saw a small baby inside. The baby had a pacifier in its mouth, was sculpted beautifully, and looked very delicate. Upon seeing her, the baby smiled at her, showing its gums. Lin Yixun’s heart was touched. She couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke the baby’s soft cheek. The baby’s face was chubby and felt soft and bouncy to the touch, with bright eyes that sparkled like stars. The smile on the baby’s face was so innocent and cute, it melted her heart completely. She was curious about what kind of parents could give birth to such an adorable baby. Just then, the baby suddenly reached out a small hand and tightly grasped her little finger. The baby moved its small mouth, and in the vast space, a babyish voice echoed, "Mommy..." The sudden change made Lin Yixun’s smile freeze. She widened her eyes in disbelief, thinking she had misheard. But the baby blinked and moved its cherry-red lips again. Lin Yixun’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at the chubby baby in front of her and took a few steps back in confusion, only to bump into a solid body. Instinctively, she turned around, only to be caught off guard by a pair of deep eyes. Leng Yixiu? How could he be here? Leng Yixiu ignored her and walked past her to the baby’s bed. He bent down, picked up the small baby from the bed, and held it with a familiar and natural motion, obviously something he had done countless times before. The baby seemed to enjoy being in his arms. Contrary to what she expected, the baby seemed very happy in Leng Yixiu’s embrace, its little feet kicking from time to time. The man was amused by this small movement and smiled, saying, "Don’t be naughty. If you are naughty again, Daddy will spank your bottom!" Daddy? Leng Yixiu is the baby’s father? The baby called her Mommy, and now it called Leng Yixiu Daddy? Is this child hers and Leng Yixiu’s? No, no, it can’t be! She doesn’t want to bear a child for Leng Yixiu, she doesn’t want Leng Yixiu’s child! Lin Yixun screamed in a sharp voice and woke up with a start. She stared blankly at the painting on the opposite wall, only to realize belatedly that it was all just a dream. The spot beside her where Leng Yixiu slept was already vacant. Lin Yixun didn’t know when Leng Yixiu had left in the morning, nor did she care. As long as he didn’t appear in front of her often, she would be grateful. The recent dream replayed in her mind. Even though it was just a dream, it was so vivid, so clear that she could remember every detail. Her pajamas were damp with sweat, and feeling sticky, Lin Yixun decided to take a hot shower. She set the water temperature very high. When the hot water washed over her skin, it even hurt a little, but she was unmoved. Accidentally, her gaze swept across her chest, revealing several ambiguous marks on her fair skin, marks left by Leng Yixiu the previous night. After one night, the marks had turned from pink to dark red, yet they were still glaringly obvious. She couldn’t understand where Leng Yixiu got so much energy. He wouldn’t let her go, whether she was asleep or awake. Lin Yixun scrubbed hard, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t erase the marks he left. At times , Lin Yixun felt incredibly dirty, even beginning to despise herself. She stayed in the shower for a full hour. Only when she started to feel dizzy from lack of oxygen did she wrap herself in a towel and slowly come out. After leaving the bathroom, she didn’t get dressed immediately. Instead, she walked to the nightstand and opened a drawer. In an inconspicuous corner of the drawer was a small white medicine bottle. Lin Yixun took out the bottle and swallowed a pill dry. When she had gone to the pharmacy, the clerk warned her that these pills had certain side effects and that taking too many could disrupt her body’s balance and even affect her future fertility. But Lin Yixun didn’t care about any of that. She hated Leng Yixiu deeply; how could she allow herself to bear his child? Moreover, given her current shameful status, if she were to become pregnant and give birth, wouldn’t she bring suffering to the child as well? She could bear public scorn, but she would never let her child endure such humiliation, even if it meant she could never have children again. Lin Yixun slowly pulled herself together, thinking about visiting her mother later, and that her mother would soon be discharged from the hospital. These thoughts brought a bit of light to her gloomy mood.