"Having a test tube baby is not as simple as you imagine, nor is it that much fun. It causes significant harm to a woman's body."
"Some people might have to undergo hundreds or even thousands of injections and still not conceive. Others try for over a decade and never succeed."
"It's a waste of time, money, and energy, and it damages your health. Are you truly sure about this?"
Jiang Sicheng made an excuse, saying he wanted to have a test tube baby out of concern for his wife.
"Having twins in one go would complete the task, so she wouldn't have to suffer twice."
The doctor insisted.
"If there's a history of twins in your family, the chances of conceiving twins naturally are also quite high."
"Conversely, with artificial means, even if several embryos survive the initial stages, many are lost midway. It's not guaranteed to succeed in one attempt."
"I really don't recommend this method. Please go home and consider it carefully."
After leaving the hospital and getting back into the car, Jiang Sicheng felt a sense of annoyance.
He glanced at Zhou Jinbei and suddenly asked,
"You haven't dated anyone before, right?"
They were already married, and he was only asking this now. Wasn't it too late?
Zhou Jinbei looked at him but didn't speak.
Jiang Sicheng sighed, "If it doesn't work out, listen to the doctor. We'll try."
"Two approaches at once. Maybe one will succeed first. The sooner it's done, the sooner it's over."
Zhou Jinbei's body hairs immediately stood on end.
"What do you mean? Didn't you say you wouldn't touch me? Are you going back on your word?"
Jiang Sicheng replied, "I don't want to touch you, but I'm being forced into it."
"Don't get worked up. I haven't been with a woman before, so I don't even know if I can get it up."
"Besides, I'm doing this with good intentions, isn't it to make you suffer less?"
Zhou Jinbei retorted impatiently, "If you really want me to suffer less, then stop forcing me to have children!"
It was just a joke, but seeing her strong reaction, Jiang Sicheng suddenly became suspicious.
"Do you really hate me that much? You don't want me to touch you at all?"
"Of course!" Zhou Jinbei frowned.
"We signed an agreement in black and white, and you said you wouldn't touch me!"
"Do you have someone you like behind my back?"
Driven by a man's natural possessiveness, Jiang Sicheng became displeased.
"Even though you're married to me, you want to remain pure for him in your heart?"
"Let me tell you, if you're with me, you're mine. You'll never be touched by another man besides me in this life!"
"If you dare to be involved with someone else behind my back and I find out, you can imagine the consequences."
Zhou Jinbei couldn't be bothered with his effeminate threats.
"Do you want to sleep with me that badly? As if I agree, your boyfriend would agree too."
"Stop joking. I'm willing to suffer a bit at the doctor's rather than compete with another man."
As they were talking, her boyfriend's call came through.
He asked if they were done and wanted to spend their wedding leave together.
Jiang Sicheng started the car, pulled Zhou Jinbei forward one intersection, and let her out by the roadside.
"Alright, alright, I won't touch you, I won't touch you. Look at you, you're so scared, your face is all long."
"Take a taxi back yourself. I'm going out. If Mom asks, just say I'm with Ah Kai."
Watching her newlywed husband drive away, and thinking about what he had just said, and then about her future,
Zhou Jinbei felt a sudden, sharp pain in her chest, as if her heart had been clutched.
The weather was clear and sunny.
She was wearing a luxurious and warm cashmere coat, yet she felt a shiver.
She could only sadly cover her chest and squat down by the roadside.
However, just as she squatted down, a car stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing.
A champagne-colored car, its model and license plate were so familiar.
Zhou Jinbei's heart skipped a beat.
Although she hadn't seen Ah Zhong's face, she recognized it as Ah Zhong's car.
She wondered why he was driving out now.
She wondered if there was anyone else with him.
Thinking of Ah Zhong, and then of Jiang Sicheng, Zhou Jinbei felt that she had brought it all upon herself.
Those who are greedy for money and wealth will never have a good ending; they bring their misfortunes upon themselves.
Afraid that Ah Zhong would see her in such a sorry state, she quickly pulled her hair down after a quick scan.
She covered her face with her hands and lowered her head.
A moment later, the light turned green, and the wheels started to turn. Zhou Jinbei finally looked up.
She watched as Ah Zhong turned and drove into a street opposite, entering a used car dealership.
She was like a greedy, thirsty person, as if looking at him longer could quench her thirst, and she couldn't bear to move away.
Across the bustling traffic and crowds, she gazed at him wistfully.
Ah Zhong was always so upright, his clothes always so neat.
His profile looked so young and clean, and he spoke so earnestly.
Recalling that he had looked at her with that same face all night on New Year's Eve, Zhou Jinbei burst into tears.
Crying and laughing, she stood foolishly by the roadside for who knows how long, until Ah Zhong came out again.
He skillfully drove the car and quickly merged into the traffic.
Zhou Jinbei was curious about why he was at the used car dealership. After he left that street, she couldn't help but walk over.
"Did that gentleman just come to sell his car? I really like that car. How much do you think he wants for it?"
The staff immediately began to explain enthusiastically.
"His car has only been driven over 20,000 kilometers. The condition is good, it's well-maintained, and it hasn't been in any accidents. Miss, you have excellent taste."
"If you're serious, leave your phone number. As soon as the paperwork is done, I'll contact you."
Zhou Jinbei didn't give her number. "If the car is so good, why is he selling it? Don't try to hide any accidents and trick me."
"How could we? The gentleman is selling it because he's going abroad and won't be using it for the time being. There are absolutely no accidents..."
Zhou Jinbei didn't hear the rest of what was said.
Her ears buzzed, and only a few heartbreaking words echoed in her mind:
Ah Zhong is going abroad.
He's leaving the country.
Was this planned long ago? Or did he decide to leave to heal his heart after she rejected him?
Even though he was still in the country, Zhou Jinbei couldn't do anything with him at the moment.
But it felt different.
He was leaving, and she would never see him again.
The pain was so intense she couldn't breathe.
Somehow, the taxi took her to Ah Zhong's neighborhood.
When the driver announced they had arrived and she looked out, Zhou Jinbei realized she had come to Ah Zhong's place.
Standing at the entrance, looking at the familiar and imposing building, she thought about it again and again, but couldn't suppress the overwhelming longing in her heart.
She walked upstairs.
Coincidentally, Ah Zhong was home.
Seeing Zhou Jinbei, who had only been married for a day, at his door, Ah Zhong's expression was complicated.
"Why are you here?"
Zhou Jinbei, skilled at managing her emotions, smiled at him.
"I heard you're going abroad?"
"...You found out so quickly? Did you go see President Zhan?"
Zhou Jinbei didn't answer him. "Aren't you going to invite me in for a bit?"
It seemed unnecessary.
After all, their relationship was no longer as simple as it used to be.
Moreover, she was someone else's wife now.
Ah Zhong kept his hand on the doorknob and didn't stand on ceremony with her.