You helped him have a baby, what do you regret about the divorce? Chapter 039

Zhao Xiaohu, on the other hand, pulled Feifei into a game of “Truth or Dare,” asking increasingly tricky questions. Feifei was a good sport, taking on each challenge, and the atmosphere was lively.

Lin Gengjin didn’t join the game, but watching his friends fool around, the lines on his face softened considerably. Wang Li occasionally chatted with Chen Ya, sometimes steering the conversation towards Lin Gengjin and asking him about interesting anecdotes from his university days.

Lin Gengjin cooperated, briefly recounting a few incidents. Although his tone was flat, it was a vast improvement from his initial taciturnity.

Chen Ya listened quietly, occasionally smiling. She wasn’t as outgoing as Feifei, nor as talkative as Xiaoman, but she possessed a unique serene temperament.

She noticed that Lin Gengjin’s drinking frequency had slowed down, and his eyes were becoming clearer, not as if he was intentionally trying to drown his sorrows.

Midway through, Li Chengxing ordered a rather melancholic slow song. He had barely sung two lines when Zhang Dapang snatched the microphone: “Oh, on such a joyous day… no, on such a wonderful night, why sing sad love songs! Change it, change it! Let’s have ‘Song of a True Man’!”

Li Chengxing looked exasperated: “Fatty, can’t you have some taste?”

“Can taste be eaten? Happiness is the most important thing!” Zhang Dapang retorted righteously, then bellowed, “The great river flows eastward, ah, the stars in the sky point to the Big Dipper, ah…”

His raspy voice, coupled with the heroic lyrics, created a strangely comical effect, making even the usually quiet Chen Ya burst into laughter.

Lin Gengjin watched Zhang Dapang’s antics, a genuine smile curving his lips. He picked up the beer bottle, poured half a glass for himself, and then half a glass into the empty one in front of Chen Ya.

Chen Ya was a little surprised and glanced at him: “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Lin Gengjin raised his glass and gestured to her.

Chen Ya also picked up her glass, lightly clinked it against his, and took a small sip. A bit of beer foam clung to her lips, and she instinctively wiped it away with her fingertip.

Wang Li watched from the side, a hint of a smile in her eyes. She said nothing, continuing to roll dice with Feifei and the others.

After singing several songs and having enough fun, it was getting late. Feifei and Xiaoman had to work tomorrow, so they started packing up to leave.

“Gengjin, we’re leaving now,” Feifei greeted him openly. “Let’s hang out again next time.”

“Okay, be careful on your way.” Lin Gengjin nodded.

Xiaoman also smiled and said, “Bye-bye, keep in touch.” She and Li Chengxing exchanged WeChat IDs.

Chen Ya stood up and said to Lin Gengjin, “I’m leaving too. You… don’t overthink things, get some rest early.”

“Mm, thank you.” Lin Gengjin looked at her. “You all be careful on your way.”

Wang Li saw her three best friends out. Before leaving, she winked at Li Chengxing and the others, then patted Lin Gengjin’s shoulder: “We should probably call it a night too, don’t stay out too late.”

After the girls left, only the four men remained in the private room. The music stopped, the noise faded, leaving only a faint hum.

Zhang Dapang let out a burp: “Sigh, it feels much colder now that the beauties are gone.”

Zhao Xiaohu collapsed onto the sofa: “Can’t do it, can’t do it, my throat’s hoarse from all the shouting.”

Li Chengxing looked at Lin Gengjin and asked, “Feeling better?”

Lin Gengjin leaned back on the sofa, looking at the ceiling, and softly hummed in affirmation. The suffocating feeling in his chest seemed to have genuinely dissipated a bit. Although the problem was still there, at least he wasn’t bearing it alone.

“That’s good then.” Li Chengxing breathed a sigh of relief. “Let’s go, want us to send you back?”

Lin Gengjin sat up straight: “No need, I can just take a taxi back myself.” He took out his phone and glanced at it; no missed calls, no new messages. Su Xinyue seemed to be quiet for now too.

“Are you sure you don’t need a ride?” Li Chengxing was still a little worried.

“Really, no need, I’m a grown man.” Lin Gengjin stood up and stretched his slightly stiff neck. “You guys should also go back and rest early; you have to work tomorrow.”

Zhang Dapang also stood up: “Alright, then be careful. Call us anytime if you need anything, don’t try to tough it out alone!”

Zhao Xiaohu also nodded: “Right, on call whenever!”

Lin Gengjin looked at the three of them, feeling a warmth in his heart: “Got it. Thanks, brothers.”

The four of them walked out of the KTV together and said goodbye at the entrance. Watching Li Chengxing and the others get into a taxi and leave, Lin Gengjin stood by the roadside. The evening breeze blew, carrying a hint of coolness and dispersing the lingering smell of alcohol.

He took out his phone and opened a ride-hailing app. The light from the screen reflected on his face, showing little emotion, only a calmness after weathering a storm and a subtle, imperceptible chill.

He knew this farce wasn’t over yet; the KTV’s clamor was just a brief interlude. Next, he had a tough battle to fight.

But at least for now, he felt he wasn’t fighting alone.

The taxi arrived quickly. Lin Gengjin pulled open the door and got in. After giving the address, he leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes.

When he returned home, it was already past midnight. The living room was pitch black, with only faint light filtering in from outside the window. Lin Gengjin tiptoed to the bedroom door and gently pushed it open a crack. By the moonlight, he saw that Su Xinyue was fast asleep, her breathing even and peaceful.

He gently closed the door and turned towards the guest bedroom.

Lin Gengjin quickly washed up and then collapsed onto the bed. Under the combined effects of alcohol and fatigue, he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Lin Gengjin was woken by a series of urgent knocks on the door. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, walked to the door, opened it, and saw Su Xinyue standing outside, her face pale and her eyes dark-rimmed.

“Gengjin, you… you want to divorce me?” Su Xinyue’s voice trembled slightly, as if afraid to hear an affirmative answer.

Lin Gengjin looked at her, his heart a mix of emotions. He knew this day would come sooner or later, but he hadn’t expected it to come so quickly. He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm: “Yes, let’s part amicably.”

Su Xinyue’s body swayed, as if she had received a huge blow. She widened her eyes, looking at Lin Gengjin in disbelief: “Why, exactly?”

Lin Gengjin gave a bitter smile. He didn’t want to be too blunt, but some things were unavoidable. He gently shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his tone: “Xinyue, since you chose him, forcing ourselves to stay together will only bring more pain to both of us.”

Su Xinyue bit her lip, silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up and said, “Listen to me explain—”

Lin Gengjin looked at her, saying nothing.

Su Xinyue’s tears finally flowed down. She choked out, “I… I was just repaying a debt of gratitude. After I have his child, he and I will have nothing to do with each other. Why… why are you so bothered by it?”