You helped him have a baby, what do you regret about the divorce? Chapter 052

The nights in Yangshuo were even livelier than in Guilin city. West Street was bustling with crowds, illuminated by dazzling lights. Bars, restaurants, and shops of all kinds were packed with tourists.

The air was filled with the scents of beer, barbecue, and various snacks, accompanied by the clamor of music and people’s laughter.

This presented a stark contrast to the tranquility of Xingping Ancient Town, making Lin Gengjin feel a bit out of place. He preferred the rustic and leisurely atmosphere of Xingping.

“Wow, it’s so lively!” Liu Jiajia was clearly interested in the bustling scene, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Yeah, it’s a very famous street,” Lin Gengjin said, trying to make his tone sound relaxed.

The two of them slowly strolled down West Street, carried along by the flow of people. Liu Jiajia was very interested in the small trinkets on the street, stopping frequently to look at them. Lin Gengjin, on the other hand, was more focused on observing the diverse crowd, people from all corners of the world.

They walked into a handicraft shop. Liu Jiajia picked up a small bamboo lantern, held it up to the light, and thought it was beautiful. Lin Gengjin looked at her and suddenly remembered the small bamboo basket she had bought in Xingping Ancient Town.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“Hmm, it’s quite pretty,” Liu Jiajia said, then put it down. “But I don’t think we’d use it at home.”

Lin Gengjin didn’t say anything, just silently noted the appearance of the small lantern.

At the end of West Street was a plaza with open-air bars and street performers. They found a place to sit down and ordered a drink.

Looking at the lively and noisy scene before him, Lin Gengjin couldn’t completely relax. The lawyer’s phone call was like a thorn stuck in his heart, impossible to ignore.

He knew he couldn’t go on like this. Escaping wasn’t a solution. He had to return to Beijing as soon as possible and face everything.

“Jiajia,” Lin Gengjin suddenly spoke, interrupting Liu Jiajia’s thoughts as she gazed at the street scene.

“Hmm?” Liu Jiajia turned her head to look at him.

Lin Gengjin hesitated, unsure how to begin. He didn’t want to hide anything from her, but he didn’t know how to say it.

“I might have to go back to Beijing early,” he finally said, his voice a little strained.

Liu Jiajia froze, the smile slowly fading from her face. “Go back early? Why?” There was a hint of confusion and worry in her eyes.

“Something urgent came up at home. I have to go back,” Lin Gengjin didn’t explain much, just spoke vaguely.

Liu Jiajia looked at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately didn’t ask. “Oh… I see.” There was a hint of disappointment in her tone, but more understanding. “Then… when are you leaving?”

“The sooner the better,” Lin Gengjin said. “Maybe… tomorrow or the day after.”

“That urgent?” Liu Jiajia frowned slightly.

“Yeah, it’s quite urgent,” Lin Gengjin avoided her gaze.

Liu Jiajia was silent for a moment, then softly said, “What about your ticket…”

“I can change my ticket,” Lin Gengjin said. “What about yours? If you still want to keep playing, I can help you arrange the hotel and the rest of your itinerary.”

“No need,” Liu Jiajia immediately shook her head. “If you’re leaving, then I’ll go back with you.”

“Ah? No, you don’t have to. You rarely get to travel, there’s no need to because of me…” Lin Gengjin hadn’t expected her to say that.

“It’s fine,” Liu Jiajia interrupted him, smiling, though there was a faint, almost imperceptible strain in her smile. “I came out this time mainly to relax. I’ve relaxed enough now. Besides, going back alone seems pretty boring.”

Lin Gengjin looked at Liu Jiajia, a complex emotion welling up in his heart. He knew she was saying this for him. She was a kind girl, unwilling to let him face difficulties alone.

“But…”

“There are no ‘buts’,” Liu Jiajia’s tone lightened, as if she had already made up her mind. “We came out together, so we’ll go back together. Anyway, my vacation is almost over.”

Lin Gengjin looked at her, unsure what to say. He was touched by her kindness and consideration, yet he also felt he was causing her trouble, perhaps even disrupting her original travel plans.

“Thank you, Jiajia,” he could only manage these three words in the end.

“Thank me for what?” Liu Jiajia smiled, this time with more sincerity. “I was happy to come out and travel with you. Even though there was a small hiccup, overall, it was a very good experience.”

She brought up the small hiccup, seemingly to lighten the mood. Lin Gengjin also smiled, but his heart remained heavy.

On the way back to the hotel, neither of them spoke much. Lin Gengjin was thinking about how to face Su Xinyue and how to handle the complicated property disputes after returning.

Liu Jiajia walked quietly beside him, occasionally looking up at the night sky or kicking small pebbles on the road.

Back at the hotel, they each returned to their rooms. Lin Gengjin didn’t rest immediately. He sat at the desk and began to organize his thoughts. He needed to calm down and strategize.

A moment later, his phone vibrated. It was a WeChat message from Liu Jiajia: “Senior, if you need any help, just tell me. Although I can’t be of much major help, I can listen to you, or run errands, anything is fine.”

Lin Gengjin looked at the message, a wave of warmth spreading through him. At this time of turbulence and uncertainty, having a girl like this by his side, silently supporting him and caring for him, made him feel less alone.

He replied: “Thank you, Jiajia. I’m fine, I can handle it myself. You should get some rest, you’ve been tired these past two days.”

“Okay, you rest early too,” Liu Jiajia replied.

The next morning, Lin Gengjin and Liu Jiajia checked out of the hotel. The sun was shining brightly outside, but Lin Gengjin’s mood remained heavy.

Liu Jiajia seemed to sense his emotions and was very quiet throughout, only occasionally glancing at him inadvertently while handling the procedures.

Looking at the quiet and gentle Liu Jiajia beside him, Lin Gengjin’s mood relaxed slightly.

The plane took off, piercing through the clouds. Outside the window was a clear blue sky and a vast sea of white clouds.

Back home, the door opened, and a familiar scent, a mix of dust and some lingering perfume, wafted towards him. The apartment was small, two bedrooms and a living room. He and Su Xinyue had chosen the furniture together, and their smiling photos still hung on the wall.

Lin Gengjin stood in the entryway, not immediately stepping inside. His gaze swept across the living room. A half-finished glass of water sat on the coffee table, and a woman’s shawl was casually draped over the sofa. These traces of Su Xinyue were like tiny needles pricking his skin.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, his gaze held only calmness, an almost cold tranquility. He changed his shoes and walked directly to the bedroom. He didn’t have many belongings, mostly clothes and books. He found a few unused suitcases and cardboard boxes and began to pack.