You helped him have a baby, what do you regret about the divorce? Chapter 060

“Closer,” her voice was lower than before, carrying a hint of almost pleading desperation she hadn’t even noticed herself, “After I give birth… I’ll come find you again, and then we can start over?”

The trailing “ha” sound was an attempt to lighten the mood, an ill-timed lightness that only made it seem more pale and powerless. As soon as she finished speaking, she regretted it; how absurd and self-righteous those words sounded in this situation.

Lin Gengjin looked at her, his eyes holding a clear emotion for the first time. It wasn’t anger, nor was it sadness; it was more like… a thorough weariness and understanding.

It was as if he had long expected her to say this, or perhaps, he had long given up all hope for her.

He gently shook his head.

“No need.”

Two crisp, decisive words, like a swift blade, severed her last thread of unrealistic fantasy.

He paused, then added, “Take care of yourself.”

These words, “take care,” sounded like an awkward way of saying “be well,” or perhaps, they carried a hint of cold indifference, like “you’re on your own.” In any case, they clearly pushed her away.

He didn’t ask whose child it was, didn’t ask about her future plans, and didn’t even show a trace of nostalgia or resentment for the past.

He simply calmly accepted reality, and then, calmly closed the door she had tried to push open again.

Su Xinyue was completely stunned. She had imagined many scenarios for their reunion, many possible conversations, but she had never anticipated it would be like this. So… uneventful, yet so… heartbreaking.

Compared to Zhao Ziyu’s purposeful, relentless control, Lin Gengjin’s complete letting go and detachment made her feel an even deeper, bone-chilling powerlessness and despair.

The former suffocated her, while the latter made her feel like she had been abandoned on a deserted island.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but found her throat choked, unable to utter a single word.

The discomfort in her stomach surged again. She had to turn around and dry-heave a few times into the roadside flowerbed, but nothing came up. Only physiological tears welled up uncontrollably.

Lin Gengjin stood still, neither approaching nor leaving. He just watched her back, his expression still unchanged, only the hand at his side imperceptibly curled.

Su Xinyue wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, composing herself for a while before slowly straightening up. She didn’t look at Lin Gengjin again, only whispered, “Let’s go in.”

Then, she led the way towards the cold glass door of the Civil Affairs Bureau. The sunlight shone on her back, her skirt swayed gently with her steps, her figure appearing somewhat thin but with a stubborn straightness.

Lin Gengjin silently followed behind her, maintaining a distance of two or three steps between them, like two parallel lines that had once intersected but were now destined to go in different directions.

The air conditioning in the hall was very strong, dispelling the summer heat outside but also bringing a chilly coldness that silently seeped into the skin, reaching straight to the heart.

“Lin Gengjin, Su Xinyue.”

Finally, it was their turn.

Across an office desk, the staff member re-verified their information, then pushed two dark red, brand-new booklets towards them.

Divorce certificates.

Three gilded characters gleamed under the cool white light, reflecting a dazzling glare.

Lin Gengjin was the first to reach out and pick up his booklet. He casually flipped it open, checked that everything was correct, then closed it and tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket.

Throughout the entire process, his expression remained unchanged, as if he had just completed an ordinary document.

Su Xinyue’s fingers hovered on the desktop for a few seconds before slowly reaching out and picking up her divorce certificate. The booklet was thin but felt unusually heavy.

She didn’t even have the courage to open it immediately. The unique, slightly cool touch of the paper spread from her fingertips, chilling her nerves all the way to the deepest part of her heart.

“Alright, your procedures are complete.” The staff member’s voice remained unruffled.

It was over.

It was truly over.

Su Xinyue clutched the divorce certificate, her knuckles turning white. She slowly stood up, her movements a bit stiff.

Lin Gengjin also stood up. He was a step ahead of her, already turning and walking towards the exit.

No farewell, no turning back, not even a symbolic nod.

Su Xinyue watched his retreating figure, tall and resolute, like a drawn sword, severing all past ties.

Sunlight streamed in from the glass door, outlining his clear silhouette. Then, he pushed the door open and walked out without hesitation, disappearing into the dazzling white light.

She stood there, like a statue from which the soul had been drawn. The air conditioning in the hall seemed even stronger, wrapping around her in wisps, making her shiver.

The nausea in her stomach surged again, more violently than before. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand, barely managing to keep from losing control on the spot.

A few seconds later, she also started walking towards that door. Each step felt like she was treading on cotton, light and powerless.

Stepping out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the heat wave instantly hit her, carrying the irritating scent unique to midsummer.

The sunlight was so bright it made her eyes ache. She instinctively raised a hand to shield them, squinting towards the direction Lin Gengjin had left.

The sidewalk was bustling with people, cars flowed endlessly, but there was no sign of him.

He had just left. Like a gust of wind, he had completely swept through her world, leaving no trace.

Su Xinyue stood on the steps, still clutching the dark red divorce certificate. The sun had made it feel hot, but she felt no warmth whatsoever. She was like a lost child standing at a bustling intersection, looking around blankly, not knowing where to go. The little life within her, at this moment, seemed to sense its mother’s despair, moving gently, reminding her of the cruel reality.

She took a deep breath; the air was scorching, but inhaling it only turned into deeper sorrow. Slowly, step by step, she walked down the steps and merged into the crowd. Her figure appeared even thinner in the sunlight, yet she had to stand tall.

***

Lin Gengjin walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau. The sunlight was blinding, but he didn’t pause, heading straight to the roadside and hailing a taxi.

“To Nancheng Garden,” he stated the address, his voice calm and even.

The driver acknowledged him and started the car.

The streetscape outside the window rapidly receded. The oppressive atmosphere from the Civil Affairs Bureau seemed to be left behind as the car moved. Lin Gengjin leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes.

The divorce certificate in his jacket pocket, even through a layer of fabric, still had a distinct, angular presence. He didn’t feel the lightness he had imagined, nor the pain he had expected. His heart felt like a hollowed-out space, empty, and when the wind blew through it, he could even hear an echo.