CHAPTER 298: CHAPTER 298: WHICH BABY

The side hall of the temple is filled with a desolate whistling of the wind.

Shen Jinci stands in front of the ancestral tablets, silently looking at Bian Yue, who is sitting under a tree lost in thought.

Bian Yue spots a little cat, probably adopted by some kind-hearted monk. Under the dappled shadows of the tree, the kitten exposes its soft white belly to Bian Yue, meowing at length.

Shen Jinci withdraws his gaze, looking once again at the ancestral tablets, his eyes calm, "I’ve brought her to see you, although she does not know you, I think, you probably really wanted to see her."

After a moment of silence, Shen Jinci’s adam’s apple moves, he pauses, then adds: "I will take good care of Bian Yue, don’t worry... Brother, thank you for letting me return to the Shen Family."

No matter how thorny the path, in the end, it gave him the chance to meet and stand before Bian Yue.

Such an opportunity, he is willing to give up everything he once had.

And Bian Yue is playing with the little cat; she does not know how much time has passed when she casually looks up and sees Shen Jinci has already walked out with the ancestral tablets.

He watches her in silence, with tender eyes and a gentle tone: "Yueyue, let’s go rest."

That night, Bian Yue stays in the temple’s guest room.

It’s her first time staying in such a place, inevitably feeling novelty, she sits in front of Shen Jinci, wearing a rather thick nightgown, and says with a smile: "This is my first time staying at a temple! Do you think I might dream of Buddha tonight?"

"You don’t even believe in Buddha," Shen Jinci responds with a smile, pulling Bian Yue into his arms. The night is cool as water, with the faint sounds of unknown insects drifting from afar. Shen Jinci lowers his head to look at Bian Yue, his voice soft and slow: "If you like it here, we can stay a few more days."

Bian Yue knows that actually, Shen Jinci is worried about her health.

"I’m really okay, I’ve been much better lately, Jinci, with you by my side, I really feel at ease." As she speaks, she emphasizes each word to express her firmness, her eyes bright and earnestly looking at him.

Shen Jinci softens under her gaze, "Of course, you’ll be fine, all those bad things are over now, the Yueyue of the future will be happy every day."

Bian Yue’s smile deepens, she hugs Shen Jinci tightly, her face full of dependence, "I think my depression is just because I was too tired before, but now, you’re always with me every day, I’m really not tired anymore, I will heal, and I still want to welcome our baby with you."

Shen Jinci feels a sour ache in his heart, his eyes touching the suddenly raised brows and eyes of Bian Yue, becomes even more tender, "What’s wrong, suddenly looking at me?"

"Actually, today I did pray to Buddha properly." Bian Yue says, "That tree had many red ribbons tied to it, and the spiritual well-being of Ling’an Temple is renowned, so I also made a wish under the tree."

Shen Jinci asks her what she wished for.

Bian Yue, very seriously, shakes her head, saying solemnly, "I can’t tell you yet, I’ll tell you when the wish comes true."

"Okay, then I’ll wait for you to tell me," Shen Jinci smiles, tucking her quilt in neatly, his voice clear and gently melodious, "It’s very late, baby should go to sleep."

Bian Yue’s eyes twinkle with amusement, "Which baby?"

Shen Jinci pinches her face, not having the heart to do it too firmly, laughing lightly, "You."

Wen Jiao went looking for Bian Yue at night, only to be told that Mr. Shen had taken Bian Yue out to clear her mind, so she returned home somewhat dejectedly.

Wen Yongwei, however, was still awake. In the dim room, he saw Wen Jiao come back, his expression softened slightly, and he said softly, "Jiaojiao, come here."

Wen Jiao was startled and looked at Wen Yongwei sitting in the darkness of the hall, frowning in confusion, "Dad, why are you sitting in the dark without turning on the lights so late at night?"

As she spoke, Wen Jiao turned on the light.

Only then did she see Wen Yongwei, wearing pajamas, sitting on the sofa with slightly disheveled hair, clearly just having woken up.

"Dad, are you feeling unwell?"

Wen Yongwei shook his head, patted the spot beside him, signaling Wen Jiao to sit down.

Wen Jiao did as told, and looking at Wen Yongwei’s somewhat solemn expression, she said anxiously, "What’s wrong? You look so terrible. Please don’t scare me in the middle of the night."

"It’s nothing. I just thought about how you are going to get married soon, and Daddy is a bit reluctant to let you go." Wen Yongwei looked at Wen Jiao for a long time before continuing, "Jiaojiao, do you really have no regrets?"

"What’s there to regret? That’s Shen Zhaoli I’m marrying. Once I marry him, you won’t have to work so hard anymore." Wen Jiao was calm and composed, and she said, "It’s a privilege of children to insist on getting what they fancy. I’ve grown up. I can’t always let you shield me from the hardships. I can’t keep dreaming."

In Wen Yongwei’s heart, Wen Jiao was always that little girl standing behind him, staggering as she learned to walk.

"You were premature when you were born, so tiny. How have you now become such a sensible adult?" Wen Yongwei’s eyes were touched with a smile as he said hoarsely, "Jiaojiao, your mom passed away early, and I’ve always been afraid that by myself, I couldn’t take good care of you. I’ve always been afraid I wasn’t doing enough... So whatever you wanted to do when you grew up, Daddy let you."

"Dad..." Tears welled up in Wen Jiao’s eyes as she choked up gently, "I know, and I feel the same. I want you to be happy too."

"Of course, Daddy is happy. You’ve always been by my side, I’m very content. But... I’m afraid you won’t be happy in the future." Wen Yongwei held Wen Jiao’s hand, suddenly smiled, and said, "Do you think I don’t know that you like Wei Shuqian? He once proposed to marry you, and although you didn’t say a word, Daddy could tell that you were willing."

"Dad..."

"Shen Zhaoli is different, you may be willing, but it’s not because of love. Jiaojiao, I’m just an ordinary father. My greatest wish in life is to see my daughter marry someone she truly loves."

Wen Yongwei sighed, his voice even heavier, "These past few days, after a lot of thinking, I still feel I should try again, to ask about your thoughts. Jiaojiao, Daddy doesn’t want you to live with regret."

Wen Jiao, listening to Wen Yongwei’s heartfelt words of care, had Shen Zhaoli’s words echoing in her mind.

She felt all the more that Shen Zhaoli was right.

Her father had spent his entire life making plans for her. Could she now allow him to continue to worry?

"Dad, I’m willing to marry Shen Zhaoli. I don’t love him, but I don’t dislike him either. He’s a very decent person." Wen Jiao held Wen Yongwei’s hand, her tone becoming firmer, "I believe, with time, I will fall in love."

Only then did the uneasy expression on Wen Yongwei’s face fade away.

Until Wen Jiao left, Wen Yongwei picked up the cellphone on the table and spoke in a calm tone, "You heard everything my daughter said, didn’t you? Don’t disturb her again."

On the other end, the man said nothing. After a brief silence, he hung up the phone directly.