What did this indicate? It showed that the two of them did have feelings for each other. But what he found puzzling and incomprehensible was why, despite their apparent affection, there were also signs of their old love rekindling. Yet, Hua Xiaomo had actually allowed Qi Longbing to marry another woman. Why? Why on earth would she do that? He simply couldn’t figure it out.

Now that she was pregnant, whose bitter fruit was it? Was it the bitter fruit of her own making? Or was it a bitter consequence imposed on her by someone else? Having Candy was already hard enough; was she going to let another child suffer as well?

"It’s his child," Hua Xiaomo answered, but only she herself knew how heavy those words were. Heaven knew how much she regretted letting such a thing happen. Yes, who could be blamed? It was an inescapable, tangled fate.

Jin Xia saw a trace of pain in the depths of her eyes.

"What do you plan to do then? Have the baby?" Zi Yunsui looked at Hua Xiaomo, his heart quivering. Yet, although he was so close to her, she just couldn’t see him. Why? Hua Xiaomo, was everything I’ve done for you still not enough?

Hua Xiaomo lifted her head to look at Zi Yunsui, and suddenly she felt she owed this man a great deal. But she felt that there shouldn’t be any fundamental change in their relationship because she had always seen him as a partner. Zi Yunsui was a great collaborator, a good friend. Beyond that, she didn’t believe a more intimate relationship with him was possible.

Zi Yunsui looked at her, silent for a long time. He knew her heart was wavering, but this decision was especially important for her future. He didn’t want her to keep swaying indecisively, as it would only bring her more pain.

Just as he decided to say something, Hua Xiaomo’s words rang in his ears once again.

"I’ve decided not to keep the child," Hua Xiaomo said, her voice carrying a hint of firmness.

Hua Xiaomo looked at him, a twinge of heartache in her gaze.

He walked towards her, and for some reason, his hand reached for her face.

But in that instant, Hua Xiaomo turned her face away. She walked to the other side, gazing at the scenery and the exceptionally beautiful plants.

"Zi Yunsui, I thank you. Thank you for truly taking care of me and Candy. But there are some things I must tell you today," Hua Xiaomo said slowly. She knew that some things couldn’t be kept hidden in the heart without hurting others or herself. It was better to speak them out loud.

"Whatever you want to say, I’m listening," Zi Yunsui simply replied, then fell silent again.

Perhaps he was just an uninteresting person. Apart from computers and work, he didn’t know how to please a woman. He had neither the time nor the energy to play games like Qi Longbing, or to take his girlfriend out for fun as casually as Qi Longbing could. Perhaps he simply wasn’t wired that way. But he really wanted to take care of her and Candy. However, perhaps that was just a wish.

"Zi Yunsui, you’re not young anymore; you’re 23 this year," Hua Xiaomo said slowly, her voice very soft. "You should start interacting more with other girls and seriously consider a relationship. If it feels right, then you should hurry up and get married." This was a matter she had pondered deeply.

Moreover, she felt that he shouldn’t be living with them anymore. It not only led to misunderstandings by others but also caused many in the company to misinterpret their situation. Yes, many people in the company were now aware that the chairman and the general manager were living together; naturally, the nature of their relationship didn’t need to be spelled out. But they weren’t married, and this could also impact both of their reputations.

Zi Yunsui listened to her words, his eyes revealing a hint of hidden Lan Guang.

"I am fully aware of my own affairs," Zi Yunsui said. "If my presence has caused you any trouble, then I apologize. However, I sincerely do not wish to see you sad or hurt. These are my true feelings, Hua Xiaomo. I don’t know if you can take them to heart."

Having said that, Zi Yunsui turned around. His final words slowly filtered through, "If you find it inconvenient for me to stay here, I can move out tomorrow."

"Here, let me help you find a place!" Hua Xiaomo said, her eyes too revealing a hint of dim radiance.

Zi Yunsui looked at Hua Xiaomo but said nothing. Did she really want him to leave that badly? Was that it? His staying here must have troubled her, hadn’t it? Just now, Candy was hugging him, wanting him to be her father, but her mother clearly didn’t agree. Such a wish indeed seemed difficult to fulfill!

"Thanks, but there’s no need. I can find a place myself. It’s already late; you should get some rest," Zi Yunsui said before quickly descending the stairs and walking off the rooftop.

She didn’t know what to say, but she knew this was the right thing to do. She was doing it for his good because she truly didn’t want him to worry about her and her daughter any longer; that would just waste his time. Besides, she didn’t want him to harbor any more illusions, because a relationship between them was simply impossible. These were words she had wanted to say for a very long time, but she always felt like she couldn’t find the right moment. Perhaps tonight was that opportunity.

Having spoken her piece, her heart felt somewhat lighter. Hua Xiaomo raised her head and gazed at the bright moon, her eyes clouded with uncertainty.

She wondered how he, so far away, was living now. Indeed, she shouldn’t concern herself with his life anymore. His married life must be very sweet. Forget it; it’s useless to think about it any further. He’s already married; what’s the use of these thoughts? But originally, what he had said and done to her was just too hard for her to accept. She had her pride, and her pride wouldn’t allow her to casually agree to certain things or do certain things. Therefore, she still had no regrets about their past and no regrets about not stopping his marriage. If there’s no destiny, then there’s no destiny!

Hua Xiaomo remained alone on the balcony, the wind blowing around her for a long time, before she slowly descended the stairs.

After going downstairs, she discovered that the rooms on the second floor were still empty; Zi Yunsui had already moved out.

Hua Xiaomo’s heart suddenly felt empty. She knew that, inadvertently, she had hurt another man. Ah, the burden of these emotions was truly indescribable.

「Several days later,」

Hua Xiaomo took Candy to Noble Academy to continue her studies. Meanwhile, she also found some time to handle her own affairs, so she went to the hospital. According to the scheduled appointment, she waited outside the operating room, Quite.