Chapter 370: Xu Jiamu Woke Up (10)

 Paperplane  Editor: DarkGemThe wetness at the bottom of Qiao Anhao’s eyes grew heavy. In the end, her vision became foggy, and the tears hung in the corner of her eyes, about to give way.

Qiao Anhao couldn’t quite see, but through the blurriness she made out that there were many candles. She tried her best to curve the corner of her lips to say “Thank you”, but just as her lips moved, tears uncontrollably flowed down her face.

Lu Jinnian held the cake with one hand, and with his empty hand, he reached out to wipe her tears. Then he said as though to lightly remind her, “Okay, make a wish.”

Qiao Anhao hurriedly nodded her head, and a few drops of tears fell. The corner of her lips curved up even more when she closed her eyes to make a wish. After she made a wish, she opened her eyes and a single tear fell. Taking in a deep breath, she blew out the candles, and gave Lu Jinnian a beaming smile with a face full of tears. She opened her mouth to speak, and said, slightly choked up, “Thank you…”

She wanted to say something, but the words didn’t come out, and her tears fell even more intensely.

For all the years she’d loved him, she only cried in front of him once, and that was only a single tear. At the time, he glanced at her, then turned around and left. Ever since then, no matter how he treated her, even if she wanted to cry, she would hide away and secretly cry alone.

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The night of his birthday had clearly happened so long ago. She didn’t even cried this hard that night, when she felt so wronged, but now, she didn’t know what was wrong with her; the tears just wouldn’t stop.

Lu Jinnian looked at Qiao Anhao, who was crying like a child, and his heart felt a little flustered. He put the cake aside, onto the coffee table. Even though he seemed calm and composed as he wiped her tears away, but his fingertips were trembling, which revealed his panic. In the end, his tone was tense when he said, “Don’t cry…”

From the bottom of her heart, Qiao Anhao also felt that her crying was a little bratty, but sometimes women can be weird like that. When they encounter something heartbreaking, they’re meant to cry but they don’t shed a tear. When they should laugh, they’re a sobbing mess.

Qiao Anhao tried her best to control her tears, but in the end, she just laughed. Then ended up suddenly hugging Lu Jinnian’s waist with her head in his chest.

His body froze, until he felt her tears soak into his shirt. When he felt lines and lines of trickling of tears, he reached out to gently stroke her back. His strokes were a little stiff.

Qiao Anhao gradually composed herself. Deep in Lu Jinnian’s arms, she raised her head, and with a pair of red eyes from the crying, she gave him a beaming smile. “Sorry, my emotions are a little out of control…”

As she’d been crying, her eyes were particularly bright. When she smiled, there was a slight childish air about her tearful face.

She smiled again. “I didn’t want to cry…”

Lu Jinnian watched her, mesmerized. He originally wanted to wipe her tears with his fingertips, but his hand held her face still instead. Qiao Anhao didn’t finish speaking. She suddenly stopped, opened her big bright eyes, and stared innocently and bewitchingly into his eyes.

The two of them held their gazes for a long time, their expressions transfixed. The atmosphere in the room surged with an air of romance.

Chapter 371: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (1)

Qiao Anhao’s intuition told her that the events that were about to follow had last happened the night of Lu Jinnian’s birthday. Unconsciously, she bit her soft tongue in anxiety and anticipation.

Lu Jinnian’s gaze turned tender and deep as he raised his hands to caress her face. Bending his head slightly, he covered her lips.

Lu Jinnian’s actions were abrupt, only when Qiao Anhao felt moisture and numbness on her lips did she realize what was happening. Her lashes quivered and her hands gripped onto his collar. When she shut her eyes, she felt his tongue enter her mouth, sending her mind ablaze.

The night was dark, the candles burning silently. The windows weren’t closed, and the cool wind blew in, sending the balloons on the balcony flying and bringing in a breath of fresh air.

The world seemed to have stopped. Their frantic breaths, rapid heartbeats, and soft moans filled the air.

Gradually, the hand Qiao Anhao had used to grip his collar turned limp with sweat.

As their kiss deepened, they became intoxicated by each other’s body, trying desperately to tighten their bond.

Lu Jinnian placed a hand behind her head, deepening their kiss, and with the other, he started searching for the zip on her dress.

Qiao Anhao’s dress had a complicated zip. After searching desperately for a while, he still couldn’t find it. He started to feel impatient, tugging her dress upwards in frustration. The suddenness caused Qiao Anhao to stumble backwards, kicking over two candles.

The glass cup that held the candles shattered, sending a shrill noise through the air, startling their senses back into them. Lu Jinnian struggled to force himself away from her, his breathing rugged and breathless.

He almost forgot that her abortion was less than a month ago, her body was not going to be able to take it.

He took in several deep breaths, before lowering his head once again to kiss her lips one last time. Mustering up all the self control he possessed to suppress his inner flames, he said in a hoarse voice, “Do you want some cake?”

Just a second ago they had been kissing passionately, now he had asked her if she wanted cake? Qiao Anhao wasn’t able to process the abruptness of the situation; her brain was left in a daze. After a long while, she shook her head.

“Let me get Madam Chen to put it in the fridge, you can have some tomorrow.” Lu Jinnian spoke in a low deep voice that was almost a moan. He shut his eyes for a while more before pushing Qiao Anhao away, creating a safe distance between the two of them. He gazed at her before tidying her clothes and instructing her to take a bath.

Just a moment ago there had been a fiery situation and now it had been put to an abrupt stop; Lu Jinnian wasn’t the only one feeling unsatisfied and frustrated. With low spirits and a heavy heart, Qiao Anhao hesitated slightly but decided to hold on to her dignity. In the end, she was just not able to harass him to continue what he had started… Unwillingly, she turned and dragged herself to the bathroom.

Chapter 372: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (2)

Lu Jinnian waited till the bathroom doors were close before bringing the plate of cake downstairs. He passed the cake over to Madam Chen before heading out.

The night breeze blew comfortably against him. Instinctively, he touched his pockets for his box of cigarettes. He took a stick out and brought it to his mouth, but just when he was about to light it up, he remembered the words that Qiao Anhao had said to him in the hospital: Smoking is bad for health, you should quit.

He paused for a while before removing the stick he held in his mouth. He stuffed it back into the cigarette box and hesitated once more. Walking over to the trash bin at the side, he threw in both the entire box of cigarettes and the lighter.

He was out for about ten minutes, and after calming his heart, he turned and re-entered the house.

The moment he pushed the bedroom door open, he heard the shower running. The sound started to frustrate him, stirring the flame within him that he had desperately tried to suppress. He walked to the changing room, grabbed a fresh set of clothes before walking to the next room to take a cold shower.

When he returned to the bedroom, Qiao Anhao was standing by the vanity, preparing to blow dry her hair.

Her hair was starting to get long. Even if she had done hair treatments, it would still tangle when it was wet, so she was using her fingers to untangle them.

Lu Jinnian threw the towel that he held aside and walked over. He picked up a comb combed her hair silently.

Qiao Anhao froze slightly, turning to look at him through the mirror. She observed him for a while before lowering her lashes.

Lu Jinnian untangled her hair before blowing it with the hairdryer seriously.

The buzzing from the hairdryer continuously sounded in Qiao Anhao’s ears.

After making sure that her hair was dry, he didn’t forget to comb it once again. Only then did he put the comb down and said, “It’s done.”

Qiao Anhao looked at him through the mirror once again. With a trace of a smile, she started to apply her facial lotion.

Lu Jinnian remained silent, ruffling his hair as he blew it dry before lying on the bed.

After applying her facial products, Qiao Anhao climbed onto the bed as well. Once she was properly tucked in, he stood up to off the lights.

The candles on the floor were still burning, sending a soft warm glow through the room.

They both lay in silence. It was already late, but Qiao Anhao was wide awake, the image of the moment a while back flashing in her mind. Why didn’t he touch her in the end?

She kept replaying the image in her mind, feeling frustrated, while Lu Jinnian, who had just taken a cold shower, was ruffled by her constant tosses and turns. When she finally turned once again, he could no longer keep it in any longer, grabbing her wrist, putting an end to her restlessness.

Qiao Anhao had originally thought that he was about to continue from where they left off, but instead, he just held onto her wrist, without any signs of movement. Disappointment and sadness clouded her, and she flipped over once more.

“Can’t sleep?” Lu Jinnian turned and looked into her face with the faint glow from the candle.

Chapter 373: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (3)

Qiao Anhao glanced at Lu Jinnian wordlessly. Finally, he sighed in defeat and pulled her into his arms, preventing her from moving. “It’s late, let’s sleep.”

Lu Jinnian’s embrace miraculously calmed Qiao Anhao’s ruffled heart. Even though they were separated by a thin layer of clothes, she could still feel his warmth. The candles cast a faint warm glow on the room, and as she rested her head on his arm, she could hear the strong thud of his heart, giving off a sense of security.

In her mind, she couldn’t help thinking of what had happened recently. Even if he still possessed the same nonchalant demeanor, his care for her was apparent. When they had gone to Resplendent for dinner, he had held onto her hand , carried her back home, and had even celebrated her birthday… He would never have done that in the past.

What caused the sudden change?

After thinking for a while, she suddenly came up with a wild conjecture… Did he fall in love with her after their time together?

She started feeling confused and anxious, opening her eyes to look at him.

He had his eyes shut, his expression calm as though he was on the verge of falling asleep.

There was a hint of indifference and loftiness etched on his face.

As she glanced at him, she couldn’t help feeling an impulse. That impulse started to feel stronger and stronger, and when she could no longer keep it in she whispered his name. “Lu Jinnian?”

With his eyes shut, he replied with a murmur instinctively before opening his eyes.

The moment she caught his gaze, she started to feel anxious. She had wanted to ask if he liked her, but the question was stuck in her throat. When her brain started to clear, she remembered that he had once told her that no matter who he liked, it would never be her, so could she just be thinking too much?

When he realized that she wasn’t going to react, he frowned, asking, “What’s wrong?”

When Qiao Anhao finally came back to her senses, she looked at him, her mind confused. She randomly found an excuse. “Are you tired?”

With the woman he loved in his arms, how would any normal man be able to fall asleep? In a clear voice, Lu Jinnian said, “No.” He asked again, “What’s wrong?”

“Hmm.” After a moment of silence, she asked again, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Ask,” Lu Jinnian replied instantly.

Qiao Anhao started to feel her heart quicken. She gripped onto the the blanket before asking, “In what ways am I not good enough?”

Her question threw Lu Jinnian off guard, leaving him speechless.

In his heart, she was the most perfect being in the world.

Qiao Anhao started getting more nervous from his silence, hence she decided to explain herself, relieving the tension. “It’s like this… Jiamu once told me that you have someone you like.”

Chapter 374: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (4)

“I was always curious and wanted to ask you about who you like…” Qiao Anhao tried to appear curious, as though she was just being gossipy.

She thought that she looked relaxed, but deep inside, her heart was bleeding. She took several deep breaths inwardly, trying to control her emotions, allowing herself to seem nonchalant when saying the words that had sent her to tears multiple times. “No matter who I like, it will never be you.”

Qiao Anhao appeared calm, even curling her lips upwards into a small smile before lowering her lashes to shield her hurt and sorrow. She continued to joke with ease, “Don’t you know how hurtful that was? I was just being curious, but you had actually said that…. Am I that bad?”

In that instance, Lu Jinnian was even more confused. That sentence wasn’t part of any of his memories. He frowned, trying to recall what had happened five years ago, before they had grown apart.

At that time, they hadn’t met for a few months and finally reunited in a gathering held by Xu Jiamu. That time, he had just heard from Xu Jiamu that he was going to marry Qiao Anhao. It had been the worst moment of his life. He felt despair closing in on him and on the second night of the gathering, he didn’t speak to Qiao Anhao. He just kept drowning himself in alcohol. And at the end of the night, he dreamed that he had met her and had spoken to her.

Lu Jinnian could sense that what she was saying was from the night he was drunk. He sunk into silence for a long while before asking, “Was it five years ago on the night of Jiamu’s gathering?”

“Yea,” she replied faintly.

“That night, the girl I love had married someone else, so I wasn’t in a good mood. I drank too much and mistook you for a hallucination…”

Hallucination… Qiao Anhao didn’t know how to explain her current emotion… She could barely breath. Her grasp on the blanket tightened, but she forced herself to react normally. “So on that night, you mistook me for the girl you love? You thought that she was the one asking you, that’s why you said that?”

Lu Jinnian’s lips pressed into a thin line, sadness creeping onto his face. After a long while, he explained faintly, “That sentence wasn’t for the girl I love, it was for myself.”

So that’s how it was…. That sentence was not meant for her, but the girl he loved wasn’t her either… Qiao Anhao’s happiness was soon drowned by a layer of sadness. She struggled to keep the smile on her face.

“I really thought you meant it.” She paused slightly before continuing, “But the girl you love must be blessed, having you love her for such a long time.”

Chapter 375: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (5)

Lu Jinnian lifted his lips lightly, but he didn’t speak. The entire room was so quiet that even the sparks of light from the candles could be heard. After a long while, Lu Jinnian finally spoke, but instead of replying to her, he called her lightly, “Qiao Qiao…”

Qiao Anhao raised her head in confusion, looking up at him. “Huh?”

Lu Jinnian stared at her, his eyes a mixture of emotions. He wanted to tell her that she was the girl that he loved, but he was afraid that if it went wrong, they couldn’t even be friends.

When someone has totally lost something, he never wants to return back to that stage. The five years without her was the worst time of his life and he never wanted to relive that again.

His heart was in a mess. After a long while, he finally cleared his throat. “You are girl worthy of love.”

This was the first time that Lu Jinnian had praised her. Qiao Anhao took a deep breath of his familiar scent, another sudden impulse forming in her mind. She really wanted to ask if she was really worthy of love. If she was worthy, that what about him? Why didn’t he love her?

The more she thought, the more she wanted to ask him. She was really going to call for him, but as she looked at him, he was staring back at her with a deep gaze, as though waiting for her to speak. In that instance, she lost all her courage.

This was the best time of their relationship and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize this moment.

After all, even if she was a girl worthy of love, that didn’t mean that he would love her.

She swallowed the words back in, finally saying in a faint voice, “Goodnight.”

After a long while, he replied in an equally faint voice, “Goodnight.”

This was the end of their conversation. They closed their eyes, pretending to be asleep, but deep inside their hearts, they were both thinking of their deepest secret…. He loved her; She loved him.

Qiao Anhao had no idea how she fell asleep that night, but when she woke up, it was already 11 am in the afternoon and Lu Jinnian was no longer beside her.

The candles on the floor had already been extinguished, leaving an empty glass containers behind. The balloons on the wall were the same as the previous night, reminding her that it was not a dream.

She looked at her phone and saw many blessings from her family and friends. As she brushed her teeth, she started to reply to them one by one. By lunch time, Zhao Meng had arrived to fetch her to the filming set.

Qiao Anhao began packing her things, but before she left, she suddenly remembered that Lu Jinnian had prepared a cake for her. She told Madam Chen to pack it for her and she brought it along to the filming set.

That afternoon, Lu Jinnian didn’t have any scenes, so he didn’t turn up. But in the few minutes they were apart, she realized that she really missed him.

After she was done with her scenes, she headed back to the hotel. Upon reaching it, she saw Lu Jinnian’s car in the car park! Knowing that he was nearby, she suddenly remembered the cake he had prepared for her, which she could use as an excuse to meet him.

After returning to her room, she cut the cake and placed a large slice onto a plate. Just when she was about to leave the room, her phone suddenly rang…

Chapter 376: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (6)

After returning to her room, Qiao Anhao cut the cake and placed a large slice onto a plate. Just when she was about to leave the room, her phone suddenly rang…

It was from the front counter. “Is Miss Qiao Anhao there?”

She held the cake in one hand and the phone in another. Bending down, she answered, “Yes.”

” Hello Miss Qiao, the front staff has two deliveries for you. Do you need me to send them up now?”

One was from Qiao Anxia. She had initially wanted to deliver the present personally but was sent overseas on a last minute business trip, hence she could only send it through postage. As for the other gift… Qiao Anhao frowned slightly, curious as to who had sent it, but she was in a rush to go upstairs to find Lu Jinnian, so she didn’t think much of it and said in a warm tone, “Yes please, I’m sorry to have to trouble you.”

After she hung up, Qiao Anhao informed Zhao Meng, who was devouring the cake, to collect the delivery for her before rushing out the door. After closing it behind her, she hesitated slightly before returning back to the room. She placed the cake down and tidied her hair. After examining herself for a long while, she reached for her blusher and dabbed a little on her cheeks. Pressing her lips together, she was satisfied with herself. She reached for the cake once more and left her room.

–

Qiao Anhao came to the entrance of Lu Jinnian’s room on the top floor. At the door, she didn’t forget to take out her phone to look at her reflection, making sure that she looked perfect before pressing the doorbell.

Lu Jinnian’s assistant was the one that opened the door. When he saw her, he stood aside immediately. “Miss Qiao, come in.”

Qiao Anhao walked in with the cake in her hands. She scanned the surroundings, and when she didn’t see Lu Jinnian in the living room, she asked, “Where’s Lu Jinnian?”

“Mr. Lu is in the bedroom.” His assistant pointed to the bedroom before walking to knock on the door. After waiting for a while, Lu Jinnian’s faint voice came from inside, “Enter.” The assistant pushed the door open.

Lu Jinnian sat in front of the study table. He continued to stare at the computer screen without bothering to look up, as though he had nothing to do with the person that just entered.

His assistant was already used to Lu Jinnian’s nonchalance, so he added, “Mr. Lu, Miss Qiao is here.”

The moment Lu Jinnian heard that Qiao Anhao was here, he diverted his gaze from the computer screen to look at her, who had just entered the room.

A wide smile spread across her face instantly. It was sunset, and through the window, warm yellow rays were spilling into the room onto Qiao Anhao’s face, making her smile seem almost celestial.

Lu Jinnian stared in a daze for a while before raising from his chair, asking in a gentle voice, “Why are you here?”

Qiao Anhao smiled at him, lifting the large cake in her hands. “I came to send you a a slice of cake.”

Lu Jinnian pushed the messy documents aside, emptying a space for the plate.

The assistant had specially ordered Qiao Anhao’s birthday cake, so he knew that it was her birthday. He instantly gave her his blessing, “Miss Qiao, Happy Birthday.”

Chapter 377: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (7)

“Thank you.” Qiao Anhao smiled towards his assistant and place the cake on the empty space Lu Jinnian had emptied. It seemed rude not to offer his assistant, so she turned towards him. “Do you want a slice?”

The assistant nodded his head, accepting Lu Jinnian turned to glare at his assistant, forcing him to swallow his words. The man then turned to smile at Qiao Anhao, forcing out his next words. “Thank you Miss Qiao, but I don’t really like sweet food.”

“Oh…”

Qiao Anhao turned and looked at Lu Jinnian. At that moment, there wasn’t any expression on his face. He no longer had the strict expression he had used to face his assistant, and so Qiao Anhao remained oblivious to what had happened, a faint smile on her face. She passed the fork she had brought up to Lu Jinnian and told him, “The cake is all yours.”

Lu Jinnian replied with a faint “Yea”, and when Qiao Anhao wasn’t paying attention, he swept his assistant a glance.

The man suddenly realized the situation and immediately said, “Mr. Lu, I just remembered that I promised my wife that I’ll be home tonight for dinner, so if there’s nothing more, can I go back?”

Even though Lu Jinnian was well aware that his assistant left because of his warning, he remained expressionless, as though nothing had happened, and nodded. “Yea, I know.”

The assistant turned to Qiao Anhao and bade her goodbye before leaving the room.

After he left, Lu Jinnian glanced at the time on his computer. It was dinner time, so he asked, “What do you want to eat?”

“Anything…” After Qiao Anhao had replied, she suddenly remembered that Lu Jinnian was busy with work before she had arrived. “Weren’t you busy with work? Should we go after you finish?”

She paused for a bit, then lied, “I’m not that hungry yet since I just ate some cake.”

Lu Jinnian thought about it before passing his iPad to Qiao Anhao. “You can wait here.”

“Okay.” She reached for the iPad and pointed to the living room, so that she wouldn’t disrupt him. “I’ll wait over there.”

Lu Jinnian nodded, not saying anything.

Qiao Anhao smiled sweetly at him before hugging her iPad and leaving the bedroom, closing the door behind herself.

Lu Jinnian looked at the tightly shut door, standing in the same position for a long while before lowering his hand with a faint smile on his face. He pulled his chair and sat down to continue with his work.

After he finished, the skies were already dark. He turned and took a look at the time. Two hours had already passed. He suddenly stood up, remembering that Qiao Anhao was still waiting for him in the living room.

He kicked her chair aside and took large strides to the door. When he pulled it open, he saw her lying on the sofa with the iPad in her hands, watching a movie. She was afraid that to disrupt him, so she had the iPad’s volume set on really low.

Lu Jinnian slowed, his expression turning gentle.

Qiao Anhao seemed to have sensed him, for she turned her head instinctively, seeing him. She placed the iPad on the sofa and sat up. With a smile on her face, she asked, “You finished?”

Chapter 378: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (8)

Lu Jinnian glanced at her smile, bliss and tenderness enveloping his heart. This was the most beautiful part of life: No matter how busy you were, the moment you finish, the person you love is there, waiting with the warmest smile.

He looked at her gentle smile for a long while before blinking. In a warm voice, he asked, “Hungry?”

“I’m fine.” An hour ago, she was indeed hungry, but after such a long time, the hunger had gone away.

Lu Jinnian grabbed his car keys and wallet from the coffee table while saying, “Let’s go, I’ll get you some food.”

He brought her to the White House Restaurant in Beijing city which cost at least five digits per meal, with an additional twenty percent of service charge. The restaurant was a place that money alone could not buy. It was said that the female waitresses here had a higher requirement than in “Paradise”, the biggest nightclub in Beijing.

This was the first time that Qiao Anhao had entered in this restaurant, and it was just as the rumors had made it out to be. Just the entrance fee was seven digits and that’s not inclusive of the meal. All the wine served was world famous and the servers were dressed in light colored qipaos which hugged their curvaceous figures and had amazing visuals. It was definitely a place that nourished the eyes.

Truthfully, the restaurant was extravagant. The food was good but it wasn’t worth its price tag.

Even if the price wasn’t worth it, Qiao Anhao still had an enjoyable meal.

After their meal, it was already late and the entire city was lit up.

Lu Jinnian sped across the quiet night back the film set.

Qiao Anhao didn’t want to separate from Lu Jinnian just yet, so when the car stopped, she unwillingly unfastened her seatbelt and alighted from the car slowly.

The two of them walked side by side into the hotel entrance. The bellboy pressed the elevator after the two of them entered it. Lu Jinnian pressed his floor while she pressed her floor.

She looked at the red numbers on the elevator ascending ,one number at a time, reaching her floor in an instance. When the elevator doors opened, she turned around unwillingly to bid him goodbye.

Lu Jinnian nodded lightly, saying, “Goodnight.”

Qiao Anhao continued to stare at him for a while. Only when the elevator doors made a sound did she quickly exit. When she was about to turn and wave to him, the doors were already shut.

After Lu Jinnian reached his room, he ripped off his tie and removed his shirt before walking to the bathroom. Just then, he received a text from Qiao Anhao, [Thank you for the scrumptious meal tonight.]

Lu Jinnian’s actions slowed. With his free hand, he typed a few words, replying with [You’re welcome.]

She quickly replied with a smiley face, saying, [I’ll go and shower now, goodnight.]

Chapter 379: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (9)

Lu Jinnian responded with a [Goodnight], and after he confirmed that she wasn’t going to reply, he entered the bathroom.

After coming out, he wanted to smoke out of habit, but when he touched his pocket, he realized that it was empty. He remembered that he had thrown it away. Instead, he poured a cup of hot water for himself and sat down on the living room sofa to watch television.

After flipping through a few channels, he switched the television off, tossing the remote control on the coffee table. That’s when he saw the iPad. He picked it up and saw that Qiao Anhao had been watching the movie “Nian Nian’s Notebook”.

He exited the movie and found that there was an additional QQ chat software on his iPad. It was definitely downloaded by Qiao Anhao, so he clicked in and realized that she hasn’t logged out of her account. He entered the main page and began reading, sentence by sentence.

Most of her entries were about her feelings and what she wanted to do for that day and other random thoughts like “Randomly craving Häagen-Dazs”, “Really wishing to watch a concert”, “Having a meal with sis tonight”. These words didn’t seem to hold much meaning, and occasionally there was a photo of her in her entries.

Lu Jinnian scanned each entry in detail, all the way to five years ago, which was nearly a thousand and two hundred entries ago. Among them there were at least four hundred selfies, with almost twenty different hairstyles, thirty-eight shared songs, twenty-four overseas trips—Hangzhou taking up seven times—and three novels, with one recently filmed into a drama.

In the five years that they didn’t have any interaction, he had constantly been wondering what she had been up to, and tonight, he had been been able to fill in on her life for those five years.

Lu Jinnian placed the iPad down and glanced at the time. It was already 00.00, and he was about to head to bed when his phone vibrated. He reached for it and realized that it was a month after Qiao Anhao had a miscarriage and she was due for a checkup.

She didn’t know that she had lost a child, how was he supposed to bring her to the hospital?

But she couldn’t not go for the check up either… What if there were any complications?

Lu Jinnian stared at the phone screen for a long while, his eyes shinning when he thought of something. He lifted his phone and called his assistant.

–

After reaching her room, Qiao Anhao took a shower before climbing into the bed to sleep. The next morning, she woke up earlier to wash up. Only after she was done did Zhao Meng wake up to bath in a daze.

While waiting for Zhao Meng, Qiao Anhao recalled that Qiao Anxia had sent her a delivery. She walked around the room in search and found a box on the study table. She walked up and ripped off the packaging, find inside was a channel packaging. She opened it and found the latest earring design with a card in Qiao Anxia’s handwriting. “Qiao Qiao, Happy Birthday, Anxia.”

A smile spread across her face when she picked up the card and the earrings. She packed the wrapper and packaging, realizing then that there was a letter beneath the box. The sender’s information wasn’t written, there was only her information. She frowned, tearing the envelope open. She pulled out the paper and scanned the contents, her face paling instantly.

Chapter 380: In What Way am I not Good Enough? (10)

 Paperplane  Editor: DarkGemThey were D&C forms, and Qiao Anhao was the person who had had the operation… She saw the two words, the name of the person who had signed underneath. The fingers holding onto the papers shook violently.

Lu Jinnian.

It was his signature. He agreed for her to do the D&C operation.

Qiao Anhao’s eyes were filled with astonishment and disbelief at what she saw, but it was in black and white. It was written so clearly, and it didn’t seem like a prank.

Her mind was completely blank. She read the papers over and over again, several times. In the end, no matter how she saw it, the words were so clearly written on paper.

Qiao Anhao didn’t know just how long she was standing there, frozen on the spot, staring at the papers. It wasn’t until Zhao Meng had come out of the shower, and she asked where the hair dryer was that she finally snapped back to reality in a panic. She hastily folded the papers up and shoved them into her bag. Then she silently took a deep breath, and quietly pointed over at the sofa, saying, “Over there.”

Even though Qiao Anhao appeared composed, Zhao Meng still heard that there was something wrong in her voice. With a head of dripping wet hair, she looked up at her and asked worriedly, “Qiao Qiao, what’s wrong?”

“I’m fine.” Qiao Anhao shook her head. Right then, her mind was in complete disarray. She needed to quickly find a place to clear up her thoughts, so she pulled a smile for Zhao Meng. “I’m hungry. Maybe my blood sugar is low. I don’t feel well, so I’m going to the restaurant first. Later, come find me there.”

Zhao Meng nodded, and said, “Yeah.”

Qiao Anhao didn’t say anything more, just grabbed her handbag, and then quickly left the hotel room.

She didn’t go to the restaurant but got straight into the elevator and left the hotel. She went to the empty garden behind the hotel and sat on the stone bench. There, she continued to flip through the papers in her bag, over and over again. Her fingers gripped tightly onto the papers, creasing their edges.

She looked at the time of the operation on the D&C forms. It was over twenty something days ago when she went to the hospital.

But at the time, she was deep asleep, so she didn’t really have any recollection of it. The next day, when she woke, she was already in the bedroom in Mian Xiu Garden. Madam Chen had said her period came.

Her period was always irregular. Every time it came, she’d always be so incredibly sick, like she’d lost half her life. Even though she was weaker than usual that time her period came, she didn’t feel like anything was off. She sensed that something wasn’t right, but she didn’t think anything more of it.

Unless, back then, she… actually had had a D&C?

But this letter was a little too strange. There wasn’t any information about the sender. Was this a set up?

The more Qiao Anhao thought about it, the more confused her heart was. Deep within, there was a part of her that believed that Lu Jinnian would never abort their child, but this letter definitely shook her.

Her heart was conflicted for a long time. In the end, she folded the forms up and put them into her bag. She pulled out her car keys and drove her car to the hospital on the forms.

Rather than pondering over these papers on her own with crazy thoughts, why not go directly to the hospital and get down to the bottom of it?

The morning roads in the city weren’t congested. Qiao Anhao took only two hours to reach the City Hospital.

Since there were many people there, Qiao Anhao was afraid someone would take her photo, stirring up gossip, and so she wore a hat and mouth mask when she got out of the car.