Chapter 58

Chapter 58

On the day of Ning Yichu's surgery, Ning Shaoren, Han Wenhua, and Ning Zeshu were still unconscious.

The hospital said that Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua's prolonged coma was mainly due to severe brain trauma from the accident, compounded by other injuries like amputations that had taken a severe toll on them, which was a normal condition.

In Ning Zeshu's case, although he was also injured, his wounds weren't as severe as the others'. Ning Zeqi was already awake and well enough to be transferred to the detention center, yet Ning Zeshu still hadn't regained consciousness. This might also have something to do with the patient's own weak will to live.

Ning Zeshu having a weak will to live... Ning Yichu had watched the dashcam footage from the accident, which clearly recorded the conversation among the four members of the Ning family. Although he understood Ning Zeshu's mindset, he still had no desire to sympathize.

His previous life had been so unfortunate; the only time he attempted suicide was when he was drunk and out of control, and he'd had a last-minute change of heart and called for help.

His death in his previous life was because his body simply couldn't take it anymore, not because he wanted to die. Back then, if he hadn't wanted to live well, he would have long since given up and dragged as many Ning family members down with him as possible to have company in the grave.

In short, whether Ning Zeshu lived or died was his own business. The police were already more focused on when Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua would wake up. Ning Yichu hadn't even visited the other hospital again these past few days.

His preoperative examination results were excellent, allowing the surgery to proceed as scheduled.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the surgery arrived.

After changing into his surgical gown and sitting on the hospital bed waiting to be wheeled into the operating room, Ning Yichu suddenly said to He Shixia, "Actually, I really had looked forward to this child, you know."

He Shixia was slightly taken aback. "Because... you wanted something that belonged entirely to you?"

Ning Yichu smiled faintly. "You could say that. At first, I couldn't accept the pregnancy at all. Right after they revived me from my wrist-slitting attempt, I actually wanted to abort this child. But you said you wanted to marry me because of it. I was so desperate to escape the Ning family back then that I thought, fine, I'll keep it. After over twenty years of living, I ended up relying on this kind of 'bargaining chip'—which is really unfair to the child."

He Shixia pressed his lips together. "...It was my fault. The Ning family treated you poorly, and in your awkward position, you couldn't possibly let your guard down and talk to me openly without reservations. But I didn't have as many reservations; yet I didn't initiate a conversation with you either. I presumptuously assumed I understood your thoughts, thinking I was being 'considerate'... What did I really know? I'd noticed even back then that you weren't treated well in the Ning family, but I chose to keep my distance and look the other way..."

"I actually have no right to criticize Ning Zeqi. I'm no different from him—it was all just empty words. He tries to package the harm he did to you as youthful ignorance and helplessness. I try to excuse myself by saying that in my previous life, I didn't realize my feelings for you before you died and didn't know the specifics of what the Ning family did to you... From the perspective of having rotten luck in love, A Ning, you really are quite unfortunate. He Rulin, who confessed to you before, wasn't any better."

After listening to He Shixia's remorseful, self-blaming, and self-mocking words, Ning Yichu remained calm.

"In the past, I never had anything that completely belonged to me, or anyone who was completely on my side, who I could be sure wouldn't betray me—except for myself. So, if I had a child of my own, perhaps I would finally have something that was completely mine."

Then Ning Yichu chuckled softly and shook his head. "But this line of thinking didn't comfort me for long. Once the morning sickness started, I realized it was impossible. This child made me uncomfortable while it was still in my womb, both physically and emotionally. So how could I expect things to improve after it was born?"

"Moreover, once born, it would be a living person. I couldn't pin my entire life's hopes on another person, nor could I inhumanely control another person like the Ning family did to me, treating someone as an extension of myself—even if that 'someone' was my own child."

"So, even if this child were born, it wouldn't mean anything more to me. Rather than thinking about it, I was better off figuring out how to gain more benefits from the He family... which, in the end, I didn't manage to achieve in my previous life either."

He Shixia said gently, "You succeeded in this life. A Ning, you don't need to overthink it. In your last life, you paid for this child's life with your own. In this life, the child hasn't been born yet. You have the right to stop using your body to sustain it. Your decision to abort the child isn't wrong. Don't feel like you're depriving anyone of their rights just because the child was born in your previous life."

Ning Yichu raised an eyebrow. "I said all that not because I'm having second thoughts—I have no intention of changing my mind. It's just that when I think about my previous life, it feels like such a raw deal. I was properly pregnant for over nine months, ended up with nothing to show for it, and even lost my own life... How could something be such a terrible bargain?"

He Shixia couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke Ning Yichu's hair. As expected, he received a glare, but he didn't withdraw his hand. Instead, he continued softly, "Then, after your surgery, if you're willing to listen, shall I tell you about the child?"

Ning Yichu found his train of thought bizarre. "What, you want to see if I'll regret it later?"

He Shixia shook his head helplessly. "Children under three are nothing but trouble. Hearing about it, you definitely won't regret it. That's not what I meant. I just thought that if you knew a little about the child, it would feel more real. Then perhaps you wouldn't feel like the difficult pregnancy ended with you seeing nothing for it... But this is just my presumptuous thinking. I blurted it out without thinking it through properly. If you don't want to hear it, just chew me out to vent your anger."

Ning Yichu swatted away He Shixia's hand, which still hadn't been withdrawn. "You're so annoying."

He Shixia took the opportunity to grasp Ning Yichu's hand and chuckled softly.

A while later, the doctor came to inform them that it was time to enter the operating room.

The surgical plan was comprehensive. The surgery itself was unprecedented, which is why the preoperative prep was so thorough, but the procedure itself wasn't particularly difficult and wouldn't take long.

About an hour after entering the operating room, Ning Yichu was wheeled out.

The doctor said to He Shixia, "Don't worry, Mr. Ning's surgery went very smoothly."

He Shixia breathed a sigh of relief, finally at ease. He followed the hospital bed back to the ward and then sat by the bedside, watching Ning Yichu's pale face, waiting for him to wake up.

Ning Yichu felt as if he had dreamed a long, drawn-out dream. When he opened his eyes, his entire body felt exhausted, but his mind felt incredibly light and relaxed.

"A Ning..." Seeing him awake, He Shixia restrained his eagerness and called out softly.

Ning Yichu tilted his head slightly, looked at He Shixia sitting beside him, and blinked.

The surgical incision was small, but he still needed to stay in the hospital for a few days and rest quietly for a while after discharge.

On the third day after his surgery, Ning Yichu received news that Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua had woken up one after the other in the morning and afternoon of the same day. Both were utterly devastated by their amputations, to the point where they couldn't even bring themselves to care about the impending prison sentences.

Having their forearms amputated wouldn't affect their ability to serve their sentences, so Ning Yichu couldn't be bothered to pay attention to how distraught they were.

He stayed in the hospital for three more days. After the doctor examined and confirmed his physical condition, he was told he could be discharged.

After the doctor left, He Shixia looked at Ning Yichu, who was in a good mood, and smiled too. "A Ning, how about going back to the He house first? Wait until you've fully recovered before moving out. You can tell me what kind of place you'd like to live in later. During this time, I can help you look for a place and get it ready. How does that sound?"

Ning Yichu nodded lazily. "During this time, it would also be good for us to sign the divorce agreement."

He Shixia paused slightly, then said, "Okay, I'll have the lawyer draft the agreement."

Ning Yichu indicated it wasn't necessary. "I already had someone draft it earlier. It's back at the He house. We can sign it when we get back later. After all, there's nothing between us that needs dividing up. Signing the divorce agreement is just to make it easier for the lawyer to handle the formalities."

This time, He Shixia didn't agree immediately. Looking at Ning Yichu's carefree demeanor, he suddenly asked, "A Ning, I'm the last item left on your list to deal with. I promised you that once I saw you settle everything and everyone else, I would obediently go and die... Can't I die as your legal spouse?"

He Shixia asked with complete seriousness. Ning Yichu studied him for a moment, then burst into laughter. "I actually did think about this seriously these past few days... Forget it, getting a divorce is enough. After that, we'll each live our own lives. Don't come bothering me again, and I don't need you to die... You're not the most despicable one. All the others are still alive; what do you have to die for?"

He Shixia let out a bitter laugh. "I'd rather you wanted me to die. That way, I could wishfully think it meant I held a different weight in your heart compared to others... A Ning, as long as I'm alive, it's impossible for me to just live separately from you. Even if I sign the divorce papers, I'll still end up haunting you in the future."

Ning Yichu clicked his tongue lightly and replied leisurely, "Are you threatening me now? Inciting someone to commit suicide is illegal. I won't do that sort of thing; don't get me involved."

He Shixia stared intently at Ning Yichu's face.

Ever since the accident involving Ning Shaoren and his family of four, Ning Yichu's entire demeanor had relaxed, as if he had finally shed a massive boulder that had been crushing him.

And after waking up from the surgery, during these past five or six days that He Shixia had been closely caring for him, he could sense even more clearly Ning Yichu's relief and newfound ease.

Seeing Ning Yichu's psychological state improving naturally made He Shixia happy. But Ning Yichu's state had improved to the point where he no longer intended to hold a grudge against him, which instead left He Shixia feeling disoriented, as if he were about to be completely excluded from Ning Yichu's brand-new life.

He Shixia would rather Ning Yichu still hated him and wanted him to die. He would rather Ning Yichu only felt complete after his death. He would rather it be as they had agreed before—that after his death, his feelings for Ning Yichu would become a perfect memory in Ning Yichu's heart...

But now Ning Yichu didn't want him to die. He Shixia didn't dare act on his own either; that would just give Ning Yichu another reason to resent him. In the future, whenever Ning Yichu looked back, he would only find He Shixia more and more repulsive.

"A Ning..." He Shixia didn't know how to respond to Ning Yichu. He just instinctively called his name, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

Watching the changes in He Shixia's expression, Ning Yichu found it quite amusing. "Do you really wish I wanted you to die? Isn't living better? People who've never experienced struggling to survive, who just want to live a decent life, are the ones who love to use death as a symbol of deep affection. I find that most annoying about you."

Although he said "most annoying about you," Ning Yichu clearly wasn't truly angry. It seemed more like he was teasing He Shixia in a particularly leisurely manner, but it was different from the veiled sarcasm and irony when he "teased" the Ning family members. Ning Yichu was genuinely at ease right now.

Snapping out of his subconscious panic, He Shixia looked at Ning Yichu like this and suddenly ventured a bold speculation. "A Ning, after the divorce, we'll be strangers, right? Then, starting from a stranger relationship, can I greet you, get to know you, and then pursue you?"

Hearing this, Ning Yichu marveled at He Shixia's quick thinking and rejected the idea with keen interest. "Why would I want to get to know you? As a bed partner? After the divorce, I can meet plenty of people; I won't be lacking you."

Yet He Shixia suddenly relaxed a little and smiled. "Alright, then I'll make sure I'm first in line, so that the first person you meet after the divorce is me... I'll pack our things. Let's get discharged."

Worried about Ning Yichu's not-yet-fully-healed surgical wound, He Shixia didn't drive that day. Instead, he sat in the back seat with Ning Yichu, while a dedicated He family driver took the wheel.

They returned to the He residence. As soon as they got out of the car, they heard a servant chasing after something and shouting, "Junzi, Junzi, don't go to the main house, you..."

A small white dog was running ahead. Upon seeing He Shixia and Ning Yichu, it came to a skidding stop, then turned around to run back. The servant finally caught up and grabbed him.

Then the servant awkwardly greeted them, "Master Shixia, Master Xiao Chu..."

Ning Yichu looked at the dog with interest—he felt he was now quite intrigued by many things, and unlike before when his curiosity always carried an agenda, now he was simply enjoying his curiosity for its own sake.

"Is this the one He Ruzhu used to keep? He didn't take him with him?" Ning Yichu asked.

The servant wasn't afraid of Ning Yichu herself, but she knew he didn't like He Ruzhu's lot. She worried he might take his anger out on the little dog. It was said he'd already done so before, resulting in the dog being neutered... and it couldn't be neutered twice. If he got angry again, there'd be nothing left to cut.

Ning Yichu couldn't help but laugh, reassuring her, "Don't worry. He barked at me before, and I already taught him a lesson by having him neutered. I don't plan to do anything else to a dog. You can take him back now."

The servant carried the trembling Junzi, who clearly had a good memory, back to the side residence. Ning Yichu then said to He Shixia, "Weren't you going to find me a new house? I want one with a yard. I plan to get a dog too. They seem like fun."

He Shixia chuckled, "Alright. Do you want a big dog or a small one?"

Ning Yichu had a moment of indecision, then simply compromised, "Neither. I want a medium-sized dog."

He Shixia nodded, "A dog needs walks. I'll be responsible for walking your dog in the future, okay?"

Ning Yichu said disdainfully, "You'd better worry about walking yourself properly first."

He Shixia really liked this kind of trivial, meaningless conversation. With a smile, he said, "Then maybe I should get a dog too. That way, we can 'meet' while walking them. It's said that 'dog-owner' friendships are quite strong and don't easily fade unless someone moves."

Ning Yichu was exasperated by his wild logic, "You're so annoying. Just help me find a house first. If I'm not satisfied, I'll have your family's place torn down and rebuilt."

—This was pure nonsense, but the servant was alarmed and reported it to He Weian, who fell silent after hearing it.

On the second day back at the He residence, Ning Yichu handed the divorce papers to He Shixia.

He Shixia put on a serious face as he looked over the agreement for a while.

Seeing him not turn the page, Ning Yichu asked suspiciously, "Did you suddenly forget how to read Chinese? Why are you being so slow?"

He Shixia cleared his throat, rolled up the papers, and said, "Sorry, to be honest, I was just thinking about how to sweet-talk my way into delaying the signing. So, apart from the five characters 'Divorce Agreement' at the top, I didn't really take anything else in."

Ning Yichu: "..."

He leaned back on the sofa, "I'm all ears."

He Shixia apologized again, "Haven't come up with a good excuse yet... A Ning, anyway, your body hasn't fully recovered, and the house hasn't been found. Give me another half month. I'll sign before you leave the He residence, okay?"

Ning Yichu tilted his head, "Seems like you've already figured out your delaying tactic."

He Shixia chuckled lightly, "So, what's your answer?"

"No," Ning Yichu said, "I want the divorce certificate in my hand before I leave this house."

He Shixia readily changed his tune, "Alright, then I'll sign the day before you leave. The lawyer can handle the paperwork in one day. I promise you'll get it. By the way, A Ning, I was just looking up medium-sized dogs. Do you want to pick which breed you like?"

Ning Yichu tsked, "I told you to find me a house first. No house, no picking dogs. Are you going to keep it leashed to your neck in the meantime?"

He Shixia couldn't help but laugh, "Forget the dog, but if you want to put a collar around my neck, to be honest, I wouldn't mind at all."

Ning Yichu was stunned by this over-the-line remark, "...Go get your head checked, He Shixia."

He Shixia was about to reply, but Ning Yichu, wanting to spare his ears, snapped, "Shut up! We're not in a relationship where we can discuss such things!"

Being cut off, He Shixia looked at Ning Yichu's expression and couldn't help but smile, "Okay... Then can we discuss the handmade 'model' I gave you? I'm planning to slowly help you pack. You'll take the 'model' with you, right?"

Ning Yichu felt that He Shixia was now just spouting filthy talk.

He raised his chin, "Why would I take that thing? Once we're divorced, I can find someone else."

He Shixia took the opportunity to discreetly toss the forgotten divorce agreement aside. Then he moved closer, took Ning Yichu's hand, and with the demeanor of a proper gentleman, said earnestly, "Really? What if you encounter someone unclean? That would be such a grievance for you, A Ning... My 'model' and I are the cleanest. Won't you really take us with you when you move?"

Ning Yichu slapped his hand away, "It was just a 'model' a moment ago, and now you're adding yourself to the package. He Shixia, you should change your name to 'Pushing-Your-Luck.'"

"Would 'Shameless' be more suitable for me?" He Shixia asked seriously.

Ning Yichu: "...The divorce agreement. Sign it. Now."

He Shixia immediately became obedient, his eyes darting around, "The agreement? Where did I put it? Let me look for it. I'll sign once I find it. Don't rush, A Ning... Oh, by the way, Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua tried to stay in the hospital to delay their arrest, but the doctor exposed them. They were discharged this morning and went straight to the interrogation room. Since they've each had a forearm amputated, they'll probably get a pass on the handcuffs."

Ning Yichu still admired his ability to change the subject.

Although He Shixia was dragging his feet on the divorce, he was taking care of other business properly. On the fourth day after Ning Yichu returned to the He residence, He Shixia gave him three property options.

"The first and second houses are from the assets I already gifted to you. If you choose either of those, you can just move in without any extra procedures. The third one is from some resources I had people look up for me. I picked this one out specifically. I think all three should be up your alley, A Ning. Take a look?" He Shixia handed him the tablet, then added, "No rush. Take your time."

But Ning Yichu didn't like to delay. Even when faced with a difficult choice, he would quickly pick one and not dwell on it. This time was no exception.

After reviewing the details of the three properties—including the locations, infrastructure, layouts, and decor—he gave his answer, "I want the third one."

He Shixia let out a soft sigh, "You really don't have to decide so quickly. Alright, then I'll have the lawyer slow-walk the transaction procedures a bit. We can move slowly, too. That way, I can delay signing the divorce papers."

Ning Yichu: "...Although you're being honest, you're really annoying."

He Shixia said with a smile, "Even if I'm annoying, you still praised my honesty. Thank you, A Ning. You're very cute, too."

Ning Yichu slapped the tablet against He Shixia's chest, "Get lost."

He Shixia took the tablet but didn't leave. Instead, emboldened by his own wishful thinking, he leaned down and quickly stole a kiss from Ning Yichu.

Ning Yichu's eyes widened. He wiped his lips, "He Shixia, you... why don't you just drop dead!"

He Shixia now deeply realized the invincibility of being shamelessly persistent. He reached out to touch Ning Yichu's lips, "Don't be angry, A Ning. I was wrong. Let me wipe it clean for you... Hiss."

Ning Yichu opened his mouth and bit down hard on He Shixia's finger.